Sunday, January 31, 2010

THANKS FOR NOTHING, IRAQ

While reading the on-line edition of the Chicago Sun-Times this morning I was shocked when I read a small article announcing the fact that “Iraq seals deal with Russia’s Lukoil-led group.” Before my liberal critics accuse me of supporting America’s intervention into Iraq as purely aimed at securing their oil reserves, I’m afraid you are totally misinformed.

After the loss of thousands of young American lives and the expenditure of many billions of our dollars to free this country of a dangerous, murderous dictator and his henchmen, we have now been slapped in the face by this recent business agreement. I would not be disturbed had the transaction been granted to some other entity, but for Iraq to award it to a country that is overtly trying to corner the oil market I see this as an obvious hostile action.

As the article states, “Russia’s private oil giant Lukoil and partner Statol ASA of Norway have signed a final deal with Iraq to develop one of its biggest oil fields.” This deal extends for twenty years and has the option to extend it another five years at a rate of $1.15 per barrel produced.

Your Commander’s reaction to this deal is THANKS FOR NOTHING, Iraq. We should have let those oil fields that Saddam Hussein set on fire continue to burn, and drilled domestically and off our own shores a long time ago. Apparently the Iraqi government learned to thumb their noses at America after we saved their very existence!

COMMANDER GRANGER

MARK TWAIN - LEARN MORE

I recently ran across a comment attributed to Mark Twain, which caught my eye. “If you don’t read the newspaper you are uninformed, if you do read the newspaper you are misinformed.”

That statement is typical of this noted author/humorist who graced our landscape from 1835 to 1910. While I remember reading his famous Huckleberry Finn and the Adventures of Tom Sawyer, I was intrigued to learn more about this legendary American figure. I suggest you do as I did and take a look at the voluminous information contained in the Wikipedia report.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Twain

If you are opposed to killing trees, as I am, or are just cheap, I suggest you read the details on your computer rather than printing all 23 pages of Twain’s very remarkable background story. He actually predicted his death, and it occurred just as he envisioned.

Hopefully, you will enjoy this read as much as your Commander.

COMMANDER GRANGER

Friday, January 29, 2010

LOOK BACK TO SEE AHEAD

Critics of the conservative agenda have long voiced strong criticism that all we do is complain, and we offer little or no constructive recommendations to cure the ills of our country. I challenge that charge, because we frequently receive little or no publicity of our suggestions in the biased liberal media outlets. The current liberal majority, while claiming a desire for a bipartisan relationship, operates with an attitude of our way or the doorway.

As a vocal Constitutional Conservative I suggest that a good starting point for improving our governance is to start with an honest and open debate of the issues and the drawing of a consensus that is the result of compromise on both sides. The legislative abuse of one-party dominance has proven to cause government that ignores the essence of our Founding Father’s intensions that are so clearly articulated in the Constitution. Our founding document is as solid today as the day it was written, and it has proven to be a beacon in creating a solid foundation to our envied democracy.

Our Constitution is and has been under assault by liberal forces, but it continues to light a path that stands the test of time. Here are some very interesting and insightful quotes from historical legend Thomas Jefferson.

“When we get piled upon one another in large cities, as in Europe, we shall become as corrupt as Europe.”

“The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not.”

“It is incumbent on every generation to pay its own debts as it goes. A principle which if acted on would save one-half the wars of the world.”

I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them.”


“My reading of history convinces me that most bad government results from too much government.”

“No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms.”

“The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.”

“The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.”

“To compel a man to subsidize with his taxes the propagation of ideas which he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical.”

In 1802 Thomas Jefferson said insightfully – I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies. If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of their currency, first by inflation, then by deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around the banks will deprive the people of all property until their children wake-up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered.”

And, finally, late President John F. Kennedy said about Jefferson, “It has been said the greatest volume of sheer brain power in one place occurred when Jefferson dined alone.”

Both our government’s and our leadership’s failure to read, understand, and respond honestly to the wisdom of our Founding Fathers is pivotal to understanding our current dilemmas. This is a solid recommendation that our Administration and Congress do not want to hear or even consider. Their “I know better than anyone else attitude” and elitist arrogance has gotten us into the mess we will be required to repay. To ignore and misunderstand history will be a fatal misguided action.

COMMANDER GRANGER

NANCY PELOSI BEWARE

While I suspect that Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) is a savvy political operative, I also believe that she is cunning, devious, untrustworthy and not an honest public servant. Just one day after the President Obama’s State of the Union speech, Pelosi had the audacity to say the following, “We’ll go through the gate, if the gate is closed we’ll go over the fence, if the fence is too high we’ll pole vault in, if that doesn’t work we’ll parachute in, but we’re going to get health care reform passed for the American people.”

Most Americans recognize that a Health Care Bill is necessary, appropriate, and its passage in its current form is currently hanging by a thread. I now ask the question, “Was Pelosi’s comment appropriate at this time?” Your Commander suggests that in doing so Pelosi has really defied the will of an overwhelming majority of the American public, and is making another brazen effort to force her will on the citizens of this country.

Additionally, I suggest that there is really a growing challenge for power and authority taking place between our president, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and Senate Leader Harry Reid (D-NV). Obviously our president wants health care reform, but I believe he is a realist and that passage of a revised Bill is within reach, but not by bullying Congress and jamming something the public does not want and will not support down our throats.

Compromise is supposedly to be the mother’s milk of politics, and this is a perfect example of an issue where compromise should be reached that will benefit all. It is time for everyone to step back and take a deep breath. Take out all of the PORK, sell insurance across State lines, grant some degree of Tort Reform, and include Congress in the health care plan, and the votes are there for passage.

If the members of Congress want to get re-elected, they better rein in Speaker Pelosi and Leader Reid or there will be a mass voter reaction that will cause many Republican and Democrat incumbents to lose their office come November 2010. Arrogant and irresponsible sound-bites add little to the debate and make the passage of a health care bill less likely. Pelosi’s repeated self-serving actions are at the heart of our nation’s problems, and it is long past the time that someone must put a sock in her mouth. Better yet, it is time for President Obama to call her and Reid into the Oval Office and straighten them out once and for all, or they will bring his Administration down too. Pelosi is one of the most dangerous women in this country, and she cannot be permitted to continue destroying our government and the American way of life.

To say that Speaker Pelosi is a ninnyhammer, pecksniffian, popinjay, who is pugnacious and a puzzlewit is an understatement of major proportion. The first thing I would do is take her Air Force 757 away and let her travel on a less expensive taxpayer supported aircraft. Someone must slow down this bloviating egotist and bring her to task before this siren destroys us all.

COMMANDER GRANGER

Thursday, January 28, 2010

THE MORNING AFTER THE MESSIAH SPOKE

It should not come as a surprise to any of my readers to expect that I would write about last evening’s State of The Union speech by President Barack Hussein Obama. Frankly, I considered the address to be most interesting, cunning, arrogant, the height of pomposity, and it seemed to offer a bone for every dog.

As a long opponent of the policies and actions of this President I noted that in his speech he referred to himself 86 times saying “I”, and 18 occasions mentioned “me” or “my.” That is nothing new, but most interesting was the fact that he only looked directly into the television camera one time, and that was for only a few seconds. Being bound to his beloved teleprompter for 71 long minutes, and ignoring the American public was astounding to say the least.

I am certain at this morning both Vice-President Joe Biden and Speaker Nancy Pelosi are exhausted from getting up and down to support almost every utterance of their pawky leader. Biden’s nodding head reminded me of a bobble-head toy, which I found to be most distracting.

It was most interesting reviewing the major newspapers of the country this morning, and it was most amazing to see at the supportive New York Times a fawning editorial that acknowledged the problems of a first-term President who is recasting his agenda. I am certain that Obama’s poll numbers will be improving today, but it is doubtful they will remain significantly positive, because a leopard does not change his spots.

The headline in USA Today was “WE FACE A DEFICIT OF TRUST.” Boy, we sure do! The people of this country consider that statement to cover both the President and our entire government. With the speech stressing the need for JOBS JOBS JOBS, one must ask why it has taken our President one year to recognize that obvious fact.

I urge you to read the article from Time.com, which is a very surprisingly frank analysis of Obama’s State of the Union speech. Here is the link:

http://www.time.com/time/printout/0,8816,1957301,00.html

Personally I believe Obama made a grievous error in challenging the Supreme Court as he did, but in doing so he lacked class unbecoming his office. He also has now alienated the environmentalists with his suggestion that we should build nuclear plants, drill for oil and gas domestically and off-shore. However, I doubt seriously that any of those olive branches will bear any fruit in the foreseeable future.

And while I am continuing to rant about my displeasure, let me be perfectly clear that I do not trust this man. He continued to lie to the citizens of this country when he urged both sides of the aisle to vote against earmarks, when he recently signed legislation that was loaded with pay-offs to his special interest political contributors.

Lastly, I felt the fawning and obsequious words that were directed to the First Lady Michelle “Lady Gap” Obama were another indication of the power and influence that she has over this liberal President. I suggest that she has far more influence than the bias complicit media has indicated.

Only time will tell, but Obama better open the lines of communication with the Republican minority. The electorate is aroused, and they are tired of a Congress with self-serving elitists who live in another world far from that of the taxpaying serfs. While the media today suggests that Obama is moving to the “center,” there is little or nothing in his first year policies that indicates there is any chance of that really happening.

Just remember the story I have told numerous times of the old southern Senator who said…”Son, just because I said it doesn’t mean it is so.” They were playing the music last evening in our nation’s Capitol for the Washington Two-Step. The Dance Cards have filled up with special interest cash contributions, and nothing will change in Washington until we get off our backsides, and vote the rascals out of office. Real concerned Americans accomplished what was thought to be impossible in New Jersey, Virginia, and Massachusetts and it can be done again.

COMMANDER GRANGER

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

HEALTHCARE CONUNDRUM?

Tonight President Barack Hussein Obama will make his first State Of The Union address before a joint session of Congress. Please read the email below that I recently received consisting of a short letter Dr. Starner Jones sent to the Editor of his Jackson, MS newspaper in August, 2009. (I have checked this out at snopes.com.)

Do you want to bet that our President will not address the concerns of Dr. Starner tonight?

Dear Sirs:

During my last night's shift in the ER, I had the pleasure of evaluating a patient with an expensive shiny gold tooth, multiple elaborate expensive tattoos, a very expensive brand of tennis shoes and a new cellular telephone equipped with her favorite R&B tune for a ring tone.. Glancing over the chart, one could not help noticing her payer status: Medicaid. She smokes more than one costly pack of cigarettes every day and, somehow, still has money to buy beer.

And our Congress expects me to pay for this woman's health care? Our nation's health care crisis is not a shortage of quality hospitals, doctors or nurses. It is a crisis of culture ~ a culture in which it is perfectly acceptable to spend money on vices while refusing to take care of one's self or, heaven forbid, purchase health insurance. A culture that thinks, "I can do whatever I want to because someone else will always take care of me.” Life is really not that hard. Most of us reap what we sow. Don't you agree?


STARNER JONES, MD
Jackson, MS

Had the President and Congress considered appalling realities like the one cited above, and acted upon it honestly the needed Health Care Reform legislation could have passed. Obama’s poll numbers could be significantly better than their current historically low level, but the political arrogance of the Democrat Party has thus far ruled the first year of his Presidency.

COMMANDER GRANGER

SUGGESTION TO MAINTAIN SANITY

Just like you, I get up every morning looking forward to experiencing another great day on planet Earth. As I read my morning paper, view some early morning television news programs, and take a peek at what is new in my computer email, my mindset takes another blow that strains my mental stability.

Everywhere I turn there is another War, another natural disaster with massive loss of life, some wacko shooting an entire family, or my favorite football or basketball team loses another close game. No matter where we collectively turn there is violence and pestilence, and only occasionally will a calming happy story come to our attention.

Personally I have found a wonderful outlet to bring peace and tranquility to my day and it is with a good book. Happily I can report to anyone who shares my love of reading that another great read has come forward from award winning author Clive Cussler and Justin Scott titled THE WRECKER. The story is set in 1907 with the expansion of the Southern Pacific Railroad and it introduces an insightful new character, Isaac Bell from the Van Dorn Detective Agency.

If your love history and a well crafted mystery story, this is a winner. Cussler’s writing style of short concise chapters suits my reading and attention levels perfectly. Using a frequently overused expression, this is a real page turner.

A little reading and a nice nap permits this old dog to enjoy his day maintaining a significant degree of sanity in this crazy, conflicted, confused, wonderful world.

COMMANDER GRANGER

ONE MAN'S SOLUTION

As problems and deficits mount by the minute for the world and our country there is one word that if followed would move us quickly toward massive resolutions and improvement in our daily lives. That one word is ACCOUNTABILITY.

Webster’s Dictionary declares ACCOUNTABILITY as obliged to account for one’s acts; responsibility.

It is your Commander’s opinion that the recent Massachusetts Senatorial election of Scott Brown was the public’s recognition of a lack of ACCOUNTABILITY in the Halls of Congress. The voters in Virginia and New Jersey also recently spoke loudly in electing Republican Governors to previously held Democrat posts, shocking the arrogant political big-wigs to their core. Promises made in the last campaign were not fulfilled.

As just one example, had ACCOUNTABILITY been followed we would not have experienced the disastrous Enron debacle that foreshadowed the economic problems that ultimately led to the 2008 recession meltdown and an economic environment not seen since the 1930s.

We continue to follow the words of one complicit individual, who was intimately involved in the Enron mess, as if it never happened. Evidence establishes the direct involvement of ex-President William Jefferson Clinton who received massive political contributions from Enron. He had numerous White House meetings with the Enron CEO, and he endorsed granting Enron through the Commerce and State Departments a taxpayer-supported Export-Import Bank subsidized $600 million. Why has Clinton not been held ACCOUNTABLE? Lauding Clinton today is most baffling considering his repeated deleterious, frequently adulterous, and impeached conduct.

How many examples of criminal conduct are there currently within the Halls of Congress? Senators and Congressmen (Republicans and Democrats) who are guilty of various criminalities are subject to little or no action by their self-serving Congressional Ethics Committees. Failure to pay ones due tax obligations is illegal, but nothing seems to ever happen to the chosen elite of Washington. Several members of the current Administration’s Cabinet have been proven guilty of illegal actions, but they continue to receive their substantial taxpayer supported salaries.

The United Nations has been proven corrupt and ineffective time and time again, such as the Iraqi Food for Oil Program. Why does the United States government continue to pay multi-million dollars in contributions to this corrupt bureaucracy?

Time and space do not permit the continuation of additional examples of disruptive unlawful action and behavior. However, by demanding ACCOUNTABILITY we can solve many problems confronting us as a nation, and also as a member of the world community.

As one final example, the current Administration can point all the deflecting phony fingers they want, but until they recognize that the people want Health Care that is fair to ALL they will continue to lose elections. The lack of ACCOUNTABILITY with special interest side deals is the foundation of the voter unrest, and until the pompous Washington elite recognize that, they are in for a rude awakening. The American people are sick and tired of being taken for granted and repeatedly lied to by their elected officials.

Moral and legal corruption rules the day in Washington, but the day of reckoning is on the horizon. The Washington two-step is currently in full ballroom mode; it is sickening to witness because it is the epitome of transference.

COMMANDER GRANGER

Sunday, January 24, 2010

PROUD OLD FART

Recently I received an email from a good friend and I was so impressed with it that I want to share it with you. So please take a couple of your valuable minutes to consider these observations.

Old Farts are easy to spot at sporting events; during the playing of the Star Spangled Banner Old Farts remove their caps and stand at attention and sing without embarrassment. They know the words and believe in them.

Old Farts remember World War II, Pearl Harbor, Guadalcanal, Normandy, and Hitler. They remember the Atomic Age, the Korean War, the Cold War, the Jet Age and the Moon Landing. They remember the 50 plus Peacekeeping Missions from 1945 to 2005, not to mention Vietnam.

If you bump into an Old Fart on the sidewalk he will apologize.

If you pass an Old Fart on the street, he will nod or tip his cap to a lady.

Old Farts trust strangers and are courtly to women.

Old Farts hold the door for the next person and always, when walking, make certain the lady is on the inside for protection.

Old Farts get embarrassed if someone curses in front of women and children and they don't like any filth or dirty language on TV or in movies.

Old Farts have moral courage and personal integrity. They seldom brag unless it's about their children or grandchildren.

It's the Old Farts who know our great country is protected, not by politicians, but by the young men and women in the military serving their country.

This country needs Old Farts with their work ethic, sense of responsibility, pride in their country and decent values.We need them now more than ever.

Thank God for Old Farts!

Please don’t just take us for granted, because we still have valuable contributions to make toward the daily joys in life and our wonderful democracy.

COMMANDER GRANGER

Thursday, January 21, 2010

EVERY LIFE IS PRECIOUS

As I proceed deeper into the role of senior citizenship the more precious each and every life is, because like many young people death is something I just didn’t think much about. My local community is no different than that of others, but there appears to be more and more unwarranted deaths being reported in police and fire departments all over the world.

Recently a Mishawaka, Indiana police officer and his loyal K9 partner were killed when their squad car was struck while in pursuit of a fleeing offender. The driver of the fleeing car was seriously injured, but survived.

The police officer was married with two teenage daughters. The offender was a young man with a police record as long as your arm with numerous felony convictions, and was out on the streets while on parole, which specified that he should be home by 900PM. This individual had at least two prior convictions for drunk driving, and when this accident occurred his blood alcohol was nearly three times the legal limit, and his system contained traces of opiates and cocaine. He is now confined in the County Jail charged operating under the influence, two different drug charges for causing death, another for resisting law enforcement and a fifth charge for being a habitual substance offender.

An innocent family has lost their much loved husband/father and the community has lost a highly decorated law enforcement officer. The local community is now crying loudly for swift firm justice, and the County Prosecutor is calling for calm to prevent the jury pool from being polluted against the defendant. As a result of that action, your Commander asks the question…Who does the Country Prosecutor serve, the defendant or the public? I am smart enough to know that the Prosecutor serves the public while also providing information to the defense so that a fair trial can take place. In this particular case I believe his priorities are misplaced.

Our local area, like many others across the country, is currently experiencing an all too frequent and unnecessary loss of valued fellow citizens. Mishawaka is a city of about 47,000 and its Police Department has lost five officers over the past six years. The question that calls for immediate action and resolution is: Who is going to be held accountable for the fact that this offender was out on the streets of our community despite his long and serious criminal record?

The position of being a police officer is dangerous enough without the failure of the judicial system to protect those who serve the public directly. Did the local prosecutor plea down the offender’s repeated violations to expedite each case because of excessive case loads? Did the Judges who heard the offender’s cases render far too lenient judgments, which permitted this dangerous individual to be out on the streets? Did the Parole Officer fail to perform his or her duties in supervising the offender’s actions?

It is your Commander’s opinion that far too many individuals with long criminal conviction records, multiple DUI offenses, and parole violators are roaming our streets and represent accidents waiting to happen. A fine wife and two young daughters are now grieving, and the offender is now finally sitting in jail where he should have been at the time of the fatal accident. Who is to blame, and who should be held accountable? There are more individuals responsible for this unwarranted and unnecessary death of a wonderful human being and his loyal K9 partner than the offender.

As is all too frequent the case, politicians will now call for action after the fact, but again I ask: Who will be held accountable? With positions of authority and trust there must also exist a huge dose of responsibility and accountability. How many brave human beings must pay the ultimate price before some definitive action is taken that will prevent the continued unjust loss of another precious life?

COMMANDER GRANGER

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

THE PEOPLE HAVE CLEARLY SPOKEN

When I wrote recently that I was beginning to see light at the end to the political tunnel I really did not believe that the Senatorial election in Massachusetts would result in a dramatic, clear Republican victory because of the long Democrat Party dominance there. The victory was one of all individuals coming together as Americans to reject the actions of our elected officials and the Administration over the last year. This morning I would love to be a mouse in the corner of the Oval Office, because the troika of Obama, Axelrod, and Emanuel must be near berserk. Leader Reid and Speaker Pelosi must be having Tums with their morning coffee.

It is your Commander’s opinion that the three legged stool running this Administration has become a victim of their own aggressive Chicago-style political agenda, which reeked of arrogance, aloofness, and a blind disregard for the will of the electorate. Clearly the American people want an honest fair improvement in health care, but they strongly object to the back-room deals, such as those made for Louisiana, Nebraska and the unions. Those actions were the final straw. Those nefarious deals resulted in Republicans, Independents and Democrats joining together in rejecting the Democrat candidate in Massachusetts, sending a strong message to Washington big-wigs.

Just how this impacts the pending legislation on Health Care currently before both the House and Senate is to be determined. Early reports coming out of the stunned Democrat leadership indicate that they will proceed, urging quick passage, but I believe they have misread their fellow Democrats reaction to the Massachusetts upset. I suggest that the message sent by this election will send every single Congressman and Senator who is running for re-election in November 2010 dashing for cover.

I hope that cooler heads prevail, and that the leadership steps back and decides to start all over on Health Care legislation. They should address the concerns of the electorate, such as restrictions on Trial Attorneys, elimination of special interest exemptions, and see to it that all parties receive identical coverage including all government personnel, especially the Congress. All pork must be removed from the Health Care Bill and the Unions must not receive special treatment.

Should the Leadership and the Administration move forward aggressively to push through Health Care passage before Senator-elect Scott Brown (R) is seated from Massachusetts, they will open Pandora’s Box and bring a huge backlash from the electorate come November 2010. The Obama Administration has a huge opportunity to improve their poll numbers if they start administrating from the middle because the PEOPLE have clearly spoken that they do not approve of the political stench the country is being forced to inhale. If our Congressional delegations and our Administration continue to exhibit their aloof arrogance, and fail to address and accept accountability, they will fall from office sooner than later. The Tea Party movement is real and it is influential far beyond the understanding of the current Washington elite.

The Massachusetts electorate has proven that the people still rule this country just as our Founding Fathers intended. The light at the end of the tunnel is shinning much brighter this morning for the future of our great country. Obama called for CHANGE, but he certainly misjudged his ability to jam down the throats of the electorate something they could and would not swallow, because Chicago thug politics does not work across America.

THANK GOD FREEDOM AND THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE STILL RULE IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!

COMMANDER GRANGER

Monday, January 18, 2010

THE COUNTRY'S DIRECTION

As your Commander plods through his third year of expressing his feelings on numerous subjects it is coming to his attention that there are growing voices of concern relative to the direction of our great country. As I journey along a path of advocacy for constitutional conservative fiscal responsibility, I have heard little or no appreciation of those concepts by the vocal liberal pundits of our population.

In recent years as our enemies have grown, our financial debt rapidly increased, and our political debate has become far shriller, there appears to be an increasing number of liberal proponents expressing doubt about the direction of our country. I have long been a critic of the New York Times biased reporting and far-left editorial position, but in recent weeks I have observed a decided shift to the middle and even the right within the pages of the on-line edition of the paper.

I want to draw your attention to an excellent Op-Ed piece by Thomas L. Friedman (NY Times columnist and Pulitzer Prize winning author) written as he travels in the Far East. I suggest you read his very thought provoking warning titled, “What’s Our Sputnik?”

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/17/opinion/17friedman.html?em

Your Commander is quite encouraged by Friedman’s accurate observations and concerns. As he says, “We just keep thinking we can do it all – be focused, frightened and frivolous. We can’t. We don’t have the money. We don’t have the time.”

Maybe, just maybe, we can get together in the middle and work to defeat our enemies, who have all the time in the world to divide and conquer our great democracy. I believe your Commander can see some light at the end of the tunnel when proponents of reasoned discussion can work together to find common ground. Arrogant bullies who abuse their power often have a short life-span.

COMMANDER GRANGER

Thursday, January 14, 2010

HAITI'S HISTORY OF VIOLENCE AND CORRUPTION

It is still far too early to determine the scope of the horrific earthquake that struck Haiti over this week, but that poverty suffocated country has experienced a long and tragic history of government unrest and corruption. I personally have been to Haiti twice and witnessed first-hand the staggering degree of poverty that has crippled the country for decades.

When I investigated some background information for this piece I was astounded to learn of the involvement the United States has had in various interventions dating back to 1910. I had always thought it was the French colonial influence, but the Germans had a substantial influence along with American financial interests over many years. For a good background summary I suggest you look at the Wikipedia report.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_occupation_of_Haiti

Surely you, too, will be shocked by our repeated aggressive interventions into the affairs of this country. Apparently the Ugly American influences have long been felt. Foreign financial pressures and political unrest have long stifled the advancement of sound economic interests and corruption with continued violence has long been a fact of daily life.

When thinking about Haiti I remember the stark reality of a country without trees because the poor cut them all down for firewood to prepare their daily meals and for support of their tin shacks. People walking around in a haze, because they were starving, and then there was the obvious wealth of the elite class, which gave a day vs. night comparison to life in a country stagnating in unbelievable poverty.

Conditions will not improve in this sad country until order, good governance, and basic health issues are resolved. Haiti has a long road to climb and a successful government and economy will not occur for many years to come. Politics and foreign interference has destroyed a beautiful land, and the people have long suffered unnecessarily. The people of Haiti deserve a fair deal, not foreign interests taking advantage of their destitution.

American military personnel from all branches of the service are already on the ground or will arrive shortly. The United States has a long history of stepping forward to assist people around the world in their hour of need. But, with wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, the US cannot afford to get bogged down in Haiti, too. It is now time for the United Nations to prove its mettle, especially the countries that refuse to assist us in the Middle East conflicts. Time will tell if the Haitian people are assisted or get screwed again.

COMMANDER GRANGER

TEN GOOD QUESTIONS

There are several questions on the tip of my tongue relative to our President Barack Hussein Obama. On numerous occasions I have clearly voiced my concerns about our new President, but I feel compelled to share some specific questions.

1. Why was President Obama the first President in 110 years to miss the annual Army-Navy Football Game?

2. Why did President Obama not attend any Christmas religious services?

3. Why did President Obama stay on vacation after the recent attempted terrorist attack on the aircraft flying to Detroit Christmas Day?

4. Why does the president continue to lie to the American people when he repeatedly signs legislation containing PORK when he promised to veto such legislation?

5. Why does our President continue to increase the National Debt, and make little or no effort to reduce corruption or wasteful spending?

6. Why can’t the president address the people without the use of a teleprompter?

7. How can the president continue to demand passage of Health Care Legislation that will increase taxes, and is opposed by over 60% of the American people?

8. Why does the president continue to use Air Force One excessively at great expense to the American taxpayers, such as flying to New York City for dinner with his wife?

9. Why does Obama want to charge military veterans injured in the line of duty to their country for their Health Care expenses?

10. Why does the president have to remind us so frequently that he is the Commander in Chief in his speeches that are laced with repeated use of I, me, my, and mine references?

If your Commander did not know better he would think that a different individual was serving as President than the person who spoke during the campaign. I do not know of one individual who voted for the agenda that we now have as opposed to the platform promised. Do you?

I cannot wait for November 2010 to come because the CHANGE and TRANSPARENCY promised in the last campaign never materialized. My best guess is that is was only rhetoric designed for a successful election. Regretfully, when President Obama speaks I am frequently reminded of Albert Einstein’s prophetic words, “The only thing more dangerous than ignorance is arrogance.”

COMMANDER GRANGER

Sunday, January 10, 2010

DAVID BRODER BIAS

As usual, this morning I viewed the Sunday morning news programs and read the Sunday issue of my local newspaper (South Bend Tribune). I immediately reacted when I read Washington Post David Broder’s column titled “Chris Dodd, straight shooter, will be missed in the Senate”. When I say that I was moved I want you to know that I sent the following email directly to Broder at the Washington Post.

“I have just read your column in the South Bend Tribune and I want you to know that it will be the last one I intend to read. Why? I salute your loyalty to your friend Senator Chris Dodd, but your failure to even address his corruption and misuse of office is an example of your bias reporting. This specific column lacks any balance, and reflects your position as a loyal Democrat, not an objective reporter. Is this article a pay-off for access over the many years you have been in Dodd’s hip pocket?”

To that email I signed by real name, not my nom deplume.

It is your Commander’s opinion that journalists and even columnists should be honest and present both sides of a story, and Broder definitely only presented praise for Dodd’s many years of political service. Chris Dodd’s (D-CT) duplicity benefited him significantly. It is one thing for Broder to be Dodd’s friend, but it is another to ignore his betrayal of the public trust.

Americans are fortunate that Dodd has seen that his chances for re-election are dim at best, because the voters of Connecticut and all Americans will be better served if an honest public servant replaces him in the Senate. Tragically, Dodd will not just fade away like an old soldier. He will live in the lap of luxury on his ill-gotten gains, and fat government pension. As I have stated before, the chickens are coming home to roost in politics all across the fruited plains. We all will be the better when the voters step forward and exert their vast political influence as our brilliant Constitution guarantees.

COMMANDER GRANGER

Saturday, January 9, 2010

THANK GOD FOR NOTRE DAME

Those of us who voluntarily choose to reside in Northern Indiana should all thank God for the University of Notre Dame. Many ex-students from around the country and the world have elected to stay in the community after graduation remaining a loyal core support group, and they add significantly to the quality of life in Michiana.

Recently Forbes magazine released the results of a financial impact survey that reported Notre Dame as the second most valuable college football program in the country. The survey used a set of standardized revenue and expense criteria, and the results indicated that the Fighting Irish program generated $108 million. That was only second to the University of Texas football revenue of $119 million. The top ten schools following Texas and Notre Dame were Penn State, Nebraska, Alabama, Florida, LSU, Ohio State, Georgia, and Oklahoma.

Additionally, the study indicated that Notre Dame’s dividend from funds that flowed back to the University as a whole, and to other athletic programs totaled $38 million. Most revealing was the fact that St. Joseph County was the only county in the nation in which incremental spending topped $10 million on home football weekends. When you consider the fact that Notre Dame has six home football games that is a staggering $60 million flowing directly into the local economy.

Considering the recent serious economic problems facing our nation, and specifically Northern Indiana, we should all be most thankful for Notre Dame’s presence. Unemployment remains very high in the area with the faltering automobile industry and the weak recreational vehicle business in the dumps.

Fortunately, the University is the #1 employer in the region and its economic impact is vital for maintaining the quality of life in Michiana. Just consider the additional economic impact of the salaries paid to the professors and staff, the money that flows into taxes, local retail business, and the real estate market. The University is to be commended, too, for contributing substantial dollars to support various local projects, and they willingly pay taxes for several University operations despite their tax-free status as an educational institution. Life in the local community is vastly different when the students are on campus versus when they are on vacation breaks.

Considering the appalling fiscally irresponsible political leadership in both South Bend and St. Joseph County, the existence of Notre Dame is essential and much appreciated. The economic impact of Notre Dame Football is one thing, but the over-all influence of the University to the quality of life is significant.

Notre Dame cannot and should not be expected to solve all the problems facing this community, but they have been a beacon of positive influence that impacts every person residing and working in this community. Someday the citizens of St. Joseph County will demand that their political leadership be held accountable for fiscal integrity. There is a limit to how high taxes can be raised, and that day of reckoning is just over the horizon.

I sometimes think that the South Bend community has never gotten over the closing of the Studebaker automobile plant in the 1960s, the Drewry Brewing facility in the early 1970s, and the Ball Band/Uniroyal plant in nearby Mishawaka in the 1990s. When change happens local government must adapt or it will perish, which is exactly what is happening. AM General, manufacturer of the military Hummer and the Hummer H-2 and H-3, is now reducing employment, and the College Football Hall of Fame is moving to Atlanta, so the necessary reductions in spending must occur immediately or South Bend will become another Detroit or Flint. Government at all levels, local, regional, and national, cannot continue to spend what they do not have. There is a limit to wanton taxation.

Seriously, let your Commander make a suggestion to solve the numerous problems facing both South Bend and St. Joseph County. With a long proven ability to administrate and raise money it would be a good idea to turn over the operation of local and county governance to the University of Notre Dame. Their record of serving the poor, strong achievements in education and financial solvency suggest that the University is the answer.

There are voices within our community that feel Notre Dame is arrogant and exerts excessive influence, but Notre Dame cannot and should not be chastised, because it does put its money where its mouth is. I do not agree with everything the University does, but I would hate to reside here without its numerous positive contributions to our daily lives. Without the University of Notre Dame, South Bend would quickly resemble Yucca Flats.

COMMANDER GRANGER

Friday, January 8, 2010

HOW GREEN IS GREEN?

I do not know about you, but I am becoming more and more skeptical about the Green Movement. As a matter of fact there is enough proven erroneous information floating around to require me to suspect a vast conspiracy within the entire environmental sector of our country.

A segment of our population has made vast sums of money despite the fact that they have been spewing out false information. One specific individual is ex-Vice-President Al Gore, who once claimed to have invented the internet, and who has profited from a Nobel Peace prize based upon proven phony allegations. His Oscar-award winning movie “An Inconvenient Truth” has made him a millionaire many times over, and many claims of the movie are false. He also refuses to participate in a public question and answer forum. While Gore calls for all of us to conserve, he flies around the world in his carbon spewing private jet, and lives luxuriously on a fat government perked pension in an energy glutinous Tennessee mansion.

Special interest groups like the Sierra Club exert inappropriate influence on state and federal governments to restrict water distribution, logging, mining, and oil exploration, to name a few, which curbs employment and substantial tax revenue to large portions of our country. Lawmakers in our government have frequently been swayed by special interest political contributions to restrict fairly controlled commercial interests and projects.

It appears to your Commander that most special interest groups are supported by well-healed individuals, and foreign governments who have a selfish personal objective to protect, such as their own personal property values. Numerous foreign governments, such as Saudi Arabia, spend vast sums of money with Washington lobbyists. The Saudi Royal family does not want our domestic oil production to increase by one barrel. In addition, all too frequently eminent domain has been inappropriately applied as a result of political contributions by various special interest groups.

Your Commander supports conservation, and strongly urges government to protect our natural resources. However, I support appropriate use of our domestic natural resources as opposed to foreign imports. Unfortunately, money talks, and decisions are reached which are forced upon innocent citizens, because they do not have the clout of Mr. Big. While I once worked closely with NBC, I am now gravely concerned about their misuse of its network airwaves to promote the Green Movement, which also happens to be directly aligned to greatly profit their parent company, General Electric. News stories appear within their news programs that urge aggressive Green actions that result in vast profits for GE products, and cause negative economic consequences to the general public. You would be shocked to learn how many of those GE products are manufactured overseas and not domestically, creating a negative impact on U.S. employment statistics.

Conservation is an important objective, but false use of the subject is nothing short of criminal corruption and the misuse of the public’s trust. Is climate change true? I do not know, but I am becoming more and more suspicious and you should be too. Don’t be gullible just because someone says it is so. There are an increasing number of experienced academic minds raising suspicions to the Green Movement. Anyone who takes the word of our government without solid honest proof or questions is just naive, and will be candidates to be taken to the cleaners with increased taxation to support the special interests of someone else.

COMMANDER GRANGER

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

MAY I HAVE YOUR ATTENTION PLEASE

Every now and then a nice little book comes along that warms the heart and enhances the joy of reading. Recently I came across just such a book when I read “May I Have Your Attention Please…Wit & Wisdom from the Notre Dame Press Box” by Mike Collins, and Sergeant Tim McCarthy.

Since moving to Northern Indiana working in the broadcast business I met and now consider Mike Collins a friend. He recently retired, but was one of the best news anchors in the business. Mike is one of those valuable voices, and influences, in the community that makes living here most rewarding.

Sergeant Tim McCarthy is a veteran Indiana State Police Officer and has been the unseen voice of both wit and wisdom safety announcements at every home Notre Dame Football game for many years. A “Domer” (graduate of Notre Dame) relative of mine gave Tim a wonderful compliment when he said, “Only Tim McCarthy could bring 80,000 roaring fans to silence every Saturday afternoon.” Over the years Tim’s humorous traffic alerts no doubt have saved many lives traveling home from the games.

I suggest you read this wonderfully humorous book that provides a behind the scenes peek into the Press Box high about the crowd at Notre Dame home football games. Locally copies are available in local bookstores or, if you are out of town, through Corby Books, Box 93, Notre Dame, IN 46556 at a cost of $14.95 (plus shipping). A little book at the price, but a fun read!

COMMANDER GRANGER

Monday, January 4, 2010

I COULD NOT BELIEVE MY EARS

Over the holidays I joined a gathering of friends from our community, and the evening network newscast was on a television set. As is usual for that time of the year a local station was presenting a review of major news stories of the year. What caught our eyes was a full screen of major Democrat politicians gathered to celebrate and puff about their majority power political agenda accomplishments.

One of the attendees asked me, ”Who are those people?” I was shocked by the question and responded, ”Don’t you know who they are?” FYI, the inquisitor was an adult high school graduate who has continued his education and owns and operates a service business, not an inexperienced uneducated child.

When I picked myself up off the floor, I responded that the individuals appearing on the screen were Senate Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY), Senator Christopher Dodd (D-CT), and Rep. Charles Rangel (D-NY). I tried to remind the person just who they all were, and their significance to our daily lives. This individual told me that politics, newspapers, books, and television news were of little interest so those individuals were not important factors to his daily life.

This experience was a very important revelation to my understanding as to just why our country is in the state of disarray that it is, because there is apparently far more disregard and less interest in the preservation of our democracy than I realized. It is just this lack of attention to what made this country the bright and shining example it is to much of the world, and it is just this complacency that will lead to our further erosion and ultimate destruction. With high school graduation rates hovering below 50% in the major cities, we no doubt will have a growing percentage of the voting public exhibiting little or no interest in the vital political process. That fact does not bode well for our country’s future.

I will even bet that similar experiences occurred throughout “the land of the free and the home of the brave” this past holiday season. It is sad, but apparently true that a growing number of our fellow citizens just do not care or even know about the important issues and people of the day.

COMMANDER GRANGER

Sunday, January 3, 2010

TROUBLED HORIZON CONFRONTS 2010

Since the disturbing news of a failed terrorist attack on an inbound flight from Amsterdam to Detroit, the Administration, and specifically Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and President Barack Hussein Obama, have been changing their statements and running for cover. It is your Commander’s opinion that Napolitano should be fired and replaced with a qualified expert from the security business, not a politically appointed hack. Our President should stop making “shoot from the hip,” politically correct statements before he secures all of the necessary information, but that may be excused since he and his family so are far away in Hawaii on vacation.

As we enter a new and challenging decade it is your Commander’s position that our most serious issues are caused by the continuation of excessive greed, corruption, financial debt, all caused by self-serving elected officials. On December 28, 2009 the influential Judicial Watch posted their list of Washington’s “Ten Most Wanted Corrupt Politicians” for 2009. Let me provide you with the list of names that are all quite familiar to all informed Americans.

1. Senator Christopher Dodd (D-CT)
2. Senator John Ensign (R-NV)
3. Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA)
4. Secretary of Treasury Timothy Geithner
5. Attorney General Eric Holder
6. Rep. Jesse Jackson. Jr. (D-IL)/ Senator Roland Burris (D-IL)
7. President Barack Obama
8. Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)
9. Rep. John Murtha (D-PA) and the rest of the PMA seven.
10. Rep. Charles Rangel (D-NY)

How did Senator Harry Reid (D-NV) miss the list? Let me suggest that you take a couple of your valuable minutes, and read the revelations specified in the Judicial Watch announcement. You can view the entire report easily at:

http://www.judicialwatch.org - then click December 28 article

Our future will remain cloudy and in peril until we, the voters, address the transgressions committed by those listed above. Believe me, our destiny is in significant jeopardy, because of these individuals and their dangerous and devious selfish intensions and actions. The solutions to our problems are in our own hands.

COMMANDER GRANGER

Friday, January 1, 2010

THREE YEARS AND COUNTING

The first commentary of F. Robert's World appeared back on April 5, 2008 with the title “SPORTSMANSHIP IS DEAD,” and 73 different essays appeared through the remaining months of that year. In 2009 your Commander was surprised when he realized he had written 221 different postings; the last one was December 30th titled “THE HONEYMOON IS OVER.” It is a new decade and the blog’s third calendar year. The first blog of 2010 wishes one and all a very Happy New Year filled with good health, happiness and peace.

This blog is very rewarding to your Commander, because it provides an abiding desire to remain at least mentally active on a daily basis. The work keeps my mind probing for information, and permits me to stay up to date on current events as well as prodding my readers to consider crucial issues of our time. All too frequently politics occupies the blog, but the growing seriousness of that debate has caused the excessive concentration.

As I have stated before, it is not my intent for you to always agree with me, but I do want you to think seriously about the various issues. I intend to be a provocateur, and get more and more of you motivated to assure a strong and positive, financially secure and sane roll for the United States of America. We owe that to those who gave the full measure and our children.

Let me start the New Year with a suggestion that you read Charles Krauthammer’s latest article “War, What War?” Personally, I consider him to be one of the more important conservative commentators of our time.

http://townhall.com/columnists/CharlesKrauthammer/2010/01/01/war_what_war?page=full

Let us all join in prayer for a saner more peaceful world in this new decade. It will only happen if we all get off our backsides and demand honest, fiscally sound leadership that truly supports our Constitution, and not egotistical, elitist self-interests.

COMMANDER GRANGER