Wednesday, December 28, 2011

2012 PREDICTION: A YEAR OF MEDIA SAVAGERY

No matter where you sit on the political spectrum, you may not like this commentary, but if you want a sound analysis of the coming year from a recognized media observer you’re in for a good experience. Brent Bozell, who is the Founder and President of the largest media watchdog organization called the Media Research Center, has written an interesting perspective on the coming political confrontation.

I found the article to be informative and humorous while striking several strong points that will impact the highly combative political campaign.

http://townhall.com/columnists/brentbozell/2011/12/28/2012_a_year_of_media_savagery/print

Does it surprise you that Bozell is predicting a “down and dirty” political campaign in 2012? I thought he struck a nerve when he reminded us that Obama “cannot run on the fairy dust of hope and change” in his re-election campaign. I suggest that the Republican candidate must possess the hide of a very, very tough elephant.

COMMANDER GRANGER

WORLD'S MOST CHARITABLE NATION? - USA

Please take a quick look at Townhall.com and Kate Hicks’ recent report on the world’s charitable giving that lists the good old USA as the most charitable country in the world.

http://townhall.com/tipsheet/katehicks/2011/12/26/usa_worlds_most_charitable_nation/print

The data revealed in this report, based upon the Charities and Aid Foundation’s annual report on World Giving, totally destroys any foundation or creditability to the Occupy Wall Street movement that has metastasized across the world. Your Commander found it to be most revealing that none of the oil rich countries, and all but one of the Middle Eastern countries are absent from this list.

Personally I am sick and tired of many countries pointing their dirty fingers at America, and it is about time we totally reappraise our overly generous flow of foreign aid dollars, because most of those precious green-backs are not getting into the intended needy hands. Americans will always stand ready to help all in need with a just cause, but it is time to stop being a total sucker to fund corrupt governments. Someday the State Department will learn that money does not buy friends.

COMMANDER GRANGER

THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

On this date in 1945 Congress made the Pledge of Allegiance the official national pledge to the US flag, and during the previous century legendary clergyman Henry Ward Beecher (1813-87) spoke about our flag's meaning.

Your Commander found Beecher’s inspirational words in the pages of my copy of The American Patriot’s Almanac:

“If one asks the meaning of our flag, I say it means just what Concord and Lexington meant, what Bunker Hill meant. It means the whole glorious Revolutionary War. It means all that the Declaration of Independence meant. It means all that the Constitution of our people, organizing for justice, for liberty, and for happiness meant.

Under this banner rode Washington and his armies…It waved on the highlands at West Point…This banner streamed in light over the soldiers’ heads at Valley Forge…It crossed the waters rolling with ice at Trenton…

Our flag carries American ideas, American history, and American feelings. Beginning with the colonies, and coming down to our time, in its sacred heraldry, in its glorious insignia, it has gathered and stored chiefly this supreme idea: Divine right of liberty in man. Every color means liberty. Every thread means liberty. Every form of star and beam or stripe of light means liberty. Not lawlessness, not license, but organized, institutional liberty—liberty through law, and laws for liberty.

This American flag was the safeguard of liberty. Not an atom of crown was allowed to go into its insignia. Not a symbol of authority in the ruler was permitted to go into it. It was an ordinance of liberty by the people, for the people. That it meant, that it means, and, by the blessing of God, that it shall mean to the end of time.”

After I read those beautiful words I wondered if any of the individuals who participated in the numerous Occupy (whatever) Movement demonstrations ever heard them or would even understand their magnificent meaning? I then wondered if our youth are hearing these words in school today, and how many of our elected officials have ever heard them either. I pray that we never fail to appreciate the meaning of our beautiful Pledge of Allegiance to our flag, and that we never permit Patriotism to go out of vogue.

GOD BLESS AMERICA

COMMANDER GRANGER.

Saturday, December 24, 2011

CHRISTMAS GREETINGS

Your Commander and his Editor Extraordinaire extend our greetings for a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year to all. We pray for peace around the world and good health for all around the world.

During the holiday season it makes little difference what is one’s faith, because we should all look to our various sources of reverence for guidance in the coming New Year.

Now would be an excellent time to read the Constitution of the United States, the Bill of Rights, the Ten Commandments, and to conduct a Google search for Wikipedia articles that provide critical historical information on the Ottoman Empire, Iraq, Afghanistan, Jordan, Israel, Palestine, and the book titled “Islam for Dummies” so you can garner a better understanding of the historical issues that still impact the Middle East to this day.

The coming year is certain to bring forth challenges for each and every one of us, and we pray that the world’s leaders exert great patience and reason as the countries of this world move forward.

Would it not be wondrous to have peace on earth and good will toward men this coming year and beyond?

COMMANDER GRANGER

Thursday, December 22, 2011

PRESIDENT OBAMA HAS CHUTZPAH

As millions of Americans struggle to meet their financial obligations, search for a job, and find a way to celebrate the Christmas holiday season our leader, President Barack Hussein Obama, will be flying off to Hawaii for a long vacation with his family. When I read that his wife and daughters flew ahead of the President, because he was staying at his post in the Oval Office at the White House due to Congressional delays, an old Jewish expression came to mind.

CHUTZPAH is the word, and I looked up the definition in the Merriam-Webster Dictionary and found the following:

“To demand that he be treated as a special case and be given priority in settling his claims.” Synonyms: Audaciousness, audacity, brashness, brass, brassiness, cheek, cheekiness, effrontery, crust, face, gall, nerve, nerviness, pertness, presumption, presumptuousness, sauce, sauciness, and temerity.

When you read the attached article by Townhall.com’s Katie Pavlich outlining the cost to the American taxpayer as posted in the Hawaii Reporter you will understand why I say Mr. Obama has chutzpah. Granted, this was written prior to the announcement that he was delaying his trip, and the costs are staggering.

http://townhall.com/tipsheet/katiepavlich/2011/12/19/thanks_taxpayers_obamas_17day_vacation_to_cost_4_million

Apparently the facilities at the White House or Camp David are inadequate for the Obama’s new found tastes, and they are capable of spending over $4 million precious American taxpayer dollars while we plebeians wallow in our worsening economic status. Thanks, Mr. President, for thumbing your nose at the 50% of the American population that still pay federal income taxes.

You, Sir, have chutzpah!

COMMANDER GRANGER

NEWSPAPERS: GOING...GOING...GONE!

Should you be an AOL subscriber you probably have seen the Daily Finance article penned by Bruce Watson that carried the same headline. After reading his print demise conclusions, supported by the University of Southern California’s Annenberg Center for the Digital Future, I penned my personal comment on the web site agreeing with their theory.

Here is a link to the site:

http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/12/16/newspapers-going-going-gone/?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-main-bb%7Cdl15%7Csec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D121304

The realities of the problems facing the ever-changing newspaper business is that their model has changed due to the evolution of the internet, and it is doing to newspapers the same diminished fiscal return that it has caused the U.S. Postal Service’s anticipated death. While the pay-firewalls will provide some degree of financial gains in the major markets I am concerned that it will not save the business model in smaller markets.

As I noted in my comment, the internet is bloated with inaccurate information, and the firewalls do permit some degree of financial cover so the few remaining major newspapers have professional journalism oversight. It is important to highlight the fact that the editorial bent of the four predicted print survivors (The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, and USA Today) is currently equally balanced by two being liberal and two conservative voices.

Four newspapers will not properly serve America, but we all must be vigilant in securing accurate vital information and in-depth investigative reporting. Experience has taught this commentator that the lack of competition is dangerous and disquieting, just as is a dominant one-party political democracy.

COMMANDER GRANGER

Sunday, December 18, 2011

SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE LAUDS INCOMPETENCE

If you do not live in the vicinity of South Bend, Indiana you probably do not have any interest in this commentary. When I opened my copy of the Sunday South Bend Tribune December 10th the front page was graced with an extensive article penned by Kevin Allen titled “Transition to ‘Citizen Steve’”.

Here is the link to this puff piece:

http://www.southbendtribune.com/news/sbt-transitioning-to-citizen-steve-20111210,0,2729610,print.story

After reading that fawning and obsequious salute I was forced to take an early morning application of "Tums for the tummy", because you would have thought you were reading about the departure of some savior of mankind instead of the dysfunctional and inept political hack that Mayor Steve Luecke has been over the past 15 years.

The only reason Luecke attained the office to begin with was due to a well-oiled dominant Democrat Party machine. Luecke was the Vice Mayor and became South Bend’s mayor in 1996 when elected Mayor Joe Kernan was chosen to run as Lt. Governor of Indiana on the winning ticket with Gov. Frank O’Bannon. During Luecke’s 15 years as mayor there have been a number of bad financial decisions and commitments. Luecke’s liberal tax and spend agenda has provided South Bend and St. Joseph County taxpayers with growing tax burdens and little to show, except a few isolated projects that favored his political cronies.

While I do not reside within the City limits of South Bend, I do reside within the same County, and thus suffer from an off-the-chart tax burden caused by the repeated mismanagement of Luecke’s administration. His “do-good” projects have cost the taxpayers heavily and caused the county to be the second heaviest taxed in the State of Indiana.

Instead of providing readers with a thoughtful analysis of Luecke’s rule, The South Bend Tribune provided him with a nice article that he can put into his scrap book and show his grandchildren about how wonderful he was in the eyes of the paper. Don’t ask the citizens and taxpayers who live in the crime ridden west side of the city, and don’t ask the folks who can’t find a job in town. The school system is dysfunctional (three schools were about to be taken over by the State of Indiana, but showed enough meager progress to stop that for now) and thousands have fled the city during his administration.

During the rule of Mayor Steve new business development has been a failure. Were it not for development projects emanating from the University of Notre Dame the city would be in even bigger trouble. Space does not permit me to list all the questionable actions, but to name a few how about the millions spent on Covoleski Stadium, impending departure of the failed College Football Hall of Fame, the Dollar Family store purchase, land grant to St. Joseph High School, First Source garage purchase and now the proposal to bail out bankrupt Chase Tower.

Thank you, South Bend Tribune, for selling out your integrity and obligation to objectively serve your readers just so you could praise the political machine that produced the departing mayor.

Steve Luecke's future plans are not yet known, but personally I hope he returns to Canada, where he sought refuge during the Viet Nam War as a conscientious objector, while hundreds of brave young South Bend kids fought an American battle.

COMMANDER GRANGER

STRONG CASE TO REPLACE OBAMA

When I read the most recent essay by syndicated columnist Charles Krauthammer in my local paper, I wondered if it had been penned by the Republican Party as a hit-piece against the re-election of President Barack Hussein Obama. Take a few minutes to read “The wages of appeasement” which appeared in newspapers all over the country this past week.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/the-wages-of-appeasement/2011/12/15/gIQA5KEzwO_print.html

Obama’s two foreign policy initiatives toward Russia and Iran are in my opinion a justification to vote him out of office come November 2012. Clearly, the person elected as president then will have his/her hands full addressing the increasingly bold actions of these two very unfriendly adversaries.

The tragedy of our times is that most American citizens will not read Krauthammer’s column and if they did many would not understand what in the hell he is talking about, because our educational system and media have dumbed-down voters and diverted their attention to the adoration of the likes of Lady Gaga.

COMMANDER GRANGER

Saturday, December 17, 2011

LESS STUFF, MORE HAPPINESS

With each passing year I look around the house and wonder how we ever accumulated all the ‘STUFF.’ I then ask myself why we don’t weed out the things we never utilize. You know what I am going to say next don’t you? We just never seem to get around to it.

While working on the internet today I ran across an article that includes a short video presentation by Graham Hill, who edits a web project titled Treehugger.com. Normally that title alone would send me running, but I suggest you might find the video appropriate and worth some consideration.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/09/life-editing_n_1138817.html?1323446551&icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-main-bb%7Cdl11%7Csec1_lnk2%7C118911

Now don’t worry I am not going to sell my home, but I may just be motivated to finally get rid of some of the stuff that could benefit someone who is in real need of a helping hand. As you know from reading my work I am far from being anyone associated with tree huggers, but Hill makes a sound point. Hell, I would have some difficulty living alone in a 420 square foot apartment let alone share it with my wife.

As the Christmas season approaches this could be a good time to send some items to the Goodwill, Salvation Army and/or Catholic Charities. I guarantee if we all did just that we would all feel much better, and fulfill the message of Christmas in a beneficial way by sharing our bounty.

COMMANDER GRANGER

FACTS BEHIND GINGRICH PALESTINE COMMENT

If you watched the ABC-TV Republican Candidate Debate last week from Des Moines, Iowa you know that Newt Gingrich made a comment about Palestine. On the chance you did not see the program, or hear about the comment, permit me to summarize.

Gingrich said, “The fact is, the Palestinian claim to a right of return is based on a historically false story…’Palestinian’ did not become a common term until after 1977. This is a propaganda war in which our side refuses to engage and we refuse to tell the truth when the other side lies.”

In an effort to bring some clarity to the subject, I did some detailed research that may allow you to understand the issue better, and it also proves that Gingrich’s statement can be verified as correct by historical facts and documents.

Two links are worthy of your effort to read, but they are both quite long. The first is “History of Israel” and the second one is “State of Palestine” from the Wikipedia free encyclopedia.

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

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

Let me draw your attention to pages 7, 8 and 9 in the first document starting with the Mamluk rule in the 13th Century through The Balfour Declaration and the British Mandate of Palestine (1917-1948). The understanding of the influences of those factors is vital to understanding how Israel was created.

In the second document I draw your attention to page 10 and the Kingdom of Jordan’s rift with the Palestinian leadership, and the later creation of the Palestine Liberation Organization in 1974.

Since that time the disputes between Israel and the Palestine Arabs on the creation of borders for State lines has led to bloodshed and repeated wars. It is your Commander’s opinion that the British Empire learned years ago that it could not resolve the conflict dating back to its colonial dominance of the area and washed its hands of the situation.

Since that time the United States has been heavily involved with strong support of the Jewish State of Israel. In 2011 the USA has provided Israel with $8.2 million per day (almost $3 billion for the fiscal year) and $0 to Palestine in military aid. In 2010 the USA gave Palestinians $400.4 million in economic aid and $100 million in support of Palestinian Authority police training, plus another $61.5 million in USAID and Red Cross assistance following Israel’s assault on Gaza. All these statistics were verified by a Google search.

It is your Commander’s personal opinion that we should continue to support our friends in Israel, but I cannot understand our State Department funneling massive amounts of money into an area that continues to lob rockets into Israel. The existence of Palestine and its boundaries needs to be settled by the people in that area and the Israeli’s. I do not understand why we are putting money into the hands of people who are acknowledged terrorists and see no reason for Israel to exist. Both sides come to this debate with blood covered hands.

Please remember the term “Palestine” was created by the British Mandate to define the geographical area that currently covers the State of Israel, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip, as well as the area covered by the current State of Jordan.

Please remember this conflict has been going on since the Kingdom of Israelite (1200-950 BCE) “Before the Common Era.” As far as the rest of the geographical area is concerned, I agree with Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX) that it is time for the USA to get the hell out of the Middle East, and let them fight as they have for centuries without our money.

After all that is said, Newt Gingrich was correct in his statement as proven by historical facts.

COMMANDER GRANGER

Friday, December 16, 2011

IF AMERICA IS LEAVING IRAQ, THEN LEAVE

Your Commander long ago learned to consider ever politician’s statements with skepticism and the recent action of President Barack Hussein Obama proves my point. As the President basked in the glory of his ‘victory lap’ appearance with the brave fighting men and women stationed at Ft. Brag, N.C., he skirted his many previous pronouncements against the American intervention into Iraq dating back to his opposition in 2002. He failed to also note his hesitancy to the troop surge long promoted by the leaders of our Armed Forces on the scene, and now basks in the glory of fulfilling his campaign pledge to take American troops out of Iraq.

While your Commander agrees with the departure of American military from Iraq, we saved Iraq’s very existence from its evil dictator and there is little or no appreciation for what we did on their behalf. Let’s not go down the road about the lack of weapons of mass destruction either, because ask any Kurd in Iraq and they will tell you that they were the proven victims of Sadam Hussein’s WMD.

I am opposed to the timing of our departure, because Iraqis are not presently prepared to defend their country against intervention by foreign elements, such as Iran or the various tribal and religious sects. America is leaving just so Obama can meet his campaign promise to leave as he approaches a difficult re-election campaign.

Although defense troops will leave Iraq by the end of the year, it is time to stop fooling everyone because some 16,000 Americans will staff the bloated American Embassy in Baghdad with some 6,000 hires for private army security. The State Department has budgeted $25 billion for operations over the next 10 years. After reading that, do you really think we have left…and let’s not forget the forces that will sit in Kuwait for sometime in the future.

Obama is still leaving Americans, military or civil, in Iraq in harm’s way in a land whose leadership says they do not want our defense forces there. Our expense will still be great supporting our people still there where Iraq is concerned. Iraq has vast oil reserves and should not need American dollars to continue to pour into that country. It is time for Iraq to stand on its own two feet and pay for its governance with its oil reserves, and not our green-backs.

COMMANDER GRANGER

TEN GRIM LESSONS LEARNED FROM THE IRAQ WAR

While your Commander is currently critical of the liberal editorial bent of Time Magazine, I must agree with a recent essay with the above title that states “Despite the upbeat talk of the Obama Administration, the eight-year war that ended this week has done plenty of long-term damage to both Iraq and the United States. And it has bequeathed lessons worth considering ahead of further conflicts.”

TEN GRIM LESSONS LEARNED FROM THE IRAQ WAR

1. The Iraq War Weakened the U.S. in the Middle East.
2. Military Power Doesn’t Equal Political Influence.
3. Iraq is a Model – Of What Arabs DON’T want.
4. Weapons of Mass Destruction – Asking the Wrong Questions.
5. Iraq’s Civil War Could Erupt Again, But Resolving its Conflicts is Beyond U.S. Capability.
6. Expect More From the Media.
7. American History Means Nothing Overseas.
8. The U.S. Has No Friends in Iraq.
9. When Arabs Vote, They Seldom Choose American’s Candidates.
10. Don’t Trust Politicians Promising Cheap and Easy Wars.

After I read those ten points I felt a sense of deep sadness, because I wonder how the families of the 4,474 brave service members and 13 Defense Department civilians who died in Iraq feel about America’s involvement in Iraq. I certainly do not have the answer to our participation, but I strongly urge our political leadership to think long and hard before ever ordering our precious youth into another war, unless we intend to end it in total victory.

COMMANDER GRANGER

TEN GRIM LESSONS LEARNED FROM THE IRAQ WAR

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

REMEMBERING GEORGE WASHINGTON

Today marks the anniversary of the passing of President George Washington in 1799. At that time Congress asked Virginia Statesman Henry “Light-Horse Harry” Lee to eulogize the President, and he said:

“First in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen, he was second to none in the humble and endearing scenes of private life. Pious, just, humane, temperate and sincere – uniform, dignified and commanding – his example was as edifying to all around him as were the effects of that example lasting….Correct throughout, vice shuddered in his presence and virtue always felt his fostering hand. The purity of his private character gave effulgence to his public virtues…Such was that man for whom our nation mourns.”

Virginian Thomas Jefferson wrote of George Washington’s character:

“His mind was great and powerful, without being of the very first order; his penetration strong, though not so acute as that of a Newton, Bacon, or Locke; and as far as he saw, no judgment was ever sounder…He was incapable of fear, meeting personal dangers with the calmest unconcern. Perhaps the strongest feature in his character was prudence, never acting until every circumstance, every consideration, was maturely weighed; refraining if he saw a doubt, but, when once decided going through with his purpose, whatever obstacles opposed. His integrity was most pure, his justice the most inflexible I have ever known…It may truly be said that never did nature and fortune combine more perfectly to make a great man.”

It must be noted that I drew this inspiring information from my copy of The American Patriot’s Almanac.

Now permit me to pose a question for your contemplation. How do you suppose historians will write about President Barack Hussein Obama 212 years from today? Do you suspect in your wildest dreams that the tone will have any similarity to the words rendered by Lee and Jefferson? I predict that the expressions will not even be in the same league as those noted above, because Washington was a man of genuine character, and Obama is a figment of political imagination and creation that does not call for any qualifications to require genuine character. Sad but true, in my opinion.

COMMANDER GRANGER

JULIAN ASSANGE STILL FREE

Sometimes when I read a news story I just shake my head, because I cannot imagine why some devious and weird individuals continue to roam free to cause further trouble. You may remember I wrote as recently as November 20th celebrating the English Court’s decision to extradite Julian Assange to Sweden to face sex crime allegations. Please take a look at this article in The Washington Post article:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/wikileaks-founder-continues-extradition-fight/2011/12/05/gIQAr4gnVO_print.html

Assange, who founded and heads the liberal WikiLeaks organization, has been fighting his extradition back to Sweden since being accused of rape, coercion and molestation in August 2010. Since that time Assange has been taking refuge in a wealthy supporter’s English countryside estate.

Do you wonder as I do where Assange secures his funding? Who but some devious, subversive elements would pump vast sums of money into an organization like WikiLeaks and its leadership whose purpose is to disrupt world order?

Everyone should have an opportunity to a defense against legal action, but why would Assange fear and fight in the English Courts his return to Sweden if he is not-guilty as he has claimed? Hopefully, the British Supreme Court will act quickly and force Assange to face the criminal allegations sooner rather than later. With any luck this weirdo can then be placed where he can no longer cause disruption to governments around the world.

COMMANDER GRANGER

WILLIAMS' COLUMN 'FREE TO DIE?' A MUST READ

A recent column by Walter E. Williams, the national syndicated scholar scribe, is worthy of your time because it addresses the importance of our adherence to our precious Constitution and his deep concerns regarding the Obama Healthcare legislation. Here is the link if you want to read it in full:

http://townhall.com/columnists/walterewilliams/2011/12/07/free_to_die/print

With the Obama Healthcare Bill coming up for judgment by the U.S. Supreme Court shortly, this is a very timely article. Please note I concur with Williams’ thesis. Williams’ reference to James Madison’s vision of Constitutional abuse is convincing and applicable to the healthcare questions that continue to linger and escalate with the passage of time.

COMMANDER GRANGER

GUTLESS CONGRESS FAILS POSTAL SYSTEM

With all the facts and figures now available and well publicized. our gutless Congress has kicked the can down the road again when it comes to addressing a sound and logical decision to the financially strapped U.S. Postal Service. You may remember that your Commander has previously written expressing suggestions on this lingering financial disaster, but not surprisingly Congress found another way to appease the selfish pleas of a few illogical voters.

Take a look at TheHill.com article:

http://thehill.com/blogs/on-the-money/budget/199163-usps-delays-facility-closures?tmpl=component&print=1&page=

Every Congress member who voted to delay definitive action has caused every single taxpayer in this country to assume an additional financial burden by their inaction. How can the financial situation at the Postal Service be anything but worse next May than it is today?

Your Commander begs your forgiveness for his repetition, but our Congress is gutless, dysfunctional, and AWOL. When an entity is dysfunctional and losing money such as the Post Office, privatization is no longer a dirty word. Maybe that is what we should do with Congress too, because they are certainly dysfunctional, inept and adding to the debt that we taxpayers must ultimately repay.

COMMANDER GRANGER

Sunday, December 11, 2011

PUNISH ALEX BALDWIN'S BEHAVIOR

The latest media info-tainment driven frenzy surrounds Alex Baldwin, again. Personally, I am sick and tired of reading about this petulant, egotistical jerk and he should not be getting any attention from the fawning, celebrity centric media. As I have written on numerous occasions it is beyond my comprehension how far our moral codes and priorities in life have decayed.

I refuse to view, listen or read anything related to the ultra left Alex Baldwin. As far as I am concerned he is persona non-grata. I do not understand why the media falls all over him reporting his every movement.

The well-publicized telephone rant he left for his estranged daughter was enough to place him on my shun list, but now the American Air Lines incident at LAX airport where he was removed from a flight for failing to abide by FAA rules is the final straw. That day for many innocent individuals was totally destroyed by Baldwin’s illegal action, and he should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Instead of securing publicity, Baldwin should have been arrested on the spot for disrupting the scheduled departure of the aircraft.

If I were American Air Lines, I would black list him from all future flights and file charges against him. However, from a public relations stand-point the airline, already in bankruptcy, will no doubt back-off due to the fear that other Hollywood types would refrain from using their coast to coast service.

Just when is someone going to hold mental midgets such as Alex Baldwin responsible and accountable for their behavior? I would…how about you?

COMMANDER GRANGER

STATES EXPAND LUCRATIVE PENSIONS

If you missed the special report in the December 9th edition of USA Today addressing ‘States expand lucrative pensions’, I have placed a link to it and the disturbing details. I will not present an extended explanation of my opinion, because you really should read this article. Suffice it to say the actions the States are expanding as an already ticking financial time-bomb on the backs of sleeping taxpayers.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/story/2011-12-08/state-pensions-workers/51750670/1

This is what happens when our elected officials sell out their integrity to the unions in exchange for financial support and endorsements while the innocent taxpayers go happily about daily life. When in the hell will the public wake-up and throw these complicit political crooks out of office and demand that this kind of complicity stop?

COMMANDER GRANGER

THE 'GREEN' DEBATE ON CHRISTMAS TREES

Reading The Washington Post over the weekend I ran across an article by Darryl Fears and Robert Samuels raising a debate about whether we should purchase a live tree or an artificial tree this Christmas season. If you’re interested here is the link:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/the-green-debate-on-christmas-trees-fresh-vs-fake/2011/12/07/gIQAk3mLjO_print.html

I do not know about your priority concerns, but I guarantee you that having a fake or live tree this Christmas is not high on my list of pressing issues of the day. For the record we now have a fake tree because it is much easier for my wife to manage, but I have absolutely no problem with individuals enjoying the smell of a live tree. We have enjoyed live trees over the years, but I must admit they can be a mess and the removal after the big day can be a hassle.

With all the significant economic problems facing our nation, the debate of a live or fake tree seems petty to this observer. Apparently the day The Washington Post assignment editor told Fears and Samuels to write this story it was a slow news day in our capitol city.

Whatever tree you trim this Christmas I hope you have a joyful day, and remember the story of Christmas. Oh, and don’t sweat the small stuff.

COMMANDER GRANGER

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

REMEMBERING PEARL HARBOR

This is a very important day for the United States of America and as the late President Franklin D. Roosevelt said, “…a date that will live in infamy.” Your Commander was 10 years old and I remember exactly what I was doing on that Sunday morning as if it were yesterday. I was lying on the living room floor reading the Sunday morning Chicago Tribune funny papers and a special announcement came over the floor model Philco radio that Pearl Harbor had been attacked. When my Dad returned from getting his car hand washed at the local gas station, he, Mom, and I sat in front of the Philco to hear the tragic details of death and destruction.

A very small percentage of present-day Americans were alive back in 1941, so it is significant that some vital details be brought to your attention at this time. A total of 16,112,566 US individuals served in the Armed Forces during that War, there were 291,557 battle deaths, 113,842 other non-combat deaths, 670,846 non-mortally wounded, and as of May 11, 2011 there were only 2,079,000 veterans of World War II still alive.

During World War II a total of 464 Medals of Honor were awarded and 266 of those were posthumous. As of August 12, 2011 there were 14 recipients of the Medal of Honor from that war still living.

It is estimated that 850 American WWII veterans die each day, and the median age of the WWII vets is approximately 86 years.

It is with deep regret that I personally have few remaining friends who remember that War and most of my associates know little or nothing of those years of strife and sacrifice that influenced our entire country and the world to this date. Much has been written, but many facts and stories are yet to be told and questions yet to be answered. It is in that vain that I draw your attention to a very important article that recently appeared in The Washington Post that addresses ‘Five myths about Pearl Harbor’. This should be considered essential reading for all Americans on this date.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/five-myths-about-pearl-harbor/2011/11/23/gIQAbdKrLO_print.html

Summarizing, I remember the often questioned suspicion that the American government knew in advance of the Japanese plan to attack on Pearl Harbor. It is a proven fact that Washington knew in advance, and that President Roosevelt permitted the attack to ease America into the World War against Germany, Italy, and Japan. In fact, at one point it was believed an attack would take place November 30th.

While the majority of death and destruction occurred in Hawaii, the Japanese also attacked the Philippines, Wake Island, Guam and Malaya, Thailand and Midway Island on that day.

The major misconception of that war was that America retaliated immediately, but that is not a fact, because American forces did not respond until February 1942 when the Pacific fleet engaged in battle in the Gilbert and Marshall Islands. Another misconception was that the Japanese were the only U.S. citizens rounded up after the Pearl Harbor attack. Over 120,000 individuals were detained including Japanese, Germans and Italians.

The Pearl Harbor attack did sway American public opinion to enter the War, because prior to the attack the country supported an isolationist agenda. America declared War on Japan on December 8, 1941, but did not declare War against Germany and Italy until December 11, 1941.

Since that time our country has been engaged in several major wars, such as Korea where I served, several small regional conflicts, Viet Nam, and substantial conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. It is yet to be determined by historical study, but the World War II conflict was the most influential in changing the entire world politically that has occurred in my life time. It is important to know about that war, and I pray that we are never drawn into a conflict of that magnitude ever again. Every effort must be rendered to achieve peace around the world, but we must be strong in defending our homeland from attack by foreign influences bent upon doing our country great harm.

Join me today in saluting all veterans of American Wars, especially our WWII vets.
GOD BLESS AMERICA

COMMANDER GRANGER

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

USA LACKS SUPPORT IN UNITED NATIONS

Your Commander has written previously addressing my deep concerns regarding our country’s participation in the United Nations. Remember it was our late President Franklin D. Roosevelt that urged and forged the creation of the United Nations during the closing months of World War II, but over time support and recognition of the massive financial backing granted to the U.N. by our country has only been repaid with an increasing lack of support to our proposals.

Here are some interesting statistics that came to me in an email which supports my feelings:

How they vote in the United Nations:

Below are the actual voting records of various Arabic/Islamic States which are recorded in both the US State Department and United Nations records:

Kuwait votes against the United States 67% of the time
Qatar votes against the United States 67% of the time
Morocco votes against the United States 70% of the time
United Arab Emirates votes against the United States 70% of the time
Jordan votes against the United States 71% of the time
Tunisia votes against the United States 71% of the time
Saudi Arabia votes against the United States 73% of the time
Yemen votes against the United States 74% of the time
Algeria votes against the United States 74% of the time
Oman votes against the United States 74%of the time
Sudan votes against the United States 75% of the time
Pakistan votes against the United States 75% of the time
Libya votes against the United States 76% of the time
Egypt votes against the United States 79% of the time
Lebanon votes against the United States 80% of the time
India votes against the United States 81% of the time
Syria votes against the United States 84%of the time
Mauritania votes against the United States 87% of the time

U S Foreign Aid to those that hate us:

Egypt, for example, after voting 79% of the time against the United States, still receives $2,000,000,000 annually in US Foreign Aid.
Jordan votes 71% against the United States and receives $192,814,000 annually in US Foreign Aid.
Pakistan votes 75% against the United States and receives $6,721,000,000 annually in US Foreign Aid.
India votes 81% against the United States and receives $143,699,000 annually in US Foreign Aid.


Isn’t this a fair question to ask…Why do we continue to funnel money to countries that consistently vote against American resolutions in the United Nations? When will this country learn that we no longer can successfully buy our friends with precious American dollars?

COMMANDER GRANGER

BEST COLLEGE MAJORS FOR EMPLOYMENT

With more and more stories reporting a lack of jobs for college graduates, I found a Townhall.com article that reported the results of research from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and Northeastern University that addresses the problem. We have all heard stories of graduates moaning about their huge student loan obligations and the lack of available jobs. Obviously that problem is frequently self-induced, because many students achieved degrees in fields and specialties that simply are not hiring, particularly during the current economic downturn.

The report indicates that the median salary dropped to $27,000 for 2009-2010 college graduates from $30,000 in the 2006-2008 period. The Labor Department announced that the jobless rate for younger workers with college degrees is currently 6.4% and it was only 3.5% as recently as 2007. This computes to about 3.5 million ex-students “underutilized” in government-speak terms.

Important to note are the ten best degree categories with low to no unemployment rates:

1. Actuarial Sciences - 0 percent
2. Astronomy and Astrophysics - 0 percent
3. Educational Administration and Supervision - 0 percent
4. Geological and Geophysical Engineering - 0 percent
5. Pharmacology - 0 percent
6. School Student Counseling - 0 percent
7. Agricultural Economic - 1.3 percent
8. Medical Technologies Technicians - 1.4 percent
9. Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology - 1.6%
10. Environmental Engineering, Nursing, and Nuclear Industrial Radiology and Biological Technologies - 2.2 percent

Considering this research, the student loan problems appear to be self-induced or the product of poor student counseling that has steered students into fields of study with limited or no employment opportunities. It also strikes your Commander that the fields of study listed above require a substantial effort to successfully complete and that could be another causal factor leading to the unemployment line in easier or the latest fad fields of study.

COMMANDER GRANGER

LEADERS SHOULD LEAD NOT HIDE

Lately I have been forced to turn to the web pages of some conservative publications to secure information concerning significant issues of the day, because our mainstream media has become so liberal and biased they simply are not presenting ALL the news of the day. With that in mind, I spotted an article by Katie Pavlich on Townhall.com reporting the planned 17 day vacation our President and his family will be taking to Hawaii to celebrate the holidays.

With our economy teetering on the brink of collapse and unemployment still hovering at an unacceptable -8.6%, I question the appropriateness of this trip, and the at least $1 million dollar expense the American taxpayers must absorb. Granted, Obama will pay the cost to rent the beach front house they will stay in and reimburse the government the equivalent of regular airline tickets while flying on Air Force One.

In politics they say that perception is reality, thus I contend that the timing of this trip indicates to me that our President, or Commander in Chief as he frequently reminds us, just does not care what the American people think. This vacation is Obama’s 10th in his less than three years in office and shows his total disregard toward the multitude of suffering American people. His action is shameful, and represents his arrogant abuse of presidential power and privilege. Apparently the White House and Camp David is not sufficiently comfortable to suit his newly found elitist tastes.

While serving proudly in the United States Air Force I was taught that leaders lead from the front-lines, but during these days of political tension and economic strife our leader flies 4,831 miles to Hawaii at taxpayer expense away from the front lines of the battle zone in Washington. D.C. Your Commander finds this conduct shameful, inexcusable, and most inappropriate.

COMMANDER GRANGER

Monday, December 5, 2011

DEFENSE SEC'Y PANETTA FILES HOME ON OUR DIME

I know I get more conservative and out-right cantankerous on subjects as time goes by. An article at TheHill.com drew my attention, because during these times of economic strife, green energy, carbon footprints, and the growing debate surrounding the anticipated reductions in the Defense Department budget, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta’s excessive use of Military Aircraft is simply wrong.

Secretary Panetta flies every weekend to his home in California where his wife runs his Panetta Institute, since his government appointment requires that he recuse himself from that venture. He can and will return to that job once he leaves Washington again. Here is the link for your further perusal:

http://thehill.com/blogs/defcon-hill/operations/196993-lawmakers-shrug-at-pentagon-chiefs-weekend-flights-to-california?tmpl=component&print=1&page=

Your Commander finds it very troubling that Panetta and the Washington based government operatives think nothing of freely spending the taxpayer’s money just because they can get away with doing it. If Panetta and Congressional members want those jobs, they should not have the right to fly home on the taxpayer’s dime every weekend. How about flying the wife and family to Washington at your own expense when you can afford it and/or traveling to your home/district in the same manner.

This is the kind of crap the American taxpayer is getting really sick and tired of hearing. Our government servants expect they are due certain excesses because of their position. I do not agree and I am certain you support my position on this issue, too.

I suspect if we learned how much all the weekend DC travel costs, many of us would have a fatal stroke. This seems to be an excellent place to begin cutting excessive expenses.

A million here and there becomes a billion here and there, and we might come up with a trillion or two!

COMMANDER GRANGER

FAST AND FURIOUS LACKS ACCOUNTABILITY

Everyone has now heard of the ill-conceived Fast and Furious plan that backfired on the Department of Justice (DOJ) and is directly responsible for the death of brave U.S. Border Patrol Agent Brian A. Terry. Investigations have lingered in the Halls of Congress but thus far no one has been held accountable or responsible for this ill-conceived plan.

I urge you to read Katie Pavlich’s article at the Townhall.com link below that provides important insight into this sickening development.

http://townhall.com/tipsheet/katiepavlich/2011/12/02/fast_and_furious_justice_department_submitted_knowingly_false_information_to_congress/print

I read another Katie Pavlich article that reports the DOJ has been laundering millions of dollars in dirty, bloody Mexican Cartel profits and here is the link to that story:

http://townhall.com/tipsheet/katiepavlich/2011/12/04/obama_justice_department_laundered_millions_of_dollars_in_mexican_cartel_profits/print

After reading these articles I do not understand how Attorney General Eric Holder or any of those directly involved in Fast and Furious can continue to retain their office/positions, and even worse not be held accountable and responsible for this program. It is obvious that our Department of Justice, under the Obama Administration will hold you and me accountable and responsible for our actions, but that same standard does not apply to them.

That line of reasoning is totally unacceptable and cannot be tolerated.

COMMANDER GRANGER

Sunday, December 4, 2011

NOTRE DAME QB CRIST LEAVING

Your Commander tips his hat to the Sports Department of the Chicago Tribune who scooped all the local media in South Bend in announcing the departure of Notre Dame Quarterback Dayne Crist to greener pastures. Here is the link to the Tribune’s article posted at 12:29 AM early this morning.

http://news-chicago.info/chicago-top-stories/qb-crist-is-leaving-notre-dame.html

Brian Hamilton’s early morning posting provides suggestions where Crist may enroll to play football with his one remaining year of eligibility. I personally hope he has a successful year after a red shirt year, several injuries, and harsh treatment by petulant Notre Dame Head Coach Brian Kelly. It is important to note that the ND players held Crist in high regard, while it is a pity that his coach placed his own agenda before the loyalty shown by an outstanding scholar athlete.

Being a resident of the Notre Dame area, I am shocked that the so-called “Dean of Local Sports,” WNDU-TV’s Jeff Jeffers, missed this story, but on the other hand I wasn’t surprised since the word apparently came while he was at home.

Thanks, Dayne Crist, for your dedication to your school and the sport of football and good luck for future success where ever your journey takes you in life.

COMMANDER GRANGER

Saturday, December 3, 2011

FAITH AND OUR NATION'S FOUNDERS

I may be old, but I was not around when our Founding Fathers toiled so brilliantly back in 1776 to establish the foundation of this great American adventure. But, certainly we can readily agree that they did their work on a sound basis that led this country to become the envy of the entire world. Admittedly there are detractors, but I believe most of those country’s motivations are really based upon jealousness and self-preservation of their questionable way of governing or dictating.

Once again I call upon all of us to look back at our history to better understand what has been successful and exactly where we have fallen short of our goals. Some modern-day forces tend to poo-poo the Founding Fathers as out of date, but I disagree with that premise. In the current edition of the American Patriot’s Almanac there is an excellent review of the Faith of the Founders. Here is a summarization of the seven truths about the founding of America:

1. The Founders believed that we are creatures of God, and that God endows us with our
inalienable rights.

2. The Bible was an indispensable source of inspiration for the Founders

3. The Founders believed that God created humans to be free.

4. The American concept of equality is deeply rooted in the Judaic tradition.

5. The Founders regarded religion as a pillar of American democracy.

6. The Bill of Rights guarantees freedom of religion in order to encourage faith.

7. The Founders believed that America plays a special role in God’s plan.

The real purpose is to get you to think about these seven foundational principles, and then question whether we have gotten into our current state because we failed to follow our Founding Father’s intensions and guidance.
I suggest that a good case can be made for that contention. What do you think?

COMMANDER GRANGER

WASHINGTON'S DOUBLE SPEAK LANGUAGE

Our nation’s capital has long been renowned for oratory consisting of Washington “double-speak,” saying one thing and meaning something else. Those of you who follow this blog may remember me telling the story about an old southern Senator’s remarks being challenged by a reporter and the Senator in response said, “Son, just because I said it doesn’t mean it is so.”

Presidential Press Secretary Jay Carney responding in June of this year to questions about the Bush tax cuts stated, “I just want to be clear that when some folks are throwing up a lot of ‘gorilla dust’ to confuse people about what they’re ruling out.”

The term ‘gorilla dust’ was a new one to me and upon checking the web site DoubleTongued.org I learned the definition to be “bluffing, posturing, or hollow attempts at intimidation.” That definitely sounds like all the talk coming from both sides of the aisles of Congress and the White House Oval Office to me.

Here are some catchwords I spotted on that same web site that have been introduced into the language of Washington too: macaroon technique, sorry gift, break the ton, ghost shift, stock, startle factor, hair crunch, seagen, rollup, simming, nimbleton, skuke, broccoli journalism, parclo, and dittoism. Not knowing what in the hell these words really mean I doubt few others do, and that is one of our basic problems in Washington because I’m not sure they do either.

If you want to check the definition of these words just hit this link:

http://www.doubletongued.org/index.php/dictionary/gorilla_dust/

I like the basic explanation for ‘gorilla dust’ from “Hinduism Today” in 1998, “When two male gorillas confront each other, they’re too canny most of the time to actually fight, so they resort to the tried-and-true political tactic of intimidation. Both scurry about in frenzy, grimacing menacingly, beating their chests and tossing clouds of dirt into the air. It’s a serious encounter, full of powerful and primitive energies, a test of testosterone. Soon one becomes convinced that the other could win the threatened physical engagement and retreats.”

Sounds oddly familiar, doesn’t it?

COMMANDER GRANGER

Friday, December 2, 2011

BLOCKADE OF WEST COAST PORTS

Let me draw your attention to Townhall.com’s very disturbing article that reveals ex-Obama White House Green Energy Tsar, Van Jones, is calling for the Occupy Movement to blockade major West Coast sea ports December 12th in Portland, Tacoma, Seattle, Vancouver, and Anchorage. With the American economy on a shaky foundation already, any disruption will only acerbate the flow of commerce further and delay economic recovery.

The Townhall.com article, written by its News Editor, Katie Pavlich, goes so far as to call Jones a Communist. Here is the link to her article if you want to read more:

http://townhall.com/tipsheet/katiepavlich/2011/12/02/van_jones_calls_on_occupiers_to_block_major_ports

If this information concerns you, I suggest you take a look at the Wikipedia report on Van Jones, because his background and activities should raise a red flag of concern regarding his true political agenda.

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

If you are still not concerned, Mr. Jones is a VERY close personal friend of President Obama and has been for years.

While your Commander is a strong advocate of our 1st Amendment rights to free-speech, I believe that Van Jones is deviously intent upon bringing down the American form of government. Operatives such as Jones (again, remember he is an Obama pal) represent a disruptive force functioning under the guise of ‘good vs. evil’ or a ‘Sheep in Wolf’s’ clothing’. Reading Jones’ Wikipedia mention, I wonder how much of Jones’s Princeton University salary is being paid by the American taxpayers or is a left-wing liberal advocacy group backing his earnings there through a funded chair?

Your Commander certainly does not suggest a return to 1950s McCarthy era witch hunts, but in my opinion individuals like Van Jones represent a clear and present danger to the American way of life.

COMMANDER GRANGER

Thursday, December 1, 2011

MAINSTREAM MEDIA AWOL ON BOEING SETTLEMENT

Were it not for my morning scan of various internet sites, I would not have found the report of a settlement of the well-known Boeing Aircraft negotiations with the contentious Machinists and Aerospace Workers Union. When I saw an article on Townhall.com I then searched major media outlets such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Chicago Tribune and the Chicago Sun-Times but did not find so much as a mention of the lengthy labor dispute that led to the problem with the National Labor Relations Board withholding approval for Boeing’s new Dreamliner plant in Charleston, S.C.

Further investigation revealed coverage by The Wall Street Journal and the Politico.com site (Politico link below). What I found most interesting was the fact that it seemed only conservative sites reported the labor settlement, which should lead to the NLRB approving Boeing’s important new Charleston operation in a Right to Work State.

http://dyn.politico.com/printstory.cfm?uuid=DBBDF4A0-2A26-40B0-97BE-8CEC8639DDD5

In the interest of fair and balanced reporting extensive coverage of the Boeing labor settlement does exist in the morning editions of both the Seattle Times and the Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Seattle is home to another Boeing plant and is also the company's former headquarters. Boeing is now headquartered in Chicago.

Your Commander wonders just why the mainstream media outlets did not address this important labor settlement with even a small announcement, but it was sufficiently significant to be carried on right-wing conservative media? Do the words LIBERAL POLITICAL BIAS and LABOR SYMPATHIES come to mind?

COMMANDER GRANGER