Eight years ago, when Barack Obama was elected President, Americans waited expectantly to see if he would, or even could, live up to his grandiose claims. Outgoing President Bush said little and made the transition as smooth as possible.
The economy was in a downturn. Not entirely Bush's fault, but the sitting President owns the economy for better or worse. President Bush accepted his fate and in the traditional gentlemanly manner expected, he said nothing about his successors time in office.
It proved that the force of President Obama's personality was not up to making his promises fact. Due to bad planning, overreach, and politicization, things went sorely awry. Obama took advantage of Bush's polite silence to dump the blame for all that went wrong on him.
For four years every misstep and every foul ball was the fault of George W. Bush. All the saints in heaven could not have done any better claimed our new President. For four long years President Obama took responsibility for nothing.
When the new presidential election came up, folks gave Obama another chance, but wisely took the House and Senate away from him.
But what the voters did was to give him a new excuse for failure. He could and did blame those damned obstructionist Republicans. So for eight years Obama proved that while he was not so much as a President, he was a master at the blame game.
Time marches on and Americans in fear and disgust at all things liberal gave the Presidency to Donald Trump. Suddenly, even though he has not yet been sworn in, all responsibility becomes his. Four black kids spend two days torturing a handicapped man in inhuman ways, it is Trumps fault according to CNN.
Just peruse the liberal news sites, our not yet President is the font of all evil. Maybe the Russians hacked into political computer systems. Trumps fault says the left. It gets boring and annoying. But it does prove one thing. The left loves the blame game and they play it well.
Saturday, January 7, 2017
Tuesday, January 3, 2017
Do It Yourself
I was always a do-it-yourself kind of guy. Home repairs, car repairs, even building electronics kits, it was fun and a good way to save money. I had a few, like minded, friends in my neighborhood. We all had different skill sets. Together, there wasn't much we weren't ready to try. Good days, back then.
But there are just some things that one cannot do for one's self. As much as President Obama doesn't want to believe this, a President cannot write his own legacy. And a President's legacy cannot be written immediately after he leaves office.
Legacies are written by historians. The turmoils of a presidential term must be resolved and a little of the dust of time must have accumulated to obtain a proper perspective of any President's successes and failures, as well as his brushes with greatness and ignominy.
Unfortunately for Mr. Obama, many people, myself included, feel that the facts of the past eight years give lie to his constant claims of greatness. At this point in history the shrill claims of his loyal sycophants, as well as his own strident boasts, cloud the issue of legacy.
The liberal press will try to replace historians as the impartial scribes of the Obama years. But they have already failed in their duty to be a source of impartial news for America and the world. They were blind and deaf to what they did not want to see and hear. They will have their own legacy and it will not be kind to them.
By the time Obama's true legacy is in print, I will, most likely, not be around to read it. I think I already know the basics and, for me, that is adequate. I suspect, once out of the White House, he will write his own self-serving version of the Obama years. That will not be his legacy. Read from an informed point of view, it will be his apology. Note to Barack: You can't do it yourself.
But there are just some things that one cannot do for one's self. As much as President Obama doesn't want to believe this, a President cannot write his own legacy. And a President's legacy cannot be written immediately after he leaves office.
Legacies are written by historians. The turmoils of a presidential term must be resolved and a little of the dust of time must have accumulated to obtain a proper perspective of any President's successes and failures, as well as his brushes with greatness and ignominy.
Unfortunately for Mr. Obama, many people, myself included, feel that the facts of the past eight years give lie to his constant claims of greatness. At this point in history the shrill claims of his loyal sycophants, as well as his own strident boasts, cloud the issue of legacy.
The liberal press will try to replace historians as the impartial scribes of the Obama years. But they have already failed in their duty to be a source of impartial news for America and the world. They were blind and deaf to what they did not want to see and hear. They will have their own legacy and it will not be kind to them.
By the time Obama's true legacy is in print, I will, most likely, not be around to read it. I think I already know the basics and, for me, that is adequate. I suspect, once out of the White House, he will write his own self-serving version of the Obama years. That will not be his legacy. Read from an informed point of view, it will be his apology. Note to Barack: You can't do it yourself.
Saturday, December 31, 2016
HAPPY NEW YEAR
I want to wish all of my readers a Happy New Year! Thank you for your loyalty! I haven't produced much new work lately and for that I apologize. A combination of pulled muscles and arthritis make typing exceedingly uncomfortable. I will get back into things as soon as I can.
Have a happy, peaceful, and prosperous 2017!!!!!
Have a happy, peaceful, and prosperous 2017!!!!!
Monday, December 19, 2016
A Few Things
First of all, I want to wish everyone a merry Christmas. And also a peaceful, prosperous and happy New Year. If you are of a praying nature, please offer a prayer for our country. If you are not of a praying nature, you might give it a try. It can't hurt and you may be surprised at the comfort it can bring. We are at a great crossroads and have an opportunity for resurrection. A resurrection our country badly needs.
Secondly, I know that I haven't been writing much lately. A few small problems make it difficult for me to type. Hopefully I'm on the way back.
And finally, I have a Christmas present for you. I have written new lyrics to an old song. With apologies to Roger Whitaker, this is to the tune of "The Last Farewell".
Secondly, I know that I haven't been writing much lately. A few small problems make it difficult for me to type. Hopefully I'm on the way back.
And finally, I have a Christmas present for you. I have written new lyrics to an old song. With apologies to Roger Whitaker, this is to the tune of "The Last Farewell".
There’s a truck that sits all loaded at the White House,
Tomorrow to old Georgetown it goes.
From his land full of sycophants and servants
To our land where one uses his own dough.
No magnificent free vacations.
No longer will the traffic clear the way.
For he has screwed us all and harmed our own great country,
More deeply than the spoken word can tell.
His silence would be great.
More welcome than the spoken word can tell.
There’s a wicked war ablazin’ in the Mideast.
But mind you all he is not to blame.
It might be Bush or Trump or Hillary.
But naught was ever done bad in his name.
He claims he knows more than the generals.
But real problems went unsolved.
For he has screwed us all and harmed our own great country,
More deeply than the spoken word can tell.
His silence would be great.
More welcome than the spoken word can tell.
Monday, December 12, 2016
The New America
I will start out by saying that I was not a supporter of Donald Trump. I did vote for him because I felt that Hillary Clinton would be a terrible President and would do serious harm to the Republic. As I have, far too many times, I voted for the person I believed was the lesser of two evils.
Since the election, I am much encouraged. Mr. Trump is doing a far more restrained and presidential job than I expected. While the Democrats have just tanked into rancorous ranting. The control of the Democrat party has been left in the hands of old, and I do mean old, guard, like Nancy Pelosi, Joe Biden, and Chuck Schumer. No progress there. While the front runner for the chair of the DNC, we have been told, is a Muslim with ties to CAIR and other jihadist organizations.
While the corrupt press is trying to present the Trump organization as being in turmoil and unable to reach decisions regarding staffing of the new administration, they actually appear to be prompt, open, and thorough in their deliberations.
There has been no covert operations, sneaking people in and out the back door. All have entered through the lobby of Trump Towers right in front of the press hungry to rip any and all candidates.
What they have not seen is a stream of barely known political hacks who would operate in the party's best interest. Not in the interest of the American people. What we are seeing are people who are mature, experienced, intelligent, and successful. Pretty much the opposite of the administration which is presently in power.
Mr. Trump made a lot of promises during the campaign. He seems to be making a good honest start at doing as he promised. Anyone with a lick of sense knows that all will not be perfect. But I am still much encouraged. Although some of his choices were not choices I would have made, they are still excellent choices.
It would be nice now, if all Americans rallied behind him and gave him an honest chance the way we all did for Barack Obama. Let him succeed or fail on his own merits. Some hopeful unity would be good for the American people right now. That way we may actually have the new America.
Since the election, I am much encouraged. Mr. Trump is doing a far more restrained and presidential job than I expected. While the Democrats have just tanked into rancorous ranting. The control of the Democrat party has been left in the hands of old, and I do mean old, guard, like Nancy Pelosi, Joe Biden, and Chuck Schumer. No progress there. While the front runner for the chair of the DNC, we have been told, is a Muslim with ties to CAIR and other jihadist organizations.
While the corrupt press is trying to present the Trump organization as being in turmoil and unable to reach decisions regarding staffing of the new administration, they actually appear to be prompt, open, and thorough in their deliberations.
There has been no covert operations, sneaking people in and out the back door. All have entered through the lobby of Trump Towers right in front of the press hungry to rip any and all candidates.
What they have not seen is a stream of barely known political hacks who would operate in the party's best interest. Not in the interest of the American people. What we are seeing are people who are mature, experienced, intelligent, and successful. Pretty much the opposite of the administration which is presently in power.
Mr. Trump made a lot of promises during the campaign. He seems to be making a good honest start at doing as he promised. Anyone with a lick of sense knows that all will not be perfect. But I am still much encouraged. Although some of his choices were not choices I would have made, they are still excellent choices.
It would be nice now, if all Americans rallied behind him and gave him an honest chance the way we all did for Barack Obama. Let him succeed or fail on his own merits. Some hopeful unity would be good for the American people right now. That way we may actually have the new America.
Saturday, December 3, 2016
Make Our Navy Great Again
I was just sitting and musing about President elect trump's first moves. So far, better than I had expected. I hope he gives the job of Secretary of the Navy to an old fashioned, hard ass, deep water Admiral. The Navy needs help. They have been degraded and embarrassed.
The new Zumwalt class destroyers are a good example. There are serious questions about stability in a following sea. The first one to sea has broken down twice. Once in the Panama Canal. It is not as stealthy as it could have been because they cut the budget.
I got to thinking that those responsible should be "hung from the highest yard arm" as they did in the days of wooden boats and iron men. Then I got to thinking, they don't have yardarms any more.
Then I got to thinking, yes they do. There is one US Navy ship of the line that still has a yardarm or two. The frigate Constitution, Old Iron Sides, is still in service. OK so we are not actually going to hang anyone from the highest yardarm.
But, then I got to thinking, how about taking Old Iron Sides on a Navy Pride sail. I'm sure there are those in the Navy who know how to sail a square rigger. Not to long. Not around the world or anything. I was thinking two weeks to a month. It would be great exposure. TV news, local and national, would be all over it. Maybe even put a couple of videographers aboard for the duration.
I was thinking, out of Boston harbor, south around the Cape and Nantucket. Sail past Martha's Vineyard, and around Block Island. Head up the West Passage of Narragansett Bay, around Jamestown Island and out the East Passage. East to the Cape Cod Canal and get a tow through. Past Plymouth harbor and back to Charlestown where she's berthed.
That would certainly help to restore the shine on one part of America's great military. I hope someone in the new administration sees this and gives it consideration.
The new Zumwalt class destroyers are a good example. There are serious questions about stability in a following sea. The first one to sea has broken down twice. Once in the Panama Canal. It is not as stealthy as it could have been because they cut the budget.
I got to thinking that those responsible should be "hung from the highest yard arm" as they did in the days of wooden boats and iron men. Then I got to thinking, they don't have yardarms any more.
Then I got to thinking, yes they do. There is one US Navy ship of the line that still has a yardarm or two. The frigate Constitution, Old Iron Sides, is still in service. OK so we are not actually going to hang anyone from the highest yardarm.
But, then I got to thinking, how about taking Old Iron Sides on a Navy Pride sail. I'm sure there are those in the Navy who know how to sail a square rigger. Not to long. Not around the world or anything. I was thinking two weeks to a month. It would be great exposure. TV news, local and national, would be all over it. Maybe even put a couple of videographers aboard for the duration.
I was thinking, out of Boston harbor, south around the Cape and Nantucket. Sail past Martha's Vineyard, and around Block Island. Head up the West Passage of Narragansett Bay, around Jamestown Island and out the East Passage. East to the Cape Cod Canal and get a tow through. Past Plymouth harbor and back to Charlestown where she's berthed.
That would certainly help to restore the shine on one part of America's great military. I hope someone in the new administration sees this and gives it consideration.
Tuesday, November 29, 2016
My America
I miss my America. It has changed over the years, and not for the better. Love of country is now referred to as "nationalism" and is framed as a bad thing. Christianity is assailed and denigrated. The white population is called "supremacist". Police and military are spat on by those not qualified to shine their boots.
When I started school, WWII was in full swing. Food was rationed. Almost all production went into the war effort. Women who had never worked outside their home went to work in factories doing jobs that only men had done in the past.
In school, we said the Pledge of Allegiance, saluted the flag, and sang patriotic songs. We brought in nickles and dimes to by War Stamps. When we had enough, we traded them in for bonds. Everyone had skin in the game. My uncles served in the military and I was proud of them. Thank God, they all came home.
We learned civics and geography. We learned about the rest of the world in social studies. We learned to read, and most of us learned to love books and the knowledge they contained. We were taught real arithmetic and later, mathematics. Not all of us planned on college. But in those days there were good manufacturing jobs where skills could be learned and hard work and ambition became a ticket up the ladder. Loyalty counted.
Sometime in the sixties, the geniuses that ran our country decided that Americans shouldn't get their hands dirty anymore. Everyone should go to college and work in offices. We no longer needed manufacturing. We could be a service society. Many apprenticeship programs that provided great training for those who couldn't or did not want to go to college just faded away. Manual skills were looked down on.
In those days, our freedoms and our privacy were respected. The government was much smaller and didn't try to control everyone's life. If you did not live in the 30s, 40s, and 50s, I cannot explain to you the sense of freedom that the average American felt. I dearly wish that I could. I really miss my America.
When I started school, WWII was in full swing. Food was rationed. Almost all production went into the war effort. Women who had never worked outside their home went to work in factories doing jobs that only men had done in the past.
In school, we said the Pledge of Allegiance, saluted the flag, and sang patriotic songs. We brought in nickles and dimes to by War Stamps. When we had enough, we traded them in for bonds. Everyone had skin in the game. My uncles served in the military and I was proud of them. Thank God, they all came home.
We learned civics and geography. We learned about the rest of the world in social studies. We learned to read, and most of us learned to love books and the knowledge they contained. We were taught real arithmetic and later, mathematics. Not all of us planned on college. But in those days there were good manufacturing jobs where skills could be learned and hard work and ambition became a ticket up the ladder. Loyalty counted.
Sometime in the sixties, the geniuses that ran our country decided that Americans shouldn't get their hands dirty anymore. Everyone should go to college and work in offices. We no longer needed manufacturing. We could be a service society. Many apprenticeship programs that provided great training for those who couldn't or did not want to go to college just faded away. Manual skills were looked down on.
In those days, our freedoms and our privacy were respected. The government was much smaller and didn't try to control everyone's life. If you did not live in the 30s, 40s, and 50s, I cannot explain to you the sense of freedom that the average American felt. I dearly wish that I could. I really miss my America.
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