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

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

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

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

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

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