Be Careful What You Wish For...

Well, the public asked for it, and eight years later their wishes were granted – a president they could share a beer with. As President Obama meets tonight with Sgt. James Crowley of the Cambridge Police Dept. and Prof. Henry Louis Gates Jr. for a beer, talk continues to ensue about the issue of race in America. Personally, there is no doubt in my mind that there is an issue – the apparent wish of well-known figures such as Obama and Gates to inflame a simple misunderstanding into a nationwide racial slur. Apparently, Gates, upon being asked to provide identification before the arrest, became aggressive and verbally attacked the officer, even going as far as referring to Crowley’s mother. When Gates finally exited his house, a measure requested by Crowley for his own safety, he continued to act in a manner ill befitting a man of higher learning, leaving the officers no choice but to place him under arrest. In the first place, this should never have been an issue! Gates was completely within his right to enter his home, but when the police arrived, the proper procedure would have been to cooperate, show identification, explain the situation, file a report, and let it go. Instead, by his actions Gates has opened the door for comments by others, such as “I believe the Cambridge police acted…stupidly.” President Obama's statement alone, especially after he had already admitted to not knowing all the facts, shows to some degree a desire to make a larger issue of this than necessary. Even Obama’s “apology,” in which he stated that he “calibrated his words badly,” does nothing to defuse this situation. And the last resort of diplomacy? A beer at the White House. Seriously people, this is not even an issue in which the President need be involved.

Is All This Really Necessary?

I don't mean to diminish the contributions to popular music made by Michael Jackson, nor the devotion of his fans. But, aren't we going a little overboard when, on CNN .com last night, almost every section (except TRAVEL & SPORTS) has a link to at least one story about Michael Jackson?

Please see below:

CNN.com HOME: Presley: Jackson died 'as he predicted'

WORLD: 'Jackson's troubles overshadowed success'

U.S.: Battles over Jackson's kids, assets may loom

POLITICS: House holds moment of silence for Jackson.
Are you kidding me?!?
How about one for their lost dignity and credibility?!?
What about Ed McMahon and Farah Fawcett?)

CRIME: Jackson's legal woes likely to live on

ENTERTAINMENT: BET Awards to pay tribute to Jackson

HEALTH: Jackson had history of health problems

TECH: Jackson dies, almost takes Internet with him

TRAVEL: Nothing
     What? Not even about booking flights for the funeral?

LIVING: Michael Jackson - Essence: His clothes, hats and hair -- an unforgettable style

FORTUNE: Jackson's tour: What might have been (Fortune Magazine)

SPORTS: Nothing

TIME.com: Did Drugs Kill Michael Jackson


Must have been a really, Really, REALLY pathetically friggin' slow news week!!!

I Hate Euphemisms

In one of his HBO specials from the 1980s, I remember watching George Carlin rant about how euphemisms had invaded our language. He gave examples like "handi-capable" instead of handicapped, or "minimally exceptional" instead of stupid. One of the best examples was the change in the name of the condition ascribed to soldiers whose nerves had been fried from too much combat. In WWI, it was called "shell shock." In WWII, it changed to "battle fatigue." By Korea, it had morphed further into "operational exhaustion." Each time, Carlin would comment on the increasing syllable count and the decreasing connection with sufferer or cause.

By Viet Nam, it had finally settled into "post-traumatic stress disorder." "Still eight syllables," commented Carlin, referring back to operational exhaustion, "but we've added a hyphen...and the pain is completely buried under jargon!" He finished his rant by saying "I'll bet you if we'd of
still been calling it shell shock, some of those Viet Nam veterans might have gotten the attention they needed at the time. I'll betcha. I'll betcha."

This phenomenon is still happening. You have to listen to see it's all around us and getting worse. Employees are now associates. Lay-offs are reductions in force. On the humorous side. Prostitutes are called sex workers and their pimps are called gatekeepers. Nowhere, however, is it more prevalent, and dangerous, than in the discussion of border security.

Follow me on this...

First, they were called "illegal aliens" - simple - direct. They're not Americans, and they've broken our laws getting or staying here. Then, in the early stages of the PC movement, they became "illegal immigrants" - a little softer, after all, aliens evokes images of little green men, not people. Next they were known as "undocumented immigrants." Eight syllables now, and the crime is has been almost completely stripped from the phrase. In fact, calling them undocumented instead of illegal actually makes it sound like it's our fault, doesn't it?

Finally, thankst to the careful twisting and turning of politicians on both sides of the aisle, some lawyers, the ACLU and the media, they are now officially "undocumented workers." Down a syllable, but it highlights the reasons some of them came, and the crime is completely buried under propaganda. Undocumented workers. I'll bet you if we'd of still been calling them "illegal aliens", then border security might have gotten the attention it needed at the time.

And I might not have to "press 1" for English...

And unemployment might be a little lower...

And the 9-11 terrorists might not have been able get in.

I'll betcha.

I'll betcha.

Hillary Clinton is a Whiny, Childish, Spoiled Brat!!!!!

I had to say it. Our Secretary of State is an unprofessional, undisciplined, pompous, sarcastic loudmouth. NEVER, in my life, at least, has a high-ranking member of a sitting administration been so petty and displayed behavior as disgraceful as personally insulting a member of previous administration, let alone a former Vice President. You expect this from private citizens, bloggers, newspapers and even candidates. But not someone who's job it is to be the nation's top diplomat. That's diplomacy??????

I'm so glad she got verbally spanked by Rep. Dana Rhorbacher when testifying before the House Foreign Affairs Committee. I hope President Obama gives her a good talking-to about acting like an adult now that she's sitting at the big-person's table.

History Repeating Itself?

In the summer of 1976, my family was on vacation at a dude ranch in Westchester, NY during the Republican National Convention. I was only 10-1/2, but I remember watching it eagerly in our room (bunkhouse?) with my Dad. I was already interested in politics at that point and not afraid to run counter to my parents' opinions on some things.

On the choice of President, Dad and I stood on opposite sides. I wanted Gerald Ford to get the nomination. He wanted some guy named Ronald Reagan. He said "Reagan was governor of California and did a great job, and has some great ideas on America and how we should do things at home and abroad." "No way," I said. "Ford has done a good job since being sworn in, and I think if given four years of his own, he would be really great! Besides," I added, "Reagan won't get the nomination...Ford's the incumbent."

Well, we all know what happened. Ford got the nomination, but the "four years of his own" were not to be. The country was jaded and still reeling in skepticism and anti-Nixon bias from Watergate. Ford was Nixon's VP and then went on to pardon his old boss after assuming his job. The GOP didn't have a chance. Jimmy Carter swept into office on the promise of reclaiming America's honor abroad and our pride within. Optimism abounded and liberals were in heaven. Then he started making foreign policy decisions and influencing the economy. The result was run-away double digit inflation, double-digit interest rates, an actual weakening of America's position abroad, increased threats from the Soviet Union and radical Islamic terrorists and an internal slump in pride and morale.

Then came the 1980 presidential campaign. Reagan rode the wave of discontent and gloom created by Carter into office in a landslide victory. The strength, dignity, smarts and economic policies he provided gave us everything Carter promised but couldn't deliver...and more. The thing is, Reagan probably couldn't have won, either, in 1976, because the popular desire for change was too great. If Reagan had gotten the nomination and lost in 1976, he probably wouldn't have been re-nominated in 1980 and we would have missed out on one of the best presidents this country ever had.

Thirty-two years later, Dad and I were once again on opposite sides concerning the choice of a Republican nominee. When the initial slate of prospective candidates had whittled down a bit and our mutual first choice bailed out, I supported John McCain. He wanted some guy named Mitt Romney. He said "Romney was governor of Massachusetts and did a great job. Besides, he's a savvy business man and has some great ideas how to get our economy working again and also on dealing with other countries." "No way," I said, "McCain has done a good job in the senate and I think he is ready for the presidency. Besides," I added, "Romney won't get the nomination... McCain's a war hero."

Well, we all know what happened. McCain got the nomination, but "ready for the presidency" or not, it was not to be. The country was jaded and still reeling in skepticism and anti-Bush bias from Iraq and Gitmo. McCain supported Bush on these and other issues and went on to defend those positions in his campaign. The GOP didn't have a chance. Barak Obama swept into office on the promise of reclaiming America's honor abroad and our pride within. Optimism abounds and the liberals are in heaven. Now he has started making foreign policy decisions and influencing the economy. The result...TBD...

If history is destined to repeat itself, it appears Dad may have been right...just four years ahead of schedule...again!

Stay tuned........