The purpose of the gathering of “leaders” from the major countries was to find a way to restore fiscal sanity. They are all awash in debt with the exception of China which has so much of the world’s debt that they can’t spend it fast enough.
I find it extremely ironic that the estimated cost of Security was $900 million. Protesters assemble any time these mega conferences are held no matter which major city in the world. There is much to protest about but that is another topic. I certainly hope that the Mayor of Toronto promptly bills all 20 nations to cover this cost. The good citizens of Canada should not have to pay alone.
How about this for a suggestion, hold the next meeting on the island next to Ketchikan, Alaska? This is the place where the bridge to nowhere was to be built. They could meet in the hanger. Bring in trailers for their accommodations and eat simply.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Thursday, June 17, 2010
More letters, less Fitz
This letter was published in the Arizona daily star 6/15/2010.
I wrote it as they were filling up the editorial page with cartoons and editorial columns by David Fitzsimmons leaving minimal space for letters from people. For the record I did enjoy his walk around Tucson articles. They were informative and enjoyable. As a short term series it was OK. I only wrote when the Star gave him a large portion of the page for his political commentary which had the effect of shutting out average concerned citizens.
Is it your intention to keep reducing the space available on the editorial page so that fewer citizen's comments will be printed? Not only does Fitzsimmons have a cartoon but also a large column almost daily anymore. Some of us are growing weary with his placing us in the category of stupid and racist. I like to read articles from the people, not paid journalists.
I wrote it as they were filling up the editorial page with cartoons and editorial columns by David Fitzsimmons leaving minimal space for letters from people. For the record I did enjoy his walk around Tucson articles. They were informative and enjoyable. As a short term series it was OK. I only wrote when the Star gave him a large portion of the page for his political commentary which had the effect of shutting out average concerned citizens.
Is it your intention to keep reducing the space available on the editorial page so that fewer citizen's comments will be printed? Not only does Fitzsimmons have a cartoon but also a large column almost daily anymore. Some of us are growing weary with his placing us in the category of stupid and racist. I like to read articles from the people, not paid journalists.
No good to use Guard as paper pushers
This was published in the Arizona Daily Star- 6/1/2010
Do you really think that Americans are happy with the decision to send troops to the border? Perhaps they are but not me. It will be no different than the last time. They are not sent as soldiers but as paper pushers. They were not allowed contact with illegals or drug runners. They were forced to back down when they encountered men with AK-47's. Their officer was quoted as saying they followed orders. Of course they were. Why not instead call out and demand the invaders drop their weapons and surrender to authority. Then the message might finally get thru that our government meant business. It will not happen I can assure you.
Do you really think that Americans are happy with the decision to send troops to the border? Perhaps they are but not me. It will be no different than the last time. They are not sent as soldiers but as paper pushers. They were not allowed contact with illegals or drug runners. They were forced to back down when they encountered men with AK-47's. Their officer was quoted as saying they followed orders. Of course they were. Why not instead call out and demand the invaders drop their weapons and surrender to authority. Then the message might finally get thru that our government meant business. It will not happen I can assure you.
Washington failed on Gulf oil spill
This letter was published in the Arizona Daily Star on 5/30/2010.
The enormous oil spill in the Gulf is another clear example of why it seems Washington is incapable of doing the job we expect. In my opinion it was the lack of oversight on the part of regulatory agencies. The rules in regard to Nuclear Energy are so stringent as to make it nearly impossible to build and operate new plants. Why then are oil companies like B.P. allowed to drill in the Oceans off our shores without oversight to assure disasters like this can never happen? My answer is the cozy relationship between the corporations and the regulators. Personnel pass back and forth on a continuing basis with regulators rewarded with cushy jobs. This must end one way or another. This is not a political issue. It is business as usual. My only solution as an individual is throw out all incumbents and start over with ordinary citizens who care .
The enormous oil spill in the Gulf is another clear example of why it seems Washington is incapable of doing the job we expect. In my opinion it was the lack of oversight on the part of regulatory agencies. The rules in regard to Nuclear Energy are so stringent as to make it nearly impossible to build and operate new plants. Why then are oil companies like B.P. allowed to drill in the Oceans off our shores without oversight to assure disasters like this can never happen? My answer is the cozy relationship between the corporations and the regulators. Personnel pass back and forth on a continuing basis with regulators rewarded with cushy jobs. This must end one way or another. This is not a political issue. It is business as usual. My only solution as an individual is throw out all incumbents and start over with ordinary citizens who care .
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Still Angry
I have just published my third book. The title is "Still Angry". It is similer to my "The Last Angry Man" book which was published in 2006. This latest one covers the years from 2007 to the present. Many of the articles found in my web site were put together in book form. The list price is $25.38. I have given away many copies. I plan to sell on Amazon if possible. Making money is obviously not my purpose. My purpose is to try to understand the world we live in and I suggest many ways improvement could be achieved. I would like to reach as many people as possible.
Saturday, May 22, 2010
The Hole in Our Gospel by Richard Stearns
I missed the discussion led by Ken Kolenbrander and Anne Donovan the day this book was discussed so I didn’t hear whatever they had to say about it. Since then my good friend Ausma loaned me her copy to read. I have just finished and while it is still fresh I will attempt to state what I gleaned from it.
It was well written and clearly stated the needs of the people of the world but more importantly described how their condition could be improved if only those of us proclaiming to be Christian actually began to live as Christians. I include myself in this condemnation as there were many times in my life when I looked the other way. Without being too hard on myself I did my best to provide for my family, my company, our employees, our customers and our community. We were always active participants in our church and made contributions with treasure and talent whenever we could. I only share these thoughts as all thru the book Mr. Stearns asks us to think in terms of individuals with the sure conviction that if we did we could change the world.
There is a chapter on Time, Talent and Treasure. It matters not if we are billionaires we can make a difference. There are some at Rosemont that work in soup kitchens. Others visit the sick and offer friendship and companionship. There are many ways to help others less fortunate than ourselves.
There was a study made that is mentioned in the book. It compared the lives of people who claimed to be born again Christians and Atheists. Their behavior was very similar, much of which was not to be admired. He takes from this that words don’t determine actions but good works do. He insists that faith is foremost but also that faith without good works is empty. He points out the staggering sum that could be amassed if Christians as a dedicated group would tithe and give a substantial portion to improve the lives of those less fortunate than ourselves.
I am going to close by saying that most of us consider that we are a Christian Nation. If that is so, why do we spend staggering sums on armaments of all kinds? How can this be doing Christ’s work in this world? A tiny portion used properly could help to improve lives and reduce hatred among nations and religions. Our government thinks granting loans so countries can purchase arms from our protected defense industries, is being of benefit. I say no. Help dig wells, build school houses, treat the sick and show them how to be self sufficient, the benefit of that type of program would be beneficial and who knows we just might increase harmony throughout the world. Perhaps even other religions might want to participate in humanitarian programs as well.
The HOLE he refers to is the lack of carrying out God’s promises. Mouthing platitudes and singing in the Choir on Sunday just isn’t enough. I hope many of you will read this book and further that discussion groups probe it further.
Jack B. Walters
May 22, 2010
It was well written and clearly stated the needs of the people of the world but more importantly described how their condition could be improved if only those of us proclaiming to be Christian actually began to live as Christians. I include myself in this condemnation as there were many times in my life when I looked the other way. Without being too hard on myself I did my best to provide for my family, my company, our employees, our customers and our community. We were always active participants in our church and made contributions with treasure and talent whenever we could. I only share these thoughts as all thru the book Mr. Stearns asks us to think in terms of individuals with the sure conviction that if we did we could change the world.
There is a chapter on Time, Talent and Treasure. It matters not if we are billionaires we can make a difference. There are some at Rosemont that work in soup kitchens. Others visit the sick and offer friendship and companionship. There are many ways to help others less fortunate than ourselves.
There was a study made that is mentioned in the book. It compared the lives of people who claimed to be born again Christians and Atheists. Their behavior was very similar, much of which was not to be admired. He takes from this that words don’t determine actions but good works do. He insists that faith is foremost but also that faith without good works is empty. He points out the staggering sum that could be amassed if Christians as a dedicated group would tithe and give a substantial portion to improve the lives of those less fortunate than ourselves.
I am going to close by saying that most of us consider that we are a Christian Nation. If that is so, why do we spend staggering sums on armaments of all kinds? How can this be doing Christ’s work in this world? A tiny portion used properly could help to improve lives and reduce hatred among nations and religions. Our government thinks granting loans so countries can purchase arms from our protected defense industries, is being of benefit. I say no. Help dig wells, build school houses, treat the sick and show them how to be self sufficient, the benefit of that type of program would be beneficial and who knows we just might increase harmony throughout the world. Perhaps even other religions might want to participate in humanitarian programs as well.
The HOLE he refers to is the lack of carrying out God’s promises. Mouthing platitudes and singing in the Choir on Sunday just isn’t enough. I hope many of you will read this book and further that discussion groups probe it further.
Jack B. Walters
May 22, 2010
Friday, May 21, 2010
Flyboys-a book review
By James Bradley
Mr. Bradley also authored Flags of Our Fathers. I have read both books. He is another author that does extensive research before writing. This included personal visits with Japanese soldiers who were involved with captive flyers on the Island of Chichi Jima. This was an outpost manned by 35,000 soldiers. It had two mountain peaks which had been used to install radio equipment for communication to Japan. It was located near to Iwo Jima. There were eight prisoners. Only one lived. He had been sent to Japan and survived the war. Another pilot shot down near the island was rescued by a submarine. His name was George H.W. Bush. The two crew members in his plane did not survive.
One by one the prisoners were executed after being stabbed with sharp sticks or bayonets. They were then beheaded and in a number of instances their livers and strips of flesh from their thighs were cut out and fed to officers. This all came to light during interrogation. The details were filled in by Mr. Bradley hunting down and persuading soldiers to tell their story.
The main story is about these men as young lads who eagerly signed up to be part of the Navy’s Air Arm, some as pilots, others as gunners or radio men. We get to know them and their families.
Woven into the book is a snapshot of how brutal the war was on both sides. The Japanese soldiers were treated harshly by their officers and non coms. They were taught to obey all orders without question. If they died it was for the Emperor and they would be rewarded. The slaughter of Chinese soldiers and civilians was carried out methodically and without any semblance of humanity.
One of the stories is about the B-24 Bombers taking off from an Aircraft Carrier to bomb Japan early in 1942. Psychologically it was effective both in America and Japan. We needed a lift from all the bad news. The Japanese were stunned that the war could come to their sacred lands. All of the planes crashed before reaching the Chinese Airfields due to the task force being discovered 200 miles short of the planned take off. To punish the Chinese over 200,000 were slaughtered in the area closest to Japan as they assumed the planes had used airfields in China.
We do not always come off as the good guys. The author traces our history leading to this latest conflict. I will let you discover the data when you read the book. Read it and get a refresher on how brutal war is.
Jack B. Walters
May 21, 2010
Mr. Bradley also authored Flags of Our Fathers. I have read both books. He is another author that does extensive research before writing. This included personal visits with Japanese soldiers who were involved with captive flyers on the Island of Chichi Jima. This was an outpost manned by 35,000 soldiers. It had two mountain peaks which had been used to install radio equipment for communication to Japan. It was located near to Iwo Jima. There were eight prisoners. Only one lived. He had been sent to Japan and survived the war. Another pilot shot down near the island was rescued by a submarine. His name was George H.W. Bush. The two crew members in his plane did not survive.
One by one the prisoners were executed after being stabbed with sharp sticks or bayonets. They were then beheaded and in a number of instances their livers and strips of flesh from their thighs were cut out and fed to officers. This all came to light during interrogation. The details were filled in by Mr. Bradley hunting down and persuading soldiers to tell their story.
The main story is about these men as young lads who eagerly signed up to be part of the Navy’s Air Arm, some as pilots, others as gunners or radio men. We get to know them and their families.
Woven into the book is a snapshot of how brutal the war was on both sides. The Japanese soldiers were treated harshly by their officers and non coms. They were taught to obey all orders without question. If they died it was for the Emperor and they would be rewarded. The slaughter of Chinese soldiers and civilians was carried out methodically and without any semblance of humanity.
One of the stories is about the B-24 Bombers taking off from an Aircraft Carrier to bomb Japan early in 1942. Psychologically it was effective both in America and Japan. We needed a lift from all the bad news. The Japanese were stunned that the war could come to their sacred lands. All of the planes crashed before reaching the Chinese Airfields due to the task force being discovered 200 miles short of the planned take off. To punish the Chinese over 200,000 were slaughtered in the area closest to Japan as they assumed the planes had used airfields in China.
We do not always come off as the good guys. The author traces our history leading to this latest conflict. I will let you discover the data when you read the book. Read it and get a refresher on how brutal war is.
Jack B. Walters
May 21, 2010
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