Officer Will worked his last shift Sunday night. He was working a hit and run accident involving a motorcycle. Several other police and emergency vehicles were parked at the scene, with officers directing traffic and with traffic cones in place. A vehicle approached, failed to follow the clear path marked by the cones, failed to heed the verbal and visual directions of police officers, and drove through the accident investigation scene. Officer Will made sure the witness he was interviewing made it to safety, but was himself struck by the oncoming vehicle and killed. The driver of the vehicle was arrested at the scene, was found not to have a Texas driver's license, and was also found to be an illegal alien.
Officer Wll left behind his pregnant spouse and two children. He had been on the Houston Police force for only two years. I salute Officer Kevin Will as a true hero.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
A Cop's Last Watch: Deputy Sgt. Kenneth Vann, Bexar County Sheriff's Office
Sergeant Kenneth Vann, a Deputy with the Bexar County Sheriff's Office, made his last watch on May 28th. At around 2:00 A.M. Sgt. Vann was responding to a reported accidental shooting in the outlying area around San Antonio. As he stopped his patrol car at a traffic signal, a car stopped beside him in the right lane. Several people in the car opened fire. The Deputy was hit by nearly a dozen rounds, and died immediately. His vehicle rolled through the intersection and crashed into a bridge pylon barrier as the suspects drove away.
This assassination only emphasizes once again that merely driving a police car places an officer in the line of fire. There was no contact between Sgt. Vann and the occupants of the vehicle prior to the shooting. There is a darker side to this murder of a police officer. Many of you may recall that in the opening days of 2011 several police officers across the United States were shot in random incidents, at least that was the first thought. Later, as the killings were investigated, it appeared that there was possibly a loosely organized conspiracy to shoot police officers anywhere and at anytime. Arrests were made in several of the murders, but no hard evidence of a conspiracy was found. Nonetheless, there appeared to be conspiracy where the conspirators did not know each other, and most probably acted alone in each incident.
The murder of police officers appeared to taper to more "normal" levels, as tragic as it is to say it that way. Possibly the severe weather in the latter portions of this winter slowed the shootings. Perhaps the "loose" conspiracy ran its course. But the murder of Sgt. Vann raises the specter of continued "ambush" murders of police officers. I hope I am wrong.
Sgt. Vann left behind his wife and three children, as well as his comrades at the Bexar County Sheriff's Office. The murder of this police officer is a particularly sour pill to swallow because the leads as to the suspects' identities are very slim. Even with a reward fund of over $100,000 few solid tips have been received. I thank Sgt. Vann for his service to his community, and I send my condolences to join with the sympathy being offered from all over this state and this nation. And I send an extra prayer for the safety of all police officers. Any police situation can turn deadly, but the deadliest situation of all is the ambush, a situation in which the officer has no warning and very little time to react. Today the Blue Line is a little thinner, as Deputy Sgt. Vann finished his last watch.
This assassination only emphasizes once again that merely driving a police car places an officer in the line of fire. There was no contact between Sgt. Vann and the occupants of the vehicle prior to the shooting. There is a darker side to this murder of a police officer. Many of you may recall that in the opening days of 2011 several police officers across the United States were shot in random incidents, at least that was the first thought. Later, as the killings were investigated, it appeared that there was possibly a loosely organized conspiracy to shoot police officers anywhere and at anytime. Arrests were made in several of the murders, but no hard evidence of a conspiracy was found. Nonetheless, there appeared to be conspiracy where the conspirators did not know each other, and most probably acted alone in each incident.
The murder of police officers appeared to taper to more "normal" levels, as tragic as it is to say it that way. Possibly the severe weather in the latter portions of this winter slowed the shootings. Perhaps the "loose" conspiracy ran its course. But the murder of Sgt. Vann raises the specter of continued "ambush" murders of police officers. I hope I am wrong.
Sgt. Vann left behind his wife and three children, as well as his comrades at the Bexar County Sheriff's Office. The murder of this police officer is a particularly sour pill to swallow because the leads as to the suspects' identities are very slim. Even with a reward fund of over $100,000 few solid tips have been received. I thank Sgt. Vann for his service to his community, and I send my condolences to join with the sympathy being offered from all over this state and this nation. And I send an extra prayer for the safety of all police officers. Any police situation can turn deadly, but the deadliest situation of all is the ambush, a situation in which the officer has no warning and very little time to react. Today the Blue Line is a little thinner, as Deputy Sgt. Vann finished his last watch.
Monday, May 30, 2011
This Memorial Day
This Memorial Day was very special for me. No, I was not off to "celebrate." I had to go to work, like so many other people. I really wanted to be off with my family, but the work day turned into a surprisingly surprising day. I had the honor of meeting a lady whose father was the last surviving member of the infamous Bataan Death March, one of the darker episodes of World War II. The events of that terrible crime of war can be reviewed on the Internet or in the history books. But Mr. Lyn B. Preslar, the last survivor of that terrible outrage (he passed away last year), wrote a brief, but horrific, account of his experiences as a POW. His account can be seen on the Odessa Fire Department web site.
My blog tonight is to honor Mr. Preslar, as much for his life of service AFTER the War as for his service as a Marine. You see, Mr. Preslar came back to Texas after his liberation. His wife nursed him back to good health, and Mr. Preslar resumed life as a "civilian." Mr. Preslar's idea of being a civilian was the life of continuing service to his fellow man. He became a firefighter with the Odessa, Texas Fire Department, serving with that department for over thirty years. His last position with the Odessa Fire Department was that of Battalion Commander. Even as a "civilian," Mr. Preslar devoted himself to a life of service. He was one man who was a hero both at war and at home. He passed on his values of self-reliance and of service to others to his daughter, to whom he was most certainly a hero, bigger than life.
I honor Mr. Preslar and thank him for his service to all Americans, and to the Americans who reside in that dusty and dry city of Odessa. There is one more thing that needs to be mentioned here. Mr. Preslar, for reasons known only to military bureaucracy, did not receive any of the several medals he so richly deserved. He was the type of man who worked hard and made the best of life, and did not seek recognition for himself. An Army nurse in a VA hospital took care of Mr. Preslar and subsequently learned of his service in World War II. Upon learning that he had received no official recognition for his services, this nurse initiated a campaign to secure for Mr. Preslar the recognition and the medals that were rightly his. Fortunately, the United States government indeed recognized Mr. Preslar for his service and his heroism in the most horrific circumstances. Mr. Preslar was awarded a long list of medals, including the most sacred of awards, the Navy Cross, shortly before he passed away.
Although I did not personally meet Mr. Preslar, nor the thousands of other heroes of World War II, I dedicate this blog to him, and I thank him and all our military heroes for their service, whether in the wars of the past, or the current conflicts. As one person said, "All gave some, but some gave ALL." God bless America, and our soldiers, wherever they may be.
My blog tonight is to honor Mr. Preslar, as much for his life of service AFTER the War as for his service as a Marine. You see, Mr. Preslar came back to Texas after his liberation. His wife nursed him back to good health, and Mr. Preslar resumed life as a "civilian." Mr. Preslar's idea of being a civilian was the life of continuing service to his fellow man. He became a firefighter with the Odessa, Texas Fire Department, serving with that department for over thirty years. His last position with the Odessa Fire Department was that of Battalion Commander. Even as a "civilian," Mr. Preslar devoted himself to a life of service. He was one man who was a hero both at war and at home. He passed on his values of self-reliance and of service to others to his daughter, to whom he was most certainly a hero, bigger than life.
I honor Mr. Preslar and thank him for his service to all Americans, and to the Americans who reside in that dusty and dry city of Odessa. There is one more thing that needs to be mentioned here. Mr. Preslar, for reasons known only to military bureaucracy, did not receive any of the several medals he so richly deserved. He was the type of man who worked hard and made the best of life, and did not seek recognition for himself. An Army nurse in a VA hospital took care of Mr. Preslar and subsequently learned of his service in World War II. Upon learning that he had received no official recognition for his services, this nurse initiated a campaign to secure for Mr. Preslar the recognition and the medals that were rightly his. Fortunately, the United States government indeed recognized Mr. Preslar for his service and his heroism in the most horrific circumstances. Mr. Preslar was awarded a long list of medals, including the most sacred of awards, the Navy Cross, shortly before he passed away.
Although I did not personally meet Mr. Preslar, nor the thousands of other heroes of World War II, I dedicate this blog to him, and I thank him and all our military heroes for their service, whether in the wars of the past, or the current conflicts. As one person said, "All gave some, but some gave ALL." God bless America, and our soldiers, wherever they may be.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
The Transportation Security Administration Treads On The Fourth Amendment
One of my favorite flags of the American Revolution was a very simple flag known as Gadsden's Flag. This flag, familiar to all of us (I hope) depicted a coiled rattlesnake about to strike, and displayed a simple motto: Don't Tread On Me. I was not the only person who was immediately taken with this simple, yet most appropriate and most aggressive banner. As there was no single standard military flag for the young Continental Army at the start of the fighting, soldiers of different companies chose their own "standards." One of the most popular, of course, was Gadsden's Flag.
The inspiration for this flag mostly likely came from none other than Benjamin Franklin, who once humorously (perhaps, anyway) suggested that the Colonies should send "gifts" of rattlesnakes back to the Crown, in return for the convicts being transported to America as "punishment." Later, Franklin was credited with creating the first political cartoon in America. This political cartoon depicted a snake that had been cut into eight pieces, each one named for a colony. The cartoon legend simply stated "Join or Die!" The message was clear. When the American Revolution commenced, Colonel Christopher Gadsden presented the new Commander-in-Chief of the Navy, Esek Hopkins, with the soon to become famous Gadsden Flag. The Gadsden Flag was soon seen flying over land troops as well as on warships. The Flag came to symbolize American independence and the idea of a limited and controlled government. Of course the British government failed to heed the Flag's warning. The rest, as they say, is history. And, like Santayana once said, those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.
Today the United States Department of Justice failed their history lesson. The Department of Justice (DOJ), of which the Transportation Security Agency (TSA) is a subordinate agency, issued a warning to the Texas Legislature. The DOJ bluntly stated that if the Texas Legislature passed the final version of HB 1937 (which prohibits ANYONE from touching another person, particularly on their sexual organs, during an unwarranted search and charging those who do this with a felony) and thus subjected TSA agents to arrest as sexual offenders, the FEDERAL GOVERNMENT would STOP ALL AIR FLIGHTS ORIGINATING IN TEXAS. Remember that flag, Gadsden's Flag? Don't tread on me! I hope the United States Department of Justice does not forget that warning. Are they aware that nine other states are preparing the same legislation for their states? The DOJ, and by extension, the President of the United States (who has the power to issue the APPROPRIATE EXECUTIVE ORDER), has blatantly trampled on the Fourth Amendment, curtailing our freedom in a way the despicable 9/11 Terrorists were NOT ABLE to do. Are you free from UNREASONABLE Search and Seizure at our nation's airports? Of course not. And the Terrorists have won. They need not fire another bullet or explode another bomb. The TSA has won the victory for them.
Finally, ten years after 9/11 the American people have had enough. Legislatures in nine states, beside Texas, are preparing state laws that would declare the rules of the TSA UNCONSTITUTIONAL, the searches ILLEGAL, and those TSA agents who grope men, women, and children WITHOUT WARRANT and WITHOUT PROBABLE CAUSE felonious SEXUAL OFFENDERS. The Colonists fought a war against an invincible world power. There was no way these businessmen and farmers could beat the might of the English Regulars and the Hessian Mercenaries. Now, over 200 years later, it seems that the citizens of today's United States cannot overcome an out of control Federal Agency that is bent on treading on our Constitutional rights. Yes it is true that today it is "only" the humiliating and indecent searches or revealing X-rays to which we must submit MERELY to ride an airplane. But the "War on Terror" continues.
What Constitutional right will the Federal Government target next, what FREEDOM will the government demand in return for our "safety?" But there is a bright spot. Only nine states now, but there is little doubt that other states are not far behind. When every state's legislature finally stands with Texas and the other freedom-loving states, the yoke of the TSA and other unconstitutional creations of the USA PATRIOT Act can and will be thrown away. You and I, FREE CITIZENS, will truly be free once again. Will we EVER be totally secure? No, of course not. Neither will every terrorist be caught before he or she wreaks death and destruction on the world. No government can possibly protect all the people all the time from all the possible risks in the world. I will accept that, will be reasonably careful and observant, and I will enjoy my freedoms in the greatest democracy the world has ever known. DOJ, Don't Tread On Me!
The inspiration for this flag mostly likely came from none other than Benjamin Franklin, who once humorously (perhaps, anyway) suggested that the Colonies should send "gifts" of rattlesnakes back to the Crown, in return for the convicts being transported to America as "punishment." Later, Franklin was credited with creating the first political cartoon in America. This political cartoon depicted a snake that had been cut into eight pieces, each one named for a colony. The cartoon legend simply stated "Join or Die!" The message was clear. When the American Revolution commenced, Colonel Christopher Gadsden presented the new Commander-in-Chief of the Navy, Esek Hopkins, with the soon to become famous Gadsden Flag. The Gadsden Flag was soon seen flying over land troops as well as on warships. The Flag came to symbolize American independence and the idea of a limited and controlled government. Of course the British government failed to heed the Flag's warning. The rest, as they say, is history. And, like Santayana once said, those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.
Today the United States Department of Justice failed their history lesson. The Department of Justice (DOJ), of which the Transportation Security Agency (TSA) is a subordinate agency, issued a warning to the Texas Legislature. The DOJ bluntly stated that if the Texas Legislature passed the final version of HB 1937 (which prohibits ANYONE from touching another person, particularly on their sexual organs, during an unwarranted search and charging those who do this with a felony) and thus subjected TSA agents to arrest as sexual offenders, the FEDERAL GOVERNMENT would STOP ALL AIR FLIGHTS ORIGINATING IN TEXAS. Remember that flag, Gadsden's Flag? Don't tread on me! I hope the United States Department of Justice does not forget that warning. Are they aware that nine other states are preparing the same legislation for their states? The DOJ, and by extension, the President of the United States (who has the power to issue the APPROPRIATE EXECUTIVE ORDER), has blatantly trampled on the Fourth Amendment, curtailing our freedom in a way the despicable 9/11 Terrorists were NOT ABLE to do. Are you free from UNREASONABLE Search and Seizure at our nation's airports? Of course not. And the Terrorists have won. They need not fire another bullet or explode another bomb. The TSA has won the victory for them.
Finally, ten years after 9/11 the American people have had enough. Legislatures in nine states, beside Texas, are preparing state laws that would declare the rules of the TSA UNCONSTITUTIONAL, the searches ILLEGAL, and those TSA agents who grope men, women, and children WITHOUT WARRANT and WITHOUT PROBABLE CAUSE felonious SEXUAL OFFENDERS. The Colonists fought a war against an invincible world power. There was no way these businessmen and farmers could beat the might of the English Regulars and the Hessian Mercenaries. Now, over 200 years later, it seems that the citizens of today's United States cannot overcome an out of control Federal Agency that is bent on treading on our Constitutional rights. Yes it is true that today it is "only" the humiliating and indecent searches or revealing X-rays to which we must submit MERELY to ride an airplane. But the "War on Terror" continues.
What Constitutional right will the Federal Government target next, what FREEDOM will the government demand in return for our "safety?" But there is a bright spot. Only nine states now, but there is little doubt that other states are not far behind. When every state's legislature finally stands with Texas and the other freedom-loving states, the yoke of the TSA and other unconstitutional creations of the USA PATRIOT Act can and will be thrown away. You and I, FREE CITIZENS, will truly be free once again. Will we EVER be totally secure? No, of course not. Neither will every terrorist be caught before he or she wreaks death and destruction on the world. No government can possibly protect all the people all the time from all the possible risks in the world. I will accept that, will be reasonably careful and observant, and I will enjoy my freedoms in the greatest democracy the world has ever known. DOJ, Don't Tread On Me!
Monday, May 23, 2011
Three Deadly Tornadoes So Many Years Apart
There are so many things going on that one could blog about, but all of those things take the back burner as the United States learns the full story of the devestating tornado that engulfed Joplin, Missouri last night. The death toll is over one hundred and still rising as of this evening. Early assessment reports state that as much as thirty percent of the city was destroyed in just a few minutes. Our hearts go out to the victims of this tornado, and our sympathy for those who lost loved ones.
I recall that the Great Tornado of 1953 struck Waco, Texas on May 9, 1953. I was born only eight years later. When I was in elementary school in the late sixties the Waco tornado was still a hot topic, the memories of those who had survived still quite vivid. When one drove through Waco, particularly downtown, the scars of that storm could still be seen into the late seventies. Over one hundred and fifty people lost their lives in that storm.
Another terrible storm occurred in 1953, one of which I was not aware until today. Almost a month later to the day, June 8, 1953, a deadly tornado struck Flint, Michigan. The last estimate was that one hundred and sixteen people died in that storm. Only a day later, May 9th, a tornado originating in the same weather system struck Worcester, Massachusetts killing ninety-six people. This same storm system produced several other tornadoes in an area not usually considered part of the infamous "Tornado Alley."
So tornadoes happen out of season and in unexpected places. So far weather predictors have not been able to accurately predict when and where tornadoes will form, nor how severe the storms will probably be. Sometime that luxury may exist, but at the moment tornadoes remain one of those things for which we can only prepare for and educate ourselves about during calm moments. When these storms hit, it is too late to do anything other than take shelter and hope for the best.
So tonight I take time away from my usual sources of blogistics and just acknowledge my concern and care for those suffering now because of this terrible storm. Of course we are reminded of the storms that only last week took many lives and destroyed property throughout the south and east. My prayers go out to those who are hurt, those who lost loved ones, and to those who did their jobs in the face of danger to aid the victims of this tragedy.
I recall that the Great Tornado of 1953 struck Waco, Texas on May 9, 1953. I was born only eight years later. When I was in elementary school in the late sixties the Waco tornado was still a hot topic, the memories of those who had survived still quite vivid. When one drove through Waco, particularly downtown, the scars of that storm could still be seen into the late seventies. Over one hundred and fifty people lost their lives in that storm.
Another terrible storm occurred in 1953, one of which I was not aware until today. Almost a month later to the day, June 8, 1953, a deadly tornado struck Flint, Michigan. The last estimate was that one hundred and sixteen people died in that storm. Only a day later, May 9th, a tornado originating in the same weather system struck Worcester, Massachusetts killing ninety-six people. This same storm system produced several other tornadoes in an area not usually considered part of the infamous "Tornado Alley."
So tornadoes happen out of season and in unexpected places. So far weather predictors have not been able to accurately predict when and where tornadoes will form, nor how severe the storms will probably be. Sometime that luxury may exist, but at the moment tornadoes remain one of those things for which we can only prepare for and educate ourselves about during calm moments. When these storms hit, it is too late to do anything other than take shelter and hope for the best.
So tonight I take time away from my usual sources of blogistics and just acknowledge my concern and care for those suffering now because of this terrible storm. Of course we are reminded of the storms that only last week took many lives and destroyed property throughout the south and east. My prayers go out to those who are hurt, those who lost loved ones, and to those who did their jobs in the face of danger to aid the victims of this tragedy.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
2012 - If We Make It Through December
Many of you who are of my age and older (some younger too) will remember a sort of depressing song that was nonetheless popular on the country radio in the mid-70s, making it to Number Two in 1974. Yes, it was a depressing song, and it certainly appropriate for December 2012. Why? Well, we have all heard the dire predictions about the Mayan Calendar coming to a dead stop on December 21, 2012 People, including scientists and crackpots, are predicting dire events, possibly the end of the world (as we know it(?)) or at least some very drastic change, some disaster of Biblical proportions, as it were.
A very dire situation WILL occur in NOVEMBER 2012 (maybe Merle should revised his song), and if we make it through December, we will have a new President. And just like the disaster poised to overtake the planet on 12/21/12, a disaster is most certainly poised to overtake America. The disaster of which I speak is the grim and dire fact that there is no good candidate for the office of President of the United States of America. From Mr. Obama all the way Newt Gingrich (at least Trump had the decency to remove himself - oh, the polls may have had something to do with it) there is definitely a void, a dirth, if you will, of viable choices for that most high office. If we (the world) do survive 12/21/12, what kind of political storm will we (US - the U.S.) face as voters who are so NOT represented by those we elect?
Obama, the "transparent" President is anything but. Newt Gingrich? Really?? Sarah Palin...ummm...not so much. Gary Johnson, former New Mexico governor...lacks clout. But really, who is there that could heal this country, that would stop the wars now, that would be willing to attack the national debt no matter the political cost, that would stop the Nuclear Wasting of Texas? I can almost hear Mighty Merle singing now... "If we make it through December..." Yes, if we make it through December, as the 12/21/12 hysteria dies down, and the Presidential elections come and go, someone WILL be elected to our nation's highest office. So far it appears as if there will be no real choice once again for the American people. Obama, whether you like his idealism or not, is not an effective President. None of the other democratic or republican candidates offer much better as far as choice. And yes, even if Pres. Bush the Second were available I would not vote for him either. Can you say PATRIOT Act? I hate to abstain from the election, but there are no clear choices this time around. Yes, the world may well come to an end on 12/21/12, but if it doesn't, "if we make it through December" there will still be that horrible world disaster waiting. You know, the swearing in of the new President of the United States.
A very dire situation WILL occur in NOVEMBER 2012 (maybe Merle should revised his song), and if we make it through December, we will have a new President. And just like the disaster poised to overtake the planet on 12/21/12, a disaster is most certainly poised to overtake America. The disaster of which I speak is the grim and dire fact that there is no good candidate for the office of President of the United States of America. From Mr. Obama all the way Newt Gingrich (at least Trump had the decency to remove himself - oh, the polls may have had something to do with it) there is definitely a void, a dirth, if you will, of viable choices for that most high office. If we (the world) do survive 12/21/12, what kind of political storm will we (US - the U.S.) face as voters who are so NOT represented by those we elect?
Obama, the "transparent" President is anything but. Newt Gingrich? Really?? Sarah Palin...ummm...not so much. Gary Johnson, former New Mexico governor...lacks clout. But really, who is there that could heal this country, that would stop the wars now, that would be willing to attack the national debt no matter the political cost, that would stop the Nuclear Wasting of Texas? I can almost hear Mighty Merle singing now... "If we make it through December..." Yes, if we make it through December, as the 12/21/12 hysteria dies down, and the Presidential elections come and go, someone WILL be elected to our nation's highest office. So far it appears as if there will be no real choice once again for the American people. Obama, whether you like his idealism or not, is not an effective President. None of the other democratic or republican candidates offer much better as far as choice. And yes, even if Pres. Bush the Second were available I would not vote for him either. Can you say PATRIOT Act? I hate to abstain from the election, but there are no clear choices this time around. Yes, the world may well come to an end on 12/21/12, but if it doesn't, "if we make it through December" there will still be that horrible world disaster waiting. You know, the swearing in of the new President of the United States.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
"These Rose Colored Glasses That I'm Lookin' Through" see only Radioactive Waste
I love that John Conlee song, and I think it described my optimistic, though rather naive, hope that our Texas representatives in the House of Representatives would actually REPRESENT the desires of the majority of Texans. I hoped they would defeat the bill that would allow up to thirty-six states to happily send their radioactive waste to this (once!) beautiful state. Yes, I was looking through rose colored glasses, but I have since thrown those rosie shades to the floor and stomped them to bits. I was wrong, but in all honestly, I have to say that I was not really shocked.
You see, with the rose colored shades set aside, reality floods back into view. Besides the over one hundred state representatives that today passed this bill, our state senators have already passed their version of the bill. On top of that, our own Three-Peat Rick has supported the WCS facility for years, possibly since 2000 (after receiving contributions from Harold Simmons). Three-Peat Rick's appointed (NOT ELECTED) officials have never offered any serious resistance to the WCS facility, even ignoring their own scientists who very vocally stated that the WCS Andrews site was unsafe. If you recall, three state scientists quit their jobs when their findings were ignored. And now the only thing standing in front of the final passage of the radioactive waste bill is, oops, the state Senate. Like I said, I took the shades off and stomped them flatter than a steam-rolled armadillo.
I am no longer wearing the rose colored glasses and I am certainly not optimistic that our state Senators (who also represent us, right?) will...well...represent us. Now I know that there are about six hundred people in Andrews who really, really want the WCS facility to live and thrive in right in their own backyard. And of course there are the politicians and bureaucrats who have benefited from Harold Simmons and company, who are very supportive of the facility. But honestly, should not the desires of the MAJORITY of Texans be the deciding factor. Oh wait, you say, shouldn't our representatives "vote their conscience." That, my friends, as what I am afraid has happened precisely. Our representatives see dollar signs and political contributions. That IS Their Conscience!
The fact is that the WCS Andrews facility will most likely, barring some great catastrophe, very soon begin receiving radioactive waste, and more than likely, the waste will not be limited to medical waste and other "low level" waste. Nope, we will receive spent nuclear fuel, parts of atom bombs, and other "depleted" radioactive waste. Yes, to quote John Conlee, "These rose colored glasses that I'm lookin' through, show only the beauty, 'cause they hide all the truth..."
You see, with the rose colored shades set aside, reality floods back into view. Besides the over one hundred state representatives that today passed this bill, our state senators have already passed their version of the bill. On top of that, our own Three-Peat Rick has supported the WCS facility for years, possibly since 2000 (after receiving contributions from Harold Simmons). Three-Peat Rick's appointed (NOT ELECTED) officials have never offered any serious resistance to the WCS facility, even ignoring their own scientists who very vocally stated that the WCS Andrews site was unsafe. If you recall, three state scientists quit their jobs when their findings were ignored. And now the only thing standing in front of the final passage of the radioactive waste bill is, oops, the state Senate. Like I said, I took the shades off and stomped them flatter than a steam-rolled armadillo.
I am no longer wearing the rose colored glasses and I am certainly not optimistic that our state Senators (who also represent us, right?) will...well...represent us. Now I know that there are about six hundred people in Andrews who really, really want the WCS facility to live and thrive in right in their own backyard. And of course there are the politicians and bureaucrats who have benefited from Harold Simmons and company, who are very supportive of the facility. But honestly, should not the desires of the MAJORITY of Texans be the deciding factor. Oh wait, you say, shouldn't our representatives "vote their conscience." That, my friends, as what I am afraid has happened precisely. Our representatives see dollar signs and political contributions. That IS Their Conscience!
The fact is that the WCS Andrews facility will most likely, barring some great catastrophe, very soon begin receiving radioactive waste, and more than likely, the waste will not be limited to medical waste and other "low level" waste. Nope, we will receive spent nuclear fuel, parts of atom bombs, and other "depleted" radioactive waste. Yes, to quote John Conlee, "These rose colored glasses that I'm lookin' through, show only the beauty, 'cause they hide all the truth..."
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Osama Dead - The War On Terror, Not...
The latest non-surprise from the United States government is that the "War On Terror" is not "over." As Gilbert Godfried once said (as the voice of Iago, that irritating bird on Aladdin), "What a surprise! I could die of a heart attack from THAT surprise!" Indeed, I am just as "shocked" by the words of Hillary Clinton and Karl Rove, both of whom (though political rivals, right?) assured "the American People" that the death of Osama bin Laden does not mean that "the War On Terror (WOT)" is over. In fact, the very credible Mr. Rove implores President Obama to explain to US that, indeed, the WOT must go on!
www.newsmax.com/InsideCover/KarlRove...GeorgeW.../395208
I can just hear Mr. Obama now..."Osama bin Laden is dead, and al-Qeada is, for the moment, without its head. But, LET ME BE PERFECTLY CLEAR, the WAR ON TERROR IS NOT OVER." I can see the Speaker of The House and Senate Majority Leader (of course in agreement with the President) sagely and solemnly nodding their heads. Yes, Osama bin Laden, the focal point of the greatest man-hunt the world has ever seen, is dead, but, my fellow American saps...er, I mean, taxpayers, do not believe for one minute that our troops can return from Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya (?), Kosovo, and Bosnia-Herzegovina. I know, I am leaving about two hundred other locations out...I apologize. They are too numerous to list or to remember. But our presence in those exotic and unfamiliar places is still "needed." The WOT continues, you know.
I call on our legislatures to (no offense, ladies) MAN UP and pull the purse strings on these illegal and un-needed military occupations of sovereign nations. No, don't stop paying the soldiers...stop paying for the operations, other than one way tickets home. Yes I know, there are military bases around the world that have been leased into the next century, bases that, strategically, cannot be closed for national and world security. But the occupation of harmless nations around the world must be halted. The ongoing, never-ending "military actions" in Iraq and Afghanistan must stop. But these operations will not be halted. The WOT goes on, you see.
It all reminds me of a movie my children love. Well, I like it too, actually. You probably know this movie. It is entitled "Shrek." In the movie, Lord Farquaad makes a rousing speech to his knights as he urges them to slay the dragon which guards his love, Princess Fiona. You may recall that Lord Farquaad states, "Many of you may die, but it is a sacrifice I'm willing to make." No matter how many knights and champions might die, Lord Farquaad was willing to sacrifice his men until one of them rescues Princess Fiona so that he could marry her. There was little reward for the soldiers; just the knowledge that they had done their job well.
It sounds just like Viet Nam, Iraq (x 2), and Afghanistan. Our leaders (who of course are not going to the front themselves) are willing to sacrifice our soldiers in furtherance of the WOT. No matter how long it takes, no matter now many young people's lives are lost, it is a sacrifice our government is willing to make. Think about it. If we forfeit enough of our soldiers, not to mention the waste of another ten or so trillion dollars, we will someday stamp out and eliminate terror from the face of our planet. Right? Sure, and after that we can all move to Duloc and live happily ever after. Meanwhile, our wise leaders will be working out the strategy for the next war. Hmmm....what will it be? Wait, I know! Having eliminated "terror" our next project will be the War On Anxiety. Or the War on Apprehensiveness. Wait...the War on Nervousness...wait, the war on......then the war on .............................
www.newsmax.com/InsideCover/KarlRove...GeorgeW.../395208
I can just hear Mr. Obama now..."Osama bin Laden is dead, and al-Qeada is, for the moment, without its head. But, LET ME BE PERFECTLY CLEAR, the WAR ON TERROR IS NOT OVER." I can see the Speaker of The House and Senate Majority Leader (of course in agreement with the President) sagely and solemnly nodding their heads. Yes, Osama bin Laden, the focal point of the greatest man-hunt the world has ever seen, is dead, but, my fellow American saps...er, I mean, taxpayers, do not believe for one minute that our troops can return from Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya (?), Kosovo, and Bosnia-Herzegovina. I know, I am leaving about two hundred other locations out...I apologize. They are too numerous to list or to remember. But our presence in those exotic and unfamiliar places is still "needed." The WOT continues, you know.
I call on our legislatures to (no offense, ladies) MAN UP and pull the purse strings on these illegal and un-needed military occupations of sovereign nations. No, don't stop paying the soldiers...stop paying for the operations, other than one way tickets home. Yes I know, there are military bases around the world that have been leased into the next century, bases that, strategically, cannot be closed for national and world security. But the occupation of harmless nations around the world must be halted. The ongoing, never-ending "military actions" in Iraq and Afghanistan must stop. But these operations will not be halted. The WOT goes on, you see.
It all reminds me of a movie my children love. Well, I like it too, actually. You probably know this movie. It is entitled "Shrek." In the movie, Lord Farquaad makes a rousing speech to his knights as he urges them to slay the dragon which guards his love, Princess Fiona. You may recall that Lord Farquaad states, "Many of you may die, but it is a sacrifice I'm willing to make." No matter how many knights and champions might die, Lord Farquaad was willing to sacrifice his men until one of them rescues Princess Fiona so that he could marry her. There was little reward for the soldiers; just the knowledge that they had done their job well.
It sounds just like Viet Nam, Iraq (x 2), and Afghanistan. Our leaders (who of course are not going to the front themselves) are willing to sacrifice our soldiers in furtherance of the WOT. No matter how long it takes, no matter now many young people's lives are lost, it is a sacrifice our government is willing to make. Think about it. If we forfeit enough of our soldiers, not to mention the waste of another ten or so trillion dollars, we will someday stamp out and eliminate terror from the face of our planet. Right? Sure, and after that we can all move to Duloc and live happily ever after. Meanwhile, our wise leaders will be working out the strategy for the next war. Hmmm....what will it be? Wait, I know! Having eliminated "terror" our next project will be the War On Anxiety. Or the War on Apprehensiveness. Wait...the War on Nervousness...wait, the war on......then the war on .............................
Friday, May 6, 2011
Nurses Discuss Important Topics At Work
I learned from my spouse that nurses discuss very important topics at work. This fact was brought to my attention a couple of nights ago when I happened to mention to my spouse my observation that Reese's Miniature Peanut Butter Cups are tastier than the original Reese's Peanut Butter Cup. She told, as she has so many times, "you are so LAST DECADE." Of course I asked what she meant. She explained to me that she and her fellow nurses had reached the same conclusion YEARS ago.
Apparently the nurses on this particular unit at this particular hospital (I will not disclose the names of the other people, the unit, or the hospital involved) conduct their work at what they affectionately call the "round table." For years, even until the past week, I thought that nurses were either busy completing their notes and updating charts, asking nursely questions of their supervisors, and discussing the latest ideas of nursing "best practices." I am so disillusioned. I mean, you know, the Hypocritical oath...or something like that. Anyway, how disheartening to learn that the topic of discussion at the hallowed "round table" may well have been about any subject one might think of, except nursing!
So, now I know that nurses agree with me. Reese's Miniature Peanut Butter Cups really do taste better than the larger "original" Reese's. Now, when I was a cop, people often asked me what cops discussed whenever two police cars were parked side-by-side, driver's door to driver's door. I answered them with, "Well, you know, police officers often discuss with each other the lastest "best practice" police methodology, new police department policy, pertinent Supreme Court and other court rulings, criminal cases in progress, etc..."
Of course, really police officers are discussing things like "You know, those little miniature Reese's taste so much better than the original Reese's Peanut Butter Cups." Like nurses, cops discuss important topics at work. But, cops must be smarter than nurses, on the whole, because it only takes TWO cops to reach these important, life-changing conclusions.
Apparently the nurses on this particular unit at this particular hospital (I will not disclose the names of the other people, the unit, or the hospital involved) conduct their work at what they affectionately call the "round table." For years, even until the past week, I thought that nurses were either busy completing their notes and updating charts, asking nursely questions of their supervisors, and discussing the latest ideas of nursing "best practices." I am so disillusioned. I mean, you know, the Hypocritical oath...or something like that. Anyway, how disheartening to learn that the topic of discussion at the hallowed "round table" may well have been about any subject one might think of, except nursing!
So, now I know that nurses agree with me. Reese's Miniature Peanut Butter Cups really do taste better than the larger "original" Reese's. Now, when I was a cop, people often asked me what cops discussed whenever two police cars were parked side-by-side, driver's door to driver's door. I answered them with, "Well, you know, police officers often discuss with each other the lastest "best practice" police methodology, new police department policy, pertinent Supreme Court and other court rulings, criminal cases in progress, etc..."
Of course, really police officers are discussing things like "You know, those little miniature Reese's taste so much better than the original Reese's Peanut Butter Cups." Like nurses, cops discuss important topics at work. But, cops must be smarter than nurses, on the whole, because it only takes TWO cops to reach these important, life-changing conclusions.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Osama, Son of Laden, Meets His Demise
I can't deny that this is news although there are other things I would rather blog about. Nonetheless, the news about Osama bin Laden is on most people's minds today. Reaction to Osama's death ranged from grim satisfaction to joyous street celebrations, and all the emotions in between. For me, Osama's death is anticlimactic and long overdue.
Osama bin Laden was truly an evil man who deserved to die, if anyone did. But I did not feel like celebrating. That was my choice and I don't intend to force others to share my opinion, nor do I judge anyone for feeling happy or joyful at this man's death. I did not feel like celebrating because it took over a decade to "catch" bin Laden. Remember, this one man was being pursued by the strongest military force in the world, the (supposedly) best spy agency in the world, the armed forces of several other nations, the FBI, and the national law enforcement agencies of several other nations. With all of these forces acting in a fairly united manner, Osama bin Laden still eluded capture or death for more than ten years.
I did not celebrate with shouting and joy because of all the American men and women, as well as foreign nationals, that have died since bin Laden began his rampage, years before September 11th. I remember all the American soldiers and sailors that have given their lives in "the War on Terror." I remember the brave crewmen of the USS Cole who wanted to be sure that the men in that small boat actually meant them harm. Those terrorists exploded their bombs and killed our sailors who tried to give them the benefit of the doubt. I have lost track of the US embassies blown up by bin Laden's henchmen over the years. And directly because of bin Laden, the United States attacked two countries, Iraq and Afghanistan. Now the fighting continues in both of those nations, with no end in sight. How many thousands of our young men and women have we lost since 2003? How many more will we lose, even though Osama is gone, until we "win" the "war on terror?"
I did not celebrate Osama's death because the death of this evil maniac will not bring back one single soldier or sailor, one poor victim of the 9/11 attacks, or any of the thousands of victims of Osama's world-wide bombing campaign. The death of Osama will not bring back the feeling of security we lost on 9/11, nor will it bring back the liberties our own government took from us in the chaos and panic of those terrible days after the World Trade Center and Pentagon attacks.
Osama bin Laden is dead, and I am glad he is gone. If people feel like celebrating, that is their privilege. I know that somewhere in the world there are people who are saddened that he is gone. Even his estranged family may feel the loss. I remember how angry I was to see the Iraqis, Iranians, and Muslims all over the world celebrating when American soldiers (killed in a helicopter crash) were dragged through the streets, their bodies subjected to all kinds of abuse. We were outraged! I don't want to be a part of that kind of reaction. Not when this man was allowed, either by incompetence on the part of our and other governments or by complicity, to live in relative comfort and peace for so long. Finally our president stepped up and ordered the assassination of bin Laden. But I wonder how many chances he and other presidents had to take the same action, both before and after 9/11.
Yes, I am glad Osama, son of Laden, is dead. But I hope you understand if I excuse myself from all the giddiness and partying. This man, who should have been dealt with long ago, caused so much grief and destruction. Instead of celebrating, I will say my thanks to the brave fighters who carried out the raid, and the president who ordered the raid, and I will remember our fellow Americans, as well as many foreigners, who lost their lives to Osama bin Laden. And I will quietly gaze into the beautiful sunset and just thank God for America, this land of freedom that survives and thrives, in spite of all the Osamas and other monsters that rear their head and raise their hand against this great nation.
Osama bin Laden was truly an evil man who deserved to die, if anyone did. But I did not feel like celebrating. That was my choice and I don't intend to force others to share my opinion, nor do I judge anyone for feeling happy or joyful at this man's death. I did not feel like celebrating because it took over a decade to "catch" bin Laden. Remember, this one man was being pursued by the strongest military force in the world, the (supposedly) best spy agency in the world, the armed forces of several other nations, the FBI, and the national law enforcement agencies of several other nations. With all of these forces acting in a fairly united manner, Osama bin Laden still eluded capture or death for more than ten years.
I did not celebrate with shouting and joy because of all the American men and women, as well as foreign nationals, that have died since bin Laden began his rampage, years before September 11th. I remember all the American soldiers and sailors that have given their lives in "the War on Terror." I remember the brave crewmen of the USS Cole who wanted to be sure that the men in that small boat actually meant them harm. Those terrorists exploded their bombs and killed our sailors who tried to give them the benefit of the doubt. I have lost track of the US embassies blown up by bin Laden's henchmen over the years. And directly because of bin Laden, the United States attacked two countries, Iraq and Afghanistan. Now the fighting continues in both of those nations, with no end in sight. How many thousands of our young men and women have we lost since 2003? How many more will we lose, even though Osama is gone, until we "win" the "war on terror?"
I did not celebrate Osama's death because the death of this evil maniac will not bring back one single soldier or sailor, one poor victim of the 9/11 attacks, or any of the thousands of victims of Osama's world-wide bombing campaign. The death of Osama will not bring back the feeling of security we lost on 9/11, nor will it bring back the liberties our own government took from us in the chaos and panic of those terrible days after the World Trade Center and Pentagon attacks.
Osama bin Laden is dead, and I am glad he is gone. If people feel like celebrating, that is their privilege. I know that somewhere in the world there are people who are saddened that he is gone. Even his estranged family may feel the loss. I remember how angry I was to see the Iraqis, Iranians, and Muslims all over the world celebrating when American soldiers (killed in a helicopter crash) were dragged through the streets, their bodies subjected to all kinds of abuse. We were outraged! I don't want to be a part of that kind of reaction. Not when this man was allowed, either by incompetence on the part of our and other governments or by complicity, to live in relative comfort and peace for so long. Finally our president stepped up and ordered the assassination of bin Laden. But I wonder how many chances he and other presidents had to take the same action, both before and after 9/11.
Yes, I am glad Osama, son of Laden, is dead. But I hope you understand if I excuse myself from all the giddiness and partying. This man, who should have been dealt with long ago, caused so much grief and destruction. Instead of celebrating, I will say my thanks to the brave fighters who carried out the raid, and the president who ordered the raid, and I will remember our fellow Americans, as well as many foreigners, who lost their lives to Osama bin Laden. And I will quietly gaze into the beautiful sunset and just thank God for America, this land of freedom that survives and thrives, in spite of all the Osamas and other monsters that rear their head and raise their hand against this great nation.
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