Blog @ MoreWhat.com

Honda Motor Co said it will recall another roughly 378,000 vehicles in the U.S. to fix potentially faulty airbag systems that are linked to at least one known fatality and 11 injuries in the U.S.

The expanded recall brings to more than 826,000 vehicles the number of Honda and Acura models covered by a series of airbag system recalls that began in 2008.

The company said some airbags in its older vehicles deploy with too much pressure, and send metal fragments flying into the car.

Never liked airbags and never will. And even though potential user injury is a common complaint and has been for years the current report trumps the previous worries generally limited to smaller or older passengers.

Nanny state proponents wonder why so many oppose government intervention claimed to be on behalf of the public. Here’s a good example. Or should we accept the risk of shrapnel from airbags along with other known and unknown hazards?

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Although this post does not offer an exhaustive list of funding provided for earthquake relief purposes to Haiti the reports featured raise questions. But that does not address a broader question on why each ‘natural disaster’ or other catastrophic event is treated the way they are. If ET were to visit the planet Earth the impression for the extra=terrestrial might be that this is the first time humans have encountered such an event.

The shock and awe reaction in the main stream media suggests we have never witnessed such an event. The wailing and gnashing of teeth expressed by those affected and interviewed by the same MSM demonstrate a universal theme. There is the expectation that someone else is responsible to return ‘victims’ to their pre-disaster condition.

No, this is not a heartless rant targeting millions affected by the earthquake in Haiti. It is an observation presented during a crisis to offer suggestions for future events. It seems little if anything is done to effectively prepare for such contingencies by those most likely to be affected. Certainly those who are least prepared to face life in general are not in a position to prepare themselves properly for extreme conditions like a quake. But that is the whole point.

Just as issues like education avoid the responsibility of the family component e.g., good parenting, and the so-called global economic crisis sidesteps greed on every level, preparation for natural disasters receives little attention between events or focus on simple preventative measures addressing those most likely to be harmed.

Most ongoing ‘humanitarian’ efforts elicit funds based on emotional appeals for money to address problems after the fact. Outside of legitimate organizations raising funds to accomplish goals like teaching the have=nots to fish in order to feed themselves rather than give them food to solve an immediate need, most ‘humanitarian’ appeals are a scam.

Here are some reports regarding the current difficulties in Haiti that illuminate the world’s curious reponse to such events.

UN Appeals for $550 Million for Haitian Quake Victims

If millions are affected it is not surprising the UN would request $550 million. If there are 3 million ‘victims’ that is less than $200 per person. But while the request receives much attention during the disaster little valid disclosure will follow documenting where the money went.

Obama Pledges Sustained Commitment To Haiti

Okay, so the UN asks for $550 million and the US offers $100 million. That’s nearly 20% of what the UN asked for and a decent percentage for the US to offer. It seems large compared to what reports show for other countries thus far.

China Sends Aid to Quake-Stricken Haiti

Purely based on the report, China claims they will do what’s necessary to help but the only specific monetary amount is $1 million from the Chinese Red Cross.

Sarkozy Calls For International Donors Conference to Help Haiti

Go figure, France calls for a conference to solve the problem.

France Calls for Cancellation of Haiti’s Debt

Okay, correction, France calls for a conference and cancelling Haiti’s debt. So what does that cost France?

Haiti Aid Pouring in Through Text Message Campaign

Some reporting has warned the public about fraudulent websites accepting donations for earthquake ‘victims’ in Haiti. The bottom ilne warns there are genuine relief sites and frauds. Let the donor beware. The point is the public may represent the only honest source of aid for this event. Are the other sources bogus and do they feed on these events to perpetrate fraud?

And of course to repeat the broader point of this post, why does there seem to be no effort to prepare humans on this planet to be prepared to handle disaster in an effective manner?

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

One of the political debates in the news concerns President Obama’s nominee for leading the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). The simple pro and con on the issue has conservatives criticizing the Obama Administration for dragging its feet on filling the vacancy and liberals countering with the complaint that Republican Senator Jim DeMint is holding up the confirmation of Erroll Southers, Obama’s current candidate for the job.

Senator DeMint’s January 1, 2009 press release answers critics of his position. It is short, sweet and to the point. Maybe critics of Senator DeMint should consider the fact that holding up the confirmation of a flawed nominee is better than confirming same. Given recent security failures the importance of this nomination is emphasized. Rubber stamping President Obama’s first choice in the name of expediency is irresponsible at best. President Obama can easily replace this nominee with someone worthy of filling the vacancy. Here’s DeMint’s press release.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

DeMint Statement on TSA Nominee

January 1, 2010 - WASHINGTON, D.C - Today, U.S. Senator Jim DeMint (R-South Carolina) made the following statement about President Obama’s nominee to lead the Transportation Security Administration (TSA):

“Erroll Southers has not been forthcoming about whether he’ll give union bosses control of our airport security, which is one of the most important decisions he’ll make as head of the TSA. Mr. Southers’ unwillingness to form a position on collective bargaining seriously calls into question his judgment, because it weakens security and has already been rejected by the CIA, the FBI, the Secret Service, the Coast Guard, and by every previous TSA administrator.”

“And now we learn that he misled Congress in sworn testimony about accessing confidential records. The TSA is one of the most critical security agencies in the War on Terror, and the Senate must carefully vet this nominee. If Mr. Southers is unwilling to put security ahead of politics and if he can’t tell the truth, then he’s not qualified and should not be confirmed.”

###

Is this going to be one of those stories that turns out to be a mistaken report or another embarrassing and dangerous episode with US national security? The sole excerpt presented here from the AP report linked below is troubling. ‘ No update late Sunday night on the man who walked through the exit.’ Hence the earlier question on whether this is a mistaken report or we all have something more to worry about on aviation security.

Flights Grounded at Newark Airport
Officials: Flights grounded at US airport after man goes through exit door to bypass security
By KIM GAMEL Associated Press Writer
January 4, 2010 (AP)
The Associated Press

A spokesman said the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is assisting with the possible security breach, and Davis had no update late Sunday night on the man who walked through the exit.

TSA Statement on New Security Measures for International Flights to the U.S.
News & Happenings
January 3, 2010

Today, the Transportation Security Administration issued new security directives to all United States and international air carriers with inbound flights to the U.S. effective January 4, 2010.

The new directive includes long-term, sustainable security measures developed in consultation with law enforcement officials and our domestic and international partners.

Because effective aviation security must begin beyond our borders, and as a result of extraordinary cooperation from our global aviation partners, TSA is mandating that every individual flying into the U.S. from anywhere in the world traveling from or through nations that are state sponsors of terrorism or other countries of interest will be required to go through enhanced screening. The directive also increases the use of enhanced screening technologies and mandates threat-based and random screening for passengers on U.S. bound international flights.

The TSA statement above seemed to be the only related information available at the TSA’s website after viewing the initial item from AP via ABC.

Maybe this is good news. If US national security remains a major topic in the media perhaps needed corrections will follow. But few are probably counting on it. As an example of what is meant by that is former security chief Michael Chertoff and former CIA chief Hayden were on Meet the Press Sunday. David Gregory, the host, offered the disclaimer that Chertoff is tied to a company offering screening technology to the federal government. During the program, all three, Obama’s deputy national security adviser John Brennan, Michael Chertoff and Michael Hayden either praised Napolitano in light of security failures or expressed no concern about her handling of such matters.

Gee, could this be another case of revolving doors, business as usual in our nation’s capitol and all players responding based on their personal agendas? Another good reason to read Michelle Malkin’s book, Culture of Corruption. No, this blog nor the author of this post are receiving anything for expressing this sentiment. As a public service from this concerned citizen the link to Malkin’s book is in this blog’s sidebar along with other important titles. If you haven’t already you would do well to read them. Certainly they are not the only books out there but are the ones this blog is currently promoting, again, with no money or other perks involved. Read.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

related:

DHS Plans to Catch Only One in Four Travelers Committing ‘Major’ Criminal Violations While Entering U.S. on International Fights in 2010
Monday, January 04, 2010
By Terence P. Jeffrey, Editor-in-Chief

(CNSNews.com) - Documents produced by the Department of Homeland Security indicate that in fiscal 2010 the department is planning to catch only 26 percent of travelers committing major criminal violations while seeking to enter the United States through international airports.

click to read the rest….

Another event to once again raise the discussion on national security. Not like the status of US national security is ever erased from the American consciousness but one has to wonder if that includes the Obama Administration? The President has been criticized for not being more visible on this and other issues since heading to Hawaii on vacation. His security princess, Napolitano, stated after the Flight 253 incident, the first of two, that ‘the system’ was working properly. That someone was able to board a commercial aircraft and attempt to detonate explosives on final approach contradicts Napolitano’s conclusion. Unless only doing something after the fact is her idea of national security. And even then, simply notifying other commercial aircraft of the conditions on Flight 253 is of little value.

For those who missed it a Delta or Northwest (owned by Delta) flight, number 253, had a Nigerian passenger who attempted to detonate explosives on board as summarized above. A strange coincidence, or not, involved the same flight number on a subsequent flight in which another passenger was either detained and/or arrested for causing a disturbance. One troubling set of circumstances finds reports about the first incident suggesting the description of the ‘perp’ as a terrorist was premature and early reports about the second incident being characterized as a second terrorist attack. How’s that for a spot on press response?

Here’s a more recent account of the second incident.

A U.S. law enforcement official says an unruly passenger was detained Sunday when a Northwest Airlines flight landed in Detroit, Michigan, but he was later declared as not a security threat.

The plane was on the same route and carried the same flight number as one on Friday, when a Nigerian man allegedly tried to blow up Northwest Flight 253 just before landing.

In the latest incident, security personnel arrested a passenger upon landing Sunday because he was verbally abusive to the flight crew and had locked himself in the airplane bathroom for a long time.

The pilot radioed for emergency help. Passengers were evacuated and dogs sniffed the luggage which was spread out on the tarmac.

A law enforcement official tells news agencies that the passenger turned out to be a businessman who got sick during the flight .

And another recent update provides an excerpt on the initial incident.

Passengers have told investigators the man went into the bathroom for 20 minutes before landing, and then when he went to sit down, said he had stomach problems, and pulled a blanket on himself.

Just as the plane was getting ready to land, they heard a pop, smelled smoke and then saw the man on fire.

A Dutch passenger jumped on the Nigerian to subdue him, and blankets were used to put out the fire.

Does this brief review adequately establish Napolitano’s press statements are absurd? Certainly everyone is entitle to their opinion but you can guess that most Americans expect a different outcome in order to state the ’system worked’ when discussing US national security.

On the topic of President Obama’s silence on the matter in recent reports this blog’s reaction. It is reminiscent of an old expression about incompetence that begins with ‘better to be viewed as an idiot than….’. You probably know the rest.

Some related items are provided below on the explosive (PETN) reportedly used in the first incident.

a highly explosive organic compound belonging to the same chemical family as nitroglycerin—i.e., the nitric acid esters of polyalcohols.

PETN was introduced as an explosive after World War I. It is used by itself in detonators and detonating fuses (Primacord) and in a mixture, called pentolite, with an equal amount of trinitrotoluene (TNT) in grenades and projectiles.

PETN is a colourless, crystalline material that is generally stored and shipped as a mixture with water. It is less sensitive than nitroglycerin but is easily detonated. Valued for its shattering force and efficiency, PETN is the least stable of the common military explosives but retains its properties in storage for longer periods than nitroglycerin or cellulose nitrate (nitrocellulose) does. PETN is also used in medicine as a heart stimulant.

Yup, good old-fashioned human technology about a century old.

OSHA does not have a PEL for pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN), which is used both as a drug for preventing angina pectoris and as an explosive.

If you really need to know what a PEL is the following link explains along with many other items typcially covered on a MSDS or Material Safety Data Sheet. And one last related OSHA link.

OSHA has data on PETN. Now if only DHS had detection methods for this well-known explosive and implemented them to avoid a Flight 253 problem.

As a final note for this post a political point is in order. Bush bashers frequently express 9/11 happened on the Bush 43 watch so it was his fault. This blog has stated in the past that there is plenty of blame to go around regarding US national security. A couple of things to keep in mind. 9/11 was not conceived, planned or otherwise arranged by terrorists in less than eight months which is the time George W Bush was in office prior to the attack. Before that President Clinton completed two terms in office and posts here as well as information freely available elsewhere indicate some dropping of the ball as regards terrorism and Osama bin Laden, etc.

When Bush 43 took office and after 9/11 occurred it became his war on terror and he owned the problem. An unfortunate downside to pursuing public office. Post 9/11 the Bush Administration was successful on matters of national security for two terms. The same ownership transfer now applies to President Obama. Given the Flight 253 episode(s), Napolitano’s statement, Obama’s silence, the previous and now infamous warning by VPOTUS Joe Biden the national security situation is once more front and center.

Nothing about current US national security policy inspires confidence.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

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If you’re here legally and behavin’ yo self, welcome aboard.
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SCOTUS delivered an opinion on Flores-Figueroa v United States in which they held the government was incorrect as to punishment for certain crimes in this case due to the law requiring the perp to know his false ID belonged to another. No need to discuss the insanity of the law as the time required to cover all those points would be impractical. It is sufficient to know the court acted wisely but again an example of the White House and Congress not doing so is painfully clear.

federal legislators in their less than divine wisdom produced the following as an amendment to 18 USC Section 1028

SEC. 2. AGGRAVATED IDENTITY THEFT.

(a) In General.–Chapter 47 of title 18, United States Code, is
amended by adding after section 1028, the following:

“Sec. 1028A. Aggravated identity theft

“(a) Offenses.–
“(1) In general.–Whoever, during and in relation to any
felony violation enumerated in subsection (c), knowingly
transfers, possesses, or uses, without lawful authority, a means
of identification of another person shall, in addition to the
punishment provided for such felony, be sentenced to a term of
imprisonment of 2 years.
“(2) Terrorism offense.–Whoever, during and in relation to
any felony violation enumerated in section 2332b(g)(5)(B),
knowingly transfers, possesses, or uses, without lawful
authority, a means of identification of another person or a
false identification document shall, in addition to the
punishment provided for such felony, be sentenced to a term of
imprisonment of 5 years.

When it comes to ‘terrorism offense’ using ID ‘knowingly’ belonging to another person OR a false ID document shall provide the additional punishment but not ‘in general’ for felony offenses.

It appears SCOTUS responded correctly to this case in the opinion delivered. The problem lies with the morons who produced the legislation. Screw ‘em they’re all guilty of political stupidity and here are those involved as sponsors, co-sponsors or ones who voted for or signed the bill into law.

Sponsor: Rep Carter, John R. [TX-31]

Co-sponsors:
Rep Bachus, Spencer [AL-6] - 10/15/2003
Rep Baird, Brian [WA-3] - 2/24/2004
Rep Barton, Joe [TX-6] - 9/23/2003
Rep Burgess, Michael C. [TX-26] - 2/24/2004
Rep Case, Ed [HI-2] - 9/16/2003
Rep Frank, Barney [MA-4] - 7/25/2003
Rep Frost, Martin [TX-24] - 9/16/2003
Rep Gallegly, Elton [CA-24] - 5/4/2004
Rep Goode, Virgil H., Jr. [VA-5] - 7/25/2003
Rep Green, Gene [TX-29] - 2/4/2004
Rep Hensarling, Jeb [TX-5] - 2/24/2004
Rep McCarthy, Carolyn [NY-4] - 1/27/2004
Rep Moran, James P. [VA-8] - 9/16/2003
Rep Neugebauer, Randy [TX-19] - 2/4/2004
Rep Ney, Robert W. [OH-18] - 2/24/2004
Rep Nunes, Devin [CA-21] - 2/4/2004
Rep Owens, Major R. [NY-11] - 2/4/2004
Rep Porter, Jon C. [NV-3] - 3/30/2004
Rep Ross, Mike [AR-4] - 9/25/2003
Rep Royce, Edward R. [CA-40] - 9/16/2003
Rep Schakowsky, Janice D. [IL-9] - 2/24/2004
Rep Schiff, Adam B. [CA-29] - 4/10/2003
Rep Sherman, Brad [CA-27] - 2/4/2004
Rep Smith, Lamar [TX-21] - 2/24/2004
Rep Spratt, John M., Jr. [SC-5] - 9/16/2003
Rep Watson, Diane E. [CA-33] - 1/27/2004

The bill was passed either by voice vote or unanimous consent, etc. So the entire Congress and President Bush are guilty as charged on political stupidity.

It is simply beyond any reasonable excuse that those charged with protecting this country can repeatedly error in such critical issues largely based not on ignorance or neglect but ‘knowingly’ allowing political considerations to determine public policy and law.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

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JIHAD stands for Jesus I Have A Deathwish.

This linkfest is dedicated to the guest worker who never left.There are plenty of illegal immigration posts on this blog.

If you’re here legally and behavin’ yo self, welcome aboard.
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We suggest using the Linkfest Haven Deluxe Trackback pinger for ease of use and time savings to catch all the festive linking activities today. Or, if you have done this less than we have, the permalink for this Open Trackback is the title link and the trackback is located near the bottom of the permalink page for this post. Just poke around, you’ll find it.

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NOTE: It may be worthwhile to comply with the unofficial standard of submitting your blog’s best work for open trackbacks whether here or at multiple sites. The practice may have been inspired by a desire for increased quality versus quantity as well as providing greater impact from the power of the blogosphere.

Sometimes it is good to delay publishing one’s opinion on a topic even when the facts are right there in front of you and your frustration level could use the release of expressing the obvious about someone who has been entrusted with leading your nation, that you love and is entirely wrong. It is only good when someone with a great deal more credibility does it for you. And that expression includes the credibility of many more who feel the same way. The excerpt below explains it.

The Interrogation Memorandums
By Gary Berntsen
April 22, 2009

President Obama’s release of these memos took place despite substantial protest. The four most recent CIA Directors-John Deutch, George Tenet, Porter Goss and Michael Hayden-all recommended against the release of these memorandums. President Obama’s own newly appointed Director of CIA, Leon Panetta, also recommended against releasing the documents. Yet President Obama, in a seemingly relentless effort to discredit his predecessor, George W. Bush, made the memorandum available to the public anyway.

As with other references presented on this blog it adds to the growing criticism of a new President and dispels much of the inflamed rhetoric employed by the far left strictly for political purposes. While some on the left may express genuine concern and honest, although misinformed, opinions on critical issues or even which issues are critical the dominant theme especially with regard to national security dooms us to repeat history if we follow suggestions to ignore it.

Which brings us back to the beginning. President Obama like many others in the past expressed an interest in being surrounded by smart people who disagree with him to give him advice. Based on his recent choice for CIA chief who advised him not to disclose the memos it is obvious again Mr Obama had no intention of listening to those who present arguments contrary to his own. Just like calling the GOP the party of ‘no’ and doing your best to shut them out since you have a political majority in Congress.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Jeff Jacoby emphatically emphasizes the need to consider context when discussing the uproar caused by President Obama releasing the so-called ‘torture memos.’ Reading the excerpt below out of context is something else that should be emphasized. Don’t do it. Read the entire piece but start with the quote provided as it is central to this point but does not include Jacoby’s entire opinion. This may put things in perspective for you on the topic of ‘enhanced’ or ‘brutal’ interrogation techniques or if you must, ‘torture.’

The opinion on this blog includes what Jeff Jacoby states below. The remainder of his argument and opinion is compelling as well.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

A tortured debate over the ‘torture memos’

Jeff Jacoby (Boston Globe)

What’s missing from all this sanctimony and censure is any acknowledgement of the circumstances under which the CIA interrogations took place, let alone the successes with which they have been credited. That may be a good way to score easy political points. It doesn’t add much to the public discourse.

Context matters. Actions that are indisputably beyond the pale under normal conditions - waterboarding a prisoner, for example - can take on a very different aspect when conditions are abnormal, as they surely were in the terrifying wake of 9/11.

This may or may not be a new story. The topic is something that is not a focus on this blog. Well at least not specifically. Unreasonable risk is an idea often incorporated into the subject matter typically featured here. A headline appeared on the radar today that screamed blog post target. It was not an OMG moment. At least not as it would be for those who practice high risk behavior or lifestyles who undoubtedly will view this headline as their savior and reason to continue being stupid.

New Vaginal Gel Stops AIDS Virus
WebMD - ?29 minutes ago?
By Daniel J. DeNoon March 4, 2009 — A new kind of vaginal gel prevents sexual transmission of the AIDS virus in monkey studies. The anti-HIV ingredient in the gel is glycerol monolaurate or GML. It’s already FDA approved as an ingredient in cosmetics …

There ya go. Feast your eyes on sexual nirvana. Nearly guarantees an increase in the number of HIV/AIDS cases for the remainder of 2009 and beyond. Why you ask? With the exception of those who have not contracted aids through any fault of their own as in rape victims, blood transfusions or other involuntary exposure those whose life choices make them targets for this virus will be dumb enough to believe the battle was won. As if their previous choices were not evidence enough they will likely die from doing something stupid the introduction of the report alone without the product will subject their dense learning curve to more mistakes than before.

The headlines and reporting are not necessarily helpful either. The title above is a great example. If the risk candidates can read they may omit further investigation and take the title to mean the war is won. Here are some more links.

Aids gel could save millions of women’s lives a year, say scientists
Daily Mail - ?1 hour ago?
By Daily Mail Reporter A cheap ingredient used in ice cream and cosmetics could be used as a gel to protect women against Aids, researchers reported today. The compound, called glycerol monolaurate, or GML, is found in breast milk. …

Another dumb title, above, gives further suggestion the gel and everything about it is a done deal. Just go out and get some then hump like rabbits. Sorry rabbits, you probably are more discerning than the typical high risk human.

Gel Can Save Women from Aids
SmartAboutHealth - ?1 hour ago?
According to a recent study, an ingredient used in ice cream and cosmetics could be used to protect women against Aids. The gel, called alled glycerol monolaurate, or GML, is found in breast milk and test recently found that it protects monkeys against …

The item above from SmartAboutHealth is an oxymoron. Smart about health? Not with that title.

There are titles and content out there which take a more intelligent approach to the story. Those of you at low risk for aids are smart enough to find it for yourself. Those of you dumb enough to be high risk for AIDS at this point in its history are not smart enough to read this. The scourge of AIDS will get you soon enough and that will help clean up the gene pool. Thought ever cross your mind that this is nature’s way of doing that in the first place?

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Welcome to Blog @ MoreWhat.com’s Open Trackback

Secure the Borders Linkfest

This is an open trackback linkfest. It happens on Tuesday and Saturday or… Each linkfest is open until the next one starts. Trackbacks will no longer be on the frontpage in a post called MoreWhat Matters. The Secure the Borders theme is intended as a reminder to all for obvious reasons. If you have any suggestions, criticisms, questions or just feel the need to communicate, trackback or post it in the comments. If you want to be added to the Blogroll, register and/or inquire to make arrangements. The Honor Roll is reserved for blogs viewed as special by this blog’s owner.

JIHAD stands for Jesus I Have A Deathwish.

This linkfest is dedicated to the guest worker who never left.There are plenty of illegal immigration posts on this blog.

If you’re here legally and behavin’ yo self, welcome aboard.
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We suggest using the Linkfest Haven Deluxe Trackback pinger for ease of use and time savings to catch all the festive linking activities today. Or, if you have done this less than we have, the permalink for this Open Trackback is the title link and the trackback is located near the bottom of the permalink page for this post. Just poke around, you’ll find it.

links in the sidebar

NOTE: It may be worthwhile to comply with the unofficial standard of submitting your blog’s best work for open trackbacks whether here or at multiple sites. The practice may have been inspired by a desire for increased quality versus quantity as well as providing greater impact from the power of the blogosphere.

There will be no attempt to influence your opinion on the following. You should be able to draw the proper conclusion on your own.

Leon Panetta seems like a nice guy. That disarming smile and no visible signs of scandal or corruption other than being part of the Clinton Administration. So why would President-elect Obama nominate Panetta for CIA Director? One of the first criticisms of this nomination was that Panetta has no intelligence experience. According to Wikipedia that is not true. Panetta was instrumental in creating CSU Monterey by converting Fort Ord, where he was chief of operations and planning of the intelligence section when he was in the army, into the university. Combine that with his years as a Republican before he switched to Democrat as well as his work in civil rights, at the Dept of Health, Education and Welfare, academia and environmental causes plus 8 terms as a Congressman and you have a natural for CIA Director.

He’s not being impeached like Governor Blagojevich. He is not being investigated by federal authorities like Governor Richardson. It seems he is not plagued by all the baggage of the Clinton clan except that he worked for them. So for President-elect Obama this nomination has some upside. Between the community organizer, the foreign affairs genius Joe Biden and the intelligence guru Leon Panetta none of us have anything to worry about. As long as there are so many leftovers from the former Clinton Administration populating the Obama ‘team’ they might as well bring on Madeleine Albright, Sandy Berger, George Tenet, Richard Clarke and the whole host of characters featured in The Path to 9/11. If you are going to build a team of old Clinton cronies go all in. Bet the farm.

Change you can believe in. Yes we can. How many more trillions will be targeted for spending even before the inauguration? Some say the far left is upset as it does not look like PEBO will withdraw from Iraq abruptly. Some say he will be tested with the current Middle East situation. Congress looks like they will pick up where they left off last time….. nowhere. All those ‘critical’ issues that have been on the table for years will remain there for some time to come. Anything that gets done in Washington will cost us way more than we can afford. Or that are children can afford. Or that their children can afford. Are you depressed yet?

Either we keep doing things the way we always have or we do them differently. There was much talk of change and giving Washington a makeover from both major parties during the 2008 Presidential campaign. Since the election there are those who urge anyone who complains about PEBO to give him a chance. They ask that you at least let the man assume office before you cast judgment. There is a problem with that request.

It is the first step in doing things like we always do. Let up. Withhold criticism. Go about our business and expect that once a new President was elected as well as others in Congress and those across the country in state and local elections everything will take care of itself now that new people are taking office. Right after that too many will completely ignore what goes on except to voice the occasional complaint while watching the news at dinner time. One thing follows another and soon the whole cycle of the public doing nothing moves right along. And the elected and appointed officials continue to do what they do.

Maintain the discussion. Continue voicing complaints. Offer suggestions to your elected representatives. In a day of electronic communication like email or the less fashionable phone call or OMG typed or written letter sent by snail mail no one has an excuse for not being heard. In any way possible and on a regular basis you need to keep your elected and appointed officials honest. Maybe so many scandals erupt from time to time because we fail to harass politicians enough to keep them closer to the straight and narrow.

Enough said.

Stanford Matthews
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Lieut. Menkhaus heard that “people were down in the crowd.” There was nothing he could do. The mob was still moving and could not be penetrated. When the initial press slackened, the police started to force their way through. They found the first body at 7:45. In all, there were eight injured and eleven dead—seven men and four women.

That is a recounting of a tragedy at a 1979 Who concert in Cinncinati, Ohio published by TIME magazine. 11 people died because of the insanity of mob mentality. Adding to the stupidity is the idea that it was over something as ordinary a concert. There have been other such incidents as the one reported this month at a Walmart in New York in which a young security guard was trampled by crazed Christmas shoppers. In sporting events like some soccer matches in Europe and college athletic events in the US similar tragedies have occurred. And just to give the story a little global contrast there have been deaths related to unruly crowds during the large gatherings when Muslims participate in the Hajj as they are doing this week.

All these stories reflect some of the worst attributes of the human species. What is most unfortunate is the fact that all people are capable of such mindless action yet the same cannot be said of the most positive of human attributes; that all people possess that capacity. All of us may like to think we would not react in such a way or that we are not capable of this depraved response. But given the correct stimulus it is probable we could all surrender to the temptation of abandoning reason in extreme pursuit of selfish gain. The motive of self-preservation if inadequate means were available is perhaps one conscience soothing scenario in which we can visualize ourselves succumbing to despicable or reprehensible behavior which we find unacceptable as an observer after the fact.

Sometimes it is difficult to find an appropriate expression beyond something like: there are times when we are so sad an example of life on Earth.

Stanford Matthews
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