With all the political double-speak flowing out of Washington and permeating the Sunday Morning talk shows it is time to set the record straight relative to who is really responsible for some of our current economic malaise.
The Democrat talking heads are all pointing their fingers at President George W. Bush, but I can prove that the real problem with Fannie Mae started back in the last part of the third quarter of 1999. At that time the legendary New York Times had a revealing article printed September 30, 1999 by Steven A. Holmes.
Here are some direct quotes from that article: “Fannie Mae, the nation’s biggest underwriter of home mortgages, has been under increasing pressure from the Clinton Administration to expand mortgage loans among low and moderate income people and felt pressure from stock holders to maintain its phenomenal growth in profits”. The article continues:” “Fannie Mae has expanded home ownership for millions of families in the 1990’s by reducing down payment requirements” said Franklin D. Raines, Fannie Mae’s chairman and chief executive officer. “Yet there remain too many borrowers whose credit is just a notch below what our underwriting has required who have been relegated to paying significantly higher mortgage rates in the so-called subprime market.”
At the end of the article Holmes wrote: “In moving, even tentatively, into this new area of lending, Fannie Mae is taking on significantly more risk, which may not pose any difficulties during flush economic times. But the government-subsidized corporation may run into trouble in an economic downturn, prompting a government rescue similar to that of the savings and loan industry in the 1980’s”.
Well it appears that the most quoted newspaper in the world (according to our major television network news departments) clearly placed the origin of Fannie Mae’s problems with President William Jefferson Clinton, and its stockholders. It is logical that stockholders want greater profits, because they invested their hard earned money in the company. I do hold the management, Clinton Administration, Bush appointed regulators, and especially the Senate/House oversight Committees for failing to provide appropriate restraint. Again we see the inter-relationship between greed and politics. While Clinton, our shamed adulterous ex-leader, struts around the world collecting exorbitant speaking fees while selling his influence he and the liberal media, as well as the current administration, continue to lie to the American citizenry.
Apparently, Obama, Axelrod and Emanuel forgot about this article, because they did not have it sealed from public viewing like they did so many of Obama’s earlier papers. Thanks to the internet there is still some degree of transparency.
COMMANDER GRANGER
Friday, March 13, 2009
Thursday, March 12, 2009
THE STATE OF THE FOURTH ESTATE
Time Magazine Names 10 Newspapers Set to Fold
That headline on the internet certainly caught my eyes, but it is difficult to believe that 10 major market daily newspapers cannot operate successfully in today’s economy. If you did not see the Time magazine article here is their list of the newspapers that could shortly cease publication.
Philadelphia Daily News
Minneapolis Star Tribune
Miami Herald
Detroit News (already reduced home delivery days)
Boston Globe
San Francisco Chronicle
Chicago Sun-Times
New York Daily News
Fort Worth Star Telegram
Cleveland Plain Dealer
Already Denver’s Rocky Mountain News has ceased operation, and the Seattle Post Intelligencer is almost out of business. Remember, too, that the Chicago Tribune’s parent company declared bankruptcy back in December.
Why has this happened is the obvious question, and you are bound to hear any number of reasons during this extensive economic crisis. In the few major metropolitan cities where multiple newspapers continue to operate, excessive competition could be the principle answer; but I think the problem is far more complex. Just like the problems facing our Big 3 automobile manufacturers, most newspapers are struggling with unrealistic union contracts. Rising production expenses for paper, ink, as well as travel expenses, labor, and raising subscription fees, etc. all have added to their unprofitable operational model.
Every newspaper, television and radio station has been trying to find a format for profitable internet operations, but thus far none has been found. The explosion of internet usage has drawn readers away from the long successful tabloids and broadsheets. Over an extended period of time the increase of the competitive environment with many more television and radio stations has hurt, as well as changes in life styles. Research indicates that young people no longer have an interest in the daily newspapers as a major source of information, and entertainment.
Just consider the number of people who have their eyes glued to computer games, the internet, Wifi, I-pods, cell phones, 24 hour cable news channels, and a growing number of television and cable outlets, etc. Newspapers have lost their basic appeal to an increasing percentage of today’s population.
Newspapers are having the same problems that television stations are experiencing with burgeoning competition. In the near future you will see a huge increase in joint operating agreements and mergers in TV, especially in medium and small markets. I cannot conceive that in our major cities that at least one newspaper cannot determine a way to operate successfully, but I have been wrong before. Unless the unions and management cannot come to realistic terms all newspapers are doomed.
Maybe your Commander is just out of touch, but I believe that our civilization will be seriously harmed without a vibrant newspaper industry. Yes, our current journalists are excessively influenced by politics, but that could change due to competitive pressures to survive. There have always been liberal and conservative segments of the print media, but unless the ownership, management, journalists, and the various unions get together they will sadly vanish into the pages of history. In a very short period of time, I predict we will read our newspapers via the internet, and hard copies will no longer exist.
What will be next to fall into oblivion? Are books and libraries in danger of extinction due to production and operational costs? I sometimes wonder just how big a price we must pay in the name of progress.
COMMANDER GRANGER
That headline on the internet certainly caught my eyes, but it is difficult to believe that 10 major market daily newspapers cannot operate successfully in today’s economy. If you did not see the Time magazine article here is their list of the newspapers that could shortly cease publication.
Philadelphia Daily News
Minneapolis Star Tribune
Miami Herald
Detroit News (already reduced home delivery days)
Boston Globe
San Francisco Chronicle
Chicago Sun-Times
New York Daily News
Fort Worth Star Telegram
Cleveland Plain Dealer
Already Denver’s Rocky Mountain News has ceased operation, and the Seattle Post Intelligencer is almost out of business. Remember, too, that the Chicago Tribune’s parent company declared bankruptcy back in December.
Why has this happened is the obvious question, and you are bound to hear any number of reasons during this extensive economic crisis. In the few major metropolitan cities where multiple newspapers continue to operate, excessive competition could be the principle answer; but I think the problem is far more complex. Just like the problems facing our Big 3 automobile manufacturers, most newspapers are struggling with unrealistic union contracts. Rising production expenses for paper, ink, as well as travel expenses, labor, and raising subscription fees, etc. all have added to their unprofitable operational model.
Every newspaper, television and radio station has been trying to find a format for profitable internet operations, but thus far none has been found. The explosion of internet usage has drawn readers away from the long successful tabloids and broadsheets. Over an extended period of time the increase of the competitive environment with many more television and radio stations has hurt, as well as changes in life styles. Research indicates that young people no longer have an interest in the daily newspapers as a major source of information, and entertainment.
Just consider the number of people who have their eyes glued to computer games, the internet, Wifi, I-pods, cell phones, 24 hour cable news channels, and a growing number of television and cable outlets, etc. Newspapers have lost their basic appeal to an increasing percentage of today’s population.
Newspapers are having the same problems that television stations are experiencing with burgeoning competition. In the near future you will see a huge increase in joint operating agreements and mergers in TV, especially in medium and small markets. I cannot conceive that in our major cities that at least one newspaper cannot determine a way to operate successfully, but I have been wrong before. Unless the unions and management cannot come to realistic terms all newspapers are doomed.
Maybe your Commander is just out of touch, but I believe that our civilization will be seriously harmed without a vibrant newspaper industry. Yes, our current journalists are excessively influenced by politics, but that could change due to competitive pressures to survive. There have always been liberal and conservative segments of the print media, but unless the ownership, management, journalists, and the various unions get together they will sadly vanish into the pages of history. In a very short period of time, I predict we will read our newspapers via the internet, and hard copies will no longer exist.
What will be next to fall into oblivion? Are books and libraries in danger of extinction due to production and operational costs? I sometimes wonder just how big a price we must pay in the name of progress.
COMMANDER GRANGER
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
TED BELL BOOKS RING WITH ACTION
Being in an almost perpetual blue funk with the condition of the stock market, I decided to venture over to one of my very favorite places, our public library. Scanning the shelves that contained new offerings, my mental state did not improve, because there were several books proclaiming the wonders of Barack Obama.
Searching for mental relief, I ventured into the shelves of fiction, and investigated my library’s stash of Ted Bell works. Happily I found two books I had not read and I quickly checked them out and retreated to my study with its warm fireplace.
As usual in reading works of Ted Bell, I ended up reading both books over four days, because once you start it is almost impossible to put his stories down. I know that I am prejudiced, but no one writes better action adventure books than Bell. I remember seeing him roaming the halls of the legendary Chicago Leo Burnett Advertising Agency where he rose to be President.
The first of these latest reads was titled PIRATE. It addressed the continuing adventures of British Intelligence operative Alex Hawke who this time crosses the world to tame the dangerous actions of a relative of France’s famed Napoleon and evil Chinese forces. Hawke’s usual companions are all there to aid in the mission to save peace in the world.
SPY was written one year later in 2006 and it covers Hawke’s unbelievable assault on evil forces moving from deep in the jungles of South America into the USA. This is a real page-turner. The bad guys are Iranian, Mexican, Muslim extremists. A recurring theme in SPY is our disregard for the integrity of our precious borders.
Should you want to get away from the doom and gloom of our current economic crisis there is no better way than to spend a few hours in the chapters of Ted Bell’s creative genius. Happy relaxation and I am sure you will be a huge fan of Ted Bell after reading PIRATE and SPY.
Guess what? Just after completion of these two books yesterday, the Dow/Jones increased 379.44 points. I’ll read Bell everyday if the market will keep growing, but I do know better.
Your Commander firmly believes that the good old USA will survive our current problems, but we must remain vigilant to the many real forces of evil that threaten our precious freedom.
COMMANDER GRANGER
Searching for mental relief, I ventured into the shelves of fiction, and investigated my library’s stash of Ted Bell works. Happily I found two books I had not read and I quickly checked them out and retreated to my study with its warm fireplace.
As usual in reading works of Ted Bell, I ended up reading both books over four days, because once you start it is almost impossible to put his stories down. I know that I am prejudiced, but no one writes better action adventure books than Bell. I remember seeing him roaming the halls of the legendary Chicago Leo Burnett Advertising Agency where he rose to be President.
The first of these latest reads was titled PIRATE. It addressed the continuing adventures of British Intelligence operative Alex Hawke who this time crosses the world to tame the dangerous actions of a relative of France’s famed Napoleon and evil Chinese forces. Hawke’s usual companions are all there to aid in the mission to save peace in the world.
SPY was written one year later in 2006 and it covers Hawke’s unbelievable assault on evil forces moving from deep in the jungles of South America into the USA. This is a real page-turner. The bad guys are Iranian, Mexican, Muslim extremists. A recurring theme in SPY is our disregard for the integrity of our precious borders.
Should you want to get away from the doom and gloom of our current economic crisis there is no better way than to spend a few hours in the chapters of Ted Bell’s creative genius. Happy relaxation and I am sure you will be a huge fan of Ted Bell after reading PIRATE and SPY.
Guess what? Just after completion of these two books yesterday, the Dow/Jones increased 379.44 points. I’ll read Bell everyday if the market will keep growing, but I do know better.
Your Commander firmly believes that the good old USA will survive our current problems, but we must remain vigilant to the many real forces of evil that threaten our precious freedom.
COMMANDER GRANGER
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
IT COULD TAKE ONE HUNDRED YEARS
At the present time the United States of America is in deep excrement, and I predict that it may take one hundred years for it to return to its earlier days of glory and stability. Unquestionably our country is in social, political, and economic turmoil that will not be resolved quickly.
Our current situation did not occur overnight, and there are many forces, influences, and individuals to blame for our broad base of problems. To say that our present circumstances are the fault of the previous administration is divisive and dishonest, because our perils have been brewing for many years. I suggest that the decline of THE AMERICAN WAY started immediately following the Great Depression. The shock of that tragic event caused our leadership to enter into political and moral compromises that have led to today’s malaise.
Your Commander suggests that the good old USA lost its moral compass, and entered into alliances that led to a great World War in both Europe and the Far East. Yes, World War II did resolve the Depression, but it set forth a series of developments that have led to our current situation. The agreements reached by our ailing leadership toward the end of World War ll led to the demise of colonialism, and aroused passionate nationalist/religious uprisings across the world.
After World War ll, and even the Korean War, America desired to live the good life, but in doing so America compromised its principals, which we are paying a heavy price for today. Repeatedly we failed to address our growing dependence on oil, and political forces encouraged business to expand into areas that were inappropriate, unethical, and corrupt. Over an extended period of time American industry repeatedly failed to address improved automobile mileage standards, failed to provide sufficient research dollars to develop energy independence, ignored good business policies in banking regulation, as well as appropriate oversight of Wall Street policies. Our educational system is in shambles because we permitted the union movement to prevent appropriate corrective action. Political acquiescence to union pressures has resulted in the current disastrous automotive industry.
America’s foreign policies have been both arrogant and self-serving, and in many cases propped up corrupt foreign governments. We repeatedly tried to buy our influence by throwing vast fortunes at governments who in the long run have turned their backs, taken our money, and voted against America in the United Nations. For many years the USA has dumped billions of dollars into the devious United Nations, and we are looked upon as gullible fools or “Ugly Americans”.
America and its citizens have had things too good for too long, and we are now paying the piper. Our new administration is taking us down a road that can only result in massive debt that I do not see how any civilization can repay. I believe the foreign policy of the new administration is one of appeasement, which places us at great defensive peril.
Currently the future is bleak, but there is always hope and optimism that a leader will eventually come forth who will tell the electorate the truth. We need leadership that is from the people and for the people. Our leadership has come from the ranks of multi-millionaires or politicians who are out to feather their own private nest, and do not serve in the true interests of the people.
Your Commander does not see a clear picture of the future until the voting public wakes up from their stupor of prosperity, and demands accountability along with performance. We have had enough political double-talk. Our great democracy will only endure when we go back to our foundation of the Declaration of Independence, and our wondrous Constitution. Our Founding Fathers never promised womb to tomb entitlement, but we were lulled into depending upon the false promises of our political charlatans. Let us get back to basics and confidence, and then a clear and honest productive future will come into view.
COMMANDER GRANGER
Our current situation did not occur overnight, and there are many forces, influences, and individuals to blame for our broad base of problems. To say that our present circumstances are the fault of the previous administration is divisive and dishonest, because our perils have been brewing for many years. I suggest that the decline of THE AMERICAN WAY started immediately following the Great Depression. The shock of that tragic event caused our leadership to enter into political and moral compromises that have led to today’s malaise.
Your Commander suggests that the good old USA lost its moral compass, and entered into alliances that led to a great World War in both Europe and the Far East. Yes, World War II did resolve the Depression, but it set forth a series of developments that have led to our current situation. The agreements reached by our ailing leadership toward the end of World War ll led to the demise of colonialism, and aroused passionate nationalist/religious uprisings across the world.
After World War ll, and even the Korean War, America desired to live the good life, but in doing so America compromised its principals, which we are paying a heavy price for today. Repeatedly we failed to address our growing dependence on oil, and political forces encouraged business to expand into areas that were inappropriate, unethical, and corrupt. Over an extended period of time American industry repeatedly failed to address improved automobile mileage standards, failed to provide sufficient research dollars to develop energy independence, ignored good business policies in banking regulation, as well as appropriate oversight of Wall Street policies. Our educational system is in shambles because we permitted the union movement to prevent appropriate corrective action. Political acquiescence to union pressures has resulted in the current disastrous automotive industry.
America’s foreign policies have been both arrogant and self-serving, and in many cases propped up corrupt foreign governments. We repeatedly tried to buy our influence by throwing vast fortunes at governments who in the long run have turned their backs, taken our money, and voted against America in the United Nations. For many years the USA has dumped billions of dollars into the devious United Nations, and we are looked upon as gullible fools or “Ugly Americans”.
America and its citizens have had things too good for too long, and we are now paying the piper. Our new administration is taking us down a road that can only result in massive debt that I do not see how any civilization can repay. I believe the foreign policy of the new administration is one of appeasement, which places us at great defensive peril.
Currently the future is bleak, but there is always hope and optimism that a leader will eventually come forth who will tell the electorate the truth. We need leadership that is from the people and for the people. Our leadership has come from the ranks of multi-millionaires or politicians who are out to feather their own private nest, and do not serve in the true interests of the people.
Your Commander does not see a clear picture of the future until the voting public wakes up from their stupor of prosperity, and demands accountability along with performance. We have had enough political double-talk. Our great democracy will only endure when we go back to our foundation of the Declaration of Independence, and our wondrous Constitution. Our Founding Fathers never promised womb to tomb entitlement, but we were lulled into depending upon the false promises of our political charlatans. Let us get back to basics and confidence, and then a clear and honest productive future will come into view.
COMMANDER GRANGER
Friday, March 6, 2009
MR. PRESIDENT YOU HAVE LOST ME
Even though I did not vote for your election, I have recommended to my readers that they should support your presidency. It has been my opinion that you deserved the support of the American public as you formed your new administration. Some members of the electorate feel you did not win the election fair and square, but that is old news. You are our new president for good or bad, and it is in our collective best interest that we join together to improve our country and its economy.
After one month I have changed my mind, and now join the ranks of the loyal opposition. Remembering that I consider myself as an Independent Conservative, I retain the right to my freedom of choice.
The reasons you lost my support are simple and few. When one compares the statements you made during the campaign, and the oratory being expressed since your inauguration I see two different leaders. Your campaign called for CHANGE, TRANSPARENCY, ELIMINATION OF EARMARKS, ENERGY CONSERVATION, and ECONOMIC RECOVERY.
Since taking office your administration has not changed, but followed the old tried and true political shenanigans with strong-arm tactics. Almost daily there are statements reminding the electorate that you inherited all your problems from the past administration, but fail to acknowledge the fact that the past administration had a Democrat majority House and Senate. This is not to say that I endorse all the decisions of our past president, because I do not, but he is not solely to blame.
Transparency has gone out the window with bills being presented to a Congressional vote without anyone being able to read the contents in full. Your administration has meetings which exclude the press from attendance. The most recent example is the Vice President Biden's appearance at the AFL/CIO Convention in Florida where the broadcast media was excluded. Why?
You campaigned repeatedly stating your opposition to Earmarks, and then you present a Stimulus Bill and a Budget Bill loaded with hundreds of millions in Earmarks. To repeatedly have stated that both pieces of legislation are earmark free is nothing but a lie. This action is nothing short of abuse of power.
You strongly urged action to conserve energy, and called for energy independence, but you almost daily utilize Air Force One, and/or your fleet of energy sucking helicopters. Your indiscriminate use of government aviation costs the American taxpayers millions of dollars each time the fleet leaves the ground when the same work could have been done from the White House. Your administration criticizes the executives of publicly held companies for using their private jets, but it is alright for you to do the same polluting the skies leaving a huge carbon footprint. Why do you endorse the use of huge military aircraft to fly Speaker Nancy Pelosi D-CA back and forth to San Francisco almost every weekend? Again this represents abuse of power, and an arrogant disregard for the impact your actions have on the taxpayers.
Lastly, your Economic Recovery Plan is deceiving at best, and excessive in total dollar allocations. Many of the projects planned to solve our immediate economic problems will not take effect for several years, and do not call for job creation. Some projects are clearly pay-offs for political support. The statement of “shovel ready projects” is pure political double speak. Your plan places our children and their children with a debt burden that is almost unthinkable by any logical standard.
The clock is ticking toward your next election Mr. President, and you only have three years, and eight months before you will be held accountable. The polls already reflect growing concerns by the great unwashed electorate with an increase of 10 points in your disapproval rating. It is time to stay off the television airwaves, because each inflated arrogant elitist statement causes the Dow Jones stock averages to plummet.
As they say, “You can fool some of the people all of the time, all of the people some of the time, but you cannot fool all of the people all of the time”.
COMMANDER GRANGER
After one month I have changed my mind, and now join the ranks of the loyal opposition. Remembering that I consider myself as an Independent Conservative, I retain the right to my freedom of choice.
The reasons you lost my support are simple and few. When one compares the statements you made during the campaign, and the oratory being expressed since your inauguration I see two different leaders. Your campaign called for CHANGE, TRANSPARENCY, ELIMINATION OF EARMARKS, ENERGY CONSERVATION, and ECONOMIC RECOVERY.
Since taking office your administration has not changed, but followed the old tried and true political shenanigans with strong-arm tactics. Almost daily there are statements reminding the electorate that you inherited all your problems from the past administration, but fail to acknowledge the fact that the past administration had a Democrat majority House and Senate. This is not to say that I endorse all the decisions of our past president, because I do not, but he is not solely to blame.
Transparency has gone out the window with bills being presented to a Congressional vote without anyone being able to read the contents in full. Your administration has meetings which exclude the press from attendance. The most recent example is the Vice President Biden's appearance at the AFL/CIO Convention in Florida where the broadcast media was excluded. Why?
You campaigned repeatedly stating your opposition to Earmarks, and then you present a Stimulus Bill and a Budget Bill loaded with hundreds of millions in Earmarks. To repeatedly have stated that both pieces of legislation are earmark free is nothing but a lie. This action is nothing short of abuse of power.
You strongly urged action to conserve energy, and called for energy independence, but you almost daily utilize Air Force One, and/or your fleet of energy sucking helicopters. Your indiscriminate use of government aviation costs the American taxpayers millions of dollars each time the fleet leaves the ground when the same work could have been done from the White House. Your administration criticizes the executives of publicly held companies for using their private jets, but it is alright for you to do the same polluting the skies leaving a huge carbon footprint. Why do you endorse the use of huge military aircraft to fly Speaker Nancy Pelosi D-CA back and forth to San Francisco almost every weekend? Again this represents abuse of power, and an arrogant disregard for the impact your actions have on the taxpayers.
Lastly, your Economic Recovery Plan is deceiving at best, and excessive in total dollar allocations. Many of the projects planned to solve our immediate economic problems will not take effect for several years, and do not call for job creation. Some projects are clearly pay-offs for political support. The statement of “shovel ready projects” is pure political double speak. Your plan places our children and their children with a debt burden that is almost unthinkable by any logical standard.
The clock is ticking toward your next election Mr. President, and you only have three years, and eight months before you will be held accountable. The polls already reflect growing concerns by the great unwashed electorate with an increase of 10 points in your disapproval rating. It is time to stay off the television airwaves, because each inflated arrogant elitist statement causes the Dow Jones stock averages to plummet.
As they say, “You can fool some of the people all of the time, all of the people some of the time, but you cannot fool all of the people all of the time”.
COMMANDER GRANGER
Monday, March 2, 2009
AMERICAN TROOPS AROUND THE WORLD
President Barack Obama last week announced plans to reduce the number of American troops serving in Iraq by summer 2010, ultimately keeping 35,000 to 50,000 there to continue in a supportive role. I believe it is somewhat naive to provide date certain time lines, because history proves they do not hold. Having served proudly in the U.S. Air Force at K-8 Kunsan, Korea some fifty-seven years ago my ears perked up.
Since the president’s announcement I did some research, and learned that there are still some 40,000 American troops still serving in Korea. In March, 2006 Richard Benedetto wrote a very interesting article for USA Today that provided some staggering statistics.
World War ll ended some 64 years ago and there are more than 100,000 troops still stationed in Germany and Japan. The Iraq invasion of Kuwait came to an end in 1991, and there are still 40,000 troops in country. Now we are increasing our troop commitment to Afghanistan to some 50,000 or so. With the withdrawal of combat troops from Iraq I suspect the American force level in Afghanistan will reach far over its current level, and remain high for many years to come. History has proven this part of the world is a very difficult place to fight (just ask the Russians), and it probably will prove to be a much longer term obligation before victory is ultimately achieved.
There is a very interesting web site; www.LewRockwell.com that provides some staggering insight into this subject. There is a great article on this site, THE GLOBAL EMPIRE by Laurence M. Vance, which provides the full scope of American military activity around the world. The article highlights the fact that our global presence is unlike any other country in history, and we have troops in 70% of the world’s nations. Would you believe that American Military Personnel are serving in 135 different countries, many of which are hard to find on any map?
Your Commander suggests that it would be highly propitious for our new president to form a blue-ribbon committee to study the need for so many American military to be stationed all over the world. Can you imagine the total cost this commitment has on our Treasury? Isn’t it time to bring some of our troops home? We could place them along our borders (both north and south) and establish a firm hand on illegal immigration, which in itself is costing the American taxpayer hundreds of millions, and probably billions yearly.
In a separate commentary I intend to address the inter-relationship of Illegal immigration, prison populations, gangs and drugs. It is suspected, and reported in the media that our government does not want to enforce our immigration laws, because the current administration benefits substantially from the rapidly growing illegal immigrant communities.
With our current economic turmoil it is time to investigate every single way in which we can reduce expenditures. Bringing troops home would immediately curtail the Defense budget, because it would be cheaper to house them at existing military facilities. Any savings can be redirected to replace all the equipment that has been destroyed or will be left for the Iraqi Army. Another huge benefit would be reuniting military families, while infusing more money into local economies, plus boosting morale and reenlistments.
I cannot conceive that an American military presence is required in 135 different countries. Is it not time, however, for some of these foreign governments to be standing on their own feet, and providing proper defenses for their citizens. The good old USA cannot solve all the world’s problems and it is about time we recognize that fact.
Your Commander is a firm believer in President Teddy Roosevelt’s theory “WALK SOFTLY AND CARRY A BIG STICK”, which we can effectively do from home, and not some distant land. Your Commander is beginning to wonder if our new administration’s theory is “WALK LOUDLY AND CARRY A SOFT STICK”. I know we must have some troops overseas, but to what extent is the question. What has our continued massive excessive foreign military presence gotten us? In return we get nothing but protests, expense, and criticism.
COMMANDER GRANGER
Since the president’s announcement I did some research, and learned that there are still some 40,000 American troops still serving in Korea. In March, 2006 Richard Benedetto wrote a very interesting article for USA Today that provided some staggering statistics.
World War ll ended some 64 years ago and there are more than 100,000 troops still stationed in Germany and Japan. The Iraq invasion of Kuwait came to an end in 1991, and there are still 40,000 troops in country. Now we are increasing our troop commitment to Afghanistan to some 50,000 or so. With the withdrawal of combat troops from Iraq I suspect the American force level in Afghanistan will reach far over its current level, and remain high for many years to come. History has proven this part of the world is a very difficult place to fight (just ask the Russians), and it probably will prove to be a much longer term obligation before victory is ultimately achieved.
There is a very interesting web site; www.LewRockwell.com that provides some staggering insight into this subject. There is a great article on this site, THE GLOBAL EMPIRE by Laurence M. Vance, which provides the full scope of American military activity around the world. The article highlights the fact that our global presence is unlike any other country in history, and we have troops in 70% of the world’s nations. Would you believe that American Military Personnel are serving in 135 different countries, many of which are hard to find on any map?
Your Commander suggests that it would be highly propitious for our new president to form a blue-ribbon committee to study the need for so many American military to be stationed all over the world. Can you imagine the total cost this commitment has on our Treasury? Isn’t it time to bring some of our troops home? We could place them along our borders (both north and south) and establish a firm hand on illegal immigration, which in itself is costing the American taxpayer hundreds of millions, and probably billions yearly.
In a separate commentary I intend to address the inter-relationship of Illegal immigration, prison populations, gangs and drugs. It is suspected, and reported in the media that our government does not want to enforce our immigration laws, because the current administration benefits substantially from the rapidly growing illegal immigrant communities.
With our current economic turmoil it is time to investigate every single way in which we can reduce expenditures. Bringing troops home would immediately curtail the Defense budget, because it would be cheaper to house them at existing military facilities. Any savings can be redirected to replace all the equipment that has been destroyed or will be left for the Iraqi Army. Another huge benefit would be reuniting military families, while infusing more money into local economies, plus boosting morale and reenlistments.
I cannot conceive that an American military presence is required in 135 different countries. Is it not time, however, for some of these foreign governments to be standing on their own feet, and providing proper defenses for their citizens. The good old USA cannot solve all the world’s problems and it is about time we recognize that fact.
Your Commander is a firm believer in President Teddy Roosevelt’s theory “WALK SOFTLY AND CARRY A BIG STICK”, which we can effectively do from home, and not some distant land. Your Commander is beginning to wonder if our new administration’s theory is “WALK LOUDLY AND CARRY A SOFT STICK”. I know we must have some troops overseas, but to what extent is the question. What has our continued massive excessive foreign military presence gotten us? In return we get nothing but protests, expense, and criticism.
COMMANDER GRANGER
Sunday, March 1, 2009
THE MOST DANGEROUS MAN IN WASHINGTON?
But first, who is the most effective person in Congress? In your Commander’s opinion, I suggest Congressman Jeff Flake R-AZ. He is in his fifth term in the House and has long been a champion in the crusade against PORK or EARMARK legislation. It has been reported that Congressman Flake has been penalized severely by not serving on preferred Committees because of his opposition to pork infested House Bills. Members of Flake’s own Republican Party have voted against his committee assignments and even withheld campaign funds from his re-election.
I believe that if there were more Congressmen like Jeff Flake, our Congress would be far more effective and efficient. Obviously there are few Congressional members who are as totally honest as Representative Flake; because we keep re-electing corrupt party hacks.
Now, regarding the subject of this commentary, where do we start when the potential list is so long? How about those elected officials who have committed criminal acts, like Sen. Ted Kennedy D-MA who left a companion to die in his water bound automobile, former Sen. Ted Stevens R-AK who was convicted of corruption, former Sen. Larry Craig R-ID who pleaded guilty to solicitation in the Minneapolis Airport, Rep. Charles Rangel D-NY who just “forgot” to pay his proper tax obligations, former Sen. Tom Daschle D-SD who missed paying taxes too, and the list goes on and on. Just look at some of the recent appointed Cabinet members (including Daschle) who had to step aside before facing the heat of the lights before congressional questioning.
Then there are Speaker Nancy Pelosi D-CA, and Senator Harry Reid D-NV who defy logic in their vicious partisanship leadership. Statements from these two are frequently beyond the pale. Included in my list are Congressman Barney Frank D-MA, and Senator Christopher Dodd D-Conn who in my judgment should be held accountable for the recent financial crisis since they and the committees they chair were negligent in their responsibilities and oversight.
Let’s face it folks, ethics and the Senate and House Ethics Committees are a total joke. There is one set of rules to be followed in Washington…theirs. That situation will not to change until we, the voters, get some objectivity and honesty in our election process. Again, and again we vote our pocketbooks and self-interests, and not the best interests of our fellow citizens. I fear what it will take to change this situation, but I do not think any of us would like the medicine it will require to improve it.
It is the Commander’s opinion that the most dangerous individual in Washington today is White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel. He is of course an ex-Illinois Congressman, was closely associated with now ex-Governor Rod Blagojevich D-IL, ex-advisor to Chicago Mayor Richard J. Daley, a multi-millionaire ex-investment banker, ex-Director of Freddie Mac, ex-head of the Democrat Campaign Committee, and tax evader in two specific cases.
First, Emanuel and his wife, Amy Rule, created a family charitable foundation. They declared their home as the office location for the trust and as a result, they pay no property tax on it, according to the Illinois Review. The foundation makes donations to his synagogue and the private school his children attend, the Clinton Foundation, and garners income tax write-offs and free tuition for his kids’ private school. Adjacent neighbors to Emanuel’s home are reportedly paying $6,000 and $6,800 in property tax annually according to the Cook County Treasurer’s website.
Then there is the story that Emanuel has lived rent-free in a lower level apartment of a Connecticut Congresswomen’s Washington town house for a number of years. This Congresswomen’s husband owns a polling company hired to do work for both Emanuel and the Democrat Congressional Campaign Committee. Here again Emanuel has not paid any taxes on his living arrangement. Why?
Lastly, and in my opinion most disturbing is the comment reported by the Wall Street Journal Digital Network that Emanuel stated outright his desire to make political hay with the ongoing travails of the U.S. and global economy. “You never want a serious crisis to go to waste. And what I mean by that is an opportunity to do things you think you could not do before.”
This story was first reported way back on November 21, 2008 and it received very little main-street media coverage. Seton Motley, Director of Communications for the Media Research Center stated, “Where, oh where has the press’s righteous indignation at the use of national hardship for crass political gain gone?” Motley also stated that “the longer the crisis lingers, the more our economy tanks, the better it is for them” (the Obama Administration).
Just maybe Emanuel’s well known heavy hand, and theory is really behind President Obama’s frequent use of the word CRISIS in virtually every speech he has made since election.
I find these facts most troubling. Rahm Emanuel has long been reported as a “take no prisoners”, foul mouthed, hard nosed political operative. His reputation and record sure does not appear to be compatible with the theme of our president’s campaign pledges. Silly me or stupid me…do you suppose that the American People have been deceived?
COMMANDER GRANGER
I believe that if there were more Congressmen like Jeff Flake, our Congress would be far more effective and efficient. Obviously there are few Congressional members who are as totally honest as Representative Flake; because we keep re-electing corrupt party hacks.
Now, regarding the subject of this commentary, where do we start when the potential list is so long? How about those elected officials who have committed criminal acts, like Sen. Ted Kennedy D-MA who left a companion to die in his water bound automobile, former Sen. Ted Stevens R-AK who was convicted of corruption, former Sen. Larry Craig R-ID who pleaded guilty to solicitation in the Minneapolis Airport, Rep. Charles Rangel D-NY who just “forgot” to pay his proper tax obligations, former Sen. Tom Daschle D-SD who missed paying taxes too, and the list goes on and on. Just look at some of the recent appointed Cabinet members (including Daschle) who had to step aside before facing the heat of the lights before congressional questioning.
Then there are Speaker Nancy Pelosi D-CA, and Senator Harry Reid D-NV who defy logic in their vicious partisanship leadership. Statements from these two are frequently beyond the pale. Included in my list are Congressman Barney Frank D-MA, and Senator Christopher Dodd D-Conn who in my judgment should be held accountable for the recent financial crisis since they and the committees they chair were negligent in their responsibilities and oversight.
Let’s face it folks, ethics and the Senate and House Ethics Committees are a total joke. There is one set of rules to be followed in Washington…theirs. That situation will not to change until we, the voters, get some objectivity and honesty in our election process. Again, and again we vote our pocketbooks and self-interests, and not the best interests of our fellow citizens. I fear what it will take to change this situation, but I do not think any of us would like the medicine it will require to improve it.
It is the Commander’s opinion that the most dangerous individual in Washington today is White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel. He is of course an ex-Illinois Congressman, was closely associated with now ex-Governor Rod Blagojevich D-IL, ex-advisor to Chicago Mayor Richard J. Daley, a multi-millionaire ex-investment banker, ex-Director of Freddie Mac, ex-head of the Democrat Campaign Committee, and tax evader in two specific cases.
First, Emanuel and his wife, Amy Rule, created a family charitable foundation. They declared their home as the office location for the trust and as a result, they pay no property tax on it, according to the Illinois Review. The foundation makes donations to his synagogue and the private school his children attend, the Clinton Foundation, and garners income tax write-offs and free tuition for his kids’ private school. Adjacent neighbors to Emanuel’s home are reportedly paying $6,000 and $6,800 in property tax annually according to the Cook County Treasurer’s website.
Then there is the story that Emanuel has lived rent-free in a lower level apartment of a Connecticut Congresswomen’s Washington town house for a number of years. This Congresswomen’s husband owns a polling company hired to do work for both Emanuel and the Democrat Congressional Campaign Committee. Here again Emanuel has not paid any taxes on his living arrangement. Why?
Lastly, and in my opinion most disturbing is the comment reported by the Wall Street Journal Digital Network that Emanuel stated outright his desire to make political hay with the ongoing travails of the U.S. and global economy. “You never want a serious crisis to go to waste. And what I mean by that is an opportunity to do things you think you could not do before.”
This story was first reported way back on November 21, 2008 and it received very little main-street media coverage. Seton Motley, Director of Communications for the Media Research Center stated, “Where, oh where has the press’s righteous indignation at the use of national hardship for crass political gain gone?” Motley also stated that “the longer the crisis lingers, the more our economy tanks, the better it is for them” (the Obama Administration).
Just maybe Emanuel’s well known heavy hand, and theory is really behind President Obama’s frequent use of the word CRISIS in virtually every speech he has made since election.
I find these facts most troubling. Rahm Emanuel has long been reported as a “take no prisoners”, foul mouthed, hard nosed political operative. His reputation and record sure does not appear to be compatible with the theme of our president’s campaign pledges. Silly me or stupid me…do you suppose that the American People have been deceived?
COMMANDER GRANGER
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