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.