The Tribune Online, 41

John McCain, a man of honor

Sorry, John, I think you are wrong about "DADT". I know your gallant background as an "aviator" in VA 163 flying the A-4E, as I was then a member of the training squadron VA 125, training men on the nose radar system...you remember that green globe in the nose cone giving bombing data in conjunction with that heavy analog computer in the side of the craft?

You also know that anytime that you sat in the cockpit of what was called the "little workhorse" there was always the possibility of being knocked out of the skies, due to speed and maneuverability...which is why it was eventually phased out...like "DADT" should be.

I remember as well, some naval aviators having "effeminate characteristics" and I never prejudged their "sexual predilections", nor when I was in the showers, did I ever have to worry about being approached by an individual with such tendencies, nor did I ever have to feel I had to sleep with one eye opened because of the possibility.

I also cited an individual in one of my training classes with such effeminate tendencies, but with a mind as sharp as razor, and would welcome his navigational skills at any time in determining range and bomb trajectory.

"White Student Union" sparks controversy...

Much ado about nothing comparative to "Black Student Unions" on predominantly white campuses; for you see, there are far more whites who will be equated to a minority status by 2050 on the planet, that contain a proven "black gene".

The majority of humanity, codified as "colored"...yellow, red, brown, and black have no such thing as a "white gene". So, let history be your guide in these potentially  asinine ploys of racism; although, I understand this "White Student Union" was created to combat "racism"...oxymoronic, wouldn't you say? 

Confederate flag flap in Lexington, VA

The Sons of Confederate Veterans want to fly the Confederate flag from  lamp posts in downtown Lexington from January 10-15 to celebarate Jackson-Lee. Lexington is the home of Washington and Lee University of which I have visited the campus a number of times, noticing its international appeal that should not be bruised by "colloquially hard feelings" from a past that won't die.

My assessment of this situation: Bury once and for all time, that memorial rag of war, destruction, slavery, bloodshed, and the murder of one of America's greatest leaders, in a coffin in the back of a local museum, for those who are still interested in that symbol of failure, to destroy the sovereignty of the United States of America.

Ants on Jesus...

Last week there was a somewhat public discussion about an "art" depiction in which I considered just another man's garbage, subsidized by taxpayers, in which it showed ants crawling around and on a crucifix of Jesus Christ.

It brought the right wing talk show hosts out of their bunkers and other "hiding places" to rave against this showing, which I believe took place at the Smithsonian...might be wrong though. Nevertheless, "Blubber Butt" went on and on about this desecration of the sanctity of Christ. I ask, when was the last time Rush Limbaugh has gone to anybody's church, when he claims he's Mister Omnipotent/Omniscient aka "El Rushbo" with the sick puppies aka "ditto heads" continuing to lap it up? 

Again, I for one think all cottage industries...art, entertainment, and sporting activities should not receive any assistance from the taxpayers' federal coffers for at least two years to coincide with the freeze on federal pay to non-military personnel...let the locals go it alone...sink or swim.

"Hawk talk"...no more pussyfootin'

The President in a recent unannounced trip to Afghanistan, made the comments(paraphrasing)..."we're going on the offense...tired of defense" as far as the Taliban are concerned, in eliminating future acts of terrorism.

That same sort of argument should be made to the North Koreans, if they ever attack South Korea. I strongly believe, it's time to let South Korea defend itself by building up their own armed forces. Withdraw American ground/air forces and/or redeploy to other potential hot spots...possibly in the mid east; while issuing a strong warning that if North Korea attacks unprovokingly, the US sea-going forces would return with the pre-determined action of removing that portion of China's butt boil once and for all. We don't want to repeat a ground action like in the fifties.

Hardback Books...vain obsolescence

Last night, I received a message from an author in my publishing/distribution network after a successful proposal to promote her current paper back nationwide, at a price much cheaper than the brick n mortar outlets. She asked, what about the hardback copy? I told her hardback books are no more than expensive vanity items that are quickly becoming outmoded and obsolete in the face of E-commerce. http://infobuck.com/catalog.html

I refer to a call I received from an alum a few years back from my old grade/high school, promoting a fundraiser to build a library of which some notable alum would have his/her name placed on the building...a totally outdated notion in today's high tech society. In other words brick n mortar versus broadband...no match.  Within minutes I downloaded the websites of the major college/university libraries including the "Library of Congress" giving access to any book the students needed. This proved why today's students have to hit the books harder than ever just to keep up, let alone compete.

The next example of broadband savaging brick n mortar, is in the case of the old movie rental outlets such as Blockbuster, Movie Gallery, Hollywood Video...gone and forgotten, except they are now in front of supermarkets in dispensers. Even this mode of trade is an inconvenience, in taking time to go get and return the rentals. Whereas, "Netflix" has triumphed both of these models with a much wider array of pertinent video to the diverse consumers' demands...from the convenience of your home.

Consequently, hard back books will go the route of brick n mortar outlets...with Amazon.com fostering E-book use...cheaper and far more efficient, than the "tomes" that wind up as items of dust collection.

Cynthia Tucker asks...

"What happens to workers when jobs leave for good?"

She says "Over the last year, out-of-work Americans, already down on their luck, have had to endure a barrage of unsympathetic, even mean-spirited, criticism from several of their elected representatives. Many Republicans, especially, have portrayed the jobless as either shiftless deadbeats too lazy to look for work or pompous failures too proud to take a job beneath their social standing." 

I don't think this is an altogether accurate assessment of the high number of unemployed, for I have and still offer an opportunity to earn good money by simply going out an inquiring about the healthcare status of their friends and neighbors...meaning, getting up each day and knocking on ten to twenty doors a day to build up the clientele needing our services...and, there are millions across the nation requiring these needs to be attended. So far, very few takers considering the needs out there, because it requires initiative and persistence to accomplish any worthwhile goal...so, why not just sit on my butt and collect a welfare check?

I have even gone so far as to contact the Department of Labor in DC in getting me some assistance in finding those unemployed who are not afraid of the challenge in seeking an income, it's been almost two months and still no word from the office of Secretary Hilda Solis. I even went to the Virginia state agencies, and the director says she finds this extension of unemployment benefits as simply a cop-out, that people are allowing to run out before they do any serious job seeking.

Anyway, I told her of the grants from HHS that come across my desk that I can't pursue being a for-profit small business, and she said "we don't have a grants writer to submit the proposals." I decided to nip that excuse in the bud, by saying I will initiate the grants for the agencies...still awaiting her response in my calling her bluff.

Long story short, the situation has not become dire enough for people to take this change in society seriously enough to want to try something new and possibly more challenging than before, sans the benefit package.

You want to talk dire, consider the famine in Russia where they had to survive by means of cannibalism...now that's hell up close and in person. I don't think this will ever be the case in the US thanks to technology, at the same time technology is the downside for those unable or unwilling to advance with it.       

Jacklegs...Stuck on Stupid

I am reminded of these individuals in the black community of Danville, VA that wanted to ban the world famous play "To Kill a Mockingbird" because the word "nigger" is used a couple of times to make a point. At the same time you can walk down the street to the local movie theatre and hear the term used any number of times by blacks in many of today's blockbusting features or blasting from their car stereos.

Here's a challenge to these black ministers throughout the state of Virginia coming April of next year, and each April thereafter thanks to Bob McDonnell and his back porch deal with the Sons of Confederate Veterans. Seems they want to keep alive this memory of Virginia and other southern states being on the wrong side of history, with the celebration of "Confederate History" month, in line with that world-known racist bastion called Mississippi.

Bob McDonnell claims he's going to smooth things over in dredging up this profoundly "open sore" that has become gangrenous to most blacks as well as a few whites who have since relocated to the state...of which I don't think he will be successful. Therefore, the only option is to amputate or bury this "dead issue" in the annals of a soon to be forgotten cause.

Just as the NAACP failed to bury the use of the term "nigger" by people who make money off of the term in movies and stand up routines, I challenge the black ministers to mount a class action suit against the state of Virginia in its desire to dredge up this emotionally and psychologically damaging trek in history...just to make money.

As I have lambasted black Christian ministers in keeping their communities "slaves of religiosity", I'm wondering if they will also keep them in a stupor of stupidity?