Hello one and all, I’m back after a long absence brought on by a ton of school work and fun family events. In the past year I have had all of my children move home, plus a Daughter-in-Law and a brand spankin’ new grandson, I have brought myself within 9 classes of my BSIT (It seems it is required to do what I have been doing for 5 years….go figure), and I have watched both major political parties melt down from their own stupidity.

Last November I was disappointed by the number of seats in the House and Senate lost to the Moonbeam party; however, I didn’t despair. I knew that the country only needed two years of Dem. behavior to remind them why the Republicans were in the majority to start with. The Dem leadership hasn’t disappointed me. They have systematically taken apart every Republican backed initiative and even gone so far as to violate house rules by threatening to cut funds for disagreeing with them (http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0507/4068.html) and using the lives of American soldiers as a political tool by threatening to cut their funding.

One would think that the Republicans would be sitting on their hands to keep from clapping at their good fortune, not the case. Instead they have been providing the Dems enough fodder that both Hillary and Obama could be sharing oval office space at the end of the next election. If you look at this country’s tendency not to elect Republican senators, Rudy is currently the best the party has to offer. Even though I like what Rudy did for New York, I don’t see him getting the hard right Christian vote due to his stand on abortion. I like Fred Thompson’s ability to act and I think he is extremely charismatic, but I don’t think he is going to convince the Reagan Republicans that he is the guy to move this country and the rest of the world in the RIGHT direction. I have a feeling I’m not going to be happy for the next 5 to 10 years.

On to other recent issues on which I have been silent over the past year –

Only in the new century can someone like Paris Hilton get so much keyboard action. Next time she gets into trouble she should be sentenced to perform the only function at which she would be useful….Chum for a Discovery’s Shark Week.

Speaking of Chum candidates, I hear Michael Vick is getting a prison system reality show…How to Throw Away $60 million…The Price of Bein’ Down Wid Yer Homies.

To the Gathering of Eagles and their mission: Bravo Zulu
Now, I support the right of members of Move-on.org and Answer to voice their opinions about the war in Iraq and even protest in a peaceful manner; however, they don’t have the right to deface American public property or monuments to America’s fallen (of course this is the same kind of cretin that thinks WWII was America’s fault). The Gathering of Eagles protects those monuments by coming together (at their own expense…try to get that kind of dedication Mr. Soros) to place themselves between the MoonBats and the monuments. So far, where the Eagles gather, the Moonbats dwindle.

Well, that should about do it for this installment. With the presidential primaries on the horizon there should be several items that peak my interest and get my fingers ready to go, so check back often.

These are my views and opinions, but you are entitled to one too. If you have a question or comment, go ahead and fire way

As I work to help the Navy train their air crews to use the advanced airborne warning and control systems, I am struck by Mr. Kerry's "joke" to the students of Pasadena College. These gentlemen that I work with each have, at the minimum, a bachelor’s degree. Most have or are working toward their master’s degree and many have multiple degrees. Guess what Mr. Kerry; these degrees didn't come from a box of Cracker Jacks. The degrees are not in telecommunications being awarded to members of the USC football team. These naval officers are some of the best and brightest in the world.

Now, I'll give Mr. Kerry the benefit of the doubt. Maybe it was a botched joke at the expense of the president. Too Bad! Though the Bush administration may need to make further adjustments in their Iraq strategy, their policies didn't force those words out of his mouth. If his apology is to be accepted, he will need to take full responsibility for his words and not attempt to blame anyone else.

These are my two cents on this subject. If you would like to read what I would have liked to write, see www.commonsenserants.blogspot.com. My brother Rory has a way with words.

If you feel the need to comment, you know where to put it.

C

What follows is from an email I received today. I couldn't have said it better:


IN PERSPECTIVE WOW..is this laying it on the line or what? The lady who wrote this letter is Pam Foster of Pamela Foster and Associates in Atlanta . She's been in business since 1980 doing interior design and home planning....... Read it! "Are we fighting a war on terror or aren't we? Was it or was it not started by Islamic people who brought it to our shores on September 11, 2001? Were people from all over the world, mostly Americans, not brutally murdered that day, in downtown Manhattan , across the Potomac from our nation's capitol and in a field in Pennsylvania ? Did nearly three thousand men, women and children die a horrible, burning or crushing death that day, or didn't they? And I'm supposed to care that a copy of the Koran was "desecrated" when an overworked American soldier kicked it or got it wet? Well, I don't. I don't care at all. I'll start caring when Osama bin Laden turns himself in and repents for incinerating all those innocent people on 9/11. I'll care about the Koran when the fanatics in the Middle East start caring about the Holy Bible, the mere possession of which is a crime in Saudi Arabia . I'll care when Abu Musab al-Zarqawi tells the world he is sorry for hacking off Nick Berg's head while Berg screamed through his gurgling slashed throat. I'll care when the cowardly so-called "insurgents" in Iraq come out and fight like men instead of disrespecting their own religion by hiding in mosques. I'll care when the mindless zealots who blow themselves up in search of nirvana care about the innocent children within range of their suicide bombs. I'll care when the American media stops pretending that their First Amendment liberties are somehow derived from international law instead of the United States Constitution's Bill of Rights. In the meantime, when I hear a story about a brave marine roughing up an Iraqi terrorist to obtain information, know this: I don't care. When I see a fuzzy photo of a pile of naked Iraqi prisoners who have been humiliated in what amounts to a college-hazing incident, rest assured that I don't care. When I see a wounded terrorist get shot in the head when he is told not to move because he might be booby-trapped, you can take it to the bank that I don't care. When I hear that a prisoner, who was issued a Koran and a prayer mat, and fed "special" food that is paid for by my tax dollars, is complaining that his holy book is being "mishandled," you can absolutely believe in your heart of hearts that I don't care. And oh, by the way, I've noticed that sometimes it's spelled "Koran" and other times "Quran." Well, Jimmy Crack Corn and ---- you guessed it - - - I don't care ! ! ! ! ! If you agree with this viewpoint, pass this on to all your e-mail friends. Sooner or later, it'll get to the people responsible for this ridiculous behavior! If you don't agree, then by all means hit the delete button. Should you choose the latter, then please don't complain when more atrocities committed by radical Muslims happen here in our great country. I am not deleting this, I am sending it on, but only after I add: --"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference in the world. But, the Marines don't have that problem." -- Ronald Reagan I have another quote that I would like to add AND...I hope you forward this such as I have. "If we ever forget that we're One Nation Under God, then we will be a nation gone under." also by... Ronald Reagan

If you have a comment you know what you can do.

Israel Fights for Survival

In case anyone has not caught on, I am a big supporter of Israel. Yes, Israel did deliberately strafe and torpedo the USS Liberty in 1967, but then again we sold Iran and Iraq weapons afterward: I think that evens things out just a bit. Now that that is done with, let’s talk about the present.

When the three Israeli soldiers were kidnapped, many Arab nations actually spoke out against Hezbollah, thinking that the US would then pull the reins on Israel and keep bombs from being dropped: just like every other time terrorists strike Tel Aviv or Haifa. This time the US simply asked Israel to use restraint in its strikes and allowed the Israelis to defend themselves when those that had the task (UN) would not. Now, the Arab nations have turned and spoken out in favor of Hezbollah. Not one of them has offered Lebanon assistance to disarm Hezbollah and force Israel to move back to its own territories, nor have they attempted to find and return the kidnapped Israeli soldiers. Nope, they simply place the entire blame on Israel and the United States.

Israel is now involved in a major land offensive to effectively create a DMZ between itself and Hezbollah. To do otherwise invites the destruction of their country. Israel is surrounded by enemies just waiting for the display of weakness. The ironic thing is those that call for Israel’s destruction call for an immediate ceasefire in the next breath. This is demonstrated by Iran’s president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad , in his speech to Moslem leaders in Malaysia when he said: "Although the main solution is for the elimination of the Zionist regime, at this stage an immediate cease-fire must be implemented,” With this kind of logic running Iran, it’s a wonder that Israel has not reduced Tehran to a smoking hole in the desert. If “the Zionists” were as vicious as these Arab leaders would have the world believe, they would have by now.

Every time Israel has provided the opportunity for peace, it has been attacked. The day after the state of Israel was established (not to mention that of Palestine) foreign armies were permitted into the Arab Partitions and Israel was attacked by Egypt, Syria, and Jordan. When Israel agreed to have UN peace keeping forces on the boarder between Egypt and itself, Egypt and Syria ended up attacking Israel (6 Day War). Israel withdraws from the Gaza Strip, and rocket launchers move in. Israel withdraws from the S. Lebanon security zone, and Hezbollah is allowed to strengthen its positions under the supervision of the UN and Iranian Army, leading to the current crisis. Israel has no choice this time. It must force the Arab nations of the world to take a hands-off position or be destroyed through diplomatic channels: something the Western World cannot afford.

If the Arab nations are allowed to destroy the state of Israel, they will have the power to dictate the terms of the United State’s existence. If the rest of the world sees the US as impotent, they will one by one fall under the control of the Moslem extremists. Spain has already fallen. Spain’s autonomy disappeared the day they gave into the threats of Al Qaeda and pulled out of Iraq. Iran is threatening the world with $200 per barrel oil if it is not allowed to develop nuclear weapons. The world has a chance to tell Iran to do its worst. The Western World needs to get behind Israel and allow the Israelis to do theirs.

DON’T HANDCUFF ISRAEL

You had to know that it was only a matter of time before I jumped on this one. What is up with the leaders in the world who are using the phrase “Disproportional Response”? You have two different groups calling for the total destruction of Israel, going into Israeli territory and kidnapping (not capturing as the press is fond of saying) soldiers, and occasionally lobbing rockets into Israel. What kind of response should we expect?

There is a growing form of international anti-Semitism in the world. It’s not surprising that countries like France or Russia would condemn Israel for its actions, but when members of the US Senate will not condemn two terrorist organizations for their actions, we have a real problem.

The Lebanese and Palestinian governments (if you count Hamas as a government) are the only bodies to blame for the severity of the Israeli response to the actions of Hezbollah and Hamas. These governing bodies have a responsibility to ensure the security of their neighboring countries as well as their own citizens. Instead, the Palestinian people allow Hamas to be the majority of their government’s body. Lebanon ignores a UN resolution that required Israel to leave and calls for the disarmament of Hezbollah. Imagine the international outcry if the US allowed the Billy Bob Redneck Militia to lob homemade rockets into populated areas of Canada or kidnap a couple of Mounties to use as bargaining chips to get Jimmy Joe and his cousin Jimmy Joe out of a Canadian Jail. Instead of being outraged at the acts that caused this crisis, the international community blames Israel. For that matter, France and members of our own congress would probably blame Israel for the Jimmy Joe scenario.

Any Lebanese or Palestinian civilian death (the deaths of children are a tragedy cause by their parents’ decisions) is a direct result of:

A. The governments not removing the armies financed by Iran and Syria from their territories.
B. Allowing themselves to be used by the terrorist organizations
C. Not heeding Israel’s repeated warnings to leave target areas

Civilian deaths are a consequence of urban warfare. When the civilian population allows its homes to be used a launching platforms for rockets or positions for snipers it has to expect the worst. When a government allows what amounts to a foreign army to operate from within its boarders, attacking its neighbors, then it must expect its boarders to be violated to stop the attacks. And, Isreal is making its plans known to everyone in advance. Israel warns everyone concerned that this area is a target: " Get Out!". People are still suprised that their house and the rocket launcher in the garage gets blown up. The UN acts suprised that their position gets bombed when they allow Hezbollah to move in next door!

Instead of calling on Israel to implement an immediate cease fire, maybe it’s time that we just allow them to finish the job they start and concentrate on our own problems: like N. Korea and Iran.

That's All Folks

Howdy friends and neighbors! I just had to comment this evening due to the demise of Zarqawi and other items in the news. Since I work around the U.S. Navy these days all I can say is Bravo Zulu to the guys on the ground and in the air who coordinated this operation. An operation is an excellent term for killing this cancer of a human being. He has been removed from the world body. It's just too bad that the Berg and Armstrong families didn't get to press the pickle button that dropped the bombs.

OK, the guy is dead. Let's not expect this to be the magic bullet (pardon the pun) that will end the insurgency in Iraq. A free democratic Iraq is NOT what the fanatical Muslem regimes (think Iran/Syria) want to see. The cooperation between regular Iraqis and Jordan that killed Zarqawi is going to be needed to stop the influx of terrorists from outside of Iraq. Once that is done, the local resistance will have to be quelled or shown that Iran is not the US's 51 state.

I am already reading that there is a renewed debate in Washington to set a withdrawl timetable. This is what I was just talking about: the magic bullet. Unless a stable government is in place and the country's military is taking the total burden, and winning, or the local government requests our withdrawl, it is not the time to cut and run. Yea, I'm one of those who are too old to be in the fight and are safe and sound at home. I'm also tired of watching guys I know and kids I've watched grow up go into harms way, but I don't want to watch their kids have to fight the same battle. What's my solution? Read on.

First, let the guys that are in the thick of thing get the job done. Quit spouting what a quagmire we have put ourselves in and quit drooling over mistakes that are made. Yea, admit when they are made, but move on. Finish the job and leave as close to a real democracy as you can get in that part of the world.

Second, develope a real alternative to using oil to power our cars. Make petroleum a much smaller part of our economy and let the Arabs drink their own brew. Create a world where buying another country's oil is a favor to their economy. Right now the oil rich Arab countries can take our money and say "Sucker". We need them to say "Thank You" and mean it. Unfortunately the only contribution I can make toward this effort is to allow my cars (yea I have a couple) collect dust and spin my pedals the 12 miles to and from work. I also keep my Congressman on his toes with letters demanding less subsidising of oil companies and do-nothing research, milage standards for the auto industry, and tax breaks for cyclists (ok, that's wishful thinking). The rest of it I'll have to leave to you people that are smarter than I am.

Well, that's the ramble for the evening. If'n ya have somthin' to say, leave a comment.

The Things People Expect From A Blog!

Well boys and girls; as it turns out, people (Mhor) actually expect The CUnit to be accurate during a rant so I thought I would post a correction to yesterday’s entry.

A rant, being what it is, often turns into thoughts tromping over each other, with the meaning being lost in the writing. That is what happened in my discussion of domestic drilling. Yea, I know I eluded to domestic drilling being an answer to high gas prices....OK, I actually outright said it was. The fact is that there are only two conditions that would make additional domestic drilling impact prices at the pump. First, the infrastructure would have to be in place to begin pumping several million barrels a day to several idle refineries right now (all of which are a part of my imagination). Second, the oil industry in America would have to be nationalized so that America’s needs are met BEFORE any exportation takes place. Would you want our current political parties trying to co-operate on running that kind of business? Me neither, our prices would quintuple overnight.

The demand for oil in the world is such that the US could find the new wonder fuel I dream of, and the oil industry might not even notice. With demand comes speculation, and as long as there are people willing to pay the futures price, the price will keep going up. The shortages of 1973 and the accompanying price hike was more due to speculation and stockpiling than an actual cut in production or an embargo (the guys pumping the oil don’t control the destination once it’s on the boat).

If the oil industry in America had continued to grow and keep up with demand, as it did when I was a child, things may have been different. But a combination of lifting costs (what it costs to bring oil from the ground to a tank) and environmental legislation (post Santa Barbara Channel oil spills) has put America out of the oil business. We could repeal all of the legislation, however to put the industry back into production shape will take years (read at least a decade) and probably billions of dollars: money that should go toward research and development viable alternatives for powering our cars. It would be easier to repeal the laws of physics.

No, domestic drilling is not the answer to high gasoline prices; however, unless We the people of America demand a real effort to develop viable alternatives for powering our personal vehicles or learn to ride a bus, then domestic drilling needs to be a consideration. At least as a measure of protection against the remote possibility of some nut job group disabling a major production center in the Middle East or closing the Straits of Hormuz. (The US actually gets most of its oil from Mexico and Canada but any world production restriction hurts.) We would hope that the nations that depend on oil exportation could control their neighbors, but these days it’s just not a sure thing.

These are just a few of the realities of oil. If you are really interested in more let me know. I’ll be happy to supply a reading list (what can I say, I did a paper on alternative energy).

As far as SUVs go, Mr. Gunn I know you use yours the right way. It isn’t lowered and it sees the outside of the city. It’s those Supreme Urban Vehicles I see clogging the freeways, rattling my windows, and obviously will never be a Sport anything that bug the hell outta me.