Restriction from publishing photos of flag draped coffins arriving at Dover Air Force Base
President Bush ordered secrecy with regards to the remains of our service people who had given their lives for our country. He didn’t want to have our citizens reminded of the true cost of war.
According to news I have read, the new administration is taking this under review. They have expressed concern about the families involved. This is just a cowardly way of not making a firm decision. No names are given to the press. They were just pictures of the coffins as they were unloaded with flag respectfully draped over them.
What is it about leadership in our country today, where every decision is deferred until everyone has had a say. I can remember when it was said that President Clinton waited until poll results were in before deciding. When I was a Plant Manager I made decisions as quickly as possible. We didn’t have time to waste. If the decision didn’t solve the problem, then we would make another decision and move forward.
Jack B. Walters
3961 N. Hillwood Circle
Tucson, AZ 85750
(520) 722-2958
February 12, 2009
jackbwalters@yahoo.com
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Fertility Doctor is Responsible
Nadya Suleman is just a blatant example of millions of American’s who find ways to stick taxpayers with paying for their lifestyles. The real culprit, and the one who should be held responsible, is the doctor that performed the implant procedure that resulted in the multiple births. He should lose his license for reckless and callous disregard of the consequences of a woman having the possibility of multiple births, a woman who already had six children, three of whom required support for disabilities and who was without financial support of her own.
The medical profession should be required to institute guidelines on who should be allowed to have implants.
The State of California should start legal proceedings against the doctor and the AMA for dereliction of responsible ethics. Let them pay for the support of these children, not the rest of us.
Jack B. Walters
3961 N. Hillwood Circle
Tucson, AZ 85750
(520) 722-2958
February 12, 2009
jackbwalters@yahoo.com
The medical profession should be required to institute guidelines on who should be allowed to have implants.
The State of California should start legal proceedings against the doctor and the AMA for dereliction of responsible ethics. Let them pay for the support of these children, not the rest of us.
Jack B. Walters
3961 N. Hillwood Circle
Tucson, AZ 85750
(520) 722-2958
February 12, 2009
jackbwalters@yahoo.com
Monday, February 9, 2009
I am disappointed
I have submitted a number of thoughts to our new President. You can read some of them by visiting my blog at http://jackbwalters.blogspot.com. It is predicted that tomorrow the stimulus package he is seeking will be approved.
Our government under President Bush foolishly gave the huge mega-banks nearly one trillion. There were no restrictions. Huge bonuses in the billions have been handed out to those responsible for the depression we find ourselves in. They have even had multi million dollar excursions for their high ranking management without regard to the fact that they were rescued by us, the taxpayers of this country. They continue buying up smaller banks and have not opened up credit to business or individuals, as they promised to do.
I have reviewed the content of the new bill to be enacted. I find little in it to create jobs in business and industry. There will be construction jobs and government jobs but not production. Most of it is to provide unemployment benefits for the entire year of 2009. No doubt that it will be extended for another year beginning in 2010. Let me be clear, I am not opposed to helping those in need, but what is missing is a clear cut program to put people back on the job. It is as if our leaders have given up, and have accepted that jobs already transferred to far away places like China and India, are gone forever. I refuse to accept this idea. I had hoped that President Obama would take bold steps on our behalf but so far he has not. Even his promise to pour funds into alternative energy are not included in this bill in large enough amounts to do anything other than make us believe we are finally serious about breaking away from OPEC and other energy rich countries who do not have our best interests at heart.
In the House version there is a statement about buying American products with this money. I can assure you that it will be stricken from the final document as being offensive to our trading partners and starting a trade war. If there is to be one, then bring it on. We cannot survive as a great power, if we become totally dependent on other countries to provide us goods and services at reasonable cost. We must take care of ourselves first and foremost. A recent example is Russia cutting off natural gas to the Ukraine and Europe in the middle of severe winter weather conditions.
Here is my take on the two parties who are debating this package.
The Republicans are asking for tax cuts, but not the right ones. They should be using whatever leverage they have to lower domestic business and industry taxes, not individual. To compensate they should increase taxes on business and industry that has been sent to other countries. They should be supportive of any program to remove medical costs from industry as the other industrial countries do to increase our competitiveness.
The Democrats are doing what they think is good business and that is to give away funds to as many voters as possible to assure their loyalty at the voting booth. They do not want us to make it on our own. They want us to be dependent on their largess to exist.
This will not work as there are still many of us who do not want handouts. We believe in the free enterprise system and only want government to take care of national interests and get out of our way. By this, I don’t mean there should not be regulation of business. They have proven that left on their own they have created havoc. What I mean is they should do all they can to improve our competitiveness with the rest of the world.
Our leaders continue stressing the need to stimulate us to go shopping. I was disgusted when at the start of the Iraq war our previous President said the same thing. Should we once again forgo reason and spend till we are deeper in debt than we are now, all we will be doing is sending these dollars to places like China and creating jobs there.
The talking heads on television warn us about protectionism. They stress the need for free trade. What this does is shame us into believing that we must keep turning the other cheek and walking the extra mile. They are wrong, dead wrong. How many times must it be said that what we need is fair trade.
Here are a few examples for consideration. Airbus in France receives massive funds from their government. Because of this Boeing and our other aircraft manufacturers are put at a severe disadvantage. Places like Japan and Korea make it extremely difficult for our domestic auto manufacturers to bring their products into those counties. China provides low or no cost electricity to industry. They keep their people’s wages extremely low, do not provide health benefits and have little or no concern about safety, pollution or anything else to improve the lives of their citizens. They maintain a 40% advantage by refusing to allow their currency to float. If Obama really cared he would take immediate steps by raising tariffs on Chinese goods until equity is achieved. Wal-Mart and its millions of customers would scream bloody murder. I say, so what.
We can, and we must bring business back home so that good paying jobs are once again available for willing workers. To spend nearly a trillion dollars and still not create a favorable business climate which could create real jobs is just plain wrong and in my humble opinion stupid.
Jack B. Walters
3961 N. Hillwood Circle
Tucson, AZ 85750
(520) 722-2958
February 9, 2009
jackbwalters@yahoo.com
Our government under President Bush foolishly gave the huge mega-banks nearly one trillion. There were no restrictions. Huge bonuses in the billions have been handed out to those responsible for the depression we find ourselves in. They have even had multi million dollar excursions for their high ranking management without regard to the fact that they were rescued by us, the taxpayers of this country. They continue buying up smaller banks and have not opened up credit to business or individuals, as they promised to do.
I have reviewed the content of the new bill to be enacted. I find little in it to create jobs in business and industry. There will be construction jobs and government jobs but not production. Most of it is to provide unemployment benefits for the entire year of 2009. No doubt that it will be extended for another year beginning in 2010. Let me be clear, I am not opposed to helping those in need, but what is missing is a clear cut program to put people back on the job. It is as if our leaders have given up, and have accepted that jobs already transferred to far away places like China and India, are gone forever. I refuse to accept this idea. I had hoped that President Obama would take bold steps on our behalf but so far he has not. Even his promise to pour funds into alternative energy are not included in this bill in large enough amounts to do anything other than make us believe we are finally serious about breaking away from OPEC and other energy rich countries who do not have our best interests at heart.
In the House version there is a statement about buying American products with this money. I can assure you that it will be stricken from the final document as being offensive to our trading partners and starting a trade war. If there is to be one, then bring it on. We cannot survive as a great power, if we become totally dependent on other countries to provide us goods and services at reasonable cost. We must take care of ourselves first and foremost. A recent example is Russia cutting off natural gas to the Ukraine and Europe in the middle of severe winter weather conditions.
Here is my take on the two parties who are debating this package.
The Republicans are asking for tax cuts, but not the right ones. They should be using whatever leverage they have to lower domestic business and industry taxes, not individual. To compensate they should increase taxes on business and industry that has been sent to other countries. They should be supportive of any program to remove medical costs from industry as the other industrial countries do to increase our competitiveness.
The Democrats are doing what they think is good business and that is to give away funds to as many voters as possible to assure their loyalty at the voting booth. They do not want us to make it on our own. They want us to be dependent on their largess to exist.
This will not work as there are still many of us who do not want handouts. We believe in the free enterprise system and only want government to take care of national interests and get out of our way. By this, I don’t mean there should not be regulation of business. They have proven that left on their own they have created havoc. What I mean is they should do all they can to improve our competitiveness with the rest of the world.
Our leaders continue stressing the need to stimulate us to go shopping. I was disgusted when at the start of the Iraq war our previous President said the same thing. Should we once again forgo reason and spend till we are deeper in debt than we are now, all we will be doing is sending these dollars to places like China and creating jobs there.
The talking heads on television warn us about protectionism. They stress the need for free trade. What this does is shame us into believing that we must keep turning the other cheek and walking the extra mile. They are wrong, dead wrong. How many times must it be said that what we need is fair trade.
Here are a few examples for consideration. Airbus in France receives massive funds from their government. Because of this Boeing and our other aircraft manufacturers are put at a severe disadvantage. Places like Japan and Korea make it extremely difficult for our domestic auto manufacturers to bring their products into those counties. China provides low or no cost electricity to industry. They keep their people’s wages extremely low, do not provide health benefits and have little or no concern about safety, pollution or anything else to improve the lives of their citizens. They maintain a 40% advantage by refusing to allow their currency to float. If Obama really cared he would take immediate steps by raising tariffs on Chinese goods until equity is achieved. Wal-Mart and its millions of customers would scream bloody murder. I say, so what.
We can, and we must bring business back home so that good paying jobs are once again available for willing workers. To spend nearly a trillion dollars and still not create a favorable business climate which could create real jobs is just plain wrong and in my humble opinion stupid.
Jack B. Walters
3961 N. Hillwood Circle
Tucson, AZ 85750
(520) 722-2958
February 9, 2009
jackbwalters@yahoo.com
Predator Hunt near Globe- letter to editor
It was reported in the Star that this week hunters from all over the country are convening in Globe to kill what they refer to as “predators”. The definition describes animals that eat meat as compared to others who graze. It is all legal and sanctioned by the Arizona Department of Game and Fish. In fact the hunt is specifically encouraged by Randy Rabb of Fish and Game. They are after foxes, coyotes, bobcats and mountain lions. These are all magnificent animals that I have encountered on hikes in our wilderness areas. I have never felt fear but did give them their space.
There are legitimate reasons for keeping the numbers within reason just as there are to keep deer from overpopulating. You can put me down as one of those wimps who cannot understand the joy of killing. Yes. I eat meat, which comes from slaughtered animals, but under most circumstances they were raised for this purpose and were killed humanly.
In my opinion the predators in this operation are those doing the killing and their cheerleaders from Game and Fish Led by Mr. Rabb. By the way Mr. Robb, if things ever get tough here, I am sure you could find employment in Sarah Palin’s Alaska. She loves to kill using aircraft just as the San Carlos Tribe does.
Jack B. Walters
3961 N. Hillwood Circle
Tucson, AZ 85750
(520) 722-2958
February 9, 2009
jackbwalters@yahoo.com
There are legitimate reasons for keeping the numbers within reason just as there are to keep deer from overpopulating. You can put me down as one of those wimps who cannot understand the joy of killing. Yes. I eat meat, which comes from slaughtered animals, but under most circumstances they were raised for this purpose and were killed humanly.
In my opinion the predators in this operation are those doing the killing and their cheerleaders from Game and Fish Led by Mr. Rabb. By the way Mr. Robb, if things ever get tough here, I am sure you could find employment in Sarah Palin’s Alaska. She loves to kill using aircraft just as the San Carlos Tribe does.
Jack B. Walters
3961 N. Hillwood Circle
Tucson, AZ 85750
(520) 722-2958
February 9, 2009
jackbwalters@yahoo.com
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Open Letter to President-elect Barack Obama
There have been many challenging times for our country in my lifetime. The first that I experienced was the last years of the great depression. Being born in 1928, all I have is a general feeling that something was not right. I can’t actually claim that I experienced hunger because I don’t believe I did. My father held down two jobs and my mother also earned income in addition to being a housewife. The second, of course was WWII. It started when I was 13, so my memory is still vivid. Then after that came the “police” action in Korea, the Cold War with Russia and by the war in Vietnam. All of these were disturbing times. People with means built bomb shelters, vast expenditures on armament took away funds that could have been used to better our people and others around the world. I won’t say it was wrong, but usually after a war is ended there is a peace dividend. For all of the reasons listed above, no dividend was granted. Deficit spending increased year by year. We totally departed from any semblance of fiscal responsibility. When OPEC raised the cost of oil in 1973 from $4/barrel to $40/ barrel, the entire civilized world’s economies were thrown into disarray. Being the manager of a tire factory, I and others close to me were punished by this event. Before things settled down my company was nearly ruined. The installation of missiles into Cuba could have resulted in nuclear war. Desert Storm was a successful war against Iraq supported by many countries including Arab States. Then came 9/11 and a whole new chapter opened. Now we were at war with an enemy without borders, an idea, not a country. A new war was started which will cost in excess of one trillion dollars. All the while this is going on; China grew exponentially taking millions of jobs and industries from our country, creating astounding negative balances of trade. President Reagan had a number of accomplishments but one of them created the beginning of our current financial crisis. That was de-regulation, which was right to do, but corporations didn’t self police themselves as he had expected. As a result it has been deemed necessary to “bail” out huge mega banks to the tune of $700 billion dollars with more on the way.
This is where we find ourselves as President-elect Obama gets ready to accept the authority granted to him by the majority of voters in the last election. When he ran for this office, his theme was change. There were any number of issues he enumerated that were to be enacted, most of which I agreed with, which is why he received my vote. Now he will find that much of what he hoped to achieve will not be possible as he is forced to take our country deeper into debt, so deep I question whether it will ever be possible to regain solvency. Printing more and more dollars merely cheapens the currency in circulation now. I know it is worthless for me to suggest a course of action because my thoughts will never be seen except by those few I am in contact with. Never the less I feel compelled to try.
We have all seen the oratorical skills Obama possesses. I still believe that deep down most of us are patriots who would sacrifice if they believed it was for the common good. This is his time. He could, if he is willing to take the risk, be one of our all time greatest presidents, but to accomplish this he must be bold and include the best ideas from both parties. McCain didn’t lose on Republican ideas. He lost because the Republican Party has lost their ideals of limited, frugal government. I would like to see Obama incorporate the old time Republicanism with Democratic Party concerns for the working people and those in need. The following items are just a few thoughts to illustrate what I mean.
1- Reduce or eliminate entirely business tax for corporations and businesses in this country, at the same time increasing taxes on corporations doing business overseas. This would have the immediate effect of increasing jobs for Americans. The costs might balance out, but even if they didn’t, putting our people back to work with decent wages would be a good expenditure of funds, far better than the billion dollar giveaways to huge corporations. They would be able to fend for themselves rather than ask for handouts. It would probably have to be fazed in gradually so as not to disrupt the system, but if corporations realized it was happening they would adjust. Think about it. Wouldn’t this be better than the current policy of providing incentives to move our jobs offshore, and by this I don’t only mean manufacturing jobs but also service jobs?
2- Take over the cost of health care so that this unfair burden is removed from American or foreign businesses operating in our country. This again would greatly increase our competitive ability to compete.
3- With the first two enacted, jobs would be created in all fields of endeavor not just road and bridge repair. Most needing employment do not possess the skill or physical ability to perform these construction jobs.
4- Instead of appropriations for infrastructure use increased gasoline taxes instead. Give a corresponding tax deduction other ways to counter this increased burden. Only in this way will we ever wean ourselves from oil dependency.
5- Drill, drill, drill. This was the slogan for the other party. It was not wrong. High taxes is the reason the oil companies have searched the world over when it is well known there are proven reserves in Alaska, N. Dakota, Colorado and off shore. Most people are upset with the exorbitant profits of the oil industry so this will be a tough sell. To compensate merely increase their foreign taxes as stated in #1 above. I, of course, support all other forms of energy still in the beginning stages of being successful. Proper financial incentives will get them going in a hurry. It could be exciting to watch.
6- Enact strict regulations to curb the abuses in finance that triggered the current crisis. Break up the mega corporations to smaller less disruptive and powerful than are in existence today.
7- Remove all political positions from the agencies so that they will be free as they were, before this last administration, to carry out their mission as they were legislated to do.
8- Remove all signing statements President Bush added to legislation passed which had the effect of stating he could ignore if he felt it would restrict him from doing what he wanted.
9- Reverse the many anti environmental directives Pres. Bush has enacted which are detrimental to preserving our wilderness, wildlife and environment. He has been pushing hard these last few months to reward the fat cats who benefit from degradation.
I could go on but when you try to do too much it all gets lost so I will end here except to say, please bring our troops home from Iraq and Afghanistan as soon as possible.
Jack B. Walters
3961 N. Hillwood Circle
Tucson, AZ 85750
(520) 722-2958
January 15, 2009
jackbwalters@yahoo.com
This is where we find ourselves as President-elect Obama gets ready to accept the authority granted to him by the majority of voters in the last election. When he ran for this office, his theme was change. There were any number of issues he enumerated that were to be enacted, most of which I agreed with, which is why he received my vote. Now he will find that much of what he hoped to achieve will not be possible as he is forced to take our country deeper into debt, so deep I question whether it will ever be possible to regain solvency. Printing more and more dollars merely cheapens the currency in circulation now. I know it is worthless for me to suggest a course of action because my thoughts will never be seen except by those few I am in contact with. Never the less I feel compelled to try.
We have all seen the oratorical skills Obama possesses. I still believe that deep down most of us are patriots who would sacrifice if they believed it was for the common good. This is his time. He could, if he is willing to take the risk, be one of our all time greatest presidents, but to accomplish this he must be bold and include the best ideas from both parties. McCain didn’t lose on Republican ideas. He lost because the Republican Party has lost their ideals of limited, frugal government. I would like to see Obama incorporate the old time Republicanism with Democratic Party concerns for the working people and those in need. The following items are just a few thoughts to illustrate what I mean.
1- Reduce or eliminate entirely business tax for corporations and businesses in this country, at the same time increasing taxes on corporations doing business overseas. This would have the immediate effect of increasing jobs for Americans. The costs might balance out, but even if they didn’t, putting our people back to work with decent wages would be a good expenditure of funds, far better than the billion dollar giveaways to huge corporations. They would be able to fend for themselves rather than ask for handouts. It would probably have to be fazed in gradually so as not to disrupt the system, but if corporations realized it was happening they would adjust. Think about it. Wouldn’t this be better than the current policy of providing incentives to move our jobs offshore, and by this I don’t only mean manufacturing jobs but also service jobs?
2- Take over the cost of health care so that this unfair burden is removed from American or foreign businesses operating in our country. This again would greatly increase our competitive ability to compete.
3- With the first two enacted, jobs would be created in all fields of endeavor not just road and bridge repair. Most needing employment do not possess the skill or physical ability to perform these construction jobs.
4- Instead of appropriations for infrastructure use increased gasoline taxes instead. Give a corresponding tax deduction other ways to counter this increased burden. Only in this way will we ever wean ourselves from oil dependency.
5- Drill, drill, drill. This was the slogan for the other party. It was not wrong. High taxes is the reason the oil companies have searched the world over when it is well known there are proven reserves in Alaska, N. Dakota, Colorado and off shore. Most people are upset with the exorbitant profits of the oil industry so this will be a tough sell. To compensate merely increase their foreign taxes as stated in #1 above. I, of course, support all other forms of energy still in the beginning stages of being successful. Proper financial incentives will get them going in a hurry. It could be exciting to watch.
6- Enact strict regulations to curb the abuses in finance that triggered the current crisis. Break up the mega corporations to smaller less disruptive and powerful than are in existence today.
7- Remove all political positions from the agencies so that they will be free as they were, before this last administration, to carry out their mission as they were legislated to do.
8- Remove all signing statements President Bush added to legislation passed which had the effect of stating he could ignore if he felt it would restrict him from doing what he wanted.
9- Reverse the many anti environmental directives Pres. Bush has enacted which are detrimental to preserving our wilderness, wildlife and environment. He has been pushing hard these last few months to reward the fat cats who benefit from degradation.
I could go on but when you try to do too much it all gets lost so I will end here except to say, please bring our troops home from Iraq and Afghanistan as soon as possible.
Jack B. Walters
3961 N. Hillwood Circle
Tucson, AZ 85750
(520) 722-2958
January 15, 2009
jackbwalters@yahoo.com
Monday, January 12, 2009
Aerial Shooting of Wolves in Alaska
(This was submitted to the letters to the editor page of the Anchorage Daily News)
What is wrong with Alaskans? Why were they persuaded by Governor Palin to support aerial shooting of wolfs and their cubs? This is the person who felt qualified to be a heartbeat away from being President. With a mindset that she possesses, I can see her enthusiastically sending our troops into harms way at the slightest provocation. If she has so little regard for wildlife why should she care about human life?
I urge you to reverse this decision and demand that this barbaric practice be stopped before she can accelerate the killing, as I have been informed she is determined to do. Show the world and me that Alaskans are better than this.
Jack B. Walters
3961 N. Hillwood Circle
Tucson, AZ 85750
(520) 722-2958
January 12, 2009
jackbwalters@yahoo.com
What is wrong with Alaskans? Why were they persuaded by Governor Palin to support aerial shooting of wolfs and their cubs? This is the person who felt qualified to be a heartbeat away from being President. With a mindset that she possesses, I can see her enthusiastically sending our troops into harms way at the slightest provocation. If she has so little regard for wildlife why should she care about human life?
I urge you to reverse this decision and demand that this barbaric practice be stopped before she can accelerate the killing, as I have been informed she is determined to do. Show the world and me that Alaskans are better than this.
Jack B. Walters
3961 N. Hillwood Circle
Tucson, AZ 85750
(520) 722-2958
January 12, 2009
jackbwalters@yahoo.com
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Wells Fargo- Wachovia
I am writing requesting a response on why Wachovia was not included in the list of banks who were the beneficiaries of the multi- billion dollar stimulus package approved several months ago? I have read that 92 banks were included. Why was the only recourse for Wachovia to be bought out by Wells Fargo?
Why does my Federal Government seem to favor larger and larger corporations? I have read that some of the funds granted by these huge mega banks have been used to buy up smaller banks. I have no way to confirm but you should be able to. I have also read that bonuses and other benefits are still being paid out to the high officials of these corporations as if their performance deserved it.
These corporations that are too big to fail, in my opinion, are too big. Returning to the days of local banks would be far more preferable than these monstrosities which are so big they can create havoc with the economy as they have done and are continuing to do.
Jack B. Walters
3961 N. Hillwood Circle
Tucson, AZ 85750
(520) 722-2958
January 11, 2009
jackbwalters@yahoo.com
Why does my Federal Government seem to favor larger and larger corporations? I have read that some of the funds granted by these huge mega banks have been used to buy up smaller banks. I have no way to confirm but you should be able to. I have also read that bonuses and other benefits are still being paid out to the high officials of these corporations as if their performance deserved it.
These corporations that are too big to fail, in my opinion, are too big. Returning to the days of local banks would be far more preferable than these monstrosities which are so big they can create havoc with the economy as they have done and are continuing to do.
Jack B. Walters
3961 N. Hillwood Circle
Tucson, AZ 85750
(520) 722-2958
January 11, 2009
jackbwalters@yahoo.com
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