Saturday, December 8, 2012

It is time to pay the Piper-a letter to the editor

As a nation we cannot continue to go deeper in debt. I for one am willing to go over the cliff rather than keep adding to the curse of debt we are passing on to our children’s children. Let the Bush tax cut expire. Our country was coming out of deficits with the Clinton tax rates. There of course will be repercussions but it has to happen sometime, why not now? Bring our troops home. Twelve years of trying has not changed the basics of Iraq or Afghanistan. Trillions wasted and precious lives lost. Face the reality that those people want to live the way they want. It is not Democracy nor will it ever be. Stop giving Billions to those nations who hate us and hope for the day we collapse. Stop the bleeding of the giveaway programs that are turning our people in to takers rather than givers. Jack B. Walters December 7, 2012

Sunday, December 2, 2012

The Looming Tower by;Lawrence Wright- a book report

Al-Qaeda and the road to 9/11 A longtime friend Glenn Puncochar advised me about this book. He knows my concern about the threat to world peace, which in my opinion, is the rapid spread of Islam into all parts of the Earth. I immediately ordered it and have been reading for three weeks. This is an outstanding effort by Mr. Wright. I can’t even begin to contemplate the research necessary to accomplish such a monumental piece of work. After reading I have a much clearer understanding of how the events unfolded over the past 70 years which culminated in the destruction of the Twin Towers in New York City on 9/11. As I have been reading and researching for the past eleven years I have learned a lot about Islam and Muslims. After 9/11 occurred I went to the Library and brought home three books about Islam. I read them and became more confused as I read any number of good things such as caring for widows and orphans and treating people with respect. As the years progressed many new books were published about how Islam really works and the evil it personifies in our present world. To name a few; “The Grand Jihad”, Cruel and Usual Punishment”, Marked for Death” and “Infidel”, they inform the reader of the harsh reality of Islam today. Whether you read this review or not, I am taking my time to write and it will of necessity be long. It is far too complicated to give it it’s just due with just a few words. I would certainly be happy to find that a few of you would be interested enough to buy and read for yourselves. I’m not optimistic that you will. Islam has been revised and adjusted over the centuries. Until the advent of the discovery of oil in Arab lands, these customs and practices were known only to themselves. Their barbaric treatment of women is a well-documented fact. Just this week a Pakistan father killed his 16 year old daughter by pouring acid on her. Her perceived offense was turning her head on a bicycle to look at a boy. My oldest granddaughter turned 16 this month. She is a beautiful, intelligent young girl with a bright future. It is inconceivable to me that there exists in this world a so-called religion that supports, defends and encourages this type of behavior. They are allowed up to four wives. Osama bin Laden had as many as six and produced between 20 and 26 children according to Wikipedia. In this book, just a few months before 9/11 to took another bride. She was 15. The purpose of this book is not to denigrate those aspects of Islam but to clearly show how violence against the West began with a few individuals who learned to hate Western culture and started the organizations that culminated in 9/11 and exist today, more capable than ever, dedicated ever more to the destruction of America, Israel and subverting Europe to their way of life. It began in 1948 when a young man, Sayyid Qutb came to America from Egypt on a scholarship. He learned to despise American culture with, in his opinion, obsession with sex, materialism and racism. He, himself experienced racism due to his dark skin color. He said “The white man in Europe or America is our number 1 enemy. The white man crushes us underfoot while we teach our children about his civilization, his universal principles and noble objectives… We are endowing our children with amazement and respect for the master who tramples our honor and enslaves us. Let us instead plant the seeds of hatred, disgust and revenge in the souls of these children. Let us teach these children from the time their nails are soft that the white man is the enemy of humanity, and that they should destroy him at the first opportunity,” Upon his return to Egypt he joined forces with Hasan al- Banna, the founder of the Muslin Brotherhood which was dedicated to convert to Sharia Law. Banna said “It is the nature of Islam to dominate, not to be dominated, to impose its law on all nations and to extend its power to the entire planet.” Qutb was thrown into prison and tortured. He was hanged on August 29, 1966. His legacy continued to advance. The next person of interest is Ayman al Zawahiri. He successfully built up a cadre of like-minded people. On October 6, 1981 followers of him assassinated Anwar Sadat, the President of Egypt. Zawahiri was captured. He was released in 1984. He emerged a hardened radical whose beliefs had been hammered into brilliant resolve. Osama bin Laden developed into the terrorist he ultimately became. There are many pages devoted to him. It starts on page 72. We learn of his birth in January 1958. He was the son of Mohamed bin Laden’s fourth wife. The 300 pages of the rest of the book chronicles his life. Early on he became a successful construction manager. After the Soviets occupied Afghanistan Osama gathered together Islamists mostly from Egypt in Pakistan to aid in the fight against the Russians. In February 1989 the Soviets withdrew. The fight now was against the Communist Party left in control. The Taliban were the primary force. They tolerated bin Laden and allowed him to stay. He joined forces with Zawahiri and created al-Qaeda whose goal is to lift the word of God and to make His religion victorious. Bin Laden stated that his hatred for America started in 1982 when America permitted the Israelis to invade Lebanon and the American fleet helped them. As an aside, on page 149 a paragraph is devoted to the Saudi Arabia government which set out to evangelize the Islamic world, using billions of riyals at its disposal to construct hundreds of mosques around the globe. Music disappeared in the kingdom creating a joyless environment for their citizens. At this point I have concluded that it would take too many pages to do justice to this book. Suffice it to state that bin Laden and Zawahiri are responsible for the growth and intensity of terrorist acts throughout the world. This includes the first attempt to destroy the World Towers 2/26/1993 by followers of the blind sheik, the suicide bombing of the American Embassies in Nairobi and Dar es Salaam on 8/7/1998. Also on October 12, 2000 a fishing boat approached the USS Cole and blew itself up while blasting a huge hole in the Destroyer. The culmination of their combined efforts occurred on 9/11/2001 with the destruction of the Towers and damage to the Pentagon. It is stated on page 272 that bin Laden’s goal stated in 1998 was to lure the United States into Afghanistan. Even though he has today been killed his legacy lives on. We still have Americans in that country sacrificing their lives while America is bled financially in the vain attempt to eliminate the fanatics who continue their single minded purpose of converting the world to Taliban government. The purpose of this book and my attempt to review is that Islamic terrorism did not always exist at least to the extreme extent it now does. I consider it the greatest threat to world peace. It must be stopped somehow. No government, including our own seems to understand the threat or are willing to put forth the effort to stomp it out. This book needs to be read by persons in authority. I also recommend it to you. Jack B. Walters December 2, 2012

Friday, November 16, 2012

Just a Coincident- Letter to the Editor

In just over one week after the re-election of Obama the Stock Market plunged, there were riots and massive strikes in Europe, Hamas in Palestine decided the time was ripe to start raining thousands of rockets into Israel, A House Committee is finally allowed to see the real time video of the attack on our consulate in Benghazi. Obama, Clinton, Susan Rice, Petraeus knew that this was a coordinated attack. They all spoke only that it was provoked by a stupid video made by an Egyptian living in California. They were directed by the President in my opinion. Action could have been taken but wasn’t. Petraeus and Allen are found to have been guilty of being involved with women when they should have been taking care of their soldiers. It was known by the FBI last July but of course they wouldn’t tell a President until after the election. Keep watching, this is just Act I. Jack B. Walters November 16, 2012

Thursday, November 8, 2012

Critique of election results 2012

All of the pundits are mouthing words to explain what happened this week with the overwhelming victory of President Obama over Romney. You, who know me, will not be surprised that I would want to add my own thoughts as well. Romney’s chance to win was compromised during the Primary process. The new Republican Party is so far right in its philosophy that he had to relinquish his more moderate positions to even be considered as their candidate. He was labeled a flip flopper as a result. During his contest with Obama he tried to be more attractive to moderates in the party or Independents but the label stuck. The fatal blow was the taping of him in a private meeting asking for contributions. He said “47% wouldn’t vote for him” The inference was about lower income people including those receiving government checks. A good friend on Social Security took this to mean his comments referred to him personally. This election could be the last opportunity to return to some type of fiscal sanity. Just today I read that Puerto Ricans had voted to accept Statehood. Those millions would automatically become Democrats. Should Obama be successful in granting citizenship to the millions of Latinos in the country illegally, those millions would also become instant Democrats. Even if the candidate in 2016 is not black, I believe blacks will continue to vote as a block as they have in recent times. Those receiving unemployment benefits, welfare, Social Security disability insurance or food stamps will not bite the hand that feeds them. There are many other programs similar to the ones named that also provide checks for people who are not contributing to the general good of society. Unions can be counted on and the multitude of Federal employees who are enjoying the good life. If the Republican Party is ever to become a viable alternative it must return to its original credo of fiscal conservatism not moral or “family” as it was transformed into back in the 70’s. I watched it unfold while living in Iowa. It was during these years that evangelical Christians decided that the Republican Party was their best chance to influence government. Let me be clear, I never saw it written down or openly discussed but it was obvious to any observer. They started at the bottom with school boards, local offices of all kinds with the goal of infiltrating like-minded persons into government. As the years went by they incorporated their agenda into the process until it became the basis for the party platform. As I tried to convince family members to vote for Romney, I was told that no Republican will ever get their vote as long as their platform is anti-women’s rights. The country is running out of white folks. Whites are no longer the majority of the population. There is nowhere to go but down. Unless the party finds a way to be inclusive to gays, Latinos, etc. it will decline to irrelevance. It is perceived now as the party of fat cats. By signing the Norquest “No tax increase” pledge they are seen as standing up for those at the top. Their attacks on Social Security and Medicare are not welcome by seniors or those hoping to have those benefits when they reach retirement age. Reducing death taxes to zero allows those with fortunes to pass their wealth onto following generations creating a permanent class of super-rich. We might as well be a monarchy; it amounts to the same thing. I fear for the future of our country. With Obama installed I have no faith that the nightmare of annual trillion dollar deficits will be reduced. Now that the elections are over “thank God” the news media is drumming up how catastrophic the “fiscal cliff” will be if it goes into effect at the end of this year. Unemployment will sky-rocket and lay-offs will increase; the stock market goes into free fall, etc. Let me ask you, are you so selfish that you are not willing to pay your share today rather than leave it the coming generations to deal with. Is that the legacy we think is right to burden our children with? I say no. Funding for all wars must be paid for by us. If we don’t like it then stop the fighting. It seems simple and straightforward to me. There may be a snippet of co-operation between the Parties but I don’t believe it will amount to anything other than providing sound bites for the Media to talk about. The deficits will continue unabated, the old wars will continue for two more years at a minimum, new wars will be started with Iran, if not some other country like Syria. Obama will continue catering to the Muslim community as he has done for the past four years, Israel will be left to fend for themselves, and China will continue taking our industry for their people by using the same strategy that has been so successful to date. We have already started the ongoing, never ending process of preparing for the next election, the Corporations will once again spend untold millions influencing Congress to do their bidding, As low as the approval rating of Congress gets the people still re-elect their Congress person or Senator. We could be energy independent but Obama will keep putting in road blocks to assure it doesn’t happen, I will stop now with the above optimistic report. Jack B. Walters November 8, 2012

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

1% - Twilight of the Elites - a book report

America after Meritocracy By Christopher Hayes I have a good friend who currently is of the opposite political persuasion. We banter back and forth. I share books and articles with him. He lent me his copy of this book. I have just finished reading. He will no doubt be astonished that I agree almost totally with this author. It has been my contention right along that those on the right and on the left are all dissatisfied with the current state of affairs. Where we should be collaborating, the powers that be are content with us battling back and forth while the Elite among us continue to enjoy outstanding wealth and privilege. To start with a definition of meritocracy is required. I was going to quote my Webster Dictionary but it isn’t even mentioned. Perhaps my copy is too old. The author’s general definition is that those in the meritocracy are the cream of the crop, natural born leaders, and highly intelligent, hard charging persons regardless of sex or race. Some came to power from wealth or privilege. These are the people who generally make the decisions that affect all others in the world. This is not a bad thing as we want the best and brightest to make those critical decisions necessary to keep moving forward. The problem as he and I see it is that in recent decades starting in the 1980’s in America there has been a disconnect between these leaders and the rest of us. Without regard to the general prosperity of the average citizen, these Elite have made decisions that have had the direct effect of lowering our standard of living while increasing their wealth astronomically to where it is incomprehensible to even imagine. He spells this out in great detail. He covers many different areas such as Wall Street, Congress, the Catholic Church, Corporate America and even Major League Baseball. All of these institutions have failed in their responsibility to citizens by ignoring our needs while protecting and enhancing their grip on power. He points out the disastrous effect of the Supreme Court decision to allow Corporations to spend unlimited funds on political elections thereby assuring their continuing dominance regardless of which party is in the majority. All politicians are deeply indebted to those Elite who shower funds on their behalf. On page 181 he quotes Thomas Paine on the importance of the proximity of politicians and those who elect them, “That the ELECTED might never form to themselves an interest separate from the ELECTORS, prudence will point out the propriety of having elections often, because as the ELECTED might by that means return and mix again with the general body of the ELECTORS in a few months, their fidelity to the public will be secured…. On this….depends the STRENGHT OF GOVERNMENT, AND THE HAPPINESS OF THE GOVERNED.” The author doesn’t mention the following but I wish too. The above has become meaningless as Congress has become a career instead of service. Something over 90% of Senators and Representatives are re-elected time after time. This in my opinion creates the distance between them and not being able to understand the lot of our citizens. He is convinced as I am, that the ELITE are so far separated from the populous that they just don’t care. As this separation intensifies sooner or later a backlash will occur as it does today in countries like Spain and Greece. To say it can’t happen here is denying the reality. He points out how countries like Brazil have quietly and successfully closed the gap with the rich still getting richer but the rest catching up. It is possible to accomplish but we need the will to get it done. Let us hope it does happen. This is a worthwhile book to read. Jack B. Walters October 17 , 2012

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

The Fine Print- a book review

How big companies use “Plain English” to rob you blind By David Cay Johnston Mr. Johnston is a financial investigative reporter. This is his third book. The first two were “Perfectly Legal” and “Free lunch”. He has appeared in a documentary and is often interviewed on news channels relative to financial matters. Several years ago I placed reviews of his books on my blog. It is jackbwalters.blogspot.com. In searching the Internet for reviews of his books he discovered mine. He was pleased enough to write to me. We kind of became pen pals. He lives in Rochester, N.Y., my sister lives in my home town of Lockport, N.Y. which is about 50 miles from Rochester. I try to visit her every year. For two years I was able to combine these visits with a drive to Rochester to have breakfast with David. He was kind enough to sign my copies. Since I am also an author, I gave him copies of my three books. He was complimentary but at the same time advised that they would never sell. He was correct. Over 90% were just given away to friends and family. His books on the other hand were best sellers. After those two years we were never able to co-ordinate my visits so we could get together. What with his writing and interviews he is just not available. I still treasure those two opportunities. He is doing a great service for America. If only those in power would read they might become more responsive and start the financial recovery of our country. You and I know that is not going to happen. They are too busy raising campaign funds to worry about actually doing something positive. Now about this new book, if anything it was more depressing than the first two. In chapter after chapter he spells out the mismanagement of our tax dollars not only at the Federal level but also State. It was very hard to read. I could only take a chapter at a time. I would put it down and start again another day. The money being given to politicians is mind boggling and the largess given in return inflates the profits, particularly of the largest corporations by providing ways to hide profits so little or no taxes are paid. One issue happened in 2004. The corporations that had moved American jobs to China and elsewhere were required to pay 35% tax on profits but only when returned to America. The Congress in its wisdom granted them a special tax of 5%. The bill was called “the Jobs Creation Act of 2004”. It was passed with 205 out of 221 Republicans and 75 of 199 Democrats. The corporations brought home $312 Billion. While there was a promise of American jobs, nowhere in the bill did it specify nor was there any provision to monitor. In actual fact thousands were laid off. As an example Pfizer closed whole factories. The workforce at the end of 2004 was 115,000. By 2009 it was down to 75,000. Hewlett- Packard immediately fired 14,000 employees. Other industries did the same. Astonishing that such a disgrace could occur under the guise of helping American workers. Believe it or not in 2012 these same corporations have accumulated $1 Trillion in untaxed profits. I am well aware that consideration is being made to repeat this once again which will deny proper tax payments and destroy several hundred thousand more jobs. Once again it will be the Republican Party most in favor. Regardless of who becomes President, this will be approved. Keep in mind that all the while American manufacturers producing in America pay 35%. Can you not see how wrong this is? There are specific chapters about abuses in pipe lines, railroads, waste removal, telecommunications, film production, etc. Each time he clearly states the facts which beg for correction. His final chapter is entitled “Solutions”. The most important concerns the 2010 Supreme Court decision to grant corporations unlimited expenditures to influence elections. He particularly chastises Chief Justice Roberts for giving them vast new rights. He mentions previous bad decisions by the Court such as the Dred Scott decision that stated that slaves were not persons protected by the Constitution. He pleads that the Congress take action to overturn or that new justices might reverse. Since the decision was 5 to 4 that could happen but in the meantime untold damage will have occurred to our election system. I will end here by imploring others to read this and his other two books and do what you can to restore a Congress that truly cares about American workers. Jack B. Walters October 10, 2012

Sunday, September 23, 2012

Pakistan, Egypt, Libya Aid Cutoff Legislation

During the week ending September 21 the Senate voted on a bill to end financial aid to the countries listed above. The bill was defeated by a vote of 10 for and 81 against. Guess how our Senator’s McCain and Kyl voted. Hooray for you, you guessed right. They voted to continue aid as if nothing had happened. Now they are home supposedly on a break until the elections are over with complete satisfaction of a job well done. Should they take the time to ask constituents they would find to their amazement that 90% disagree with them? Oh, I know some of those funds find their way back to Raytheon and other armament producers. That still doesn’t justify giving funds to countries who hate America and Americans. The Star will not allow me enough words to explain. If you are not aware, restating would be useless. Jack B. Walters September 23, 2012

Friday, September 21, 2012

Letter to the editor 9/14.2012

I have waited several days before weighing in with my assessment of the destruction of our Embassy in Libya and the accelerating attacks on Embassies in the Middle East, not all of them American. To hear Hillary and Obama apologizing for a film made by an Egyptian is disgraceful to me. We, as Americans, either believe in free speech or we don’t. There is no half way point. If the Islamists get their way free speech and our Constitution will cease to exist, replaced by Sharia law which is reprehensible and the worst type of hate filled dictates. The Middle East is a dangerous place made more so by our complicit removal of the strong men who had kept a lid on the radical Muslims. Our Congress is even now approving billions in armaments for Egypt and other Islamic nations all of whom are dedicated to the destruction of Israel. Our President has left them out in the cold to fend for themselves. This is outrageous and criminal in my opinion. Jack B. Walters

The Party is over by Mike Lofgren

How Republicans Went Crazy Democrats Became Useless And the Middle Class Got Shafted I just happened to catch a Public TV program where Jim Lehrer was interviewing Mike Lofgren. Afterwards I ordered a copy of his book. Wow, he really takes the Republican Party apart and at the end gives the Democrats’ a shot, just too even things out. Since the early eighties until just recently he was a Republican working in various positions on Capitol Hill. He finally became fed up and just walked away. He writes in clear unmistakable language the problems he sees in the party. For those reading this who have agreed with me that Obama must go you will not enjoy reading this book. I must say I didn’t either. I purchased it in the interest of fairness. We get carried away only reading articles and books that support our agenda and refuse to listen to the other point of view. Those of you who have not agreed with me should rush right out and buy a copy. You will be thrilled. Most of you who have received articles from me in recent years know how I feel about our current president. You should also remember my complete disdain for the past president. In short it would appear that neither party nor president has performed as government should, in my opinion. That is why I register as an Independent except for a brief changeover so I could vote for Ron Paul in the primary. He was the only one who promised to bring our troops home from Afghanistan and the rest of the Middle East. There are twelve chapters. He is most irritated by the tax policies slanted for the benefit of the richest among us, their drumbeat for using our armed forces as a tool instead of diplomacy (Senator’s McCain and Lieberman are the chief proponents), the influence of the religious right and the incessant overextending our military machine, all of the above without regard to taking us down to financial ruin. In the last chapter he provides thoughts on how to get our government under responsible control. The number one item is to stop the outrageous money being poured into both parties principally by Corporations who the Supreme Court has granted that they have the same rights as real people and can spend as they desire on campaigns. If you are paying attention at all you must realize how bizarre this is. Over $1billion has been raised for each presidential candidate alone, and similar amounts to all other candidates for office. With those funds comes leverage to pass legislation favoring the contributors, not the American people. The amount of time devoted to raising funds rather than enacting the countries business is outrageous. His solution is public funding of reasonable candidates with no money from individuals, corporations or unions. Shorten the election campaign to several months as other nations do. Perpetually running for office leaves little time to solve our problems. I proposed similar thoughts in my “Still Angry” book, but that is beside the point. You must agree that constant concentration on picking candidates and campaigning is out of control. The media, of course, love it for the revenue they receive. I wonder who will be interested enough to check out this book? Jack B. Walters September 13, 2012

Who is the racist?

I am white. Four years ago I and millions of other whites voted for Barack Obama. I liked what he said. Obama has not lived up to his promises. Almost everything he promised to do he didn’t accomplish such as his pledge to make us energy independent in four years. He added $5 trillion to the debt when he said he would bring it down. His health care bill is an abomination which greatly adds to our debt and adds 15,000 IRS agents to track down those who are not enrolled in a private plan. This time I will vote for Mitt Romney, a decent family man with a proven record of accomplishments and service. I told a Democratic friend and he said I was racist. I reject that statement. Over 90% of blacks will vote for Obama in spite of his abysmal record. That is being racist. Jack B. Walters September 10, 2012

2016 : Obama's America

A documentary film co-directed by Dinesh D’Souza and John Sullivan They pose the question of where will we be if Obama wins a second term. I went to see it today. There weren’t more than 30 attendees and no young people. At the end those attending clapped their hands. It wasn’t a joyous type of celebration due to the content of the film. I will be sending a copy of this article to my entire mailing list, over half of whom to this day are staunch supporters of Obama. Regardless, I am asking all to see this film, after all what should they be afraid of. If they think it is garbage, at least they will have shown enough interest to check it out. This film reminds me of Fahrenheit 911 a Michael Moore film which was a negative review of the presidency of George W. Bush. I saw that with my liberal friends at that time. I am specifically requesting they attend, if nothing else but to square the books. This film follows Obama’s life journey and points out the major persons who influenced his thoughts. Most were anti-colonialists or outright communists. They go to great lengths to prove their thesis; case in point, the strange decision to return the bust of Winston Churchill. They claim it was because of Churchill’s earlier life as a colonialist of India and other countries. There are many names listed including his Kenyan born father who abandoned Barack at an early age. Much of the film includes scenes from places of interest including Hawaii, Indonesia and Kenya. They interview Obama’s half-brother who lives in a shack in Kenya without any assistance from Barack which seems bizarre until you understand the difference in philosophy between them. They refer to Obama’s first book “Dreams from my Father”. They contend he was influenced by what he knew about his own father but more importantly by his third father Frank Marshall Davis an avowed communist on the FBI register as someone to keep track of. Barack lived with him from age 9 to 18. The ending suggests a bankrupt America which loses its standing in the International community and also weaker militarily so that we become vulnerable. He shows the entire Middle East as totally converted to Islam surrounding little Israel who will be left to die without American support. This is pretty scary stuff. Check it out for yourself. Jack B. Walters September 1, 2012

Sunday, August 12, 2012

Marked for Death by Geert Wilder- Islam's War against the West and me

This is the true life story of a courageous crusader who has deliberately placed his life in danger in the hope of alerting elected officials of Western nations, including the United States, of the danger of the spread of Islam throughout the free world. It is mind boggling how they collectively, it appears, have turned a blind eye to the threat. The facts are plain to see. The Islamists have stated many times their goal of converting all nations to Islam with all the horrors that would entail. The interesting thing is that, particularly in Europe, the ordinary citizens get it but the leaders don’t. Much of the book was a rehash of the creation of Islam by Mohammad over 1,300 years ago. For me, after reading so many books on the subject, this part was redundant. Others reading this book perhaps would grasp the significance of how it all came to be. The author proposes a suggested reason why the West has been so open to immigration from Islamic countries and why they have bent over backwards to prevent criticism of Islam. In 1973 when OPEC was formed the Western world was thrown into turmoil. That was in the middle of my working years with Firestone, so my memory is quite clear on the havoc wrought by that decision. He quotes Bat Ye’or the author of “Eurabia: The Euro-Arab Axis”. He states that European Union leaders began building an alliance with the Islamic world to ensure oil supply. As part of this arrangement, Bat Ye’or contends, European leaders agreed not to hinder the spread of Islam in Europe, not to pressure Islamic immigrants to assimilate, and to ensure that European schools and media outlets would portray Islam positively. In order to accomplish this, the EU seized power over national governments. Wilders believes it is deeper than this. He contends that Cultural relativism is more to blame than oil. By this he means that immigrants need not assimilate, since that would imply the superiority of European culture over the immigrant’s native cultures. Again, as I stated previously the ordinary citizens resent losing their national heritage and being forced to adopt Arab culture. The stranglehold the EU has over nations is the reason I am personally opposed to International Treaties such as the proposed Law of the Sea Treaty being debated right now in the United Nations. Wilder’s trouble with Islam dates to 2007 when he decided to produce a 15 minute documentary film about the Islamic threat. The title is Fitna.The theme was to use pages from the Koran which contain verses calling for violence, particularly against non-Muslims, with footage of terrorist attacks and other violent deeds these verses have inspired along with clips of Islamic leaders inciting violence for the sake of Allah. He states that Islam made the film, all he did was put it together. This is when death threats were made and for the past 5 years he has been living under protection by the Dutch government, sometimes being housed in prisons as the safest place to be. He was sued and for two years was under trial for being offensive to Muslims. In June 2011 he was finally acquitted because he had criticized Islam not Muslims and because he was an elected official participating in a public debate, they deemed he was entitled to greater freedom of speech than everyday citizens, that last part alone causes me problems; the thought that a politician has more rights than individuals. He ends the book on a positive note by noting the beginnings of legislation in European countries to curb the abuses. He refuses to accept that the Islamization of the free world is inevitable. This is a valuable resource for anyone who is concerned about the spread of Islam. My copy is available to be loaned. Jack B. Walters August 12, 2012

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Freedom's Forge by Arthur Herman

How American Business Produced Victory in World War II This book reveals the previously untold story on how America was able to rapidly produce the materials needed for our Armed Forces to prevail over the AXIS nations. There have been countless books written about the war itself, but little about how we could not have prevailed if our industries with their skill at mass production had not done their job with such overwhelming success. Americans still remembering the First World War were united in resisting fighting another war in Europe. As a result America was totally unprepared to engage the enemy until war material could be produced. In 1939 our military was ranked eighteen in the world just ahead of Holland. As the NAZI juggernaut swept thru Europe and Russia in 1939 and 40 the attitude gradually changed. Should England succumb America would have been cut off from the whole of that continent with the prospect of being attacked at a later time without Allies to fight with us. The book recognizes the primary industrial leaders called forth by FDR to spur the creation of weapons. William Knudson, Henry Kaiser, Andrew Jackson Higgins and others. Much of the book traces their lives from humble beginnings to the giants of industry that they became. I found this very engaging. I am always searching for biographies of how great leaders come to be. My general assessment is that the greatest of these are people dedicated to improving themselves through hard work and study. William Knudson was called to the Oval Office by FDR on May30, 1940 to head up a new agency to prepare for war. He signed on for zero pay for the duration. He told his daughter “This country has been good to me, and I want to pay it back”. Under his leadership he gathered together industry leaders of small and large companies and received commitments to produce what was required. Of interest to me was that the military was so unprepared they didn’t even know what they wanted. Industry took the lead and did provide. The following are comments Knudsen made during these times. “No one can do what we can do if we all get together,” he liked to boast. American’s love of freedom, of individuality, of doing things differently from the other guy—these were the sources of strength, he believed, not weakness. He believed in the power of the average American worker—“Progress in the world is accomplished by average people,” he would tell audiences—and the power of American business. “American ingenuity has never failed to cope with every specific problem before it, he told a national radio audience,” and if we have your support and confidence, we will surely succeed.” It turns out that it was he who coined the phrase “Arsenal of Democracy”. From 1940 until war end, the United States produced 141 Aircraft Carriers, eight battleships, 807 cruisers, destroyers and destroyer escorts, 203 submarines, and, thanks to Henry Kaiser and his colleagues, almost 52 million tons of merchant shipping. Also produced were 88,410 tanks, and self-propelled guns, 257,000 artillery pieces, 2.4 million trucks, 2.6 million machine guns and 41 billion rounds of ammunition. Total aircraft from 1942 to war’s end was 324,750. This was an unbelievable achievement all through the genius of American industrialists and American workers. Chapter 16 and 17 describe the creation and production of the B-29. Of interest to me was that the concept was visualized in June 1939 by Charles Lindbergh. Testing began in1942 and serious production in 1943. I believe I learned something from reading this book which could be the answer to our declining industrial base. The key ingredient to the rapid change over was stimulus from the government. Industry on their own didn’t have the reserves needed to build huge factories in open fields where nothing had been before and fill them with equipment necessary to produce the product designated. Contracts were awarded with a cost plus eight incentive. What if today our leaders would stoke the engine of manufacturing in a similar manner? We are all aware of how China builds factories, provides cheap energy and transportation to encourage our manufacturers to relocate there. It seems to me they have read this book. Too bad our leaders haven’t. Instead of throwing billions to save the huge mega banks take those funds and restart production here in America. Well paid American workers would be paying taxes and start pulling us out of debt. This is a must read book for those who care. I give it my highest recommendation. My book is available. Jack B. Walters August 8, 2012

Sunday, July 22, 2012

Offshoring and Repatriating U.S. Jobs

Last week the U.S. Senate voted down this bill by a vote of 56 for and 42 against. It needed 60 votes to pass. Senator’s Kyl and McCain voted with the majority of Republicans to kill it. The substance was to stop allowing companies from taking a business deduction for dismantling and sending a factory overseas and offering instead a 20% tax credit for expenses associated with bringing jobs back. I am asking the editor to request why our Senators voted as they did and why the Republicans couldn’t see the potential good from a bill like this. Corporations will be allowed to continue reducing their costs of outsourcing. What other country on earth does so little to protect jobs for their citizens. The Republicans were given overwhelming majority in the House in 2010. Nothing positive to create jobs has been accomplished in two years. Confusing isn’t it. Jack B. Walters July 22, 2012

Saturday, July 21, 2012

Letter to the editor-Arizona Daily Star

Rep. Bachmann’s new McCarthyism deserves censure This was the headline for your lead editorial column on 7/21/2012, which was from the Los Angeles Times. They and you are wrong. I won’t argue about Huma Abedin but it is common knowledge about the number of Muslims given positions in the Obama Administration. People associated with CAIR and other groups dedicated to the overthrow of Democracies like ours. All you need do is read your own newspaper to understand the worldwide assault of radicals to install Sharia law everywhere. To hide your head in the sand and ignore it is ludicrous. Finally a member of Congress is asking questions. Bring it into the light and see what can be discovered. By the way, once again our illustrious Senator McCain has taken the wrong road. Jack B. Walters 3961 N. Hillwood Circle Tucson, AZ 85750 (520) 722-2958 July 21, 2012 jackbwalters@yahoo.com

Saturday, July 14, 2012

Deception of our elected officials

Having pondered this subject for some time now, I decided to attempt to put thoughts to paper about how the military/ industrial alliance has called the shots for over 65 years. I contend it started during the Korean War after the Chinese attacked us during the coldest part of the winter. Truman, out of concern for Russia, refused to allow General McArthur to attack the enemy North of the Yalu River. We had overwhelming superiority in air power but it was useless to him as he could not bomb the air bases or supply routes. Russia had attained nuclear status by then but was far behind our inventory. I believe Truman’s fear was not justified. What bothered me the most was that he allowed the fighting and dying to continue without using our airpower effectively? We voted overwhelmingly for Eisenhower believing that he would finish the fight with victory. That did not happen as he did not consider it a priority. During his eight years as President he kept the alliance under control. His warning to us as he was leaving office was to be aware of the alliance. His warning fell on deaf ears. During the campaign Kennedy kept referring to a “missile gap” inferring that Eisenhower had let Russia pull ahead. This was proven later to be false but I am sure had some effect on the election. To his credit Kennedy was successful in holding back the Joint Chiefs of Staff until his assassination. They had insisted on bombing Cuba back to the Stone Age and pushed for fighting troops in Vietnam. With his death there was no holding back. Lyndon Johnson, on a false premise that we had been attacked, turned loose the dogs of war. Vietnam never should have been fought. Millions killed and our country was thrown into deficit financing as Johnson insisted on fully funding the war together with his great society program. The protests started resulting in Johnson refusing to run for re-election. After him came Nixon. He pretended to be reducing our troop levels but in fact for nearly every plane returning soldiers from Vietnam they had arrived with new soldiers. It was a farce. Americans finally had all they could take and took to the streets to protest in earnest which forced the government to stop. The arms race went into high gear during the “Cold” war. Russia and the U.S. spent billions on delivery systems for nuclear weapons; bombers, missile sites and subs. Eventually Russia went broke and the Soviet Union broke apart. Our expenditures wreaked havoc on our economy as well but not to that extent. During these years under Reagan he broke the arms treaty that had prohibited missile defense systems. These programs were and still are extremely expensive. President George H.W. Bush decided to go to war with Iraq after they had conquered Kuwait. Bush felt that Iraq might also decide to conquer Saudi Arabia, a country labeled as an ally. For the life of me I don’t understand. They were the leader after all in 1973 when OPEC was formed and the price of oil was increased 10 fold overnight putting severe strain on the western countries. President Clinton put Iraq in a tight position with sanctions and no-fly zones for the eight years of his presidency. He also used our Air Force in Bosnia and Kosovo when Europe was deemed unable to do the job. Then of course after 9/11/2001 the new President George Bush convinced Americans that we had to retaliate first against Afghanistan and then Iraq. Here we are 12 years later still fighting and dying in that part of the world having suffered many thousands of casualties and trillions of dollars spent. Obama has just approved four billion per year in aid for another ten years after we leave supposedly in 2014.We are similarly supporting Iraq. There is no end in sight. The point I am trying to make is that as hard as we try to put a President or member of Congress in office to change course for the most part we have failed. At the U of A book festival this Spring I purchased a great book entitled “Addicted to War” by Joel Andreas. It is done in cartoon style. Regardless, he makes the point very well that we are indeed addicted. One very good reason is jobs. The Defense Industry is protected from foreign competition and therefore the employees enjoy high earnings and benefits. The industry has very cleverly spread bits and pieces in nearly every state in the union which means at election time these people vote their paycheck. Politicians cannot safely speak about cutting back or they would not stand a chance of being elected. In this book he states there are over 100,000 companies providing the Pentagon with products and services. A few of the largest are; United Technologies, Textron, Northrup Grumman, Boeing, Raytheon, G.E., General Dynamics, Lockheed Martin and Halliburton. Further he states that our annual budget is larger than the next 36 countries combined, a full 36% of total global military spending. Nearing completion is a humongous carrier named after President Reagan at a cost of $1 trillion. It will have a crew of 5,000. Can you imagine the daily cost of a ship this large? For what it’s worth in my opinion the day of the carrier is long gone. There are increasingly sophisticated missile systems coming on line that could destroy a carrier. Sure hope I am wrong on this. I attended a very well done documentary last night entitled “Heist” “Who stole the American Dream”. It all started with a document called the Powell Memorandum which was written in 1971. In it Mr. Powell strongly exhorted the Chamber and in particular big business to become active in the political process including lobbying. Powell became a Supreme Court Justice in 1969 being appointed by President Nixon. In 1978 there was a case called Boston vs. Bellotti. Powell was instrumental in overturning a Massachusetts’s law restricting corporate contributions. Some claim this was the forerunner of the latest victory for business when the Court stated corporations were people which opened the flood gates of money during the current election process. In the 70’s there was a lot of anti-business actions taken by the Congress particularly under Carter. Agency after agency was created to put control over industry in particular. Regulations added greatly to the cost of doing business and severely hampered our competitiveness with products flooding in from overseas. I was fighting the good fight during those years and did lobbying myself, so I find I agree with the essence of the memorandum. What I disagree with totally is that the contributions have grown so excessive that the whole political system is out of control. It is common knowledge how much time elected officials spend raising funds for re-election. It cannot be denied that favors are granted in return. This is true of both parties. Full time lobbyists number over 30,000 in Washington alone. I doubt if I will be able to make the point how different it is today compared to my era. As a Plant Manager my responsibility wasn’t only to make a quality product at the lowest cost possible but to be a good citizen of the community and support it as best we could. The communities were better places because we were there. Fast forward to today, there is no consideration for communities, employees or anything else, only profit. To that end the companies have razed our cities by sending jobs overseas at an ever expanding rate. There is no consideration for the devastation left after they leave. What government can do is assure fair trade and take whatever steps are necessary to create good paying jobs for Americans. Should they try, the Chamber will oppose them but for the sake of working Americans, the effort must be made. My title for this article was deception of our elected officials. We hear wonderful words but when push comes to shove they bail out and leave us floundering. They just don’t care except for themselves. Jack B. Walters July 13, 2012

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Seven killed in Afghanistan identified as U.S. troops

This was the headline of an article in the 7/10/2012 edition of the Arizona Daily Star. This occurred one day after donor nations meeting in Tokyo pledged $16 billion in aid. If the bombing or suicide act was an isolated incident it could be chalked up to unfortunate but it isn’t. Every day for weeks now I have read about continuing attacks on allied forces, sometimes by Afghans wearing uniforms and using weapons given to them by us. Is it any wonder how depressed our troops are after having to try to train natives never knowing when one of their recruits is going to turn on them? Neither Obama nor Romney will withdraw so the bloodletting, misery and funding will continue without end unless the American people make their voices heard. This will not happen. Other people’s children are doing the fighting and dying and they don’t care about the burden they are placing on generations to come. They are not personally involved so they shrug it off. . Jack B. Walters July 10, 2012

Thursday, July 5, 2012

The Post-American World by; Fareed Zakaria

A liberal leaning friend shared his copy of this book with me. As I have always tried to do I read it to see what I could glean from it of value in my continuing search for reason and solutions? I believe it to be a valuable source of information and I share his views on where America stands today as all around us other nations are gaining ground. He believes as I do that we are still dominant and will continue for some time in the future. He does point out many ways in which we have hurt ourselves most importantly the bombastic way in which President George Bush went to war with Iraq without a mandate from the United Nations which meant that for the most part we went alone. The first Iraq war we not only had military support from our traditional Allies but also the Arab League. Unbelievable to have them fighting side by side with America. In addition many billions were given to defray the cost. The second time around America did the fighting and paying. The vast majority of citizens around the world including myself expressed their concern to their governments hoping to stop it. Out of that came bitterness and disdain where before America was revered. We were now considered bullies who would use our dominant power wherever we chose unilaterally. Another is the political ineptness of the two parties who continue to create conflict over ideology rather than coming together to find ways to resolve important issues. As citizens we support one party and when it doesn’t produce results we vote for the other, all the while stalemate continues and we flounder rudderless down the rapids. I have a problem with his suggestions on what needs to be done for America to remain the dominate society. He minimizes the spread of Islam in Europe and around the world and he doesn’t support doing anything to counter the unfair business practices primarily of China but other countries as well. It is my firm belief that Islam with its Sharia law threatens to stifle human progress by dragging the world back 1300 years ago. The chaos they create around the world cannot be ignored but of course with Obama as President we are powerless to face up to the threat. He berates the meager attempts by one House or another in Congress to penalize China for artificially inflating their currency creating an unfair advantage for American workers. Add to that the many ways they steal or manipulate Corporations to give their secrets plus ignoring copyright protection. Many people are satisfied with low cost items found at Wall- Mart and the soaring stock market. These are the people who don’t understand that American manufacturing is important and that those engaged in factory work should be able to earn satisfactory income. We tax manufacturing at the highest rate in the civilized world. I would start by cutting it in half. Secondly regulations that are unnecessary would be eliminated. Frivolous law suits would be curtailed. Unions would be directed to promote jobs not force companies to shut down. Place a tariff on all Chinese goods equivalent to overcome their manipulation of currency. All of the above to jump start manufacturing. If that wasn’t sufficient I would go further. Remember good jobs paying good wages would provide income to be taxed plus those employed would not then be drawing down unemployment checks, using food stamps or be on welfare reducing the monetary drain on resources. This book is worth reading as long as you don’t swallow whole his statements. Jack B. Walters July 5, 2012

Friday, June 29, 2012

Dark Clouds Gather over the Land

This has been an historic week for the Supreme Court and America. They ruled in favor of the health care law by naming the cost to not purchase health care a tax. They ruled that in protecting free speech it is permissible to claim military service and medals earned. They threw out most of SB 1070. The one part they allowed was abrogated immediately by Obama ordering Homeland Security to not co-operate with Arizona law enforcement, making it a hollow victory. What this means to me is that States Rights have been compromised. My reading of the Constitution is that the intent was to give maximum power to the States with only a few well defined rights to the Federal Government. With the new power to tax whatever they want the Federal Government will reign supreme. These are not political issues, they are States Rights Issues. Jack B. Walters June 29, 2012

Saturday, June 16, 2012

Letter to the editor concerning the City Courses

Golf Course thoughts to consider Without doing extensive research I have the following comments to make. I have avoided playing on public courses for over ten years while before they were my venue of choice, for the following reasons; 1-After taking my picture and printing my resident card which was to be for all time, the management decided to have an annual fee. I have refused to pay it. 2-The city decided to sock it to winter visitors who brought their motor homes to Tucson for the winter by adding 75 cents to their costs to pay for Kino Stadium. I talked with some of them at the time. This added cost cut their playing time from twice per week to once per week. Others were mad enough they left Tucson altogether and went to Benson where they were warmly welcomed. 3-Ten years or so ago the city fired anyone who had any knowledge about golf and replaced them with city employees who I suspect were buddies of theirs. What happened, greens were poisoned at El Rio causing a great loss. I’m sure there were other issues like this that I didn’t follow through lack of interest. 4-Rudeness of starters and other employees- Somewhere along the way the employees decided that golfers were of lower estate than they. I can personally attest to this on the few occasions I did play. Others have mentioned similar experiences. I have continued to play golf at other courses since leaving the city courses. Your editorial in today’s Star is what occasioned me to write. The City raising cost by $3/ round will result in fewer tee times, not more. Golf is a business. It should be run by business people as a profit making venture not just for the benefit of city employees with their generous pensions, etc. My suggestion is to put it out for bids and let the private sector take over. If some courses can’t make it, then convert to parks. Jack B. Walters May 10, 2012

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Special Election

It’s over now. Barber will hold the seat at least until the end of the year. Up to now I have held my tongue but now want to say the whole charade was a farce. Everyone of course felt empathy for Giffords. Our district had muddled along for over a year without her operating as an able bodied member of Congress. As I understand it the election cost the taxpayers over one million and there were at least 2.2 million spent in political advertising. What a waste of resources and the time taken by many during the process. I can only assume the Democratic leadership felt it would be to their advantage to do this as coupling in November might not have been good strategy. Jack B. Walters June 13, 2012

Monday, June 11, 2012

President Nixon Deserves Credit

He deserves credit for coming to the aid of Israel during their 1973 Yon Kipper war with Egypt and Syria. Israel was nearing the end of having sufficient military equipment to continue. General Moshe Dayan advised Prime Minister Golda Meir that they were approaching the point of last resort i.e. the nuclear option. Henry Kissinger learned of this the morning of October 9. That same day President Nixon ordered the commencement of Operation Nickel Grass, an American airlift to replace all of Israel’s losses. 8,755 tons were received before the end of the war. Supplies were provided by airlift and by sea, a total of over 112,000 tons including F-4 fighters, A-4 attack airplanes, 12 C-130 Cargo planes, and every other type of equipment requested by Israel. It ended by the end of December at a total cost in today’s dollars of $4.19 billion dollars. As a sidelight to all this, only two European countries allowed our planes landing rights; Portugal and the Netherlands, so much for NATO support in time of need. Another sidelight was Henry Kissinger demanding that Israel not conduct a first strike as they had done in 1967. He said Israel would not receive “so much as a nail”. I am sure Israeli losses were much greater by waiting until attacked by Egypt and Syria. Had President Nixon not acted with such powerful full out support, it is conceivable that Israel might have been forced to use tactical nuclear weapons. What the consequences of that might be is open for conjecture. He did the right thing while in the middle of the Watergate investigation. I say give him the credit deserved. Jack B. Walters June 11, 2012

Saturday, June 9, 2012

Jack Kennedy-Elusive Hero by Chris Mathews

I found this book at the library. It is an in depth study of his life starting as a child and student. It is not my type of book. While filled with facts I just didn’t feel the real Jack Kennedy, none the less I would recommend reading for anyone interested in his life and Presidency. He was always bold and willing to push the envelope whether in school, the Navy or politics. He was always his own man, never willing to lean too much on others. I will confine this review to statements made by Ted Sorensen and Jackie Kennedy. Ted Sorensen –“ An American President, commander in chief of the world’s greatest military power, who during his presidency did not send one combat troop division abroad or drop one bomb, who used his presidency to break down the barriers of religious and racial equality and harmony in this country and to reach out to the victims of poverty and repression, who encouraged Americans to serve their communities and to love their neighbors regardless of the color of their skin, who waged war not on smaller nations but on poverty and illiteracy and mental illness in his own country, and who restored the appeal of politics for the young and sent Peace Corps volunteers overseas to work with the poor and untrained in other countries _ was in my book a moral president, regardless of his personal misconduct.” Jackie Kennedy – She gave a four hour monologue to Teddy White of Life magazine. The article was read by millions around the world. They accepted her widow’s vision; they took to their hearts the notion of Camelot_ that vanished, shining place presided over by a noble, merry hero. One last thought that was brought out in this book was his aversion to sending combat troops into Vietnam even though pressured to do so by his military staff. Early in the book there were comments about France fighting to maintain their colony there, so his aversion came early in life. I am totally convinced that he would not have allowed combat troops into that country. With his death the flood gates were opened. We all know how that came out. He did avert doomsday by keeping the military from bombing Cuba which could have resulted in Russia taking over Berlin and perhaps retaliation using nuclear weapons. We as a country and as a people were starting to regain our confidence. With his death followed shortly by King and then Bobby brought this all to an end from which we have never recovered. Jack B. Walters June 9, 2012

Saturday, June 2, 2012

Short Discourse on the evolution of Social Security and Medicare

Social Security was enacted in 1935. Taxes started being collected in 1937 and the first benefits were provided. In the early years the beneficiaries were granted income far in excess of their own personal contributions. That was to be expected and should not have been a concern. It had to start sometime and the vestiges of the great depression were still being felt. The payments, even as low as they were, aided poor people who were desperate. At first only men were eligible. As the years passed by, the Act was amended many times to include house employees, farm labor, etc. The amount deducted and the benefits paid were also adjusted nearly on a two year cycle. This continued until 1956 when Dwight Eisenhower was President. At that time SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) was added. This provided benefits to disabled persons below the age of 65. Eisenhower opposed it but did sign into law after passage by Congress. It was funded by the Social Security Payroll Tax. Disability can be mental, back pain and other hard to prove ailments. Wikipedia reports that in 2002, 7.2 million people were receiving benefits. This increased to 10.6 million in 2011. In 1972 when Richard Nixon was President SSI (Supplemental Security Income) was approved. This program provides income for people over 65 and blind or disabled children. It is funded by General Revenues. At the same time, people in the SSDI program were made eligible for Medicare after receiving benefits for 24 months. It is my contention that the SSDI program enactment and subsequent amendments paid for with funds from the Social Security Trust Fund has drastically depleted funds from its original intention, thereby hastening the doom for the Fund. The monies placed into it to provide supplemental income for seniors is now being siphoned off at an ever increasing amount to where today it is rapidly depleting the Fund. This never should have been allowed to pass. It is not that I am insensitive to those in need; it is that welfare should be handled separate from old age insurance and Medicare. The reason I am taking the time to write this paper is after receiving an e-mail yesterday entitled “Where are the gray hairs”. It showed a picture of a Social Security Office filled to overflowing with obviously much younger people applying for benefits. Another interesting piece of information I gleamed from my research was that in 1983 when Reagan was President, Social Security income was taxed for “rich” people; singles earning $25,000 and families $32,000. Every year when I prepare my income tax, I am angered that I must do the calculation to see how much of it will be taxable income. The funds taken out of my paychecks during my working years amounted to fewer funds available to support my family. The only justification could be to add funding to run the government. It is a wonder to me that anyone bothers to work today. There are multiple ways to scam the system; the items mentioned above, food stamps, unemployment compensation extended year after year, free health care for those deemed in need, welfare checks, income to support arts and studies of all kinds. Just look at your income tax form to see the many lines that can be used to decrease taxes paid. I read recently that many holders of food stamp debit cards sell them to others and claim they were lost. This can happen multiple times without recourse, unbelievable to me that safe guards cannot be enacted to correct abuses like this. I see little hope for sanity to somehow be discovered. The truth is no politician (either party) has the gumption to correct issues like the above, since they must pander for votes. How far have we fallen when the citizens must be bribed for their votes? Whatever happened to patriotism, self-reliance and responsibility? Farewell to the American dream of a free country better than all the rest, full of movers and achievers. A major reason has been our government’s inability to preserve good paying manufacturing jobs. Our companies pay the highest corporate taxes of any other country, our regulations are far more restrictive and costly, we allow countries like China to manipulate their currency and steal our industrial secrets, all for the sake of Wal-Mart shoppers searching for the lowest cost merchandise. Jack B. Walters June 2, 2012

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Franklin and Winston by Jon Meacham

(An Intimate Portrait of an epic friendship) Knowing of my very high regard of FDR and Churchill, an old friend told me about this book. I have just finished reading. Over the years I have read countless books relating to WWII and the persons involved. What this book offers is a more in depth discovery of the many episodes where their lives came together during that monumental period in our history. In the interest of keeping an open mind I have also read books by authors who do not consider them as I do. No writing by any person can result in lessening my beliefs that without these two giants the world might be an altogether different place and not for the better. Under their inspired leadership the Allied Powers defeated Nazi Germany, fascist Italy and the Empire of Japan. These were powerful adversaries prepared for conflict where we were not. Isolationism was very strong in America. FDR had to take very small steps to get us rebuilding our military strength. The relationship grew steadily during the course of the conflict. At first when England stood alone Churchill was desperate to receive military hardware to be able to stave off defeat. Out of that came the 50 old destroyer deal followed by lend-lease. Once Russia was attacked they also received the weapons they needed. The book also includes intimate sections relating to each of their families. The support received was very important in aiding them to enjoy family times even while under extreme pressure. Rather than try to report on any specific situation between them, all I will do is highly recommend reading this book. If you do, I’ll bet you will have a better understanding and perhaps will feel as the vast majority of Americans did when FDR was elected to a fourth term as President. We could not stand to not have him leading us. My book is available to any interested person. Jack B. Walters May 29, 2012

Sunday, May 27, 2012

Metal Thefts in Tucson

Darren DaRonco, This note is in response to your article in the Arizona Daily Star 5/27/2012. It is astonishing to me the helplessness of law enforcement to solve any problem whether it is bank robberies, graffiti, drugs or metal thefts. All should be easily solved. As to metal theft, I have the following thoughts to share; If legislation is required then law enforcement should petition for change. If that is not the case then all places where scrap metal is purchased should be required to obtain the “real” address and name of the person selling. They should be required to state where the metal was obtained. Having staff review this information it should soon be easy to find who are routinely selling. If they are not legitimate contractors then their residences should be inspected. Perhaps surveillance could be used in the evenings to watch for traffic and tail the suspects. They devoted countless hours searching for the missing girl. That is, of course, important but so is theft on such a massive scale, $600,000 since January as stated in your report. Once found then throw the book at the perpetrators to send a clear message. I hope you will share these thoughts with the appropriate city officials. Yours Truly, Jack B. Walters

Saturday, May 26, 2012

A Chink in the Armor

Following the NATO Summit in Chicago last week, the newly elected French President Hollande advised President Karzai that effective the end of this year all French combat troops would leave Afghanistan. He would leave a few to orderly remove military equipment and trainers. This created consternation with the other NATO members. I welcome this break in unity of this cold war inanity. NATO has long ago ended its usefulness. The air war against Libya was mostly an American effort. Russia has long ago ceased being a threat to Europe. Continuing armed forces in Afghanistan only prolongs the inevitable. No matter how much treasure and blood we commit to it nothing will ever change for the better. They must decide on their own what kind of country they want to be. It is my fervent hope that other nations follow the example of France and the coalition dissolves in the process. Jack B. Walters May 26, 2012

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Screwed by Dick Morris & Eileen McGann

I caught an interview on talk radio where Dick Morris was discussing his just released book “Screwed”. Upon returning home I placed an order for it. I have not been disappointed. I have known about him for many years beginning when he was the political advisor to Bill Clinton. I have always held him at arm’s length since he appeared to me to be a turncoat moving from one party to the other or in the news media, able to sell whatever he was promoting at the time. The reason I jumped at buying his book is that much of what was purported to be in it were ideas I have firmly held for decades. I was not disappointed, nor will you if you also read. Many of you know that my own personal writing is often blunt. I purposely present my thoughts without ambiguity. Other writers try to be balanced. I see no need to follow their example. There are more on the other side so I feel free to state my case in a simple direct fashion. There are eleven chapters, each devoted to a specific area where we Americans are getting the short end of the stick. They are; 1- A World WithoutDemocracy; America Without Sovereignty 2- Trick or Treaties; How the European Union is Preempting Congress and Binding Us Through International Treaties 3- China 4- Pakistan 5- Afghanistan 6- Saudi Arabia 7- The United Nations of Corruption 8- The World Bank 9- Foreign Aid; Biting the Hand That Feeds Them 10- In Our Backyard; The Chavez-Ahmadinejad Alliance 11- The Enemy Within I listed the chapters to give you an idea of the subject matter. I am not going to try to give a summary of each as it would need to be voluminous. I will state without exception that I support his ideas in total. As I stated at the beginning most of these thoughts I have written about since I began in 2003. Let me just say that any or all of these problems could be resolved if we could ever have a President and Congress who put the interests of America ahead of foreign countries and greed. The obscene money being earned by former elected officials is revolting. They sign on as lobbyists and promote the interests of foreign regimes against the best interest of America, often supporting issues which as a Congress person they previously opposed. He names people who I am sure you will be shocked to learn about from both parties. Money it seems is all that is important. We are constantly being deceived into voting for or against a person. We give outlandish amounts of money in the vain hope that when elected they will steer a straight course not allowing lobbyists to consume their personal time or accept their financial support. We are losing big time. My book is available for anyone to read. I hope at least some of you will obtain the book and after reading try to galvanize others to get involved. Jack B. Walters May 17, 2012

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Same Sex Marriage

I decided to go on record with my opposition to this issue. As of yesterday President Obama declared he is in favor of it. This followed Vice President Biden’s declaration a few days ago. The timing is incredible since North Carolina had just overwhelmingly approved a Constitutional Amendment to state that marriage is between a man and a woman. It was already a State law but they felt seriously enough about it to lock it in stone. Already Democrats are demanding that their convention site be moved out of Charlotte. I will follow this with amusement. The only thing positive about Obama’s statement is that he recognizes that this is a State issue. Most States have taken positions similar to N. C. While I have accepted civil unions since there appears to be many people in this country that prefer companionship with others of their same sex, I will not change my opposition to marriage. Show me somewhere, anywhere in a religious text where this was deemed acceptable. You can’t, because it is not there. I am a live and let live type of guy. If that is how they want to live I could care less, but to taint the sacredness of marriage is intolerable to me. The first time I hear that a marriage of this type is going to happen at a church I am supporting that will be my last day attending. As tolerant as I have tried to be in my life, this is the point of no return for me. I just thought you should know. Jack B. Walters May 10, 2012

Sunday, April 22, 2012

After the Prophet by Lesley Hazleton

A good friend knowing of my growing interest in all things pertaining to Islam sent me an e-mail of the author giving a talk to a large audience. Her remarks were well received. Based on that, I purchased the book.
I am not sure what I expected but what I found was a well-researched and thorough recitation of the final years of Muhammad’s life and the years following as different factions vied to succeed him in authority. She brings these events to life such as you would find in a book of fiction. As a beginning student on this subject I am willing to accede that she accurately describes the events as they unfolded.
With him as he lay dying were five men each of whom over the course of time would become Caliph (successor) of Muhammad. They were two fathers-in-law, two sons-in-law and a brother-in-law. The latter was the youngest and the closet relative Ali. It would be too cumbersome for me to catalogue the succession. It is only important from the standpoint of how the split began which culminated in the division that exists even today between Sunni and Shia Muslims. In simple terms it boils down to whether sacredness inheres in the Prophet’s blood family, as the Shia believe, or in the community as a whole, as the Sunnis believe.
The most compelling episode had to do with the death of Hussein in 680 at Karbala where Hussein and his loyal band of warriors were slain. He was the youngest son of Ali. It is a gripping story of courage and has since that time become a major part of the split between both factions.
She concludes by stating the mistake of President Bush in not recognizing the split and placing our forces in the untenable position of taking sides, a no win proposition. She ends by stating history is often made by the heedless, to which I enthusiastically state I agree.


Jack B. Walters
April 22, 2012

Thursday, April 19, 2012

And so it continues- Shortened per the editor's request

Afghan President Karzai demands that the United States pledge a minimum of $2 billion /year to support their military after we leave in 2014. U.S. officials were quoted as expecting to provide $4 billion. The amount will be finalized in Chicago in May. What Karzai wants is a firm commitment.
When Russia called it quits they took what remained of their marbles and went home. Their defeat among other things ended up breaking up the USSR as they were nearly bankrupt. In my opinion we are nearing that same situation.
Our country is operating with an annual deficit of $1.2 trillion. How can a responsible government continue to give vast sums away that we borrow from China?
I wonder how much we are continuing to give to Iraq after pulling out our forces. I would guess it is similar to what Karzai is demanding.
I have written many times about bringing our troops home, now I am asking to keep our money home as well.


Jack B. Walters
April 18, 2012

And so it continues- a letter to the editor

In today’s Daily Star (4/18/2012) is another article relating to Afghanistan. It consists of demands from Afghan President Hamid Karzai that the United States pledges a minimum of $2 billion /year to support their military after we leave in 2014. U.S. officials were quoted as expecting to provide $4 billion. The amount is expected to be finalized at a conference to be held in Chicago in May. What Karzai wants is a firm commitment not just some vague promise.
Our country is operating with an annual deficit of $1.2 trillion. Keep that thought in your head as you ponder the wisdom of an open ended commitment of this amount for decades to come. How insane is this.
At least when Russia called it quits after they lost they took what remained of their marbles and went home. Their defeat among other things ended up breaking up the USSR as they were nearly bankrupt. In my opinion we are nearing that same situation. How can a responsible government continue to give vast sums away that we borrow from China?
One last thought, I wonder how much we are continuing to give to Iraq after pulling out our forces. I have never read anything but I would venture to guess it is similar to what Karzai is demanding.
I have written many times about bringing our troops home, now I am asking to keep our money home as well.


Jack B. Walters
April 18, 2012

Saturday, April 14, 2012

Letter sent to Universal Studios

Corporate Offices Universal Studios Plaza
Orlando, Florida
32819-7610
Dear Sirs,
On April 4, 2012 I accompanied my son and his family to spend the day at your Universal Studios Theme Park. They were interested in checking out the new Harry Potter attraction. I live in Arizona, my son lives in North Carolina. His family and I came to Florida to spend time with my daughter-in-law’s mother who lives in Plant City. As an 83 year old senior citizen I had no particular interest other than spending time with my family regardless of what they might want to do.
We got up early and arrived just as the Park was opening. Even so there was already a long line to enter. We accepted this. We headed directly to the Harry Potter area and got to the end of the line not realizing that we would stand in the slow moving line for over one and one half hours after which we were allowed to take the four minute ride. We were a little tired and hungry so we stopped and bought lunch, then we proceeded to the Spiderman area and once again got in line. This time nearly two hours passed before we were allowed to take that three minute ride. As we neared the end I observed the man who was directing traffic. My estimate is that he allowed four of the VIP persons to one from the long line. They probably waited 10 to 15 minutes. No regard or consideration for the rest of us. I kept my piece as I didn’t want to offend my son but I was outraged at this total disregard for the well-being of the thousands of guests such as us, many of whom had small children and others old like I am. My son advised me he spent $85 per ticket.
My recommendation would be to eliminate the VIP program as it is at the present time where, as I understand it, anyone can receive that status for an additional $25. Reserve VIP for VIP’s such as elected officials, celebrities, etc. To recover the lost funds increase the daily admission charge. If patrons were standing in a line that was continually advancing there would be far fewer disgruntled customers.
Obviously you are making a huge profit. The amount of funds to create these magnificent structures and rides must have been enormous. The staff training and the huge number required must also be a huge expense. If at the end of the day you have thousands with unhappy experiences such as we had then what have you accomplished other than adding up the proceeds. Not that it makes any difference from my home in Tucson but I will never recommend anyone to visit Universal Studios in Orlando.

Yours truly,
Jack B. Walters
April 14,2012

Friday, March 16, 2012

INFIDEL by: Ayaan Hirsi Ali - a book report

Another brave woman risks her life to challenge the authority of Muslim customs which denigrate females who are born into the Muslim culture. The vast majority are doomed to live their lives dominated by the males not only fathers and husbands but brothers and other relatives.
Ayaan was born into this life in Somalia. During her young years her family also lived in Saudi Arabia and Kenya. She did her best to learn the teachings of the Koran, attending school, reading, memorizing text and wearing burkas covering her from head to toe. As the years passed by and being exposed to other cultures particularly in Kenya she began to have doubts. She was forced into a marriage arranged by her father. He lived in Canada and had returned to Somalia looking for a “good” Muslim wife. The kind that would be obedient to him as a “good” Muslim woman should be. She was allowed to fly to Germany with the intention of continuing on to Canada but instead she entered Holland and applied for immigrant status which was granted. Her location was discovered and she had to face her husband-to-be together with older leaders trying to persuade her to marry. She did refuse and as a result was disowned by her father.
I was amazed to learn how generous the Dutch government is to immigrants. They were provided housing, food, clothes and health care for extended periods of time. The problem that developed was the refusal of immigrants of the Muslim faith to learn the language, assimilate and become productive citizens. They also sent their children to separate Muslim schools keeping them from associating with Dutch children. There were many instances of “honor” killing of girls whom became friendly with boys not of the Muslim faith. As Ayaan became more aware she began to distance herself from Islam. She learned the language, graduated from high school and went on to college. She was an avid reader trying to gain wisdom from the great authors of Europe. During these years she earned income by interpreting between the authorities and immigrants from Somalia. Many of these had to do with wives being severely beaten by their husbands. They rarely ever testified against them out of fear of being turned out of the Muslim community.
She began to speak out and over time became a sought after speaker and writer. She ran for public office and was elected. Her main goal always was to improve the lot of females. She collaborated with a film producer Theo van Gogh to produce a ten minute film depicting four punishments women could receive for various offences. It was called “Submission, Part One”. There were death threats. Finally in September 2004, Theo was murdered while walking down a street. His throat was slit and a knife shoved into his chest with a warning to Ayaad that she was next. The Dutch government provided her with protection. To this day she faces death threats and has been moved to America where she continues to speak out. In March 2005 Time magazine named her one of 100 “most influential people in the world today”.
Finally I want to quote from a statement she made. You can find it on page 349. “When people say that the values of Islam are compassion, tolerance, and freedom, I look at reality, at real cultures and governments, and I see that it simply isn’t so. People in the West swallow this sort of thing because they have learned not to examine the religions or cultures of minorities too critically, for fear of being racist. It fascinates them that I am not afraid to do so”.
I will continue to read and write reviews of books such as this. It is the least I can do.


Jack B. Walters
March 16, 2012

Thursday, March 8, 2012

Something's wrong here

Do you ever wonder about decisions made on our behalf in establishing relationships with leaders around the world? I will confine my remarks to the Middle East although it could easily be expanded to include South and Central America where for decades we have supported Dictators who oppress their own people.
I loved the picture of Don Rumsfeld shaking hands with Saddam Hussein when Iraq was at war with Iran. We gave him Billions in aid including poison gas he used not only against Iran but also Iraqi Kurds in the North where thousands were killed.
After Gadhafi capitulated on weapons of mass destruction he was welcomed into the United Nations with our support.
We went to war with the Taliban and al Qaida in Afghanistan ostensibly to punish them for the 9/11 terror attack based on the assumption that the terrorists received their training there. I always thought that was a mistake since 16 of the 19 involved were from Saudi Arabia.
Under the rule of the Taliban, women were removed from the work force, girls from schools and they were forced to stay in their home and only be allowed out with a male escort wearing burgas that covered them from head to toe.
When the Taliban were defeated we supported Hamid Karzai in becoming President. Now I read in the Star on 3/7/2012 that in order to help persuade the Taliban to live in peace he has instituted the same shameful rules which amounts to subjugation of all women in that country. This is the same man our President apologized to recently over the burning of Quran books. I never read that Karzai apologized for murdering our soldiers indiscriminately in retaliation for that act.
I guess our strategic interests are more important than promoting freedom and justice for members of the female sex. Not in my book. After spending a trillion dollars and the loss of thousands of lives this is what we have to accept for our effort. I say shame on all our elected and military leaders. There was a time when they valued human rights issues.

Jack B. Walters
March 8, 2012

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Insanity in Afghanistan

Copies of Qurans may have been burned by our military. The entire country is in an uproar and a number of Americans have been murdered. This continues the farce we witnessed in Denmark several years ago over a cartoon. Any perceived insult to Islam is a free license to kill at random.
Obama, McCain, Romney and others proclaim the need to continue the mission that has dragged on already for over a decade. It is insanity to continue. If we stay 20 years or longer nothing will change. There is concern about the return of the Taliban and al-Qaida. They will return regardless. We only delay the inevitable. We should have destroyed their training camps rather than occupying the country. Many American lives lost and trillions squandered.
I cast my vote for Ron Paul. He has the courage and wisdom to end this farce.

Jack B. Walters
February27, 2012

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Catholic Church controversy over being required to provide birth control insurance

I have a few points to make. In the first place what gives the Federal government the right to insist that a company provide health insurance for its employees? In my day issues like this were the subjects discussed at the bargaining table for those companies with unions. For those without unions, in order to be competitive in the labor market companies provided benefits. Now all of a sudden the Federal government is dictating. Does anyone besides me believe it is none of their business?
The controversy has been swirling around for the past week or so. On a drive back to Tucson from Phoenix yesterday, for entertainment benefit, I listened to Rush and Sean. They repeatedly bashed Obama for interfering with religious beliefs and forcing religions to go against their tenants. While it is always good policy to criticize Obama it is my belief that Obama is using this issue to pave the way for something far more important to him. That is allowing Muslims to live under Sharia law as dictated by the Koran. This has been successful in England and other countries. It has been tried in our country. In fact at least one State tried to get ahead of the curve and outlaw it. As I recall it was struck down by the courts.
My point being that the right wing talk show hosts are digging a grave by demanding that the government not interfere with religious beliefs. They will not be able to talk differently when Sharia becomes the topic.
I believe Obama is a disaster for America. I do not believe he is ignorant or uninformed. He knows exactly what he is doing and why. Remember you heard it first from me.

Jack Walters
February 14, 2012

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Calling all Independents to Action

( Letter sent to the Arizona Daily Star)
I believe that voters who have registered as an Independent did so as I did to show that we have lost faith in the two major parties . We long for the day when we can have our own candidate not tainted with Corporate or Union dollars but today is not the day.
In February the Republican Party will hold their primary. Only registered Republicans can vote. Since I am unequivocal about the need to remove Obama from that office I picked up a registration form today and have re-registered as Republican. After the primary I will re-register as Independent.
I am requesting other Independents to emulate my example. You have until the end of January to send in. Forms are available at Post Offices and Libraries. Who you want to support is of course your decision but to let this opportunity pass by was not acceptable to me.


Jack B. Walters
January 11, 2012

Thursday, January 5, 2012

Muslim Threat to World Peace

Americans are living in ignorance about the onslaught of the Islamic juggernaut that has infiltrated every country on earth. Their declared goal as expressed by the deceased Gadhafi is to transform all countries to Islam and further that it can be accomplished by immigration and uncontrolled birth rates. Most civilized nations including our own offer subsidies for immigrants to get settled including housing. They choose to accept but do not become a part of society as other groups have in the past. They tend to keep together operating under Sharia law while ignoring the laws of their new country. Females, in particular, are kept from meeting and dating men who are not Muslim. In strictly Muslim countries activities such as above would justify honor killing of daughters. A Muslim woman raped must find four or more male witnesses to support her claim. Muslim men can marry girls as young as nine years old.
Don’t take my word for it, just read articles any day in the Arizona Daily Star. Just today on page A19, Sri Lanka Muslims are demanding that tourist resorts be shut down because liquor is available, that direct flights from Israel and steps to end flogging of females found to have sex outside of marriage be stopped. On page A17 there was a picture of a fifteen year old girl in Afghanistan, tortured and confined to a cellar for refusing to be a prostitute. The article was positive in that the story was even allowed to be made public. I disagree and condemn the barbaric practices continuing in effect around the world. I agree with author Donie Darwish that Islam is not a religion. It is a way of life dictated by Sharia law and is similar to Communism and Nazism in that they are evil systems.
You should be aware of the love affair our current President has with Islam. If not, just Google “Obama’s Cairo Speech”. This was given early in his presidency. I have yet to hear any Republican candidate for President even mention the subject as a concern. Only informed citizens will bring this out into the open where, who knows, perhaps they can become part of the progressive world. If not, then the world as we know it will end, and not too far into the future either.

Jack B. Walters
January 5, 2012