Yuletide Greetings

Merry Christmas! The season for giving is once again upon us. This is the time of year to once again marvel at the kindness of humanity. Of course, the world is in a state of turmoil but no matter the eventual outcome, our families and friends are the things that should always remain foremost in our thoughts. Without them, our individual existence is of relative unimportance. Family and friends provide the necessary cement to keep us grounded in reality.

It has been quite awhile since I've attempted to put anything to pen. I've spent the past month or so, traveling, working and watching my fellow man. One thing above all others stood out to me. While we often strive to place our differences with each other front and center, it is our commonalities that place us together. I recently watched the Cowboys and Packers football game on the San Felipe Indian Reservation. I was the only non Indian in the TV room. It was a great experience to watch football and listen to my fellow sports fans as they conversed in their native tongue. They were friendly and even tried to teach me some simple phrases in their language. Much to their humor, I struggled miserably to master their linguistic cadence. It was a great evening, eating fry bread, watching football and laughing at the troop of young kids wrestling on the floor in front of the big screen TV. For me, this was a microcosm of all that is good about America.

During this season, I feel that we should all remember who we are, where we have come from and, where we hope to go. We all should treasure our family and friends. Be thankful for all that you have and set your worries aside until after the New Year. Merry Christmas to all!

De Oppresso Liber

Veterans Day Remembrances

All Americans should pause for a moment on this Veterans Day to think of the sacrifices their fellow countrymen have given for them. Unfortunately, many of us never really think about our veterans. This lackadaisical attitude has become even more prevalent with an all volunteer military force. Many people claim to "support the troops" while our forces are on the battlefields of Afghanistan and Iraq however, bumper stickers are a relatively small sacrifice to pay. How many of us have thanked a serviceman or servicewoman lately? Are we too concerned with worrying about ourselves? Do we ever consider the values that members of the military hold dear? Have you ever tried to define service to country or patriotism? Is there an appreciable difference between a veteran and a non-veteran? Do our children understand the differences between the trivialities of life and the life of our nation? I can only hope that some of us think about these things.

Veterans are basically no different than the rest of us. They want to succeed, be happy, and live a comfortable life. That said, all of them have answered a higher calling. It does not matter whether they served as a conscript in earlier times or, as a volunteer now or then. Veterans have all experienced life beyond themselves. The military is a microcosm of America and its members come from all walks of life. The defense of our country bonds them together in search of a common goal. All of them possess a deep love of country and often have a difficult time understanding their fellow citizens who confuse opposing governmental policies with condemnation of their own nation.

Every veteran is different however, the majority of them hold some values in common. There are four values that veterans hold dear. They are integrity, humility, courage, and knowledge. Personal integrity is of paramount importance for them. It is simple to define: Veterans say what they'll do and do what they say. Humility is also important. Veterans subjugate personal wants, desires, and accolades and pull their weight as a member of a team. Veterans value courage. This is not limited to courage under fire. Veterans have the courage to do the right thing regardless of personal sacrifice and the ability to hold their compatriots to set standards of behavior. Veterans understand the importance of knowledge. They realize that the pursuit of knowledge is a never ending task. The only way to avoid a paradigm is to constantly strive for the acquisition of new knowledge and skills.

All veterans served their country for personal reasons and the rest of us who either couldn't or simply didn't feel the desire to serve our nation owe all of them an immeasurable debt of gratitude. They represent all that is good about America and their legacy extends from wintry Valley Forge to the heat of Baghdad. We all would be well served if even a few of us could escape our narcissism for only a moment and remember the sacrifices of our veterans.

De Oppresso Liber

Society and the Individual

Where is the line which separates societal responsibility for a fellow citizen and an individual's sense of self reliance? Society does not want to appear hard hearted however, mandated assistance oftentimes becomes a hindrance to personal development. As the old saying goes, "you can't help those that don't want to help themselves." Many Americans confuse equality in life with equality of opportunity. Anyone who vainly seeks a guarantee in life is doomed to disappointment.

Individuality is a cornerstone of American culture. Unlike many countries in the world, we stress the importance of the individual in our society. This importance provides one with vast opportunities. Along with opportunities comes personal accountability. Why do many of us wait for what we feel we are owed by society? Is this not a waste of time? Of course there are those amongst us who have a genuine need but unfortunately, there are many others eagerly awaiting freebies.

We all can agree that the flooding of New Orleans during hurricane Katrina was horrific however, think back on the incessant cries for assistance. Mississippi suffered inundation and full strength hurricane winds. Property damage exceeded that of New Orleans and yet, the populace bent with the wind, analyzed their predicament, established work priorities and, commenced with reconstruction. The residents of New Orleans clamored for assistance. Were mistakes made at all levels of government? Of course, but government is always inefficient. Government has a role to play however, the strength of the individual in time of need will always supersede any governmental agency.

More recently we have all watched the wildfires in Southern California. Property damage has been extensive however, where was the looting and incoherent cries for assistance or endless charges of blame? Like Mississippi, the residents of Southern California have displayed inordinate courage as we have watched them take charge of their own situation. Will they require governmental assistance? Of course they will but the key word is "assistance". They will take the lead in reconstructing their lives.

Every individual is responsible for what he or she does or does not do. We all can use a helping hand now and again but the expectation of such help in lieu of personal effort leads to the disintegration of a flourishing democracy. If all of us would set personal goals, endeavor to achieve them, adjust them as necessary and, only seek assistance to supplement our own efforts in time of need, then America would shine even more brightly.

De Oppresso Liber

Spiritual Faith and Religion

Air America has recently launched a new national radio program for atheists, agnostics and, other non-believers. The title for the show is Freethought Radio and is co-hosted by Dan Barker and his wife, Annie Laurie Gaylor. Barker is a former evangelical minister and Gaylor is co-chair of the atheist organization, Freedom of Religion Foundation. The show's objective is to reach an audience clamoring for freedom from a continuous religious diatribe. We shall see. According to recent polls, over 70% of those polled in America describe themselves as Christian. If those numbers are correct, this show does not have a large population base from which to draw an audience. The show hopes to "enlighten" individuals by proving that the founding fathers did not establish this country as a Christian nation and that "dangerous" theocratic control of our government is now a problem.

Oftentimes, atheists tend to lump spiritual faith and religion into a single category. They also seldom mention the world's other two major monotheistic faiths. Why do they not aggressively condemn Judaism and Islam? If atheists don't believe in God, then they should provide equality in their condemnation of religion and its believers. I've searched the Internet and could not find any atheistic arguments against Buddhism, Hinduism or any other religions. No, atheists primarily reserve their antagonistic energies for Christianity. This begs one to ask the question, why? Of course, each individual atheist would have to answer this question for him or herself.

According to atheists, religion has been a major force in the destruction of people and civilizations through warfare. On the surface, they seem to be correct in this assumption however; was it religion or the tendency of man to claim power over others which led to these cataclysmic conflicts? I argue that the weakness of man's spirituality led to warfare. Three of the world's most vicious leaders led their regimes to slaughter their opposition in the 20th century. Adolf Hitler, Joseph Stalin and, Mao-se-tung were all atheists. What role did religion play with these leaders as they led the destruction of their fellow man?

A primary weakness, in my view, with the atheistic argument is their assumption that spirituality or faith are by necessity commingled with religion. Spirituality and faith reside within oneself. Religion is a code of behavior for the individual and a set of standardized ceremonies for the group. Groups of people, whether religious or secular, require an organized set of rules governing behavior. Without this, anarchy ensues and the civilization begins to feed on itself until it is destroyed. Even Plato knew the importance of spirituality in human society. He wrote that a nation cannot be strong unless it believes in God. He felt that a living God could control the individual's desire for greed and self interest. He also felt that if the the individual believed in an afterlife, he would control his behavior in his present life and be better prepared to face his own mortality and the mortality of his loved owns.

The modern trend in secular America is to claim that the founding fathers democratic principles were not based on any type of Christian philosophy and that this nation is not a Christian nation. They are correct in stating that we are not a Christian nation, that is to say, we are not a theocracy. We are however, a nation founded on Christian principles. Our legal system is a modification of English common law which itself, is based on many of the tenets found within the Old and New Testaments. Governments control their behavior through common social principles and in our case, the founders drew from the religious principles that immigrated to our shores from Europe. Of course, we can assume that atheists colonized this land too however, what was their demographic presence within the total population? I will argue that their presence was at best peripheral. Thomas Paine is a modern symbol of anti-religious fervor. His letters attacking the Episcopal faith survive to this day. His overt attacks on religion destroyed his notoriety gained from penning the call for independence, "Common Sense". Why did he die in abject poverty, shunned by his fellow man? Apparently, contrary to what many modern day secularists would have you believe, there were quite a few believers who were uncomfortable with Paine's positions.

Many atheists declare that Benjamin Franklin was a non-believer. This is a falsehood. As with all mankind, Franklin struggled internally with his spirituality. He was a Deist and a non practicing Presbyterian. This passage from his autobiography proves that he believed in God: "I had been religiously educated as a Presbyterian; and tho' some of the Dogmas of that Persuasion, such as the Eternal Decrees of God, Election, Reprobation, &c. appear'd to me unintelligible, others doubtful, I early absented myself from the Public Assemblies of the Sect, Sunday being my Studying-Day, I never was without some religious principles; I never doubted, for instance, the Existance of the Deity, that he made the World, and govern'd it by his Providence; that the most acceptable Service of God was the doing Good to man; that our Souls are immortal; and that all Crime will be punished and Virtue rewarded either here or hereafter; these I esteem'd the essentials of every Religion, and being to be found in all the Religions we had in our Country I respected them all, tho' with different degrees of Respect as I found them more or less mix'd with other Articles which without any Tendency to inspire, promote or confirm Morality, serv'd principally to divide us and make us unfriendly to one another." Clearly, Franklin had serious issues with religious organizations but he had no reservations with faith. This quote from his own pen clearly shows the discrepancy within the atheist argument. Religion and belief need not be bonded together. By the way, Franklin was a member of the First and Second Continental Congresses, the committee for the drafting of the Declaration of Independence, as well as, the debate, drafting and, ratification of our Constitution. His belief in Christian principles more than likely had an impact on events in the revolutionary period.

I could bore you with example after example of the commingling of Christian principle, French Enlightenment and, Greek democratic philosophies during the revolutionary period however, it would serve little purpose. All I ask is that you not believe me merely because of a single example. Look at the correspondence from the revolutionary period for yourself and while you are doing it, write down the number of times you find God referenced. Make sure you have a large pad of paper and a new pen at hand for you will need it.

I have no problem with this radio show nor the atheistic desire to have a voice in our society. It is their right as Americans. As a man of faith I do not fear their arguments nor do I judge them. All I ask is that they treat us Christians with the same respect that our Christian principles demand we accord them.

De Oppresso Liber

Warfare versus Rules of Engagement

Two Special Forces operators are facing charges of premeditated murder in Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Mr. Paul von Zielbauer, of the NY Times in the September 18th issue, has written a thorough piece detailing the predicament that these two men now face. The two men, CPT David Staffel and MSG Troy Anderson are members of the 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) and were on a mission in Afghanistan to support our nation's efforts in the Global War on Terror.

Special Forces is a unique military unit composed of extremely unique men. It is not simply a matter of being what some have called an elite fighting force. Special Forces missions are highly sensitive, low profile and often dangerous. We operate far from friendly forces with often very little external support available to us. All of the men must be highly independent by nature and capable of making quick decisions based on the rules of land warfare and the rules of engagement (ROE) for each specific mission. Our missions require that the ROE be extremely clear and not open to interpretation. Theater commanders have a special operations cell (SOC)within their staff structure. The SOC insures that the ROE allow mission success and protect the force. The SOC is normally commanded by a Brigadier General. BG Frank H. Kearny III was the SOCCENT at the time of this incident.

According to Mr. Wapel, the attorney for CPT Staffel, this mission was a classic high value target interdiction mission. The ROE were crystal clear and the two men confirmed their target's identification prior to engagement. These team members did not covertly break contact after completing the mission. As with most of our missions, this specific action was a subset of the overall mission for the detachment. In order to limit the negative effects this action may have had on the local populace, the two men, with their Afghan counterparts, explained to the local populace why this action was taken.

Their target, Mr. Nawab Buntangyar, was a known enemy combatant in the detachment's area of responsibility. He was on a high value target list. Special Forces Alpha detachments (SFODA) are normally controlled by a Forward Operating Base (FOB) Bravo detachment. FOBs can be controlled by a Special Forces Operating Base (SFOB) or by the SOC in theater. Either way, SFODAs do not come up with their own targeting list. They provide intelligence to the FOB and the FOB forwards this information to the SFOB or SOC. The SFOB or SOC develop the target list. SFODAs don't develop their own missions. They receive their mission, develop a course of action to complete the mission, back brief their intent to higher headquarters and, only execute their ground actions after receiving the approval of higher headquarters.

BG Kearney was the commander of the SOCCENT at the time of this incident. His assignment to this position is alarming. Special Forces missions are often opaque in nature. Within the US Army, all special operations forces fall under the control of the United States Army Special Operations Command (USASOC). All Special Forces and Ranger units fall under this command structure. In my experience, it is extremely unusual for the commander of a theater SOC to not be Special Forces qualified. I searched the Internet for LTG Kearney's biography. I found it at http://www.special-operations-technology.com/. The following is a chronological list of his assignments:

1. 4th Infantry Division
2. 2nd Battalion (Ranger), 75th ID
3. 3rd Battalion (Ranger), 75th ID
4. 1st Battalion, 501st INF
5. Commander, 3rd Battalion (Ranger), 75th ID
6. Various Joint Commands
7. SOCCENT (March 2005)
8. Deputy Commander USASOC

He does not list attendance to the Special Forces Qualification Course or any of our other Special Forces specific schools. He also is not wearing a Special Forces tab in his photograph. This is extremely bothersome. It is not a matter of a "turf war" between Green Berets and Rangers. Ranger missions, though exceedingly dangerous and difficult, are not of the same nature as Special Forces missions. I fear that LTG (Recently promoted to 3 Star General) Kearney's apparent inexperience with Special Forces missions may have influenced his decision making process to charge these two men with premeditated murder.

As a former Special Forces operator with 21 years of experience, I have serious reservations with this case. Why was an apparently non-SF qualified general officer in charge of the SOCCENT? Why did he override the findings of justifiable homicide in April of 2007 by the US Army Criminal Investigative Division (CID)? Why was a paralegal (SFC Scott R. Haarer) and not a high ranking officer, the individual who signed the forms charging these two men with premeditated murder? According to this paralegal's own notarized statement for the defense, he would not have signed these charge accusations if he had known that CID had already cleared CPT Staffel and MSG Anderson.

Special Forces is an extremely tight knit community. An individual never truly leaves the force. It is a part of who you are until the day you die. It is difficult to believe that our own community may be feeding on itself. I would lead the charge condemning these two men's actions if they had abrogated the rules of land warfare or the ROE. Given the information available to us, I do not believe that they are guilty of anything more than completing their mission successfully.

The men in Special Forces are all unique however, we do have some commonalities:

1. Duty, Honor and, Loyalty to Country
2. Duty, Honor and, Loyalty to the Force
3. Duty, Honor and, Loyalty to the Mission
4. Duty, Honor and, Loyalty to our Teammates

We are now involved in an extremely difficult form of warfare. There are many buzzwords and acronyms being used to describe the modern battlefield. One can call it asymmetrical or opaque, it doesn't much matter. Our Special Forces operators only need three things to successfully complete their assigned missions:

1. Clarity of Mission
2. Clarity of the Rules of Engagement
3. Commander's Intent Two Levels Higher

The American populace is relatively unaware of the plight these two men face. Hopefully, some of us will become aware of it and demand that LTG Kearny explain his actions. Force protection also includes force morale. In Special Forces, we do not have the latitude in time to wonder if our own command is going to go on a witch hunt for no apparent reason. My thoughts go out to these two men and their families.

De Oppresso Liber

Adieu To A Best Friend

In the fast paced world of today, it is all too easy to lose sight of the things that are truly important in life. We tend to become absorbed in the turmoil swirling around us and fail to notice the simple beauty of life. Those in search of a best friend have never experienced the limitless friendship of a loyal hunting dog. My family has been lucky enough to have spent the past 12 years in the presence of such a friend.

We got our little bundle of brown fur with over sized feet and an otter like tail over a decade ago. The Lion King was all the rage at the time, so for luck, we named her Nala in honor of the young female lion cub from this film. As with all Labradors, Nala's primary concern was food, followed closely by extended periods of romping. She quickly became a valued member of our home. Her cheerfulness was infectious. By 4 months she had mastered the art of fishing for brook trout in the fast moving creeks of the Colorado Rockies. We didn't catch many fish. I think they didn't appreciate her jumping into the water trying to catch them in her mouth before I had even wet my line. Her eagerness to catch fish paid off by the age of two. Once while jump shooting ducks on the South Platte River between Eleven Mile and Antero Reservoirs, much to my chagrin, I turned around to see her crossing the river with a large Kokanee in her mouth. The spawn was on and fish were everywhere. I reminded her that she was fishing in a barbless hook fly area and told her that she had to release the fish unharmed. Unperturbed, she did as told and ended up retrieving a limit of greenheads on that cold autumn day.

All great hunting dogs teach their handlers more than the handlers teach their canine charges. Once a handler teaches a dog to come, sit, stay, heel, follow voice and whistle commands, and not jump the gun, he is ready for the dog to instruct him on the most efficient ways to make game. So it was with Nala. She regularly reminded me of Homo sapiens deficiencies as a bird hunter. More than once, I was sure that she had lost her mind as she worked quail or pheasant cover that she, not I, had selected. After all, I knew where the birds were. Do you have any idea how difficult it is to apologize to a set of piercing canine eyes for missing birds while at the same time trying to shuck your expended shells from your breech? I'll go to my grave believing that I actually saw her shaking her head in disgust at my shotgunning skills as she trotted off to work the next bit of cover. More than I care to admit, she retrieved birds that I didn't even see fall. We hunted Gambels and Scaled quail for an entire season in West Texas one year. I scolded her the first couple of times that she refused to leave the area that the birds had flown towards after I had shot. However, after having brought unseen downed game to hand on more than one occasion, I learned to keep my opinions to myself.

As with all Labradors, Nala lived for waterfowl hunting. Her exploits in the marshes could fill a large book. I'll never understand just how she knew birds were inbound but, she could be sound asleep at my side and suddenly wake up and watch the skies over the decoys. I quickly learned that this was my cue to get ready for action. She also learned, on the rare occasion that I was awake while she was dozing, to listen for my gun safety to be clicked off. I will miss her gently pulling my hat off by the bill, her body warmth, and goofy Lab nibbles in a cold duck blind.

Hunting was only a portion of Nala's life. She was central to our home. My wife was her closest friend. Being girls, they related well. They watched TV together, did chores, and played. Nala's toy container would be the envy of many a child. I think she enjoyed pulling them all out and spreading them around the house and then kicking back and watching my wife pick them all up. Our cats adored her. Ebenezer, our youngest cat, dared to steal food while Nala ate from her bowl. Nala never complained. Sometimes she growled at the cats but they didn't believe her. In fact, they usually sniffed her face while she was growling at them.

Unfortunately, life is a circle and Nala's has been completed. Tomorrow she will venture forth to a new hunting covert where the gamebirds are plentiful, hold tight, and the gunner she is working with never misses. Cancer has destroyed her present form. To say that I will miss her is an understatement. Hunt 'em up, girl!

De Oppresso Liber

World Events + Work + Life = Procrastination

Is it not ironic that the older you get the faster time flies? It seems to me that per usual, this summer has flown by. Once again, I've only accomplished approximately one third of the projects that I had originally set out to finish. August is at our doorstep, ready to lead the charge into fall. As with most of us, I have numerous excuses such as work, family, and recreational pursuits for not completing my chores or being able to come up with anything interesting to write about.

It is not as if the World has remained dormant this summer. It has been excessively hot here in the West but then again, that is to be expected. I believe the desert regions of Nevada, West Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, and California have been rather suffocatingly hot for the last few thousand years; or, is this a recent occurrence due to global warming? I'll call Al Gore and see what he thinks. Of course we all know by now of our impending doom, but as for me, I'm buying stock in garment companies that manufacture insulated clothing. This way, I'll reap a huge stock dividend when these same scientists jump the gun and declare an upcoming ice age.

Of course the Global War on Terrorism trudges on unless that is, you happen to be John Edwards and believe that this war is no more factual than Snow White and the Seven Dwarves. Politics is a weird game of seeing how many voters the candidate can convince into believing that he or she is the greatest thing since ice cream in August. The presidential race is now in full swing and everyone is interested. Fret not however, the new TV season starts in September and nobody will pay attention any longer to the pontifications of a few windbags attempting to promise your personal deliverance from all of your worries. If only we would even make the attempt to be responsible for ourselves and our own actions, then perhaps these politicians would get the message, stop talking and try doing for a change. I guess that the transient citizens of Washington D.C. haven't yet realized that the electorate is cynical and no longer tuned in to their incessant hyperbole. The military, on the other hand, remains focused. I ran into a Special Forces "A" team in the Safeway store in Hawthorne, Nevada and none of them were unclear as to their mission, its effect on national policy, or the long term effects that their efforts would have in slowly strangling the hold of terrorism in the Middle East. This will be the second tour in theater for the majority of the team members. I guess they didn't get the message the first time out with regards to the inefficacy of their efforts so, they're being sent back to get it right this time. I am speaking in jest and I was extremely proud to see that the "Force" is in good hands. The team members looked fit, charismatic, knowledgeable and yet, to the man they maintained an air of quiet dignity. Sometimes I truly miss being around such "men". Those of you who have never felt the sting of battle or had to endure unbelievable hardships will never truly know what it means to be alive or to have a camaraderie with men such as these.

Seriously, all sarcasm aside, these men have given me a renewed sense of urgency to follow the path of our country. I am currently investigating the House and Senate Armed Services Committees. I am in the data acquisition stage of my work. I am trying to find out how many members have been to Afghanistan and Iraq and I intend to collate their political stance with their presence, or lack thereof, in the theater of operations. Thankfully, this task will only require my laptop, access to the Internet, and a cold glass of ice tea. I guess all of those outdoor projects will have to wait until next summer. Oh well, my yard isn't going anywhere.

De Oppresso Liber

Individualism: Lost or Found?

In today's fast paced world, we oftentimes seem to have lost our way. We have become preoccupied with scurrying about and spending the majority of our daily lives interfacing with a myriad of electronic communication implements. When did we stop paying attention to the importance of developing social bonds? Will our fascination with technology alter the fabric of our communities? Has the identity of the individual become obscured by the accoutrement of communication devices hanging from their clothing? Nobody can know the answer to these questions however, I believe that the search for happiness lies within oneself. The battle between external influences and internal aspirations is nothing new. It has been ongoing since man began to think. Philosophers from the 1840's dealt with these same issues. Two of the more preeminent thinkers were, Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau. Both men challenged the populace to search within themselves and to leave their fascination with scurrying about behind.

Emerson's Self Reliance and Thoreau's Civil Disobedience remain relevant today. Both essays challenge the individual to stand alone and be responsible for his own actions. In their opinion, strong, well balanced individuals serve as the building blocks for viable communities.

Emerson challenged us to think anew. I find two passages from Self Reliance to be especially salient in today's world. The two passages are: "Whoso would be a man must be a nonconformist. He who would gather immortal palms must not be hindered by the name of goodness, but must explore if it be goodness. Nothing is at last sacred but the integrity of your own mind." and, "A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored by little statesmen and philosophers and divines."

Thoreau did likewise. His thoughts from Civil Disobedience are too numerous to mention in a short essay. Two passages relevant for me are: "There are nine hundred and ninety-nine patrons of virtue to one virtuous man." and, "O for a man who is a man, and, as my neighbor says, has a bone in his back which you cannot pass your hand through!"

I wouldn't dare to presuppose that I could answer the questions which arise from these four passages however, I do propose that the challenge issued by these two great thinkers is a challenge worthy of acceptance. The search to discover who and what you were, who you presently are and, what or who you will become is the very essence of life. It is a difficult path full of pitfalls and missteps however, I believe it is one worthy of the adventure. The key to this adventure is the fact that it is a never ending journey. Let the journey begin!

De Oppresso Liber

Summertime Doldrums

Unfortunately, not much has happened over the past two weeks. The war in Iraq goes on; Rosie couldn't take the heat and disappeared into seclusion; Paris Hilton is well, Paris Hilton and, once again, the Senate has proven that dysfunction reigns supreme in Washington D.C. It is small wonder that our country seems to be merely treading water most of the time. So, what do I do when not much else is happening? I venture forth into my yard and dig in the dirt. There is a therapeutic value in getting dirt under your fingernails. It gives one time to think.

Have you ever noticed how beautiful flowers are? We had a cat pass away last week. He was a great pal who had been with us for 19 years. Yesterday, my wife and I planted a flowerbed over his grave. It is a small affair and yet, it seems a fitting tribute for a true friend, even though he was a quadruped and incapable of speech. At times, he seemed to understand us better than anyone else. He was loyal, humorous, rambunctious and a lover of the sun. We will miss him dearly. I'm sure his spirit is in feline heaven and the newly planted flowers will grow beautiful as they absorb his essence as it returns to the earth.

I'm still working on an appropriate method to engage the philosophy of individual responsibility. Thankfully, Rosie, Paris, and the Congress have given me plenty to think about. So, back to the yard I go, trowel in hand, ready to engage my mind. Happy digging.

De Oppresso Liber

Memorial Day: Duty, Honor, Country

Memorial Day is once again upon us and whether we travel, camp, barbecue, visit with friends and relatives or simply relax, it is imperative that we all take a moment to remember those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for our great nation. Personal opinions on current or past military campaigns are irrelevant during this period of national introspection. Nobody has ever given more to our country than the soldier killed in combat and the family he left behind.

Our current operations in Iraq and Afghanistan have highlighted the sacrifices made by an extremely small percentage of our nation's youth. Less than 1% volunteer to serve our nation in the profession of arms. Some have called for the reinstatement of mandatory conscription however, I disagree with their opinion. I served for 21 years as a Special Forces NCO in the US Army and I know that our all volunteer military is the most highly trained, intelligent and motivated force our nation has ever sent to combat. Individuals who decide not serve in the military also have a responsibility to our nation. How will each of them decide to serve their fellow man? Do they, or do they not, also have the responsibility to serve others? Many ideologues, opposed to any cause for war, denigrate the military's philosophy of duty, honor, country. I would simply ask these individuals to stop and ruminate over Plato's famous words, " Only the dead have seen the end of war." Many argue that humanity has developed to a point where warfare is no longer necessary. They feel that the soldier is an extension of jingoistic nationalism. I disagree with their contentions. Mankind has not developed beyond war nor, in my opinion, will we ever. Our world is full of actions and reactions, polar opposition, cause and effect, etc. Utopia is a dream, not reality.

General Douglas MacArthur delivered a famous address to West Point on May 12, 1962. The title of his speech was, "Duty, Honor, Country." General MacArthur defined the true meaning of duty, honor, country. Any organization requires a code of ethics to define it's conduct. The military's code of ethics is, duty, honor, country. It is incumbent upon those who have never served to pause for a moment and think about these three words; duty, honor, country. What do these words mean to the American soldier? Naturally, the definition of this code will vary with each soldier however, these definitions will only differ on the periphery of the code. What do I mean by this? As a soldier rises through the ranks and begins to lead other men, his relationship with the code deepens. This code serves as the granite foundation upon which each soldier will construct who he is and what he will become.

General MacArthur's observations on Duty, Honor, Country include:

1. Ethics of the American soldier.
2. Code of conduct and chivalry on the field of battle.
3. What you ought to be, what you can be, what you will be.
4. Build character.
5. Strong enough to know when you're weak and brave enough to face fear.
6. Pride.
7. Humility.
8. Master yourself before you try to master others.

As we all enjoy the weekend, I simply ask that you find some time to remember our fallen comrades in arms. As you do this, remember General MacArthur's famous words, "The soldier, above all other men, is required to practice the greatest act of religious training -- sacrifice."

De Oppresso Liber

Free Speech Versus Irresponsible Speech

I've spent the better part of this past week simmering with anger over the fallacious remarks made by Rosie O'Donnell on the May 1st episode of the popular ABC TV show; The View. Ricki Lake was a guest host for this show. I spent the better part of my adult life serving my country. A career soldier and his or her family never truly leave the military. The military is, in point of fact, a large extended family. By and large, we don't appreciate condescending comments from those on the outside. Rosie chose to insult the intelligence of our military. The following dialogue is taken from You Tube.com:

O'Donnell: Wait, can I say something? Why do people enlist in the military?

Lake: To get an education, and they're poor.

O'Donnell: Thank you.

Lake: and that's the only way to get one.

O'Donnell: The vast majority - Yes Elisabeth, it's true.

Hasselbeck: First of all, in the past year, the testing scores of our armed services have been higher than ever, so the education level - (Interrupted by Rosie)

O'Donnell: You are wrong. We have convicted felons in the Army because we're allowing them to get through.

Hasselbeck: So, they're awful. They're awful then.

O'Donnell: Elisabeth, I do everything I can to support the troops financially and emotionally. I love them as much as you do. I'm as much of a patriot. I want them home.

This transcript is part of a longer diatribe primarily voiced by Rosie. So, when does our right of free speech come into conflict with it's responsible use? If Rosie believes, as I do, that the First Amendment is sacrosanct, then why is the meaning of the Second Amendment, in her view, open to interpretation? Our right of free speech does not come to us without personal responsibilities. It is up to the individual to weigh the appropriate use of it and claim responsibility for it. Rosie has every right to say anything she wants; after all, I spent 21 years defending her right to speak out. At the same time however, she also has a responsibility to consider the impact her use of free speech has on her fellow man. According to Wikipedia.org, Rosie dropped out of Dickinson College and Boston University in order to pursue her career in comedy. Knowing this, do I have right to call her a college dropout? My right of free speech guarantees that I do, however, my judicious use of it obligates me to keep my mouth shut. Calling her a dropout would be both unfair and hurtful; especially since she simply had chosen to pursue another path in life. As a heterosexual male, do I have any right to make callous, uninformed observations about gay culture in America? Yes, of course; however, it is oftentimes more polite to keep your mouth shut; especially, if you intend to speculate on something that you don't truly have full knowledge of.

The truth of the matter is, our armed forces are an all volunteer force. The education level of newly enlisted soldiers surpasses those of their counterparts in the civilian portion of their generation. Don't simply believe me. As Rosie would say, "Google it!" People of the same belief as Rosie, have a difficult time coming to terms with our military. Vietnam was much easier for the anti-war crowd. Vietnam was a different war in a different time. There is a world of difference between a military force of conscripts and an all volunteer force. The anti-war crowd knows this; thus, following the lead of Rep Charles Rangle, they have decided to play a game of class warfare. In reality, our military is a microcosm of Americana. Soldiers come from all walks of life. It is not unusual, nor has it ever been, for a two man foxhole to be occupied by a college graduate and a high school dropout. The commonalities of military mission, ethos, and values have always surmounted the differences of ethnicity, education or financial status between soldiers. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said of our peers outside the military.

Basically, life is a personal responsibility. It is a daily battle; during which, you must constantly decide when to open your mouth or simply keep quiet. Oftentimes, it is a better decision to keep quiet and not allow your mouth to write checks that your brain can't cash. As a final note, I went to Rosie's website. She told Elisabeth that she supported the troops both financially and emotionally. A quick look at Rosie's site showed all of the military links, with the exception of one, to be anti-war sites. The sole, nonpartisan site was, The Fallen Heroes Fund. I went to the Fallen Heroes Fund website and found their list of contributors. Neither Rosie O'Donnell nor her foundation were listed as a contributor to this fund so, she is either an anonymous donor or, she is being disingenuous by listing it on her site. Ironically, Don Imus the tarred and feathered shock jock, was listed as a donor to this worthy cause. Bill O'Reilly, Rosie's nemesis, was also listed as a donor. Just as Cuba Gooding Jr. told Tom Cruise in the film "Jerry Mcguire", Rosie, "show me the money!"

Western Ramblings

I have been searching for a methodology to address the complexities surrounding the importance of the individual within our society however, I seem to have driven down a dead end road. Actually, I've spent the better part of the past week engaging my eyesight rather than spending too much time trying to resolve how to come up with some important social issue to address. Oftentimes, as we vainly attempt to seem important, we fail to observe the beauty all around us. In these turbulent times, as the old adage says, it seems appropriate to "stop and smell the roses." So, for the past week I have been attempting to accomplish this task.

Trucking is oftentimes a lonely occupation; that is, if you choose to view it so. Luckily for me, I enjoy the quietness of the work. This past week I travelled through some of the most magnificent landscapes our country has to offer. Doing so, provided me with ample opportunity to pay attention to the more minute aspects of planetary life.

I started the week in Tacoma, Washington. From there, I travelled north up along the eastern side of the Olympic Peninsula to Port Angeles. Monday was an absolutely fantastic day. Temperatures hovered in the high 60's with only a slight covering of clouds over the high peaks of the Olympic Range. The sea was calm and the coastline of Canada could clearly be seen glimmering off in the distance. A slight breeze was coming in off the water bringing the pungent smell of marine life with it. Well muscled men in black watch caps with well groomed beards perused the shops along the harbor's thoroughfare. Were they locals or mariners on shore time? Ships lay dockside calmly rising and falling with the motion of the sea. As I tarped my load of lumber it was hard to take it all in. The sea lay to the north whilst the rocky promontories of the Olympic's jutted skyward from the other end of my truck. Wispy clouds lazily wrapped themselves around the peaks and much like a flirtatious teenage girl teases a fellow schoolboy, they teased me with an occasional view of the translucent snowfields around their summits. I wonder, would you be able to smell the sea from a mountain peak in the Olympic Range?

After getting my load of lumber ready for transport, I headed south to Tacoma and then I drove due east over the Cascades. Snoqualmie Pass was gorgeous in the moonlight. She still lies mantled with a heavy covering of snow. I spent Tuesday morning watching the sunrise over the agricultural valley surrounding Ellensburg, Washington. The greenness of the farmland was all encompassing. You could almost literally breath it in. The fresh scent of dew rose with the thermals into the high desert region of Yakima. As always, the Blue Mountains of Oregon reaching skyward from Pendleton were beautiful. Pintails, gadwalls, teal, mallards, shovelers, canadian geese, and marsh birds of all types covered the ponds of Ladd Marsh and the valley floor surrounding Baker City. The route from Baker City to Meridian ran through the rugged arid terrain surrounding the meandering Snake River. The region already looks exceedingly dry and we may be in for a protracted fire season this summer.

After delivering my lumber in Meridian, Idaho, I headed due west for John Day, Oregon. The pathway for US26 between Vale and John Day, Oregon runs through the old haunts of Chief Joseph and the Nez Perce. The Wallowas are truly remarkable and if their beauty doesn't reach deep into your soul then, the Strawberry Range most assuredly will do so. I was lucky enough to drop into the long valley which runs from Prairie City to John Day at sunset on Tuesday evening. The John Day River was running strong, seemingly proud of its spring runoff. The valley floor's pasture lands were littered with rambunctious calves and their seemingly bored mothers. Here and there, horses sleek in their new summer coats, lolled lazily about. Meanwhile, high above, the wilderness of the Strawberrys beckoned.

Sunrise on Wednesday morning was equally spectacular. I sat in my truck sipping coffee and waited for my turn to get a load of lumber. Mother Nature provided me with an opportunity to observe the morning ritual of the Kildeer Plover. I am an avid hunter and I am completely familiar with these birds; or at least, I thought I was. As I sat still and watched this breeding pair, I came to the realization that I really had never truly noticed this bird. Their plumage was spectacular and contrary to the usual noisy reception one receives when they feel you've trespassed, this pair was quietly going about their business. The female was preparing a shallow hollow in the dry earth for her nest by busily discarding itinerant pebbles with her beak. Every time that the male approached from his morning stroll she would dance a little jig in his direction, drop her chest to the ground, elevate and fan her tail (thus exposing her plumage color striations), and wiggle her butt. Much like many of the males in our species, he maintained his masculinity by appearing disinterested. Unfortunately, time passed quickly, and it was off to work for me.

My route from John Day to Stockton led me south. The landscape resembles the Great Basin of Nevada. This high desert differs from the Great Basin in subtle ways. There is a lack of tall sagebrush, contrasted by a heavy concentration of juniper trees and large deposits of volcanic red igneous rock. This type of terrain remains your companion until you reach Susanville, California. From there, you begin your climb into the Siskiyous of Northern California. I've never really known where the Sierras stop and the Siskiyous begin. The preeminent portion of this region to immerse oneself in is, the drive through the Feather River Canyon. This grandiose gem lies hidden from the gaze of many. If you take the time to sit quietly along the riverbank and close your eyes, you can sense the presence of the gold miners who toiled here in the hopes of striking it rich.

After delivering in Stockton, I picked up a load of pipe and crossed the Sierras, via Donner Pass, and delivered it in Hazen, Nevada. The snow pack on the Sierras was alarmingly low. This bodes poorly for the mountains this summer and I fear that forest fires will once again be our annual summer nemesis.

On Friday I picked up a load in Sparks, Nevada and I am now heading back north en route to Tacoma, Washington. This past week has taken me in a circuitous circle, much like a mirror reflection of one's life. It has been a week of comfortable reflection. Have I reached any great conclusion? Nope. About all I can figure out is, the true meaning of one's existence will forever remain veiled in secrecy, hidden from earthly detection. If I've learned anything this past week, it is that I need to find joy in the searching for and not the discovery of those eternal questions and their relationship to the development of my psyche as a functioning human being.

De Oppresso Liber

Individual Responsibility

The horrific killings of 32 students at Virginia Tech have transfixed the nation. Amidst our evolving emotions of anger, grieving, and disbelief, many have called for social change specifically; gun control. Who knows what the correct course will be however, no decisions should be made whilst our eyesight is muddled by tears of sorrow. It is an intrinsic part of the human psych to always ask why something out of the ordinary has occurred. Oftentimes, the answer is right in front of us.

Cho was quite simply a deranged killer. He was supposedly bullied in school, ostracized for being different, or simply ignored. There have always been children who have had to endure these circumstances however, they normally don't look to homicidal revenge for relief from their social condition.

Some have wondered whether our society could have prevented this horror if it had only recognized Cho. No one can say for sure but I would like to know when it is the sole responsibility of the individual for his or her actions? Too often, we look to outside conditions or influences as major components in the development of the individual. True, they are a part of a larger whole however, man is a thinking organism capable of reasoning. How do we develop a sense of right from wrong, ethics, and social norms? Who plays a more defined influence on us; parents, teachers, or classmates? We could discuss these points ad infinitum but, at the end of the day, all our decisions in life rest squarely on our own shoulders. We select the path of life we intend to follow and assume sole ownership of it. In a morose and bizarre way, the actions of Cho have intensified my search for the responsibility of the individual within our society. More to follow.

De Oppresso Liber

Iraq Revisited

I had intended to discuss the merits and detriments of our fascination with individualism in America however, events this past week in our esteemed House of Representatives have necessitated that I take a different fork in the road. As you all know by now, they have passed the Supporting Our Troops and Veterans Health Care Act. In an attempt to circumnavigate the prosecution of the War Against Terror, they have included benchmarks which will place them in the role of Commander in Chief by committee. One can successfully debate the point as to whether the Iraqi conflict was initially part of the War Against Terror or not; however, nobody can refute the fact that al-Quaida is now present in Iraq. One can now assume that Islamic Fundamentalists are fighting us in their backyard because they fear the advent of democracy. Democratic principles are the antithesis of theocracy. So, with this in mind, I would argue the point that yes, Iraq is indeed a portion of the global battle against Islamic terrorism. Unfortunately, some amongst us, even after the events of September 11, 2001, still doubt the existence of a concerted effort by terrorists against the United States. They seem to view the horror of 9/11 as a single unrelated incident. A quick glance at the website for the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation proves otherwise.

In 1973 the US ambassador to Sudan and other diplomats were assassinated at the Saudi Arabian Embassy in Khartoum by the Black September Movement. On November 4, 1979, Iranian radicals seized the US Embassy in Tehran and held 66 hostages for over 400 days and finally released them on January 20, 1981. On April 18, 1983, 63 people including the CIA's Middle East Director were killed and 120 wounded by a 400 pound truck bomb after it hit the US Embassy in Beirut, Lebanon. Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility. On October 23rd, simultaneous truck bombs on the American and French compounds killed 241 Americans and 58 Frenchmen. Once again, Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility. On December 12, the US Embassy in Kuwait was attacked by Iraqi Shia terrorists. The truck exploded in the outer compound, killing 5. 1984 was also a busy year. On March 16, William Buckley, the CIA station chief for Lebanon was kidnapped, tortured and executed by the Islamic Jihad. On September 20, a suicide bomber from Hezbollah attacked the US Embassy in East Beirut and killed 23 people and wounded another 20 individuals. On March 16, 1985, a US journalist was kidnapped in Beirut, Lebanon by Iranian backed Islamic radicals. He was held until his release in December of 1991. On June 9, 1985, Thomas Sutherland, an American professor at the American University in Beirut, Lebanon was kidnapped by Islamic radicals and held until November 18, 1991. On June 14, 1985 a TWA flight enroute to Rome from Athens was hijacked by two Hezbollah terrorists and forced to fly to Beirut. 145 passengers were held for 17 days. One hostage, a US Navy diver was executed and dumped onto the tarmac at the Beirut airport. On September 12, 1985, Joseph Cicippio was kidnapped from the American University in Beirut, Lebanon by Islamic radicals and held until his release on December 1, 1991. On October 7, 1985, PLO terrorists seized and Italian cruise liner, taking over 700 hostages. One US passenger was murdered before the Egyptian government secured the release of the hostages by providing a safe haven for the PLO terrorists. On October 21, 1985, Edward Tracy, an American businessman, was kidnapped in Lebanon by Islamic terrorists and held until his release on August 11, 1991. On March 30, 1986, a Palestinian splinter group detonated a bomb aboard TWA flight 840 as it approached Athens. Four US citizens were killed in the blast. On April 5, 1986, a Libyan bomb attack at a nightclub in West Berlin killed 2 US soldiers and wounded another 79. On January 24, 1987, Jesse Turner and Alann Steen were kidnapped by Islamic terrorists in Beirut, Lebanon. Turner was released in October 0f 1991 and Steen got released in December of the same year. On February 17, 1988, USMC LTC W. Higgins was kidnapped and murdered by Hezbollah as he participated in the United Nations Truce Supervisory Organization in southern Lebanon. On April 14, 1988, an organization from the Jihad Brigades exploded a bomb outside a USO Club in Naples, Italy. One sailor was killed. On August 8, 1988, the Pakistani President and the US ambassador were killed along with 37 others by a bomb explosion while aboard a C-130 Hercules aircraft. On December 21st, 1988, a Pan Am Boeing 747 exploded over Lockerbie, Scotland, killing all 259 passengers. Libyan terrorists were to blame. On 26 February, 1993, the first attack by Islamic terrorists against the World Trade Center in New York City occurred. On April 14, 1993, the Iraqi intelligence service attempted to assassinate President Bush as he visited Kuwait. On 21 August, 1995, Hamas claimed responsibility for a bombing in Jerusalem that killed 6 and wounded over 100. Amongst the wounded were several Americans. On November 13, 1995, several foreigners, including a number of US servicemen were killed by a bomb attack on a National Guard training center at Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. On June 25, 1996, Islamic terrorists exploded a truck bomb next to a USAF housing area in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. 19 Americans were killed and 385 more were wounded. On February 23, 1997, a Palestinian gunman opened fire on the observation deck of the Empire State Building. After killing himself, a handwritten note explained that he had done this as punishment for the "enemies of Palestine". On August 7, 1998, al-Quaida terrorists attacked the US Embassies in Kenya and Tanzania. On December 28, 1998, Yemini militants kidnapped 16 foreigners, four of whom were killed during the rescue attempt. On October 12, 2000, the USS Cole was attacked by al-Quaida terrorists in a small dinghy during refueling operations. 17 sailors were killed and another 39 injured. On September 11, 2001, al-Quaida operatives hijacked 4 aircraft. They subsequently flew two into the World Trade Center, one into the Pentagon, and another crashed into an empty field in Pennsylvania. Over 3,000 innocent people lost their lives that fateful day.

The preceding, lengthy paragraph should clearly demonstrate that while the Global War on Terror is a relatively new reality for us, it has been a monumental undertaking for Islamic radicals spanning several decades. One can also surmise that the issue is not which party is in control of the presidency. Islamic terrorist attacks have occurred during the watch of both the Democrats and Republicans. The question remains however; how do we move forward as a nation and not as a melee of self-centered individual groups? I would argue the point that the current supplemental funding bill is a step in the wrong direction.

A quick glance at the website for the House Appropriations Committee, chaired by Rep David R. Obey, shows this bill is full of pork spending and a monumental constitutional overreach. According to my estimate, the total cost of the bill to the taxpayer is $37,161,600,000. A grand total of $9,396,100,000 dollars has been allocated for programs outside of the Department of Defense. $27,765,500,000 dollars have been dedicated to the Department of Defense. This committee has also cut $815 million from the DOD Operations and Maintenance funds. This committee has included funding for Katrina Relief in a war funding bill. They have allocated $1.3 billion dollars to New Orleans and $37 million dollars to Mississippi for Gulf Coast Recovery. They have given FEMA $910 million. The USDA gets agricultural disaster funding to the sum of $140 million. Fishing industries off the Louisiana Gulf Coast get $120 million. Colleges and universities get $30 million. Local schools impacted by the hurricanes get $30 million. $25.1 million will go to the Small Business Administration. They've added $4 million to the FEMA Hurricane Relief Oversight Fund and another $10 million to the HUD Hurricane Relief Oversight Fund. A minimum wage increase has also been included. $100 million will go to the Food Assistance Program, $3.7 billion for Agricultural Assistance, $400 million for the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000, $500 million for wildfire suppression, $400 million for Low Income Assistance Program, $1 billion for Pandemic Flu Preparedness, $750 million for the State Children's Health Insurance Program, and finally, $140 million in financial aid for Liberia and Jordan.

They have also established benchmarks for the Iraqi conflict. Congress funds wars, it does not prosecute them. They either pay the bill or cancel the check, period! This bill is a feeble attempt to avoid the pitfalls of the Vietnam era. If things are going so poorly in Iraq, why have all branches of service met recruitment and reenlistment goals. The Democrats and the American public would do well to remember that we now have an all volunteer military. This is not Vietnam, this is the Global War on Terror. Military commanders in Theater present their assessments of the ground situation to the President, not Congress! Congress does not have the authority to tie the hands of the President. Thus, the benchmarks for progress in Iraq will not stand the test of a constitutional challenge. This bill requires the President to report to Congress on July 1st, 2007 with a verifiable progress report and troops are to begin redeployment by December of 2007. A "mission accomplished" report is to be delivered by the President by October 1st, 2007. All troops are to be withdrawn from Iraq no later than March 2008. Congress has also demanded that DOD set force restructuring in accordance with DOD guidelines for unit readiness, length of deployment, and time between deployments.

Wars are not fought and won by committee! There can only be one Commander in Chief. The Democrats feel they have the mandate of the people. I do not believe they do. If I were an al-Quaida operative, I would view the actions of our House of Representatives as a monumental victory for my side. Members of Congress would do well to study some of the maxims from an ancient Chinese philosopher known as, Sun Tzu. "So there are three ways in which a civil leadership causes the military trouble. When a civil leadership unaware of the facts tells its armies to advance when it should not, or tells its armies to retreat when it should not, this is called tying up the armies. When the civil leadership is ignorant of military affairs but shares equally in the government of the armies, the soldiers get confused. When the civil leadership is ignorant of military maneuvers but shares equally in the command of the armies, the soldiers hesitate. Once the armies are confused and hesitant, trouble comes from competitors. This is called taking away victory by deranging the military." Sun Tzu also noted, "So there are five ways of knowing who will win. Those who know when to fight and when not to fight are victorious. Those who discern when to use many or few troops are victorious. Those whose upper and lower ranks have the same desire are victorious. Those who face the unprepared with preparation are victorious. Those whose generals are able and are not constrained by their governments are victorious. These five are the ways to know who will win."

In my view, Congress has committed a monumental blunder in our on-going War Against Terror. All is not lost however; remember, they are our representatives. Use the power of e-mail and send your representative a clear message outlining your dissatisfaction over this bill.

De Oppresso Liber

The Vernal Season

Spring has arrived! The Klamath Basin is alive with waterfowl. Snows, specks, and honkers are everywhere. I even saw some pintails this week. Pintails are the true harbingers of warmer weather to come. If there is even the slightest possibility of freezing weather, pintails will be absent from the wetlands. I also saw a few canvasbacks. I sure wish that game biologists could figure out why these fantastic representatives of diving ducks continue to decline in numbers. They are truly a majestic bird to behold. Large flocks of swans dotted the pasture lands. I believe that somebody forgot to inform them that they are the royalty of the migratory waterfowl realm. They were quite comical looking as they trudged through the muddy pastures and it was hard to imagine them as regal birds especially since their faces, necks, and chest areas were caked with dark brown mud. There is a small truck stop in Midland, Oregon which is lucky enough to have the Klamath Wildlife Area for a neighbor. I stopped by there this week for a soda pop, stretch, and equipment check. You could hardly hear yourself think while walking around outside. The cacophony of avian voices surrounded your very being. Waterfowl are such busy folks this time of year.

At home, the annual season for clean up has begun. Now is the time for my seasonal battle against an omnipresent blanket of pine needles. I never seem to win. I think that the ponderosa pines find me slightly amusing. As soon as I have exposed the lawn to the rejuvenating effects of photosynthesis, the pine trees meet secretly at night, form a coalition with the wind, and haphazardly discard their old needles all over the yard yet again. Our aspens are close, of so close, to budding forth with new life. I only hope that I don't miss the big event. Our resident population of squirrels have also become active as they search for optimum locations to soak up some rays. I hope that all of our yard residents won't laugh too loudly as I venture forth today, armed with rake, pitchfork, and wheelbarrow in a vain attempt to control Mother Nature.

I spent the better of the afternoon today removing several piles of pine needles. It was quite relaxing. I sure wish that somebody would discover a method for composting pine needles. The method of choice for Mother Nature is the utilization of fire. In a semi- controlled environment such as our yard, the use of fire is not a viable option. The usual contingent of grey squirrels spent their time scolding me for daring to disturb their solar ambiance. Robins have begun to show up and search for worms near the lawn's surface. I noticed that our resident troop of quail have begun their single file marches along the tops of our lava rock flower bed borders in search of insects. How long before the daffodils and tulips arrive? Will the deer once again devour the tulips before I've even been able to enjoy them for a day? Time will tell.

I had intended to continue with my theme on individualism however, I need more time to thoroughly analyze my thought patterns. I find much in common with the events of the 1840's and the travails of our country in today's world. Has our search for an individual identity led to selfish narcissism? I'm not sure but, I truly believe that this is a topic worthy of analysis. So, I'm heading east for a couple of weeks and this will provide me with an opportunity to listen to and observe folks outside of my own backyard. In my free time I'll rediscover some of the works from Margaret Fuller, DeToqueville, Emerson, Thoreau, and Melville. I don't know where all of this may lead but hopefully I'll identify some parallel thought patterns which might be applied to the present time.

De Oppresso Liber

Rugged Individualism

Spring has been slow to arrive out West. Winter has grudgingly given way to the first hints of warmer weather to come. I've spent the last couple of weeks running in the inter-mountain region of the West and have had to deal with snowfall from the 11,312 ft Monarch Pass in Colorado to the Magic and Treasure Valleys of Idaho. Wildlife seemed to be dealing with the frigid temperatures rather well and their activities indicated that this cold, wintry weather would soon pass. Canadian Geese were paired up in the Arkansas and Gunnison Rivers. Mule deer grazed along the roadsides at last light as they gorged themselves on the young growth sprouting along my asphalt pathway. Interestingly, predators were relatively absent. I saw a couple of eagles, some hawks and not much else. I wonder if the coyotes are beginning to den up? Songbirds had not yet arrived so the morning breeze remained quiet. Perhaps the rambunctious melody of life will soon fill the air.

Unfortunately, the airwaves of our great nation have been filled with political bickering and the dysfunction of Hollywood. Why are we more interested in the bizarre activity surrounding the body of Anna Nicole Smith or, who gets voted off of American Idol? Why do so many of us look to comedians masquerading as political commentators for affirmation of our political views? Why do many of the watchers of ABC's ,The View, believe that an openly gay, loud mouthed woman speaks for the left and a skinny, in eloquent winner of a reality TV show represents the right? If I knew the answer to even one of these questions, I too could market myself as an analyst and join the fray in an attempt to garner a following amongst the uninformed masses. Is the availability of time an issue or, does the public no longer care about its responsibility to the growth of our culture?

Our country has a long standing heritage of what some have called "rugged individualism". We have always admired the frontier spirit. Those who go it alone have always been respected. Should we not also consider the open frontier of our minds? These ideas are not new. The Transcendentalists of the 1840's asked these same questions. Unfortunately, many of their questions fell on deaf ears. With the advent of modern technology and the easy access to information there is no longer an excuse to remain uninformed. It is the individual's responsibility to gather information from all aspects of any social or political issue and develop their own personal viewpoint on the issue. Regrettably, it has always been easier for mankind to meld unnoticed into the mob than to stand alone unencumbered with the baggage of others.

Spring: Annual Renewal of Life

It has been a rather busy couple of weeks. The news out of Washington continues to be mundane as presidential hopefuls continue to jockey for position and camera time. As our troops strive to achieve some measure of success in Iraq, our congressional delegates are stepping over one another in a feeble attempt to relive the past. What's next? Will Hollywood begin to reproduce 1960's films and reinvent the counter cultural revolution? At a time of such political mediocrity it is enormously pleasurable to view Mother Nature at work as she too, reinvents herself.

I've spent the past couple of weeks traveling between Washington and Arizona. We have not had much of a winter out West. This should make for an interesting fire season this summer. The snow pack in the Sierras, Siskiyous, and Cascades is below normal. Maybe Al Gore is correct and global warming is looming over our heads. I'll bet however, if you live in upstate New York you'd like to let ol' Al use your snow shovel for a couple of hours.

The Central Valley of California has sprung to life this past week. Tree orchards of all sorts are in full bloom and the aroma is scintillating. The view is spectacular from Wheeler Ridge in the south and continues north to Redding. The wetlands south of Sacramento are swarming with Red-winged blackbirds and the antics of the males as they stake out their territory in the early morning hours makes for great accompaniment with a hot cup of coffee. Snow geese are growing restless and some of them have even gotten an early start and are now present in the Klamath Basin of Oregon. A few speckle-bellies have also started north. Canadian geese have begun to pair up. In Washington however, they are still grouped in small flocks so the folks up there might have to wait a week or two longer before shedding their winter coats.

Ironically, the desert landscape of Arizona remains dormant. From Nogales, north to Phoenix and westward towards California, nothing much is happening. The desert is a fickle friend at best and she oftentimes springs forth in a flurry of unnoticed activity. Maybe we humans should pay more attention to our surroundings.

Mother Nature provides a calming repetitive sequence of annual events which should provide all of us with a granite foundation upon which we may stand and observe the churning of mankind's world events. Every one of us should stop and smell that proverbial set of roses. Maybe it would clear our minds and enable us to see the really important things in life. For me, I'll bet the gander I watched cackling sweet love melodies for his favorite lady the other day has never doubted the reality of his existence. Hell, he didn't even notice that I had to stop my 80,000 lb Kenworth in the middle of the road just to let him safely pass in front as he followed his girl. If we all would only realize that the minute details of life are the inordinately important issues that we all should pay attention to.

De Oppresso Liber

Iraq: Political Posturing on a Grand Scale

The President's State of the Union Address has come and gone amid much fanfare. Unfortunately, those in opposition to our efforts in Iraq didn't really listen to the speech. The events which transpired after the speech followed the current action templates for both political parties. Aspiring presidential candidates postured for politically viable positions on the war. Now, the Senate Foreign Affairs committee has passed a non binding resolution which opposes the current surge of troop strength into Iraq. Minds have been made up, paradigms constructed, and the entrance of new data obstructed. How small we all are at times. The most obvious example of political expedience is the current visit to Iraq by Speaker Pelosi and her entourage. If I'm not mistaken, prior to even getting their feet dirty in Iraq, both she and her brethren have already made up their minds. My guess is that they believe photo opportunities in the combat zone will provide a requisite authenticity to their argument.

No matter how you feel about Iraq, we can all agree on two basic principles. First, the war has not followed the template envisioned by the President's national security team, the Pentagon, nor the theater commander. Secondly, those of us residing outside of the combat zone formulate opinions about the current state of affairs in Iraq with limited data.

Warfare never follows a predictable pattern of events. The initial operations plan is only accurate until the first shots are fired. All operations plans are implemented in order to achieve the commander's objectives and mission end state. All commander's objectives support the end state of the Commander in Chief. In Iraq, President Bush's end state is quite clear. Mission success is defined as a self sustaining fledgling democracy in Iraq. Commander's in theater rely on an information gathering process known as IPB or, the intelligence preparation of the battlefield. Once operations have commenced, they rely on daily intelligence estimates. These estimates provide the raw data they require to complete their objectives or, serve as warnings when operations need to be adjusted to realities on the ground. In order to provide for force protection, none of us back here in the States are privy to this data. Neither is the Congress. In reality, we all formulate our opinions based on second hand information. Select congressional committees get briefed but only on a post operative basis. If I'm not mistaken, our Constitution is quite specific. We are a representative democracy in which, the President leads our forces and Congress funds them. If Congress no longer supports operations in Iraq, then they need to grow a set of cajones and stop the funding. Of course, we all know that they lack the backbone to do this since their end state is the White House and should the President's surge lead to success in Iraq, they do not want to be seen by the American public as stumbling blocks to progress in the Middle East.

Wars are never fought with popularity polls as a guideline for success. Real people get injured or perish. The possibility for calamity exists in both camps. Military will is never an issue when well trained, well equipped forces are led by a unified chain of command with a common objective. The weak link in the chain on a national scale is political will. When the political will falters, our foundation weakens and the whole structure will soon come tumbling down around us. As a former soldier, I have no problem admitting that I have insufficient data with which to aggressively support or oppose the President's new Iraq policy. Most assuredly, I have an opinion however, as a member of a representative democracy, I will provide him with the latitude to conduct this war in a manner that he believes will lead to success. Wars are never fought and won by committee. One would think our congressional delegates knew this already.

De Oppresso Liber

Iraq: Warfare on Two Fronts

The battle lines have been drawn, 2008 is in sight and politicians from both parties have eagerly launched a new offensive on Iraq thereby creating a new front in this ongoing war. Washington is in an uproar. We now have Speaker Pelosi and President Bush as polar opposites of one another. Meanwhile, the boot prints of American GIs still dot the landscape of Iraq. So, who do we blame for the turmoil in Iraq? There is plenty of blame to go around however, what do we gain by indulging in the blame game? What we should of done has now become irrelevant. What we will do is the question which begs to be answered.

Politicians would do well to study their history books and learn from the mistakes of other countries and their governments. When the political will lags behind military efforts in theater, the troops will suffer. No matter how vigorously politicians may deny this, the end result is the same. Dysfunction in Washington, instills a modicum of doubt in the combat zone. As a former soldier, I find it ironic that those opposing the war actually believe that they can support the soldier in harm's way while opposing every strategic battle initiative of the Commander in Chief. Am I saying that Congress should blindly follow the President's objectives? No. The real issue is that no alternative solution is provided by the opposition to Iraq. Of course, in their defense, they will state that withdrawal is the solution. Any solution developed for Iraq must be analyzed through the prism of reality on the ground in Iraq and the surrounding geographical region.

As citizens of the United States we need to play a more active roll in holding our politicians feet to the fire. It is not sufficient to be a member of the opposition and offer no viable alternative plan. A complainer is part of the problem, not part of the solution. Politicians would do well to adopt the military's five step problem solving process. First, we must identify the problem. Secondly, we need to develop several courses of action and their mitigating consequences for the region as a whole. Thirdly, we must select the most viable course of action. Implementation of this course of action will constitute step four. Lastly, we must follow up on the implementation process and adjust our direction as required in order to achieve success. My only hope is that politicians on both sides will tackle the turbid issue of Iraq with a clear far sighted vision for our nation and the Persian Gulf rather than the short sighted consequences of 2008. Am I naive? For my sake, I hope not.

Winter Wonderland: Perseverance Wins the Day

It has been a snowy and blustery couple of weeks in the high country of the West. I spent the first week after Christmas in the midst of another Colorado Front Range blizzard. The Pacific Northwest has been my wintry playground for this week. Massive amounts of snow have hit the Colorado region. It took almost five hours to complete a little over 150 miles. I-25 and I-80 across Wyoming presented an icy obstacle at almost every turn. Mount Sherman lies just to the east of Laramie, Wyoming. Blowing snow obscured my path as I eased over the mountain at approximately 30 MPH while slowly driving around snow drifts in a rather serpentine line of travel. The same conditions have presented themselves in the Cascades. A couple of nights ago, I crossed over Mount Hood by traveling between the snow poles lining the sides of the road. The mountain was practically deserted with the exception of another trucker traveling in the opposite direction. The mountain spoke rather harshly that night and made sure that I paid close attention to her as she tried to bury my truck under a pristine blanket of white.

Battling Mother Nature brings another issue to mind. Perseverance. With the sea change in Washington, what is to become of us and our involvement in Iraq? Are we doomed to repeat history? Have we learned nothing in the past 30 plus years? Have we simply not developed beyond the social myopia of the 60's and 70's and removed the name of Saigon, only to replace it with Baghdad? Will we allow a political party, which is desperately seeking to reacquire the White House, to dominate the social agenda and affect foreign policy? Can we really affect change in the Middle East? Speaking for myself, I am fully aware that I cannot concretely answer any of the above questions. I can only present views anchored on the bedrock of fact.

In the post World War II era, I've always wondered why we as a country always cut and run when the going gets tough? Do we no longer have the internal vicissitude to handle difficulty? This weakness is even more provocative with an all volunteer military. A volunteer force is more efficient than a force of conscripts however, what is to become of a nation where succeeding generations of her young never have to serve her? Will such a nation be eventually consumed by the passage of time? The vast majority of our soldiers speak positively when questioned about their efforts in Iraq. Unfortunately, they represent only 1% of their generation. How are we to avoid the very issue which Jefferson and Madison feared the most? Will the tyranny of the majority drown out the significance of our military operations in Iraq?

Whatever occurs, we all can agree on the fact that maintaining the status quo in Iraq is no longer an option. Things must change however, the degree and direction of change must be efficiently controlled. Arbitrary dates of withdrawal will not work. Any withdrawal, no matter how good it makes us feel at home, will be seen as our defeat in the Middle East. That said, we can also no longer allow the youth of our nation to be used as fodder for Iraqi inaction. They must assume control. Do we partition the country? The vast majority of Iraq is peaceful. Do we cordon off Baghdad and let the opposing factions eliminate each other?

At the very least, the year to come will be interesting. Nobody can know for sure who will win the day. We all must admit that the battlefield in Iraq has changed. Politics has now entered the fray. My only hope is that our soldiers will not pay with their lives as Washington becomes consumed by a tidal pool of constant bickering. Opposing factions of our efforts in Iraq would do well to read Sun Tzu's "Art of War" and come to the realization that when civil authorities lose focus on national objectives, both the military and nation are doomed for defeat.

De Oppresso Liber