Update from the
Heartland
No.751
2.5.16 – 8.5.16
Blog version: http://heartlandupdate.blogspot.com/
To all,
Since
this Blog is an open, public document and in deference to real security
concerns within the world we live in today, I did not represent / report on our
extended journey to Arizona over the last 10 days. This Update will go to wire as we head home. Springtime in Arizona is magnificent.
We
spent the first weekend with Jeanne’s brother & his extended family in
Prescott Valley. Oh my, the
community has grown so much since we last lived in Prescott (2000). Thank you, Lynette; we truly enjoyed
the Professional Bull Riders event at the Prescott Valley arena. The seats were fantastic. We were able to watch the entire
process and all of the action. We
look forward to next year’s invitation.
;-)
On
our trek south on I-17 back to the Valley of the Sun and near Big Bug Creek, we
hit a swarm of something, big bugs I presume, that instantly transformed the
entire windshield opaque – not a comforting feeling at 75 mph – and, when I say
entire, I mean exactly that literally.
In my more than a half century of driving, I have never experienced such
an event on the ground, or in the air, quite like that one. I managed to safely pull off the interstate
highway and used nearly a full tank of washer fluid to clean the windshield
sufficiently to see and drive safely.
A stop at the petrol station was needed to complete the cleaning beyond
the distraction threshold, and even now, I am not certain I would claim it is
spotless. Nonetheless, we survived
the unusual event.
Just
an odd but relevant observation, US60, one of the highways through Mesa has
five primary drive lanes + an HOV lane + long merge lanes for each
interchange. It is not often you
see such wide highways. Anyway, I
just thought I would share that observation. I suppose this fact represents the reality that Mesa has
outgrown us. We manage drive by
(without looking too creepy) our former homes in Mesa – still very handsome
properties, I must say.
We
reunited with friends we have not seen in decades . . . oh my, the power of the
Internet and social media applications.
Despite all the reasons we find these days to denigrate social media
apps, there are many very positive, affirming aspects that must not be
overlooked or forgotten. Several
of the positive aspects were demonstrated over the last few weeks.
We
attended the Apache (YAH-64 / AH-64 Advanced Attack Helicopter) Founders Reunion,
or more euphemistically called the Grey Beards Gathering . . . and I even did
the best I could to grow a beard that in my case is quite grey. The organizers tried to collect up
folks who worked on the developmental program from the go-ahead decision (1973)
to production (1984). It was fantastic
to see former colleagues, good friends, and names I recognized from the leaders
board. Most of details I
knew. Some details I did not know,
but I learned from those who were essential to those details. Story telling abounded, as can be
readily imagined. The success of
the program can be attributed to many of the attendees at this event.
We
both agree; this was an excellent trip . . . well worth the effort. Yes, we are eager to be home. We miss our children, grandchildren and
of course our dogs.
And
then, there was one. Both TrusTED
and Kasich suspended their campaigns for the Republican presidential nomination
after losing the Indiana primary this week, leaving the GOP front-runner alone
in a field that opened last summer with 17 Republican candidates. While it is still not clear whether the
front-runner will reach the required 1,237 committed delegate threshold to gain
the nomination outright, I will withhold my use of ‘presumptive nominee’ until
he does cross that required threshold.
I do not and will not accede to the most delegates or most votes
approach promoted by the front-runner and outside the agreed to rules for the
nomination.
So,
it appears the Tea Party wing has finally commandeered the Republican Party,
although I am probably overstating things a smidge. I suppose what is about to happen is more coincidence that
intentional design, but still, the Tea Party folks have railed against the
establishment for many years now, and they finally found a boisterous,
offensive, egomaniac candidate to garner their votes. And, what’s more, they went to the polls. Yet, I remain suspicious that a
significant number of “Republican votes” the GOP front-runner received in the
primaries may actually be Democratic negative votes, since open primaries allow
anyone to vote for anyone they wish, for any reason they wish.
Hey,
wait a minute; if more states go to caucuses or open primaries to avoid costs,
maybe the political parties are verging on irrelevant. We shall see.
News from the economic
front:
-- The Reserve Bank of Australia lowered its cash rate
target by 0.25% to a new low of 1.75% – the first cut in a year, in the central
bank’s effort to tackle record-low inflation and a strong local currency.
-- The U.S. Labor Department reported nonfarm payrolls rose
by a seasonally adjusted 160,000 in April – the weakest gain since
September. The unemployment rate
held steady last month at 5%. The
somewhat disappointing employment data may be a sign employers are turning
cautious after the economy began to slow earlier in the year.
Comments and contributions from Update no.750:
“It was good to see
on the BBC your current President bring a touch of humour to the unpleasantness
of your election furore.
“I have to say his
timing was impeccable and expressional dead pan. The line that amused most was
when he announced that he knew who would be the next U.S. President-‘But I
won’t mention her name’! I expect you have seen that. Obama always impresses me
but he did stir the pudding somewhat last week when he strongly supported our
Prime Minister in his bid to keep us in Europe at the referendum next
month. Of course the anti-brigade
leaped upon that and like a startled horse it fled wildly around the media!
“However Cap one
person who gets a lot of mention over here is John Kerry and his peace efforts
for Syria where the killing continues. His work is rarely, if ever, mentioned
in the writings in your correspondences. I have, several times, wondered why that
should be. He is, over here, seen as an important voice of your nation and your
efforts to bring some peace to this quagmire of international quicksand which
is causing untold misery to thousands and thousands of refugees making their
way across a Europe that doesn’t want them knocking on their door.
“I have read your
words re immigration and border controls and note your personal views-the world
is full of immigrants /refugees /homeless and has been for a long long time. So
apart from building the Berlin wall around every nation on earth what is the
answer? I have no idea my friend. As we agreed quite recently we are both quite
probably of ‘foreign’ ancestries.
“Come Thursday this
week, [my wife] and I are
off on a pilgrimage to The Somme. A week paying homage to those young men who
so tragically died in that battle- especially on the 1st July 1916 when
20,000 British soldiers lost their lives, yes 20,000 in one day. The most
tragic day in the history of the British army. We will be laying wreaths at
Thiepval and The Menin Gate, an honour indeed. My own maternal Grandfather died
from TB after service on one of His Majesty’s destroyers. He was a stoker.
“I guess we all
have links somewhere to that war that didn’t end all wars but should have done.”
My reply:
I
look forward to your impression of “The Jungle Book” movie. An embarrassing FYI: I just remembered
. . . Rudyard Kipling won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1907 for the
original story – “The Jungle Book.”
Yes,
Barack Obama does have an impressive sense of humor and phenomenal comedic
timing. Yes, I do remember that
memorable line. And, yes, he did
indeed “stir the pudding” as you say. I also agree with the President, the United States has a
vested interest in a United Europe.
He would be remiss if he did not voice the perspective of the United
States regarding the British referendum.
I just hope the British people can see the wisdom and strength of a
united Europe.
Re:
SecState John Kerry. I tend to not
write about what I do not know.
His diplomatic work does not garner much Press coverage in the
colonies. I am not sure whether
that is by his choice (as much of his work is classified), or the fact that the
narcissistic, egomaniac, GOP front-runner manages to saturate the capacity of
the Press. It seems the whole of
the Middle East (and North Africa, for that matter) is a quagmire. I wonder why that it is so?
Re:
“building
the Berlin wall around every nation on earth . . .” I am not an advocate for border
walls. However, I must acknowledge
that in some instances such walls are necessary. Walls tend to stop, or at least slow down, casual or
incidental crossers / violators, but any barrier can and will be overcome by
willful individuals. Any security
system has to be layered . . . defense in depth. England has come the closest to what seems like a
comprehensive immigration control process, but I imagine there are flaws there
as well. When I worked and lived
in England, I had to renew my work visa every year and keep my contact
information current with the local constabulary. The same was true during my time in Italy. We have nothing even remotely
comparable in this Grand Republic.
In fact, we have local municipalities that are actually declaring themselves
“safe cities” and openly defying federal immigration law. The foolish, wasteful, misapplied
notion of building a 2,000 mile wall is going to solve the problem is simply
ridiculous and sends the wrong message; it is a platitude to placate the ignorant.
Re:
The Somme. Oh my, a stoker . . .
that was a tough job back in his day, and then after such service to have TB
claim him is simply tragic. My
paternal great-uncle (my grandfather’s older brother) survived Belleau Wood and
Château-Thierry; those were brutal fights, but nothing like The Somme or Passchendaele. Please say a prayer for those who
served and those we lost. Be safe.
Another contribution:
“Well said, Cap. Regarding
your eloquent paragraph summarizing your concern for our borders,
"I tend to be an optimist...
... intransigence
of the political parties keeps us in the status quo."
“I am compelled to shout my agreement, resisting comment on the
various partial solutions trumped up (get it?) by politicians these days.
Perhaps you recall a spot-on cartoon recently shared on line: Picture a
tired and obviously Muslim couple traveling on foot with a small child in tow
as they come to a fork in the rural road ahead, with sign posts showing Saudi
Arabia, etc. on the near horizon to the left and indicating Europe and America
off in the distance to the right. The little boy, pointing to the left,
says something like "But why not go where they speak our language and are
familiar with our customs and beliefs?" The mother is silent, of
course, but the father, tugging at the boy's arm toward the right, says
"What?!!? And spoil a plan that has been in the works for thousands
of years?"
“Your concerns are mine, but I am not as patient as you with the
obvious inability of Barack Hussein Obama to overcome his loyalty to that
religion in his consistent failure to put our county's interests above his
Islamic background. Border integrity is, of course, not his only abject
failure.
“In addition to seeing the movie ‘2016’ (?), a documentary
specifically addressing Obama, and ‘The Manchurian Candidate,’ a movie based on
the then-farfetched notion that our Presidency can be purchased from abroad,
Americans of both parties should admit the mistake made in 2008 and,
remarkably, again in 2012. Of course, the rest of the formula for hope is
to first deny Hillary her life's ambition and then get serious about our
borders. It would help if the liberal media would use the term
"illegal" to describe those it usually calls merely ‘immigrants’ or ‘good
families seeking a better life just like those our country was founded upon,’
etc., etc.”
My response:
Thank
you for expanding the audience (and hopefully the participation) in this humble
forum. I shall assume Reply All is
appropriate here and invite the other addressees to offer their opinions.
Thank
you, also, for your supportive words.
Re:
“his
loyalty to that religion . . .”
Here is where we depart ways.
I do not and cannot agree.
While he may not be a devout, strict, evangelical Christian, he is NOT a
Muslim or even a sympathizer. I
believe he tries to treat all religions with respect, as he should. Further, “his loyalty to that religion in his
consistent failure to put our county's interests above his Islamic background”
is simply wrong and not supported by facts.
Re:
“Border
integrity is, of course, not his only abject failure.” To heap this failure on President Obama
and ignore the complacency and culpability of Congress, as well as the
inadequacies of every president in my lifetime is likewise wrong. I attempted to determine how far back
beyond my lifetime the border security and immigration control problem could
go. The best I can establish is 1916,
which Pancho Villa and his band of Mexican outlaws crossed the border into New
Mexico and killed 19 American citizens.
Thus, I will argue border and immigration control have been a national
issue since at least 1916. So,
please, let us not imply border security and immigration is an issue that
sprang during President Obama’s term in office; that is simply wrong, and
again, not supported by the facts.
Re:
“our
presidency can be purchased from abroad.” If we accept this notion, the single root enabling element
is the Supreme’s Citizens United ruling . . . not President Obama.
Re:
Illegal. Indeed, quite so . . .
the term is appropriate, as that is what they are regardless of their means of
entry. Visitors who overstay their
visa expiration date, whether intentional or not, are likewise illegal. Illegal aliens are illegal individuals
regardless of their reasons.
Compassion does not justify illegal entry or overstay.
. . . Round Two:
“We cannot agree on Obama's underlying motivations or the merits
of his presidency, except that some of his actions have been quite good if not
extraordinary, but we certainly do agree (and I did not intend to imply
otherwise) on the origins of our immigration problems, as you so aptly
summarized. It's just that he does
not see or do anything about the current border security crisis.”
. . . my response to round two:
Well
said and agreed. There is no
requirement for agreement.
Opposition is essential to any democracy.
Re:
“current
border security crisis.”
From my perspective, President Obama is trying to make lemonade out of
the sack of lemons he has been given.
I place far more blame on Congress – the intransigence, unwillingness to
compromise and find solutions, and the woefully insufficient funding of CBP. Because of Congress’s inability to seek
solutions, they have been unable to adapt our immigration policy and regulation
to the realities of contemporary life.
The notion that border control and immigration administration is going
to be solve by some foolish 2,000 mile wall is simply nonsense in the extreme
and extraordinarily wasteful . . . quite akin to this damnable “war on
drugs.” Immigration policy must be
multi-layered and in depth all the way down to the local constabulary level. It will never be won at the
border. The border is a symptom,
not the root cause.
. . . Round three:
“last response: Agree on history (bi-partison failures), but
POTUS's effort is not to make lemonade but something inoffensive to
Democratic voters and Islamics. Keep smiling.”
. . . my response to round three:
Understood. We are each entitled to our opinions
and perspective of the President’s performance. I am just not quite so cynical.
My
very best wishes to all. Take care
of yourselves and each other.
Cheers,
Cap :-)
