I have a beef. I have been noticing a lot of people who have either been indifferent or downright unsupportive of the US army and navy and their branches. This bothers me on multiple levels. I understand if people don’t support the war, the generals directing the army, or the executive asshats that be. I don’t support any of these people or their agendas either. Yet this has nothing to do with supporting the individual soldiers. Like it or not, the army is here to stay and performs a very important function for this country. Most soldiers follow orders. It’s their job. They don’t question (out loud) the integrity or ethics of war. They do what they feel they must to keep this country safe and guard our sovereignty. Think about it. What if we did not have an army or were stuck with a disorganized, inefficient one and Canada or Mexico started getting a sneaky look in their eye. We’d be colonized before we could all pickup sticks and wave them at Canada to try to scare them off. We’ve already proven that we can’t keep anyone south of the border out, invading or not.
So let’s give a little respect. Since the vast majority of us are not willing to take up arms to defend the country, nonetheless fight unnecessary wars, we should really give some respect to those who have hear the calling to.
Becky
Monday, April 28, 2008
Saturday, April 12, 2008
How Not to be a Popular Presidential Candidate
Listening to: Ahhhhh. Quiet.
Mood: Calm
I'll give you a hint - your first step is becoming Barak Obama.
So I was watching Jon Stewart the other night and had a good laugh about Barak Obama. Well, not specifically about him, but about the brouhaha that arose from something he did. Now I’ve blogged on Obama before and his choice to not wear a flag pin, but this just set the bar lower for the idiocy that is syndicated news. It seems now that not only do you HAVE to wear a flag pin to be a good president, you also have to…….wait for it, wait for it…………be fantastic at bowling!! That’s right boys and girls. If you do not know how to bowl, or are just horrible at it, you will not be a good president of these here United States.
Now I really like Barak Obama as a candidate. I will come on the record as endorsing him. (as if anyone cared….) He has an honest, hardworking air about him that I think would come as a breath of fresh air to this country. He has handled the race issue beautifully, especially after the sermon issue with the pastor that arose recently. It was SO heartening to see a candidate look an issue in the face and speak to the American public as adults and challenge them to raise their own standards of judgment and behavior. I loved it.
When are we (as in the media) going to focus on what’s really important? Are you really that hard up for news that you have to make fun of someone for their bowling score? This is not local news!! Are your priorities and perception of leadership really so screwed up that you consider bowling something to report on? Perhaps if it was just a passing reference to Barak trying to reach the blue collar audience and that he went bowling I wouldn’t be so incredulous.
*Sigh*. They should make leadership classes mandatory in high school. I understand that not everyone wants to or can be a leader, but we should have the common sense as adults to recognize the traits that make a good leader. Perhaps then more people would be calling this baloney what it is.
Becky
Mood: Calm
I'll give you a hint - your first step is becoming Barak Obama.
So I was watching Jon Stewart the other night and had a good laugh about Barak Obama. Well, not specifically about him, but about the brouhaha that arose from something he did. Now I’ve blogged on Obama before and his choice to not wear a flag pin, but this just set the bar lower for the idiocy that is syndicated news. It seems now that not only do you HAVE to wear a flag pin to be a good president, you also have to…….wait for it, wait for it…………be fantastic at bowling!! That’s right boys and girls. If you do not know how to bowl, or are just horrible at it, you will not be a good president of these here United States.
Now I really like Barak Obama as a candidate. I will come on the record as endorsing him. (as if anyone cared….) He has an honest, hardworking air about him that I think would come as a breath of fresh air to this country. He has handled the race issue beautifully, especially after the sermon issue with the pastor that arose recently. It was SO heartening to see a candidate look an issue in the face and speak to the American public as adults and challenge them to raise their own standards of judgment and behavior. I loved it.
When are we (as in the media) going to focus on what’s really important? Are you really that hard up for news that you have to make fun of someone for their bowling score? This is not local news!! Are your priorities and perception of leadership really so screwed up that you consider bowling something to report on? Perhaps if it was just a passing reference to Barak trying to reach the blue collar audience and that he went bowling I wouldn’t be so incredulous.
*Sigh*. They should make leadership classes mandatory in high school. I understand that not everyone wants to or can be a leader, but we should have the common sense as adults to recognize the traits that make a good leader. Perhaps then more people would be calling this baloney what it is.
Becky
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
All Hail Madeleine Albright
Listening to: Monster’s Inc
Mood: Calm
I happened to catch Jon Stewart’s program last night. He had Madeleine Albright on as a guest promoting her new book, A Memo to the President Elect. I recently read Secretary Albright’s book. As a woman, I already had a good deal of respect for her as an example for women. After I read this book, my understanding of her, my understanding of the world, and respect for her have greatly increased. This book should be a required read for any of the candidates before they take office. In fact, they should do a book report too! Ms. Albright also brought up some very good points as to why she thinks that we need Hillary in the white house. Up until now, I have been an Obama supporter. I feel that he has the chutzpah and determination to get things done. I also am a great proponent of the change that all of the candidates seem to be determined to get us to believe they can achieve. In my opinion, Obama would do his best to change as many negative things as possible. As Ms. Albright pointed out, the world is in a mess. We need someone with Hillary’s knowledge of politics and the world in order to have some hope of digging ourselves out of the cesspool that we’re in.
I just wanted to say Kudos to Secretary Albright. You are a fantastic role model for all women, young and old. I do hope the next president pays attention to and follows your advice. You are an asset to the office of President
Mood: Calm
I happened to catch Jon Stewart’s program last night. He had Madeleine Albright on as a guest promoting her new book, A Memo to the President Elect. I recently read Secretary Albright’s book. As a woman, I already had a good deal of respect for her as an example for women. After I read this book, my understanding of her, my understanding of the world, and respect for her have greatly increased. This book should be a required read for any of the candidates before they take office. In fact, they should do a book report too! Ms. Albright also brought up some very good points as to why she thinks that we need Hillary in the white house. Up until now, I have been an Obama supporter. I feel that he has the chutzpah and determination to get things done. I also am a great proponent of the change that all of the candidates seem to be determined to get us to believe they can achieve. In my opinion, Obama would do his best to change as many negative things as possible. As Ms. Albright pointed out, the world is in a mess. We need someone with Hillary’s knowledge of politics and the world in order to have some hope of digging ourselves out of the cesspool that we’re in.
I just wanted to say Kudos to Secretary Albright. You are a fantastic role model for all women, young and old. I do hope the next president pays attention to and follows your advice. You are an asset to the office of President
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Pakistan Vs. Iran - It's Nuclear
Listening To: Patience – Guns N Roses
Mood: Tired
I’ve been meaning to write on this subject for quite some time now at least long before both countries came into the spotlight for totally different issues. Unless you have been on a different planet (like, say, Saturn) lately, you will have heard about the findings that Iran has not developed weapons grade uranium nor does it plan to in the near future. This happened in spite of all of the posturing and pissing contests being held between our fearless, fake cowboy, leader and Iran’s short and conservative Ahmadinejad. You will also have heard about Pakistan’s recent drama with President Musharraf refusing to disrobe (well, not exactly disrobing, but it sounds so much more fun than just taking off his uniform!) and the unfortunate demise of Benezir Bhutto.
I haven’t been hearing as much lately, but the presidential candidates have been participating in some saber rattling over Iran and how we will definitely go after them if they don’t bow down and kiss our ass and do what we say. Now, I’m not mindlessly pro-Iran. They definitely have their own problems with religious nutcases and infrastructure. I don’t know that I want them to have nuclear weapons capabilities either because there are a lot of power hungry nutcases who would use them in the wrong way. However, in this case I think I admire Iran. They basically bent over and mooned the US and told us where to stick it instead of letting the US bully them. They were right that we had no authority to tell them that they were to get rid of any and all nuclear things. Hats off to Ahmadinejad for having cojones.
What concerns me is not so much that we’re going after Iran, but that we’re bothering them and completely ignoring Pakistan’s decent into chaos. A country that already has weapons grade nuclear capacity. Let’s wade just a little further into this cesspool of ridiculousness. Ahmadinejad seems to be an intelligent guy. As we determined, he has balls and knows how to conduct himself politically in the world. He has his own mind and stands up for himself. Iran isn’t the model democratic country, but they really have a lot more order than, say, Afghanistan or Pakistan. There is an infrastructure and a strong leadership, even if fanaticism rears its head at times. Pakistan, on the other hand, has been, and continues to, spin farther and farther out of any semblance of order and control. If you need proof of this, just take a look at Pakistan’s Northwestern Frontier Province (NFP) and Balochistan. Not only are these areas completely out of any government control, they are under the control of local war lords who thumb their noses at Musharraf and do what they want. Pakistan has numerous problems with porous borders in these areas into and out of Afghanistan, a major production center for religious nut jobs with control issues. I have my own theories that Bin Laden himself is indeed within Pakistan instead of Afghanistan, but I’ll save that for another day. I know for certain that I don’t want anyone in Afghanistan having nuclear knowledge. In case anyone is still interested in Afghanistan (you know, the country that started our latest meddling in the middle east…..) the Taliban nutcases are starting to come back out of the woodwork and being pains in peoples’ asses again. On top of all this nonsense, Pakistan is going through what promises to be a transitional phase with the government.
So why are we so blind to the situation in Pakistan? Why are we not giving the situation due attention? A few reasons. Number 1, we (as in we the White House) like Pres. Musharraf. Well, we like the fact that we can control him for the most part. Number 2, we would rather have the evil that we know (i.e. Musharraf) rather than a religious fanatic that we don’t. Number 3, we (again as in we the White House) want oil, and Pakistan is pretty well useless in this regard. Iran on the other hand would be a strategic resource for oil snatching.
A few rebuttals for these points:
1. Pakistan has, and probably always will be, bought by the highest bidder in the interest of the country. Has anyone in the White house looked into the history of Pakistan?? Seriously?? It is truly an insane place. The governments in Pakistan have a history of changing loyalty and interests like they change underwear. Whatever/whoever they gain the most from has their attention for the moment. The fallacy that we have Pakistan under our thumb is just that – a fallacy. If some country offers them lots of money to pass on technology they’re not gonna say, “Gee, the US probably wouldn’t like that….,” they’re gonna pass it on.
2. Musharraf is a temporary calm in the storm. As I mentioned, the government in Pakistan is unstable. We recently saw a serious jockeying for control in Pakistan because Musharraf decided that he was going to throw a tantrum and not take off his uniform, prompting Bhutto and Shariff to see the opportunity to take over in the event that the world turned against him. Anyhow, as we already determined, they already have nuclear technology. If they can’t get their government in order, how are they ever going to keep state secrets like nuclear technology?
3. Musharraf helping us to police his section of the world in regards to terrorists is another fallacy. Musharraf has no more control over certain sections of Pakistan (like the ones that cater to and harbor terrorists) than you or I. As I mentioned, the reality is that local war lords rule their territory with complete authority and a ferocity that Musharraf really has no desire to go up against. Musharraf has never really stood up to, nonetheless taken a stand against the religious fanatics that reside in his own country.
4. Invading Iran, whether it’s recognized as an oil snatching maneuver or not, would be a devastating decision for the US. Iran is not going to fall over like Iraq did. I would place money on the fact that Ahmadinejad will not be hiding in any underground tunnels. He will be directing the beating of the US army with a stick – most likely with the support of a large section of the world. Does anyone really think that Iran has not taken notice of the events of the past 3 years along with our cavalier attitude towards telling Iran what to do and not made plans about how to defend itself? I’m not thinking so.
I could probably go on about this for a few more pages, but I’ll stop now and post this. Please do not support a candidate who jumps on the bandwagon about Iran. It’s just not worth it. Our country needs to do some serious diplomacy research and actions in order to restore our face in the mind of the world. We have seriously wasted our good name and lots of patience in the past few years, and going vigilante on Iran would be a huge mistake to make.
Becky
Mood: Tired
I’ve been meaning to write on this subject for quite some time now at least long before both countries came into the spotlight for totally different issues. Unless you have been on a different planet (like, say, Saturn) lately, you will have heard about the findings that Iran has not developed weapons grade uranium nor does it plan to in the near future. This happened in spite of all of the posturing and pissing contests being held between our fearless, fake cowboy, leader and Iran’s short and conservative Ahmadinejad. You will also have heard about Pakistan’s recent drama with President Musharraf refusing to disrobe (well, not exactly disrobing, but it sounds so much more fun than just taking off his uniform!) and the unfortunate demise of Benezir Bhutto.
I haven’t been hearing as much lately, but the presidential candidates have been participating in some saber rattling over Iran and how we will definitely go after them if they don’t bow down and kiss our ass and do what we say. Now, I’m not mindlessly pro-Iran. They definitely have their own problems with religious nutcases and infrastructure. I don’t know that I want them to have nuclear weapons capabilities either because there are a lot of power hungry nutcases who would use them in the wrong way. However, in this case I think I admire Iran. They basically bent over and mooned the US and told us where to stick it instead of letting the US bully them. They were right that we had no authority to tell them that they were to get rid of any and all nuclear things. Hats off to Ahmadinejad for having cojones.
What concerns me is not so much that we’re going after Iran, but that we’re bothering them and completely ignoring Pakistan’s decent into chaos. A country that already has weapons grade nuclear capacity. Let’s wade just a little further into this cesspool of ridiculousness. Ahmadinejad seems to be an intelligent guy. As we determined, he has balls and knows how to conduct himself politically in the world. He has his own mind and stands up for himself. Iran isn’t the model democratic country, but they really have a lot more order than, say, Afghanistan or Pakistan. There is an infrastructure and a strong leadership, even if fanaticism rears its head at times. Pakistan, on the other hand, has been, and continues to, spin farther and farther out of any semblance of order and control. If you need proof of this, just take a look at Pakistan’s Northwestern Frontier Province (NFP) and Balochistan. Not only are these areas completely out of any government control, they are under the control of local war lords who thumb their noses at Musharraf and do what they want. Pakistan has numerous problems with porous borders in these areas into and out of Afghanistan, a major production center for religious nut jobs with control issues. I have my own theories that Bin Laden himself is indeed within Pakistan instead of Afghanistan, but I’ll save that for another day. I know for certain that I don’t want anyone in Afghanistan having nuclear knowledge. In case anyone is still interested in Afghanistan (you know, the country that started our latest meddling in the middle east…..) the Taliban nutcases are starting to come back out of the woodwork and being pains in peoples’ asses again. On top of all this nonsense, Pakistan is going through what promises to be a transitional phase with the government.
So why are we so blind to the situation in Pakistan? Why are we not giving the situation due attention? A few reasons. Number 1, we (as in we the White House) like Pres. Musharraf. Well, we like the fact that we can control him for the most part. Number 2, we would rather have the evil that we know (i.e. Musharraf) rather than a religious fanatic that we don’t. Number 3, we (again as in we the White House) want oil, and Pakistan is pretty well useless in this regard. Iran on the other hand would be a strategic resource for oil snatching.
A few rebuttals for these points:
1. Pakistan has, and probably always will be, bought by the highest bidder in the interest of the country. Has anyone in the White house looked into the history of Pakistan?? Seriously?? It is truly an insane place. The governments in Pakistan have a history of changing loyalty and interests like they change underwear. Whatever/whoever they gain the most from has their attention for the moment. The fallacy that we have Pakistan under our thumb is just that – a fallacy. If some country offers them lots of money to pass on technology they’re not gonna say, “Gee, the US probably wouldn’t like that….,” they’re gonna pass it on.
2. Musharraf is a temporary calm in the storm. As I mentioned, the government in Pakistan is unstable. We recently saw a serious jockeying for control in Pakistan because Musharraf decided that he was going to throw a tantrum and not take off his uniform, prompting Bhutto and Shariff to see the opportunity to take over in the event that the world turned against him. Anyhow, as we already determined, they already have nuclear technology. If they can’t get their government in order, how are they ever going to keep state secrets like nuclear technology?
3. Musharraf helping us to police his section of the world in regards to terrorists is another fallacy. Musharraf has no more control over certain sections of Pakistan (like the ones that cater to and harbor terrorists) than you or I. As I mentioned, the reality is that local war lords rule their territory with complete authority and a ferocity that Musharraf really has no desire to go up against. Musharraf has never really stood up to, nonetheless taken a stand against the religious fanatics that reside in his own country.
4. Invading Iran, whether it’s recognized as an oil snatching maneuver or not, would be a devastating decision for the US. Iran is not going to fall over like Iraq did. I would place money on the fact that Ahmadinejad will not be hiding in any underground tunnels. He will be directing the beating of the US army with a stick – most likely with the support of a large section of the world. Does anyone really think that Iran has not taken notice of the events of the past 3 years along with our cavalier attitude towards telling Iran what to do and not made plans about how to defend itself? I’m not thinking so.
I could probably go on about this for a few more pages, but I’ll stop now and post this. Please do not support a candidate who jumps on the bandwagon about Iran. It’s just not worth it. Our country needs to do some serious diplomacy research and actions in order to restore our face in the mind of the world. We have seriously wasted our good name and lots of patience in the past few years, and going vigilante on Iran would be a huge mistake to make.
Becky
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
By Way of Introduction
Hi I'm Becky. I have set up this blog to vent some of my frustration and opinions on some of the current political events that are occuring in our fair country. (The US of A).
About Me:
I'm a 26 year old married chick living in White Plains NY. It's about a half hour from NYC. I have a bachelors of science in business admin. I have 2 kids and am at home for a year with my youngest. After that, I will persue a job and or career. I have a few other blogs, so if you want to know a little bit more about me, you might want to check those out in my profile. I have been blogging for 2 years on Yahoo. If you want to get a little background on me and my style, check it out at:
http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-h6VVLvEjfKeRs37GCw2TsX6YAeY-?cq=1
I have moved to Blogger to split up blogging topics and keep things a little more organized.
Blogging is a way for me to mentally exercise and enjoy writing, and while I might not do it as often as I would like, I do try to blog on a regular basis. No one is paying me anything - it's just me, my opinions on life, and my love of writing.
Caveat:
I know politics is a touchy subject, like religion and sex. I'm a firm believer in everyone having the right to their own opinion and thoughts, no matter how stupid. This being said, Please don't email me hate mail about how stupid I am and my opinions are. I welcome comments and constructive criticism. I do not welcome bashing simply because I think differently or have a different opinion or political bent. That being said, you are welcome to your own opinions and thoughts too. I would love to hear how you think on any given topic.
Let's get the party started!
Becky
About Me:
I'm a 26 year old married chick living in White Plains NY. It's about a half hour from NYC. I have a bachelors of science in business admin. I have 2 kids and am at home for a year with my youngest. After that, I will persue a job and or career. I have a few other blogs, so if you want to know a little bit more about me, you might want to check those out in my profile. I have been blogging for 2 years on Yahoo. If you want to get a little background on me and my style, check it out at:
http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-h6VVLvEjfKeRs37GCw2TsX6YAeY-?cq=1
I have moved to Blogger to split up blogging topics and keep things a little more organized.
Blogging is a way for me to mentally exercise and enjoy writing, and while I might not do it as often as I would like, I do try to blog on a regular basis. No one is paying me anything - it's just me, my opinions on life, and my love of writing.
Caveat:
I know politics is a touchy subject, like religion and sex. I'm a firm believer in everyone having the right to their own opinion and thoughts, no matter how stupid. This being said, Please don't email me hate mail about how stupid I am and my opinions are. I welcome comments and constructive criticism. I do not welcome bashing simply because I think differently or have a different opinion or political bent. That being said, you are welcome to your own opinions and thoughts too. I would love to hear how you think on any given topic.
Let's get the party started!
Becky
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
