Wednesday, November 30, 2011

SEQUESTRATION-CAN IT SAVE TRILLIONS

With the failure of the Super Committee and the previous Simpson/Bowles Debt Reduction Commission appointed by President Obama due to political gridlock, we now have “sequestration”, which has stirred great concern across the country and within the Halls of a do-nothing Congress. With a President more interested in his re-election than the deep issues confronting the nation, we must urge our reluctant Congressional representatives to act bravely and firmly before the axe falls sharply upon our national economy.

The definition of sequestration in this case is, “confiscation of property, as by court or government action.” What will be confiscated are dollars from government budget line items, which means that half of the $1.2 million in expense will be cut from the Defense Department.

We and Congress have kicked the can down the road so long we now must address several previously untouched issues, because there is no longer any alternative. Cuts in expenditures must be made and they must be made soon.
Issues such as Immigration, Social Security, and Obama-care must be changed, but the hot-button issue getting all the attention currently is National Defense and cuts to the Pentagon budget. That is a highly emotional subject just like the ones I noted earlier.

I have addressed Defense spending previously, and know from first-hand experience, as every single veteran knows, that we can cut waste, fraud and corruption in Defense spending and not lose one iota of defense readiness.
That would save billions of dollars, but we must save trillions ASAP, and I am going to make a suggestion that will cause a huge emotional negative reaction from many of my readers, but it is doable and logical.

There is absolutely no reason for the United States of America to fund, supply and support five separate distinct branches of our military. We should unify the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines and Coast Guard into two distinct units, namely the Army and the Navy. Currently we have five separate units operating five different air operations, with five different supply units, five different uniforms, five different budgets that overlap the same objective.

After you take the emotional opposition out of the argument there are obviously billions of dollars in savings that can occur, and many of the under utilized facilities domestically and internationally can be unified with immediate greater efficiency and effectiveness.

Our federal government has never been run with the efficiencies and cost-controls that exist in private industry and those efficiencies must be forced upon our military and government operations ASAP. We have to require the political leadership to make these hard decisions and get our country back on a sound economic balance sheet.

Just consider all the under-utilized buildings that our government owns and maintains. Consider the millions of acres of land owned by the federal government and the substantially under-utilized acres of land that exist on our military installations. Selling off unneeded and unused land and getting it on the tax rolls only makes sense, but some one must have the guts to face these issues despite the well-known special interest lobby efforts that will quickly spring forth.

Remember our five-star General of the Armies, and later President Dwight Eisenhower warned us of the dangers of the Military Industrial Complex shortly after he left office. Many of the essential services of government must be preserved, but first we must get our financial house in order or nothing will exist if all our institutions collapse because our elected officials did not act responsibly. If you look into the mirror you know I am correct in my conclusions, but no one enjoys facing the cold hard facts of the day.

We are all guilty of kicking the can down the road, and we have been spoiled and bought-off by persuasive political forces, including lobbyists, but we must now suck it up and pay the price for having it good for far too long without keeping an eye on our federal check book. We trusted Congress to do that, and they cannot be trusted in this day and age.

I think our last chance to achieve an improvement in our economy and our national finances may be with the adoption of the Simpson/Bowles Commission Report.

COMMANDER GRANGER

DARE THE DEMOCRATS

The title listed for Dr. Charles Krauthammer’s recent column was called “The Grover Norquist myth”, but I think it should have been DARE THE DEMOCRATS. Krauthammer’s insightful column elequently notes that the Democrat spin machine has been effective, but he proves without any doubt that it is the Democrats who have failed to even present a budget plan over the past 2 ½ years. Here is the link:

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2011-11-28/news/ct-oped-1128-krauthammer-20111128-20_1_tax-revenue-tax-rates-tax-reform

This opinion piece proposes an important suggestion by urging the Republicans to force a vote on the Simpson/Bowles report in the House. The key point of Krauthammer’s thesis is in his closing paragraph when he states, “Dare the Senate Democrats to vote down the grandest of all bargains. Dare Obama to veto his own debt commission. Dare the Democrats to actually do something about debt.”

When are the Republicans going to force the truth to come forth and out-maneuver the Democrats and their complicit simpatico main-stream media pals?

COMMANDER GRANGER

OCCUPY POSTER OF THE DAY

In my email today I received a wonderful example of the shallow misdirected foolishness that permeates the Occupy Wall Street Movement. A young woman at the OWS site in New York was holding a sign (to the best of my knowledge the sign was not photo shopped). It said:

$96,000 for a BA in Hispanic transgender gay & lesbian studies and I can’t find work!

Now I ask you, why do you suppose she can’t find a job? Let us start by questioning why the school even offered such a degree, and why the guidance counselor suggested or permitted this course of study, and why a bank would approve the accompanying loans for this particular student when there were few if any jobs in this course of study? It is apparent that our universities and colleges are not serving their students’ best interests, but presenting courses that support politically correct or politically sympathetic agendas of the facility.

This demonstrator should be holding up that sign in front of the university or college she attended asking the same question of them. Maybe they should hire her, but that action would end up costing the American taxpayers to support another scholastic program that leads to nowhere.

I suspect this misguided young adult is only qualified to open a coffee shop for Hispanic transgender gay & lesbian students, but little else. I think I am having another Howard Beale moment…”I’M MAD AS HELL AND I’M NOT GOING TO TAKE IT ANYMORE!”

COMMANDER GRANGER

Sunday, November 27, 2011

BOOK REVIEW - KILLING LINCOLN

Since completing the Bill O’Reilly and Martin Dugard best-selling book “Killing Lincoln”, I have given considerable thought toward this review of the extremely sad story surrounding the assassination of one of the most famous presidents in the history of the United States of America. I must note that I believe a person who is 80 years old will be affected differently when reading this book than an individual of a much younger age. At my advanced age the subject of death is one I prefer to avoid and not dwell upon, although I recognize that it is inevitable.

That being said, I strongly recommend that all ages read “Killing Lincoln”, because it certainly brings forward many long forgotten facts surrounding this devastating event. While some have challenged certain details disclosed in the book, I suspect some of that is due to the strong sentiments individuals hold regarding Bill O’Reilly.

Permit me to suggest that there is great value in understanding all the subsequent actions that occurred as a result of Lincoln’s assassination, such as the creation of the Secret Service, the restriction of public entrance within the White House, and the importance of the vetting process for the Vice-Presidential candidate in subsequent elections.

The authors have written a book that is very easy to read, and with short chapters it is one that you can read for a short period and then pick-up again quite easily. The book is a worthy read or it would not have been able to sustain its long tenure on the better best-seller lists across the country.

Lastly, I wonder how different our country would be today had we had the leadership and direction of Abraham Lincoln as our president for the remainder of at least his second term (remember that the presidential two term limit did not occur until the late 1940s). Certainly the re-unification of the North and South after the Civil War would have been a priority under Lincoln’s leadership, but did not occur under his inept successor, Andrew Johnson.

Tragically, we will never know all the answers, and we must trust historians for direction and understanding as O’Reilly and Dugard have done so effectively in this book.

COMMANDER GRANGER

PRIVATIZE THE NATION'S MAIL DELIVERY

Here I go again addressing the sad financial state of the U.S. Postal Service. You may remember that your Commander has addressed this subject on numerous occasions, and has long suggested that the business model of the Post Office has changed forever and it should be privatized.

At my advanced age I find it most rewarding when I find someone else who carries an opinion identical to mine, and thus I draw your attention to a recent George F. Will column.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/privatize-the-nations-mail-delivery/2011/11/23/gIQAe2J7wN_print.html

Once you take the emotion out of this conversation the answer is obvious as clearly stated by Will in this opinion piece. Now we have to wonder just how long Congress will take to implement the appropriate action, and save the country billions of additional wasted dollars.

COMMANDER GRANGER

IGNORE ELIOT SPITZER

Yes, the name of Eliot Spitzer, the disgraced former Governor of New York, has popped up in a sympathetic article in the weekend edition of Politico.com. Any suggestion that Spitzer can or should re-enter the political scene is utter nonsense and should be simply ignored before it gains any traction.

If you have nothing better to do, spend fifteen minutes reading the Politico.com article. Here is the link for your use:

http://dyn.politico.com/printstory.cfm?uuid=BFE9147E-80C3-4867-8090-DAF4E21EE788

As the article notes Spitzer and the Occupy Wall Street movement have found each other. That should be sufficient reason to ignore him again just as he was by the electorate after being exposed and shamed in a prostitution scandal that caused him to step down as Governor of New York and his failed attempt as a cable talk show host on CNN. The thought that Spitzer has even the slightest thought of returning to politics is sickening and again, as I did many months ago, I recommend that he be shunned for all time.

Seeing Spitzer extend his support to the Occupy Wall Street movement reminds me of the old expression “Birds of a feather stick together.”

COMMANDER GRANGER

UNIONS AND POLITICS

Over the holiday weekend I had an opportunity to read a very interesting and reflective interview with Fred Siegel, an economic historian of the American city, written by Matthew Kaminski on The Wall Street Journal web site. Siegel discusses “how government unions came to dominate state and local politics.” Here is the link:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203716204577016092542307600.html?mod=WSJ_hp_mostpop_read#printMode

This article really puts the current economic problems into a simple and easy to understand explanation by an experienced economist who has strong ties to a socialist environment within his family. I have never heard our current problems explained so logically and I hope you find this to have been a valuable experience to better understanding just what we must do to improve our economy in the near term.

The resolution is political dynamite, but it must be confronted because we simply do not have the funds to continue paying the unfunded union pensions that our government officials authorized to garner union voter support. Only strong leadership will solve our current economic debacle, but the day of reckoning must now be faced head-on, because the alternative is unacceptable to both political parties.

When you read articles with such substance as this one, it is easy to understand why The Wall Street Journal is so highly regarded.

COMMANDER GRANGER

Saturday, November 26, 2011

NBA - THE GRINCH TRIES TO STEAL CHRISTMAS

On October 13th I wrote a commentary stating I could care less if the National Basketball Association played any game of the 2011/2012 season. Now word has been released that the spoiled and over-paid players and the bloated rich-cats who own the teams have reached a tentative agreement to resume play with three separate games scheduled Christmas Day. (All NBA, all Christmas Day.)

It might be a wonderful way to disrupt and spoil a beautiful day for families who celebrate the joys of life and the Christmas story, but I hope no one cares and no one watches. I believe the NBA wants to come back as ‘the Grinch Spoiling Christmas 2012.’ This is the essence of misplaced values. Sad, but true.

You might want to view the attached You Tube video parody relative to this fiasco. If it wasn’t so close to the truth it would be really funny.

http://www.wtam.com/pages/bfrantz.html?article=9407224

Need I say more?

COMMANDER GRANGER

Friday, November 25, 2011

MEDIA FUELS OCCUPY WALL ST. MOVEMENT

Repeatedly I have expressed my negative reaction to the Occupy Wall Street movement and its motivation. I have noted complicity between the “OWS” participants, and the main-stream media including radio, television and newspaper coverage.

Media outlets across the country are outraged with the pepper spray incident at the University of California/Davis that is often mentioned and video aired with little or no acknowledgement of the activities that lead up to the action by campus Police. Shepard Smith on Fox News Channel went ballistic criticizing the Police involved before he knew anything about the incident, except the brief video feed from the local Fox affiliate showing the protestors being pepper sprayed from point blank range.

When viewing OWS demonstrations have you ever asked yourself: Why do the participants feel they must mask their faces. What are they ashamed of and why do they not have the guts to be recognized. What are they hiding?

Lately, good solid reporting by print and broadcast journalists is long on sensationalism and short on solid facts, because their approach is quick and cheap. Good and accurate journalism is costly and time consuming and that is not what we are getting in today’s stringent economy.

I know from what I speak, because I was on the management side of the industry in the good old days when the business of journalism made an excellent profit and could afford to do the job correctly. Now the old expression, “If it bleeds it leads” is very much in vogue for both print and electronic media outlets. Then add the very real liberal vent that is prevalent in newsrooms across America today and the public is being fed a biased, one side view of the issues.

CNSnews.com reports that according to an Associated Press survey the OWS movement has cost the nation’s cities $13 million dollars in over-time expense for Police Department and other municipal services in just two months. One must wonder how the OWS organizers can justify that expense when they are so critical of government and bank actions.

Beware of what you’re getting from media today. Question what you’re seeing and reading and look for responsible sources of your information before your react. If the cameras and reporters were to ignore OWS, the movement would likely fold 24-48 hours.

COMMANDER GRANGER

Thursday, November 24, 2011

INDIANA LEGISLATURE FACES DIVISION IN 2012

Do you remember when the Democrat Party members of the Indiana State Legislature walked-out in early 2011 and fled to Danville, Illinois preventing a quorum which avoided any vote on anti-labor legislation? Well based upon reports emanating from Indianapolis the brief 2012 General Assembly session is headed for a confrontation when they push “Right to Work” legislation.

Legendary blow-hard State Democrat Minority Leader B. Patrick Bauer, who wears the worst rug in Indiana, promises stiff opposition due to the Democrat Party’s strong union support. To bring yourself up to date on this important issue you can take a look at a South Bend Tribune article at this link:

http://www.southbendtribune.com/sbt-assembly-likely-faces-more-division-20111122,0,4102368,print.story

Despite the strength of the union movement in Indiana the early reports of a poll in the South Bend Tribune are both surprising and interesting. After only two days the poll indicates that 59% of the participants support “Right to Work” legislation, and 41% are opposed. Clearly the extremely high levels of unemployment in Indiana may be causing the Hoosier citizens to favor State legislative action that could enhance the chance of improving employment opportunities through successful economic development.

It does not take an intellectual to predict that this next General Assembly session is going to get contentious, because if the union movement loses this battle its future is certainly in jeopardy of fading out of existence. For the record I favor “Right to work” legislation, because it has been successful where it exists in 23 other States around the USA.

Indiana and the entire country needs to create jobs, which will increase tax revenues, and if “Right to work” creates jobs then we would be fools not to endorse such a plan.

COMMANDER GRANGER

DYSFUNCTIONAL GOVERNANCE

On this day when we give thanks for the many blessing that have been bestowed upon us, I felt it appropriate to search for a better understanding as to why our governance has become so dysfunctional. Permit me to draw your attention to a very reflective article by Holman W. Jenkins Jr. that I found on The Wall Street Journal web site.

The title “If Only Obama Had Been This Guy” is supported by the sub-headline ‘Carter at least did not substitute his priorities for the nation’s’. This article goes to the heart of the necessity for leadership in Washington.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204443404577054141769215880.html?mod=WSJ_hp_mostpop_read#printMode

Hopefully on this day of consideration a growing number of our fellow Americans will become involved in requiring our government officials to address the important issues of the day as opposed to ranking their selfish, egotistically driven re-election goals their first priority. When our elected officials took their sworn Oath of Office how can they ignore those very clearly specified objectives?

Your Commander cannot think of anything more important for all of us to contemplate on this day of reflection than honest, prioritized, good governance.

COMMANDER GRANGER

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

IMPORTANT - WHO IS GROVER NORQUIST?

The timing of the CBS 60 Minutes segment Sunday 11/20 on Grover Norquist was brilliant, because it exposed his personal responsibility for the failure of the Special Congressional Debt Committee to reach any agreement in reducing our national debt obligations. To say that Norquist is a controversial figure is a massive understatement. In an effort to better understand just who and what Grover Norquist is, I have done some research and I urge you to read the attached links so you too can assess Norquist more accurately.

When I read this Wikipedia article I certainly learned some interesting background facts about this very influential lobbyist:

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

That article directly addresses and supports the suggestion of retired Senator Alan Simpson (R-WY) who said, “It’s time to peel all the layers of the onion off of Grover Norquist.” I agree with that statement after reading the Wikipedia details of his past.

Take a look at the Oath of Office that our United States Senators and members of the House of Representatives are required to take upon their election, which is required by the Sixth Article of our Constitution:

“I, ______, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion, and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God.”

Now review the Taxpayer Protection Pledge that Norquist succeeded in having 267 Representatives and 41 Senators take:

“I,_____, pledge to the taxpayers of the ____th district of the state of ________ and to the American people that I will ONE, oppose any and all efforts to increase the marginal income tax rate for individuals, and businesses, and TWO, oppose any net reduction or elimination of deductions and credits, unless matched dollar for dollar by further reducing tax rates.”

In the interest of full disclosure I urge you to take a look at this link that specifies each and every member of the Senate and House who signed Norquist’s pledge:

http://s3.amazonaws.com/atrfiles/files/files/Federal%20Pledge%20Signers%20112th%20Congress(2).pdf

I draw your attention to the fact that 6 GOP House members and 7 GOP Senators declined to sign the pledge and note that 2 Democrat House members and 1 Democrat Senator signed the pledge.

In a separate commentary I intend to address my deep concerns about our current tax code, but I believe the signers of Norquist’s anti-tax pledge have abrogated the specific requisites of their Oath of Office. Your Commander does not feel a member of the House or Senate can take a federal oath “take this obligation freely, without any mental reservations or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office” when he or she in a pledge to a man or lobbying organization to ‘never’ raise taxes.

Your Commander further feels that Norquist is an egotistical opportunist who has attached himself to an emotionally charged con-job in the form of the Americans for Tax Reform movement that provides him with a healthy financial gain similar to the Jack Abramoff transgressions. Having been fortunate to have lived over 80 years, I know it is prudent to never say “NEVER” to anything.

I totally agree that our country desperately needs substantial tax reform to bring about a fairer distribution of personal and corporate tax liabilities. It is also absolutely essential to always have options available to our law makers to address any eventuality such as funding emergencies and sudden national defense issues. Any elected official who signed the Norquist pledge has abrogated their Oath, and should not be re-elected.

The Super Committee should have reached some agreement, and President Obama should have supported and urged legislation based upon the reasonable recommendations of the earlier Simpson/Bowles Debt Reduction Commission. As a result of the failure of the Special Committee and its inability to put a number of Simpson/Bowles Commission conclusions into its recommendations we have a falling stock market and are now in danger of another credit rating demotion and real economic chaos.

In conclusion, beware of Grover Norquist, because I consider him to be dangerous for the economic health of our country, and he could destroy the entire Republican Party, if they do not do it to themselves.

COMMANDER GRANGER

THE HILLARY MOMENT

I try not to address the same subject in the same month, but having read an interesting opinion piece in The Wall Street Journal titled “The Hillary Moment”, and having recently presented my comments (11/11/11) on the same subject, I feel compelled to return to the same issue. If you missed it here is a link to noted Democrat pundits Patrick H. Caddell and Douglas E. Schoen’s opinion piece:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203611404577041950781477944.html?mod=googlenews_wsj#printMode

Allow me to pat my self on the back, I beat Caddell and Schoen to publication and we addressed the same subject from different angles. I feared Hillary would be the 2012 Democrat candidate, and Caddell and Schoen are urging the Democrat Party to have her as their candidate. Either way, the important point is that the Republican Party has a real fight on their hands and this race is theirs to lose and the Democrats to win. Anyone who thinks the 2012 General Election is going to be anything but a bloody negative fight is simply naĂŻve.

The way the Republican Party has been fumbling the ball, the negative reaction to the influence of Grover Norquist, the internal fighting in the Republican Party, the failure of the Super Committee, and the strong credentials of Hillary Clinton I fear that she can beat any one of the current Republican candidates if the election were held today. Festering in the background are the unknown dangerous intensions of those loons in Iran who could turn everything upside down.

As Pat Caddell said on Fox News Channel, “Our President is AWOL and unengaged.” Time will tell.

COMMANDER GRANGER

CAN GINGRICH WIN ON IMMIGRATION?

Your Commander did not have an opportunity to view the Republican presidential debate last night, but I have read the article by Dan Blaz from The Washington Post, which summarized what occurred during that debate. As the title of the article indicates the big reaction came from Newt Gingrich’s statements on immigration, which is apparently one of the hot-button issues in the race for the Republican nomination.

Here is the link to Blaz’s article, and I’ll address some personal comments and reaction below.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/can-gingrich-sell-humane-immigration-policy-to-gop/2011/11/23/gIQApuP0oN_print.html

I do not know who is going to get the Republican nomination, but I know that I want to see a qualified candidate challenge President Barack Obama. I believe he has done a poor job as President and has deviously lied to the American public. At the moment Mitt Romney seems to be the front-runner, and Newt Gingrich has deported himself very well in recent debates.

Gingrich has plenty of baggage, some significant and some really totally unimportant, but his poll numbers grow with each passing day. I believe he is the best debater and has the ability and experience to handle himself very well on his feet. While I am a long-term hawk on the issue of immigration, I must confess that my once held positions have changed, because they are not realistic or doable. Gingrich’s stated position is carefully noted in the Post article if you have not seen news sound bites.

Only time will tell, but I believe the Republicans have a tough road to hoe, and the negative Democrat Party campaign is yet to be fully unleashed against Obama’s opponents. I believe that Gingrich has made a bold move to garner votes from minorities and families with immigration issues, and I now support Gingrich’s position. It is logical and realistic.

Although I would like to deport all illegal immigrants, it is simply not possible to be approved or supported by Congress. We must get on with a solution to immigration, because it is breaking our back economically and preventing the resolution of far greater issues of the day.

In conclusion, I urge you to ask yourself the following question: Who has more logical suggestions for resolving the pressing problems of the day than Newt Gingrich? Thus far I suggest nobody has done so. Still, I am refraining from selecting a nominee at this time, but I must agree that I think this is now a two-man race to the finish. Only time will tell.

COMMANDER GRANGER

Monday, November 21, 2011

OCCUPY WALL STREET ASSESSMENT

Yesterday I spent well over an hour crafting my thoughts relative to the Occupy Wall Street demonstrations ramping up across America. My comments covered over 500 words, and expressed my deep concerns about the cause and effect of the well organized gatherings that are causing massive disruption in cities across the country with escalating violence each passing day.

While conducting some research for that blog I ran across an article that struck a chord, because it very clearly addressed the subject in a far more adroit fashion than I had. The article was written by Thomas Sowell, a senior fellow at the Hoover Institute at Stanford University, and I urge you to read his sentiments at the link below where he succinctly addresses the difference between rioting and protesting with his dissertation “Democracy vs. mob rule in ‘Occupy Wall Street’ protests”.

http://www.unionleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20111108/OPINION02/711089989/0/OPINION02&template=printart

Your Commander finds the fact that an increasing number of well-reasoned voices of color are stepping forward to challenge the actions of main-stream media, social movements, and the current administration very interesting. It is my personal opinion that this entire disruptive OWS movement is well organized and well financed with direct ties to the re-election agenda of Barack Obama. The OWS movement reflects another concerted effort to play the ‘transference card’ deflecting blame away from its true source of Capital Hill and the Oval Office of our White House.

COMMANDER GRANGER

Sunday, November 20, 2011

PSU SCANDAL - IT ALL COMES DOWN TO MONEY

The news that has dominated the media and discussions in coffee shops, around water coolers, etc. across the country is all about the Penn State University child molestation scandal, and to say that it is a sad situation is a total understatement. Assuming all of the allegations and suspicions are true, this entire situation could have been prevented, but like so many previous sickening criminal acts, authorities will now take remedial action after the fact.

I find all the outrage being uttered by many public officials, university officials, and those involved in various athletic programs to be hollow and off the point. Had the proper perspective existed at Penn State and many of Colleges/Universities all over the country this scandal would not have happened, but football in this case took precedence over appropriate institutional controls.

It has been widely reported that football at Penn State brings between $70 and $80 million annually to the school. As a result, the school has one of the lowest state supported percentages of budget in the nation.

The root of this scandal and the cause of many of our nation’s problems are simply MONEY, GREED, AND POWER. When you look at many other grievous issues of the day, you find the cause is often the same MONEY, GREED, AND POWER.

Recently USA Today ran articles reporting the salary levels of college athletic directors and another listing the salary totals for football coaches. That prompted me to investigate the annual salary reports for the presidents of major universities around the country. Those reports allowed me to conclude that apparently football makes so much money that the football coach is very frequently paid more money than the ADs or even the presidents who are the ultimate leaders in the pecking order.

I think it is fair to say that in far too many cases football coaches have had inappropriate influence and control beyond both their ADs and university presidents. The coaches have a strong influence where alumni contributions are concerned.

One of the reasons it is so expensive to send our children to institutions of higher learning, is because the presidents, athletic directors, and coaches are being compensated at lavish and unjustified levels. Winning has become more important than learning and protecting our children, which is simply tragic and we must get our priorities in proper order ASAP.

If you’re interested in further details you should look at any of these links:

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/story/2011-athletics-director-salaries-database/50669958/1

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/story/2011-11-17/cover-college-football-coaches-salaries-rise/51242232/1

http://www.wsws.org/tools/index.php?page=print&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wsws.org%2Farticles%2F2011%2Fapr2011%2Fpres-a18.shtml

Nick Saban, head coach at Alabama makes $4,183,333; Univ. of Texas coach Mack Brown receives $2,293,361; Illinois coach Ron Zook is paid $1,750,000; Vanderbilt Athletic Director Dureal Williams is paid $2,560,505; new Ohio State University AD Gene Smith is paid $1,024,546; Notre Dame AD Jack Swarbuck receives $932,232, Duke AD Kevin White is paid $908,000.

Compare those salary levels to the top ten earning university presidents. The top pay goes to Ohio State University’s E. Gordon Gee at $1,818, 911 down to the 10th on the list, who is Michael M. Crow of Arizona State University at $728,350 you can see that virtually every President receives substantially less than the football coach and in many cases the AD compared to the institution’s Chief Executive Officer.

The football programs and in some cases the basketball programs rule the roost and that is why tragically a situation was permitted to brew like the one that occurred at Penn State University. I say…Why have we permitted the priorities of institutions to fall to this tragic condition?

Back to my earlier point, it is the vast amounts of money and the greed of the leadership to guarantee the continuing flow of dollars into the coffers of institutions nationwide. Sadly, I suspect there are many other cases of athletic influence covering up campus situations involving administrators, professors, or students. Hopefully the PSU scandal has sent Presidents, Boards of Trustees, Athletic Departments and others across the country into executive session to make sure their asses are covered. The country and college fans of any sport should not have to experience one more disgusting act to happen before corrective action is taken.

The Penn State University story has yet to totally unfold and it is certain to be disturbing, and I pray we learn and take appropriate action to prevent another tragic occurrence. Our children are the future of this country and they deserve our love and protection.

COMMANDER GRANGER

AMERICAN DEFENSE AND COST CONSIDERATIONS

As part of my normal Sunday morning behavior pattern I scan a variety of internet websites and view the Sunday morning political news programs.

Once again I was struck by the fact that the CBS Face The Nation program seems to be taking on an obvious harder edge. Host Bob Schieffer has become an attack-dog with his guests, such as Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX) on this morning’s program. I thought moderators such as Schieffer were to probe, but not render harsh personal opinions. CBS is clearly changing its tenor in the effort to achieve better ratings.

Moving on to this morning’s internet surfing, let me draw your attention to three interesting articles, which may contribute to a better understanding of military expenditures, military deployment, and our defense capabilities world-wide. All three links are noted below, but if you do not want to take the time to read each, I will summarize them in the following paragraphs and conclude with my opinion.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/20/us/costly-osprey-symbol-of-fight-to-cut-pentagon.html?hp=&pagewanted=print

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/general-us-troops-uganda-mission-likely-to-last-until-rebel-leader-is-caught/2011/11/18/gIQAOKeScN_print.html

http://townhall.com/tipsheet/katiepavlich/2011/11/18/armys_new_toy_strike_anywhere_on_earth_in_one_hour/print

The first article from The New York Times addresses the changing mission of the Marine Corps and the Corps’ efforts to sell the costly V-232 Osprey $70 million dollar aircraft program. Essentially the article addresses the significance of the influences of the Military Industrial Complex against cuts in military budget expenditures expected in the coming months. I, on the other hand, see this as a good opportunity to shift spending priorities for the Marine Corps away from outdated mission expenditures for amphibious equipment to the modern troop deployment Osprey.

The Washington Post article reminds us of the recent deployment of 100 Special Forces personnel into Uganda, and now we learn that a "small number” are assigned to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, too. I see mission-creep developing here. Remember President Obama has just announced that 2,400 Marines will also be deployed to Australia shortly.

Allow me to paraphrase something Rep. Ron Paul said this morning on Face The Nation: With American military now posted in 130 foreign countries on some 900 different bases it is certainly time for our government to re-examine the necessity for commitments of this extent. It is obvious to your Commander that reductions in Defense Department spending are appropriate, prudent, and necessary.

Lastly is the Townhall.com article by Katie Pavich announcing the success of the test flight of the DARPA Falcon Hypersonic Technology Vehicle (HTV)-2 by the Army. The hypersonic missile travels at least five times the speed of sound, or 3,805 mph at sea level. It is capable of striking "anywhere on Earth in as little as an hour.” This one weapon could totally change the way military actions and Wars are fought in the future. This single weapon could provide us with a great opportunity to reduce Defense expenditures significantly.

In conclusion after all the smoke clears there will be many opportunities to address Defense capabilities and spending as a result of the evolving shifts in the missions of each military unit, and evolution of the weapons of War. Recognizing that your Commander is a committed hawk, we just should never just say "No" to any discussion of Defense spending expenditures until an objective analysis can be conducted away from the political influences being brought to bear by the Military Industrial Complex.

COMMANDER GRANGER

ASSANGE MAY FINALLY BE EXTRADITED

Frequently the wheels of justice move slowly, and the case of WikiLeaks’s founder Julian Assange is a perfect example. Here is a link to a Chicago Tribune article reporting the action of the British High Court which has rejected his appeal against extradition on accusations of rape and sexual assault back in Sweden.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/sns-rt-us-britain-assangetre7a07oq-20111101,0,2326011,print.story

Certainly Assange will try to appeal the Court’s decision, but hopefully he will eventually be brought back to the Swedish authorities and eventually be held accountable for his alleged actions. I cannot speak with any degree of inside knowledge, but I do know that this creep is guilty of totally unethical conduct when his group of left-wing wackos released thousands of secret government papers breaking laws all over the world.

Your Commander was delighted when Visa and MasterCard cut off the flow of financial contributions to WikiLeaks and hopefully as a result it will quickly go out of business. Assange and his band of little puppets have caused great harm to numerous governments and intelligence gathering institutions around the world.

This little piss-ant’s motivations are certainly not as he portrays them to be and if convicted in Sweden he should be placed in a dark cell to contemplate his destructive actions for many years. Eventually Assange will pay for his many crimes, but in the meantime numerous lawyers are having a field day collecting huge fees, and he is living-large in some rich liberal English fool’s country estate.

COMMANDER GRANGER

Friday, November 18, 2011

UNEMPLOYMENT NUMBERS

The major topic of the day appears to be unemployment and I believe it will be the key decision point when it comes to selecting the next President of the United States come November 2012. To fully understand the depth of the electorate’s concern about unemployment Politico.com earlier this month conducted a poll in which 11,735 individuals participated. I found the result to be very important and revealing as to the depth of our collective concern on this subject.

‘THE NEW UNEMPLOYMENT NUMBERS ARE: -

Good News – they show the economy is moving forward – 24%

Bad news – jobs growth is still way too sluggish – 43%

Mixed news – could be better, could be worse – 31%

I’m not sure – 0%


Clearly 100% of the participants have an opinion on this question, and less than one-quarter of the respondents feel the employment news is good. On the other hand 74% feel that unemployment is a problem, which leads me to believe that unless there is a sharp improvement in employment figures before Election Day that single issue will be decisive.

Thus, I conclude that nothing short of the parting of the waters will solve this critical issue before Election Day, and that puts President Obama in jeopardy of being a one-term president. It will be for the historians to determine if the Republican Party can come together and win or if they fail to unify to take advantage of this political trump-card.

COMMANDER GRANGER

CONGRESSIONAL ETHICS COMMITTEE IS A JOKE

I recently spotted an article that appeared in the Blog Briefing Room section of The Hill, and I want to bring the details to your attention. Below a link to the full article by Jordy Yager dated November 4th detailing an investigation into another member of Congress’ ethical conduct.

http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/191807-report-ethics-committee-votes-to-launch-investigation-into-rep-richardson?tmpl=component&print=1&page=

Now we have the second investigation into the ethics of Rep. Laura Richardson (D-CA) on top of long delayed inquiries impacting Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA) and Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-IL) which have lingered for years without any definitive action. Since all three mentioned in this report happen to be black, it is not surprising that the race card has come up. Don’t you think that race is something that certainly at the Congressional level we have moved far beyond?

What is troubling is the fact that long delays by the Ethics Committee are not something new. All of these inquiries cost significant amounts of money and we must provide a fair hearing, but it is time to get conclusions with definitive actions. This situation is exactly why there is so much dissatisfaction with Congress and I have come to the conclusion that they (Congress) are their own worst enemy.

Apparently there is so much corruption and internal violations of ethical behavior on Capitol Hill that everyone is fearful of pointing fingers at one another or they will be exposed too. There is one easy way to solve this apparent problem and that is to simply totally clean house.

COMMANDER GRANGER

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

VOTER PARTICIPATION ADVICE FROM 1924

In view of my recent writings about voter apathy, I found a rather profound commentary from President Calvin Coolidge dating back to 1924 that addresses the issue quite well. Permit me to quote Coolidge directly.

“All the opportunity for self-government through the rule of the people depends upon one single factor. That is the ballot box…The people of our country are sovereign. If they do not vote they abdicate that sovereignty, and they may be entirely sure that if they relinquish it other forces will seize it, and if they fail to govern themselves some other power will rise up to govern them. The choice is always before them, whether they will be slaves or whether they will be free. The only way to be free is to exercise actively and energetically the privileges, and discharge faithfully the duties which make freedom. It is not to be secured by passive resistance. It is the result of energy and action…

Persons who have the right to vote are trustees for the benefit of their country and their countrymen. They have no right to say they do not care.
They must care! They have no right to say that whatever the result of the election they can get along. They must remember that their country and their countrymen cannot get along, cannot remain sound, cannot preserve its institutions, cannot protect its citizens, cannot maintain its place in the world, unless those who have the right to vote do sustain and do guide the course of public affairs by the thoughtful exercise of that right on election day.”

Well said, President Coolidge! Considering the fact that only 63.6% of eligible voters participated in the 2008 presidential election, that means that more than one-third of Americans failed to participate and apparently have lost faith in our government.

America desperately needs a greater percentage of our population to get to the polls and participate in the voting process. If you do not like the way things are going then it is your duty to learn all you can about the candidates and express your opinion for the future leadership of this country with your vote. If you do not vote, you should keep your mouth shut and be ashamed, especially if you are taking any government handouts.

COMMANDER GRANGER

THE POVERTY CARD

As we rapidly approach another General Election campaign, both sides of the political spectrum are playing up the “Poverty Card” in hopes of arousing the minority population and also play on the guilt of wealthy liberals who classify themselves as Independents. Again I suggest that you turn to the writings of Professor Walter E. Williams to assist you in cutting through the fog of deceptive words being tossed our way. Please take a look at William’s recent syndicated column:

http://townhall.com/columnists/walterewilliams/2011/11/16/poverty_in_america/print

Williams really makes an important point in his closing paragraph directing the blame appropriately upon Congress who through its devious actions increasingly is getting their hands in our pockets.

COMMANDER GRANGER

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

VOTER TURNOUT - A REAL SHAME

Recently there were local elections for Mayor and several other local offices in northern Indiana’s St. Joseph County. During the election campaigns much was said about the local economy, unemployment, crime, abandoned and vacant homes, and a lack of economic development. Local newspapers in both South Bend and adjacent Elkhart County were filled with highly critical voter concerns that were published in the Letters to the Editor sections questioning the direction and leadership of local government.

Now that the election is over, the Democrats have retained control of the Mayor’s office in South Bend, and the Republican incumbent has retained the Mayor’s office in Mishawaka despite a vicious negative campaign run by his Democrat opponent, something very significant has been revealed.

Yesterday I spoke to a knowledgeable member of the St. Joseph County Clerks Office and learned that the voter turnout for South Bend was 19.6%, and the turnout in Mishawaka was 24.8%. In other words 80.4% of the registered voters in South Bend and 75.2% of the registered voters in Mishawaka did not take the time or indicate their interest to vote in these vitally important elections.

While the winners in the Mayoral races in both South Bend and Mishawaka both won by landslides, neither should consider their election a mandate when you consider the insignificant size of the voter turnout. The truth of the matter is that the turnout in both cities was shamefully inadequate.

Recognizing that there is a substantial difference between a local election in St. Joseph County, Indiana and the General Election here in the USA in 2008 it is significant to note that 63% of this country’s eligible voters voted in the Presidential election. Now please take a look at a very interesting piece of information for voter turnout on Wikipedia:

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

It was interesting to learn that voter turnout in Australia is mandatory, and in Malta, which does not have required voting, the turnout averaged 94% during the years 1960 to 1995. Hopefully you scrolled down to pages 4 and 5 and noted the percentages of voting in a wide variety of countries world-wide. It is surprising to note the significantly higher average percentages of voter participation from 93% in Chile, to 86% in Germany to 51% in Poland during the same 35 year period. Tragically, the summary indicates that the lowest percentage of voting was in the United States with only an average of 48%. As the report specifies we Americans voted on the average of 55% in the General Elections and only 40% in the off-year elections.

If you read the Wikipedia link then you have noted the many factors that come into consideration for voter turnout. Taking all this into my consideration I am totally ashamed of my fellow Hoosiers here in St. Joseph County for such limited participation in local elections. If the people in the county have such a disregard for the governance of their communities then they have absolutely no business voicing any complaints about their local government. Those people should be totally ashamed of themselves and simply put they should keep their mouths shut taking what they get without any complaint.

These shocking numbers raise many questions that would make for a revealing Doctorate Thesis. What is the demographic profile, the percentage of non-voters who are unemployed, are on welfare, are Republicans or are Democrat Party members, and why South Bend appears to be in decay, and Mishawaka appears to be prospering. With voter turnout so low it is no wonder Newsweek Magazine deemed South Bend a “Dying City.” Your Commander can only believe that the people of this community just do not give a damn about the future of their local government. SHAME ON THOSE WHO DID NOT VOTE.

COMMANDER GRANGER

Monday, November 14, 2011

OCCUPY WALL STREET AND EDUCATION

Your Commander draws your attention to a fascinating article appearing in The Wall Street Journal that addresses the real root problem that exists within the Occupy Wall Street movement. I urge you to read the complete article by William McGurn where he takes the position that the Occupy Wall Street group has a good point about student debt, but it is flawed.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204394804577010080547122646.html?mod=WSJ_hp_mostpop_read#printMode

As I mentioned above, the Occupy groups are claiming that student debt is the problem and the big banks are at fault, but the banks and financial institutions are not at fault, but the universities and colleges that present expensive curriculums that deliver students who are not prepared for the available job market place.

The reference to the book “Academically Adrift” by Richard Arum and Josipa Roksa is particularly interesting. It states that 1/3rd of the students over four years were showing no improvement in critical thinking, analytical reasoning, or written communications. The authors also look at far too many students ending up with huge loan obligations and degrees that their university or college indicated would be financially beneficial but do not serve the student properly in later years. These programs within the schools are driving up the cost of a solid educational experience and not the banks that provide the loans.

Thus the Occupy Wall Street should actually be meeting on the campus lawns of colleges and universities across the country and not around the major banks.

Which brings me back to a subject that I have been writing about for years: our educational institutions are bloated and if tenure were eliminated costs would certainly be reduced along with the resulting staggering loan obligations.

COMMANDER GRANGER

MORE ON KEYSTONE XL PIPELINE

For some reason I have been receiving copies of a magazine titled Bloomberg Businessweek, and in the November 14th issue there is a very interesting article titled “Keystone XL: Pipe Dreams.” This article directly addresses several pros and cons relative to the approval of the TransCanada pipeline project. While I am a strong proponent for the creation of jobs and tax revenue, this article does present some important additional considerations regarding the TransCanada Keystone project.

Here is the link to this rather long article:

http://www.businessweek.com/printer/magazine/keystone-xl-pipe-dreams-11102011.html

I believe the delay and the diversion of the decision to the State Department is strictly political cover for President Obama to postpone a decision until after the November, 2012 General Election. I suggest it is important for all Americans to become well versed on both sides of this debate and this article is a good starting point for that conversation.

COMMANDER GRANGER

Sunday, November 13, 2011

PANETTA'S INSTITUTE AND THE MILITARY INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX

I recently read an article by Craig Whitlock in The Washington Post regarding the Panetta Institute honoring former Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates. I was immediately reminded of late President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s farewell address of January 17, 1961 that warned us of the power of the Military Industrial Complex’s influence.

Attached is a link to Whitlock’s article, and I urge you to read it fully to understand the continued influence that military contractors have on the functions of government since the conclusion of World War II.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/back-in-monterey-panettas-institute-honors-a-washington-crowd/2011/11/04/gIQAluYpnM_print.html

No one, especially your Commander, is being critical of honoring Secretary Gates, but the point is the amounts of money being funneled into the Panetta Institute and other special interest organizations by segments of the Military Industrial Complex is troubling. Following his departure from government service our late President Eisenhower spoke at length of the dangers and influences of the military industrial complex.

We are talking about decades of money being directed to continue building and buying weapons of war, and the debate should be expanded in an effort to curb waste, fraud, and corruption especially during this tight economic period. I suspect that without the funding from defense contractors Panetta’s institute might cease to exist.

I should note here that when Leon Panetta returned to government service in 2009 he recused himself from direct involvement in the institute and his wife has been running it since.

Eisenhower knew this subject well, but we never really listened to his warnings and advice. We humans world-wide just never seem to learn from the facts of history, and we keep making the same mistakes over and over again.

COMMANDER GRANGER

OBAMA'S KEYSTONE PIPELINE PROBLEM

The Obama Administration has announced it will delay a final decision regarding the construction of the Keystone Pipeline until after the election. Frankly, I think they want to avoid a confrontation with the special interests that approve of or oppose the project. The delay is definitely political and will prevent the creation of much needed jobs and tax revenue creation.

With every newspaper and television station across the country talking about the fact that jobs and the economy are jointly the biggest problems facing our country today, how can President Barack Hussein Obama make this decision about the TransCanada Keystone XL pipeline that is expected to create some 20,000 jobs? I have read several articles over the past few days and one of the best in presenting the details appeared on Politico.com. Take a look and then you decide.

http://dyn.politico.com/printstory.cfm?uuid=AF031FD4-4BE1-430F-802B-F7AF9AD2A9DE

I believe that the Darren Goode article explains the situation facing our President, and considering the seriousness of the economic situation and his Oath of Office he should make no other decision but approval of the construction of the pipeline ASAP. While a few special-interest groups are firmly opposed to it, Obama has far more to gain than he does to lose.

It has become fashionable to kick the can down the road these days in Washington, but someone has got to do something that will positively impact our economy. To delay creating jobs, reduce the price of gasoline, buy oil from a “friend” rather than enemies, and delay the increase of tax receipts from the new jobs is beyond logical explanation.

The current stagnation of Congress and the president to delay everything reminds me of Nero fiddling while Rome burned. I do not know how President Obama can look into a mirror these days, because he has obviously been blinded into inaction by his intense desire to get re-elected. When a president takes the Oath of Office he should put politics off to the side, and serve as a true leader for all the people, and not just to his political operatives. Many American presidents have put politics before service, but fortunately they have been fewer than the great leaders in our history like Washington, Lincoln and Reagan.

Obama should remember that he can fool some of the people some of the time, but he cannot fool all of the people all of the time, and his clock is ticking. Approve the pipeline project now, Mr. President, in the interest of all the people you took an Oath to protect and serve.

I do not believe for one minute that the decision was made by the State Department. I think it came directly from the political gurus in the White House. Here is an article from The Washington Post, which you should read and then decide if this delay is warranted or more political dishonesty.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/keystone-pipeline-route-in-nebraska-to-be-reassessed-sources-say/2011/11/10/gIQA95cv8M_print.html

It becomes clearer every day that our President is more concerned about getting re-elected than creating critically needed jobs and tax revenue.

COMMANDER GRANGER

Friday, November 11, 2011

HILLARY CLINTON IS COMING ON STRONG

Anyone who does not see the well organized campaign to promote the stature of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton must be living in a bomb-shelter without any communication to the outside world. In view of the falling poll numbers for President Barack Hussein Obama there are influential forces working within the Democrat Party to have Hillary Clinton waiting in the wings to step forward for a Presidential run in 2012.

Forget all the recent comments from Hillary Clinton that she has no aspirations for the Presidency, because I do not believe that for one single minute. Permit me to draw your attention to the attached article from The Washington Post leaking information from the soon-to-be released new Bill Clinton book that is critical of Obama in specific terms.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/bill-clinton-has-advice-and-some-criticism-for-president-obama-in-new-book/2011/11/03/gIQA1xhLmM_print.html

Your Commander does not believe the Clintons have ever forgiven Obama for defeating and derailing Hillary’s run for the Presidency back in 2008, and they have been treading water since that time building her image and resume. The bad feelings that exist down-deep are beginning to reappear, and the book and the increase in major-media publicity promoting Hillary are not by chance.

The next shoe to drop will be direct action by the major movers in the Democrat Party when they see the hand-writing on the wall for Obama’s defeat. The power-brokers and money men in the Party will drop Obama like a hot potato before absorbing a loss at the hands of the Republican Party, and suddenly embrace Hillary to save their skin.

Bill Clinton’s charge that Obama has failed to identify workable economic policies and to outmaneuver his Republican foes is stunning, yet correct. I contend that there are several smoking-guns than may come forward in the next few months that can be disastrous for Obama, such as his auto czar’s involvement in the Chrysler auto dealership closures or his unconstitutional actions in Obama-care legislation.

The swords are being drawn, and as I predicted months ago the snakes will eat their own when the going gets tough.

COMMANDER GRANGER

OBAMA'S 'BODY MAN' TO LEAVE WHITE HOUSE

There was a small story in the pages of The Washington Post that announced the planned departure of President Barack Obama’s ‘body man’ Reggie Love (a former forward for Duke University's basketball team) by the end of the year. Here is a link to that story:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/reggie-love-obama-body-man-to-leave-white-house-by-years-end/2011/11/09/gIQAvjU06M_print.html

Now I know that all of our Presidents have had pals hanging around the White House over the years and travel with an entourage, but I believe that during these times of severe economic hardships it is fair to pose this question …What in the hell do these dudes do, and how can our President’s justify this additional expense to be placed upon the backs of the American taxpayers? Do you suppose we will ever learn how much money Reggie Love was paid?

I suggest you and I have been paying for our President to have a guy hanging around the White House so he could be available to play basketball with him whenever he wants to hit the court. This is simply another clear example of the depth of the arrogance that our elected officials think they can get away with or are due without an outcry from the taxpaying suckers. Presidents get away with this abuse of office, because the mainstream media turns the other cheek, since they have been bought-off by the glow of the office they are assigned to cover.

The media has made the mistake of serving the politicians, and not the electorate or the people who really pay their salaries.

COMMANDER GRANGER

SALUTE TO ALL AMERICAN MILITARY VETERANS

Today I stand to salute my beautiful American flag, and all fellow veterans of military service to the United States of America. November 11th has been a day that has been important to me since I was a small boy, because my father was a proud Captain with the Illinois National Guard’s 122nd Mounted Field Artillery Battalion, and he taught me the importance of service to our country.

I am also proud of my service as a Staff Sergeant in the Regular Air Force serving four years with postings in Texas, California and Korea. Looking back I view that period of time as one of my proudest accomplishments, and I would gladly do it all over again if given the chance.

I was fortunate to come home healthy, but many gave their lives and others returned gravely scarred for the remainder of their lives. It is my belief that few, if any, veterans expect your sympathy or a hand-out, but we do appreciate the fact that our fellow American citizens acknowledge the service we rendered.

The challenges facing our country are great and our military will no doubt be called upon again in the future to protect and serve our country. Please remember to continue supporting all members of our military and provide them with the necessary tools to accomplish their dangerous and difficult missions all around the world.

GOD BLESS AMERICA

COMMANDER GRANGER

Thursday, November 10, 2011

BOOK REVIEW - GOING HOME TO GLORY

‘Going Home to Glory’ is a wonderful book that I suspect will appeal to a limited audience, which is made up of individuals who lived back in the days of the Presidency of Dwight D. Eisenhower, served during WW II, or are real history buffs.

The grandson of President Eisenhower, David Eisenhower with his wife Julie Nixon Eisenhower, has written a wonderful, insightful, and warm book that takes the reader inside and behind the closed doors following the retirement of this hero of World War II from a presidency that historians thus far have not treated kindly. The book covers the years 1961-1969.

As a senior citizen and lover of history and books, I enjoyed every single chapter, and I learned much about the real character of this legendary world figure. While reading, several points made by Eisenhower became especially significant and I made notes for inclusion in this review.

Permit me to quote directly when Eisenhower said, “In the last quarter-century or so, however, I have found my self intermittently looking backwards; putting down on paper or dictating on machine tape the record of deeds done, words said, goals attempted and sometimes achieved. Nevertheless, the future---what lies before my country and the world---is still my paramount concern. But for those who will be its shapers and leaders. I recognize the lessons of history can provide them guidance against repeating the mistakes of their forebears.”

Another Eisenhower remark I made note of is, “Always take your job seriously, but never yourself.” We should all take that comment to heart.

I found it interesting to learn that when DDE wanted to relax, he read pulp fiction western novels and re-read important books of his youth such as works of Arthur Conan Doyle, O’Henry, Rudyard Kipling and Mark Twain’s Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court.

When Sir Winston Churchill died on January 24, 1965 Eisenhower was asked to speak at his funeral and his words were particularly moving. After reading a poem by Tennyson he said, “With no thought of the length of time he might be permitted on earth, he was concerned only with the quality of service he could render to his nation and to humanity. Though he had no fear of death, he coveted always the opportunity to continue that service…In the coming years…there will ring out through all the centuries’ one incontestable refrain: here was a champion of freedom.”

Upon the occasion of his final confinement at the Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington, he memorized the prayer of St. Francis of Assisi, which is fully noted in the book and should be read to thoroughly understand the depth of this legendary world leader.

I found this book to be a very rewarding reading experience. I vividly remember all of General of the Army Dwight D. Eisenhower’s unique accomplishments leading our armies to victory in WW II, and then as our President.

I firmly believe that history will be kinder to this great leader who loved his country like few since our Founding Father’s led us to independence. We owe our Interstate system to DDE. Can you imagine life today without it? David and his co-author wife Julie Nixon Eisenhower have done a great service to our understanding, appreciation, and the legend of a great American.

COMMANDER GRANGER

TAKE A LOOK AT CYBERCAST NEWS SERVICE

Wandering the internet I ran across a web site that I had not seen before and some of their articles were both informative and very enlightening, if you have a conservative point of view. If you’re a liberal stop reading and go about your myopic way. As you can see from that comment I am very open-minded. Here is some background information about cnsnews.com:

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

The article that attracted my attention was one that reported a Gallup Poll result that indicates a majority of Democrats seldom or never go to Church, but that is not all the results reported, and if you’re interested here is a link to that brief article.

http://cnsnews.com/news/article/majority-democrats-seldom-or-never-go-church-says-gallup

I am not sure what that proves, but I found it to be an interesting statistical finding from a highly recognized polling organization. It is your Commander’s opinion that voters of faith will have a substantial influence in the coming elections, but only time will reveal an accurate answer.

COMMANDER GRANGER

TAKING YOGI BERRA TO 'MONEYBALL'

A few of my readers may not recognize the name Yogi Berra, but if you’re a baseball fan I suspect you will and appreciate his many contributions to the game. Here is a link to an article by Jason Gay that appeared in the Wall Street Journal recently, and warmly presents the real depth of this great American baseball hero who is a living legend.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204190704577022222894383202.html#printMode

I remember fondly sharing many baseball games with my late grandmother, who kept a magnificent score card and knew all the players’ batting averages. We saw all the greats of baseball back in the late 1930s and 40s. Yogi Berra joined the Yankees in 1946 was one of the best catchers I have ever seen, maybe even ranking above the great Yankee Bill Dickey.

My wife met Yogi when she worked for a television station in Norfolk, VA in the late 60s. Yogi was a coach for the New York Mets and was in town to look at talent on the Mets Triple A team there. Yogi graciously gave her autographs for her two young brothers. These were not ordinary autographs, but were personalized with their names and a note about the positions they played in Little League.

They don’t make them like Yogi anymore, because he played the game for his love of the game and certainly not for the money, which many of our modern-day prima donnas do these days.

Now that I have reached by 80th birthday I have adopted Yogi’s now famous expression “It ain’t over ‘til it’s over.”

COMMANDER GRANGER

THE PENN STATE SCANDAL

Every single media outlet has splashed the sickening initial details of the Penn State University scandal across their pages and airwaves this week. The recent decision of the University Board of Trustees is but one of the initial actions that will impact literally millions across the country in future months. The firing of University President Graham Spanier and Head Football Coach Joe Paterno has caused big headlines, and those actions appear at this early date to have been both appropriate and necessary.

Permit your Commander to suggest that you take a look at the actual indictment document that has been filed against ex-assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky so you can secure a full understanding of the depth of this scandal. I have read the document and find it to be one of the most reprehensible reports I have ever read. I was sickened by the facts and believe you will be too. Most important to take into consideration is the fact that the alleged acts of illegal child molestation have been going on for many years, and several individuals have known about it without taking appropriate action.

http://www.freep.com/assets/freep/pdf/C4181508116.PDF

If you have read the indictment, I am certain that you will agree that the University Trustees of Penn State had to take the action they took, and now it is up to the courts in the State of Pennsylvania to move the appropriate judicial procedures forward promptly. Personally I do not understand how the local judiciary could justify permitting Jerry Sandusky to be free on bail. The allegations are so serious when you read the indictment I suggest that his life is in real danger to violent actions by some disturbed individual or individuals.

Additionally, I suggest that the acts of the Penn State student body last evening demonstrating and destroying property were somewhat understandable considering Coach Paterno’s long record of accomplishments and beloved status. It is, however, another clear example of inappropriate action by immature individuals who have failed to take into consideration all the facts before acting irrationally and emotionally. There are direct parallels to this and the Occupy Wall Street demonstrators.

Only time will tell the full extent of this tragic story of an alleged very sick individual who avoided accountability as a result of numerous individuals who just did not do the right thing at the right time. I am afraid that there is more to this horrible and disturbing case yet to be revealed.

The reputation of a fine educational institution has been ruined and it may take decades to restore. In addition, this scandal has impacted many individuals, families, and the entire profession of coaching. School administrators at every level will be reviewing and enforcing their child abuse policies.

Did the football program at Penn State simply have too much power and notoriety on that campus? Could that explain this terrible situation? Remember, this isn’t just another story on the Sports page…what happened on that campus is criminal!

COMMANDER GRANGER

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

IGNORANCE EXPLOITED-OCCUPATION WALL STREET

As violence increases across the country with the Occupy Wall Street crowd I suggest you will benefit greatly by reading Professor Walter E. Williams article “IGNORANCE EXPLOITED”. As always Williams has a clear and objective analysis of the core complaint being spewed by the participants.

http://townhall.com/columnists/walterewilliams/2011/11/09/ignorance_exploited/print

Once again Professor Williams totally destroys the core justification claimed by the demonstrators to be without any basis of fact. Thus why are they out there creating disruption, destruction of property and violating any number of local, state and federal laws?

Don’t tell me this is a spontaneous group of concerned citizens. This is a highly organized and well-financed mob intent upon destroying our country. How can President Obama, who took an Oath of Office to protect all Americans and uphold the laws of our country, not speak out strongly against the actions of these disruptive misinformed individuals? Our president does not speak, because he supports the agenda of ‘divide and conquer’ as part of his over-all devious political objectives.

COMMANDER GRANGER

REST IN PEACE, ANDY ROONEY

We have all heard the sad news of the passing of Andy Rooney, the highly regarded and honored contributor to the popular “60 Minutes” CBS-TV program. When I heard the news of his passing just a month following his reluctant forced retirement I remembered that he clearly indicated that he wanted to work forever.

I immediately remembered a similar incident that occurred many years ago when my Dad was forced to retire at age 78, because his employer, an architecture firm, could no longer acquire insurance for him on construction sites where he was their representative. Dad had retired at 65 after a 40 year career with Interlake Steel, and then worked for the next 13 years until forced into permanent retirement.

I vividly remember Dad telling me at that time that it was time for him to die, because he loved to work and he felt he was no longer of value. Tragically, Dad had no hobby, and he just sat in his chair and died a little with each passing day and passed away within a few years.

I think that is what happened to Andy Rooney, too. I am certainly glad that I was not the CBS executive who had to tell Andy that his services were no longer needed or desired, because I think it killed Andy just as it did my Dad. I think Andy and my Dad died of a broken heart, because they could no longer do the thing they loved best…work.

We all know stories of individuals who retired with the big going-away party and the commemorative watch, then die within a couple of days or weeks. Some of us just need to work and do not have other interests, and that is surely sad. Fortunately, I knew when it was time to retire, but I must admit that it took me sometime to adjust, because all of a sudden nobody asked my opinion or looked to me for my decision.

One day I was urged by my wife to start writing about my experiences and we created this blog. It is the best thing that I have ever done since retiring, because I now look forward each and everyday to get to my computer addressing a wide array of issues. The passage of time and the big-80 birthday have slowed my mobility, but the blog has been a blessing and a reason to look forward.

Like Andy, I have become somewhat of a curmudgeon in my old age, but I certainly do not consider myself to possess the writing talent Andy presented over such a long period of time. I was never a big fan, but I respected his talent and being fellow veterans we had something in common, and neither of us ever took ourselves too seriously.

I am saddened that Andy did not have the pleasure and satisfaction of many enjoyable years in his retirement, which the good Lord has blessed upon me. Andy set the bar very high as a wonderful journalist, family man, and he will be remembered and respected for standing firmly by his principals and serving his audience with honor and respect.

Andy was blessed with a great run in life during his 92 years. Certainly Andy is organizing his old colleagues up in heaven, and I bet there will be one hell of a good party. Thanks, Andy, may you rest in peace with the knowledge that you did it right.

For those of you who are retired or about to retire ‘GET A HOBBY’, because it could save your life.

COMMANDER GRANGER

GOVERNMENT SUPPORTED INTERNET/COMPUTERS

What is next for our government to financially support? Please read the attached article from The Washington Post announcing the Federal Communications Commission’s plan to provide reduced internet connections and $150.00 computers:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/fcc-plans-cheap-internet-service-and-computers-to-connect-poor-americans/2011/11/08/gIQArnbp3M_print.html

The justification for this ambitious program sounds nice and will certainly appeal to the liberals who want the government to provide ‘womb to tomb’ coverage for all Americans. How much is this hand-out program going to cost you and me?

Don’t get me started when it comes to all those television commercials pleading with people to get their free cell phone so they can be safe and call their children each day, because it is just more crap that you and I have to pay for in the long run. Where is accountability and responsibility? Where has the desire to improve one’s position in life when your government is begging you to take another freebee that drives our debt even deeper?

With our federal, state and local taxes haven’t we (those who pay taxes) already paid for computers and wi-fi access in libraries across the country? Those on the Federal and State dole only have to go to the library for free computer use.

I say enough is enough, but nothing is going to happen if you sit on your backside and do not vote in November, 2012 and say you want real change and not vote buying political bull excrement.

COMMANDER GRANGER

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

PRESIDENTIAL TRIVIA

Thanks to my copy of the American Patriot’s Almanac I learned some interesting facts about our American Presidents, and I want to share the details with you. Being a student of history I don’t remember hearing most of the following factoids about out Presidents.

Which presidents signed the Declaration of Independence? John Adams, Thomas Jefferson.

Which presidents signed the Constitution? George Washington, James Madison.

Which president served the shortest time in office? William H. Harrison,
31 days.

Which president served the longest? Franklin D. Roosevelt, 12 years,
39 days.

Who was the youngest person to be elected president? John F. Kennedy, 43.

Who was the youngest person to become president? Theodore Roosevelt, 42*.

Who was the oldest person to become president? Ronald Reagan, 69.

Who was the only president to resign? Richard Nixon.

Which presidents were impeached? Andrew Johnson, Bill Clinton.

Which president served two non-consecutive terms? Grover Cleveland.

Which president was never elected either as president or vice-president?
Gerald Ford

Which presidents were elected even thought their opponents received more popular votes? J.Q. Adams, 1824; R. Hayes, 1876; B. Harrison, 1888;
G.W. Bush, 2000.

Note: * Theodore Roosevelt was forty-two in 1901 when he succeeded
McKinley, who had been assassinated, John F; Kennedy was forty-three when elected president in 1960.

For those of you who enjoy history and trivia these few facts can enliven your conversation in the coming days. Your Commander wonders how much of this historical information is currently being taught in our schools during these politically correct days.

COMMANDER GRANGER

Friday, November 4, 2011

DEMOCRACY IN MIDDLE EAST IS IMPOSSIBLE

Permit your Commander to pat himself on the back, because a recent essay by Professor Walter E. Williams supports the positions that he has been espousing for several months. Please read the recent article written at this link:

http://townhall.com/columnists/walterewilliams/2011/11/02/democracy_is_impossible/print

While Williams and your Commander agree that democracy is unlikely to take root in the Middle East, he makes his case stronger with his historical supportive references. Collectively we call for getting American troops out of the Middle East and let the neighborhoods and tribes fight among themselves as they have been doing for centuries.

I certainly have not always been correct, but I surely do feel that this time I am on the right side of history and democracy with the support of a gentleman who has a trace record of correctness far greater than mine. Only time and history will prove whose position is correct, but the odds are clearly in favor of Williams and your Commander.

COMMANDER GRANGER

OBAMA'S FORM OF GOVERNMENT DEFINED

Here is a new word for your consideration and use. I wish I could claim authorship, but I cannot, because I acquired the word from a longtime friend who resides in Jackson Hole, WY and Hilton Head, SC.

“INEPTOCRACY

Ineptocracy (in-ep-toc`-ra-cy) – a system of government where the least capable to lead are elected by the least capable of producing, and where the members of society least likely to sustain themselves are rewarded with goods and services paid for by the confiscated wealth of a diminishing number of producers.”

For those of you who study history you will remember that Thomas Jefferson warned against this form of government and even the ancient Greek scholars spoke of this problem. When will we ever learn from the mistakes of the past? Tragically we have nobody to blame, but ourselves.

COMMANDER GRANGER

DEBBIE WASSERMAN SCHULTZ SHOULD SHUT UP

Hopefully the title will get your attention, because I urge you to read the link to a cnsnews.com article titled: Debbie Wasserman Schultz: Says Life Begins at Conception is ‘Extreme and Radical.’ It makes little difference if you’re a Republican or Democrat, liberal or conservative you must agree that that statement is highly inflammatory and controversial.

http://cnsnews.com/news/article/debbie-wasserman-schultz-saying-life-begins-conception-extreme-and-radical

Pro or anti abortion, I suggest that Wasserman Schultz as Chairman of the Democrat Party has opened a debate that will certainly lose votes for the Party in the coming election.

In the section following the article one comment states that Wasserman Schultz was making an effort to take Nancy Pelosi’s place as a lighting rod for the Democrat Party and clearly this highly controversial statement is bound to cause stronger opinions to be generated from both sides of this debate. Please note the comments when you read the article, because they confirm my thoughts about the emotional storm Wasserman Schultz’s statement is already causing.

Sometimes it is far more prudent to just keep one’s mouth tightly closed.

COMMANDER GRANGER

Thursday, November 3, 2011

BOOK REVIEW - THE RACE

This is another #1 New York Times bestseller by the team of Clive Cussler and Justin Scott that is bound to provide the reader with several evenings of pure enjoyment. The setting is 1910 San Francisco and the early days of aviation when a wealthy newspaper publisher establishes a big dollar prize for the winner of an air race from New York to San Francisco.

During the adventure the star Detective, Isaac Bell, repeatedly saves the day with daring and action packed involvement with a wide array of characters from a young woman aviator, Bell’s beautiful fiancĂ©e, aircraft mechanics, and a near mad ex-husband.

"The Race" is a fun read and one that will hold your attention and interest, which is assured when Cussler and Scott’s names are on the cover. Happy reading.

COMMANDER GRANGER

JACK ABRAMOFF-OUT OF JAIL AND TALKING

I want to draw your attention to a brief article posted on Politico.com by MJ Lee. Former lobbyist Jack Abramoff has been released from prison after serving a three and a half year jail term for illegal influence peddling in the Halls of Congress. He is talking and promoting his autobiography “Capitol Punishment: The Hard Truth About Washington Corruption From America’s Most Notorious Lobbyist.”

http://dyn.politico.com/printstory.cfm?uuid=FC025B54-BA03-454F-900B-E88CA1A6FDE4

As the article notes Abramoff appears on CBS’s “60 Minutes” next Sunday to promote the book, but we already know his convicted crimes. I won’t be buying or reviewing the book because I just do not want to help him make money on the book circuit.

What is disturbing, however, is the degree of corruption that exists within the offices of our elected officials. We must hold those members of the House of Representatives and the Senate totally responsible for this type of criminality.

Too bad we can’t try each and every person he bought.

COMMANDER GRANGER

CAMPAIGN 2012: WELCOME TO THE SLUGFEST

Recently I have been suggesting that the 2012 campaign would get dirty. Here is a very interesting opinion piece with the above title by Ruth Marcus in the November 1st edition of The Washington Post:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/campaign-2012-welcome-to-the-slugfest/2011/11/01/gIQAD6HldM_print.html

Isn’t it interesting to see the pundits in Washington and New York falling in lockstep addressing the obvious shift in the Obama campaign strategy as his poll numbers continue to fall? Apparently the Obama campaign staff, now headquartered back in Chicago’s Prudential Plaza, is reverting to its Chicago-style political distraction mode which is 180 degrees from that of his original approach of hope and change.

The political scribes are trying to cover their bets and just do not know which horse to ride yet at least where the GOP is concerned. After the election in November 2012 it will be interesting to look back in the archives of the Times and the Post to see who had the accurate crystal ball.

Even more interesting is that a couple of key Obama staffers (Plouffe and Axelrod) are already talking about how they will attack GOP contenders.

The voting natives are restless and I think it is going to be very bumpy and surprising ride between now and November, 2012. Tighten your seat belts, the pot-holes are getting deeper with each passing day, and we still have an entire year to go.

COMMANDER GRANGER

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

THE DIVIDER vs. THE THINKER

With the political campaigns for the general election gaining steam daily there is a significant increase in the harshness of the dialog. I believe that it is a fair statement to say that the coming election is going to be one of the harshest and divisive that has occurred in many years, because the divide between the political parties is increasing rapidly.

The claims from the liberal left in America appear to me to becoming more strident, and the voices from the right are fighting among themselves to the point of self-imploding. Permit me to suggest that this is a time that we all are desperately seeking clear voices to separate the misinformation from the objective points of view.

It is your Commander’s opinion that the few clear voices must seek a wider audience or we will certainly fall to the grasp of the liberal left and should that to happen it will change the country we love forever. Some of those clear voices are Peggy Noonan, Charles Krauthammer, and Prof. Walter E. Williams. Please take a look at Noonan’s recent piece from The Wall Street Journal titled “The Divider vs. the Thinker”:

http://online.wsj.com/article/declarations.html

I cannot remember a time in our recent history when we need a true patriot to lead out country back to the principals outlined in the Declaration of Independence that were supported by the sound visions of our Founding Fathers. Real leadership does not lead by fear and division, but with a clearly stated idea and inspiration that unifies toward a common goal.

COMMANDER GRANGER

US PLANNING TROOP BUILDUP IN GULF

A few days ago I noticed a surprising article in The New York Times that immediately raised questions in my mind, because President Obama told the country our troops would be home from Iraq by the end of this year (2011). In addition, a total of 10,000 troops are scheduled to return from Afghanistan this year and another 20,000 in 2012 with a full withdrawal by the end of 2014. Was his intention to make the country think we would really be GONE from the region?

We are now learning that Central Command, based at Mac Dill Air Force Base in Florida, is planning a troop buildup in nearby Middle Eastern countries friendly to the USA.

If you would like to read this in-depth report by Thom Shanker and Steven Lee Myers, here is the link:

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/30/world/middleeast/united-states-plans-post-iraq-troop-increase-in-persian-gulf.html?_r=1&ref=politics&pagewanted=print

Recognizing that I am not a military analysis or specialist, this plan is troubling to your Commander because I believe Iran will certainly make a move once we depart Iraq and also once we leave Afghanistan. If we have thousands of troops in the immediate area, it seems to me we will be drawn back into another costly encounter meaning a cost of additional dollars in the billions and no doubt the loss of too many more of additional American lives.

Permit me to suggest we assign many of the Middle East based troops to secure both our southern and northern borders and leave the Middle Eastern countries to fend for themselves. They will likely continue to fight against each other as they have for centuries. Is it possible they just could wipe themselves out? I don’t think so, too bad.

If and when Iran becomes a further threat beyond what it is today, we have the military air power to address that incursion. I think keeping American military personnel within the Arab countries will not be well received by the local unfriendly elements and only cause more problems for our troops.

We cannot afford to continue to build costly compounds to protect our military personnel sitting in the middle of a hostile environment as we have done in both Iraq and Afghanistan, because it just does not provide the necessary security from crazy Islamic terrorists who are willing to blow themselves up for 76 virgins. (Really, there is a seemingly limitless supply of virgins in heaven? Can those young men really think that is so? And what is in it for the female homicide bombers? I’m just asking.)

While I do understand the military theory behind this plan, I believe it represents a concept that will only lead to further bloodshed and loss of more American lives.

I cannot imagine that those brains in the White House are pleased with the release of these details by The New York Times with the Obama re-election campaign now in full swing. While Obama talks about keeping his promise to get out of Iraq and eventually out of Afghanistan, we now are alerted to extensive planning for a long-term massive financial commitment of American military personnel to protect countries and people who are clearly determined to kill all Americans and destroy our country.

There must be a better way to address this continuing threat to our very existence than just continuing to throw money and young American lives into the face and range of enemy guns.

Think about it and then do something about it by alerting your Congressional Representative or Senator how you feel about this situation.

COMMANDER GRANGER