Monday, September 21, 2015

Ben Carson Speaks Out

Yesterday, in answer to a reporter’s question, Ben Carson stated he would not support a Muslim as a presidential candidate. The news media are having a field day. He is not backing down. He has the courage and wisdom to say what others are afraid to say. A true Muslim who is a strict believer in Islam cannot have allegiance to a secular State. Hasan al-Banna, the founder of the Muslim Brotherhood stated “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.” This quote is from a book “The Looming Tower” by; Lawrence Wright. In all religions there are variations of belief from fundamental to moderate. There are moderate Muslims just as there are moderate Christians and Jews. In today’s world the fundamental Muslims are leading the assault all over the world with devastating results. That is true even here in America. The moderate Muslims do not speak out against the carnage, in my opinion, out of fear of retribution. Atta boy Ben, keep up the good work of trying to wake up Americans. Jack B. Walters September 21, 2015

Friday, September 18, 2015

Ben Carson Documentaries

A good friend mentioned that he had seen a documentary about Ben Carson on the Internet. I checked it out and found several. One is an hour and ½ movie starring Cuba Gooding playing the role. It includes actual footage of Carson operating, including separating two German boys joined at the head. After days of agonizing thinking he came up with a plan. He assembled fifty Doctors and Nurses. It required stopping their hearts for an hour at a time and lowering the blood temperature. The scenes in the operating room are incredible. The precision and co-ordination are beyond belief. The entire process took 22 hours without a break, incredible stamina by him and the others. When he met with the parents he said “Which boy would you like to see first”. That was their first indication that both boys had survived. The Movie is called “Gifted Hands”. It was released in 2009. There is another shorter video “Dr. Ben Carson-Gifted Hands-You Tube”. It is 26 minutes and contains actual pictures of Dr. Carson. Of particular importance to me was the final segment which is of Dr. Carson talking to school children. He is telling them that they can be anyone they want to be if they are willing to put in the effort required. In it he tells of his troubled youth including him attempting to stab a boy. A belt buckle broke the knife. He went home and pleaded with God to release the anger in him. It worked. He could have spent his life in prison instead of becoming a skilled surgeon. What a powerful message. This is also a part of the Gooding movie. There was another movie “A Breath of Fresh Air”. It is no longer available. Whether you believe, as I do, that he could be a President, I hope you will take the time to see what a wonderful man he is. In my opinion, we don’t need boisterous leaders who will plunge us into wars and ruin the budget by plowing evermore funds into the military. A man who believes that life is God’s precious gift would not sacrifice our young men and women unless absolutely necessary. Jack B. Walters September 16, 2015

CNN Presidential Debate on CNN

I sent the following note to CNN 22 million watched trying to learn more about the candidates positions on issues we care about. You were more interested in stirring up controversy between them. In the process some were limited to less than 10 minutes in a three hour program. You used them to make money. You did not show them respect and dignity. To make them stand idle during commercial breaks was equally demeaning. One of them may become president of the U.S. Next time treat them with respect and ask pertinent questions about the issues. Let the disagreements happen on other programs.

Tuesday, September 15, 2015

The Woman Behind the New Deal by; Kirstin Downey

The Life of Frances Perkins, FDR’s Secretary of Labor and His Moral Compass Mrs. Perkins is one of the most important persons before and during the Presidency of FDR and decades later after leaving government service. She was directly responsible for many of the freedoms we take for granted today. The following is from the Prologue. It outlines the programs she was determined to enact. On a chilly February night in 1933 she met with President Elect FDR. He wanted her to become his Secretary of Labor when he was sworn in as the thirty second president of the United States. She was interested but only if the president would assist and support her in achieving her goals. They were; a forty hour work week, a minimum wage, worker’s compensation, unemployment compensation, a federal law banning child labor, direct federal aid for unemployment relief, Social Security, a revitalized public employment service, and health insurance. “Nothing like this has ever been done in the United States before,” she said. “You know that, don’t you?” He said he would back her. Everything on that list was accomplished with the exception of health insurance. The medical industry was able to kill that idea. She faced enormous opposition especially since she was a woman. The rough, tough labor leaders wanted one of their own men to have that job. Having to work with a woman was distasteful to them and frankly to most of Washington. Why she was so successful was due to her keen sense of necessity and her intelligence. It was also due to the strong backing of FDR and of course the terrible depression that was in full bloom at that time. She was the first woman ever to be made a member of the Cabinet. All of her life had prepared her for this position. In her 20’s she came to Chicago and worked at Hull House. It was the nation’s leading settlement house. It offered job training, health services, child care, a library, and a savings bank. She became active in carrying out services to the needy and came to realize the plight of the average worker and families. Moving to New York City and Philadelphia she continued learning and helping. She emerged as a leader in the feminist movement, stating “Feminism means revolution, and I am a revolutionist. I believe in revolution as a principle. It does good to everybody”. She witnessed the Triangle Fire in N.Y.C. 146 girls died as a direct result of the doors being locked and no fire equipment to warn or contain. The floors were littered in lint and cloth which quickly consumed everything and the workers. Just like 9/11 girls jumped to their deaths rather than be burned alive. She took her activism to the Legislature and after a lengthy process a 54 hour work week for women was enacted in N.Y. Doesn’t sound like much now, but in 1912 it was a great stride forward. With the endorsement of Teddy Roosevelt she was named executive director of the nation’s most prominent reform organizations. Out of this a new State Factory Investigation Commission was created with the responsibility to enforce safety standards to prevent another Triangle Fire tragedy. In 1918 she helped Al Smith to be elected Governor of N.Y. He promptly made her a member of the Industrial Commission. When FDR became Governor in 1928 he promoted her to being the Director of the Industrial Commission, the first female to hold such a high position. Most of the book describes the details on how each of her goals were achieved. With Roosevelt’s strong support she accomplished her goals. With the advent of WWII her work was diminished in scope but was still important to FDR. Upon his election for his fourth term in 1944, he pleaded with her to stay on. Shortly after he died she tendered her resignation to Truman. It was accepted and so ended her government service. She enjoyed teaching at Cornell University for a number of years dying at the age of 85. All females owe a debt of gratitude for the pioneering spirit of this brave woman. We males should also remember her for broadening the leadership to include women together with men. She was indeed a very great lady. Jack B. Walters September 15, 2015

Friday, September 4, 2015

Iran Nuclear Deal

I have spent considerable time trying to understand whether this deal as proposed should be approved by our Congress. On a weekly basis I read Time and the Economist as well as newspapers, TV news channels and when in my car radio talk show hosts like Dennis Prager and even Rush. Last night I was privileged to attend a dinner meeting. There was a speaker with extensive experience in the Middle East. As a result I finally was able to clearly understand the issue. Up until then I had been concerned about who would check for compliance the many critical areas in Iran where nuclear activity is involved as well as military bases where missile systems are being perfected. I realize now that all of that is just a smoke screen to confuse the electorate. None of that makes any difference. The sum total of this agreement is that Iran in a few years’ time should they play fair will legally become a nuclear power. Voting for this agreement is voting to accept Iran into the nuclear club, of which we are the charter member. You might say, so what. Other nations have the capability to make and deliver nuclear bombs, so why deny Iran? The simple answer is because they state on a daily basis their desire to eliminate the Jewish people from Israel and also their continuing hatred of the United States. One or two bombs hitting Israel and it is all over for them. Of course they will retaliate. Why wouldn’t the Islamic clerics who are the rulers of Iran be concerned about that? The answer, in my opinion, is they just don’t care. From all I can find out without actually being there, most of the people just want to live normal lives. These are the ones who have suffered the most by the embargo and holding up to 150 billion of Iran’s money. They are the ones who took to the streets in 2009 protesting a rigged election and were crushed by doing so. The clerics have no concern for them. The destruction of Israel is of much greater concern. When we were in the Cold War with Russia Mutual Assured Destruction (MAD) was the idea that saved us all. Both countries understood that they faced total destruction should either side nuke the other. That was rational and sane. The clerics are neither rational nor sane. That is the difference. In the interim while they still don’t have the bomb they will have the released funds to continue their support of Hamas, Hezbollah and other terrorist organizations which continue on a daily basis to destabilize the Middle East. No doubt many Americans will fall victim to these groups. I call upon all members of Congress to find a way to keep this agreement from being enacted. There has to be a way. This is not just another little argument between parties. It is the survival of mankind. Jack B. Walters September4, 2015

The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC)

I discovered this organization three years ago. During an OLLI class someone said something critical about Israel. I spoke for Israel. After the session a class member came to me and asked if I knew about AIPAC. I said I didn’t. He asked if I was interested in learning, I agreed. Several weeks later I met two young men who enthusiastically told me about the committee. They assured me that funds contributed were not political donations for members of Congress or candidates. The money raised was used solely to educate members of Congress on the various issues of concern for Israel and the need that country has for continuing to have America as its most important friend. Included in this effort are trips to Israel so they can see firsthand the Garden of Eden that the Jewish people have created in Israel and the constant threats to their very existence from the many Muslim countries surrounding them. They try their best to be party neutral. Most members of Congress support Israel on a continuing basis. More than a little of this support is due to the ongoing effort of AIPAC. I am concerned that this hard won joint effort is being torn asunder as the Iran Deal has become a partisan issue with nearly all Democrats supporting the President and nearly all Republicans against. It will take great skill and diplomacy over the coming months to restore the neutral status, so dearly needed. While the Iran Deal is of utmost importance, it is not the whole package. As the years go by there will be other concerns requiring America’s backing. For the most part members of the United Nations vote against Israel on a continuing basis. Why they always side with the Palestinians is beyond me. Thousands of rockets fired into Israel are not important but when Israel fires back they are condemned. I have tried in the past to make the point of what America would do if faced with rockets being fired into our country. Regardless of which party held the White House I can assure you our response would be swift and of sufficient quantity to convince the enemy to reconsider, but when Israel responds they are accused of killing civilians when it is well known that Hamas locates the rockets in neighborhoods. In my opinion this is done to bring scorn down on Israel. Not only the United Nations but also here at home they are any number of groups urging their members to boycott Israel businesses. Some of these proclaim to be Christian. They always support Palestinians. Israel is always bad, etc. My purpose in writing this article is to ask that some of you might wish to learn more about AIPAC and perhaps contribute. Contributions are not tax deductible. For three years now I have given $2,000 each year. I would give more but there are other areas I try to support including grandchildren in their college funds and other organizations that are important to me. In Arizona the contact is Arizona@aipac.org. Other States would no doubt be similar. Thanks for considering. Jack B. Walters September 4, 2015