THE LAST TIME I CHECKED…..
May 13, 2005
We are at war! Has that changed? Did we catch UBL, or has al-Qaida offered to give it up? I don’t think so. So, let us remind ourselves: WE ARE AT WAR!
If you take that as a truth, fact, or reality, then you have to also concede that things have changed. Thinking must change, and though we don’t want to admit it, our lifestyles must change as well. Now we’re making this “war” thing personal. Yep!
It amazes me that the Democrats keep talking about how Bush had “no plan”. Hey, in all wars the plan is to WIN! Outside of that, war is a matter of beginning with a strategy, and then adjusting every day to what the “war hand” deals you.
In war, people get killed! In war, you can make all the rules you want but people do crazy things: maybe because war itself is crazy. War makes no sense. It’s the last option where winning costs beyond anyone’s imagination; and lasts a lot longer than expected.
Back on the domestic front, it can’t be business as usual. It’s admirable to tell us to go out and shop, travel, and pretend all is well, but it’s not! We do lose some of our privacy and our liberty in times of war.
So, to all of those who are looking for a tidy, clean, and polite war? Forgetdaboutit! Or, maybe go look up the definition of war- or here let me do it for you. WAR: A state of open and declared hostile conflicts, antagonisms, and strife between groups. And that’s just the beginning.
FOOLS AND THE INTERNET
May 12, 2005
The digital world was supposed to save us time, give us more time for leisure and family. But, in reality it’s been a rope around our collective legs. Computers all day long, phones every now and then. A fax at least once or twice a day. Blackberry’s for those in-between moments. Ahh, isn’t life good!
Oh yes, and then there are all those LIES, and all of those PICTURES that are “doctored”. It’s bad enough that you can take a picture and send it to hundreds of millions of people in a few seconds (read military abuse pictures). However, who is to know what’s true and what’s not?
You can’t even trust your newspaper (when could you?). The Boston Globe printed pictures of U.S. troops gang-raping Iraqi women yesterday. The pictures were actually taken from pornographic web sites and altered. Guess who owns the Globe? Yep! The New York Times. And we know about their reputation recently. Can you say Jayson Blair? I knew you could.
So! How could any of our soldiers pose for pictures depicting abuse of Iraqi prisoners, and not think they had just signed their military career away? Naive? No, worse!
With the modern digital world and the internet, fools are more quickly found out. Unfortunately, we’re finding out that we have far more than we thought. Mama, don’t let your babies grow up to be ignorant of the internet.
DRAW YOUR OWN CONCLUSIONS
May 11, 2005
Okay, you’ve seen the pictures of naked Iraqis, some with a rope around their neck, others in embarassing situations. The pictures are deplorable, the action unexcusable.
And now you have the film of Nick Berg being BEHEADED. Just the description alone by journalists (without seeing the video) is mind-boggling: horrific. And therein we now have the comparison between two different societies, two different worlds.
Its expected of America that we act more properly. We’re the ones that espouse freedom and respect among men: not they! What it also shows is that America has an under-belly that’s not pure. We didn’t already know that? We are a nation of people who are not all good, not all bad.
There’s no excusing the action of some service men and women. The main difference is that the Americans will be put on trial and many will go to prison. The Iraqis who beheaded Nick will be lauded as heroes and told they will go to heaven, and find many virgins, because they killed an infidel (read anyone not a Muslim).
It seems the world is out of control, colliding head-long towards an end that currently doesn’t look all that good. Just maybe the depth of the horror will in itself bring us to some sanity. Just maybe, we’ll get a glimpse of where we are headed and turn back- before it is too late.
PS. They did the same to Daniel Pearl last year before the prison scandals.
BACK FROM BOLIVIA
May 10, 2005
And I thought that Venezuela was a poor nation. One piece of data will paint a picture that few can see. More than 90% of the roads in Bolivia are DIRT! And I got to experience it- first hand.
On Sunday, we did a baptismal service in a small village (a real one) about 30 miles outside of Santa Cruz. Not a paved road in this village of maybe 300 people. Cars? Only people passing through.
Transportation is two legs or eight hoofs. There were horse (donkey) drawn carts everywhere. All of the poor animals had their ribs sticking out of their sides. I wondered how they could even stand. Their concept of DIGITAL is a cart with four tires on it- not wooden wheels. When it rains, people don’t go anywhere.
A train from Brazil had just pulled into town as we enered. People hanging out of windows of a train that looked to be 200 years old. People laying in the dirt beside it, and other un-mentionable acts. Where does one begin to help such a situation?
Well, you just make sure that you DO begin. As for me, it may only be to impact some 16 orphans and a couple hundred people, but that’s a start.
Meanwhile, sitting here back in the airport at Miami, in the AA Admirals club, with a full stomach and lap top on my knees, I can’t help but wonder how it is that some of us won the genetic lottery pool- being born in this nation: warts and all.
THROW-AWAY KIDS
May 8, 2005
You have probably seen the pictures: kids looking half-starved with flies on their faces. You might have even given to one such fund. You have also probably heard of a church that asked for funds for an orphanage that did not exist. I have.
Saturday night I saw another picture. I walked into a room where twelve kids were sitting around a table finishing their meal: soup! I saw the beds with blankets, and no sheets. I saw the make-shift laundry room with the clothes drying on a rope, strung between a pole and a tree.
I was at a church: a church named Liberty Revival (in English) in a Spanish speaking town: Santa Cruz, Bolivia. The pastor, Walter Mendez, and his son, have now taken in sixteen kids that no one wants: throw-away kids. In most cases the mother signed over papers. The kids range from three to ten years of age. One look in their eyes and yours begin to water.
They are loved where there once was none. They’re looking for more: need more. On only $1500 a month, this church has three full-time staff that cares for them. Seems impossile doesn’t it? It’s a real church. And, if you’d like to donate to a real cause, we’ll see that they get the money.
God doesn’t throw anything away, much less a child.
SLEEP DEPRIVATION WORKS!
May 7, 2005
We’ve heard and seen a lot about prison abuse lately- way too much. There are all kinds of ways to extract information from prisoners: sleep deprivation is among the most popular. Why? It works!
I’ve now been reminded of this powerful tool. In college going without sleep was a way of life. Even in the early days of climing the corporate ladder, going without sleep was not that big of a deal.
That was then, this is now. Having gone 43 hours without sleep was more than enough for me to offer “whatever you want”, just let me sleep! It’s a new day in Bolivia for me now though. The weather is in the low 50′s and the reminder that next Tuesday I will be back in Houston facing yet another summer is yet another reminder of a different kind of torture.
The 43 hours without sleep was worth it though just to be able to offer hope to some 350 people who have none. We Americans are spoiled beyond understanding. I don’t know how long it will continue. Whatever it takes, I hope that we can somehow come to a fuller understanding of what we have, for it can’t last forever: like going without sleep.
ALIVE AND….WELL, ALIVE!
May 6, 2005
After traveling on a plane for 12+ hours from Houston to Miami, to La Paz, Bolivia, and then to Santa Cruz, I’m dead tired. And it only took 2 hours to get the computer connected- and then it’s by snail mail (phone line).
So, I’m now off on a dead run (without sleep for about 36 hours or so). I have not a clue as to what’s going on in the world out there. I’ll try to catch up with it tomorrow.
THE MAN AT THE TOP!
May 5, 2005
It’s being reported that George Bush is furious with Donald Rumsfeld for not keeping him informed about the prisoner abuse mess. Rumsfeld says there were things he didn’t know as well.
Who knew what and when is just a side issue. The real point is that we’re getting reminded that war is hell. There are so many atrocities in war that, well, that’s why it’s called war.
The photos just keep coming, and as it has been said, if this was just a story without the photos, it would be no big deal. Once again we are reminded that a picture is worth a thousand words.
So, for the next few weeks we will have to live with the prison abuse. And, most importantly, the man at the top, the Commander-In-Chief will take the heat. Did I mention that another thing we’re being reminded of came from Harry Truman- “the buck stops here”.
Could Donald be in jeopardy of losing his job? Doubtful! But, could the man at the top lose his job as a result of this? It sure doesn’t help!
As for me- I’m getting on a plane this afternoon and heading out to Bolivia. I’ve been told that I’ll have internet access there and that I can keep “communicating”. You’ll be the first to know- or NOT!
BUT FOR THE FEW……..
May 5, 2005
Once again we learn the lesson the hard way. Once again we find out that no man, state, or nation is an island. And once again we learn that if there is a part of humanity that hurts, ALL of humanity hurts.
What a few military men and women did in Iraqi prisons now paints and taints all of our military and all of America. Only six soldiers have been charged so far, but 200+ million Americans and the entire cause of liberty has been indicted.
Are we no different than Saddam, no different that his regime? Yes, we are but now the thesis gets harder to prove. We’re trying to win a war of “ideas”, and yet it’s what we ultimately DO: rather than whay we SAY, that changes life.
When a person kills someone here in America, we try them and if found guilty, they go to jail. Does one man’s act of murder make all of us murderers? That’s a silly question. It’s as silly as trying to make the connection that just because my neighbor steals a car, that we’re all thieves.
But, try and explain to the Iraqi’s and all of the Arab world, that because 6, 12, or 20 soldiers did something that was wrong, that America is still a good nation. In all honesty that’s where the ball lays right now. It’s back in our court and we now have reason yet again to remind ourselves that we truly are “our brother’s keepers”.
THE HINDENBURG OMEN?
May 3, 2005
Okay, let’s get really deep into the economic waters: maybe a bit freaky and scary at the same time. I’ve been a follower of Richard Russell (Dow Theory Letters) for about five years now and he has one of the best track records over 50 years. I subscibe to his daily thoughts and what he said Monday, I felt I’d pass on.
So, here goes. Right or wrong, it’s sure interesting. Let me quote him in his entirely in this area:
“Jim Meikka and Ken Gammage use what is called the Hindenburg Omen to forecast a potential CRASH in the stock market. It works like this. When (1) both new highs and new lows on the NYSE exceed 2.4% of the issues traded on that day; and (2) the 10-week moving average of the S&P is rising (which it is now); and (3) if the McClellan Oscillator is negative (it is now). Under these conditions, the market is in a potential CRASH mode. Ordinarily I might not mention such an exotic item, but my stock market technicals that I personally keep are so poor that a CRASH would not surprise me.” End of quotes….
There was such a signal on April 13th, and we have had FOUR additional Hindenurg Omen daily signals. If the cash is to occur, it must occur within 30 days of the most recent signal. The last signal occured on April 27th.
So, we wait and watch! Hey, just in case you needed something else to worry about, right? For me it beats listening to the Kerry-Bush character attacks watching the media count the war casualties, or hearing about yet another anti-Bush book making the Top Ten!
ANOTHER NEEDED HERO
May 2, 2005
If there is anything America needs today, it’s some bona fide heros. And America is getting just what it needed. On the heels of the incredible Pat Tillman story two weeks ago, we have now another vision to hold on to: Thomas Hamill.
Thomas is the ex-Dairy farmer from Mississippi who went off to war-torn lands to make money to hold his family’s finances together. Unfortunately he found himself on US TV stations being held hostage. In the midst of a spate of kidnappings wherein many were shot, his fate didn’t look all that good.
We now know that Thomas escaped not just once, but twice. The first time he got away, there were no friendly forces around to rescue him, so he was re-captured. Such an act could have cost him his life. Only God knows why it didn’t. This time he waited until he heard an American convoy in the area before breaking down a door and escaping.
Not knowing what or who would be on the other side of that door he was breaking down had to take a lot of courage and determination. Hamill is now on his way to Germany for repatriation and then back to Mississipi for a wonderful reunion with his family and friends. And who knows, since we’re in such short supply of heros, maybe a book or movie!
BEST OF “Cold” CONFIRMATIONS
May 1, 2005
Last week, I wrote about Alan Greenspan’s denial of any inflation. Today, I got two confirmations that he’s wrong, I’m right (not that I compare myself to him in anything other than in this one issue).
Sitting in my back yard with a sweater barely keeping me warm (It’s May Day here in Houston and we’re looking at temperatures in the lower 50′s or upper 40′s tonight and tomorrow night- miracles still happen), I had a conversation with a man who told me that his company is having to raise prices 6% PER QUARTER to keep even with the rising costs of the goods that go into making his product! He manufactures and sells tires to retailers.
What better confrmation that a person on the front line? Ahh, glad you asked. How about the second-richest, first-smartest person in the world when it comes to the economy, etc? No, not him (whoever you were thinking). I’m talking the Sage of Omaha, Warren Buffett.
Saturday at his annual shareholders meeting he advised his audience that they needed to make sure their strategies for investment took into account INFLATION because it was here NOW. That’s confirmation enough for me.
Now, I’m shutting down my lap top as my fingers are COLD, seriously. It’s just 7:10 pm as I write this (Saturday) and I feel like I’ve been translated to San Francisco, or better yet, Santa Rosa. Amazing weather. Am I dreaming: Houston? Oh yeah!
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