Perspective on the State of the Union

Friday, May 21, 2010

I am a Vietnam combat veteran who served on active duty as an officer in two services, son of a World War II veteran and grandson of one of a post-World War I veteran and one of our country's early military aviators. I grew up in a country that I knew to be a beacon of hope and sanctuary for freedom loving people everywhere...a country that in my lifetime defeated world-wide tyranny and vanquished the cold grip of communism and the cold war. I am proud of my country and feel honored to have defended her through some difficult times.

Today I fear that my children, grandchildren and future generations of Americans may never know the sheer joy and exhilaration of waking up each day as a youngster in the country I once knew. I can still feel the warm glow of Saturday mornings listening to the Lone Ranger and Tonto on the radio in my mom’s kitchen as she made pancakes, sausage and eggs. I would then go out to play in our neighborhood with the other boys and girls….usually cowboys and Indians or cops and robbers with our toy guns. In the summer, we would pitch plastic tents in the back yard or make forts out of old wood crates and cardboard boxes, and watch the stars at night. Our parents were not too concerned about our safety…in those days, grown-ups were very protective of children and were quick to correct them or take them by the ear and return them to their parents if they acted up or were disrespectful to others. I always felt safe around adults, particularly teachers and clergy. I had plenty of heroes to look up to…Audie Murphy, John Wayne, Tex Ritter, Gene Autry, Roy Rogers to name a few. These were adults who took on the bad guys and defended women, children and the sick & poor against all kinds of evil. Movies didn’t have (or need) ratings because they were about the American People…our lives, families, children, work places, and history. They both entertained and inspired kids like me and the only ones who were hurt or belittled were tyrants and criminals (who richly deserved it). The scariest movie of the time was probably “Frankenstein” (that my parents would not let me see, but that I did anyway) which by today’s standards would be fit for pre-school students.


Politics were for grown-ups, but I remember watching the national political conventions on early television as delegates proudly cast their ballots for presidential candidates amid much fanfare and state flag waving…without so much as a mention of their sexual orientation, racial background, or feelings about healthcare or global warming. The concern of these adults and most Americans was fighting the threat of communism, tyranny, and poverty while preserving the family and our free and open market system.

Consider the above in light of what we face in our “free” society today: the food police tell us we can’t eat eggs and sausage (unless synthetic, fat-free/cholesterol free). Showing American Indians on television is insensitive and defamatory. Cowboys are out since they remind us of George Bush and come from Texas or Arizona. Playing cops and robbers is too violent for children and promotes gun violence. Playing with homemade toys or structures not approved by the government is dangerous so wood crate forts are definitely out (along with the cardboard since it must be recycled). Children are no longer to be corrected by just any adult…they now have “rights” and can say or do most anything to anyone because of the threat of lawsuits. School officials and teachers hide behind the mythical shield of "separation of church and state" and fear of legal reprisals if they should discipline students or restrict their behavior in any way. Parents often compound the problem of the schools by shirking their responsibility to raise their children and set good examples through their own behavior….hey, it’s the anything-goes, do-your-own-thing, love-the-one-you’re-with society, right?

And who are the heroes and icons our children get to choose from today? Maybe you would pick people like Barak Hussein Obama, Johnny Depp, Lindsey Lohan, Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, Ronald Regan, or Rush Limbaugh; you’d be wrong. Time magazine picked these names as the most beloved Heroes & Icons last year:

Heroes & Icons
1. Michelle Obama
2. Chesley B. Sullenberger
3. Richard Phillips
4. Seth Berkley
5. Michael Eavis
6. Leonard Abess
7. Hadizatou Mani
8. Rick Warren
9. Van Jones
10. Somaly Mam

Read more: http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/completelist/0,29569,1894410,00.html#ixzz0oZyNp7sh

With the notable exception of Captain Sully Sullemberger, maybe the choices by Time Magazine really do reflect what the American People are looking for today in their culture…celebrities, victims, revolutionaries, cultural warriors, artists and community organizers who can change the world. After all, with Hollywood producers and directors who can rewrite the history of Pearl Harbor, WWII, JFK, Richard Nixon, Vietnam, the Cold War and our founding fathers, is it so terrible that our President thinks that there are 57 states and bows to foreign heads of state? It is actually not all the fault of Hollywood and the media that bad films are made and make money…they also make some remarkably good movies that just don’t get the headlines and “push” from the media. Take for example the HBO movie “Taking Chance” that follows the path of a fallen soldier killed in combat in Iraq as his remains are returned home. It is a moving story of personal courage shared by those whose lives are touched by this fallen warrior. It serves as an old fashioned reminder of how precious life truly is and how extraordinary are the men and women who love their country enough to risk their tomorrows for our today. We need more inspirational films like this one to fill in the gaps left by our failed educational system that rewards bureaucracy and stymies the factual teaching of American history and principles. And when it comes to making “creative” films, how about leaving the gore of Alien, Halloween “thrillers” and all the sordid themes of victimization, rape, murder, incest, mutilation and CSI remains examination out of films…it does nothing to advance society or enrich our childrens’ lives.

And while I’m at it, how about a change in our attitude towards politics? Politics should be about defining the mood and needs of the people who consent to be governed. It is not about those who govern, nor is it about the arrogance of power…it is about the responsibility to reflect the will of the people in the conduct of governance. It is time to return the American spirit to the ballot box and demonstrate once again that government in America is of, by and for the people…period. It is not a lifelong sanctuary for the ambitious, the arrogant or the greedy among us but rather the opportunity for a select few to serve one’s fellow citizens who have likewise pledged their lives, fortunes and sacred honor to preserve the nation. Government must be trimmed to perform the essential functions intended by our founding fathers as outlined in the Constitution and only those other tasks specifically granted by the people from time to time.

I can only hope that my children and grandchildren can help reverse the spiral of our country into the socialist abyss. If we and they cannot, then the last great hope for the world may truly be lost in a generation. Now is the time for all good men and women to stand together for America's future and move forward as a united Patriotic Tide.

The Wild Weasel

FREEDOM TO PRAY

Friday, August 14, 2009

I was distressed to read an article in the Washington Times today concerning a Principal and an Athletic Director at a northern Florida high school who are facing criminal charges for conducting a lunchtime prayer at their school…that’s right, CRIMINAL charges that carry a fine of $5,000 and up to six months in jail if they are convicted. The alleged incident took place at a lunch for school employees and local booster-club members at the school but after school hours. There were no students present at the event. This was the result of an ACLU complaint to U.S. District Court Judge M. Casey Rodgers who then issued a contempt order for the two men. The contempt order also included another employee, a female clerical assistant, who reportedly asked her husband to say a blessing for a meal at a local naval base gathering that included some students but was not during school hours. Trial is set for next week in Pensacola, Florida.

I hope the citizens of Santa Rosa county will come to their senses and demand that the trial for these good citizens be cancelled and charges dropped. Otherwise they can expect to find an ACLU attorney banging on their door after prayer services no matter where they are.

The issue here is the same old ACLU vs. Christians line and the “separation of church and state”. One has to really put on their convoluted thinking cap to make this episode fit ACLU logic. It goes something like this: Separation of the state from religion is implied (although some people incorrectly think it is so stated) in the first amendment to the Constitution of the United States; the public school (as an institution of the government that is supported by public taxes) is the “state” and anyone practicing their religion (which includes prayer) is the “church”; anything an individual does on school property falls under the “separation” logic. Got it so far? Good!

Now comes the tricky part. The first amendment to the Constitution reads:

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or PROHIBITING THE FREE EXECERCISE THEREOF {emp. added} ; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances".

Careful reading of the text of the amendment reveals that it does NOT require the separation of the state from an established religion (ie., “church”), but rather prohibits congress from making any law prohibiting the exercise of religious freedom or abridging freedom of speech. Thus, the basis of the ACLU protest is not valid and in fact is just opposite of the intended right of freedom of religion and expression granted by the first amendment.

No doubt constitutional revisionists will argue that it is just not so, but it is clear that our founding fathers wanted it just the way they said in the amendment. Revisionists will also argue that individual rights must be sacrificed to the common good even when they have difficulty in defining what is actually good about it (is this ringing a bell with the healthcare debacle?). These revisionists are aided and abetted by spineless and politically correct school officials who value their jobs and salaries above all else and who will refuse to stand up for the individual rights of their own employees and those who simply wish to make the country a better place.
There is a test that school administrators, judges and lawyers can apply to situations such as this is: Is it free expression of the individual, non coercive and respectful of the rights of others?

We don’t need ACLU agitators or out-of-touch judges to interfere with this important right of all Americans…just get out of the way.

The Wild Weasel

Who's Sorry Now?

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Stand By Me

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

In times of strife and turmoil, the values and vision that represent America offer a strong foundation that we can always stand by to find strength and comfort. For many generations, Americans have stood shoulder to shoulder to defend freedom and individual liberty around the world.

This spirit is aptly reflected in the classic song "Stand By Me" , originally released in 1955 by The Staple Singers and released again in 1961 by the Drifters. Below is a link to a composite audio/video of the song as it is sung and played by ordinary musicians from around the world. It seems to embody the spirit of America that so inspired our founders 233 years ago. Don't forget to click the arrow to start it....

Playing For Change | Song Around The World "Stand By Me" from Concord Music Group on Vimeo.

The Republic For Which We Stand

Friday, May 8, 2009

Our forefathers heatedly debated the form of government they envisioned for the new United States, and there were heavily contested views of whether the country should be a true democracy or a republic. Then, as today, there was probably much confusion on the terminology, but during that time the framers of the constitution understood that running a country as a democracy, a simple majority vote, could create many unintended consequences.

Chief among the advocates for a republic was James Madison, who understood that the effects of different factions could be lessened or filtered through a smaller number of representatives who could provide a focal point for public opinion on major issues. He wrote eloquently on this subject in the Federalist Papers.

Madison noted that "The two great points of difference between a democracy and a republic are: first, the delegation of the government, in the latter, to a small number of citizens elected by the rest; secondly, the greater the number of citizens, and greater sphere of country, over which the latter may be extended. The effect of the first difference is, on the one hand, to refine and enlarge the public views, by passing them through the medium of a chosen body of citizens, whose wisdom may best discern the true interest of their country, and whose patriotism and love of justice will be least likely to sacrifice it to temporary or partial considerations."

He also believed that a large republic would make it even more likely that a majority faction could occur. "Extend the sphere," he claimed, "and you take in a greater variety of parties and interests; you make it less probable that a majority of the whole will have common motive to invade the rights of other citizens."

The advantage of a republic, he then concluded, "consits in the substitution of representatives whose enlightened views and virtuous sentiments render them superior to local prejudices and to schemes of injustice. A rage for paper money, for abolition of debts, for an equal division of property, or for any other improper or wicked project, will be less apt to pervade the whole body of the Union."

So, how does Madison's vision play out in today's world? Is his still a valid concept or is it outdated? Has the world changed significantly to make his views obsolete?

It seems that Madison had it right about not letting mob rule determine how the government should operate for the common good of its citizens. To do so would be to potentially miss a core issue or subtle component of an issue and just go with what the majority wants...a variation on anarchy. But perhaps where Madison erred was in the assumption that those elected as representatives of and by the people would have the same lofty principles that most men of the time possessed: Wisdom, patriotism, love of justice and the true interest of their country at heart. After all, these were the same men who had pledged their lives, fortunes and sacred honor to the formation of a new experiment in freedom. If that were still the case today with our congress, President and other elected officials, our government would certainly be operating with more focus and determination...and most likely with more efficiency and fiscal responsibility.

But there has been a fly in the ointment. Madison had no way of knowing that in generations to come, the mass media would alter his equation for balance and the reasonable contrast between various factions of the political spectrum; the "tempering" he envisioned is today wildly distorted by the unconstrained ambitions of newspaper editors, talking heads and nameless political advisors, advocates and lobbyists who have a financial or personal stake in the issues they report on. Worse yet, Madison assumed that his fellow countrymen, who were enlightened and patriotic, would always be the antidote to any abuse or injustice (we have only to look around today at a lanscape littered with the remains of a vibrant economy gone bad and a people withered by political correctness and burdened with the enormous debt of a government that has lost sight of why it is in business.

Who is to blame? We the people... for letting Madison's great vision slip from our grasp and become perverted. It is now up to us to make it right by insisting on a return to a republican government with wise, honest and patriotic representatives of the people.

Swine Flu Crisis Management

Friday, May 1, 2009

My first "real job" as a new university graduate with a freshly signed degree in biology and public health was with the Orange County Florida Health Department working as an epidemiologist tracking down communicable diseases. These diseases ranged from outbreaks of gastroenteritis (food poisoning) to social diseases and highly contagious diseases like cholera, flu and plague. I remember that there was significant casework to be done for each reported case, and each type of disease had its own specific protocol for handling investigation and followup with patients (victims) and those with whom they had direct contact. There was also a rather elaborate system of notification and oversight by the feds (Center for Disease Control - CDC).

In short, all reported cases of a highly contagious disease were handled with a plan for identifying the source and all contacts as quickly as possible WITHOUT creating public hysteria. We were always mindful that the best work was done quietly behind the scenes with science and good detective work rather than publicly through the media. The reason for this was quite simple: people can panic when they cannot fully understand the threat of disease or when they get hype about the possible results without a clear perspective. We were mindful not to cry "Wolf" unless there was a one at our throat.

Today's news brings us a report of an airliner that was diverted in-flight because a female passenger complained of flu-like symptoms inflight. The result was one passenger tying up an ambulance and EMT crew with a cold and the other 244 passengers stranded, sitting on the tarmac in isolation wondering how they were going to get home or to their business meeting. One can only wonder what the cost of this will be. Worse yet, this "case" was plastered all over the media without confirmation that it was anything more than a common cold.

The point here is this: Just going on anecdotal opinions of someone's state of health provided by non-professionals is a risky business and might mask a more serious problem. Airline flight crews are not trained medical professionals. They are not epidemiologists. It would be far better to follow the path of the disease by tracking people, contacts and places where known cases have been documented. Then an assessment of the severity of the disease could be made and prophylactic treatment developed. In short, there needs to be a trained adult who can make a reasoned assessment. Otherwise, we risk crippling our country through fear and innuendo.

A quote from Thomas Paine comes to mind: I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection.

Meanwhile, if you are flying commercially anytime soon don't be surprised if someone steps up to you wearing a surgical mask and sidearm and says "Book 'em Danno!".

The Wild Weasel

Air Force One "Flat Hatting"

Thursday, April 30, 2009

In all my years of flying for the Air Force and Navy, one of the biggest no-no's we were cautioned about was "flat-hatting" or "shining your ass" to impress people on the ground. Although we all probably attempted some form of it, those who were successful did it out of sight of their home field and far away from densely populated areas. Aviation lore is replete with stories of pilots flying under bridges, between buildings and creating rooster-tails on still lakes in an attempt to demonstrate their skill. More than a few intrepid aviators have been killed showing off to their relatives and families with horrifying results. We all know it is the forbidden fruit of flying. I plead guilty to doing it...but only at the risk of my own skin.

Now along comes a new President who has no experience with aviation, the military or history...and he attempts to get a new 8X10 glossy of his new wings in front of the Statue of Liberty and the hole that was the World Trade Center. Well enough....I suppose the stock shots were low resolution and out of date since those old towers were in the way. HE can always use the excuse of not knowing since he is not an aviator. But what pilot in his right mind would fly a BIG aircraft like a 747 around New York City at penthouse altitude being chased by fighters...especially given the "tragedy" of September 11, 2001 that not everyone has yet forgotten. This is like flying a B-29 over Hiroshima with the bomb bay doors open for a travel brochure photo op.

My guess is that heads will roll in the squadron, most certainly the commander and probably the A/C for poor judgment even though they certainly received some kind official tasking. MAYBE the White House military coordinator will find a new promotion in his future, but the unanswered question will remain: Who ordered the mission?

What do you think?

Here is the link to video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eU5W3dKCQek


The Wild Weasel