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Meet the new war, same as the old war

Or should that be 'meet the new war, same as the cold war', for once again the Russian Bear is blustering about Eastern Europe. In the truth is stranger than fiction category, the United States has taken a hard line stance against Russian aggression along with it's new found allies, and former Warsaw Pact countries, Poland, Ukraine, The Czech Republic and the Baltic States. The United Kingdom, already annoyed with Russia over the poisoning of Andrei Litvinenko, is rather edgy. While the rest of Europe, with strange dark spots on the crotch of their pants, runs to and fro, kissing the Bear's 'Gas'... afraid of the Russians cutting off their supply.

It seems our 'western' European allies are back in their thirties appeasement mode, while our 'eastern' European allies all too well know the price of freedom. Meanwhile we get to watch pretty girls swimming and doing gymnastics on the majority of our media outlets. One can only wonder what madness is this?

The West missed, or intentionally let slip, many opportunities to bring Russia into the fold, payback for years of transgressions real and imagined. As the CS monitor put it "The sky grows dark with chickens coming home to roost". Don't get me wrong, Russia must be told clearly, and point blank that the sovereignty of it's neighbors must be respected. Now more then ever, the West must stand united, unless we want to return to the days of yore. We had a more democratic Russia not so long ago, a Russia working to transform itself into a modern western industrial society and suffering severe economic consequences as a result while we stood by gleefully smirking with our we won, you lost attitude.

Today we are stuck with a Russia moving down an authoritarian path, restricting free speech and the media. Yet like Germany in the 1930's it is a Russia, which due to it's hydrocarbon wealth appears to its people to be prospering as a result of Putin's power grab. He, and his little foray into Georgia has the widespread support of the Russian people. No one likes to be shamed and laughed at, and following the collapse of the Soviet Union, we, the West, treated Russia like a joke. Now, we pay the consequences.

It is the West's difficult path now to show Russia that this kind of behavior is intolerable, yet we must at the same time accord them the respect they deserve. NATO's expansion to the east, while undoubtedly the right thing to do, is unarguably threatening to the Russian state, the Russians, after their treatment at the end of the cold war have no reason to trust us. We have, in this current difficulty, an opportunity to move in a different direction. The question that remains is what direction will that be? Another five decade standoff? Or an honestly different tact.

South Ossetia is indisputably part of the nation of Georgia, the Russian 'peacekeepers' indisputably sided with the separatists. Russia cannot act as an honest broker with the Georgians, nor can the Georgians be trusted to act civilly with the Ossetians. A joint Russian-NATO effort, odd as it may sound, might do wonders. The Russians don't trust the Georgians, the West doesn't trust the Ossetians... the question is can the Russians and NATO put aside their posturing and work together for the common good. No one, I would suspect, wants a return to the cold war.

I spent the first nine years of my military career, prior to the collapse of the Berlin wall, working missile warning radars, keeping an eye on the Russian bear. Take it from an old cold warrior, there has got to be a better way.

~Finntann~

An Enigma

Stumbled across a link via MSNBC to a post on Huffington: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/stan-goff/commanding-in-chief_b_114069.html

The article got me curious about the author who I began to research.

Stan Goff is a Vietnam era Army veteran with 22 years of service (70-73 and 77-96), who has a Special Forces background, was an enlisted instructor at West Point.

Separating from the Army, he studied Marxism, became a (now ex) Communist Party USA member, associated with the leftist National Popular Party in Haiti, is a 9/11 conspiracy theorist, and is involved with the Freedom Road Socialist Organization (all this from Wiki).

He attributes his 'Left' turn to the time he spent in Latin America (with the Army, presumably)

A simple Google search will provide a lot of information, starting with:

http://www.americanswhotellthetruth.org/pgs/portraits/Stan_Goff.html

If you are curious enough, his own websites give a more than adequate perspective on his politics:

http://www.insurgentamerican.net/

http://home.igc.org/~sherrynstan/

http://www.feralscholar.org/blog/

He is well credentialed, educated, and his pieces are well written. He is the author of several books (Full Spectrum Disorder, Hideous Dream, Sex and War) and some more of his posts can be found on Huffington: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/stan-goff/

I can't say I agree with his politics, or his analysis of, well, pretty much anything. I, coming from a similar background; conservative family, 24 year veteran, find his extremely radical shift to the left to be practically incomprehensible . I can't say in all my years of service I have ever met anyone as far left or as radical as Stan Goff. Having read quite a few of his posts and watched a couple of videos, he makes some good points, many (in my opinion) bad, yet he makes them from a political position I find untenable and somewhat disconcerting, all in all, an enigma.

~Finntann~

2008: The European Campaign?

BERLIN (Reuters) - Barack Obama's presidential candidacy is winning over hearts and minds in Europe, where his race, youth and promise of change are raising hopes for an America the world can like again.

So OB... I seem to be missing the point. What? I should vote for you because the citizens of a foreign state like you? A whirlwind tour of the Mideast and Europe provide you with 'diplomatic and international' credentials?

"...in Europe he has emerged as a favorite of the people": Woot! Obama for president of Europe, that I can deal with.

"Germans are in love with Obama," "A string of British pro-Obama groups have sprung up on social networking site Facebook", "the French now prefer Obama over Clinton",

As the 'Demagogic' party candidate panders to the European masses, one is left wondering where America fits into the equation. For undoubtedly while some of our interests are aligned with Europe, others are not and an American president must put America's interests first and foremost. European popularity is no measure of qualification for competency to be our chief executive here at home.

Popularity is one thing, respect is another... the easy girl is always popular, she isn't necessarily respected. A word of advice... the Europeans love you because they believe that you will give them what they want, an America that acts in accordance with their wishes, not her own. An America unwilling to act for herself without first checking if 'it's okay'. America needs to be a leader on the world stage, not a follower!

In an interview with CNN, he insisted he was not trying to interfere with the official US foreign policy: "the principle idea he wanted to communicate in meetings with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President Nicolas Sarkozy, and British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, was to make them understand "that we're going to have to have a sustained commitment in Afghanistan". Unfortunately, the principle idea (that I do agree with) is an interference with American foreign policy. You are not yet the representative of the people of this nation and should not be committing it to anything.

That McCain continues to chip away at Obama in the polls, despite the adoring crowds in Berlin and all the free press, should serve as a reminder that the race is on this side of the Atlantic. You should be campaigning here, not there; Not to disparage our European allies, but I for one don't give a damn for what the Europeans think of you.

~Finntann~

In Memoriam: Pfc Joseph Dwyer

BREATHE, trumpets, breathe

Slow notes of saddest wailing,

Sadly responsive peal, ye muffled drums;

Comrades, with downcast eyes

And banners trailing,

Attend him home,

The youthful warrior comes.

-

Upon his shield,

Upon his shield returning,

Borne from the field of honor

Where he fell;

Glory and grief, together clasped

In mourning,

His fame, his fate

with sobs exulting tell.

-

Wrap round his breast

The flag his breast defended,

His country's flag,

In battle's front unrolled:

For it he died;

On earth forever ended

His brave young life

Lives in each sacred fold.

-

With proud fond tears,

By tinge of shame untainted,

Bear him, and lay him

Gently in his grave:

Above the hero write,

The young, half-sainted,

His country asked his life,

His life he gave!

-

GEORGE LUNT

-

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25775792/

Don't just toss me a bone!

As a rational and intelligent person, a registered Republican, and a voter, I am somewhat annoyed at both the party and the candidates 'tossing the electorate a bone' attitude. A visit to John McCain's website will allow prospective voters to peruse the candidates position on many issues, however more often than not, all one gets is a bone.

John McCain Will Help Americans Hurting From High Gasoline And Food Costs. Americans need relief right now from high gas prices. John McCain will act immediately to reduce the pain of high gas prices

Dear John, (no pun intended! I...think?) I appreciate your concern about the economic impact to my pocketbook by high gasoline and food costs. Your website has made me aware of the fact that you have several 'tangible' plans to benefit me in these challenging times, however your sound-bite statement regarding relief does little to benefit, educate, or enlighten me. I realize that you did not 'grow up' with the Internet, but certainly there must be someone on your staff with some rudimentary skills in this area. Perhaps they could explain to you what a hyperlink is so that you might link an outline of your plan to this rudimentary statement, so that I might better understand exactly what it is you are talking about doing. I certainly feel capable of rationally evaluating your proposal in the context of its socio-economic impact.

Don't get me wrong, there are many specifics on the candidates website; An increase in the personal exemption for dependents from $3500 to $7000 is quite a concrete statement.

But it seems that at times, and on certain subjects, you are being intentionally vague. Immigration reform can mean many things to many different people. Immigration reform can mean making it easier to immigrate or making it harder to immigrate, all dependent upon your point of view. The "importance of a flexible labor market" might make one construe that you are in favor of the former as opposed to the latter. You state that "I will secure the border", what does that mean to you and precisely how do you intend on going about it?

You make the assertion on your health care page that:

John McCain Will Reform Health Care Making It Easier For Individuals And Families To Obtain Insurance. An important part of his plan is to use competition to improve the quality of health insurance with greater variety to match people's needs, lower prices, and portability. Families should be able to purchase health insurance nationwide, across state lines.

So, you plan to use competition to improve quality? How does this work? Is there not enough competition now to achieve that effect? There certainly seems to me that there are enough insurance companies around to achieve that effect. A simple Google search led me to a news article with links to 300 different health insurance companies, and I am sure that this list was not comprehensive. I feel that it would be safe to say that there are probably well over a thousand companies with thousands of policies to choose from. How much competition do we need? Please, explain to me how this whole competition thing works.

Another news article quoted a US Census Bureau figure that 16% of Americans are without health insurance, for at least part of that year (2006). That percentage corresponds to 47 million Americans, a ghastly figure. But... it also stated that 37% of those people made over $50,000 a year. That is roughly 17 million people making a comparable wage to me, who don't have health care. How does it become my responsibility through my tax dollars to subsidize their medical care via the Federal government, when I am responsible enough, with equivalent earnings, to obtain health care for myself and my family. The problem my friend is not the availability of health care, nor for many is it predominately the cost of health care, it is the prioritization of their choices... how many of those people earning over $50,000 a year, without health care, are driving around in an Acura or Lexus? How many have a camper or a boat? Bought more house than they could afford?

You need to start explaining yourself, your plans, and your platform! and stop tossing us bones in the form of soundbites and catchphrases. Why don't we try a new strategy in this election, leave the soundbites to the other party and start talking to Americans in plain and simple language about what you plan to do to better their lives, their country, and the world at large, who knows? Maybe it'll work.

~Finntann~

The Decline of Western 'Civil'-ization

Decorum; dignified propriety of behavior, speech, dress, etc.

You run across it every day, in every aspect of your life; the rude store clerk; the obnoxious driver; the loud cellphone user; the 'bumper-car' pedestrian; the child running around the restaurant. Manners and etiquette seem to be lost on most of us these days. We push, jostle, and bump each other without a second thought, oblivious to those around us, uncaring, self-centered... it's all about ME!

You have all undoubtedly experienced it:

The lone driver travelling down the left hand lane, "it's mine you know... came with the car", who refuses to move over to the right because it takes too much effort to turn the steering wheel three degrees to the right.

The child in the restaurant, crawling around under your table chasing his brother... and you don't even have kids.

The driver with the largest pickup truck you can buy, hauling the longest trailer you can get, travelling at 42 mph in the left hand lane uphill in a 60 mph zone, because it is his god given right to go 1 mph faster than his clone in the right-hand lane.

The two-women in the store aisle, who absolutely have to catch up on the past 23 years they haven't seen each other, stopped dead still, facing in opposite directions, blocking the aisle... well the other seventeen people who would like to pass can damn well just wait, and who shoot you the stink eye when you say 'excuse me'.

The man on the train (plane, bus, table...) arguing with his wife (girlfriend, significant other) on his cellphone loud enough for all to hear, glaring at those who dare to look in his direction and violate his 'privacy'.

The driver at the light... which turned green 17 seconds ago, text messaging his buddies about where they are going for beers after work, oblivious to the nine cars backed up behind him blowing their horns... it's my world you peons! Who finally goes...three seconds after the light turns red.

The clerk, sitting smugly behind the counter, insisting that you couldn't possibly have submitted the paperwork or else they would have it...obviously!

The person in front of you, who opens the door, glances briefly at you and deeming you unworthy lets it close in your face.

The drivers, who despite three miles of right lane closed signs, refuse to merge and who have to drive all the way up to the barricades before cutting off an eighty year old grandmother too scared to enforce her right of way in order to get in front of 78 other people who obviously aren't as important as they are.

Well, you've all met them, so I don't need to blather on endlessly, but I want to know when this behavior became the social norm. I for one, don't think I have changed much... I'll slow to let people into traffic in front of me (sometimes warranting the finger from the driver behind). I hold doors for people, male or female, because it is the right thing to do... even if I have to wait for them to catch up, and sometimes you get a thank you and sometimes you don't... I even had one person, who obviously didn't say thank you, let the next set of doors close in my face. I say please and thank you, you're welcome, good morning... you know, all the little social niceties your mother taught you (or should have). When, pray tell, did it become all about ME?

There is a guy at work who always makes coffee and brings it into our morning staff meeting, there are probably a half-dozen others who wouldn't pour water in the pot if it was on fire. There are those who will clean up when they are done, those who will clean up after others and those who won't even clean up after themselves. I've worked with folks who would give you the shirt off there backs and others who wouldn't give you the time of day if they had two watches. I have to admit, I am curious about what makes one and what makes the other... I'm not talking about people of disparately different backgrounds either. I'm talking about relatively successful people, in their prime, well educated, seemingly well bred, with diametrically opposed outlooks on life, not to be crude but "who pissed in your Wheaties this morning", often comes to mind.

I'm not trying to make myself out to be saint and I've had a fairly normal life too. I wasn't born with a silver spoon in my mouth, I've had my fair share of difficulties, bad relationships, hard financial times, medical problems. What is the difference between the guy who makes coffee and the guy who lets it burn? Is it the 'not my job' mentality? Is it beneath you to wipe up the coffee you spilled on the counter? I don't care if you are a migrant farm worker or the CEO of a fortune five-hundred company... where does this sense of entitlement come from?

I was laughing the other day during my drive to work at a talk radio show where they were talking about the French, how ill-mannered, rude, and obnoxious they were. With callers relating stories of personal experience, all the while travelling in rush hour traffic as people were cutting each other off, flipping each other off and overall, Americans being exactly what they were saying about the French.

But don't mind me... it's all about YOU!

~Finntann~