Civilian Oversight of Military Needs Work

Has inept civilian command compromised U. S. Military effectiveness? During two wars fought under two administrations, military resources have been drained, a competing private sector army has been created, and forces in the field have suffered from abysmal failures in logistical support.

Inferior production standards and "cost control" measures have produced military equipment that has repeatedly failed. The war profiteers responsible would have faced treason charges during World War II, Korea or even Vietnam. In today's wars companies appear to have "keep out of jail free" cards.

Military armaments and installations that failed to meet specifications have caused the deaths of servicemen, while mercenary units often have the latest and best equipment. But then mercenaries returning home face a different set of challenges -- they do not qualify for veterans' benefits for wounds suffered in war theaters.

From Rumsfeld to Obama, unpleasant input from commanders on the ground has been ignored. Soldiers are given orders to hold their fire until they are SURE they face unfriendly militants and NOT innocent civilians. But in conflicts like those in Iraq and Afghanistan, lines between the two are very BLURRED. American soldiers are dying obeying these orders.

Civilian command of the armed forces is integral to our system. But our bureaucracies have become less effective than our highly trained military. I am NOT suggesting we change the structure of command. But our civilian commanders MUST educate themselves about the military and the conduct of war. If they do not, our military will be irreparably damaged.

Spend-Save Conundrum

For two years pundits have claimed the economic meltdown was caused by irresponsible Americans who overcharged their credit cards, took on mortgages they could not afford and failed to save. Americans needed to save more and get their credit in order.

Pundits now complain the economic recovery is stalled because the American consumer remains largely on the sidelines. If Americans continue to save at current record levels and fail to return to the marketplace, there will be no expansion.

Conflicting messages, anyone?

Rant, Rave and OOPS

When I am most convinced I'm right
And my arguments are tight
And fill me with delight and
Righteous fury,
It saddens me to know --
When I this route do go,
The chances are the greatest
That my stand is just outrageous
And only hubris allows
Them to be touted at all.
It's a pathetic sight
When I eat crow.

Treme

Sunday and no Treme to look forward to tonight. Damn. It's over for the season. Finding something you LOVE on television is so hard.

For 10 weeks I became increasingly absorbed by the City of New Orleans, its people, music, culture. The series had the stark realism of "The Wire" softened by the character and culture of the most colorful American city.

Brilliant writers, visionary producers, top notch actors, great musicians, extensive research and fundamental respect for human diversity make another HBO Emmy inevitable.

The Internet is dangerous for "small" people...

The Internet is way too dangerous for the “small” people, but RELIEF IS IN SIGHT. We all know that "they" surf indiscriminately. They form alliances, some of them POLITICAL. There are even sites on the “net” where people EXCHANGE ideas. This MUST be CONTROLLED.

According to Timothy Karr, writing in the Huffington Post (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/timothy-karr/the-fate-of-the-internet_b_620690.html), a move is underway to grant control of the Internet to communications conglomerates (AT&T, Verizon, National Cable, Google). I think they should put BP Chairman Carl-Henric Svanberg in charge. We all know how deeply he cares for the "small" people.

Support the suppression of unregulated information exchange – Protect the American Way of Life. The First Amendment is SO last century.

Long live corporate hegemony.

What would happen if...

Maximum credit card interest was 5 points above prime?

Only folks in essential service industries worked on national holidays?

Conservative Republicans and Liberal Democrats discovered they have more in common with each other than with either party?

"This American Life" Highlights NYS Budget Crisis

Ira Glass's "This American Life," presented one of the best analyses of the New York State budget crisis I have heard on the program's Saturday, June 19 NPR broadcast.

In a nutshell: During years of unprecedented income, state government outspent its revenues with budgetary smoke and mirrors. During the current era of severe revenue shortfalls, the trend continues. A solid plan by Lieutenant Governor Richard Ravitch, which would have instituted stringent controls (including adherence to "Generally Accepted Accounting Principles" or GAAP) and spending limitations was sound-byted to death. Ravitch had suggested modest, controlled borrowing as a short, interim fix, with safeguards against abuse. Media, legislators and special interest groups immediately proclaimed "Lieutenant Governor's plan suggests borrowing to balance the state budget." The very solid, difficult measures that rounded out his approach were ignored.

I guess no act of political courage goes unpunished.

Cigarette Smokers to Balance New York State Budget

I am so proud. Once again New York State has called upon me and my fellow smokers to rescue the state from financial meltdown. No one else stepped up to the plate, so here we go again. The NYS government approved the highest cigarette tax in the nation in a politically correct, albeit fiscally unsound, attempt to balance its budget.

Everyone hates smokers, right? The anti-smoking lobby loves the tax. The honest thing would be to outlaw smoking. But then another scapegoat would have to be found for skyrocketing health care costs, the cancer epidemic caused by thousands of chemicals in our air, water and food, the excessive presence of hormones in our food.

Hey, if drugs were legalized, it would open up a whole new constituency to call upon to save the state budget from collapse.

Ditch the Scapegoating

I don't give a damn if Tony Hayward attends a sailing regatta. I am furious with BP and its management. I would like to see every operation the company has in North America shut down until it is thoroughly checked for safety. But we already know Hayward is a waste of air and space. Belaboring it does not address the problems at hand. Let the dwindling number of BP shaareholders decide if he is worth his $4.6 million annual compensation package.

Designating a scapegoat makes it way too easy to avoid getting down to the difficult job of remediating this terrifying environmental crisis.

Fathers' Day

I dedicate this Fathers' Day to the memory of my father and father-in-law. Two men of patriotism, principle and decency. They were wonderful, loving grandfathers to my children. The world is poorer without them.

I miss them both a lot.

Spin Me No Tales

Public companies create financial statements and SEC filings based upon fantasy.

Insurance companies write policies that never seem to cover the things the insured thought were covered.

Republicans espouse fiscal conservatism after eight years of spending the country into a deep ditch.

Democrats proclaim a progressive agenda while continuing the dishonored tradition of corporate welfare and trembling before companies like BP, Pfizer, United Health Care and Goldman Sachs.

Media concentrates on how leaders are perceived rather than what they are doing or failing to do.

Image trumps substance.

A society built upon a mirage will probably wobble.

Congressional Hearings as Theatre

It's a familiar sight - CEOs being grilled by senators or congressmen under the harsh light of TV cameras. The CEOs are polite, contrite, impeccably self-controlled and platitudinist. The legislators are harsh, abusive, respectful or fawning, depending upon their political allegiances or the intensity of public opinion.

The scene ends with the CEOs swearing to be good and the legislators swearing to represent their constituents' interests.

The light fades. The spotlight travels to another issue. Once again, nothing is done. No problems are solved.

But the legislators have film clips to use in their campaign ads and the CEOs have played lip service to what passes for representative government.

On a lighter note... Basketball RULES

Forget soccer, tonight it is about the Celtics and the Lakers. Watch in wonder as players FLY through the air, defying gravity for long seconds as they surge toward the basket. Blink and you miss one of Rondo's breathtaking plays. And how on earth did Pierce, or Allen or, yes some unnamed Lakers player make that basket?

Fast and furious. Graceful and strong. At this level of play basketball is the most beautiful expression of physical talent found in any sport.

If the Celtics win, I'll be ecstatic. If not, I will still be grateful for a highly excellent 7-game series and the continuation of a great tradition between these teams.

9 p.m. tonight I WILL be there.

President Obama's Oval Office Address

Underwhelmed by last night's address. When is the Chief Executive going to start EXECUTING? Being Cheerleader in Chief is NOT cutting it. For God's sake stop working on perception and start dealing with the situation on the ground.

There was an appalling absence of logistical strategy in the speech. Case in point - 17,000 National Guard troops put at the disposal of the region WITHOUT A PLAN on their deployment!

Ensuring BP escrows funds for claims is a good idea. Preventing BP from causing further damage with its "by the seats of their pants" approach to dealing with the disaster is essential, but was not mentioned.

Reorganizing Minerals Management is necessary. No mention was made of separating the lease and oversight functions as a critical first step. What about criminal investigations against bureaucrats that committed malfeasance? How about making it illegal to take a job in an industry over which you exercised regulatory control, no matter what regulatory agency you worked for?

Asserting the Gulf Coast will be restored "better than ever" was irresponsible. Get real. I believe returning this fragile environment to viability should be the goal.

Using the crisis to get his energy bill passed made sense.

Effect of Oil Spill on Other Countries

Click on this post's title to access an interesting report in the Christian Science Monitor that highlights the potential international impact not only of the gulf oil spill, but of oil drilling in the Gulf of Mexico.

One more reason to normalize diplomatic relations with Cuba.

Financial Reform NOW

The conference committee reconvenes this week to hammer out reconciliation between the Senate and House versions of the Financial Reform Bill.

Will the committee:

1. Include Senator Blanche Lincoln's provision to force banks to spin off their derivatives trading desks?

2. Enact the reform to cap the fees banks can charge retailers for each credit card transaction? Yeah, the companies earn serious money on that end too.

3. Include a ban on banks trading for themselves in the stock market?

4. Levy a tax on banks for the unwinding of failing institutions? My understanding is this tax would target the "too big to fail" institutions so prominent in the financial meltdown.

5. Create a consumer watchdog agency to protect borrowers from abusive lenders? One plan to assign this function to the Federal Reserve could well have the same effectiveness as placing regulation enforcement of drilling standards in the same agency that leased the wells to the oil companies - yeccht!

Needless to say, all the industry lobbyists are out in force, pressuring our legislators to remove any teeth from the bill.

Let's keep an eye on these guys.

Thank You Note Brightens My Day

My 11-year old great-nephew in Austin, Texas not only sends hand-written thank you notes, his notes are poems he composes himself!

One arrived yesterday. What an incredible delight to receive. And what remarkable parents he has who have nurtured and encouraged such courtesy and imagination!

BP Trumps U. S. Government

Do I believe any of BP's announcements about the Gulf disaster? No.
The company appears more concerned with spinning its image than disaster solutions.

I admit astonishment at BP's blatant disregard of U. S. requests to discontinue use of highly toxic dispersants, to be granted access to the spill site to make independent flow assessments and that BP deploy more resources for clean up of the spill damage.

President Obama's apparent ineffectiveness to date is mind boggling.

Do I believe President Obama's assertions of his administration's commitment to solving the crisis? Sort of. I just don't think that commitment is well executed.

Full disclosure. I closed my small position in BP a few weeks ago. Why? I expect the stock price to fall to the point where the company becomes over-leveraged. It will then seek bankruptcy protection. The company's liability for the disaster will be capped and its small shareholders and debt holders will be "taken out." When it emerges, probably under a new name, it will be a "leaner, meaner" company. In 10-15 years it will be wealthier than ever. The Gulf Coast, on the other hand, will continue to suffer for decades.

How's that "Drill Baby Drill" thing workin for ya, Sarah?

Pet Peeve #2: Pundits Preaching Americans Must Buy the Way to Recovery

Question: How the HELL can I do that when I am trying to stay above water, my real estate taxes are skyrocketing, my bank keeps finding new and more creative ways to levy charges against my accounts, and I am struggling to get my credit card debt under control, despite interest rates that would make a loan shark blush?

Besides, if I buy more, it will all go to China and other off-shore producers anyway, increasing the U. S. balance of payments deficit and the amount of U. S. debt held by foreign governments.

I recently heard a U. S. Congressman say Americans should just "buy American." His planet of origin was not included in the piece.

Capitalism, at last as it is manifested in 21st century America, SUCKS.

Pet Peeve #1: Why Do Some Drivers Hog the Left Lane?

1, Passive aggression - the SPEED limit is 65. I am going to make sure NO ONE exceeds it, even to pass a truck quickly on a hill or to enable drivers who have to get into the right lane to exit to do so. I am GOD. The three-mile long line of cars behind me PROVES IT!

2. Fearful - The left lane is SO secure. I do not have to slow down for merging traffic from thruway entrances or rest stop exits. I will even pull in FRONT of a car going at a faster speed to reach my left lane safety haven. I also tend to hover in a truck's blind spot for long minutes before I get up the courage to pass it.

3. Lazy - I just hang here in the left lane, set my cruise control and communicate with the cosmos (until I near my exit).

4. Stupid - What's wrong with traveling in the passing lane? I'm not hurting anyone except those crazy, volatile road rage guys in the SUVs and the occasional semi on a schedule.

5. Poorly trained - What's the problem?

Anne O'Shea Rides Again! - The Pan Massachusetts Challenge

The Pan-Massachusetts Challenge (PMC) raises money for life-saving cancer research and treatment at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute through an annual bike-a-thon that crosses the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Anne O'Shea has participated in the event since 1997, most often cycling the demanding 192 mile route from Sturbridge to Provincetown. By registering this year, she has committed to raising $4,200. In 2009 she raised $5,100. Every year her six, highly supportive, sisters greet her at the Family Finish Line.

The PMC is a one or two-day bicycling event that raises money to fight cancer. Co-sponsors include The Red Sox Foundation, New Balance, NECN, Overstock.com and Stop&Shop.

The 30-year old event has raised $270 million that has been used to improve the lives of those suffering with cancer. It is the largest single contributor to the Jimmy Fund, bringing in nearly 50 percent of its annual revenue. In 2009, 100 percent of all funds raised by PMC riders went directly to the Jimmy Fund. Not one cent of each dollar raised through riders' sweat and determination was used for administrative and organizational expenses.

I support Anne because she is family, her achievement inspires me and this is a great cause. If you would like to contribute to Anne's ride, you can use the link listed to the right under Sites of Interest.

The Mediocre Manager's Commandments

1. I am thy Supreme Commander whom thou shalt esteem above all others. (Have no independent thoughts, exercise no responsibility and display no initiative before me.)

2. Thou shalt not labor in vain. (I shall take full credit for all thy accomplishments.)

3. Thou shalt keep holy thy Supreme Commander's day. (Wholly uncluttered by management problems for which I can blame you later.)

4. Thou shalt honor my decisions. (Thou shalt frequently kiss my buttocks.)

5. Thou shalt not commit violence against me. (Suppress all evidence of your own intelligence and competency in the presence of others.)

6. Thou shalt not screw with thy Supreme Commander. (Take the blame for my mistakes or else!)

7. Thou shalt not steal credit for thy subordinates' accomplishments. (The credit belongs to me.)

8. Thou shalt not bear false witness for thy subordinates. (Never defend them against my spite.)

9. Thou shalt not covet the accomplishments of others. (These are for my greater glory and I so claim them.)

10. Thou shalt not covet my superior judgment. (Keep your mouth shut. Your input is not relevant to my agenda.)

Tar Pit

I dreamt I saw the Louisiana Gulf Coast lined
With somber scores of black-clad figures
Staring in silent agony at devastation
Almost beyond imagination.

I dreamt in unison they sighed, and wept
As they bore witness to the casting
Of the ashes of a once proud civilization
Upon the tar soaked waters.

RIP Sonna

Sonna Calandrino

I have not seen Sonna in about 10 years - God could it be THAT long? My very clear memories are unmarred by her terrible battle with breast/bone cancer.

She was a warrior, the mythological Diana comes to mind.
She worked and held her own in what is still
Very much a man's world (just ask Hillary Clinton!).

She was brilliant, energetic and focused.
Quitting did not exist in her vocabulary.
A beautiful woman who excelled on water skies
And in the boardrooms of the flooring industry.

Our professional relationship dates back to the early nineties.
Working with her was challenging, exciting and FUN.
She made the Unsinkable Molly Brown look like a quitter and
In my mind stood toe to toe with Madelyn Albright and Hillary Clinton.

It is tough to realize the world now goes on without her.
May her spirit gain the heights to which it always soared.