Another Week Without Leadership

Gilligan's Island

S.S. Minnow

It's not like we have "leadership" when Obama isn't on vacation.  We are just spared the meaningless speeches full of empty promises.  Politics is more and more like being in medicine--doctors are always out when you need them.  Oh wait, we do have politicians playing doctor (Mitt Romney and his "Romney Care," Obama with his O'Bummer Care) and doctors playing politicians (Ron Paul running for president).

Obama's ratings continue to fall off the charts--being the "one hit wonder" that he is.  The "one" thing he did well was get elected.  Obama.  The "entitlement" president.  He's entitled to do nothing but spend, spend, spend.  Is he even back from Martha's Vineyard?  I mean he spent 1.2 million dollars per bus (which were made in Canada eh?) for his "three day tour."  Couldn't that have been a "three hour tour" like on Gilligan's Island?

Meanwhile...back at the ranch...

Me?  I'm at home.  I can't afford a vacation not to mention we are in the middle of a drought.  Which brings me to Libya.  I thought about going there for more heat, sand and the free stuff out of Momar's compound.  Maybe there are ball caps, kussies, pens and key chains.  I really just want a t-shirt.  

The question of the day is, "Why is it OK for "rebels" to overtake Gadhafi's compound because they want to "swim in his pool" and are tired of the oppression but I can't walk in the White House and make myself a sandwich and use the facilities?  After all, who pays THOSE bills?"  I'm not sure, but I think it's the American taxpayer.  And while I'm in question mode, why are the Libyan people cheering and flashing the victory sign while waving the Muslim flag?  Question marks are coming out of my head.  Benghazi?  Really?

Statement from NATO:  "Mission is not over....Aid, medical supplies and fuel (will be given) where needed...".  So we are helping the Muslim Nation to flourish?  I'm starting to understand how this works just like the Palestinians need a "state" so let's give them half of Israel.  We want terrorists for allies but not Israel?  With 9/11 right around the corner, what a slap in the face.

A Note to CNN

Libya rebels

The only story on CNN is Tripoli, Libya.  By promoting the rebels actions, you are promoting that it is OK to overthrow a government.  You are promoting that violence is acceptable.  You are advocating GUNS--oh my, did you realize that?  You are ANTI-AMERICAN when it comes to the rights of the AMERICAN people but have no problem advocating freedom in OTHER countries.  As I see it, the only difference between the condition of the American people and those of Libya is that Americans get "cake"and that is what keeps them in check.

Does this mean that the Marines Hymn is going to change now too?

Mount Rushmore, SD

"From the Halls of Montezuma, 

To the shores of Tripoli;

We fight our country's battles,

In the air, on land, and sea;

First to fight for right and freedom,

And to keep our honor clean:

We are proud to claim the title,

Of United States Marine...

Ups and Downs

The good news is that while Obama is on vacation, the Dow, Nasdaq and S&P are UP.  The bad news is that there has been a series of earthquakes all the way from Colorado to Washington, DC.  Of course, this is known as, "Bush's Fault" while others think it is a result of our founding fathers rolling over in their graves.

If the Pier's Morgan (CNN) question of the day is, "who will run Libya post Gadafi", then who will run America post Obama?"  Back to you Anderson...

Disclaimer:  Opinions expressed here are solely those of the author unless otherwise stated.  You can put lipstick on a pig but it's still a pig.

OBAMA: Reneging on Israel

OBAMA:  Reneging on Israel

Six of One.  Half Dozen of Another.
If you asked Americans about the "The U.S.-Israel Alliance," the majority of the American public hopefully would say they back U.S. government's support for Israel.  Their reasoning could be attributed to  Judeo-Christian values that share fundamental beliefs--such as the writings in the "Old Testament" or Torah).  After all, Jesus was a Jew and from the Holy Land.  On the other hand, there are the uninformed that throw Israel under the bus with the entire Middle East not knowing exactly what it means to be an ALLY.  

Truman:  A Promise is a Promise
The fact remains that Israel has been a friend to the US since before President Harry S.Truman (1945 - 1953).  He wrote in his memoirs, "The question of Palestine as a Jewish homeland goes back to the solemn promise that had been made to them (the Jews) by the British in the Balfour Declaration of 1917 - a promise which had stirred the hopes and the dreams of these oppressed people.  This promise, I felt, should be kept, just as all promises made by responsible, civilized governments should be kept."  As I often say, all a person really has is their word.  In that respect, Truman was a TRUE MAN.

Glenn Beck's "Sinking Boat" Analogy
Mr. Beck recently quizzed that if America were a sinking ship (which it is), would you be on deck trying to figure out what to do or would you be at the bar drinking and saying, "everything is fine?"  Most of America IS ordering drinks.  On FaceBook, I ask the hard, unpopular questions while most of my "friends" are drinking and posting music videos.  It's time for America to WAKE UP, FACE THE MUSIC and stop creating diversions.

Who Will STAND with Israel?
When I asked, "Who will STAND with Israel?," these are some of the answers I received:

Michael in Ohio wrote, "Those who have in the past still will as long as Israel is not the aggressor.  Aggressor to me means they start the fight."

My response to Michael was, "But what if the MEDIA tells us who started the fight?"  How much faith do we have or should we have in the media?

Michael responded with, "Golda Meier let Syria and Egypt attack despite generals telling her to make a pre-emptive strike. This allowed a wise woman to achieve the support she needs. I think that same philosophy will still work. I don't think the news reporters can sway something as obvious as who starts a blood bath - do you?"
Note:  Meier's reasoning was that if Israel stuck first, "We won't get help from anybody, " she said.

My answer, "Yes I do. I have lost faith in stations like CNN who receive Soros money.  Obama is already making Israel out to be a problem because they won't do what he tells them to do."

Robert in Kentucky stated, "You ask "Who Will Stand With Israel? Scripture tells us that the entire world will turn it's back on Israel...that includes the USA, and that will be a good time to relocate to another country. I will always stand with Israel personally."

Mr. F. in Texas wrote, "Obama is a pawn doing the dirty work of somebody else's agenda--George Soros maybe.  Somewhere, unknown to us, backing Israel isn't in the business plan.  He runs our government with a flim-flam front and secret deals otherwise."

Michael summarized with, "That has not changed over time - Israel has always danced to their own music. Still as long as they are not the aggressor/agitator, NATO will assist them."

A Change is Coming...
According to WASHINGTON (Reuters) by Matt Spetalnick - Wed May 11, 2011 (http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110511/pl_nm/us_obama_mideast), Obama will meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on May 20.  "While there is little doubt Obama will use his meeting with Netanyahu to try to advance Israeli-Palestinian diplomacy, it is unclear how hard Obama is willing to push for concessions from a leader with whom he already has strained relations.  That could risk alienating Israel's base of support among the U.S. public and in Congress as well as the influential pro-Israel lobby as Obama seeks re-election in 2012.

Obama's launch of direct peace talks last year went nowhere and he is under pressure to forge a new initiative or face the prospect of the Palestinians seeking the U.N. General Assembly's blessing for a Palestinian state in September."

So Where DOES Obama STAND When it Comes to Israel?

The President is currently at a party and unavailable for comment.  It is up to you--the PEOPLE of AMERICA and the WORLD to decide.  As Bill O'Reilly said, "A bad ally is better than no ally at all."

NOTE:  Image compliments of:  http://www.flagsinternational.com/ecommerce/detail.cfm?item=US-and-Israel-Friendship-Pin-c562i3481

CNN: A Tale of the Half-Life and the Half-Wit

I have to admit that I watch CNN more than any other news channel. I believe that Americans are only exposed to what the government allows us to see or the bias of the channel wants to convey.  News is news.  You're not going to get more news from another channel: it's a matter of presentation.

News is just a different Hollywood

I also have to admit that I am often very appalled at the lack of news and wonder if Journalists have any education beyond broadcasting.  It is just a different kind of Hollywood.

In the recent Tsunami that hit Japan, I was glued to CNN.  I was waiting for news on the nuclear power plant (Fukushima Daiichi) that was "hit" by the wave.  My interest was humanitarian but also scientific.  As I watched and watched, only ONE physicist was interviewed.  Clearly, he had much to say, but was constantly interrupted and then cut off.  Though physics wasn't my best subject in school, it certainly was the most challenging and fascinating subject.  It taught me how all things are interrelated and affect each other at all levels--from subatomic to the visible world.

I had many first thoughts of,  "Oh no not seawater--where will it end up after being used for cooling?" "Oh shit, was it JUST steam or was it an explosion?"  "What about the radioactive particles--all I am hearing is about the Gamma Rays and how they are harmless like sunlight!"  "Is there going to be nuclear fallout?" "PLEASE explain to the public what this means."  "Interview people from Russia who were involved with Chernobyl or Three Mile Island workers."  I felt like one of those OLD PEOPLE who yell at the television who I used to make fun of!  Of course, now we can "Twitter" and have some interaction.

Perhaps the most shocking element is that a journalist has the responsibility to not only report the news but to inform.  I kept waiting for explanations and definitions of things like:  gamma rays, alpha particles, gamma particles, radioactive isotopes and HALF LIVES.  Nothing.  My mother called me many times asking questions knowing that I am a nerd.  I think I gave her a headache on several occassions but I also gave her some understanding.  Half Lives -- as other seemingly complex subjects are not that hard to explain if you have a captive audience.

Half-Life is like losing your "-ness" from You, Me and DuPree

Since I have a captive audience, let's talk about the "half-life."  Some will assume that I am inferring the time when one reaches the ripe old age of 50.  In a sense, I am.  Simply, it is the period of time when half of your "-ness" is gone!  For example, CNN kept stating that the half-life of radioactive Iodine was 6 days.  Which is fine. However, when there is 1000+ times the amount that is safe for humans, 6 days still means that you will die.  So, how many days would have to pass to be safe for humans?  Good question!  About 60 days.  Here's why.  In 6 days, there is 1/2 of the radioactivity left.  In other words, it has decayed.  Our illustrious Anderson Cooper was claiming that everyone was safe after 12 days.  Sounds simple enough.  If half is gone in 6 days, then all will be gone in 12.  Unfortunately, it doesn't work that way.  After 12 days, 1/4 of the radioactivity is left.  It isn't until 1/1024 amount of radioactivity is left and 60 days have passed that you are safe.

When the going gets tough, Sanja goes

No one probably noticed that Sanja Gupta got his rear back on a plane to the U.S.  Did you?  I did. 

I was shocked of the comparison to Three-Mile Island (TMI) and not to Chernobyl.  In the history of nuclear disasters, Three Mile Island was rated a 5 and Chernobyl a 7 (International Nuclear Event Scale) Fukushima was immediately rated a 5.  Keep in mind that the Three Mile Island nuclear incident  happened in 1979 in Dawphine County, Pennsylvania.  There was a complete meltdown with environmental exposure of 20 Curies of of iodine 131 (radioactive Iodine) and 13 million Curies of radioactive gases.  Also 40 thousand gallons of radioactive waste water was pumped directly into the Susquehanna River with authorization by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (the USNRC). 

Chernobyl occurred in 1986 in the Ukraine SSR (Russia).  It was a complete meltdown and explosion that caused 31 immediate reactor related deaths  and perhaps a million over all deaths to date.  The surrounding environment was altered in Russia , Western Soviet Union and Europe.   47 million Curies of Iodine 131 (radioactive Iodine) were released, 2.3 million Curies of Caesium 137 and 2.3 million Curies of Tellurium, Strontium, and numerous other radioisotopes.  The after effects are expected to be seen for at least another 100 years.

NOTE:  A CURIE is a unit of radioactivity and are used to provide information on the radioactivity of a given isotope.  Named for Marie and Pierre Curie and their research involving radium 226 (isotope).

NOTE:  An isotope is a variant a of particular element.  The difference being that they have extra neutrons which make them unstable.  The atomic number of an element is based on the number of protons contained.

Back to you Anderson...

The news was quick to minimalize the Fukushima incident.  Without inspection or adequate testing, it was rated a 5--meaning that like Three Mile Island, there was minimal, short term damage to the environment.  Though now we know that Fukushima exceeded Three Mile Island, the rating remains the same--at a 5.  So, Anderson…why is it that technology has advanced at a staggering rate since 1989, yet we have much less information on Fukushima explosion than on Chernobyl?!  Back to you Anderson….