As I viewed the opening session of the Senate inquiry, or should I call it inquisition, of Supreme Court Nominee Elena Kagan yesterday, a question came to mind, “If the United States Senate can investigate, with total access to all the papers and writings of Elena Kagan, why do the American people not have similar access to the writings and papers of Barack Hussein Obama as well as the all-knowing Michelle Obama?
The last I heard, all of the documents from the years that Obama studied at Occidental, Columbia and Harvard are unavailable. Papers of a similar nature authored by Michelle Obama at Princeton University are sealed or embargoed. I think it is fair to ask, “Why?”
It seems to your Commander that President and First Lady Obama in many ways are clearly in a position to render decisions that impact not only the day to day lives of every single living American citizen, but the future of our children and grandchildren. In some cases their actions have even equal or greater significance to that of a Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. Where is equal treatment under the laws of our land?
It is politics, as always, and it stinks to high heaven.
COMMANDER GRANGER
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
DISAPPOINTMENT CAN CLOAK FUTURE SUCCESS
Each Christmas my stocking has a wonderful small desk calendar and my 2010 gift covered trivia. Thus, each morning there is another interesting factoid that can be amusing, informative or surprising, which often starts the day with a smile.
Today was just such an example, and I want to share it with you, because it proves that we should not make quick judgments before we know all the facts. The question today was, “What Pulitzer Prize-winning American poet was granted a conditional appointment to West Point, but had to leave after failing the grammar and math section of the entrance exam?”
The answer is Carl Sandburg, in 1899. One quickly must wonder just what kind of an Army Officer Sandburg would have made. This just proves an old expression my late Scottish Mother-in-law frequently said, “What is for you won’t go passed you.” Sandburg may have suffered a huge disappointment when he did not make it into West Point, but just look at what his future held
COMMANDER GRANGER
Today was just such an example, and I want to share it with you, because it proves that we should not make quick judgments before we know all the facts. The question today was, “What Pulitzer Prize-winning American poet was granted a conditional appointment to West Point, but had to leave after failing the grammar and math section of the entrance exam?”
The answer is Carl Sandburg, in 1899. One quickly must wonder just what kind of an Army Officer Sandburg would have made. This just proves an old expression my late Scottish Mother-in-law frequently said, “What is for you won’t go passed you.” Sandburg may have suffered a huge disappointment when he did not make it into West Point, but just look at what his future held
COMMANDER GRANGER
Friday, June 25, 2010
WHERE ONE STARTS IS NOT AS IMPORTANT AS WHERE ONE ENDS
As a history buff I ran across an interesting factoid relative to Thomas Paine. Way back in my early school days I studied Paine’s significant contribution to the American Revolutionary movement when he authored his pamphlet Common Sense. If you do not remember Common Sense I strongly urge you to read it again because it is a seminal document. Remember it starts with, “These are the times that try men’s souls.”
I turned to Wikipedia and found an extremely interesting report of 12 pages, which if you’re interested in history you should find most enlightening at:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Paine
Paine is frequently referred to as the Father of the American Revolution, because of the influence of his writings. One of the things I learned was that he was a proponent of Deism (belief in no need for faith or organized religion), and it caused him great harm over the later years of his long life. A fascinating fact I learned was that he served a six-year apprenticeship as a teenager in England as a corset maker, which was his father’s trade.
At the time of his death at age 72 the New York Citizen reported, “He had lived long, did some good, and much harm.” Considering the importance of his contributions to America’s independence, I found it shocking that only six people attended his funeral.
This story is certain proof that it makes little difference where one starts their journey, because the end of the trail can be both significantly influential and controversial.
COMMANDER GRANGER
I turned to Wikipedia and found an extremely interesting report of 12 pages, which if you’re interested in history you should find most enlightening at:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Paine
Paine is frequently referred to as the Father of the American Revolution, because of the influence of his writings. One of the things I learned was that he was a proponent of Deism (belief in no need for faith or organized religion), and it caused him great harm over the later years of his long life. A fascinating fact I learned was that he served a six-year apprenticeship as a teenager in England as a corset maker, which was his father’s trade.
At the time of his death at age 72 the New York Citizen reported, “He had lived long, did some good, and much harm.” Considering the importance of his contributions to America’s independence, I found it shocking that only six people attended his funeral.
This story is certain proof that it makes little difference where one starts their journey, because the end of the trail can be both significantly influential and controversial.
COMMANDER GRANGER
Monday, June 14, 2010
BAN THE VUVUZELAS IMMEDIATELY
With all the publicity attached to the FIFA World Cup 2010 soccer matches in South Africa which began last week, I tuned in to the England vs. USA game this past Saturday. I was immediately struck by a shrill and annoying noise and learned quickly that it is a custom in South Africa to blow Vuvuzela horns at their soccer games.
I found the buzzing noise so distracting that I quickly turned the channel to another program that did not give me an instant headache. Admittedly I am not a huge fan of soccer, but I recognize the sport’s international popularity, and I am trying to develop an appreciation of the game. Clearly the participants must have great endurance and skill, but it is just not my game of choice at this point in time.
It is your Commander’s opinion that the organizers must address the buzzing noise the Vuvuzelas create or the games will draw very low viewing ratings around the world with anyone other than true soccer aficionados. I believe the Vuvuzela will set back growing U.S. interest in soccer, and the excitement of the World Cup will be greatly diminished.
COMMANDER GRANGER
I found the buzzing noise so distracting that I quickly turned the channel to another program that did not give me an instant headache. Admittedly I am not a huge fan of soccer, but I recognize the sport’s international popularity, and I am trying to develop an appreciation of the game. Clearly the participants must have great endurance and skill, but it is just not my game of choice at this point in time.
It is your Commander’s opinion that the organizers must address the buzzing noise the Vuvuzelas create or the games will draw very low viewing ratings around the world with anyone other than true soccer aficionados. I believe the Vuvuzela will set back growing U.S. interest in soccer, and the excitement of the World Cup will be greatly diminished.
COMMANDER GRANGER
Sunday, June 13, 2010
OATH OF OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
While searching for some information relative to the office of President of the United States, I ran across a very interesting web site, which I believe will be of interest to anyone who has an inquiring mind relative to history. If you have a few minutes I suggest you take a look at:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oath_of_the_President_of_the_United_States
My original inquiry was to determine the exact words of the Presidential Oath which is as follows: “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, PROTECT, and defend the Constitution of the United States.”
While there are many minds far more qualified than mine, it is my personal opinion that President Barack Obama is not fulfilling his Oath of Office as he is failing to provide security of our borders from intrusion by illegal immigration. It is thus judicious, appropriate, and necessary for State authorities, i.e., Arizona, to initiate local legislation to protect their residents from criminal elements illegally entering their boundaries.
The recent announcement to send a paltry 1,500 National Guard troops to the border is a pure political move meant to deflect or defuse public opinion that clearly establishes that 70% of the electorate want the border secured. Obama wants the Hispanic vote and is stalling appropriate action.
Additionally, you will find numerous interesting factoids related to earlier Presidents and Vice-Presidents, such as who took his Oath of Office outside the United States?
And should you still be confused about President Barack Obama referencing himself as a Professor of Constitutional Law at the University of Chicago, let me suggest you take a look at;
http://www.factcheck.org/askfactcheck/was_barack_obama_really_a_constitutional_law.html
Read it for yourself and you will find that he was a Senior Lecturer who did not have tenure or full-time status. In academia there is a real distinction between Senior Lecturer and Professor. Just question any full-time tenured Professor.
Interesting facts make compelling reading, and thus one wonders if everything Obama says should be run through FactCheck.Org. Perhaps only his teleprompter or speech writer actually knows the real truth.
COMMANDER GRANGER
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oath_of_the_President_of_the_United_States
My original inquiry was to determine the exact words of the Presidential Oath which is as follows: “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, PROTECT, and defend the Constitution of the United States.”
While there are many minds far more qualified than mine, it is my personal opinion that President Barack Obama is not fulfilling his Oath of Office as he is failing to provide security of our borders from intrusion by illegal immigration. It is thus judicious, appropriate, and necessary for State authorities, i.e., Arizona, to initiate local legislation to protect their residents from criminal elements illegally entering their boundaries.
The recent announcement to send a paltry 1,500 National Guard troops to the border is a pure political move meant to deflect or defuse public opinion that clearly establishes that 70% of the electorate want the border secured. Obama wants the Hispanic vote and is stalling appropriate action.
Additionally, you will find numerous interesting factoids related to earlier Presidents and Vice-Presidents, such as who took his Oath of Office outside the United States?
And should you still be confused about President Barack Obama referencing himself as a Professor of Constitutional Law at the University of Chicago, let me suggest you take a look at;
http://www.factcheck.org/askfactcheck/was_barack_obama_really_a_constitutional_law.html
Read it for yourself and you will find that he was a Senior Lecturer who did not have tenure or full-time status. In academia there is a real distinction between Senior Lecturer and Professor. Just question any full-time tenured Professor.
Interesting facts make compelling reading, and thus one wonders if everything Obama says should be run through FactCheck.Org. Perhaps only his teleprompter or speech writer actually knows the real truth.
COMMANDER GRANGER
SENATE - ADVISE AND CONSENT
Here we go again with another nomination to fill a vacated seat on the Supreme Court of the United States. It is your Commander’s fervent desire that the U.S. Senate approaches this crucially important decision with improved emotional rhetoric and by sticking to an objective and thorough vetting of the candidate, Elena Kagan.
I am not so naive as to believe that our politicians will not perform their “dance of the all-powerful” in posturing before the Senate television cameras, but let’s keep the dialog restricted to civility. We must always remember the Oath of Office that our President and Senators have taken to “PRESERVE, PROTECT AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES.” *Editorial note: The Senate Oath of Office is slightly different, but essentially contains the same words “to support and defend”.
Of equal importance is to remember the Preamble to our Constitution – “WE THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES, IN ORDER TO FORM A MORE PERFECT UNION, ESTABLISH JUSTICE, INSURE DOMESTIC TRANQUILITY, PROVIDE FOR THE COMMON DEFENCE, PROMOTE THE GENERAL WELFARE, AND SECURE THE BLESSINGS OF LIBERTY TO OURSELVES AND OUR PROSTERITY, DO ORDAIN AND ESTABLISH THIS CONSTITUTION FOR THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA”. The way I interpret these inspiring words it does not mean “Social Engineering,” but adherence to the Constitution. Additionally, the Oath calls to “preserve” or preservation of the Constitution, and that is a very specific charge.
I suggest that a good starting point to better understand Elena Kagen’s qualifications is to read the 13 page Wikipidia report on the Harvard Law School at:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harvard_Law_School
While I have been warned that Wikipidia can be found to contain biased material, this analysis does much to expand our collective knowledge for the debate. There are issues raised, such as the fact that five of the nine sitting Justices are all Harvard Law School graduates. Is that diversity or a problem of consequence? One, too, can wonder if anyone will question the degree of influence being established by Harvard University over the country with so many graduates holding major positions of influence. “Is that appropriate?” is a fair question to be addressed by the Senate inquiry.
Let me also draw your attention to a most surprising Editorial in the 5/11 issue of the New York Times, which also raises some interesting questions. Even this liberal mouth-piece of the Obama Administration wonders about the fact that Kagan has no judicial experience and an extremely thin paper trail to study.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/11/opinion/11tue1.html?scp=1&sq=5/11/2010%20Elena%20Kagan%20Editorial&st=cse
I choose to reserve judgment at a later date on the Kagan nomination. The hearings should be interesting and revealing, at least I hope so. Personally, I expected to see Obama nominate a more controversial liberal, such as Michelle Obama, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, or some wacko from the ultra-liberal left Coast 9th Circuit. Apparently, Obama is reading the tea-leaves that indicate he must quickly begin to tread lightly as the November 2010 elections pose substantial challenges to his socialist trending policies and the Democrat Party.
COMMANDER GRANGER
I am not so naive as to believe that our politicians will not perform their “dance of the all-powerful” in posturing before the Senate television cameras, but let’s keep the dialog restricted to civility. We must always remember the Oath of Office that our President and Senators have taken to “PRESERVE, PROTECT AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES.” *Editorial note: The Senate Oath of Office is slightly different, but essentially contains the same words “to support and defend”.
Of equal importance is to remember the Preamble to our Constitution – “WE THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES, IN ORDER TO FORM A MORE PERFECT UNION, ESTABLISH JUSTICE, INSURE DOMESTIC TRANQUILITY, PROVIDE FOR THE COMMON DEFENCE, PROMOTE THE GENERAL WELFARE, AND SECURE THE BLESSINGS OF LIBERTY TO OURSELVES AND OUR PROSTERITY, DO ORDAIN AND ESTABLISH THIS CONSTITUTION FOR THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA”. The way I interpret these inspiring words it does not mean “Social Engineering,” but adherence to the Constitution. Additionally, the Oath calls to “preserve” or preservation of the Constitution, and that is a very specific charge.
I suggest that a good starting point to better understand Elena Kagen’s qualifications is to read the 13 page Wikipidia report on the Harvard Law School at:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harvard_Law_School
While I have been warned that Wikipidia can be found to contain biased material, this analysis does much to expand our collective knowledge for the debate. There are issues raised, such as the fact that five of the nine sitting Justices are all Harvard Law School graduates. Is that diversity or a problem of consequence? One, too, can wonder if anyone will question the degree of influence being established by Harvard University over the country with so many graduates holding major positions of influence. “Is that appropriate?” is a fair question to be addressed by the Senate inquiry.
Let me also draw your attention to a most surprising Editorial in the 5/11 issue of the New York Times, which also raises some interesting questions. Even this liberal mouth-piece of the Obama Administration wonders about the fact that Kagan has no judicial experience and an extremely thin paper trail to study.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/11/opinion/11tue1.html?scp=1&sq=5/11/2010%20Elena%20Kagan%20Editorial&st=cse
I choose to reserve judgment at a later date on the Kagan nomination. The hearings should be interesting and revealing, at least I hope so. Personally, I expected to see Obama nominate a more controversial liberal, such as Michelle Obama, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, or some wacko from the ultra-liberal left Coast 9th Circuit. Apparently, Obama is reading the tea-leaves that indicate he must quickly begin to tread lightly as the November 2010 elections pose substantial challenges to his socialist trending policies and the Democrat Party.
COMMANDER GRANGER
SUPPORT OUR BORDER PATROL AGENTS
Your Commander recognizes that it is dangerous to draw firm conclusions solely based upon what one reads in the newspaper. I want to draw your attention to the recent incident near El Paso where a U.S. Border Patrol Agent shot and killed a 15 year old Mexican National who was video taped throwing rocks at the Agent.
It is reported that Sergio Adrian Hernandez Huereka had been arrested on six previous occasions related to human smuggling or illegal entry. In this current incident the victim had again entered the U.S. illegally, and was in fact throwing rocks at the Border Patrol Agent.
It is my personal opinion that it is sad that the teenager died, but he was clearly warned and he broke several American laws by his personal actions. Unfortunately he got what he asked for, and the Border Patrol Agent acted appropriately and was justified to protect himself.
Our liberal Attorney General Eric Holder has reported his personal regret and the FBI is reviewing the incident. Your Commander suggests that the responsibility for this death can be placed directly in the Oval Office of the White House and the Halls of Congress, because they have repeatedly failed to provide appropriate security at our borders with Mexico and Canada. Additionally, the Mexican government holds equal responsibility for not providing appropriate security on their side of the border, because had they done so this incident would not have occurred.
Now Mexican President Felipe Calderon has the audacity to criticize our Border Patrol’s actions. It is far past the appropriate time for our government to tell Calderon to get his own house in order, and we should immediately institute the exact same immigration rules that Mexico exerts against any violators of their laws.
Tragically, I again suggest that our current administration and Congress really does not want to secure our borders, because they want the cheap labor, and the huge potential vote of illegal immigrants who they hope to somehow strong-arm into a legal voting status.
It is time for our government to not send 1,500 National Guard troops to our southern border, but to send the entire 82nd Airborne Division to the Mexican Border fully armed. Close down the Mexican Border completely, and see just how long Calderon can stay in office. Anyone who wants to enter the USA illegally can do so at their own risk of life and limb.
We have passed the time to permit the continued care and feeding of illegal aliens who gorge at our public trough, just like our elected officials. The unidentified Border Patrol Agent who shot this criminal should be supported, and saluted for putting his life on the line to protect you and me.
President Obama will probably send that tin-horn Mexican President a sympathy card and several million dollars as a continuation of his World Apology Tour Agenda.
COMMANDER GRANGER
It is reported that Sergio Adrian Hernandez Huereka had been arrested on six previous occasions related to human smuggling or illegal entry. In this current incident the victim had again entered the U.S. illegally, and was in fact throwing rocks at the Border Patrol Agent.
It is my personal opinion that it is sad that the teenager died, but he was clearly warned and he broke several American laws by his personal actions. Unfortunately he got what he asked for, and the Border Patrol Agent acted appropriately and was justified to protect himself.
Our liberal Attorney General Eric Holder has reported his personal regret and the FBI is reviewing the incident. Your Commander suggests that the responsibility for this death can be placed directly in the Oval Office of the White House and the Halls of Congress, because they have repeatedly failed to provide appropriate security at our borders with Mexico and Canada. Additionally, the Mexican government holds equal responsibility for not providing appropriate security on their side of the border, because had they done so this incident would not have occurred.
Now Mexican President Felipe Calderon has the audacity to criticize our Border Patrol’s actions. It is far past the appropriate time for our government to tell Calderon to get his own house in order, and we should immediately institute the exact same immigration rules that Mexico exerts against any violators of their laws.
Tragically, I again suggest that our current administration and Congress really does not want to secure our borders, because they want the cheap labor, and the huge potential vote of illegal immigrants who they hope to somehow strong-arm into a legal voting status.
It is time for our government to not send 1,500 National Guard troops to our southern border, but to send the entire 82nd Airborne Division to the Mexican Border fully armed. Close down the Mexican Border completely, and see just how long Calderon can stay in office. Anyone who wants to enter the USA illegally can do so at their own risk of life and limb.
We have passed the time to permit the continued care and feeding of illegal aliens who gorge at our public trough, just like our elected officials. The unidentified Border Patrol Agent who shot this criminal should be supported, and saluted for putting his life on the line to protect you and me.
President Obama will probably send that tin-horn Mexican President a sympathy card and several million dollars as a continuation of his World Apology Tour Agenda.
COMMANDER GRANGER
TWO VITAL INTERSECTING SUBJECTS
While scanning several internet sites yesterday morning I came across two very interesting articles that actually intersect on two very important subjects. One refers to the Tea Party movement’s apparent lack of organization and centralization. The second addresses an equally significant problem of our government’s complicity in preparing for possible mass attacks upon our populous.
Your Commander suggests reading The Washington Post article by Amy Gardner titled “Tea Party Candidates Hurt By Lack Of Organization In Movement” at:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/11/AR2010061105726.html?sub=AR
With the November 2010 election so vitally important to achieving substantial leadership changes the article presents some definitive warnings to the Tea Party’s successful future. Can the movement deliver the apparent desired change without unity, and strong leadership is a pivotal question.
The second article is by highly regarded Wall Street Journal scribe Peggy Noonan titled “We Are Totally Unprepared.”
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704312104575299082391565318.html?KEYWORDS=We+Are+Totally+Unprepared
Here is a very alarming appraisal of our readiness for a terrorist attack with nuclear devices, because of our complicity. Quoting the late President Ronald Reagan “Man has never had a weapon he didn’t use.” Noonan’s attention to our failure of imagination is very appropriate and also alarming.
There are great parallels in these articles that will whet your appetite for better understanding of these important issues. Reading both will be time well spent on two subjects that will no doubt alter our history.
COMMANDER GRANGER
Your Commander suggests reading The Washington Post article by Amy Gardner titled “Tea Party Candidates Hurt By Lack Of Organization In Movement” at:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/11/AR2010061105726.html?sub=AR
With the November 2010 election so vitally important to achieving substantial leadership changes the article presents some definitive warnings to the Tea Party’s successful future. Can the movement deliver the apparent desired change without unity, and strong leadership is a pivotal question.
The second article is by highly regarded Wall Street Journal scribe Peggy Noonan titled “We Are Totally Unprepared.”
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704312104575299082391565318.html?KEYWORDS=We+Are+Totally+Unprepared
Here is a very alarming appraisal of our readiness for a terrorist attack with nuclear devices, because of our complicity. Quoting the late President Ronald Reagan “Man has never had a weapon he didn’t use.” Noonan’s attention to our failure of imagination is very appropriate and also alarming.
There are great parallels in these articles that will whet your appetite for better understanding of these important issues. Reading both will be time well spent on two subjects that will no doubt alter our history.
COMMANDER GRANGER
Thursday, June 10, 2010
PULLING THE PLUG ON YUCCA MOUNTAIN - A NEW MOUNTAIN OF WASTE
This is not a new story, but one that has been brewing for the past 27 years. It does represent one of the biggest environmental and political boondoggles in my memory. Let me suggest that you read the link below containing a well written article by Leslie Paige from Citizens against Government Waste that was posted back on February 26th.
http://www.cagw.org/newsroom/waste-watcher/2010/february/pulling-the-plug-on-yucca.html
This is another clear example of the current administration pulling a back-room deal to garner Senator Harry Reid’s (D-NV) support, but it has thus far cost the American taxpayers in excess of 40 billion dollars, and the site remains bereft of any spent nuclear fuel. Additionally, there are multi-million dollar legal expenses being incurred across the country by the American taxpayers.
We wonder why the national debt is now past 13 trillion dollars, and the Obama administration continues to permit our valuable hard-earned dollars slip through their fingers. The Yucca Mountain nuclear waste repository should be opened immediately and put to the essential use it was intended to accomplish.
Would I like to live within 100 miles of this site in Las Vegas? The answer is no. But it is a necessary evil and it will provide important employment to a community in desperate need of jobs. Obviously a trade-off is necessary for the greater good, and we best make this site perform the vital task it was built to do.
.
Stop wasting tax dollars we do not possess, and create hundreds of new jobs NOW. Please tell me how you can logically promote nuclear power, and not move forward with Yucca Mountain?
COMMANDER GRANGER
http://www.cagw.org/newsroom/waste-watcher/2010/february/pulling-the-plug-on-yucca.html
This is another clear example of the current administration pulling a back-room deal to garner Senator Harry Reid’s (D-NV) support, but it has thus far cost the American taxpayers in excess of 40 billion dollars, and the site remains bereft of any spent nuclear fuel. Additionally, there are multi-million dollar legal expenses being incurred across the country by the American taxpayers.
We wonder why the national debt is now past 13 trillion dollars, and the Obama administration continues to permit our valuable hard-earned dollars slip through their fingers. The Yucca Mountain nuclear waste repository should be opened immediately and put to the essential use it was intended to accomplish.
Would I like to live within 100 miles of this site in Las Vegas? The answer is no. But it is a necessary evil and it will provide important employment to a community in desperate need of jobs. Obviously a trade-off is necessary for the greater good, and we best make this site perform the vital task it was built to do.
.
Stop wasting tax dollars we do not possess, and create hundreds of new jobs NOW. Please tell me how you can logically promote nuclear power, and not move forward with Yucca Mountain?
COMMANDER GRANGER
DEMOCRATS VOTE DOWN 5 PERCENT RULE
Earlier today I received the attached email information, which I quote here:
“In a bid to stem taxpayer losses for bad loans guaranteed by federal housing agencies Fanny Mae and Freddy Mac, Senator Bob Corker (R-TN) proposed that borrowers be required to make a 5% down payment in order to qualify.
His proposal was rejected 57-42 on a party-line vote because, as Senator Chris Dodd (D-CONN) explained, “passage of such a requirement would restrict home ownership to only those who can afford it.”
I immediately wrote a scathing blog calling Dodd a dunderhead and urged the immediate departure of every elected official in Washington, but something told me to check the validity of the information first. Upon checking factcheck.org, I learned that the real author of this was satirist John Semmens who wrote a blog called “Semi-News.” Apparently this inaccurate quotation has flooded the internet…even on Forbes.com. Thus it is a valuable lesson that your Commander has learned again to check before he shoots from the hip.
For the record, Dodd and the Democrat Party did oppose Corker’s amendment to the Restoring American Financial Stability Act of 2010. Dodd said, “One reason I opposed the measure is that it would have disadvantaged homebuyers with good credit and income, but without the cash to make a 5% down payment.” I find Dodd’s correct statement almost as troubling and irresponsible, because it is Washington double-speak.
I still believe that Dodd is a dunderhead, because his correct statement is just about as bad as the one proven to be incorrect. We still need to clean house in the Halls of Congress. Thank heavens he decided a couple months ago to NOT seek re-election!
COMMANDER GRANGER
“In a bid to stem taxpayer losses for bad loans guaranteed by federal housing agencies Fanny Mae and Freddy Mac, Senator Bob Corker (R-TN) proposed that borrowers be required to make a 5% down payment in order to qualify.
His proposal was rejected 57-42 on a party-line vote because, as Senator Chris Dodd (D-CONN) explained, “passage of such a requirement would restrict home ownership to only those who can afford it.”
I immediately wrote a scathing blog calling Dodd a dunderhead and urged the immediate departure of every elected official in Washington, but something told me to check the validity of the information first. Upon checking factcheck.org, I learned that the real author of this was satirist John Semmens who wrote a blog called “Semi-News.” Apparently this inaccurate quotation has flooded the internet…even on Forbes.com. Thus it is a valuable lesson that your Commander has learned again to check before he shoots from the hip.
For the record, Dodd and the Democrat Party did oppose Corker’s amendment to the Restoring American Financial Stability Act of 2010. Dodd said, “One reason I opposed the measure is that it would have disadvantaged homebuyers with good credit and income, but without the cash to make a 5% down payment.” I find Dodd’s correct statement almost as troubling and irresponsible, because it is Washington double-speak.
I still believe that Dodd is a dunderhead, because his correct statement is just about as bad as the one proven to be incorrect. We still need to clean house in the Halls of Congress. Thank heavens he decided a couple months ago to NOT seek re-election!
COMMANDER GRANGER
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
NOTRE DAME AND THE BIG 10 DANCE CARD
Discussions and predictions continue to float around the country as to whether Notre Dame and the Big Ten Conference will sign a Dance Card. While I am personally in favor of an alliance, I doubt that it will occur due to the strong emotional position emanating from their nation-wide, well healed alumni regarding football independence.
Were cooler heads allowed to prevail they would move aggressively forward to establish a mutually profitable relationship with the Big Ten Conference at an early date. I believe there are several important considerations that have not entered into the open debate thus far. First, if Notre Dame University is really serious about its academic status, which they trumpet frequently, they should jump at a chance to affiliate with the Big Ten schools who are members of the prestigious Association of American Universities, like all of the 11 Big Ten members. I thus ask the question: “How important are academics to Notre Dame, or do they simply rely on Notre Dame networking to hold up that tent pole?”
There is a very good article in today’s Chicago Tribune by Teddy Greenstein which you can read at:
http://www.chicagobreakingsports.com/2010/06/reports-nebraska-ready-to-join-big-ten.html
My personal fear, if I was Notre Dame, would be the long-term viability of the NBC Television Network contract, if the FCC approves the purchase of NBC Universal by Comcast Cable. As an ex-NBC Station General Manager I know for a fact that Notre Dame Football game ratings are very poor in a majority of NBC television markets. Thus, would Comcast move the Notre Dame games to pure cable, would they continue the NBC contract (and I’m not sure if/and how much the monetary offer would change)? The influence of several high ranking NBC executives who are alumni or have other connections to the university may vanish with the sale of the network within the next year.
Looking at “the big picture” objectivity quickly diminishes the shine of the emotionally based desire to be an independent football powerhouse. Times and conditions change daily and it maybe propitious to take the emotion out of the equation before it is too late to maintain the huge financial pay-day for Notre Dame. The decision should be made on a business basis, and not in the emotionally bravado-charged locker room.
There are extremely strong rumors that Nebraska has accepted an offer to join the Big 10 (I'll bet the name will change soon since it was already the unacknowledged Big 11). I think the fate of the Big 12, with the supposed Nebraska defection, truly is up for grabs since the Pac 10 is also looking to expand and who knows what else will happen. Personally, I think Missouri would be a great invite to the Big 10...or whatever it is called in the future.
Oh, how the plot thickens!
COMMANDER GRANGER
Were cooler heads allowed to prevail they would move aggressively forward to establish a mutually profitable relationship with the Big Ten Conference at an early date. I believe there are several important considerations that have not entered into the open debate thus far. First, if Notre Dame University is really serious about its academic status, which they trumpet frequently, they should jump at a chance to affiliate with the Big Ten schools who are members of the prestigious Association of American Universities, like all of the 11 Big Ten members. I thus ask the question: “How important are academics to Notre Dame, or do they simply rely on Notre Dame networking to hold up that tent pole?”
There is a very good article in today’s Chicago Tribune by Teddy Greenstein which you can read at:
http://www.chicagobreakingsports.com/2010/06/reports-nebraska-ready-to-join-big-ten.html
My personal fear, if I was Notre Dame, would be the long-term viability of the NBC Television Network contract, if the FCC approves the purchase of NBC Universal by Comcast Cable. As an ex-NBC Station General Manager I know for a fact that Notre Dame Football game ratings are very poor in a majority of NBC television markets. Thus, would Comcast move the Notre Dame games to pure cable, would they continue the NBC contract (and I’m not sure if/and how much the monetary offer would change)? The influence of several high ranking NBC executives who are alumni or have other connections to the university may vanish with the sale of the network within the next year.
Looking at “the big picture” objectivity quickly diminishes the shine of the emotionally based desire to be an independent football powerhouse. Times and conditions change daily and it maybe propitious to take the emotion out of the equation before it is too late to maintain the huge financial pay-day for Notre Dame. The decision should be made on a business basis, and not in the emotionally bravado-charged locker room.
There are extremely strong rumors that Nebraska has accepted an offer to join the Big 10 (I'll bet the name will change soon since it was already the unacknowledged Big 11). I think the fate of the Big 12, with the supposed Nebraska defection, truly is up for grabs since the Pac 10 is also looking to expand and who knows what else will happen. Personally, I think Missouri would be a great invite to the Big 10...or whatever it is called in the future.
Oh, how the plot thickens!
COMMANDER GRANGER
POWER OF THE INTERNET AND POLITICAL DISCONTENT
Increasingly I am struck by the power of the internet, and the growing influence it exerts in our political process. Within the last 24 hours I have received the exact same politically based communication from seven different sources ranging from friends in New York, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas, Minnesota, Wyoming, and Arizona.
The article carries a series of pictures of Press Conferences of U.S. presidents over the past 30 years standing before a lectern and addressing those assembled and, I believe, a televised audience. The photos are of President Barack Obama on May 27, 2010, and former presidents George Walker Bush, William Jefferson Clinton, George Herbert Walker Bush, and Ronald Wilson Reagan. In each and every one of the photos there is at least one American flag flanking the president…except the photo of Obama in his most recent televised Press Conference. Apparently there was at least one flag in the room, but out of camera range.
Why do you suppose this situation happened? Remember, not only this president, but the White House in general is meticulous about protocol, photo opportunities, etc. In this day and age where the image seems to be the message, how could that happen?
Obviously this e-mail is a strong political statement of displeasure, and concern about our current leadership. What strikes me is the fact that the identical electronic message came to my humble address from seven different diverse geographical locations within a twenty-four hour period. To me this represents the power of the internet, and the depth of concern that exists across this magnificent country with Mr. Obama’s seemingly disrespect of our precious flag. Frankly, although it does cause me concern, it just makes me mad as hell.
COMMANDER GRANGER
The article carries a series of pictures of Press Conferences of U.S. presidents over the past 30 years standing before a lectern and addressing those assembled and, I believe, a televised audience. The photos are of President Barack Obama on May 27, 2010, and former presidents George Walker Bush, William Jefferson Clinton, George Herbert Walker Bush, and Ronald Wilson Reagan. In each and every one of the photos there is at least one American flag flanking the president…except the photo of Obama in his most recent televised Press Conference. Apparently there was at least one flag in the room, but out of camera range.
Why do you suppose this situation happened? Remember, not only this president, but the White House in general is meticulous about protocol, photo opportunities, etc. In this day and age where the image seems to be the message, how could that happen?
Obviously this e-mail is a strong political statement of displeasure, and concern about our current leadership. What strikes me is the fact that the identical electronic message came to my humble address from seven different diverse geographical locations within a twenty-four hour period. To me this represents the power of the internet, and the depth of concern that exists across this magnificent country with Mr. Obama’s seemingly disrespect of our precious flag. Frankly, although it does cause me concern, it just makes me mad as hell.
COMMANDER GRANGER
WASHINGTON'S REVOLVING DOOR: HOW OIL OVERSIGHT FAILED
That is the title of a very interesting and revealing article written by Mark Thompson dated June 9th in Time Magazine. Your can read the entire article by pulling it up at:
http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1995137,00.html
There is plenty of blame to go around, and the article covers both Republican and Democrat administrations. I continue to think that Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar should be fired, but you can draw your own conclusion. Something must be done to address the numerous failures of over-sight before we have another spill.
While all the talking heads rub their hands and stroke their brows, it is a fact of life that we will need to continue drilling for oil for many years to come. Hopefully, research and development will come up with an economically feasible alternative, but it appears to be years down the road. Obviously we need to re-examine, and even increase drilling in shallow waters until technology assures the safety of extracting oil in deep waters.
Clearly the rush to judgment on ethanol was and is a typical political blunder, which is often the case when government jams something down our throats. Ethanol has proven to not be an acceptable alternative, and it only drove up the cost of corn across the board, which then increased the price of all things corn related…think corn fed beef for instance. Thank you Big Government for another fiasco. Your Commander is certainly glad he did not invest in the numerous ethanol plants that our now floundering financially across our country.
COMMANDER GRANGER
http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1995137,00.html
There is plenty of blame to go around, and the article covers both Republican and Democrat administrations. I continue to think that Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar should be fired, but you can draw your own conclusion. Something must be done to address the numerous failures of over-sight before we have another spill.
While all the talking heads rub their hands and stroke their brows, it is a fact of life that we will need to continue drilling for oil for many years to come. Hopefully, research and development will come up with an economically feasible alternative, but it appears to be years down the road. Obviously we need to re-examine, and even increase drilling in shallow waters until technology assures the safety of extracting oil in deep waters.
Clearly the rush to judgment on ethanol was and is a typical political blunder, which is often the case when government jams something down our throats. Ethanol has proven to not be an acceptable alternative, and it only drove up the cost of corn across the board, which then increased the price of all things corn related…think corn fed beef for instance. Thank you Big Government for another fiasco. Your Commander is certainly glad he did not invest in the numerous ethanol plants that our now floundering financially across our country.
COMMANDER GRANGER
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
BP AND WASHINGTON MAKE POOR DANCE PARTNERS
The tragic accident at the BP deep water drilling platform in the Gulf of Mexico nearly two months ago is one of the top stories around the world and it is destined to have consequences for the economy and environment for years to come. Any reasonable individual can recognize that BP did not intend for this spill to occur, but they hold the responsibility to stop the flow of oil, and make every possible effort to halt it and address the after effects. That includes paying the bill for all remedial costs.
Our Washington based government also has significant responsibilities in this accident, because they clearly failed to provide appropriate over-sight in accordance with existing federal legislation. Washington issued the permits for BP to drill the well, and they required BP to go to deep water to explore in accordance with environmental pressures. Washington also failed to provide appropriate safety requirements during the drilling process, and in fact recently awarded BP a citation for excellence regarding this specific site.
All that said, we are now fifty some days into the accident and the politicians are performing their typical after the fact dance deflecting all responsibility away from anyone currently in Washington. The “George did it” and “it’s Georges fault” contingent has tried, but seems for a change to be unsuccessful in having the public by that line once again. Just yesterday on Fox News Channel Judge Andrew Napolitano said accurately in my opinion, “Our government has little or no concern about the financial consequences of the spill to BP, but they are only addressing the political consequences.”
I find it most disturbing that Interior Secretary Ken Salazar recently said that the government would keep their “boot on the throat” of BP, and those same words were repeated by dunderhead White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs. Is that the way in the relative early days of this ecological disaster to refer to the responsible party that you MUST work with to solve the problem? To date BP acknowledges responsibility, willingness, and ability to pay for clean up and compensatory damages. However, in the long term that remains to be seen, but a corporate promise is on the record. I believe the Obama administration should look at not only the competence of Sec. Salazar, but take a look at the entire Interior Department and think of cleaning the bureaucratic house. The Department of Interior has ultimate authority over drilling and countless other issues and it is now crystal clear that it had zero plans in place for a deep water drilling incident. Who knows if they have a Plan A (never mind a Plan B) for anything else under its jurisdiction.
President Barack Obama has further cast shame on his office when he said today that he wanted the appropriate information so he could “Kick Ass.” Utterances of this nature are beneath the Office of the President of the United States and only display the depth that this inexperienced administration will reach to deflect their responsibilities. This is typical ill-advised Chicago-style thug political behavior. What could we really expect with individuals such as Rahm Emanuel (noted Congressional foul mouthed “enforcer”) and David Axelrod in the back-office of this President?
Recent polls clearly indicate that the American public does not trust our government to solve this problem. BP is responsible and they have the professionals who are best qualified to redress this terrible accident. This is a time for calm heads to prevail. The recent actions of the Obama administration have clearly proven that they want to control every single thing the citizens of this country do, think and say. The original writers of our founding documents clearly indicated that government should stay out of the day to day lives of its citizens as much as possible, but look what we got when we elected a leader with absolutely no leadership experience with a phony agenda of CHANGE.
Team Obama is not qualified to solve this problem, and they are now doing every possible thing they can do to deflect our attention from their duplicity in this devastating incident. Anyone who does not think BP wants to solve this spill quickly is a fool. This and the many problems that have developed since Obama’s election suggest our serious consideration to term limits in both the Senate and House of Representatives, because Congress has huge responsibility and complicity in this spill, too. You best remember all the things jammed down our throats in the past sixteen months come November 2010 and when the 2012 election comes around.
Your Commander has said it before and let me repeat it because it is most appropriate at this time: The Obama administration reminds me of an old cowboy expression… “BIG HAT, NO CATTLE”.
COMMANDER GRANGER
Our Washington based government also has significant responsibilities in this accident, because they clearly failed to provide appropriate over-sight in accordance with existing federal legislation. Washington issued the permits for BP to drill the well, and they required BP to go to deep water to explore in accordance with environmental pressures. Washington also failed to provide appropriate safety requirements during the drilling process, and in fact recently awarded BP a citation for excellence regarding this specific site.
All that said, we are now fifty some days into the accident and the politicians are performing their typical after the fact dance deflecting all responsibility away from anyone currently in Washington. The “George did it” and “it’s Georges fault” contingent has tried, but seems for a change to be unsuccessful in having the public by that line once again. Just yesterday on Fox News Channel Judge Andrew Napolitano said accurately in my opinion, “Our government has little or no concern about the financial consequences of the spill to BP, but they are only addressing the political consequences.”
I find it most disturbing that Interior Secretary Ken Salazar recently said that the government would keep their “boot on the throat” of BP, and those same words were repeated by dunderhead White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs. Is that the way in the relative early days of this ecological disaster to refer to the responsible party that you MUST work with to solve the problem? To date BP acknowledges responsibility, willingness, and ability to pay for clean up and compensatory damages. However, in the long term that remains to be seen, but a corporate promise is on the record. I believe the Obama administration should look at not only the competence of Sec. Salazar, but take a look at the entire Interior Department and think of cleaning the bureaucratic house. The Department of Interior has ultimate authority over drilling and countless other issues and it is now crystal clear that it had zero plans in place for a deep water drilling incident. Who knows if they have a Plan A (never mind a Plan B) for anything else under its jurisdiction.
President Barack Obama has further cast shame on his office when he said today that he wanted the appropriate information so he could “Kick Ass.” Utterances of this nature are beneath the Office of the President of the United States and only display the depth that this inexperienced administration will reach to deflect their responsibilities. This is typical ill-advised Chicago-style thug political behavior. What could we really expect with individuals such as Rahm Emanuel (noted Congressional foul mouthed “enforcer”) and David Axelrod in the back-office of this President?
Recent polls clearly indicate that the American public does not trust our government to solve this problem. BP is responsible and they have the professionals who are best qualified to redress this terrible accident. This is a time for calm heads to prevail. The recent actions of the Obama administration have clearly proven that they want to control every single thing the citizens of this country do, think and say. The original writers of our founding documents clearly indicated that government should stay out of the day to day lives of its citizens as much as possible, but look what we got when we elected a leader with absolutely no leadership experience with a phony agenda of CHANGE.
Team Obama is not qualified to solve this problem, and they are now doing every possible thing they can do to deflect our attention from their duplicity in this devastating incident. Anyone who does not think BP wants to solve this spill quickly is a fool. This and the many problems that have developed since Obama’s election suggest our serious consideration to term limits in both the Senate and House of Representatives, because Congress has huge responsibility and complicity in this spill, too. You best remember all the things jammed down our throats in the past sixteen months come November 2010 and when the 2012 election comes around.
Your Commander has said it before and let me repeat it because it is most appropriate at this time: The Obama administration reminds me of an old cowboy expression… “BIG HAT, NO CATTLE”.
COMMANDER GRANGER
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
SHAME ON THE PRESS
On May 26th President Barack Obama held his first Press Conference in ten months, and it lasted over one hour and ten minutes. The questions were dominated by the tragic oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, which is quite logical. However, considering the fact that our country is now in debt in excess of 13 Trillion dollars I was shocked that not one question was raised relative to our economy or about how this Administration planned to reduce our debt level.
The entire Press Conference was deflective and shifted blame for all current problems to other Administrations or influences such as the Republicans and George W. Bush, thus nothing really new came forth as a result of this staged public relations teleprompter farce.
Frankly, I believe our major media outlets have again failed to perform their mission by not asking vital probing questions, and frequently permitting our leadership off the hook with essentially soft-ball inquiries. Just today I received an interesting e-mail from an old business associate, and it is most appropriate to share it with you:
“SHAME ON THE PRESS
I think it is remarkable that within a week of Tiger Woods crashing his Escalade, the press found every woman with whom Tiger has had an affair in the last few years, with photos, text messages, recorded phone calls, etc. And, they not only know the cause of the family fight, but they even know it was a wedge from his golf bag that his wife used to break out the windows in the Escalade, not only that, they know which wedge! And each and every day, they give America more updates on his sex-rehab stay, his wife’s plans for divorce, and his plans to return to the pro-golf circuit.
Obama has been in office for over a year now, and this same Press still cannot locate Obama’s official birth certificate, or any of his papers while in college, or how he paid for an Ivy League education, or which country issued his visa to travel to Pakistan in the 1980’s as Barry Soretoro and even Michelle Obama’s Princeton thesis on racism. They just can’t be found or are under lock and key. Yet the public still trusts that same Press to give them the whole truth…truly remarkable!”
Just a little food for thought!
COMMANDER GRANGER
The entire Press Conference was deflective and shifted blame for all current problems to other Administrations or influences such as the Republicans and George W. Bush, thus nothing really new came forth as a result of this staged public relations teleprompter farce.
Frankly, I believe our major media outlets have again failed to perform their mission by not asking vital probing questions, and frequently permitting our leadership off the hook with essentially soft-ball inquiries. Just today I received an interesting e-mail from an old business associate, and it is most appropriate to share it with you:
“SHAME ON THE PRESS
I think it is remarkable that within a week of Tiger Woods crashing his Escalade, the press found every woman with whom Tiger has had an affair in the last few years, with photos, text messages, recorded phone calls, etc. And, they not only know the cause of the family fight, but they even know it was a wedge from his golf bag that his wife used to break out the windows in the Escalade, not only that, they know which wedge! And each and every day, they give America more updates on his sex-rehab stay, his wife’s plans for divorce, and his plans to return to the pro-golf circuit.
Obama has been in office for over a year now, and this same Press still cannot locate Obama’s official birth certificate, or any of his papers while in college, or how he paid for an Ivy League education, or which country issued his visa to travel to Pakistan in the 1980’s as Barry Soretoro and even Michelle Obama’s Princeton thesis on racism. They just can’t be found or are under lock and key. Yet the public still trusts that same Press to give them the whole truth…truly remarkable!”
Just a little food for thought!
COMMANDER GRANGER
LATEST BALDACCI NOVEL
For the past few days I have had my nose in David Baldacci’s new book “Deliver Us From Evil”, and to say the least it is a real page-turner. I say that advisedly, because there were times when I had to put the book down because the story was so black, evil, and depressing.
I still recommend the book for your reading, but I want to warn you that the story is not for the faint of heart. I also want to warn you that you have to pay attention to keep the numerous characters separated, and I also urge you not to peek at the closing pages, because if you do it will spoil a really surprising ending.
Happy reading.
COMMANDER GRANGER
I still recommend the book for your reading, but I want to warn you that the story is not for the faint of heart. I also want to warn you that you have to pay attention to keep the numerous characters separated, and I also urge you not to peek at the closing pages, because if you do it will spoil a really surprising ending.
Happy reading.
COMMANDER GRANGER
MONEY IS THE ROOT OF POLITICAL EVIL
It has become routine for us to open our morning newspapers and read of some new scandal developing nationally, regionally or locally with our political leadership. Sometimes I believe we become too complacent and just think, “Oh well, what can we expect? It is nothing new.” That may well be so, but it does not make it appropriate to expect dishonest behavior from the individuals we place in high office and extremely important decision making positions. This is not a Democrat or Republican Party problem, but it is the world-wide corruption of the political process.
This morning I ran across a very interesting and extremely disturbing article by R. Jeffrey Smith, who is a Washington Post Staff Writer. Take a peek at this documentation of abuse and misuse of political contributions titled “Money intended to help candidates often ends up funding PAC’s themselves”.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/01/AR2010060103887.html?wpisrc=nl_politics
Your Commander just does not know how we can solve this problem unless we just start cleaning house in Washington. Somehow we must get the vast sums of money out of our political process or we will continue to have corruption and pay-for-play based decisions driving our economy into further turmoil. Just where and when do we start to address this problem?
COMMANDER GRANGER
This morning I ran across a very interesting and extremely disturbing article by R. Jeffrey Smith, who is a Washington Post Staff Writer. Take a peek at this documentation of abuse and misuse of political contributions titled “Money intended to help candidates often ends up funding PAC’s themselves”.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/01/AR2010060103887.html?wpisrc=nl_politics
Your Commander just does not know how we can solve this problem unless we just start cleaning house in Washington. Somehow we must get the vast sums of money out of our political process or we will continue to have corruption and pay-for-play based decisions driving our economy into further turmoil. Just where and when do we start to address this problem?
COMMANDER GRANGER
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