WILL AMERICANS REALLY FORGET?

The horrifying explosion at the Kabul airport on 8/26/21 took the lives of 13 American servicemen and hundreds of Afghan citizens. Those of us living in the United States of America are viewing the evacuation of Afghanistan more like an abandonment. However, the politicians advising the president have publicly stated that they’re not worried at all, because “people don’t vote on foreign policy.” When several Afghanistan men fell to their death from an airplane while trying to escape, Biden shrugged and said , “that happened yesterday.” They’re betting that voters care more about the size of their 40lKs than the misguided evacuation of Afghanistan as we exit the war. But you have to wonder. Will Americans really forget?

The president’s advisors are comparing the Afghan withdrawal to the evacuation of Saigon at the end of the Vietnam war. However the two events cannot be compared.

According to Wikipedia ” the capture of the city was preceded by Operation Frequent Wind, the evacuation of almost all American civilian and military personnel in Saigon, along with tens of thousands of South Vietnamese civilians who had been associated with the Republic of Vietnam. A few Americans chose not to be evacuated. United States ground combat units had left South Vietnam more than two years prior to the fall of Saigon and were not available to assist with either the defense of Saigon or the evacuation. The evacuation was the largest helicopter evacuation in history. In addition to the flight of refugees, the end of the war and the institution of new rules by the communists contributed to a decline in the city’s population.^”

There was no Operation Frequent Wind when Biden announced we were withdrawing from the Afghanistan War by August 31. In fact, he turned over the names of Americans and Afghan helpers to the Taliban, actually believing that would insure the safety of those fleeing the country. It’s hard to believe that anyone with an ounce of common sense would be so gullible. Much less the President of the United States and his Generals.

Biden has threatened : “We will hunt you down and make you pay.” But how is he going to do that without continuing the war in Afghanistan? They launched a drone strike Friday night against some Isis stronghold, but it seems like a tepid move than doesn’t compensate for the horrific loss of life at the Kabul airport.

What will happen in the next election? Consumer sentiment has dropped to its lowest point since 2011. Will Americans really forget the administration’s bungled evacuation plan when exiting the Afghan War? Will we care more about the size of our bank accounts, than the tragedy of August 26? Are we really that materialistic and shallow? It remains to be seen.

August 23, 2021August 26, 2021

POVERTY’S FACE IN A COLLEGE TOWN

Educated people have higher incomes and better health habits, statistically speaking. Therefore, in a town with 5 colleges or institutions of higher education, our city should be thriving. But we’re not. The poverty rate is 26%, and according to the latest census, our population is dwindling. The juxtaposition of highly educated people with the poor and homeless continues to puzzle our leaders. If you drive through the city, you will see poverty’s face in a college town:

Walking past the library is a man holding a can of pop in his left hand, and a cigarette in the other. Across the street, a woman puffs away while wandering aimlessly. You turn the corner and drive into the inner city. There’s been a lot of effort to restore old properties, and government subsidized housing in run down neighborhoods. But it’s not enough. You’re still seeing deteriorating houses, porches filled with ripped , moldy furniture. Stray shopping carts. Homeless folks squatting outside the CVS store. People walking on crumbling side walks or through alleys filled with pot holes. Where are they going? Walking to the Dollar Store, maybe. Or perhaps to a church soup kitchen. Many are on some type of government assistance. They’re either too sick to work, or too uneducated or unskilled to hold any type of job. Some have mental health or drug addiction problems.

A few movers and shakers have made a valiant effort to improve our city’s optics. They’ve commissioned outdoor sculptures, and implemented a back- to -the- river project to enhance the area around the Wabash River—our most underutilized asset, at this point. They’ve even built a new convention center.

Put lipstick on a pig, and it’s still a pig. . There’s something wrong. Possibly it starts with the attitude of the “old guard.” People who’ve lived here all their lives, comfortable with their lovely homes, club memberships, and closed circles of family and friends

And then, there’s the CSX railroad terminal, which pollutes the city with high levels of diesel fuel. The town has 40 railway crossings, and none of them are pretty. There’s nothing aesthetically appealing about waiting while a long, ugly freight train rumbles by, or even decides to stop and regroup, creating mile long traffic stalls.

Our city is about to receive 38 million dollars in post covid-19 stimulus money, but the politicians haven’t decided what to do with it. Seems to me that if we want to improve our quality of life, we should start at the bottom and work our way up. Maybe open a center in the city’s core where the wandering smokers and pop drinkers can find some respite or free, walk-in counseling. Offer healthy snacks (no pop machines, please). Show videos on nutrition and smoking cessation. In a town full of educated people, we have to stop turning a blind eye to the misery right under our noses.

Poverty’s face in a college town in unfathomable.

June 16, 2021June 16, 2021

WHATEVER HAPPENED TO CHARISMA?

Decades ago, charisma was a popular word. The first time I ever saw a charismatic politician was when I lived in Chicago. President Dwight Eisenhower came to town in 1960, and over one million people stood in the streets to cheer him on. I happened to be in the front row when he drove by, sitting atop a convertible seat. Just for a moment, our eyes met. A shiver ran through my entire body. He was old and white haired. But with his brilliant blue eyes, robust coloring and warm smile, the man radiated charisma.

What is charisma? The dictionary describes it as a compelling attractiveness or charm that can inspire devotion in others.

A lot of presidents haven’t had it. Nixon, Carter, Johnson and Bush were good speakers, but they didn’t have that spark. John Kennedy had it. He was young, handsome, and inspiring when he said: “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.”

Ronald Reagan had it. When his enemies attacked him, he didn’t get mad. Just smiled and said, “there you go again.” I don’t remember him ever calling his opponents bad names. He was just the gipper. Smiling, confident, unflappable.

Barack Obama had it. All you had to do was read his book, “Dreams From My Father” to know he was sensitive, empathetic, inspiring, and yes, charismatic.

In 2008, they started holding workshops that could teach people how to be charismatic. But the truth is, charisma is hard to teach. I think it’s something a person is born with.

Fast forward to the present day. A lot of people compared Trump to Reagan. But Trump doesn’t have charisma. Trump is an entertainer. He’s funny and dynamic, but when he starts the name calling, it’s over. Charismatic people don’t run people down; they lift you up on eagle’s wings. Our current president Biden is affable and pleasant, but he doesn’t make your heart swell when he delivers a speech.

Our country is in desperate need of a presidential candidate who has charisma. There has to be someone out there who can charm and inspire us to loftier goals.

Whatever happened to charisma?

June 14, 2021June 14, 2021

WHAT’S EUROPE GOT TO DO WITH IT?

Most politicians occasionally make gaffes or puzzling comments. But the latest quote from Vice President Kamala Harris was a real head scratcher. Here she is talking to Lester Holt on NBC news, who’s known to be pretty easy on liberals. So, she has nothing much to fear. He asks her a simple question, “Have you been to the border?” She evades the question by saying, “we’ve been to the border.” So, he pins her down and asks if she, personally has been, and this is what pops out of her mouth: “And, I haven’t been to Europe.” What’s Europe got to do with it? Honestly, I don’t see the connection , or the point she was trying to make.

Harris got roasted in the media for tweeting a picture of herself before Memorial Day which said “enjoy the long weekend.” I can see where she was coming from on that. Just trying to relate to the fact that everyone had a nice long weekend ahead. But the press thought it was tone deaf– trivializing the true meaning of Memorial Day. That was a bit of over reaction, in my opinion. But the Europe thing? Totally beyond comprehension.

The person in the current administration who seems to have a handle on things is the president’s wife, Jill Biden. Maybe all those years as a school teacher taught her how to relate to people. She seems relaxed, friendly, and genuine. And she was plenty smart to wear a jacket to with LOVE emblazoned on the back during their trip to Europe.. All you could remember was that horrible jacket Melania Trump wore on the trip to the migrant facility. “I really don’t care, do U?” in black letters on the back wasn’t a very empathetic message under the circumstances

Poor Melania never did get it. That stiff posture, smoldering look and pouty mouth didn’t exactly warm your heart. She was such an easy act to follow. Just about any woman who was born and raised in America could have done better. Think Betty Ford. Laura Bush, .Michelle Obama, Bess Truman.

Joe Biden is just…well…Joe. Most of the time he sounds fairly coherent, but sometimes he wanders off into strange territory. Like telling a little girl in the audience that she looked like she was 19. What was that all about?

Kamala’s husband is fairly invisible at this point. He’s in uncharted territory, as the first male married to a VP of the United States. Keeping his mouth shut is probably the smartest thing he could do. Anyway, I don’t think he’s quit his day job.

Fortunately, it doesn’t make a whole lot of difference what the current leaders of this country say and do. They come and go. The country is strong, diverse, and will survive the peculiarities of any elected official. We’ve been doing it for 244 years.

March 3, 2021March 3, 2021

DO YOURSELF A FAVOR

2020 WAS the worst election year I can ever remember. And that’s saying a lot, considering my age. Politics got all mixed up with health care. President Trump went into denial, saying the COVID -19 pandemic would be over by Easter. Not true. New York Governor Cuomo was more afraid of Trump’s criticism than the lives of nursing home patients. Instead of taking advantage of a Navy ship sent to accommodate covid-19 victims , Cuomo shipped them out of hospitals into nursing homes. What a mess. Locked up at home, we binged watched the internet, listening to our TV cable news station of choice. It was exhausting. Now that the pandemic is nearing the end, do yourself a favor. Quit thinking about politics.

Don’t predict the dire outcome of Biden’s presidency before it’s even started. Let it spin. There’s nothing you can do and if you believe you can foresee the state of the USA in 2024, you’re kidding yourself. Already, Trump is saying Biden’s first month was a disaster. No one can know at this point in time whether the Biden presidency will be a success. A lot can happen in four years. Looking back on the history of our country, who could have predicted Pearl Harbor? The 9/11 attack on the world trade center? . The 2008 recession? The Covid-19 pandemic of 2020-2021?

This is what I know and believe: No matter who is elected as President, the United States of America is–and will remain—strong. . We are a nation of immigrants, with the courage to leave their native country, and the resilience to start a new life in spite of all the hardships they had to endure in a new land. Yes, some presidents do a better job than others. But: four years isn’t enough time to ruin all the marvelous things that we have achieved in the past four centuries.

So do yourself a favor. Return to school or work at home. Get some exercise. Play games. Take your family on a picnic. Have some fun. Turn off the news and enjoy your life.

January 29, 2021January 29, 2021

FACEBOOK ISN’T FOR POLITICS

I see Facebook has said they’re going to quit recommending political groups, and try to tamp down users’ political rhetoric. This is certainly a step in the right direction. There’s nothing more irritating than someone ranting and raving about their political views on Facebook. Do they really believe they are going to win someone over to their side who doesn’t agree with them to begin with? Facebook isn’t for politics, in my opinion.

No politics on facebook. Most of us don't want to hear someone's political rants and raves — Facebook isn’t for politics. . They’re finally trying to get the political rants off Facebook.

Facebook , for me, is simply a way to share a few family pictures and events with a small group of people. A nice way to keep in touch across the miles. How anyone could have over 1,000 so called “friends” boggles the mind. Unless maybe you’re an entertainer or politician, or your Facebook page is actually a marketing tool.

The good thing about Facebook is that you can block posts from certain people if you really don’t agree with the way they’re using it. I, for one, have no interest in seeing pictures of half nude people in provocative poses. And if someone posts several times a day, for weeks on end, it gets a little tiresome. If all of your “friends” did that, you would be spending way too much time moving through the day’s posts.

You’re always told not to discuss politics or religion at social events. Isn’t Facebook a social gathering? Kind of like a cyberspace cocktail party? A place where you’re exchanging light conversation and sharing photographs? Nothing too deep (unless there’s been a death in the family). That’s how it is in my mind. I really love hearing from people whom I seldom see. I want to know about their grandchild’s latest achievement, if somebody got married, or had a family reunion. Vacation pictures are especially welcome. I don’t have to comment, or hit the like button, unless I want to. But I usually want to.

Facebook is for fun. It’s not for politics. Because if there’s one thing we’ve learned in this divided nation , it’s that politics isn’t fun.

September 28, 2020September 29, 2020

THE SINNER VS.THE SAINT

Soon, we’re going to have Vice Presidential candidate, Senator Kamala Harris questioning Federal Judge Amy Coney Barrett as to whether or not she’s fit to be confirmed as a supreme court judge. It’s going to be like a scene from the Wizard of Oz: Sweet Dorothy from Kansas pitted against the Wicked Witch of the West. Get ready for a case of the sinner vs. the saint,

Amy Coney Barrett is mother of seven children–including two adopted black children, and one child with Downs Syndrome. She’s been married to the same man for eighteen years. In contrast, when former San Francisco prosecutor Kamala Harris was twenty nine, she hooked up with an influential married man thirty years her senior who helped her get ahead in politics. Recently married, she has no children, only step children.

This is what then Democratic presidential candidate, Rep Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii, had to say about Kamala Harris. :

As attorney general of California, “She put over 1,500 people in jail for marijuana violations, and then laughed about it when she was asked if she’d ever smoked marijuana. She blocked evidence that would have freed a man from death row until the courts forced her to do so. She kept people in prison beyond their sentences to use them as cheap labor for the state of California. And she fought to keep cash bail system in place that impacts poor people in the worst kind of way.”

Federal Judge Amy Coney Barrett was voted most popular professor on three different occasions at the University of Notre Dame. During her confirmation hearing in March of 2017, a group of 450 former students signed a letter to the Senate Judiciary Committee, telling senators that their support was “driven not by politics, but by the belief that Professor Barrett is supremely qualified.” She also she had the unanimous support of her 49 Notre Dame colleagues, who wrote that they had a “wide range of political views” but were “united however in our judgment about Amy.”

The contrast between the two women couldn’t be more stark. Kamala sashays around in a form fitting pants suit, while Amy is seen holding a small child’s hand, walking to the podium in a modest dress.

the saint vs the sinner: Barret vs. Harris — The saint vs. the sinner. There is going to be a showdown between two very different women.

I have a problem with Amy Barrett’s stance on abortion, but it’s not a deal breaker. This week in my city, a beautiful, seven year old boy was murdered by his father with a belt. No unwanted child should be brought into this world, only to be tortured and killed. This is why I am pro choice. And I don’t think Roe vs. Wade will ever be repealed.

Nevertheless, we’ll soon have a ringside seat to an interaction between two very different women.. It will be interesting to see who prevails. The saint or the sinner?.