Wednesday, June 29, 2011

NO WONDER WE ARE BROKE

Attached you will find a copy of a posting I found on AOL from their alliance with the Huffington Post. The headline is “46 Percent of Americans Exempt From Federal Income Tax in 2011”.

That in itself would be good reason and the principal cause of the current financial crisis facing this country; however government over spending is the culprit right now. How can we possibly meet our massive financial obligations when roughly one-half of the citizens of this great country contribute virtually nothing to the financial stability of The United States of America?

Draw your own conclusion:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/28/46-percent-of-americans-e_n_886293.html?icid=main%7Chtmlws-main-w%7Cdl8%7Csec3_lnk2%7C217379

In a previous essay your Commander suggested that every single American contribute to the operation of our country even if it is only $10.00 per person per year. We desperately need tax reform and just maybe a consumption tax or a flat tax is the appropriate answer. Our current tax code is politically fixed to favor both the rich and the poor and it is not fair to all. More importantly, the current system is not working, because we are on the brink of bankruptcy.

COMMANDER GRANGER

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

WHO TAKES US TO WAR?

Everywhere you turn today there is discussion across our country relative to the state of our economy, the staggering unemployment statistics, and our involvement in three Wars simultaneously.

While there are clear indications that the level of fighting in Iraq has subsided, disturbing reports continue to confirm death and injury to our brave fighting military.

The war in Afghanistan continues to drain our dollars, but more importantly death and injury continue without any end in sight despite the announcement that we will withdraw 10,000 troops shortly. This troop reduction comes more as a political consideration than the recommendations of our military leadership. As was the case in Iraq, severe restrictions have been placed upon the military making a winning battle plan in the Afghanistan war difficult at best. Now after nearly 10 long years and the longest war in our nation’s history, we still do not have a successful conclusion, but a compromised and gradual withdrawal.

Then there is the War on Terror. The death of Osama Bin Laden was a small victory…but that took nearly 10 years. There are many more Islamic extremists who would like to see the full and total demise of the U.S. and our way of life. Although more covert, this war will last a very, very long time.

Now we are deeply involved in an “unwar,” the NATO intervention in Libya where America is again carrying the overwhelming military and financial burden in a conflict that has little or no national security threat to our county. The discussion in coffee shops across the country is now focused on whether President Obama secured the proper authority to enter into this latest NATO caper.

Charles Krauthammer’s recent opinion piece is very enlightening concerning the War Powers Act and the situation with NATO in Libya:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/who-takes-us-to-war/2011/06/23/AGwFS4hH_print.html

Based upon my reading of the Krauthammer article our President has taken us into a military conflict that I call war without proper constitutional authority. It is clear also that Krauthammer provides us with an excellent suggestion of corrective action to prevent this from happening in the future.

When will politicians learn that little is frequently accomplished in wars except the death and destruction of our nations finest, and a massive economic obligation that politicians never have to pay. If we put political leaders and diplomats on the front-lines to fight the next war there would probably never be another conflict.

COMMANDER GRANGER

FIVE MYTHS ABOUT...

Scanning the internet each morning as I do I ran across a very interesting and informative series that is appearing weekly on The Washington Post website. It is titled “FIVE MYTHS”, and it covers a wide variety of subjects. If you open the link below there is a list of the articles that have appeared since late January 2011.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/2010/07/06/ABCCtvO_linkset.html?hpid=z13

As you can see there are very significant subjects addressed such as Yemen, American prisons, liberal academia and the United Nations. It is very easy for you to read any of these important articles by simply clicking on the title at the link above.

Your Commander has garnered a lot of new information as a result of reading this series, but keep a vigilant eye for the liberal vent that frequently appears within the pages of The Washington Post. It never hurts any of us to hear the other side’s point of view. I commend The Washington Post for carrying this series and providing their readers with a valuable service.

COMMANDER GRANGER

Sunday, June 26, 2011

THE FACTS ABOUT FRACKING

Fracking is a modern method of extracting oil and gas from shale well below the earth’s surface. With the price of gasoline continuing to be a major issue during the current economic downturn, I urge you to read a very important article that appeared in The Wall Street Journal that addresses “The real risks of the shale gas revolution, and how to manage them.”

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303936704576398462932810874.html?mod=WSJ_hp_mostpop_read#printMode

This opinion piece by the Wall Street Journal provides a much clearer picture of the energy policy discussion, and it (in my opinion) answers many questions that have been major points presented by environmentalists who are trying to prevent the expansion of our domestic energy resources. It is your Commander’s position that we must dramatically expand local energy production to create jobs and eliminate our major dependence on foreign sources of oil and natural gas.

Charity begins at home, and it is time to get the true facts before the American public. The politicians have prevented job creation and the development of our domestic resources because they are being bought-off by the big dollars being contributed to their re-election campaigns by the environmentalist’s political action committees.

COMMANDER GRANGER

PRES. OBAMA DOESN'T ALWAYS AGREE WITH SEN. OBAMA

That is the title of a well written article by The Washington Post reporter David A. Fahrenthold. It is well worth your time to see just how politicians like Barack Obama change their stripes with little or no regard to their previous utterances. Here is a link to Fahrenhold’s piece:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2011/06/22/AGhK4AjH_print.html

Your Commander was raised to be “a man of his word,” but that certainly does not apply to politicians. This is not something new, but it sure would be refreshing for a politician to explain exactly what changed his/her mind.

This of course reminds me of the story I have told before of the old southern Senator who was challenged by a reporter to a recent statement, because it totally differed from his previous comments. The Senator’s response was “Son… Just because I say it, doesn’t mean it is so.”

That is the way it is in Washington and throughout the ranks of politicians these days, but it is up to us to hold them accountable and demand that our media challenge its disregard for historical facts. We deserve answers, and politicians deserve the right to change their minds too, but they should not be permitted to totally ignore previous statements or positions without appropriate explanation.

Honesty in government has not always been a fact, but I believe that honesty is becoming unfashionable, forgotten and an ignored virtue. Sad, but true.

COMMANDER GRANGER

Thursday, June 16, 2011

ALEXANDER HAMILTON - HIS BLESSING AND BURDEN

That is the premise of a very good article that appeared in the June 2011 issue of the AARP Bulletin and I suggest it will provide you with a very sound perspective into our economic crisis. I would be doing a disservice if I did not report that I am often disturbed by the political endorsements made by AARP, and I think it sold its members and all senior citizens down the road when it made a big push to support Obamacare.

I urge you to take a couple of minutes to read Jim Toedtman’s excellent analysis of our current economic problems, which really date back to Alexander Hamilton’s early support of public debt. To whet your interest permit me to provide you this peak into the Toedtman article:

“This is a serious moment. After all, the clock is ticking. In February 1790, at Hamilton’s direction, the new nation took out its first loan, a grand total of $19,608.81. Today, the federal government increases its debt by that much every 3/10th of a second.”

Here is the link to the full article:

http://www.aarp.org/politics-society/government-elections/info-06-2011/paying-national-debt.print.html

Please tell me how can our Congress continue to take so many vacations when our country is sinking deeper in massive debt day by day and hour by hour? Apparently it is more important for members of Congress to go to home and raise more campaign dollars than it is to act upon our crushing financial debt and other pressing matters.

COMMANDER GRANGER

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

GANGS TAKING OVER OUR STREETS

It was only a matter of time, but if you read my commentaries you know I have been warning about the devastating influence GANGS are having on our economy and the quality of American daily lives.

Fortunately we are not experiencing the kind of political demonstrations taking place in the Middle East or the economic demonstrations in Greece, but there are growing tensions within communities all over this country directly attributable to the growing violence conducted by GANGS. Could economic issue demonstrations here in the USA be far behind? But that should be the subject of another blog.

In Chicago over the Memorial Day weekend police acted appropriately in closing the popular North Avenue Beach due to a gathering of what is known as a “flash mob” of different GANGS threatened to result in a very serious situation. By closing the area, police prevented mass violence.

Currently “flash mobs” of roaming GANG members are appearing in neighborhoods and along Chicago’s famous Magnificent Mile attacking innocent individuals surrounding, stealing and beating people for little or no reason. These attacks threaten the economy along with the early days of Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s administration. Here is a link to a Wall Street Journal article on this problem.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304778304576375661383528354.html?mod=WSJ_hp_mostpop_read#printMode

Your Commander is heartened to read in the Chicago Tribune that new Chicago Police Superintendent, Garry McCarthy, has pledged to make the Maniac Latin Disciples a top target of the Chicago Police Department. His statement, “The entire organization is going to be held accountable for the actions of one…This group has gone to the tip of the pile…We are going to arrest every member of that outfit on whatever charges we can come up with. It’s going to be ongoing and relentless.”

You know the GANG problem is serious when Chicago Sun-Times gossip queen Michael Sneed devotes a major portion of a recent column to the “flash mob” issue. “If the city loses the lakefront to the flash mobs, there goes the economy.” Sneed goes on to make a good suggestion to hire some of the 2,000 retired Chicago Police Officers on a part-time basis to beef-up patrols. Apparently Chicago realizes just how serious the GANG problem has become coupled with the danger of these mobs of thugs.

In my mid-size northern Indiana community there is growing GANG violence on the troubled west side of South Bend and in the usually quiet Elkhart County Seat of Goshen. This is a real problem causing great concern to local citizens across the country. These GANGS have communities frightened and bring drugs, guns, murder and social disorder. GANGS are creating huge problems within elementary and high schools, leading to low graduation rates and poor attendance and educational performance.

GANGS cause unnecessary government expense for police, and the legal system is overcrowded with resulting excessive expense in prison operation. There is a direct correlation between GANG growth and the failure of State and Federal government legislation to address Immigrations issues, and it is a part of the reason some governments are literally facing bankruptcy, i.e., California.

It is your Commander’s personal opinion that our elected officials are complicit in this problem, because they fail repeatedly to address this problem because they want the votes of the GANG members, their families, and the minority communities that constitute a majority of the GANG memberships. Our government officials are turning the other cheek thinking the problem will go away, but it only gets worse.

As a boy growing up in Chicago there wasn’t an area of the city that I ever feared to enter, but that is not the case today. It is sad to say that even a mid-size city like South Bend, there are many areas that I will not even drive through.

Again, I ask when will voters address this grievous GANG situation. How many more of our precious children have to be drawn into GANGS or killed unnecessarily before something is done to stop the violence and eradicate these hooligans once and for all time? It can be done, but it must be attacked aggressively by an honest political administration before it destroys our entire country. Why don’t we recognize that GANGS are one of the core reasons our economy is in significant trouble.

COMMANDER GRANGER

BOOK REVIEW - VALLEY OF DEATH

It has been several months since I first alerted you to the fact that I was reading VALLEY OF DEATH by Ted Morgan, a Pulitzer Prize winner. The sub-title of the book is “The tragedy at Dien Bien Phu that led America into the Vietnam War.”

Setting the tone of his work, Morgan writes, This book is for the soldiers who were sent to die in battle by politicians who have never seen combat.”

To say the book is a ponderous read is an understatement, but it is well worth your while, because it answers many questions that we all have about that tortuous period in the history of this crazy world. It also answers questions that developed as I was reading Morgan’s wonderfully researched book.

If there ever was a well documented report against colonialism, this is the book you should certainly read. The disgusting arrogance displayed by the French government thousands of miles away from the scene of battle, and the gross negligence to the value of the lives of hundreds of brave French soldiers repeatedly thrown into the battle even after it was beyond salvation is beyond comprehension.

As I read the book I kept thinking about all the examples of colonialism gone bad that exist in the history of this planet, and it ties them all together as a misguided political adventure gone from bad to worse. Time after time the results of colonialism is death, destruction, upheaval to local inhabitants, financial ruin, financial gain for politically connected individuals, but long-term harm to the benefit and betterment of mankind.

I consider this to have been one of the more important books that I have ever read and I strongly suggest you consider placing it on your list of future reads. It proves beyond any doubt to this chronicler that politics all too frequently stinks, and I am beyond understanding how so many of our political leaders can ever look themselves in the mirror for what they have done to their fellow man.

COMMANDER GRANGER

OUR MORAL DILEMMA

Let me draw your attention to Professor Walter E. Williams’ latest essay titled OUR MORAL DILEMMA. As a big booster of Williams’s work I believe you will find this article to be most illuminating relative to how we Americans choose to deal with several moral questions.

http://townhall.com/columnists/walterewilliams/2011/06/15/our_moral_dilemma/print

Personally I find Williams’ approach to complex issues and subjects to be point on. I would have loved to have been a student of this magnificent teacher who rose from the depths of poverty to be a prominent and nationally recognized Professor of Economics at George Mason University.

COMMANDER GRANGER

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

OBAMA GIRLS VISIT CHICAGO

As a former citizen of Chicago who has many friends and family members residing there, I frequently check into the Chicago newspaper websites. I continue to be interested in the fast moving and eventful activities that take place on the Chicago political scene.

It is for these reasons I enjoy the gossip column that Michael Sneed writes for the Chicago Sun-Times. Over the years she has been a sympathetic supporter of Chicago’s ever-strong Democrat Party machine. Recently, however, I have noted that Sneed and a growing number of journalists, are starting to ask questions about the Obama’s that just never were broached in the past. As an example, here is a portion of a recent Sneed column.

The Obama visit…

The big question? Who paid for the unheralded, private two-day trip to Chicago at the end of the month by first lady, Michelle Obama and daughters Sasha and Malia?

Answer? “The first lady travel by military jet. On the other questions we do not provide personal information about the first family,” said Hannah August, Mrs. Obama’s press secretary.

A snippet of Sneed’s original question. “Did Mrs. Obama get a chance to do anything besides see her friend’s son off to prom, and most importantly, who paid for the trip? Did the Obama’s pay for the trip to Chicago, or did they arrive by private jet owned by a friend?”

So Sneed e-mailed back again asking who paid for the trip!

Here’s the response: “Because this was a personal trip, the Obama’s reimbursed the government for the cost of a commercial flight.”

Sounds like a good deal to me.

Who knew Michelle and the girls were in Chicago for two days? Did they stay at their million dollar home and have security bother their neighbors, or at a swanky hotel? Washington doesn’t keep many secrets, but I don’t recall seeing anything of this visit in the news.

Now, please tell me if you really believe that someone in the Obama family or even on their bloated staff actually wrote a personal check for commercial airline tickets? Who audits that activity?

Even if the Obama’s paid the bill for commercial air fare, can you imagine how much that trip actually cost American taxpayers when staff, Secret Service, limos, local police expenses, etc. are added? Who in the hell is kidding who? I suspect that politicians really think we are that stupid.

Remember the Barack and Michelle trip to New York City for date night shortly after he was sworn in? Nobody ever paid for my date nights, and we American taxpayers should not be expected to pay for theirs either. Rank has its privileges, but enough is enough when any sane individual considers the economic times facing this country.

COMMANDER GRANGER

Monday, June 13, 2011

BILL CLINTON SYNDROME

Permit your Commander to draw your attention to a wonderful article that appeared recently on the conservative website Townhall.com by Emmett Tyrrell. I have expressed my personal opinion relative to the recent sick revelations concerning the conduct of Representative Anthony Weiner (D-NY), and I clearly urged his expulsion from the Halls of Congress without one single dime of taxpayer supported pension and/or any benefits.

I believe it is important to consider the facts presented by Tyrrell, because it addresses a wider problem confronting our leadership and governance. Here is a link to that article.

http://townhall.com/columnists/emmetttyrrell/2011/06/09/bill_clinton_syndrome/page/full/

There have always been disturbed individuals reaching positions on high throughout history, but recently, with the development of electronic devices permitting the wide dissemination of information, there appears to be more and more perverse activity. Why has our country stooped to accept these divisive individuals who obviously require medical intervention to continue in roles that surround them with adulation and outlandish financial gain?

The Bill Clinton Syndrome does not deserve respect and praise, and those afflicted with this disease must be isolated before they do further harm to our country. Your Commander sees little or no difference between Bill Clinton, Anthony Weiner and Bernie Madoff or heinous criminals for that matter. How can we respect and honor individuals who have not only broken all the moral codes of decency and initially lie to the public while having taken an oath to serve the greater good?

Where in the hell have the moral values of this country gone? To praise and respect the likes of Clinton, Weiner, etc. is to stoop to their level, and the result is ultimately going to lead to the destruction of our great country. History shows what the loss of moral values did to Rome.

COMMANDER GRANGER

Sunday, June 12, 2011

FIVE MYTHS ABOUT THE AMERICAN FLAG

Your Commander’s reverence for the American flag goes way back to my earliest days as a Cub Scout and later advanced through the ranks of the Boy Scouts. I will always regret the fact that I failed to attain the rank of Eagle Scout by one merit badge, but I am most proud of the fact that both my son and grandson achieved that important, unique distinction.

My respect for the flag was promoted by my Father who was a proud member and a Captain in the 33rd Division of the Illinois Army National Guard’s 122nd Mounted Field Artillery and that respect continued when I attended Culver Military Academy's Naval School prior to volunteering in the Regular United States Air Force.

All that said, a very informative article in The Washington Post recently caught my eye, and when I read it I was surprised by the contents that set straight several myths about our precious flag. In an effort to get you to read the article it sets straight the real facts about Betsy Ross as the creator of our flag.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/five-myths-about-the-american-flag/2011/06/08/AG3ZSkOH_print.html

Hopefully you will join me in flying our beautiful flag, and on each occasion that you see our flag you will salute it and extend your respect and appreciation for the service rendered by our military veterans.

COMMANDER GRANGER

OBAMA AND THE PURSUIT OF ENDLESS WAR

As a proud veteran of service in the Regular United States Air Force, I have long believed in our country maintaining a strong defense posture. There are many influences around the world that oppose our great country and they are a distinct threat to the American way of life. Having stated that position, I also firmly believe that we cannot continue to be the peace-keepers or nation builders of the world. We simply do not have sufficient funds to address every evil that exists in the world and many of our supposed friends continue to fail to carry their fair share of the burden to resolve various transgressions around the globe.

Taking all that into consideration permit me to urge you read Steve Chapman’s articulate article from a recent edition of the Chicago Tribune.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/ct-oped-0612-chapman-20110610,0,4274858,print.column

Chapman makes many cogent points, and paints an alarming picture of our commitments and obligations for many years to come. It is obvious to wonder just how we are going to pay for all these wars and good deeds.

Your Commander stays awake at night wondering how our leadership, and especially our Congress, can continue to kick the can down the road in addressing the immediate need to cut spending, reduce our expenditures in the areas of defense, energy, welfare, medical costs, and the fraud and corruption that permeates our government. For our Congress and President to go off on frequent vacations when the country is spiraling into bankruptcy is incomprehensible, and just represents their arrogance and complicity in the problem.

COMMANDER GRANGER

Saturday, June 11, 2011

THANK YOU, SEC'Y BOB GATES

With the impending retirement of long-serving Defense Secretary Robert Gates, he has been on an around-the-world tour visiting our troops and allies prior to his official retirement later this month. Every single American and supporter of this country should stand and salute Gates for a job well done.

Newspapers and newscasts around the world have been filled with articles and reports of Gates’ journey, but it was his address before NATO officials in Brussels, Belgium that drew the most attention and comment. Gates was blunt in telling NATO allies that it was time for them to step forward and carry their fair share of the fighting and financial burden in missions endorsed by NATO.

I have read a number of important articles in The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, the National Public Radio website, and The South Bend Tribune all with similar opinions, but I suggest you read Jay Bookman’s blog, which is short and to the point. America is just plain sick and tired of carrying a disproportionate share of the fighting and expense obligations.

http://blogs.ajc.com/jay-bookman-blog/2011/06/10/bob-gates-to-nato-us-sick-of-doing-all-the-fighting/?cxntfid=blogs_jay_bookman_blog

It is your Commander’s personal opinion that it is far past the time that America stands up to our European Allies who talk a good game, but when it comes to delivering their youth to the fight and their dollars of support, they fade into the sunset. America needs more public servants such as Gates who tells it like it is, and does not sugar-coat our position in diplomatic double-talk or supports the pro-George Soros/Barack Obama one-world policies and socialist theories. The average American does not support Obama's liberal positions, but over-whelming agrees with at least center or center to right policies as a more conservative stance in world affairs.

As long as President Obama and his Soros sympathizers hold rule in the White House, there is little or no chance that his administration will address the waste, fraud and corruption that runs rampant in our foreign aid policies. We simply do not have the money, and the man-on-the-street does not support America carrying the financial load for the entire world.

America is losing a true brave patriot with Bob Gates stepping down. He deserves to enjoy retirement, but he will be a huge loss to the American people who believe and support this country by the principals of our Founding Fathers. Thank you, Bob Gates, for a job well done, may God provide you with many years to enjoy a richly deserved retirement.

COMMANDER GRANGER

POLITICAL SEX SCANDALS

The day after Memorial Day I began to write a commentary relative to the “Political Cancer that is killing America”, but with events of the past few days I have scrapped that work and decided to address the subject from a slightly different angle.

Over a period of the last six decades following World War II this country has slowly changed, and in my opinion not necessarily for the better, because far too many Americans have lost their work ethic and elected to live as a recipients of government hand-outs. Permit me to make a distinction in noting that Social Security is not a hand-out or entitlement, because we paid into that program. It was greedy, dishonest politicians who took money out of the trust fund, and have not repaid the IOUs. That amount is not included in the national debt and I’m not sure if anyone knows how much is owed to Social Security!

During the last 60+ years, many Americans found comfort in a government with the political scam of providing “womb to tomb” financial support. Our work force is approaching a tipping point where more people will be on some form of welfare than employed. We are also rapidly approaching a workforce that has more people working for government than for privately held companies, and considering that the government is paying twice the pay level of private companies and huge benefits, we have big trouble economically.

As part of my original commentary I was expressing my concerns about the ethics of our government officials, and then what happened were the extremely shocking admissions of very liberal Congressman Anthony Weiner (D-NY) (a real firebrand) that he has been participating in internet “sexting” with at least six women over the last three years. When initially confronted, he lied and continued to lie for a week. I say shocking, but really so? Inappropriate sexual behavior has been going on far too long in Washington without proper attention and appropriate reaction from the electorate.

Permit me to summarize a brief history of political sex scandals as noted in a recent Washington Post article:

Rep. Anthony Weiner - 2011
Senator John Ensign - 2011
Rep. Chris Lee-2011
Rep Eric Massa- 2010
Rep. Mark Souder- 2010
Gov. Mark Sanford-2009
Gov. Elliot Spitzer- 2008
Sen. Larry Craig – 2007
Sen. David Vitter- 2007
Rep. Mark Foley- 2008
Gov. James E. McGreevy – 2004
Ill Sen. Candidate Jack Ryan- 2004
Rep. Gary Condit -2001
Pres. Bill Clinton – 1998
Sen. Bob Packwood – 1995
Rep. Barney Frank – 1990
Sen. Gary Hart – 1988
Rep. Gerry E. Studds- 1983
Rep. Daniel B. Crane – 1983
Rep. Wayne L. Hays – 1976
Rep. Wilbur Mills – 1974

Were I to continue to look into the history books the list would be much longer, but this clearly establishes a pattern of bad behavior within both political parties that is totally unacceptable for any occupant of the White House or either House of Congress.

Rep. Weiner should be run out of Washington on a rail and he should be dismissed from Congress without any pension benefits. Punishment of this order has rarely been enforced, and the perfect example is ex-President Bill Clinton who walks around as if nothing ever happened. His behavior was totally deplorable, but politics saved his skin and the American public wrongly turned the other cheek.

Thus we get what we vote for and we have no one to blame but ourselves for permitting these scumbags and perverts to prevail. Please tell me how our President and members of Congress can tell other countries how to run their governments when we permit this shameful conduct to go forward without strong penalties?

SHAME, SHAME on us.

COMMANDER GRANGER

WHAT KIND OF COUNTRY DO YOU WANT?

That is the title of a very interesting article written by Fox News firebrand commentator Bill O’Reilly and it concerns government monetary handouts. Even mentioning O’Reilly brings alarm from many of my readers, but please stay with me and approach his article with an open mind. I promise it will not harm you and it may even be beneficial to your understanding of the importance of our next general election.

O’Reilly’s article appeared on the conservative website Townhall.com:

http://townhall.com/columnists/billoreilly/2011/06/11/what_kind_of_a_country_do_you_want/print

Often I become infuriated with O’Reilly’s tendency to interrupt his guests, but if you take the time to read his article, he does make a very important point when it comes to the significance of our next election day.

Which way do you want America to go?

COMMANDER GRANGER

Friday, June 10, 2011

WILL ROGERS, AN AMERICAN TREASURE

Some of you are too young to know the work of Will Rogers, but if you’re an old dog like your Commander you have appreciated his humor and recognized the applicability of his humor over the many years of this changing world:

"Never squat while wearing your spurs"

Will Rogers, who died in a 1935 plane crash, was one of the greatest political sages this country has ever known.

Enjoy the following:

1. Never slap a man who's chewing tobacco.

2. Never kick a cow chip on a hot day.

3. There are two theories to arguing with a woman.
neither works.

4. Never miss a good chance to shut up.

5. Always drink upstream from the herd.

6. If you find yourself in a hole, stop digging.

7. The quickest way to double your money is to fold it
and put it back into your pocket.

8. There are three kinds of men:
The ones that learn by reading.
The few who learn by observation.
The rest of them have to pee on the electric fence

and find out for themselves.

9. Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of
that comes from bad judgment.

10. If you're ridin' ahead of the herd, take a look back
every now and then to make sure it's still there.

11. Lettin' the cat outta the bag is a whole lot easier'n
puttin' it back.

12. After eating an entire bull, a mountain lion felt so good
he started roaring. He kept it up until a hunter came
along and shot him.

The moral: When you're full of bull, keep your mouth shut.

ABOUT GROWING OLDER...

First ~Eventually you will reach a point when you stop lying
about your age and start bragging about it.


Second ~ The older we get, the fewer things seem worth
waiting in line for.

Third ~ Some people try to turn back their odometers.
Not me; I want people to know why I look this way.
I've traveled a long way, and some of the roads weren't paved.


Fourth ~ When you are dissatisfied and would like to go back
to youth, think of Algebra.

Fifth ~ You know you are getting old when everything either dries
up or leaks.

Sixth ~ I don't know how I got over the hill without getting to the top.

Seventh ~ One of the many things no one tells you about aging
is that it's such a nice change from being young.


Eighth ~ One must wait until evening to see how splendid the day
has been.

Ninth ~ Being young is beautiful, but being old is comfortable.

Tenth ~ Long ago, when men cursed and beat the ground with sticks,
it was called witchcraft. Today it's called golf.


And, finally ~ If you don't learn to laugh at trouble, you won't
have anything to laugh at when you're old.

I hope you find Roger’s humor and advice as important to the American experience as I have over the years. He was and remains a true American treasure.

Commander Granger

WHERE IN THE WORLD IS TONY REZKO?

With the second trial of ex-Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich nearing a conclusion I wondered what has happened to convicted felon Antoin “Tony” Rezko? I am certain you remember him and his close ties to questionable political dealings in Illinois and especially in Chicago. Rumors have run rampant that Tony would testify in the Blagojevich trial, but no one has seen or heard neither hide nor hair of wheeler-dealer Tony thus far.

I decided to do some research into Tony and found three very revealing articles that bring me to believe that the federal authorities have Tony in hiding, because of his ties to President Barack Obama. Take a look at the three attached links from The Washington Examiner, ABCNews.com, and Salon.com. All of these articles go back to 2008. With the passage of that much time, and the fact that Tony has been convicted but not sentenced, raises further questions.

http://washingtonexaminer.com/print/blogs/beltway-confidential/where-world-tony-rezko

http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/story?id=4111483&page=1

http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2008/02/01/rezko

There is definitely smoke emanating from this story, but our mainstream media does not appear to be interested any longer in digging into the complete facts surrounding this item. Politics is certainly a very dirty game, but this one is another example of just how truly rotten it is in Chicago.

All this leads me to wonder why so many unanswered and unaddressed questions exist regarding the Obamas, such as college transcripts and papers that remain embargoed to this date. Why? If some journalist were able to tie the loose ends together and make the alleged connection between Rezko and Obama that would be a blockbuster. I suspect it would put a crimp in Obama’s plans to change and rule the entire world.

COMMANDER GRANGER

STEWARDSHIP? OR IDEOLOGY?

Permit me to draw your attention to an important article by Charles Krauthammer that appeared in the Washington Post. Your Commander considers Krauthammer one of the more significant voices when it comes to clearly analyzing the current political debate.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304778304576375661383528354.html?mod=WSJ_hp_mostpop_read#printMode

Only time will tell if Krauthammer’s vision is accurate, but we must remember that there is still plenty of time remaining before the general election and many events could dramatically change the political landscape. As far as I am concerned, however, there has never been a time when it was more important for every eligible voter to get to the polls, because our future directly depends upon the true voice of the people.

COMMANDER GRANGER

Thursday, June 9, 2011

ECONOMY IS WORSE THAN YOU THINK

That is the headline of a very significant opinion piece that appeared in the Wall Street Journal by Martin Feldstein who was the chairman of the Council of Economic Advisors under President Ronald Reagan, and is currently a professor at Harvard University. With our economy in the tank I strongly recommend that you take a few minutes of your valuable time to read Feldstein’s explanation of our nation’s problems.

This is not casual reading, but it is a very important way to broaden our collective understanding of these critical issues, and find a way to address solutions to reverse the trend lines ASAP.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303657404576363984173620692.html?mod=WSJ_hp_mostpop_read#printMode

Your Commander would like to see every single American read this piece, but tragically a very small percentage of our fellow citizens will take the time and an even fewer number will understand just what Feldstein is talking about. Tragically that is precisely why our economy is in the gutter and I am not too sure that our political leadership wants the electorate to be knowledgeable. All they want is their quiet obedience and votes at election time.

COMMANDER GRANGER

WHITE HOUSE ARROGANCE

With the American economy in the toilet, with massive unemployment across our country, with an increasing number of our fellow Americans requiring food stamps, and our brave fighting men and women continuing to die in three Wars, we are told that First Lady Michelle Obama will be traveling to Botswana and South Africa June 21-26.

Accompanying the First Lady are her mother and two daughters for this journey announced to be “focused on youth leadership, education, health and wellness.” One wonders just how many staff and security personnel and friends will join this group and how many support aircraft and Secret Service personnel will be assigned to this extremely expensive trip (vacation) at taxpayer expense. Remember last year’s vacation in Spain?

With our country borrowing millions of dollars daily to just meet our financial obligations, this trip is pure and simple arrogance on the part of the Obama Administration and family. Regarding sacrifice, President-Elect Obama told the country in an interview 1/11/09, “Everybody’s going to have to give. Everybody’s going to have some skin in the game.” Since he took office the only thing that he has truly accomplished is a massive increase in the size and expense of Big Government and a series of extremely expensive trips (vacations) for himself and family at the expense of the American taxpayer who is required to sacrifice increasingly on a daily basis. Tell me, just what has he and his family sacrificed?

Permit me to draw your attention to the fact that there has been little mention of this trip in the major media outlets, but when darling Michelle steps off the plane in Africa with mom, daughters, Secret Service, perhaps a hairdresser, staff, and no doubt some friends, there will be plenty of photographers and reporters praising her contributions to mankind. Will the American taxpayer ever know the cost of the trip? What would be wrong with a vacation in the continental USA giving a little economic push to some area?

Bend over America we are about to take another kick in the ass from President Obama and his family. Along with the members of Congress, there are no better examples of total disregard for the American taxpayer. The present occupants of the White House display defiant arrogance.

COMMANDER GRANGER

Sunday, June 5, 2011

WHAT THIS NATION NEEDS IS...

It is your Commander’s suspicion that many of my readers can complete the above statement with “What this nation needs is a good 5 cent cigar.” If you can do that, it is probably a fact that you come from Indiana, because the statement is attributable to Vice-President Thomas R. Marshall (1854-1925) who was born in North Manchester, Indiana. His two-term Vice-Presidency under President Woodrow Wilson was clouded with concerns of inadequacy, but he is best remembered for that famous, humorous statement.

Early this morning I was thinking about all the problems facing our great country, and frankly they are just too numerous to even list unless I totally ignore the interest of brevity. Somehow this old mind drifted back to my childhood when I was growing up in Chicago.

My late Irish Mother was a Registered Nurse who practiced her beloved profession into her mid-70’s. My Dad was scared for his entire life by the impact of the Great Depression, and he, too, worked into his 70’s, and was the family spokesman for all matters political. He was conservative to the core with a strong work ethic due to the influence of the Depression upon his entire family.

Whenever my Dad or I experienced a health issue, however minor, my nurse Mother dragged out a bar of Ivory Soap and her enema bag, which sent my Dad and me running for cover. A soap-suds enema was Mom’s remedy for any health problems, and I reluctantly admit it often was a completely effective solution.

With all of the above in mind, it is your Commander’s suggestion that my Mom may just have had the solution to our nation’s current economic and social problems. WHAT THIS NATION NEEDS IS A GOOD SOAP-SUDS ENEMA. I can just imagine Mom stepping forward pronouncing the need for a soap-suds enema to President Barack Obama and every single member of Congress, if not the entire Washington D.C. bureaucracy.

It seems that a good flushing of the Administration and Congress is just what the nurse ordered. The country’s needs and the results could prove to be the solution to all of our current domestic and international problems. Sometimes the old wives tales are still appropriate, and worthy of consideration.

Currently we get a lot of talk, a lot of posturing, a lot of spending, the continuation of three wars (Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya), devastating economic problems, massive unemployment, a private sector unwilling to create new jobs due to unknown Obamacare health costs, blatant lies, little or no resolution to our many mounting problems, and let's not forget our minute by minute escalating national debt.

Your Commander suggests our government needs a good flushing so the United States of America can get back to its good health. Looking back, it is hard to argue with Mom’s remedy for good health and a happy life. It surely is worth a try, because what we are doing now simply is not working and we all need quick relief. November 2012 is not all that far away…WE have the power to change things.

COMMANDER GRANGER

Saturday, June 4, 2011

GIVE 'EM HELL, HARRY

Way back during the closing days of World War II I fondly remember the Presidency of Harry S. Truman. He was a feisty politician who came under a great deal of criticism, but he stood his ground and was legendary for standing up to the hostile Washington press corps. Truman told off the press when they ran critical comments about his daughter’s singing abilities.

One of the interesting historical facts was that President Franklin Roosevelt never told his Vice-President anything about the development of the atomic bomb, and Truman learned about it upon Roosevelt’s death. History has proven that Truman was one of our better Presidents, and of course will be known in our history books for his decision to drop the atomic bomb that ended World War II. Here is a copy of an email that has been floating around the internet which provides an extremely interesting perspective to his methods of operation that certainly could be beneficial in today’s economic circumstances.

"We will never see this again

Thought you'd enjoy this one! This one you want your Children and Grandchildren to read.

They won't believe this happened, but it DID.

Harry & Bess

This seems unreal.....

Harry Truman was a different kind of President. He probably made as many, or more, important decisions regarding our nation's history as any of the other 42 Presidents preceding him. However, a measure of his greatness may rest on what he did after he left the White House.

The only asset he had when he died was the house he lived in, which was in Independence Missouri. His wife had inherited the house from her mother and father and other than their years in the White House, they lived their entire lives there.

When he retired from office in 1952, his income was a U.S. Army pension reported to have been $13,507.72 a year. Congress, noting that he was paying for his stamps and personally licking them, granted him an 'allowance' and, later, a retroactive pension of $25,000 per year.

After President Eisenhower was inaugurated, Harry and Bess drove home to Missouri by themselves. There was no Secret Service following them.

When offered corporate positions at large salaries, he declined, stating, 'You don't want me. You want the office of the President, and that doesn't belong to me. It belongs to the American people and it's not for sale..'

Even later, on May 6, 1971, when Congress was preparing to award him the Medal of Honor on his 87th birthday, he refused to accept it, writing, 'I don't consider that I have done anything which should be the reason for any award, Congressional or otherwise.'

As president he paid for all of his own travel expenses and food.

Modern politicians have found a new level of success in cashing in on the Presidency, resulting in untold wealth. Today, many in Congress also have found a way to become quite wealthy while enjoying the fruits of their offices. Political offices are now for sale. (e.g. Illinois )

Good old Harry Truman was correct when he observed, 'My choices in life were either to be a piano player in a whorehouse or a politician. And to tell the truth, there's
hardly any difference!'

I say dig him up and clone him!!

This is not sent for discussion."

Harry Truman was a strong willed Democrat to his core, and I am certain he would address our current economic problems in a totally different way than the current occupant of the White House.

COMMANDER GRANGER

SACRIFICE IS A TWO WAY STREET

Over the week-end I have been investigating various websites in an effort to determine some definitive information about the sacrifices we Americans have been called upon to make by our President Barack H. Obama. Interestingly I found numerous sites and various reports from both the left and right relative to comments made by our President.

Permit me to draw your attention to a specific Editorial titled “Sacrifice Today Needed for Prosperity Tomorrow” written by Representative Martha Roby (R-AL):

http://roby.house.gov/press-release/editorial-sacrifice-today-needed-prosperity-tomorrow

After reading Representative Roby’s editorial I was most impressed with this freshman Congresswoman’s comments and it is encouraging to note there are some people in Congress who get the severity of our economic condition. I was drawn to the specific remarks of President Obama’s historic inauguration in January 2009 when he said the following speaking of a growing deficit and a costly recession: “Given these realities, everyone in the chamber – Democrats and Republicans – will have to sacrifice some worthy priorities for which there are no dollars. And that includes me.”

We have continued to hear about sacrifice from the President since his early days in office, and more than two years later we have witnessed millions of Americans sacrificing under the pressures of this economy. Is there one single incident where our President or any member of Congress has sacrificed as a result of this devastating economy? I always thought sacrifice began at home, but apparently our President and Congress believe they function in a totally isolated and privileged world. Thanks for nothing guys, because what is good for the goose is good for the gander, and we voters should not forget that when we return to the polls.

COMMANDER GRANGER

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

TWO DIFFERENT PRESIDENTIAL SPEECHES

If you have read my essays as I vent comments, you may remember the fact that I have drawn attention to the contents of President Obama’s speeches on more than one occasion. In the last few days I have received several emails containing the comparison below between addresses of President George W. Bush and President Barack H. Obama. On the chance you have not seen this, here is a reprint.

George W. Bush speech after capture of Saddam:

The success of yesterday's mission is a tribute to our men and women now serving in Iraq.


The operation was based on the superb work of intelligence analysts who found the dictator's footprints in a vast country.

The operation was carried out with skill and precision by a brave fighting force. Our servicemen and women and our coalition allies have faced many dangers in the hunt for members of the fallen regime, and in their effort to bring hope and freedom to the Iraqi people. Their work continues, and so do the risks. Today, on behalf of the nation, I thank the members of our Armed Forces and I congratulate 'em.


Barack Obama speech after killing of bin Laden:

And so shortly after taking office, I directed Leon Panetta, the director of the CIA, to make the killing or capture of bin Laden the top priority of our war against al Qaeda, even as we continued our broader efforts to disrupt, dismantle, and defeat his network.

Then, last August, after years of painstaking work by our intelligence community, I was briefed on a possible lead to bin Laden. It was far from certain, and it took many months to run this thread to ground. I met repeatedly with my national security team as we developed more information about the possibility that we had located bin Laden hiding within a compound deep inside of Pakistan. And finally, last week, I determined that we had enough intelligence to take action, and I authorized an operation to get Osama bin Laden and bring him to justice. Today, at my direction, the United States launched a targeted operation against that compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan.


Enough said and a shocking comparison! In my nearly 80 years, I have never heard a U.S. president refer to "himself" so frequently. This is the "I, ME, MY" administration. I am certain you get the point that your Commander has been harping about for far too long, and this just proves it . God Bless America.

COMMANDER GRANGER


LIMOUSINE LIBERALS

Early this morning when at my computer, an article from HuffingtonPost.com written by Joe Eaton jumped off my AOL screen and grabbed my attention. The piece contained shocking revelations about the number of limos owned by Uncle Sam. As he noted some of these vehicles were ordered back in the good old days of the George W. Bush administration…trying to be fair and balanced.

On the chance you missed it here is the link to the story:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/the-center-for-public-integrity/limousine-liberals-number_b_868922.html

It is one thing to place the blame for the increase limos on Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, but I place the blame at the top where the buck stops...give me a break, a 73% increase in the number? If we need so many secure armored vehicles to protect our diplomats and dignitaries then I suggest we probably should not have our people in those places anyway. Both Iraq and Afghanistan are two places we should leave to their various unlawful tribes to self-destruct and figure out another way to keep those countries from being a safe haven for terrorists who want to harm us.

When in the hell is someone with one ounce of sense going to step forward and bring some sanity to our government? If you or I were guilty of misdeeds such as those disclosed in this article we would be in the slammer, and it is about time that the same action should be imposed upon many of our privileged self-serving government officials.

COMMANDER GRANGER