For Your Consideration

Dubai and US Ports

At first glance, I was appalled that Dubai hopes to run some berths at US ports.  Then some news story reported something like 80% of US Ports are owned or run by foreign interests.  That got me foaming at the mouth.  In fact Dubai is trying to buy the control from Great Britain.

You would think after the Boston Tea Party and the blockade of our ports during the Revolutionary War, we would have learned our lesson.

The real problems lie at our feet.  Firstly, US companies are hesitant or unwilling to buy and run the ports.  Too much hassle with security, unions and labor groups, hazardous materials and working conditions.  There is simply too much liability and not enough of a return to make the risk worthwhile.

So the alternatives are to either have the Government step in to run the ports (at our expense) or to allow foreign interests to run the ports for whatever profit they can squeeze out of them.

Personally I think running the ports for a profit is a better alternative than having some Government agency take over the ports.  Especially if the ports end up being run anything like your local DMV.

So the REAL issue is security…and that my friends, IS our responsibility.  There are groups and individuals all over the world who would seek to do us harm, they are in Dubai, England and within our own borders to name a few.  It is our responsibility to do what we can to ensure port security, regardless of the nationality of those who run the ports.

It should be about safety, security, inspections and oversight.  Not about democrats vs. republicans.  If we allow this to become a finger pointing and political issue we’ll all lose.

“Stand Your Ground” vs. “Duty to Retreat” Self-Defense Laws

As a former Law Enforcement Officer and a gun owner I pay a fair amount of interest to the whole gun debate issue.

Certainly we must do what is necessary to reduce violent crime, but it seems like targeting or ham stringing law abiding citizens is ineffectual at best and an incentive to violent crime at the worst.

Last year Florida passed a “Stand Your Ground” law.  In essence, reversing the previous law, which had been based in a private citizen’s supposed “Duty to Retreat” and do whatever they could to prevent a violent confrontation.

Asserting that a citizen has a duty to retreat is taking things to a ridiculous extreme.  Being involved in a confrontation with a violent criminal does not lend itself thoughtful consideration of all available options.  In some cases, retreating can actually put a victim in an even worse situation, where they may retreat farther from any aid or end up where no escape is possible.  Further, retreat does not ensure an attack will stop or be somehow lessened.

Most convenience stores have adopted a policy where their clerks are to cooperate with thieves and to turn over cash from the register.  A good number of these clerks are still violently assaulted and/or cold bloodedly murdered, and robbers are emboldened to rob convenience stores by what they perceive as an easy target.

Do you enjoy being forced into a policy that makes you an easy target and emboldens violent criminals?  I sure as hell don’t.

As a Police Office I had a duty NOT to retreat.  I knew that when I decided to do the job.  It was my choice.  I think private citizens should also be afforded that right.  You should have a right to defend yourself to the best of your ability or to choose to retreat.

You are not the criminal!  You are encouraged to do all sorts of things to proactively prevent crime.  We alter our lives and spend millions of dollars to prevent crime, but in some people’s minds the minute you either decide or are forced to stand your ground…you’re wrong.  Somehow you didn’t do enough to prevent some criminal from violently assaulting you.

I call it bullshit.  You have no control over violent offenders.  Obviously the law doesn’t either.  So instead of drafting laws that concern criminals, they draft them against you.  Why?  Because you’ll obey the laws.  It is crazy.  By all means, hand over your wallet, it’s not worth anyone dying for.  But if faced with a violent attack you should have the choice to run or defend yourself with whatever force is necessary.

I applaud Florida and the large number of other states that are reconsidering the asinine restrictions we have placed on our law abiding citizens by alleging they somehow have a “duty” to retreat.

A Death In The Family

My wife’s grandmother passed away yesterday.  So I am a bit thrown off right at the moment.  I would like nothing more than to make everything ok for my wife and her side of the family, but that is just not how life works.

My wife’s grandmother was a pretty cool lady in my opinion.  Of course I think that because she always seemed genuinely happy to see me and have me around.  Simply put, she included me and treated me well.

She lived through some hard times and had been fighting cancer and about every other ailment associated with old age and a tough life.

She had a lot of steel, and I admire that.  She used it to fight, and being so close to her, we sometimes stepped into the swing of that steel as she fought the stuff life threw at her.  No one’s fault really, just what happens when a family is so close.  What hurts one of us, hurts us all.

She forged some of that steel into all her boys and grandkids and I’m sure it will help them through the next couple of weeks.

She was an interesting and different lady, not your typical idea of a sweet grandmother type.  She had a wicked sense of humor, a big heart, a sharp mind and at times a sharp tongue.  Not a woman for everyone’s taste.  But if you like people who are a little spicier and have more vinegar than most, you would have liked her.

I liked her.  I guess I liked her a lot, as now is the first time the tears have come.

We love you Lu.

You’ll be sorely missed.

Cheney Shooting Caught On Video

Many thanks to John who commented on my theories about VP Cheney's hunting accident.  He submitted a link to a hilarious, JibJab style, video of the incident.

It came just when I needed I laugh, Thanx

Here is the link for the rest of you...

http://collegeguru.blogspot.com/2006/02/dick-cheney-and-harry-whittington-star.html

Calling the Kettle Black

The Blog, Suitably Flip hit the nail right on the head.

With two short examples he has managed to expose the hypocrisy of those politicans so critical of the delay in reporting the accidental shooting of Whittington by Vice President Cheney.

I am a bit critical of the delay as well, but Suitably Flip's examples are equally as shameful if not more so.

Take a sec and check him out.  I promise you'll get a bitter little smile on your face.

“The Most Secretive Presidential Administration In History”

“The Most Secretive Presidential Administration In History”

That phrase surely must be on someone’s “talking points” memo.  Because I have heard it repeatedly in the last couple of days following Vice President Cheney’s delay in reporting the shooting of his hunting companion.

What garbage!  All the Presidents and Vice Presidents have guarded secrets.  Some for personal reasons, some for political reasons and some for the wrong reasons.

Does this Administration really rise to the top of the secretive cream?  Looking back, I’d say probably not…

Clinton had his secret sexual stuff with Monica Lewinski, Paula Jones and Jennifer Flowers.  In fact Clinton ended up perjuring himself over Monica.  Then there was the Whitewater scandal and rumblings over the death of Vince Foster.

Bush (The Senior) I’m sure had his secrets, he was just more skilled at keeping them after heading up the CIA.

Reagan had the Iran-Contra scandal but was saved by Oliver North taking all the blame.

Carter “Lusted in his heart.”

Ford was tainted by the Watergate mess, which caused Nixon to step down from office.  Ford of course pardoned Nixon.

Do I really need to go any further?

I agree The White House should have made a press release as soon as possible.  I further feel VP Cheney should have PERSONALLY come out and answered some of the questions by now.  In fact it is plain stupid of Cheney NOT to make a statement.  It just creates a void in the story that other people are all too happy to fill in with sensationalized details.

So it looks like VP Cheney is guilty of TWO accidental shootings.  Not only has he shot Whittington but he also shot himself in the foot.

Cheney, Whittington, a Shotgun and a Couple Theories

I enjoy a good conspiracy theory.  The more outlandish and crackpot the theory, the better and more entertaining.  The delay in the reporting of Vice President Cheney’s hunting accident has ensured ample material to keep me entertained for months.

The fact is that VP Cheney shot a hunting companion, and the release of that information was delayed.  What has been reported was that it was an accident.  But that doesn’t matter, because truth is a malleable thing.

As the political spin-doctors are feverishly trying to put the best face on the issue, conspiracy theorists are equally as busy creating their version of the events.  I can envision the coming storm caused by the reporting delay…

“Cheney was involved in a human hunt, like in the Jean Claude Van Damme movie Hard Target.  The only reason it was reported was due to Whittington’s survival.”

“The delay was caused by the inability of the Secret Service to find a local taxidermist who was willing to stuff and mount Whttington as a hunting trophy.”

“Whittington was a plant by anti-gun groups like The Brady Campaign and the Violence Policy Center.”

“Whittington is the Bush Administration’s Vince Foster.”

“Perhaps Whittington has taken an interest in supporting People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and threw himself in front of a quail to protect it.”

Whatever the outcome, I am certain what does come out over the next couple of weeks will make my theories pale in comparison.  I’ll bet you it only takes two months before an episode of The West Wing includes a similar story line and it will make for a mildly entertaining “made for TV” movie (Based on “ACTUAL EVENTS”, of course). 

All I can really say is that it is a good thing Whittington survived, as I don’t think the Secret Service issues shovels to the VP’s security detail.

A Cure For The Common Cold? (My COLD-EEZE Fiasco)

As a former law enforcement officer and prison guard, I have been subjected to a number of injuries and beatings, all with little complaint.  As a member of a prison’s tactical extraction team, I also had to tolerate the tools used to subdue violent inmates, being tested and used on me.  Rubber bullets, shock shields, batons, pepper spray…the works.  All with very little complaint.

But let me catch the sniffles and I turn into a big baby and this year I have been plagued with colds, coughs and a runny nose.  After running out of Vick’s Nasal Spray, I became unbearable to live with.  My wife, driven to the point of desperation by my incessant whining, got me to try COLD-EEZE Nasal spray.

Why the hell I would try this homeopathic crap totally escapes me now.  Perhaps I have grown too fond of breathing.  I started before I can even remember and I have allowed it to become an addiction that rules every moment of my life…Anyway, I tried the COLD-EEZE.  I snorted a good blast up each nostril.  It took a moment or two before it began to take effect.  And that effect was amazing!

While I generally subscribe to the theory that medicines must either taste horrible or hurt in order to be effective, this was a whole new level.

If pain and discomfort is any indication of effectiveness, COLD-EEZE must be about one of the most effective things on the market today.  My eyes immediately turned beet red and began to water copiously, my throat constricted and twin ropes of gelatinous snot began to ooze out of my nose.  It was agonizing.  My knuckles turned white as I gripped the bathroom counter and hung my head over the sink to avoid wearing the glop pouring out of my nose.

This stuff really rivals pepper spray and CS tear gas.  I could not get rid of it fast enough.  I must have gone through an entire Mega-Roll of Charmin toilet tissue trying to blow every molecule of the vile stuff out of my sinuses.  My wife looked at me writhing around, tangled in toilet tissue, with an expression that was both highly concerned and on the verge of giggling hysterically.

I have no known allergies, but I instantly developed a psychological one to this stuff.  So I can’t tell you if it works as the instructions stated I should “continue the treatment at least 6 times per day until 48 hours AFTER the symptoms subside”…and there was no way in hell I was gonna subject myself to that again.

The website for COLD-EEZE has a number of “Featured Stories” extolling the virtues of this fine homeopathic treatment.  Somehow I doubt mine will ever be “Featured.”

Call me crazy, but in my opinion the cure should not be worse than the disease.  I put this right up there with flogging yourself with stinging nettles for their medicinal benefits.  If you care to try COLD-EEZE and it works for you...great!  As for me, I’ll stick with the Vapor Rub thank you very much.

CIA Panty Thief, Al Qaeda and Frederick's of Hollywood?

Sometimes we just have to laugh at scary things.  The recent story of the CIA employee breaking into homes and stealing is one of those stories.

It really should be scary as hell.  Now I’m not one of those namby pamby twits that thinks the CIA should have a bunch of Altar boys spying on behalf of out country.  In fact, I know we need good people to do some very distasteful things in order to ensure our safety and my general feelings are best summed up in George Orwell’s quote that "People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf."  But, CIA employee George Dalmas III is something else entirely.

This guy is accused of a string of home burglaries during which he allegedly stole thousands of dollars worth of antiques, jewelry and coins.  Not only that, but they also found he may have taken about a thousand pairs of women’s panties.  Some of the homes he is thought to have burglarized belonged to other CIA employees.  What a fruitcake!  This guy is straight out of one of Elmore Leonard’s crime novels or a freaking Mel Brooks movie.

Viewed from an Elmore Leonard type of perspective it actually is kind of funny.  Can you just imagine this lunatic gleefully passing through the metal detectors and security screening at the CIA’s Langley compound wearing the spoils of one of his clandestine panty raids?  Perhaps a pink lacey thong from Victoria’s Secret or Frederick’s of Hollywood under his non-descript suit?  I’d sure like to know if old George was one of the CIA people at the Abu Ghraib prison when it was decided it would be a swell idea to have Iraqi prisons be pranced around naked with panties on their heads.  Oh man…if the fate of the free world rests on this guy’s shoulders we are all screwed.

Somehow this is not the type of thing I was considering when they passed the Patriot Act and authorized surreptitious searches of homes.  I can hardly wait to hear this guy’s defense when and if it ever goes to trial…hearing his attorney trying to prove a link between Al Qaeda and Frederick’s of Hollywood is gonna be hilarious!

The Pledge of Allegiance in Moscow, Idaho

I happen to be one of those dyed in the wool patriots, which inevitably seem to get under the skin of some people just by my mere existence.  I intentionally don’t say democrats or liberals, because I know a number of both who are fiercely patriotic.

For any of you out there that have anything resembling pride in your American heritage, your flag, your country and countrymen, I found a story that should both interest, infuriate and amuse you.

For those of you who despise the fact that I continue to draw breath and have a fair measure of pride in my country, despite our flaws, you may find someone to rally behind or a venue to spout your loathing of anything American.

The Associated Press reported that in Moscow, Idaho, 12:04 PM MST on Tuesday, January 31, 2006…Last night's Moscow City Council meeting was not supposed to begin with the pledge of allegiance under a new policy adopted by Mayor Nancy Chaney.

But that didn't stop a group of local veterans from standing and reciting the pledge anyway.

The demonstration caught Chaney by surprise, but she and other council members quickly stood and joined in the pledge.

Chaney even launched into singing "America the Beautiful" after the pledge ended.

She told the audience that she wants to find new and different ways to start meetings by demonstrating patriotism.

While the pledge will still be said on special occasions, Chaney says she wants poetry readings, songs and other alternatives to opening the council meeting.

I had not heard of Mayor Chaney’s decision not to start meetings with the pledge until I read this report.  I don’t know the Mayor’s motivation for omitting the pledge, but I am certain it has something to do with the hateful and highly offensive addition of “Under God” in the pledge.  We wouldn’t want to offend anyone would we?

Personally I find the attempted omission of the pledge to be offensive.  So she won’t be able to please everyone…ever.  Someday maybe she’ll learn that lesson.  Until then I applaud the Veterans who were present who defied her policy.  Any man or woman who has served their country and government has every right to pay respect to that country.  Happily as Americans, those veterans have preserved that right for ALL of us.  I urge you to exercise that right and revel in it.  It’s yours.  Don’t EVER let anyone take it away without the slightest whimper of protest.

It sounds like the Mayor did a fairly good job of recovery and damage control, but I gotta ask…Poetry?  Alternative ways to open the meetings?  Oh man, does that ever sound like Pandora’s Box.  I can see it now…after holding hands, singing a religiously sanitized version of Kumbaya, we can have local nudists perform an interpretive dance of George Washington crossing the Delaware.

I shudder at the thought.