STUDENT VISA PROGRAM QUESTIONED

I want to draw your attention to a program that our State Department originated as a form of vacation diplomacy. As the article in The Washington Post reveals, the State Department selects foreign college students to work at beach resorts, amusement parks and other seasonal jobs. The reported intent is to educate the students in the ways of America and improve their English language skills.

Here is the article that you should read to understand the absurdity of this program.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/national-security/foreign-students-say-visa-program-abused/2011/10/26/gIQAbsUESM_print.html

While the program has several theoretical virtues, it strikes your Commander that it is not appropriate to fund this project at this time considering the economic pressures forced upon all citizens of this country. This project is another one that sounds good and certainly sends warm and fuzzy feelings through the hearts of all those liberal do-gooders who proliferate the Washington bureaucracy.

With unemployment running above 9% nation-wide and much higher in certain pockets of the country, these jobs certainly should be made available to our own youth and adult Americans who need work immediately. One wonders just how many millions of dollars this program is costing our government. I would suggest this program should be one of the very first cut by the Super-Committee that is currently determining how we can cut our massive financial deficit.

COMMANDER GRANGER

DEATH TO TENURE

Those of you who read my commentaries know that I have previously expressed my strong contention that tenure in our educational system is abused and should be terminated as soon as possible. With that provocative statement, please take a minute to read an article penned by Mike Adams that recently was posted on Townhall.com.

http://townhall.com/columnists/mikeadams/2011/10/29/death_to_tenure/print

If that story does not make a strong case for the elimination of tenure, nothing will. The abuse of tenure by teachers and their unions across the country is another one of the reasons our educational and financial houses are in disorder. Teachers should be properly compensated, but there is no legitimate reason to have rules that prevent the leadership of educational institutions from terminating dysfunctional and/or dangerous teaching influences.

COMMANDER GRANGER

CHICAGO'S POLITICAL REPUTATION

As a native born Chicagoan I frequently write critically of my old home town. Having experienced the misfortunes of political operatives for decades one must admit that criticism of ‘Chicago-way politics’ has been well earned, but the citizens continue to re-elect the same old gang year after year. Apparently enough “juice” is passed around to get the votes for the Democrats and ‘business as usual’ prevails.

I received this comical email this morning and just could not pass-up the opportunity to share it with you, so here it is:

“SUBJECT: Bin Laden & Gaddafi Are Definitely Dead

This just in:

There is finally conclusive evidence that Osama bin Laden and Muammar Gaddafi are dead.

Yesterday, they both registered to vote in Chicago."

Sometimes things just never change or so it seems in my old home town.

COMMANDER GRANGER

WILL JESSE JACKSON JR. BE VINDICATED?

Your Commander wants to draw your attention to a statement rendered by Representative Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-IL) that once the House Ethics Committee fully investigates the long-standing charges against him he will be vindicated. Attached is a brief article that appeared in the Sunday edition of The Chicago Sun-Times with the details.

http://www.suntimes.com/8497819-417/rep-jesse-jackson-jr-i-will-be-vindicated.html?print=true

With little action taking place in the sentencing of convicted ex-Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich (D), along with the secret prison location of convicted political fund-raiser Tony Rezko, it is logical to wonder why Tony has also yet to be sentenced.

The House Ethics Committee has been investigating allegations that Cong. Jesse Jackson Jr. was attempting to buy President Obama’s former Senate seat from ex-Governor Blagojevich. Months have passed without any definitive action. All three of these cases carry a typical stench of Chicago-style politics.

Now Gov. Blagojevich’s brother Robert has apparently volunteered to talk to the Ethics Committee, and that has to be bad news for young Jesse. With Jesse Jr.’s latest comment that he will be vindicated, I am reminded of the old Shakespearean quote……”THE LADY DOTH PROTEST TOO MUCH.”

Certainly you get my point. Based upon history and the way things happen in Chicago and within the inept House Ethics Committee I suspect that Jesse Jr. will ultimately get a pass. Just consider what would happen in the racially divided communities of Chicago if Jesse Jr. were actually held accountable for his deeds. The Democrat Party certainly wants to keep the lid on the situation until after the coming general election.

I still suspect there is a correlation between the much delayed sentencing of Blagojevich and Rezko. Jesse Jr’s. situation only adds to the intrigue and questions of influence that goes all the way to the White House.

COMMANDER GRANGER

THE FEDERALIST PAPERS

On October 27, 1787 the first in a series of publications appeared that were written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison and John Jay that recommended the ratification of the Constitution. The essays were a series of 85 papers that appeared in New York newspapers under the name of PUBLIUS and in book form as THE FEDERALIST.

I am certain it has been a long time since any of us remembers studying THE FEDERALISTS PAPERS back in grade school or in some classroom for college or university study. I will even venture to suggest that few if any of those participating in the Occupy Wall Street demonstrations around the country have ever heard of THE FEDERALIST PAPERS, and what I find most interesting is the fact that it was THE FEDERALIST PAPERS that led to the rights for people to gather and express their opinions in a public forum.

If you are interested in refreshing your mind about THE FEDERALIST PAPERS you can easily accomplish that via this link:

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

If it was possible to journey back to 1787, can you imagine how the British Army would treat the Occupy Wall Street demonstrators? If not for the influence of THE FEDERALIST PAPERS in securing the approval of The United States Constitution and our freedom from foreign domination, the world would certainly be a totally different place today.

Americans must be certain to not allow a relative handful of misdirected, politically motivated, diversionary, but reasonably financed, few destroy what so many worked so hard to establish. How can the original intent and magnificent foresight of THE FEDERALIST PAPERS be so totally denied by those demonstrating across the country without recognizing that they are being used for pure political purposes and not for the betterment of all Americans?

COMMANDER GRANGER

VALERIE JARRETT - BIG INFLUENCE BEHIND OBAMA

We have all heard about Valerie Jarrett, an extremely close personal friend to both Michelle and Barack Obama who officially serves as head of the Office of Public Engagement. It is reported that she is one of the most significant forces within the Obama Administration. I suggest you read an article by Jason Horowitz that appeared in The Washington Post this past week, and draw your own conclusion.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/white-house/valerie-jarretts-latest-role-shoring-up-obamas-support-base/2011/10/17/gIQARiI0GM_print.html

For quite sometime your Commander has been very suspicious of the influence cast upon this Obama presidency by Jarrett, and based upon the recent fall in the polls for Obama I would start wondering if the advice and council being rendered to him was part of that problem. I also find it interesting that since the election, Jarrett has received a total pass by the prying eyes of the Washington Press Corps, but that special treatment may be starting to erode.

If I had a friend like Valerie Jarrett I would be thinking it may be time to replace her. At the very least, a good objective vetting of Madame Jarrett’s influence and recommendations would certainly be necessary as the election rapidly approaches. Political observers are noting that Obama’s Iranian-born guru-advisor may be the cause of his current political disfavor by forcing him to ramrod an agenda that has been exposed to be in direct opposition to many of his pre-election promises.

After reading this lengthy Post article I would start looking over my shoulder were I the all-knowing all-seeing world renowned intellectual known as Barack Hussein Obama.

COMMANDER GRANGER

HOW MANY DAYS OLD ARE YOU?

I recently received an email with this title and when I hit the link and inserted the necessary data I obtained some very interesting but also somewhat disturbing information about myself and the life I have lived.

That day I learned I have been on the face of this earth for 29,231 days or 4,175 weeks and 6 days, I was born on a Monday, my last birthday occurred on a Wednesday, and God willing my next one will be on a Friday. If that kind of specific data is intriguing to you than hit this link:

http://korn19.ch/coding/days.php

When I thought about the information reported for me I was somewhat disturbed. It feels like I have wasted one hell of a lot of time, and I better get busy accomplishing the many things that I want to do before I have “part two of the big one.” I suspect the information will affect everyone differently, but it sure gave me pause to think about my temporary journey on this planet.

Have a great day and be certain to not waste one single minute that you’re granted to achieve something of significance for the betterment of your family or mankind in general.

COMMANDER GRANGER

A DANGEROUS POLITICAL TACTIC

Within the past two weeks President Barack Hussein Obama has signed two different Executive Orders that establish new federal government programs impacting Home Loan procedures, and addressing Student Loans.

Admittedly these are two of the many pressing issues facing many Americans at this time, but it is your Commander’s concern that addressing these problems by Executive Order skirts the established procedures specified in our Constitution. While we are also experiencing a near dysfunctional Congress, I believe the excessive use of the Executive Order is a diversion of the established order that placed the authority of enacting laws within the Halls of Congress. Laws should not be made in the Oval Office, but in the Senate and House of Representatives.

It is a fact that President Franklin D. Roosevelt holds the record for signing the most Executive Orders. He also served the longest. To date (less than three years since inaugration) President Obama has signed the fewest, but I see a pattern developing as the coming general election is looming and Obama’s poll numbers cast a negative light on his re-election chances.

Permit me to suggest that these two recent Executive Order actions are purely overt divisive actions to buy votes from a segment of the electorate that are currently most vulnerable and needy.

Both orders totally ignore the fact that the impacted individuals have, in a majority of the cases, created their own problem as a result of their making poor choices that caused their financial problems. Borrowing money for the purchase of homes when you do not have the financial means to repay the loan is irresponsible. Students who take out student loans that are excessive are also irresponsible acts. Everyone does not need to attend the most expensive schools of higher learning when less expensive alternatives are readily available.

Simply put, the current examples of Presidential Executive Orders are nothing but a political action to pander and buy desperately needed votes for the next election. The dysfunctional Congress is the direct result of the electorate loudly stating that they want change in Washington, but when our president cannot get his way he skirts the rule of law to force his personal interests upon the electorate, and that is a very dangerous precedent to set. That is the kind of thing dictators do and not how real leaders serve their constituents and their country.

COMMANDER GRANGER

CLINTON WANTS INCREASE IN STUDENT VISAS FOR IRAN

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was interviewed a couple of days ago by BBC Persia. Among her remarks she said that by the end of the year the State Department plans to set up a “virtual embassy” in Tehran so Iranians can study or travel in the US.

Clinton also said, “I’m trying to increase the number of visas for students so that we have more Iranian students coming to study here. We’re trying to reach out to the Iranian people, and we’ve tried to reach out to the government, just not very successfully.”

If you want to read the fairly brief article in its entirety, here is the link:

http://cnsnews.com/news/article/hillary-clinton-im-trying-increase-number-visas-iranian-students

Simply put I have only one question to address after reading this statement of insane, dangerous, liberal, political drivel…...WHY?

COMMANDER GRANGER

BOOK REVIEW - LOST IN SHANGRI-LA

As the book cover states this is a true story of survival, adventure, and the most incredible rescue mission of World War II. I have just finished reading Mitchell Zuckoff’s amazingly well-researched report of a tragic event dating back decades that occurred in the wilds of Dutch New Guinea.

The author takes the reader back to an ill-fated decision to take twenty-four American servicemen and WACs aboard an Army Air Force C-47 transport plane for a sightseeing flight over “Shangri-La” deep in the jungle-covered mountains.

I do not want to spoil the read for you, but it is clear from the first pages that the initial decision to take this flight was totally ill-conceived by the Officer in Charge, and it was compounded by a lack of proper flight procedures that resulted in a devastating crash and loss of multiple lives. While not ignoring the tragic loss of life and the impact on the families back home, one must imagine the substantial financial costs that resulted in the rescue of the survivors.

This is one of those sad stories that come out of War that could have been prevented had cooler heads prevailed, but one must consider the isolation, boredom and frustration that brought about the action. While reading I wondered just how many other examples of War-time deaths were due to similar decision making misjudgments.

This is a great read for a cool autumn evening and it is certain to keep the reader turning pages into the wee-hours of the night.

COMMANDER GRANGER

OCCUPY WALL STREET ANALYSIS

Here I go again directing you to another thesis by Professor Walter E. Williams. Be assured that I am NOT receiving a spiff from the good Professor, but I do feel he is providing us with a clear analysis of the real reasons behind the Occupy Wall Street demonstrations that are increasing across the country.

Permit me to be totally clear that I am opposed to these obvious examples of civil disobedience. These well organized mobs are well financed, well fed and when they break existing law they should be arrested and prosecuted to the fullest extent of our legal system guidelines.

While Professor Williams states thoughtful analysis for the mobs’ motivations, I see the hand of the liberal left diverting our attention away from the primary election season coupled with President Obama’s recent all-out efforts to address lingering issues by circumventing Congress with the issuance of a growing number of Executive Orders.

Our newspapers repeatedly fail to note that when Congress recently rejected Obama’s Jobs Bill it was really caused by a lack of Democrat votes from a Senate that currently is controlled by the same Democrat Party. All the blame is placed on the resolute Republican Party, but two Democrats voted NO.

Enough of me…here is the Williams article “Profits Are for People” for your perusal:

http://townhall.com/columnists/walterewilliams/2011/10/26/profits_are_for_people/page/full/

One wonders why voices such as William’s secure such little publicity in the main-stream media these days.

COMMANDER GRANGER

STEALING FROM YOUR IMPOVERISHED HOMELAND

In the pages of The Washington Post there is a story that is most disturbing, because it exposed the inefficiency of our Immigrations system and the liberties that foreign countries are taking with Diplomatic immunity.

Do you know what a kleptocrat is? I didn’t until I read this article. Take a couple of minutes to read about the tin-horn President of Equatorial Guinea’s son residing in a $30 million estate in Malibu with ill-gotten items while the citizens of his native country live in poverty. Here is the link with the unbelievable details:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/us-trying-to-seize-more-than-70m-from-dictators-son-over-alleged-corruption/2011/10/25/gIQAYknmIM_print.html

When I read this disgusting article I immediately asked myself why is Teodoro Nguema Obliang Mangue permitted to reside for an extended period of time in California or is he abusing Diplomatic immunity? I also wonder how many other crooks from foreign countries like this one are residing here “living large” using money his/her country received from our overly generous fast and loose foreign aid program and entities like the United Nations.

When will insanity like this stop?

COMMANDER GRANGER

PITTING US AGAINST EACH OTHER

We are presently living in a media environment slanted in favor of the current administration, because for over three years we have heard only the stories promoting the Obama story-line.

While I have noted an increase in critical commentary by some voices that had been blowing the Democrat Party horn, the majority of the media still run in lock-step. One of the outlets that consistently takes the opposite side or the conservative position is Townhall.com, and it is from that source I found the attached article by Dr. Walter E. Williams about the distinct initiative by the Obama administration to divide his opposition. Please take a look:

http://townhall.com/columnists/walterewilliams/2011/10/19/pitting_us_against_each_other/print

Don’t you find it interesting that our current president, who ran on a campaign agenda that called for unity, civility, transparency and change, reverted, once elected, to an obvious policy of class warfare and demonizing people who have opinions that are different from his progressive theories?

Remember, Dr. Williams rose up from the inner-city projects to be a strong voice of unity and clarity during a time of divisive political hysteria. Hopefully Williams’ voice will not be silenced, but shared with a growing audience, especially within the minority communities of this country.

COMMANDER GRANGER

THOUGHTS ON THE MIDDLE EAST

“KARZAI: AFGHANISTAN WOULD SUPPORT PAKISTAN IN A WAR WITH THE UNITED STATES”

When I read that headline in an article on Townhall.com I was shocked, but not totally surprised. When you sleep with snakes it is to be expected that you will be bitten. For the past ten years American military has protected Hamid Karzai and supported his Presidency with the lives of our very best young men and women and his statement is the thanks he extends in return. I believe without an American military presence, Karzai will not last two months.

http://townhall.com/tipsheet/danieldoherty/2011/10/23/karzai_afghanistan_would_support_pakistan_in_a_war_with_us

When is this country going to learn that you cannot and should not attempt to buy friends with hand-outs of money to recipients who have unclean hands? We have been doing that for years all around the world and you and I know what we have gotten in return.

On a related note, while I am glad to hear our military personnel will be leaving Iraq by December 31, 2011, I am convinced that we are departing before the mission is any where near accomplished. I also fear we may have to return.

In the meantime our President and Secretary of State blame President Bush for forcing our departure in order to provide Obama with political cover from failed negotiations with the Iraqi government regarding the legal safety of our troops. The administration’s statements that all American troops will leave are pure political rubbish, because in the next breath they talk about a robust American presence to protect our Embassy in Baghdad. We either have troops there or we do not.

This is the same double-talk when they said we did not have troops on the ground in Libya. We did and everyone knows we had Special Operations personnel calling in target coordinates for air support attacks. We had American military flying daily over Libya and we spent one hell of a lot of money in support of NATO. Lies are lies!

The free people of Libya have clearly spoken now that their ex-Dictator Colonel Gaddafi is dead. The Washington Post is reporting that Mustafa Abdel Jalil, head of the Transitional National Council, is pledging to replace the dictatorship with a more democratic BUT a more strictly Islamic system.

Isn’t that just great? After years of financial involvement, civilian deaths, loss of American military lives, and untold billions or maybe trillions of dollars we will be faced with a new Libyan government that will likely not be friendly to our interests and in fact work against us.

Back to Afghanistan – I repeat my call to get the hell out of there ASAP. We have not, and probably cannot, achieve our goals. The leaders (Karzai, tribal heads and others) are not supporting our interests now and will no doubt turn against us when we leave. Thus, why endanger our troops to further death and destruction?

Our government for the last two administrations has failed to achieve its reported goals in the Middle East. We should let the Islamic forces destroy themselves with their internal regional fights. If, and when they pose a direct threat to our country we have the capabilities to effectively return them to the dark ages and the sand mounds that have been there for centuries.

When will we ever learn to tend to our own business and leave foreign enemies to destroy themselves from within their own borders? All those Ivy-league liberal intellectuals who work in the White House and at the State Department do not have a very successful track record, and it is clearly time to clean house and get some sound, honest, patriotic leadership to bring order and sanity to the front.

COMMANDER GRANGER

NOTRE DAME COACH IS A DISAPPOINTING BULLY

Let’s get something clear from the beginning. I am not and have never been an accomplished athlete, but I am a fan who has great respect for the performances of amateur and professional athletics. Currently as a resident of north-central Indiana all the talk is about the loss of the Notre Dame football game to their biggest rival, the University of Southern California.

For those of you who attended or watched the much heralded night game, it was a disaster from beginning to end for the Fighting Irish. They had appeared to be an improving and unified team, but that all fell apart on a brisk autumn night with fumbles, turnovers and penalties at the worst possible times.

After the game Coach Brian Kelly was asked by a member of the media if he was concerned about Quarterback Dayne Crist’s mental state after the backup quarterback’s fumbled snap on the USC one yard line that USC returned for a devastating touchdown. Mr. Macho Coach Kelly’s response was, “No, I don’t have to worry about it,” Kelly snapped. “He does."

Some may think that was a good answer, but I think it stinks and represents the true colors of a Coach who should have taken greater responsibility for his team’s poor play. Let’s face the facts. Crist came into the game when the starter had been injured. He has not played since the first game of the season, when he played poorly. He seemed to be doing well Saturday night when he fumbled the ball either due to a poor snap or his failure to grasp the ball. Yes, it was a very serious mistake. But, let’s remember we are talking about a game and not a surgical error during a heart transplant.

When it comes to football at Notre Dame there is only winning not losing. If you lose there is plenty of criticism dropped on the offender, which is usually well beyond all rhyme or reason. I thought a Coach was a teacher, but Notre Dame has a BULLY who is paid an excessive amount of money to deliver winning games. He did not and he should not destroy a young man, because a mistake was made which may in fact not have been his fault.

Kelly has lost me as a supportive fan. He sets a very poor example for leadership and when the going gets tough he points his finger at his team, instead of pointing his accusatory finger at himself. Admittedly, Notre Dame played a poor game. The team just came off a bye-week and was not properly prepared. USC, the underdog, on the other hand seemed ready from the opening kick-off.

Dayne Crist is a good young man and a good football player who found himself in the wrong place at the wrong time, and he does not deserve to be berated by Kelly in such a crude fashion. It is time for Coach Kelly to “man-up” and do what good teachers do when the going gets tough … TEACH … don’t blame the student.

The record books will always say that USC beat Notre Dame in the first night-game in 21 years, and the coach of Notre Dame was Coach Brian Kelly and Dayne Crist’s name will not even be mentioned. The game was Kelly’s to win or lose and he lost big-time.

COMMANDER GRANGER

WILL RELIGION DOOM ROMNEY?

There was a very interesting article on Time.com that carried a similar title. I found the article to be very sympathetic to the interests of President Obama and biased against Mitt Romney. Take a look for yourself. I believe an attempt is being made to plant a seed of doubt in the minds of the electorate.

http://swampland.time.com/2011/10/14/will-evangelicals-doom-romney/

I think this is an effort to divide and conquer the Republican candidates leading up to the 2012 election. Let’s be clear, I do not have any idea at this time as to who I will vote for in the Indiana primary or the next General Election, but I do know I will NOT vote for Obama. Our current president promised one thing to get elected, and then executed a totally different agenda.

I thought this country was founded on the belief that people should not be persecuted for their religious persuasions; apparently not. We now have Mr. Obama, who is ½ Caucasian, was raised by his Caucasian grandparents, only refers to himself as black, and spent a few years at an Islamic grade school, and often very subtlety plays the race-card.

Politics is obviously a dirty game, and it has been such for decades dating back to the foundation of this country. We have elected Christian presidents drawing from many Protestant religions and even Catholicism when we were told that would never happen. We have a president who is perceived as a man of color, with an exposure to Islam in his formative years. Now the Liberal Left is suggesting we cannot or should not elect a Mormon. Are you kidding me?

I find that totally against what this nation’s founders believed. That thought represents religious and racial bigotry. My wife and I have had the experience of living for a several years in communities where a fair number of local citizens were Mormons. I hired some excellent people who I happened to learn later were Mormon. We were treated with personal and religious respect. Their religion was never once pressed upon us.

We are electing the president of a country founded on religious freedom with a very sound Christian footing. Stop the divisiveness and let us judge the individuals upon their ability and qualifications to be our leader.

I do not believe for one minute that if Mitt Romney were elected as our president he would impose his religious beliefs upon any citizen of this country. I believe him to be an honest individual of high business and political achievement and qualified along with many other individuals in the race to be president, such as Herman Cain, who happens to be a 100% American of African decent.

Apparently the Democrat Party is really worried about the strength of Mitt Romney when the likes of liberal comedian Bill Mahr and New York Times flame-thrower Maureen Dowd attack him with vicious commentaries. Politics is not for the weak of heart.

It is time to elect a President and remember we are not appointing a Pope. Stop this foolishness and divisive distraction of vicious opposition Party rumor–mongers and religious bigots.

COMMANDER GRANGER

THE SCAPEGOAT STRATEGY

As we journey through troubled times from an economic standpoint and find our government in a virtual dysfunctional stand-off, we all need voices of clarity to see through the fog and view light at the end of the tunnel. I have suggested on several previous occasions that Dr. Charles Krauthammer is that clarion voice.

Please take the time to read a recent opinion piece that appeared in newspapers across the country.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/the-scapegoat-strategy/2011/10/13/gIQArNWViL_print.html

Hopefully we will all remember Krauthammer’s words of wisdom and objectivity when we enter the voting booth come November 2012. I pray we will not be too late in returning sanity and patriotic leadership to governance of this great country.

COMMANDER GRANGER

STIMULUS FIASCO CONTINUES

I ran across another disturbing article on the Townhall.com web site that drew my attention to a new fiasco emanating from the Obama stimulus bill. $529 million dollars was awarded by the Energy Department to Fisker Karma to manufacture electric automobiles. It has now been determined that the company plans to assemble the cars in Finland and not in the USA.

The purpose of the stimulus bill was to create jobs in this country and now Fisker Karma reports that there are no contract manufacturers in the US that can produce their vehicles, and they say that none of the money loaned will be spent in Finland. I say…pay back the loan immediately!

Apparently there was little or no due diligence conducted by the Energy Department just as was the case in the Solyndra deal that was revealed a month or so ago.

What is interesting in this latest debacle is that Al Gore is an investor in the Fisker Automotive venture, and thus political connections seem to have influenced this huge financial grant. Here is a link to the details:

http://townhall.com/tipsheet/katehicks/2011/10/20/not_again_stimulus_money_went_to_car_companyin_finland

It took a day or two before major news outlets finally picked up the story. Does that surprise you?

For a president, who promised total transparency and ethical change in his administration, to have these “business as usual” deals is disappointing to say the least. Obama should hang his head in shame because more of his political corruption, lies to America, and “Chicago ways” are revealed daily.

COMMANDER GRANGER

PROF. CORNEL WEST - TENURED DISRUPTER

Recently I was viewing one of the cable news talk programs and who appears but Professor Cornel West to render his “expert” opinion relative to the demonstrations surrounding Occupy Wall Street. If you do not recognize the name he is a black, gap-toothed, wild-haired, tenured activist, and professor at Princeton University who appears increasingly on television programs to vent his venom stirring civil disobedience across the country.

Personally I get quite suspicious when any media outlet invites this wack-job self-appointed authority on the world as he sees it from his myopic point of view. It is my suspicion that he is one of the reasons it is so expensive to send our children to earn a university education, because liberal divisive individuals such as Conel West are drawing inflated salaries while hiding behind their corrupting security-blanket of academic tenure.

http://newsfeed.time.com/2011/10/22/cornel-west-arrested-again-at-occupy-protest/

Your Commander places West along side professional disorganizers and race-baiters like the Rev. Al Sharpton and Rev. Jesse Jackson. It would not surprise me to learn that one of West’s official duties at Princeton University is to protect the embargoed private papers of ex-Princeton student First Lady Michelle Obama.

Hopefully, a judge with a proper understanding and application of existing laws will incarcerate this disrupter and permit him to fester behind bars for an extended period of time. West’s purpose is to profit financially and draw attention to himself while disrupting civil order.

Just compare the constant negativity of the work of Prof. Cornel West, and the contributions rendered to improve relations between all men by Prof. Walter E. Williams and my point is clearly established. Remove this creep’s publicity and he will likely fade away.

COMMANDER GRANGER

GOOD BYE IRAQ?

I was delighted to hear that all American troops will depart Iraq by December 31, 2011, but do not be deceived by the abundance of political biased reporting in virtually every major newspaper in America this morning. The truth of the matter is that the USA was out-bluffed by Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki over the issue of total immunity for remaining American military personnel, and, thankfully, President Obama did not have any alternative but to order a total withdrawal to save face.

We surely have not seen or heard the last of conflict in Iraq, because that evil troublemaker Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr is likely to side with Iran and all hell will break out again once American troops depart. Al-Maliki may rue the day he forced Obama’s hand, because I would not give one thin dime for his life once he is responsible for the security of his administration and the citizens of his country.

I found it interesting, but not surprising, to see Time Magazine immediately place the blame on the troop departure on President George Bush, because he signed an agreement back in December, 2008 calling for terms of withdrawal, but it was understood to be an interim agreement with diplomacy to follow. However, that does not seem to fit the politically biased agenda of Time to explain. Blame Bush and promote the re-election of their favorite son Obama is Time’s modus operandi.

While every decision coming out of the White House these days is totally based on promoting Obama’s re-election, I believe the entire country will pay a heavy price for Obama’s short-term political motivations. I wonder what the families of all those brave Americans who gave their lives for Iraq’s future and the security of that country and America think of Obama’s actions now.

Only The Wall Street Journal provided its readers with a good analysis of this sad, politically driven development. I do not want our troops in Iraq for one more day than necessary, but leaving now is totally irresponsible per our Generals in the field, and this action may lead to our eventual return, which would only feed the public relations machine of our enemies.

Also remember the phony information expressed by Obama in his press conference following the death this week of Libya’s evil 40+ year dictator Muaamar Qaddifi. Obama said that we accomplished his removal without any American involvement and without boots on the ground.

This is simply another lie flowing easily from his lips these days. American Air Force personnel flew daily over Libya and we had Special Operations military personnel (aka boots on the ground) deep within Libya in support of NATO operations and feeding air strike information. Daily we are being fed the party-line that supports the Obama political base but we must not be swayed by his PR apparatus.

Nobody would be happier than your Commander to be proven wrong, but over the many years I have been fortunate to live in the good old USA, my gut feeling has been correct far more times than wrong. Only time will tell, but if I am right, America will be back in Iraq for a third time and undoubtedly will again pay a terrible price in life, limb, and millions or billions in wasteful financial obligations.

Hopefully, American voters have learned a valuable lesson when a politically inexperienced, and more importantly business inexperienced liberal community organizer was elected as Commander-in-Chief.

COMMANDER GRANGER

TECH WARS - FASCINATING

The current (November) issue of FAST COMPANY magazine, a publication I had never heard of until it began to mysteriously appear in my mailbox several months ago, has an excellent cover teasing “The Great Tech War of 2012” with a lengthy article titled “The Ones to Watch”.

On a rainy day this week I started turning the pages of the November 2011 issue and was hooked on the article and found it an outstanding analysis of the future of Apple, Facebook, Google, and Amazon. While I am an amateur in the tech world, it is clearly a significant factor in our daily lives and is only going to become more important with the passage of time and by the inventions and applications yet to be created.

As I stated above, the article is very long (some 9-1/2 pages), but I suggest it is important reading if you want to have an educated peek into the future of these influential companies. The article will certainly interest you as a user or investor at any level. Here is the link:

http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/160/tech-wars-2012-amazon-apple-google-facebook

I found it easier to read the article on-line, the magazine edition carries a small print font that does not work well with my tired old eyes. It is also important to notice the article’s comments about the significance and importance of author Farhad Manjoo’s insight into the future of the tech world.

Don’t miss an opportunity to look into the future. It will certainly impact you and your family increasingly in the days and perhaps years to come.

COMMANDER GRANGER

WORDS FROM THOMAS EDISON

When reading today’s page of the American Patriot’s Almanac there was a statement that caught your Commander’s eyes and attention about Thomas A. Edison. As you probably know he was one of America’s greatest inventors and held patents for over one thousand inventions, such as the light bulb, phonograph, and the motion picture machine to name a few.

Edison is reported to have insisted that hard work was the main reason for his success. “Genius is 1 percent inspiration and 99 percent perspiration.” He also said “Americans have built a great nation by following that rule.”

Recognizing that the world has changed substantially since Edison spoke those profound words, it is my opinion that maybe our current problems are due to the fact that our current administration, government and a growing percentage of our population is operating on 99 percent faulty inspiration, and only 1 percent perspiration.

Our leadership has lots of ideas that are not working and about 50 percent of our fellow Americans are living on welfare hand-outs without conducting productive endeavors or generating any perspiration.

What do you think?

COMMANDER GRANGER

MATHEMATICS MEAN MORE THAN YOU THINK

When I was a kid growing up in Chicago I didn't pay enough attention to mathematics in the classroom, and like all smart-alecky kids I never thought there was any need to excel in that subject. Later in life I ended up in a business that used math to a great degree and had to work hard to brush up on my math skills. I looked back wishing I had concentrated more on math subjects during my formative years.

You may have already received this link in an email, but it is worth viewing again. Here is a brief and very interesting video that visually teaches all of us a wonderful lesson in life.

Click your mouse here:

Mathematics


Isn't it amazing what hides within the numbers that serve us well in our daily lives? When I think back several decades I wonder if my old football coach realized what he was saying when he urged our team “For the love of God you have got to give 101% in the game.”

COMMANDER GRANGER

NBA - EGOS CONTINUE TO COLLIDE

I wrote about the NBA early season game cancellations October 13th, and did not expect the parties to come to an early solution. As I stated then, I could actually care less if the entire NBA season is cancelled. Certainly several groups would be financially harmed, namely the innocent employees who labor in the concession stands, the many support personnel for the games, the cities where the teams reside would lose tons of stadium and tax revenues, and (since I do not know the contents of the radio, cable and TV contracts) probably the local and national media that carries the games.

The over-paid egotists who play the game, their agents, and the mega-rich NBA team owners would get less, but hardly be in a bad financial way.

I suspect media moguls and team city officials will put pressure on the bickering parties to get a settlement and salvage some part of the season so revenue can flow into their coffers. The latest development indicates that the parties are still far apart, because professional arbitrators are having little success in achieving a solution in this long-festering labor dispute.

Today several media outlets announced the strong words that emanated from that over-the-hill, self important sports authority Bryant Gumbel, the former NBC ‘Today Show’ co-anchor who is now the host of HBO’s little watched ‘Real Sports’ program. Here is what he said, with side comments from Newsblues.com:

“Bryant Gumbel, host of HBO’s Real sports, blasted NBA Commissioner David Stern on Tuesday’s show, accusing him of acting like a “modern plantation overseer, treating NBA men as if they were his boys.”

“It’s part of Stern’s M.O., like his past self-serving edicts on dress code or the questioning of officials,” continued Gumbel. “His moves were intended to do little more than show how he’s the one keeping the hired hands in their place.”

“The NBA’s infamously egocentric commissioner seems more hell-bent lately on demeaning the players than solving this game’s labor impasse,” said the infamously egocentric former ‘Today’ show host.”

“Some will of course cringe at the characterization,” Gumbel admitted. “But Stern’s disdain for the players is as palpable and pathetic as his motives are transparent.”

Your Commander agrees that these comments are those of an equally egotistic, over-paid, self-appointed sports authority talking about another ego driven professional sports commissioner that add little or nothing to solving the root problem with the NBA.

We all would be better off if we let this debate play-out between the players and the owners with the full knowledge that what ever settlement is reached the fans will be expected to line-up like sheep and finance part of the agreement with increased ticket prices and ridiculously priced concessions and merchandise.

The NBA is no longer a game of sport, but a venue filled with criminals, thugs, and bullies who receive a piece of a massive financial pie into which many conflicting forces are dividing the spoils. The only problem is that the gullible basketball fans will lose when the settlement is ultimately achieved.

I still think the owners should cancel the entire 2011/2012 NBA season, because it will be great sport to see the players scramble to maintain their posses and stay clear of the law in foreign lands.

COMMANDER GRANGER

WHAT IS THE 9-9-9 PLAN?

With the recent surge in the poll numbers for Presidential Candidate Herman Cain the attack dogs are pouncing on his taxation plan 9-9-9 like a pack of hungry wolves. While I think I like what Cain is talking about, I honestly did not know the details of his plan. I found an article today in the Wall Street Journal by noted economist Arthur B. Laffer to be an excellent and clear explanation of the details. Here is the link:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204346104576637310315367804.html?mod=googlenews_wsj#printMode

This is the kind of detailed information we cannot acquire in a 30 second sound-bite on the network newscasts or a 3 or 4 minute Q &A on cable news, so I found the article to be of value. You can decide if you like the plan and if you’re interested in Cain’s run for the White House.

It is my opinion that we desperately need a total reform of the tax code. I have found differing numbers, but the most reliable one I found says that the US Tax Code is an astounding 16,845 pages long!!! Who can possibly understand the intricacies of a document that length?

I do not think people making $250,000 a year are super-rich, especially if they live in major metropolitan areas where it is proven to be more expensive to live. However, I do believe that those fortunate enough to make $1 million or more per year should pay more taxes, and I firmly repeat that EVERYONE should pay something into the tax pot yearly.

I suggest we would all do better were there clear voices such as Cain’s in Washington, and if he does not get the big prize he could be a worthy candidate for Vice-Presidential consideration. What do you think?

COMMANDER GRANGER

VOTE WORKER TIED TO FAKE PETITIONS

There could be a big political smoking-gun story beginning to unfold right here in little old South Bend, Indiana that has national implications of voter fraud dating back to the Indiana primary election campaign in 2008. The thrust of the investigation is suspected fake signatures in support of both Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton on their petitions for the 2008 State primary ballot.

Please take a look at an article that appeared in the October 16th issue of the South Bend Tribune by Kevin Allen and Erin Blasko.

http://articles.southbendtribune.com/2011-10-15/news/30285085_1_fake-signatures-fake-petitions-obama-petition

Note: Sorry, but to get the full article you will have to hit the page #2 notation to proceed to the article’s full content.

Personally, I fear we may never totally get to the bottom of this story, because we cannot expect the general election to be rescinded after the passage of this much time. Apparently, there was illegal activity concerning the primary election here in St. Joseph County, which has been ruled by a firm iron-handed Democrat Party for decades.

The day after I first started writing this piece, the Tribune reported on October 18th that Butch Morgan, the Democratic County Chairman, had resigned his post claiming that he did nothing wrong, but does not want to be a distraction. Obviously, the smoke here is getting darker. With Morgan’s actions an old Chinese Proverb comes to my mind, “When the tree falls the monkeys scatter.”

On the same day this local story went national with repeated coverage of the initial details airing on the Fox News Channel throughout the day. The local St. Joseph Country Prosecutor Michael Dvorak, long a Democrat political figure, announced that he is consulting with the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Indiana to determine who should lead the further investigation. We have a political hot-potato cooking and those close to this scandal are all seeking cover.

Here is a link to the latest details from the South Bend Tribune as of their October 18th edition:

http://www.southbendtribune.com/news/specialreports/sbt-st-joseph-county-democratic-chairman-butch-morgan-resigns-20111017,0,2468280,print.story

Certainly this investigation should move forward to determine who did what and then that person or persons should be brought before the scales of justice. I suspect that the Democrat Party has such a strangle-hold on St. Joseph County that they will prevail in the coming Mayoral election, but it could get interesting if the investigation bears the full scope of the apparent criminality.

In the meantime, the South Bend Tribune is to be complimented for conducting an important, expensive investigative piece of reporting in these times of tight newsroom budgets. Exposing this type of illegal activity that directly impacts the integrity of our voting boxes is exactly what we hope all our news media would do, but their business model is changing daily, and that is becoming a greater challenge with each passing day. The Tribune’s Editorial Board is to be saluted too for their strong Editorial in the October 19th edition taking ex-Democrat Party County Chairman Butch Morgan to task.

This story could prove to be a great boost for our local newspapers vital circulation growth, and ultimately morph into a mortal wound to the long dominant Democratic Party political rule. Only time will tell, so keep posted for the gory details as the story continues to unfold.

COMMANDER GRANGER

A SHORT STORY ABOUT THE WORDS WE USE

Today a good friend who lives out in magnificent Arizona sent me an email message that contained a link to a You Tube video that really moved me emotionally. The message is most appropriate during these times of economic and political upheaval, and I want to share it with you my valued readers.

As the email text states; “Have you ever heard anyone say that your perspective comes from “how you tell the story?” The link below is to a video that is only one minute long. I think it offers a beautiful example of how we tell the story can make a difference. Enjoy the thought,”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hzgzim5m7oU

If that does not move you to think about how we communicate with one another then there is certainly something lacking in your perspective and values of life on this wonderful place called Earth.

COMMANDER GRANGER

YOU KNOW IT'S ELECTION TIME WHEN...

It is obvious to your Commander that election time is just around the corner, because all of the politicians are suddenly announcing all kinds of public works projects. Despite the economic chaos that confronts our country, the federal government has announced an increase in Social Security payments of 3.5% that will bring a few added bucks into the pockets of 55 million recipients.

For the past two years the COLA payments for Social Security were denied, because the inflation rate was low. Now with the election rapidly approaching we are rewarded with an increase in Social Security, paved roads, filled pot-holes and the leaves are being picked up in the neighborhoods around the city. Who are they really kidding?

Just how dumb do the politicians think we are? Upon further reflection we are dumb, because we keep re-electing these same clowns over and over again.

COMMANDER GRANGER

POLLING THE OCCUPY WALL STREET CROWD

Your Commander finds it most interesting that it takes a well-known Democrat Party operative, Douglas Schoen, to place the Occupy Wall Street crowd into proper perspective. Please take the time to read Schoen’s very insightful article that appeared in The Wall Street Journal today:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204479504576637082965745362.html?mod=WSJ_hp_mostpop_read#printMode

The interviews and the poll results emanating from Schoen’s questions certainly do not jibe with the sympathetic propaganda flowing from the liberal main-stream media outlets and major television network news organizations. Few, if any, of the participants really know why they are marching, but it is obvious that this is a well-oiled, well-financed, and well directed political apparatus.

Fortunately it takes the likes of The Wall Street Journal to get behind the scenes and present an accurate picture of this unruly supposedly-spontaneous gathering.

COMMANDER GRANGER

WHAT A BILLION DOLLARS REPRESENTS

This very interesting data came to my attention in the form of a circulated email forwarded by my daughter in suburban Chicago. This description really puts a billion dollars into a much clearer perspective:

The next time you hear a politician use the word 'billion' in a casual manner, think about whether you want the 'politicians' spendingYOUR tax money.

A billion is a difficult number to comprehend, but one advertising agency did a good job of
putting that figure into some perspective in one of its releases.

A. A billion seconds ago it was 1959.

B. A billion minutes ago Jesus was alive.

C. A billion hours ago our ancestors were living in the Stone Age.

D. A billion days ago no one on the earth walked on two feet.

E. A billion dollars ago was only 8 hours and 20 minutes, at the rate our governments are spending it.

While this thought is still fresh in our brain ... let's take a look at New Orleans .... It's amazing what you can learn with some simple division.

Louisiana Senator Mary Landrieu (D) asked Congress for 250 BILLION DOLLARS
to rebuild New Orleans ... Interesting number ... what did it mean?

A. Well... if you are one of the 484,674 residents of New Orleans (every man, woman, and child)
you each get $516,528.

B. Or... if you have one of the 188,251 homes in New Orleans , your home gets $1,329,787.

C. Or... if you are a family of four...your family gets $2,066,012.

Imagine, now $700 billion bailing out banks in the US . That's enough to fund complete medical care for every man, woman and child currently alive in the US for 11 years!!

$50 billion to bail out the auto industry???

Washington , D.C. & Ottawa, HELLO!!! Are all your calculators broken??

Now take a look at taxes assessed in the US:

Accounts Receivable Tax
Building Permit Tax
CDL License Tax
Cigarette Tax
Corporate Income Tax
Dog License Tax
Federal Income Tax , Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA)
Fishing License Tax
Food License Tax
Fuel Permit Tax
Gasoline Tax
Hunting License Tax
Inheritance Tax
Inventory Tax
IRS Interest Charges (tax on top of tax)
IRS Penalties (tax on top of tax)
Liquor Tax
Luxury Tax
Marriage License Tax
Medicare Tax
Property y Tax
Real Estate Tax
Service charge taxes
Social Security Tax
Road Usage Tax (Truckers)
Sales Taxes
Recreational Vehicle Tax
School Tax
State Income Tax
State Unemployment Tax (SUTA)
Telephone Federal Excise Tax
Telephone Federal Universal Service Fee Tax upon Tax
Telephone Federal, State and Local Surcharge Tax
Telephone Minimum Usage Surcharge Tax
Telephone Recurring and Non-recurring Charges Tax
Telephone State and Local Tax
Telephone Usage Charge Tax
Utility Tax
Vehicle License Registration Tax
Vehicle Sales Tax
Watercraft Registration Tax
Well Permit Tax
Workers Compensation Tax
Income Tax

THINK THIS IS FUNNY???

Not one of these taxes existed 100 years ago ... and our nations were the most prosperous in the world.

We had absolutely no national debt ... We had the largest middle class in the world..
and Mom stayed home to raise the kids.

What happened? Can you spell 'politicians!'

And I still have to press '1' for English.

What the hell happened???”

Amazing, disturbing, concerning, shocking, troubling are all words that come to my mind after reading this.

COMMANDER GRANGER

GEN PETRAEUS RETIREMENT EDITORIAL

Recently I sent a copy of a recent Washington Times editorial to many of my friends addressing the recent retirement of General David H. Petraeus from active-duty service in the U.S. Army. I received a substantial response with a wide array of favorable comments. As a result, I want to share this important editorial with a wider audience and thus I am presenting the attached link to the editorial for your review.

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/sep/1/an-old-soldier-who-wont-fade-away/

General Petraeus is one of our most accomplished General Officers, and has served his country as few others have ever done since our country’s founding. We owe this man a great deal and I am certain he has much to further contribute to our country in the years ahead.

For the record I totally agree with the thrust of the Times editorial and I want to share one of the responses I received from one of my email recipients:

“The king never acknowledges the knight who might be king.” (I do not know the origin of my friend’s line.)

COMMANDER GRANGER

WHO IS MINDING THE STORE?

This morning’s newspapers and morning television news programs contained a lot of talk about the fact that President Obama was “ON THE ROAD AGAIN” with another bus tour. Am I the only one noticing that takes him away from the White House and Washington for yet another three days? It seems to your Commander that when the nation is hurting economically, we are still fighting two wars, now sending troops into another highly questionable African (Uganda) military intervention (note Libya is not over yet), and Americans are hurting by staggering unemployment shouldn’t our president be home tending to his knitting?

This country is 13 months away from the next general election and Mr. Obama has his attention fully focused on his re-election campaign, and he is out flying the wings off Air Force One attending one campaign fund raiser after another usually at the expense of the already over-burdened American taxpayer. Apparently this President does not think it is essential to remember the Oath of Office he took nearly three years ago, and has now directed his attention to renewing his campaign policy of personal destruction of his political opponents instead of remembering his 2007-2009 clarion call for civility and the unification of our differences.

The great divider is returning to his roots as a community organizer in supporting the “Occupy Wall Street” crowd of carefully crafted well-financed civil disobedience gangs roaming across the country. Anyone who thinks or suggests that these demonstrations are spontaneous gatherings of an aroused electorate is in immediate need of mental care and council.

Currently the problems facing this great nation are taking second place to Obama’s major priority to win at all cost, and worry about the nations problems once he guarantees another four years of living on the backs of the over-burdened and abused minority of Americans who still pay the majority of the tax burden. The man currently holding the office of President of the United States is totally different from the man who stood in Grant Park in Chicago November 3, 2008 and made false promises that he never intended to fulfill once he grabbed the brass-ring prize.

The only people left in Washington these days are the criminals, drug dealers, and the poor, because Obama is on the bus, the House is in recess (again), and the Senate is only working a couple days a week, while you and I are hurting due to our government’s “kick the can down the road” attitude.

We have one more chance and only one more to save this country from subversion to Obamaism, and a do-nothing Congress, so you best get off your back-side and get to the polls come November 2012. If you don’t act now then just roll-over and stop complaining because you will have thumbed your nose at the Founding Fathers and every American soldier who gave their lives to protect your life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

COMMANDER GRANGER

ILLINOIS FOOTBALL-HEAD COACH PROBLEMS?

As many of you know I am a graduate of the University of Illinois, a great educational institution which happens to have the distinction of having more Noble Laureates on the faculty than another University. My dear departed father and my son also share the honor of being graduates of that great establishment.

As much I love my alma mater, the loss yesterday to the Ohio State Buckeyes was about the last straw for an arm-chair football fan as far back as I can remember. We Illini fans have suffered through many losing seasons since back in the glory days of 1951. I thought we were on our way to reliving those happy days this year when we went 6-0…until yesterday.

Every single fan in Memorial Stadium and the vast television audience knew Ohio State would throw a touch-down pass late in the 4th quarter except our coach Ron Zook. OSU did…and scored a touchdown assuring an upset victory. I don’t like to see anyone fired, but Zook has been head coach at Illinois since 2005 and experienced sub-standard performances, with the exception of this year.

Along the way he has made many head scratching calls in critical situations, including Saturday’s last Illinois red zone possession, down by 10 points, 4th down and 2, electing to go for the TD rather than the field goal that they would also need.

Zook’s salary is $1.5 million per year and he also receives additional compensation (TV show, endorsements, etc.). The subject of football coaches’ salaries will be the subject of a commentary at another time. Perhaps the U of I Athletic Director, who is over-paid too, should begin to think of life beyond Zook and a coach who can deliver a team that is as least consistently competitive.

Yes, they are now 6-1, but remember those six wins were against only one ranked team (currently #16 Arizona State) and the remaining five were Arkansas State, South Dakota State, Western Michigan, and two Big Ten opponents – Northwestern and Indiana.

Zook is known as a great recruiter, but has a record of not winning big games. Who knows what will happen over the remainder of the season? But it might be the right time to develop a short list of coaches if things really go south.

COMMANDER GRANGER

INTERNET MUST HAVE A SECRET OWNER

After years of puttering around on the internet your Commander has come to the conclusion that the vast successful internet system must have a secret behind-the-scenes owner. Permit me to explain my conclusion.

Frequently when I am on the internet I have reason to print some reference material or print an article that I want to read at my leisure and not while on-line. All too frequently when I do that I think I have an article or reference item that is about one or two pages in length, but I get 10, 20 or even 40 pages of absolutely nothing, comments I did not know were there, or a bunch of unwanted advertising filling those additional pages.

Your Commander has come to the conclusion that there is a conspiracy to kill millions of acres of trees and empty millions of print cartridges that will feed profits to the real owners of the internet and printer companies, which must be paper mills around the world. What do you think?

Upon further reflection I guess I could learn to use the damn computer more efficiently thereby saving a lot of trees in the process and cut the paper companies’ profits significantly. I have, however, learned to utilize both sides of most of my printed paper (save those that have confidential information, which I then shred). This makes me feel at least a little bit smarter in my older age.

Note, this is the kind of commentary old men write when they run out of intelligent subjects to address on a rainy fall autumn morning.

COMMANDER GRANGER

POSSES THEN AND NOW

When I was a young man growing up in Chicago I was a huge fan of the Cowboy and Indian syndicated radio programs that featured the big heroes of the day such as Gene Autry, Tom Mix and Roy Rogers to name a few. When television came along the westerns and other radio programs migrated to the new medium, first in black and white and eventually in color.

When the forces of evil would strike, the local Sheriff would organize a posse to help him go after the bad guys and in some cases to fight off Indians. It should be remembered that the Indians were never given a chance of prevailing, with the exception of General Custer’s ill-advised encounter at the Little Big Horn River. The stories always emphasized that good won out over evil and it was an honor to serve as a member of a posse.

Over the passage of several decades the word ‘posse’ has taken a distinctly different connotation. Today a posse is associated with the hangers-on that prevail around movie stars, sports personalities, drug dealers, politicians, gang members, and phony self-appointed celebrities such as Snooki, the Situation, or the likes of Paris Hilton.

Considering the above, I ask myself …What in the hell has happened to this once great country to now consider the likes of those mentioned above as some one to hold-up as role models and individuals to be respected and idolized. The word posse no longer carries one single ounce of respectability or creditability and is now a word that I find most disturbing and disgusting.

The posse of this century should be shunned and abandoned for the good of this country and the entire planet. Where have respectability, responsibility, creditability and earned achievement gone? In my personal myopic opinion the members of today’s posses should be totally ignored and discredited, because they contribute absolutely nothing to the enjoyment and appreciation of life’s wonderful adventure.

This entire rant has developed out of my recent commentary on the current National Basketball Association owner’s absurd negations with the Players’ Union, but I believe a majority of clear thinking humans will agree with my position to ignore today’s posses and the NBA. It is certainly in the best interest of this country that we return to the original definition of posse and do everything necessary to eliminate, totally ignore, and discredit the current ilk.

COMMANDER GRANGER

CONGRESSIONAL WACKOS SUPPORT WEB GAMBLING

On my daily scan of the internet I found another fall-out-of-my-chair report from Politico.com that exposes the fact that certain Washington based wackos are urging the super-committee to approve virtual internet gambling to boost revenue and create jobs. It is well worth your time to read the shocking details via this link:

http://dyn.politico.com/printstory.cfm?uuid=E5697BA8-2620-42AA-A2FB-427DBC6535DD

Just considering the names attached to this effort are sufficient to send massive alarm signals across the country. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reed (D-NV), Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA), and Rep. Joe Barton (R-TX) are all in support of this nation-wide gambling venture. I suggest that it would be most interesting to determine how much money has floated into the pockets of these three from the gambling special interest PACs.

Repeatedly I have reported the dangers of the proliferation of gambling in America, but it seems to be the easy way out for politicians to enhance their campaign war-chests, and generate new tax revenues so they can buy votes with increases in welfare entitlement programs. Again we have politicians acting in irresponsible ways to find quick solutions to complex problems.

America has been burned numerous times by these politicians and we cannot permit them to run rampant with our economic future with quick-fix deals that we taxpayers will have to bail-out down the road. Hopefully Senator Jon Kyl (R-AZ) and Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI) will prevail with sanity in the super-committee suggestions and resolutions.

COMMANDER GRANGER

OBAMA ORDERS 100 TROOPS TO UGANDA

Your Commander is very concerned with the announcement that President Barack Hussein Obama has sent 100 American special operations troops into Uganda and adjacent African countries to stop the Lord’s Resistance Army. This band of killers has been running around parts of Africa for years and has been indicted by The International Criminal court on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Here are the details in an article that is heavy on rationalizing Obama’s action from The Washington Post:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/small-us-force-to-deploy-to-uganda-aid-fight-against-lords-resistance-army/2011/10/14/gIQAyDOvkL_print.html

There are numerous articles in other media outlets such as The Hill.com and Politico.com, but most of them simply announce the decision and action.

Personally your Commander is deeply concerned that this commitment has a very similar sound to the one we heard decades ago when then President John F. Kennedy sent Green Berets into Viet Nam to train and assist the South Viet Nam government, and you know what happened from that decision. I ask the question, why are we sending troops in a second time to Uganda to resolve the actions of mad-man Joseph Kony?

Where are the United Nations, NATO or any of the many African countries who have a far greater national interest than the United States? Already it has been announced that our troops have the authorization to deploy into South Sudan, the Central African Republic and Congo. I suggest here we go again sticking our nose into someone’s business that should be the responsibility of regional authorities. Why is the USA taking on another very expensive military venture?

Why can’t the vast oil revenues flowing into many corrupt African countries be directed to resolving this African problem? We have already wasted $40 million since 2008 with Central African governments in an attempt to address this issue. Now we are going in again for God knows how much more money and American lives.

Of deep concern to your Commander is President Obama’s attention to solving international problems before addressing ours and this action is a perfect example. My thesis is supported by Dr. Charles Krauthammer’s reported thoughts that Obama does not see himself as President of the United States, but more as a ruler over the world.

Your Commander contends that President Obama should tend to his knitting right here in the USA. It is clearly time to address the lingering economic havoc that exists and the staggering unemployment statistics that he promised would be solved by his economic stimulus package, which has proven to be a failure. I do not want to see one more American soldier killed or wounded nation-building in some God-forsaken land when we have important business to attend to right here in our own country.

Your priorities, Mr. President, are being exposed by your actions and personal agenda of self-aggrandizement.

COMMANDER GRANGER

NBA GAMES CANCELLED - WHO CARES?

With the announcement that the first two weeks of the National Basketball Association’s season is being cancelled, because the Player’s Union and the NBA Team Owners cannot reach a new contract agreement, there is a very appropriate opinion article on the Townhall.com web site.

http://townhall.com/columnists/benshapiro/2011/10/12/how_players_unions_are_killing_sports/page/full/

It is your Commander’s personal opinion that Ben Shapiro’s article hits the nail on the head, and I could care less if the NBA plays any games in the coming year. It is totally the fault of the Players’ Union and its spoiled, over-paid members that this impasse has developed, but the Owners are not without blame either. The Owners agreed over a long period of time to pamper and pay excessive and obscene amounts of money to the players, which then caused the fans to pay ridiculous ticket prices.

The only way this problem will be resolved is for the fans to wake-up and stop buying tickets for the over-priced games. When the ticket sales falter the message will be sent loud and clear. The business model in all sports is being broken, and quickly reaching an irreparable level.

It would be wise to let these pampered players go overseas to play for lesser amounts of money with their unruly, blood-sucking posses. Quickly they will find that living in a foreign country is not all it is cracked-up to be, especially when the legal systems puts them in the slammer and not permit them to buy their way out of their frequent troubles.

Sports in general are facing a day of reckoning across the board, because excessive profits and greed are dictating ticket prices that are over-the-top. Someday somebody is going to understand that there is just so much milk in the cow, and I believe we are very close to the point that we just may see attendance beginning to erode. Just consider the influence of financial greed has had in the restructuring of collegiate football conferences and my point is established.

As far as your Commander is concerned all sports fans would be best served in the long-run if the entire NBA season were cancelled. You will quickly see those pampered players demanding their overpaid Union leadership get back to the table with the team owners. I would hope the Owners have the foresight to tell the pups to go back to Europe and find a job that pays them what they are really worth…much less for just playing a game.

It would be wise for both sides in this fandango to remember the ancient Chinese proverb; “A rat who gnaws at a cat’s tail invites destruction.”

COMMANDER GRANGER

OVERTIME AND EXTRA INNINGS START TODAY

Today is a huge day in the life of your Commander, because I am celebrating my 80th birthday. There is a saying that goes, “If I had known I would live this long, I would have taken better care of myself.”, but that certainly does not apply to me because I would not change one thing. It has thus far been one magnificent journey.

Of course I would strongly suggest that if you drink alcohol or smoke, both of which I once did, you would be wise to stop and stop immediately, because it is a proven fact that it will impact your quality of life, especially if you are successful in reaching the extra innings of life. It would be prudent to not push your luck.

I am extremely fortunate to have been born here in the United States of America to two wonderful and loving parents who also provided me with good genes for long-life, which they experienced too. My dad died in 1976 at age 83 and mom passed away in 1998 at age 94. Can you imagine having been born and raised in some place like Afghanistan or remote China? There is much to be thankful for despite the numerous challenges we face on a daily basis.

I appreciate my good fortune, my parent’s sacrifices, my wonderful education and over 40 years in the broadcast profession during its golden years. During these many years I have been blessed with a loving wife, wonderful children, terrific grand-children that make me proud each and every day, and many great friends.

Permit me to suggest you read a very appropriate article that appeared in today’s edition of USA Today “A birthday dogs me, but that’s not a bad thing” at the link below:

http://www.usatoday.com/life/columnist/finalword/story/2011-10-11/craig-wilson-final-word-birthdays/50735792/1

I know not how many extra-innings or over-time will be allotted to me, but I will give it all my energies, because I intend to make this one hell of a good game as long as I can swing the bat. Whenever it ends I will know that it has been a magnificent adventure filled with thousands of wondrous experiences and enjoyments of love from those who participated in my life’s journey. Thanks to all who have shared in this adventure. God willing, there are many innings yet to be played.

COMMANDER GRANGER

ERIC HOLDER, OBAMA'S ALBATROSS

That is the title to a very revealing article that summarizes the failures of Attorney General Eric Holder that appeared in the pages of The Washington Post yesterday. Here is a link that outlines all the gory details:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/eric-holder-obamas-albatross/2011/10/10/gIQA5u8IaL_print.html

As the article documents, it is totally apparent that Eric Holder is a heavy weight around the neck of President Barack Hussein Obama’s administration. Holder’s total incompetence is clearly specified and apparently Obama’s stubborn attitude and arrogance permits Holder to retain his lofty appointed position to head the Justice Department of this country.

When you logically review this report it is easy to question just what Eric Holder knows or holds over Obama’s head that prevents him from taking the obvious appropriate action to fire Holder immediately. Any lawyer who fails to conduct thorough due diligence is a danger to his clients and in this case, a nation.

COMMANDER GRANGER

SADNESS AGAIN IN 3s

By everything that seems holy and logical I should be one of the happiest individuals in the world, because tomorrow I will celebrate my 80th birthday. Unfortunately, events of the past few weeks have brought a sorrow that is heart felt and has cast a long shadow over this utterly beautiful autumn season.

Less than two months ago my dear cousin Patty (a non-smoker and teetotaler) passed away at age 67 after bravely fighting her six month battle with lung and liver cancer. Her passing was anticipated considering her illness, and it undoubtedly brought her a blessed relief from what was a very difficult period. Her family continues to struggle with her passing given her vitality, good humor, and loving and caring way prior to her illness.

Less than three weeks later the family again gathered when Patty’s mother, my aunt, passed away at age 95 following many years in a retirement home and failing health. Sad as that was we were happy that she enjoyed a long life with her large loving extended family.

No sooner did I begin to continue with daily life and word arrived earlier this week that a close friend and business associate had been stricken with a severe stroke. Within days my 82 year old pal Harry passed from this earthly place to his eternal rest. Today my Tuesday luncheon group (aka Pathetic Golf League or PGL) met sadly and saluted his empty chair remembering that he had broken bread with us just two short weeks ago.

Harry was one of those rare individuals who was liked by one and all and had a marvelous sense of humor with a twinkle in his eyes that will be long remembered. In his many years in the broadcasting business he achieved heights that few attain and he impacted the lives of hundreds of his young students at Notre Dame toward successful careers in the communications field that serves millions across the country today.

So, within a short span I lost two close relatives and one dear friend. Their passing has affected me significantly, and I have said quietly to myself in their memory that wonderful Irish Blessing that says:

May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rains fall soft upon your fields and,
Until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of his hand.

Why does it seem that we lose those close to us in 3s?

COMMANDER GRANGER

OUT OF THE MOUTHS OF BABES

If you’re as old as your Commander you may remember the wonderful early days of television and a program hosted by Art Linkletter where he talked with young children. Their responses made television history along with strong ratings during a time when we all lived in a less tense world.

I recently received via email from a friend the following hysterical jewels. Below are a wonderful series of responses from young children that proves our youth have far greater intelligence than we tend to grant them during their formative years.

Absolutely Priceless !!!!!!!!!! Enjoy

A 1st grade school teacher had twenty-six students in her class. She presented each child in her classroom the 1st half of a well-known proverb and asked them to come up with the remainder of the proverb. It's hard to believe these were actually done by first graders. Their insight may surprise you. While reading, keep in mind that these are first-graders, 6-year-olds, because the last one is a classic!

1. Don't change horses...Until they stop running.

2. Strike while the...Bug is close.

3. It's always darkest before...Daylight Saving Time.

4. Never underestimate the power of...Termites.

5. You can lead a horse to water but...how?

6. Don't bite the hand that...looks dirty.

7. No news is...impossible.

8. A miss is as good as a...Mr.

9. You can't teach an old dog new...math.

10. If you lie down with dogs, you'll...stink in the morning.

11. Love all, trust...me.

12. The pen is mightier than the...pigs.

13. An idle mind is...the best way to relax.

14. Where there's smoke there's...pollution.

15. Happy the bride who...gets all the presents.

16. A penny saved is...not much.

17. Two's company, three's...the Musketeers.

18. Don't put off till tomorrow what...you put on to go to bed.

19. Laugh and the whole world laughs with you, cry and...you have to blow your nose.

20. There are none so blind as...Stevie Wonder.

21. Children should be seen and not...spanked or grounded.

22. If at first you don't succeed...get new batteries.

23. You get out of something only what you...see in the picture on the box.

24. When the blind lead the blind...get out of the way.

25. A bird in the hand...is going to poop on you.

And the WINNER and last one!

26. Better late than...pregnant.



Attribution to:
Dr. Edward J. Neugaard
Professor Emeritus
University of South Florida
Tampa, FL 33620
Tel. (813) 932-3556

Permit me to suggest that we are never too old to learn from the clear wisdom of an untarnished young mind.

COMMANDER GRANGER

CAROL MOSELEY BRAUN CON - PART II

Here we go again with another article from Carol Marin in the Chicago Sun-Times regarding the latest scandal surrounding the ex-US Senator Carol Moseley Braun (D-IL). Here is the link:

http://www.suntimes.com/news/marin/7964953-452/braun-throws-pal-under-the-bus-over-campaign-expenditure-filings.html?print=true

Apparently Braun has a long history of disregarding the ethics that should be a given in political integrity. How an individual with so many disturbing stories can survive so long in politics is beyond my understanding.

Hopefully, Marin’s article will embarrass the authorities in Illinois to finally take some definitive action and bring this crook to justice. Hope springs eternal.

COMMANDER GRANGER

OCCUPY WALL STREET - A CLASSIC TRANSFERENCE CON

Massive, highly organized, and well financed demonstrations are occurring across the country and in my opinion they represent a perfect example of transference to divert the electorate’s attention from the problems facing President Obama and the Democrat Party. Just consider who is behind these Occupy Wall Street gatherings: MoveOn.org, the Teamster’s Union, the Service Employee’s International Union, George Soros, and several other groups that thrive with the support of the current sympathetic administration and the Democrat Party votes (think ACORN).

With President Barack Hussein Obama’s support continuing to fall in the polls, unemployment hovering around 9.1%, and a strong campaign challenge being formed by the Republican Party, I believe the current demonstrations are all meant to divert attention away from the President’s problems, and cast the Republican’s and their candidates as the villains.

When questioned, many of those demonstrating cannot render a coherent reason for their participation. The main-stream media is granting the demonstrators a major forum with constant video on the major national newscasts, but few if any call attention to the fact that the Democrat Party was responsible for the legislation that led to the collapse of the financial institutions, the failure of over-sight by a Democrat controlled Congress, the failure of Congressional pressures from Senators Durbin (D-IL) and Dodd (D-CT), and Rep. Frank (D-MA). Why were Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, AIG, and other financial institutions urged to grant loans to individuals who had little or no ability to repay their debt?

These demonstrations are an old political trick that has been around for years and we have seen it work time and time again. When you tell a lie enough times, people will believe it. The banks and Wall Street are not the cause of the current financial problems being faced by this country, because it was the utter failure of Presidential and Congressional leadership to adequately provide proper over-sight and appropriate controls.

All these demonstrations redirect the electorate’s attention from the current problems facing the Obama administration, such as illegal immigration, Operation Fast and Furious, growing $14.5 trillion federal debt, staggering 9.1% unemployment, Obamacare, considerable growth of government employment, and massive spending under Obama, etc.

Obama’s cohorts were successful in his first campaign using transference effectively and they are doing it again. Wake-up America! You are being used and abused and diverted from the significant issues of the day so Obama’s re-election chances are enhanced by diverting our attention away from the important issues of the day with a phony, divisive, well-organized and financed nation-wide mob action.

COMMANDER GRANGER

IRAQ 2011 - AMERICA'S NEW MARSHALL PLAN

I was struck by an October 7th article in The Washington Post that carried the headline “STATE DEPARTMENT READIES IRAQ OPERATIONS, ITS BIGGEST SINCE MARSHALL PLAN.” The article’s details sent a shock wave up my spine. I urge you to take the time to read the article at this link, because the information presents a story that until now has not been available to the public in our national media outlets.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/state-department-readies-iraq-operation-its-biggest-since-marshall-plan/2011/10/05/gIQAzRruTL_print.html

After reading the amazing facts and financial statistics, I did some research. Wikipedia provided a piece on the Iraq War some 52 pages long! If you are interested in checking out the historical information here, here is the link:

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

Let me be specific, I am referring to the war that started with our American troops’ invasion of lraq on March 20, 2003 as Operation Iraqi Freedom or the Second Gulf War.

Back to the Post article; I had never heard that our State Department plans to spend $6 billion in Iraq in 2012 alone. When did we decide to send 16,000 civilians into Iraq to conduct affairs such as security and construction under a plan similar to the massive Marshall Plan that reconstructed Europe following World War II?

I thought we were leaving Iraq and mission was accomplished with the functioning Iraqi government and military able to address their needs with only a very small U.S. military contingent. President Barack Hussein Obama has never mentioned or even suggested this type of involvement or massive expenditure, perhaps because it is political dynamite.

The insertion of 16,000 civilians in addition to whatever military personnel we will leave is the equivalent of a full military division. Where is the money coming from to pay for this venture? Apparently the American military mission has not been as successful as we have been sold and told. I ask the question where is the United Nations and/or NATO when it comes to participating in this folly?

It will be up to historians to address whether it was appropriate to even go into Iraq in the first place. I do believe there were weapons of mass destruction and also believe that the Sadam Hussein regime was an international danger to world order. Remember, Hussein used chemical weapons on his own people, the Kurds.

In the meantime, what in the hell are we getting ourselves into now with this latest State Department hair-brained plan that is certainly going to cost this country many times the announced $6 billion dollar outlay. Will this madness ever end? When will the USA recognize that Iraq is a hole without a bottom when it comes to wasting our money and our nation’s long-term interests?

It is time for President Obama to face the nation and tell us how he can justify this action. I bet he does not want to talk about this until after November, 2012.

COMMANDER GRANGER

JESSE JACKSON-KING OF THE HYPROCRITES

About ten days ago while scanning various internet news sites, I ran across an article on Politico.com exposing the total hypocrisy of the legendary con-man Rev. Jesse Jackson. He has been conning businessmen across the country under the cover of his bogus civil-rights front organization, Operation Push. Based in Chicago, Jackson and Operation Push operate in one of the most politically corrupt cities in the USA.

http://dyn.politico.com/printstory.cfm?uuid=B5B3C6C8-0AF2-4EA8-AADF-902D910F2254

From the link above, you will note that Jackson objects to the comments of Republican candidate Herman Cain, who has a long reputation of calling it like it as he sees it when discussing politics. Jackson, who has been extorting money from profitable business ventures across the nation for decades, has the utter gall to question Cain’s long established record of attempting to raise the black race out of poverty. For years Jackson has done nothing but thrive on playing the race card and racial divisiveness.

In my opinion, The Rev. Jesse Jackson has earned a justified reputation as “King of the Hypocrites,” and does not deserve to receive so much as one line of press coverage promoting his decades of prospering on the backs of his fellow black race.

COMMANDER GRANGER

CHINESE PROVERBS

The other day I treated myself to a great lunch at my favorite local Chinese restaurant, and at the end of the meal I was awarded the usual Chinese fortune cookie. I have long felt that the fortune cookie was a great gimmick that brought smiles to the faces of young and old alike.

My fortune cookie had a great Chinese proverb, which was “Humor is an affirmation of dignity.” Well said, and something all can use to enhance our daily lives.

With that in mind I chose to do a Google search on the subject of Chinese Proverbs and found a treasure trove, which I want to share with you via this link:

http://www.quotationspage.com/quotes/Chinese_Proverb/

Your Commander especially liked “A book is like a garden carried in the pocket” and “A filthy mouth will not utter decent language.”

You might also enjoy the Chinese Proverbs quoted here:

http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Chinese_proverbs

These ten pages of proverbs are a wonderful composite, and represent a plethora of sound advice to guide life’s adventures.

I particularly enjoyed, “When the tree falls, the monkeys scatter” and “Wealth does not pass three generations.”

It is important to remember that these words do not emanate from the current century, but from an ancient time that still resonates within the Chinese culture. The China of today still holds the family unit in very high regard, places great emphasis on education, and the elderly are protected and treated with great respect. Do you suppose these virtues contribute to China’s cultural revival and their current booming economy?

COMMANDER GRANGER

AMANDA KNOX SAGA IS TROUBLING

While every single newspaper and electronic media outlet are running constant coverage on the return of Amanda Knox to Seattle from years of confinement in Italy your Commander is troubled. While the world-wide media treats Knox as a returning heroine released from an inept Italian court system and jail, the fact remains that a young girl and former Knox roommate, Meredith Kercher, is dead. No one seems to be paying attention at this time to addressing a thorough re-investigation and resolution of that vicious criminal incident.

Everyone is concerned about which American television network will get the first exclusive interview with Amanda Knox, who will get the book deal, who will get movie rights about the incident, etc. What is missing is the question that keeps coming to my mind: I do not believe that Amanda Knox is totally innocent in this case. Do you?

Literally millions of dollars have been spent and families have been destroyed by a vicious action by one or more individuals, but the real answers remain to be revealed. In the meantime, I would prefer to see this young woman left alone, and not exploited into some rock-star like status until all the answers are known, beyond a reasonable doubt.

Whatever happened that night in Perugia, Italy back in 2009 only Amanda and her boyfriend Rafaele Sollecito really know. There is great doubt in my mind that Amanda Knox is totally innocent, but only she and perhaps Sollecito know that. I believe Knox knows something about this crime. I suggest that it would be totally inappropriate to jump to conclusions, but we should permit Knox to live with her innocence or guilt. We and the media should stay out of this story.

Amanda Knox has paid a terrible price for that night, and she will continue to pay a devastating penalty for that night in Perugia the rest of her life. Only God can judge and apply the appropriate consequences to this disturbing incident. Considering we do not really know all the facts in this tragic case, who are we to judge?

COMMANDER GRANGER