Anyone who has ever served in any branch of the military has a feeling that those who have not served will never have. We're not super patriots, and damn few of us are bona fide heroes. I don't believe any of us draftees or enlistees, entered service with the idea of becoming a hero, and at the same time would not shirk from their duty, and if part of that was to be a hero, it was something expected from him as part of his job.
Before I get too far into this, let me give you my qualifications and credibility for writing this.:
I enlisted and served eight years in the United States Army from June, 1955 to May 1963, The first three years active duty, and the remaining five in the reserves. I spent over two years of my active duty in the Federal Republic of Germany, not with occupation forces, since the occupation was ended a few months before I was assigned to Germany. We were part of the NATO Peacekeeping forces, which at this time was quite large, because of a still divided Germany, and the Cold War under so much tension it could have snapped at any time.
During this eight years, I saw Soviet forces go into Hungary to try to crush the Hungarian Revolt, British and French planes bombing the Suez Canal, and the construction of the Berlin Wall. Any of these events could have triggered another conflict, and possibly World War III Fortunately, (or maybe because we were there?), none of these events escalated to major conflict, and some twenty years later, the Berlin Wall came down, Germany was reunited, and the Soviet Union broke up. Truly, we who served during that period were eyewitnesses to a major part of world history.
Recently, I have been looking back and asking myself what my life would have been like had I not served in the military.. I really think that there would have been something missing from it. Maybe a hollow place.
I've never talked about this to anyone that I served with, but I feel reasonably sure they feel the same way. It's something that is to me priceless. It is not something that took those years out of my life, but something that added much more to living and enhancement to my life. I have a much better appreciation for and a strengthening of my love for my country, family, and friends. It still is so rewarding, and like learning and knowledge, it's something no one can take away from me.
The Army I served in was like nothing you can imagine. Hollywood makes good movies, but they have not yet captured the essence of what the Army (or any branch of the military) is like. It is not as portrayed in a John Wayne movie, or a Rogers and Hammerstein Musical, i.e., "South Pacific". As good as these movies and Musicals are, they do not capture the full essence of Military service. There is no intent to put down any of these attempts to capture the real military, but truly it has to be experienced before you really know.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Leadership Vacuum
Did you see Anderson Cooper last evening on CNN? (7/18/2008) He had insightful articles about both McClone and Obamma. They just strengthened my contention that this year we undoubtedly have the worst choices for President that we have had in at least the past 50 years, and confirms my resolve to vote for neither.
They have no apparent leadership qualities or anything that distinguishes one from the other, and haven't shown that they have any ambition other than wanting the office.
This office is not a do it yourself as you go along. Do they have any specific ideas what they will do? They both have lists of the standard generalized mouthings politicians are wont to do, What are they going to do their first full day in office? It wouldn't surprise me if they (either one) took a "vacation' to recover from the rigors of the campaign.
Neither has given any indication they can fill the leadership vacuum we have experienced the past seven and one half years. Will theirs be a leadership of folding under pressure and knee jerk reaction to the crisis of another September 4, 2001?
That day brought forth unneeded changes that this country doesn't want or need, and it will take many years to recover and return to some form of normalcy. We are not the same people that lived before 2001, but a quivering huddled mass of frightened beings who are wandering around without the benefit lf any leadership and no direction to our lives.
Consider your vote very carefully, and you're likely to come to the conclusion that there is no one running for the office of President of the United States that is qualified or capable of providing the kind of leadership that has been missing in recent years.
With inflation raging, and the specter of depression looming ever larger, it's imperative, if we are to survive as a nation, that we find the kind of leadership we need. The clock keeps running.
They have no apparent leadership qualities or anything that distinguishes one from the other, and haven't shown that they have any ambition other than wanting the office.
This office is not a do it yourself as you go along. Do they have any specific ideas what they will do? They both have lists of the standard generalized mouthings politicians are wont to do, What are they going to do their first full day in office? It wouldn't surprise me if they (either one) took a "vacation' to recover from the rigors of the campaign.
Neither has given any indication they can fill the leadership vacuum we have experienced the past seven and one half years. Will theirs be a leadership of folding under pressure and knee jerk reaction to the crisis of another September 4, 2001?
That day brought forth unneeded changes that this country doesn't want or need, and it will take many years to recover and return to some form of normalcy. We are not the same people that lived before 2001, but a quivering huddled mass of frightened beings who are wandering around without the benefit lf any leadership and no direction to our lives.
Consider your vote very carefully, and you're likely to come to the conclusion that there is no one running for the office of President of the United States that is qualified or capable of providing the kind of leadership that has been missing in recent years.
With inflation raging, and the specter of depression looming ever larger, it's imperative, if we are to survive as a nation, that we find the kind of leadership we need. The clock keeps running.
Friday, July 4, 2008
The Swift Boating of John Kerry
Let's look at the intent of the so-called Swift Boat Veteran's. Their purpose WAS NOT to refute his testimony about the Vietnam War, but to DESTROY A HUMAN.
Very few wars have been fought without atrocities being committed by both sides. It's the nature of war. I'm not trying to justify it, but pointing out a fact.
Have you ever heard anyone use the expression "a fair fight", or "fight fair"? If you or I engage anyone in a fight, isn't our objective to win, and by using any means at our disposal?
To a lesser extent, and most especially in Vietnam, we didn't know at times who we were fighting, and did what we had to do. I don't think Kerry was wrong by pointing this out, and that the SBVT's were wrong in trying to suppress the truth, and vilifying and attempting to destroy the messenger.
Are we not mature enough to acknowledge that when it comes to warfare, we're no different than anyone else in our desire for survival.
Of course these are war crimes just as sure as the treatment of prisoners at Abu Garib was.
We did what we had to do.
Wars are futile, and in the long run do not solve anything. Isn't this what the man we call "The Prince of Peace" was trying to teach? It is a lesson that so many of us that claim to follow his teachings still have to learn.
On this July Fourth, the anniversary of our independence, shouldn't we be turning our eyes toward the goal of freedom and indepencence for all people?
Very few wars have been fought without atrocities being committed by both sides. It's the nature of war. I'm not trying to justify it, but pointing out a fact.
Have you ever heard anyone use the expression "a fair fight", or "fight fair"? If you or I engage anyone in a fight, isn't our objective to win, and by using any means at our disposal?
To a lesser extent, and most especially in Vietnam, we didn't know at times who we were fighting, and did what we had to do. I don't think Kerry was wrong by pointing this out, and that the SBVT's were wrong in trying to suppress the truth, and vilifying and attempting to destroy the messenger.
Are we not mature enough to acknowledge that when it comes to warfare, we're no different than anyone else in our desire for survival.
Of course these are war crimes just as sure as the treatment of prisoners at Abu Garib was.
We did what we had to do.
Wars are futile, and in the long run do not solve anything. Isn't this what the man we call "The Prince of Peace" was trying to teach? It is a lesson that so many of us that claim to follow his teachings still have to learn.
On this July Fourth, the anniversary of our independence, shouldn't we be turning our eyes toward the goal of freedom and indepencence for all people?
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Drilling for Oil and other harmful practices
Electrical Power plants do not have to be hydrocarbon consuming monsters that belch great clouds of pollutants into the atmosphere. The majority of our power generation comes from burning hydrocarbons such as coal, natural gas, and fuel oil.
Two sources of electrical energy which have thus far proven to have a low level of pollutants, and nearly zero hydrocarbon emissions are wind power and solar power. Another that seemed to have possibilities was using ocean currents and coastal rise and fall of tides to generate electricity.
In the U.S, it takes 10 years or better to bring a nuclear power plant on line. Why can't we take a cue from the French, which generates the greater part of their electricity from nuclear power plants? Their success comes from the fact that they have a standard design for all plants, so that they are not starting over every time they construct a power plant. We Americans tend to re-invent the wheel and all our nuclear power plants are developed and built from scratch. Surely we have learned enough about their construction that we shouldn't have to start over each time one is built. But then that's the American way with anything that requires government approval. Everyone that possibly can be involved is involved.
Look at schools and jails; the ones I am aware of are completely new from concept to design to construction. Is it any wonder that we are raising generations of lock step citizens that all think and act alike. If we have a future, where is our future leadership coming from?
Buildings that are made for the same purpose could be made with one design that is basically fixed although with some latitude for minor changes. I can envision a modular design of single units or classrooms. If you needed a school with 12 classrooms, you used twelve modules, 20 classrooms, 20 modules. These modules could be built at one site and transported to their final location and assembled there like building blocks. You might have the option of putting a different facade on the building so they didn't all look alike, but the basic engineering would be the same, and not require new approval every time a new school or jail was built. This could significantly cut costs, and get new buildings that are needed quicker. Instead of three to five years to build a new school or jail, it could be done in a third of the time for conventional construction, possibly less.
Politics and patronage builds more schools and jails than anything else. We need to change this. I have always maintained that schools and roads are not necessarily built where they are needed most, but where politicians want them. I think the same can be said for our power generating and oil refining businesses.
A recent catch phrase has been "think outside the box." I think to this we can add, yes, think outside the box, but think box - modular box(es).
One more question: How is it that a multi-million shopping center can be built from scratch, from preparing the land to occupancy and grand opening in several months instead of several years?
If drilling for oil is approved for these forbidden areas, take note of how long it takes to start pumping oil.
Two sources of electrical energy which have thus far proven to have a low level of pollutants, and nearly zero hydrocarbon emissions are wind power and solar power. Another that seemed to have possibilities was using ocean currents and coastal rise and fall of tides to generate electricity.
In the U.S, it takes 10 years or better to bring a nuclear power plant on line. Why can't we take a cue from the French, which generates the greater part of their electricity from nuclear power plants? Their success comes from the fact that they have a standard design for all plants, so that they are not starting over every time they construct a power plant. We Americans tend to re-invent the wheel and all our nuclear power plants are developed and built from scratch. Surely we have learned enough about their construction that we shouldn't have to start over each time one is built. But then that's the American way with anything that requires government approval. Everyone that possibly can be involved is involved.
Look at schools and jails; the ones I am aware of are completely new from concept to design to construction. Is it any wonder that we are raising generations of lock step citizens that all think and act alike. If we have a future, where is our future leadership coming from?
Buildings that are made for the same purpose could be made with one design that is basically fixed although with some latitude for minor changes. I can envision a modular design of single units or classrooms. If you needed a school with 12 classrooms, you used twelve modules, 20 classrooms, 20 modules. These modules could be built at one site and transported to their final location and assembled there like building blocks. You might have the option of putting a different facade on the building so they didn't all look alike, but the basic engineering would be the same, and not require new approval every time a new school or jail was built. This could significantly cut costs, and get new buildings that are needed quicker. Instead of three to five years to build a new school or jail, it could be done in a third of the time for conventional construction, possibly less.
Politics and patronage builds more schools and jails than anything else. We need to change this. I have always maintained that schools and roads are not necessarily built where they are needed most, but where politicians want them. I think the same can be said for our power generating and oil refining businesses.
A recent catch phrase has been "think outside the box." I think to this we can add, yes, think outside the box, but think box - modular box(es).
One more question: How is it that a multi-million shopping center can be built from scratch, from preparing the land to occupancy and grand opening in several months instead of several years?
If drilling for oil is approved for these forbidden areas, take note of how long it takes to start pumping oil.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)