Summer Musings 2011

FOREIGN AFFAIRS

In an embargoed TIME magazine interview in 2004 former President Ford, in addition to voicing his disapproval of the Bush-Cheney-Rumsfeld decision to invade Iraq, stated: "And I just don't think we should go hellfire damnation around the globe freeing people, unless it is directly related to our national security." Recent and continuing events make it crystal clear that we do not have an ally in Pakistan and that our nation building in Iraq and Afghanistan has been dismal and costly failures. Saddam and Bin Laden are dead, so lets get the hell out. These absurd military operations in the mid east are not only killing our young soldiers but killing our economy. Obama needs to honor his 2008 campaign promise and bring the troops home. We are accomplishing nothing with our continued military presence in these countries.

POLITICS

It used to be we could look at our government to solve problems, not create and be the problem. The recent passing of former first lady Betty Ford reminded me of what the G.O.P used to be -- a party of intelligent, reasonable and patriotic people who could work with the other side of the aisle when the country was in trouble. Those days are apparently gone. House Republicans have one master and that is the simplistic and irresponsible demands of the Tea Party.The current cast of Republican presidential hopefuls is a constant reminder of just how lacking in experience, character, intelligence and honesty this group of presidential wannabes really is. They are ignorant of American History, have demonstrated poor performance in their current positions and consistently lie about what they have previously said and done.

Bob Schieffer, in his closing remarks the other day on  Meet the Press, commented that campaigning is now so costly that those who have been elected and those that seek election now spend far too much time fund raising. In this time consuming process of fund raising candidates make far too many promises and cut far too many deals with influential groups. Once in office their promises, pledges and deals render  them ineffectual and unable to do the job for which they were elected.  As our elected representatives they need to engage in thoughtful discourse, negotiate and compromise to get results. Being bought and paid for by groups like the Tea Party and having signed pledges to state that their minds will not be swayed by thoughtful debate, negotiations and compromise has brought the legislative process to a standstill. Additionally, the current political climate discourages the best from participating and has allowed the muck from the bottom of the barrel to float to the top and take center stage. We have a problem !

BASEBALL

While our son, Devin, was visiting over the 4th of July weekend,  we attended a Mariner's baseball game.  We took the ferry to Seattle and enjoyed a seafood dinner at Ivar's Restaurant and then a short cab ride to the stadium. It has probably been 20 years since I sat in a stadium and watched a baseball game. I have "fond" memories of being in Candlestick Park for a night game that went into extra innings. There was nothing like sitting in the "Stick" watching the fog roll in and trying to stave off frostbite. So with these memories I reluctantly agreed to attend the Seattle Mariners and the San Diego Padres game. My wife, Mary Lynn,  obtained excellent seats for us somewhat behind  home plate and a bit up the third base line. We were close to the action, if there is such a thing as action in a three up, three down contest. For some reason we were treated to seeing former San Francisco 49er quarterback, Joe Montana, throw out the first pitch. He still has a good arm. Seeing Joe was probably the highlight of this game.

Baseball has changed in twenty years. As I sat and watched the on field play I also observed the crowd. All during the game a significant number of fans were on the move. They were constantly up and down the aisles and walking the surrounding concourses. There was a gentleman to my left who spent the first five innings reading the Seattle Times. Countless other fans were lost in the void of their Droids texting, e-mailing, tweeting and I suppose playing games rather than watching the live game. Devin got us three premium beers and they were a hefty $9.75 each !! Glad we were not hungry.

It was a fast game that could have been completed ever faster had it not been for the need to bring on the grounds crew between innings to rake and tidy up the field. At other times we were treated to video inspired games, quizzes and contests on the scoreboard. While the traditional 7th inning stretch is still observed we now have numerous minor stretches that cause a break in the "action" of the game.  An old friend once offered that a baseball game would be infinitely more exciting if the game did away with the shortstop and one outfielder. He may have a point. This 7:10 PM contest was over at 9:30 PM. The Mariners lost one to nothing to the Padres.  We decided to walk back to the ferry terminal in the twilight.

Turning 65

This milestone birthday has been reached. My Medicare card is now in place as is supplemental insurance with Calpers Choice. I have been collecting Social Security since I turned 62; but with a 66% off set or reduction in monthly benefits because as everyone knows teachers already have it made and are not allowed full monthly benefits even if they paid into Social Security. I have so far resisted joining AARP because they seem to be totally focused on getting seniors to sign up for their AARP endorsed supplemental health care coverage. Upon doing some checking AARP (as a non-profit) stands to make one billion dollars off this endorsement over the next ten years. It seems they are actually a for profit insurance company hiding behind the cloak of an association allegedly representing the interests of retired people. I will continue to hold off on joining AARP until their true purpose and identity is clarified. There is also a congressional inquiry under way.

THE NEWS

I used to enjoy watching and listening to the news and commentary on both CNN and MSNBC and occasionally I check out FOX to verify that I am correct in avoiding this channel. I really don't care for reality based entertainment programs and FOX news falls into this category. Unfortunately, both CNN and MSNBC seem to be following the FOX model. Disgraced former New York Governor, Eliot Spitzer,  is no longer with CNN; but MSNBC has seen fit to hire that vulgar Baptist preacher, Al Sharpton. CNN now considers the Anderson Cooper "show" its flagship news program. More than likely the Rev. Jesse Jackson is  probably waiting for a phone call from CNN as CNN's model is now for "shows" as opposed to news reporting.  Amid the shouting, bombast and interviews with all participants talking at the same time there remains the sanity of Rachel Maddow and Andrea Mitchell.

I realize that the days of Walter Cronkite and Huntley and Brinkley, with their solid no nonsense news reporting, are long gone; but does news reporting need to follow an entertainment model? I just ordered the New York Times Sunday paper to compensate for the crap being broadcast now as news. I really am getting old.

THE USUAL SUSPECTS

Michael Vick, convicted felon and prodigal son of the NFL, now has an endorsement contract with NIKE. Apparently NIKE is willing to forgive and forget his horrendous behavior staging dog fights. Like so many bad boys he probably found god or an excellent publicist and is now reshaping his image (and lining his pockets) as a spokesperson against animal cruelty. I can hardly wait to see the first NIKE commercial featuring Vick in cross trainers walking a pit bull. Any chance we will see Casey Anthony in a Christmas Toys-R-Us commercial?

EDUCATION

Not much to say at this time. However; we all know that the 2011 school year will require schools to do more with less funding. College and University tuitions are rising. Teachers continue to be scapegoated for the all the ills of an educational system that is philosophically, ideologically and economically bankrupt. Secretary of Education, Arnie Duncan, is scrambling to deal with the 2014 proficiency deadline. This is the year that the brain trust behind No Child Left Behind has designated when 100%, yes, you read that number correctly, 100% of U.S. students will be proficient in math and english. Any school that does not meet this 100% performance standard will be identified and labeled a "failure" and subject to restructuring. This is going to be quite a train wreck. OK, I did have something to say and I will have more to say in the Fall when schools reopen.

THE ROLLING STONES

On Tuesday, July 26th.  Mick Jagger celebrates his 68th birthday. In 1969 at the age of 26  Jagger told a reporter, "I can’t do this forever. We can’t keep going on. I mean, we’re so old." Yeah, right. When is the next tour? In 1965 I remember listening to Satisfaction  in my black 1960 VW bug ... that was 46 years ago. The Stones are still the world's greatest rock 'n roll band ever and I still enjoy listening to Satisfaction in my Jeep. Yes, they are old guys. Mick will be 68, Keith Richards (although he looks dead) is 68, Bill Wyman (who retired from the band in 1992) is 70, Charlie Watts is 70 and Ron Wood is the youngest at 64. Since 1989 the Stones have earned over 2 billion dollars. Their last tour earned 500 million. They have earned more money with their music and tours than any other band or music entertainer ... bar none. The Stones definitely prove that  ... Old Guys Rule !!!

Random Thoughts II

TAX FREEDOM DAY

While many Californians were faced with the April 15th deadline to file their taxes there is another significant date on the horizon.... April 20th --- TAX FREEDOM DAY. It is on this day, the 110th day of the year, that Californians will have earned enough money to cover all their respective tax obligations. We are currently ranked 4th in the nation. The residents of Connecticut hold the 1st place position working 120 days, 2nd place goes to New Jersey with residents working 115 days and 3rd place goes to New Yorkers who will have worked 115 days to cover their tax burden.

In another ranking California holds the distinction of placing 47th in the field of 50 states with respect to per pupil expenditure for education. This situation kind of begs the question --- what is the Sacramento brain trust doing with our tax money? We are billions of dollars in the red, both sales and vehicle license fees have recently gone up and property taxes remain firm.

Where are our hard earned tax dollars going? Is it time for a collective shout of "Show us the money"? With the rise in sales and VLF taxes we may beat New York and take 1st place in 2010; but only New Yorkers (and Sacramento) will be celebrating.

HARSH and IRRESPONSIBLE WORDS

In these difficult times when people are losing their jobs and homes the last thing they need to hear are harsh words of criticism. Unfortunately, that is exactly what they are hearing from President Obama’s team. In February Attorney General Eric Holder commented “Though this nation has proudly thought of itself as an ethnic melting pot, in things racial, we have always been and we -- I believe continue to be in too many ways essentially a nation of cowards." He added that Americans are afraid to talk about race. Where the hell has he been since Brown vs. Board of Education? This is just what we need, a thoughtless and clueless Attorney General.

Next, we have Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s comments on drugs and border violence:”Our insatiable demand for illegal drugs fuels the drug trade. Our inability to prevent weapons from being illegally smuggled across the border to arm these criminals causes the deaths of police officers, soldiers and civilians. So, yes, I feel very strongly we have co-responsibility." I would agree that we have far too many drug dependent individuals in this country. However; it is the Federal government’s responsibility to secure our borders and they have failed miserably.

VIOLENCE

Recent events seem to indicate that we have an epidemic of violence and lawlessness in the United States. Four police officers gunned down in Oakland, CA. and three killed in Pittsburgh, PA. Small children abducted and killed by people they should have been able to trust. Far too many nightly drive by shootings and far too many youths who feel slighted and disrespected and then resolve these alleged conflicts by using a gun. Our courts, prosecutors, prisons and parole and probation system seem overwhelmed. The public having lost confidence in the ability of the police and courts to protect them have opted to arm themselves. Guns, guns and more guns …. But are we actually safer?

PIRATES

The Pirates of Somalia made the news and made a big mistake last week when they seized an American vessel and then held the Capitan hostage. For most of us the pirates’ ages, specific nationality, level of education, former occupations, and religious beliefs were secondary to the fact that they are outlaws … pirates. However; David Gergen, CNN’s senior political correspondent, chose not to refer to the aggressors as pirates; but Muslims. He said: “The natural temptation is to want to go in with military force and clean out those nests of pirates and just demolish them for even touching an American in the way they did, but there are some complications. Anderson (Anderson Cooper of CNN), in this case this is complicated by his (President Obama) diplomatic outreach to Muslims. He's done a good job laying the groundwork, reaching out in Turkey as we saw a few days ago. If he over-responds to this, if he uses force against Muslims in what seems an excessive way, it could totally undercut his own efforts.”

A pirate is a pirate … is a pirate … is a CRIMINAL regardless of religious affiliation. This country’s response to a criminal attack to one of its merchant ships must be weighed from a military point of view and only a military point of view. Whether the pirates are Catholic, Protestant, Jew or Muslim is irrelevant … they are criminals! Must we be politically correct on the high seas?

CLASS CLOWNS

Over the past month there have been many public figures who, as a result of their public comments and/or actions are a source of head shaking and laughter. To name a few: The financial shenanigans of Senators Chris Dodd and Barney Frank, San Francisco’s smarmy Mayor Newsom and his bid to be California’s next Governor, State Governors Palin, Blagoevich, Jindal and their suspension of logic and common sense, and finally there are two weasels from the Bush administration who now suffer from the dual affliction of having constipated brains and diarrhea of the mouth. Carl Rove and Dick Cheney are on a crusade to salvage the Bush legacy. As in their past being truthful is not important to Cheney and Rove … getting their way is.