(The following was published in the Newsleader on July 10, 2009)
THE NEWS
Like most of you I am a consumer of the news. I read newspapers, watch TV, listen to the radio, and scan the Internet. I have grown concerned over the past few years however as I have watched what has happened to news reporting. In reading this column you are reading an opinion piece. It is not news. On the same page of this paper are other opinion pieces as well as an editorial offering the view of the publishers and editors of the Newsleader. News appears on other pages of this paper as well as other newspapers. Unfortunately the line is often crossed by reporters of so-called news to include opinion.
If I report to you that ice in the Arctic has melted back by two inches in the past decade, and I have facts to back that up, that is news. If I report that the ice in the Arctic is melting and will soon cause the oceans to overflow, that is opinion. If I report to you that we are running out of fossil fuels and will soon be at the mercy of an angry earth, that is not news. That is wild eyed speculation and opinion. If I further report that you should do something to stop this runaway use of fossil fuels because we are going to run out, that is not news. That is someone telling you how you should feel about a situation that isn't even a fact. It is just opinion.
For several years now we have allowed our news gathering and reporting services to get away with shoddy, unproven speculation and offer it as news. I am a strong advocate of a free press. I believe we must have a strong unbiased media that is relentless in rooting out the news that the news makers would otherwise like to keep hidden, but news is something that has already happened, Events yet to occur are not news, they are conjecture. To offer them as news is a violation of the practice of good journalism.
Here's a little test. Take any news story that is current and visit several news reporting services. I am talking about all forms of media. Then see how different the same story becomes when the various agencies put their slant on it. The New York Times will report one way, and Fox News will see it quite differently. CNN has their view and ABC or NBC will sell their point of view in another way. All of this under the guise of news reporting. The problem of course is that none of these agencies has the franchise on truth.
Reporting from war zones is something else. It continues to be almost impossible to garner the truth about what is really going on by the reports we are given. Very often truth is a casualty of agenda driven reporting and editing.
Here is one final little test to try. When news reporters offer a statement as news, and by its nature you know it is just opinion, add this comment to the end of their offering, "or not". That puts the whole thing in a different perspective. I love reading the opinion pages and I hope you do as well, but we should never confuse opinion with news. News reporters need to get back to sound journalism. As Jack Webb used to say on Dragnet, "Just the facts Ma'am, just the facts."
Ron Scarbro June 28, 2009
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Sunday, July 12, 2009
A BOOK REVIEW
(The following was published in the Newsleader on July 17, 2009)
This week's blog is going to be something of a departure from my normal writing. In the past this blog has been dedicated to my rants about politics and the general state of our lives today. Today however, I will be reviewing a book.
A few weeks ago I was contacted by Turner Publishing Co. of Nashville, Tennessee and asked to consider reading and reviewing a new book they were soon to release and posting that review on my blog. Now you may ask the same question I did, why was I chosen for this task? I would like to tell you that they had read my previous writing and were impressed by the intellect, humor, and wit contained therein. I would like to tell you that, but that would be untrue. They probably chose me because I live in Minnesota and am registered as a Minnesota blogger. At any rate I agreed to the job and they sent me the book.
The book is entitled "HISTORIC PHOTOS OF MINNESOTA". The author is Minneapolis resident Susan Marks whose previous book was "Finding Betty Crocker; The Secret Life Of America's First Lady Of Food".
The book begins with the premise that, like in most states, many historic photos exist but they are very difficult to find and enjoy. Susan set about finding these pictures and providing the history of each photo. The book then is a so-called coffee table tome which offers the reader pictures and history of Minnesota. The photos date back to the early 1800s and carry forward to the late 1900s.
In reading this volume I was amazed by the thoroughness and accuracy of the comments. One learns a great deal about the history of this great state and is further educated by the pictures. I don't know when photography first came on the scene, but I am sure that some of the earliest attempts are included in "HISTORIC PHOTOS OF MINNESOTA". You will see images of Native Americans who were the first settlers of Minnesota and you will see the European influx which followed. As I consider those first European settlers, I can certainly understand why Minnesota was chosen as their new home if they arrived in the spring or summer. What astounds me is that they stayed past their first winter, but I digress. Seriously they did find their new home and came in great numbers. As the book attests, Minnesota today reflects this heritage proudly.
"HISTORIC PHOTOS OF MINNESOTA" belongs in every Minnesota home and in every school in the state. The history of this state is beautifully and accurately depicted in both the pictures and words. Susan Marks has done a magnificent job of rounding up the contents of this handsome book.
I intend to donate my copy of this lovely book to the Sartell Senior Connection and have it placed in their drop-in center for senior citizens. I can imagine many hours being spent by older Minnesotans reminiscing about the early days as they read it. I know it will be a hit.
My congratulations to Susan Marks and to Turner Publishing Co. for their accomplishment. I recommend "HISTORIC PHOTOS OF MINNESOTA" to all Minnesotans and to others who have an interest in the formulative years of this great state.
Ron Scarbro July 12, 2009
This week's blog is going to be something of a departure from my normal writing. In the past this blog has been dedicated to my rants about politics and the general state of our lives today. Today however, I will be reviewing a book.
A few weeks ago I was contacted by Turner Publishing Co. of Nashville, Tennessee and asked to consider reading and reviewing a new book they were soon to release and posting that review on my blog. Now you may ask the same question I did, why was I chosen for this task? I would like to tell you that they had read my previous writing and were impressed by the intellect, humor, and wit contained therein. I would like to tell you that, but that would be untrue. They probably chose me because I live in Minnesota and am registered as a Minnesota blogger. At any rate I agreed to the job and they sent me the book.
The book is entitled "HISTORIC PHOTOS OF MINNESOTA". The author is Minneapolis resident Susan Marks whose previous book was "Finding Betty Crocker; The Secret Life Of America's First Lady Of Food".
The book begins with the premise that, like in most states, many historic photos exist but they are very difficult to find and enjoy. Susan set about finding these pictures and providing the history of each photo. The book then is a so-called coffee table tome which offers the reader pictures and history of Minnesota. The photos date back to the early 1800s and carry forward to the late 1900s.
In reading this volume I was amazed by the thoroughness and accuracy of the comments. One learns a great deal about the history of this great state and is further educated by the pictures. I don't know when photography first came on the scene, but I am sure that some of the earliest attempts are included in "HISTORIC PHOTOS OF MINNESOTA". You will see images of Native Americans who were the first settlers of Minnesota and you will see the European influx which followed. As I consider those first European settlers, I can certainly understand why Minnesota was chosen as their new home if they arrived in the spring or summer. What astounds me is that they stayed past their first winter, but I digress. Seriously they did find their new home and came in great numbers. As the book attests, Minnesota today reflects this heritage proudly.
"HISTORIC PHOTOS OF MINNESOTA" belongs in every Minnesota home and in every school in the state. The history of this state is beautifully and accurately depicted in both the pictures and words. Susan Marks has done a magnificent job of rounding up the contents of this handsome book.
I intend to donate my copy of this lovely book to the Sartell Senior Connection and have it placed in their drop-in center for senior citizens. I can imagine many hours being spent by older Minnesotans reminiscing about the early days as they read it. I know it will be a hit.
My congratulations to Susan Marks and to Turner Publishing Co. for their accomplishment. I recommend "HISTORIC PHOTOS OF MINNESOTA" to all Minnesotans and to others who have an interest in the formulative years of this great state.
Ron Scarbro July 12, 2009
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
BUTTERFLIES, CARP, AND KUDZU, ETC.
A group of scientists in England recently went into action to try and save a species of butterfly from extinction. In their opinion global warming was causing the elimination of this certain group of insects and they needed immediate human intervention. It was reported that the scientists went about gathering up these butterflies and moving them to the northern most point of their range in an effort to allow them to survive the onslaught of global warming. Some may see this as a beautiful thing. Some may even believe that these scientists have done great service to the world by trying to save these insects. Others however may see this as interfering in Nature's plan.
Several years back a group of people decided to fix an erosion problem. It seemed that during rain storms soil would be loosened and be washed away. To repair this phenomenon, they imported a vine from China known as kudzu. This was the miracle treatment for the erosion problem. The vine quickly grew and stopped the wash away of the soil. So what's wrong with this picture? Travel anywhere in the southeast and you will see what is wrong with this picture. Kudzu has taken over. It is everywhere. It is almost impossible to control. It kills off all native plants and ground cover and creates imbalance in the topography. The erosion problem doesn't exist where kudzu has taken root but that doesn't begin to atone for the disaster caused by the introduction of this alien plant.
In the early years of this country European settlers decided they wanted to bring carp from the old country to the rivers and lakes of America. Carp was one of their favorite food fishes and they thought it a good idea to have them available in their new home. Unfortunately carp now inhabit virtually every river, stream, pond and lake in America. They take over from the native species and create havoc wherever they exist. This trash fish has ruined many fisheries.
These are but a few examples where well meaning intervention in Nature's plan has caused an unintended consequence. I am not privileged to know exactly what Nature's plan is but I think it is easy enough to understand that human interference in that plan can have dramatic and sometimes tragic results that are often unintended.
A part of Nature's plan also seems to be an ongoing pattern of warming and cooling of the earth. In the long history of this planet there have been many, many periods of warming and cooling. In the history of earth tens of thousands of animals and plants have evolved and just as many have died off. It is just possible that this particular species of butterfly is supposed to die off. The British scientists are interfering in something which could have unintended results. The movement of plants and animals from one part of the world to another could very easily be seen as interference.
The problem is clear. Those who practice the religion of global warming probably believe they have the right to do anything to change that phenomenon. Such arrogance. I think we all should step back and take a good hard look at what is real. Humans have no role in the ongoing warming and cooling of the earth, and humans can do nothing to alter this activity. Humans are not in charge. Humans are just another species which inhabits the earth at this time. There is no guarantee that we will be around tomorrow or any time in the future. There was a commercial that ran many years ago on TV. The tag line was, "It's not nice to fool with Mother Nature." Perhaps we should heed that warning.
Ron Scarbro July 7, 2009
Several years back a group of people decided to fix an erosion problem. It seemed that during rain storms soil would be loosened and be washed away. To repair this phenomenon, they imported a vine from China known as kudzu. This was the miracle treatment for the erosion problem. The vine quickly grew and stopped the wash away of the soil. So what's wrong with this picture? Travel anywhere in the southeast and you will see what is wrong with this picture. Kudzu has taken over. It is everywhere. It is almost impossible to control. It kills off all native plants and ground cover and creates imbalance in the topography. The erosion problem doesn't exist where kudzu has taken root but that doesn't begin to atone for the disaster caused by the introduction of this alien plant.
In the early years of this country European settlers decided they wanted to bring carp from the old country to the rivers and lakes of America. Carp was one of their favorite food fishes and they thought it a good idea to have them available in their new home. Unfortunately carp now inhabit virtually every river, stream, pond and lake in America. They take over from the native species and create havoc wherever they exist. This trash fish has ruined many fisheries.
These are but a few examples where well meaning intervention in Nature's plan has caused an unintended consequence. I am not privileged to know exactly what Nature's plan is but I think it is easy enough to understand that human interference in that plan can have dramatic and sometimes tragic results that are often unintended.
A part of Nature's plan also seems to be an ongoing pattern of warming and cooling of the earth. In the long history of this planet there have been many, many periods of warming and cooling. In the history of earth tens of thousands of animals and plants have evolved and just as many have died off. It is just possible that this particular species of butterfly is supposed to die off. The British scientists are interfering in something which could have unintended results. The movement of plants and animals from one part of the world to another could very easily be seen as interference.
The problem is clear. Those who practice the religion of global warming probably believe they have the right to do anything to change that phenomenon. Such arrogance. I think we all should step back and take a good hard look at what is real. Humans have no role in the ongoing warming and cooling of the earth, and humans can do nothing to alter this activity. Humans are not in charge. Humans are just another species which inhabits the earth at this time. There is no guarantee that we will be around tomorrow or any time in the future. There was a commercial that ran many years ago on TV. The tag line was, "It's not nice to fool with Mother Nature." Perhaps we should heed that warning.
Ron Scarbro July 7, 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
TRAGIC LIVES
There was Elvis and then there was Anna Nicole Smith, and now its Michael Jackson. Tragic figures whose lives should have been anything but tragic.This trio of people earned and burned through millions and millions of dollars. All three died premature deaths under very questionable circumstances. All three seemed to be involved with vast amounts of prescription drugs. All three had the required entourage of sycophant yes men and toadies. I doubt if any of the three ever heard the word no. Their life styles were recipes for total disaster and that is exactly what happened.
I am not going to pick on Michael Jackson now that he is dead nor am I going to criticize any others who may be involved in this sort of life. No I am going to instead ask the question of why. Why do we worship at the feet of such flawed individuals? Why do we shower them with such adoration? Also, were they flawed before they became famous or were we complicit in their downfalls? It is pretty clear to any normal thinking person that all three were probably crazy. Did fame drive them crazy or were they crazy before their notoriety? Sad questions. Sad commentary. Tragic lives.
Now the fun begins in the Jackson case. Lawsuits will flood the courts as all the hangers on will try to continue to live off their fallen meal ticket. Medical people will be called to account as to how and why Jackson got all the prescription drugs he was allegedly taking. Remember also there are three children caught up in the middle of this mess and nobody seems to know who their real father is. The courts will divvy up the spoils of this tragic life. I feel sorry for the children. They had no part in this idiotic mess. It has been reported that their biological mother wants no part of them. What will their lives be like?
I saw one report that was identified as a preliminary autopsy. Michael Jackson was 5'10" tall and weighed 112lbs at his death. He has lost all of his hair and his body was covered with scars and needle marks. He was skin and bones. He was 50 years old. What a terrible end to what should have been a full and happy life. It would appear that all budding super stars should heed the warning that being an idol can be hazardous to your health and could cause premature death.
And we, what will we do? Some will just go out and find another idol to worship. Sadly they seem to find some sort of vicarious pleasure by their actions. They crave items of clothing, autographs, anything that lets them think they shared their idol's life. They live in some fantasy world that they have conjured up. The stars often fall for the adoration. Some probably even believe that they are truly loved by these fans. They of course live in their own fantasy.
All of this makes me think that being just a normal person with a normal life is not that bad. I will never have cheering fans screaming my name or sycophants rushing to please me. No I'll just live out my life as an average guy with an above average wife and of course above average kids and grandkids. Oh and by the way, their adoration is all I will ever need.
Ron Scarbro June 29, 2009
I am not going to pick on Michael Jackson now that he is dead nor am I going to criticize any others who may be involved in this sort of life. No I am going to instead ask the question of why. Why do we worship at the feet of such flawed individuals? Why do we shower them with such adoration? Also, were they flawed before they became famous or were we complicit in their downfalls? It is pretty clear to any normal thinking person that all three were probably crazy. Did fame drive them crazy or were they crazy before their notoriety? Sad questions. Sad commentary. Tragic lives.
Now the fun begins in the Jackson case. Lawsuits will flood the courts as all the hangers on will try to continue to live off their fallen meal ticket. Medical people will be called to account as to how and why Jackson got all the prescription drugs he was allegedly taking. Remember also there are three children caught up in the middle of this mess and nobody seems to know who their real father is. The courts will divvy up the spoils of this tragic life. I feel sorry for the children. They had no part in this idiotic mess. It has been reported that their biological mother wants no part of them. What will their lives be like?
I saw one report that was identified as a preliminary autopsy. Michael Jackson was 5'10" tall and weighed 112lbs at his death. He has lost all of his hair and his body was covered with scars and needle marks. He was skin and bones. He was 50 years old. What a terrible end to what should have been a full and happy life. It would appear that all budding super stars should heed the warning that being an idol can be hazardous to your health and could cause premature death.
And we, what will we do? Some will just go out and find another idol to worship. Sadly they seem to find some sort of vicarious pleasure by their actions. They crave items of clothing, autographs, anything that lets them think they shared their idol's life. They live in some fantasy world that they have conjured up. The stars often fall for the adoration. Some probably even believe that they are truly loved by these fans. They of course live in their own fantasy.
All of this makes me think that being just a normal person with a normal life is not that bad. I will never have cheering fans screaming my name or sycophants rushing to please me. No I'll just live out my life as an average guy with an above average wife and of course above average kids and grandkids. Oh and by the way, their adoration is all I will ever need.
Ron Scarbro June 29, 2009
Sunday, June 21, 2009
IRANIAN ELECTIONS AND OUR ROLE
(The following was published in the Newsleader on June 26, 2009)
Okay, Iran had their Presidential election. Seriously now, did anyone really believe that this would be a legitimate exercise? Iran is a Theocratic dictatorship. It is not a democracy. Freedom does not exist. In Iran free elections are a joke. My first question is why would they need a President anyway? After all, they have their "Supreme Leader". He is none other than Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Khamenei runs the show all the way. The President is nothing more than a puppet who happens to make a lot of noise and the noise he makes is what he is told to make.
The Iranian people are apparently upset now. It also appears that they are rioting and marching in the street. I hope they succeed, but it is none of our affair. The Iranian people must decide what kind of a government they want and they also have to decide what they are willing to do to make it happen. We will continue to be blamed for anything and everything that goes wrong in Iran anyway because it pleases the powers that be to do so. I recommend however that we just lay back and wait a bit. We cannot and should not try to pick a government for them. When and if the Iranians get serious about shedding their yoke of oppression, then we could possibly be called on to assist. If, however, Iran persists in its pursuit of nuclear weaponry, a situation which the West will not allow, it is the Iranian people who will have to pay the price.
The Ayatollah has threatened the people with certain bloodshed. I am sure he is not kidding. He knows that if he doesn't put this insurrection down right away, it will soon be unstoppable. He wouldn't last five minutes in a free state and he knows that.
I will draw this parallel. America decided to shed her oppressors a few years back. Brave men and women issued their Declaration of Independence. They knew they were inviting retaliation. They knew that they were committing treason and could face death, but this was the slogan of the day, "Give me liberty or give me death." It is just possible that the Iranian people are issuing their declaration now. I don't know if they will be successful. I don't know if they have the courage to see this to the end.
I have read that the vast majority of Iranians are young and smart. I have learned that they (the majority) want to live a freer more western lifestyle. That is not to say that they would give up their religion or its influence, it is just to say they want to modernize. We will see.
If they continue their fight, many of them will die in their attempt. They will become the martyrs that the Ayatollah doesn't want. I wish them well.
As we come into our own celebration of our independence, we should never take for granted what our founders risked in order for this country to establish itself. We must never take for granted what our military risks everyday to keep us free. In reality we are not that far removed from the fight that is going on in Iran right now. Celebrate your freedom and remember those who are oppressed around the world. There but for the grace of God and the bravery and wisdom of our founding fathers, go we.
Ron Scarbro June 20, 2009
Okay, Iran had their Presidential election. Seriously now, did anyone really believe that this would be a legitimate exercise? Iran is a Theocratic dictatorship. It is not a democracy. Freedom does not exist. In Iran free elections are a joke. My first question is why would they need a President anyway? After all, they have their "Supreme Leader". He is none other than Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Khamenei runs the show all the way. The President is nothing more than a puppet who happens to make a lot of noise and the noise he makes is what he is told to make.
The Iranian people are apparently upset now. It also appears that they are rioting and marching in the street. I hope they succeed, but it is none of our affair. The Iranian people must decide what kind of a government they want and they also have to decide what they are willing to do to make it happen. We will continue to be blamed for anything and everything that goes wrong in Iran anyway because it pleases the powers that be to do so. I recommend however that we just lay back and wait a bit. We cannot and should not try to pick a government for them. When and if the Iranians get serious about shedding their yoke of oppression, then we could possibly be called on to assist. If, however, Iran persists in its pursuit of nuclear weaponry, a situation which the West will not allow, it is the Iranian people who will have to pay the price.
The Ayatollah has threatened the people with certain bloodshed. I am sure he is not kidding. He knows that if he doesn't put this insurrection down right away, it will soon be unstoppable. He wouldn't last five minutes in a free state and he knows that.
I will draw this parallel. America decided to shed her oppressors a few years back. Brave men and women issued their Declaration of Independence. They knew they were inviting retaliation. They knew that they were committing treason and could face death, but this was the slogan of the day, "Give me liberty or give me death." It is just possible that the Iranian people are issuing their declaration now. I don't know if they will be successful. I don't know if they have the courage to see this to the end.
I have read that the vast majority of Iranians are young and smart. I have learned that they (the majority) want to live a freer more western lifestyle. That is not to say that they would give up their religion or its influence, it is just to say they want to modernize. We will see.
If they continue their fight, many of them will die in their attempt. They will become the martyrs that the Ayatollah doesn't want. I wish them well.
As we come into our own celebration of our independence, we should never take for granted what our founders risked in order for this country to establish itself. We must never take for granted what our military risks everyday to keep us free. In reality we are not that far removed from the fight that is going on in Iran right now. Celebrate your freedom and remember those who are oppressed around the world. There but for the grace of God and the bravery and wisdom of our founding fathers, go we.
Ron Scarbro June 20, 2009
Monday, June 15, 2009
JUNE'S MORON OF THE MONTH
JUNE'S MORON OF THE MONTH
I know you have all been waiting with bated breath for the naming of this month's honoree. It has not been an easy decision. Again there are so many candidates. For a long time, a certain nationally televised comedian was the leader of the pack. I am sure you heard of the comment David Letterman stated in his monologue regarding Gov. Sarah Palin's daughter. What was supposed to pass as a joke went over very badly. Making jokes about sex with children is not funny. Making jokes about the children of politicians is not funny. As a matter of fact, anytime a comedian decides to use his national forum to spew his particular political opinion, he always ceases to be funny. I give you as examples Bill Maher, Garrison Keillor, and now of course David Letterman. No, these people will not be named as morons of the month because they are insignificant in the overall scheme of things.
June's moron of the month is none other than Nancy Pelosi. There are many reasons for naming her but the latest is her insistence that CIA photos of so-called torture of retained terrorists at Gitmo be released to the media. This even though her own party's President has said no. In some ways I feel sorry for Pelosi. She has to pander to an extremely left wing segment of the Democrat party to stay in power and at the same time she has to be loyal to the party as a whole. This is in addition to the fact that she represents San Francisco, a city widely known as an Un-American community.
Nancy Pelosi needs to take a good hard look at loyalty, and what that means. Her first allegiance should be to the American people, not some political party or some sub-set of a political party. It has been reported that if these photos are released, our own troops will be further endangered in the world. There is nothing to gain and possibly much to lose if the pictures are released and published.
To my way of thinking, Pelosi is the epitome of the "Peter Principle". She has been promoted and promoted to the point where she has at last reached her maximum level of incompetence. The idea that San Francisco wants her as their representative is not a problem for me. The problem comes when she uses her seniority to become a national figure. Now she is third in line to be President of the US. Are you kidding me? This is combined with the fact that the number two in line is Joe Biden. When the electorate of this country decides it wants change they really do it up right. Oh well, that is another column for another time. Today we celebrate just one moron, Nancy Pelosi.
I have previously written in the continuing saga of Pelosi of her statement that the CIA lied to her or at least didn't inform her of their tactics when we know from the evidence that they did inform her years ago. The CIA regularly briefs Congress of their comings and goings. Isn't it funny how the whole matter of CIA lying has just disappeared from the media spotlight? Is it possible that Pelosi doesn't really want an investigation after all?
Well there you have it, June's Moron of the Month. Stay tuned as we sift through the many possibilities in the months to come.
Ron Scarbro June 15, 2009
I know you have all been waiting with bated breath for the naming of this month's honoree. It has not been an easy decision. Again there are so many candidates. For a long time, a certain nationally televised comedian was the leader of the pack. I am sure you heard of the comment David Letterman stated in his monologue regarding Gov. Sarah Palin's daughter. What was supposed to pass as a joke went over very badly. Making jokes about sex with children is not funny. Making jokes about the children of politicians is not funny. As a matter of fact, anytime a comedian decides to use his national forum to spew his particular political opinion, he always ceases to be funny. I give you as examples Bill Maher, Garrison Keillor, and now of course David Letterman. No, these people will not be named as morons of the month because they are insignificant in the overall scheme of things.
June's moron of the month is none other than Nancy Pelosi. There are many reasons for naming her but the latest is her insistence that CIA photos of so-called torture of retained terrorists at Gitmo be released to the media. This even though her own party's President has said no. In some ways I feel sorry for Pelosi. She has to pander to an extremely left wing segment of the Democrat party to stay in power and at the same time she has to be loyal to the party as a whole. This is in addition to the fact that she represents San Francisco, a city widely known as an Un-American community.
Nancy Pelosi needs to take a good hard look at loyalty, and what that means. Her first allegiance should be to the American people, not some political party or some sub-set of a political party. It has been reported that if these photos are released, our own troops will be further endangered in the world. There is nothing to gain and possibly much to lose if the pictures are released and published.
To my way of thinking, Pelosi is the epitome of the "Peter Principle". She has been promoted and promoted to the point where she has at last reached her maximum level of incompetence. The idea that San Francisco wants her as their representative is not a problem for me. The problem comes when she uses her seniority to become a national figure. Now she is third in line to be President of the US. Are you kidding me? This is combined with the fact that the number two in line is Joe Biden. When the electorate of this country decides it wants change they really do it up right. Oh well, that is another column for another time. Today we celebrate just one moron, Nancy Pelosi.
I have previously written in the continuing saga of Pelosi of her statement that the CIA lied to her or at least didn't inform her of their tactics when we know from the evidence that they did inform her years ago. The CIA regularly briefs Congress of their comings and goings. Isn't it funny how the whole matter of CIA lying has just disappeared from the media spotlight? Is it possible that Pelosi doesn't really want an investigation after all?
Well there you have it, June's Moron of the Month. Stay tuned as we sift through the many possibilities in the months to come.
Ron Scarbro June 15, 2009
Monday, June 8, 2009
ARRESTED, CONVICTED, AND SENTENCED
Two intrepid reporters have been arrested in North Korea for the crime of entering that country illegally. You have surely heard about this one. They are Laura Ling and Euna Lee. These two young ladies were reportedly researching a story about the treatment of refugees along the China/North Korean border when they entered North Korea. It is extremely difficult to know the true story but there is some information here that needs to be discussed.
These ladies appear to be working for some sort of media organization owned by Al Gore. But this isn't about Gore. It isn't even about the North Koreans. No this is about two rather naive people putting themselves and their country in serious jeopardy. They were of course tried and convicted of the illegal entry and then sentenced to twelve years in prison. Now the fun begins.
Because of their actions, we will now have to give the North Koreans many concessions in order to get them released. Negotiations have already begun. This fits right into the North Korean's plan. Instead of more sanctions, we will probably wind up giving them money, food, and who knows what else just to get these two ladies out of there. For us it is a nightmare. For the North Koreans it is a propaganda coupe. All of this because of two silly young girls being somewhere they shouldn't be doing something they shouldn't be doing.
What should be our response? How much should we give up to spring these women? I am tempted to leave them where they are and let them serve out their twelve year sentence as an example to others who would take these stupid chances. They remind me of the idiots who went to Iraq and decided to put themselves in front of our soldiers in order to protect the people of Iraq. We know what happened of course, Saddam used them to protect not the Iraqi people but instead as protection of his army and his weapons. They were lucky to get out alive.
No, we will not let them sit in prison. Just like we did not let the young lady reporter stay in prison in Iran. We negotiated her release by giving up who knows what. Again I ask the question, why was she there? She surely knew that Iran has declared war on this country and will not rest until we knock some sense into them.
I think this is what should now happen. First we do what we have to do to get these two women out of North Korea. When they get back here, they should not get a ticker tape parade. No they should be sent to one of our prisons to serve out their twelve year sentence. If that sounds harsh, I'm sorry. We cannot continue to allow people to put themselves and this country in jeopardy by stupid actions. The next thing we should do is clear. We should punish North Korea in such a way as they would think twice before messing with an American citizen ever. I am not talking about sending them a nasty letter from the UN. I am not talking about blockading their ports. No I am talking about taking out a serious amount of their real estate. They and the rest of the world need to know that we will not allow these types of actions to go unpunished.
The reason these little third rate countries do what they do is they believe it is in their interest to do so. They do not think there will be any penalty. Why would they? We don't have a very good record of retaliation, do we?
These ladies, the two in North Korea and the one who was just released from Iran are not heroes. They should not be treated as such. They are people who for whatever reason, put America in peril. Their actions were not heroic. Who knows what the cost of this will eventually be?
Finally everyone needs to understand the reality of today's world. These are not normal intelligent people with whom we are dealing. These are tyrants who would think nothing of slaughtering people by the thousands. The sooner we all come to this realization, the better off we will be. America needs to let the rest of the world understand that there is a price to pay for crimes committed against us.
Ron Scarbro June 8, 2009
These ladies appear to be working for some sort of media organization owned by Al Gore. But this isn't about Gore. It isn't even about the North Koreans. No this is about two rather naive people putting themselves and their country in serious jeopardy. They were of course tried and convicted of the illegal entry and then sentenced to twelve years in prison. Now the fun begins.
Because of their actions, we will now have to give the North Koreans many concessions in order to get them released. Negotiations have already begun. This fits right into the North Korean's plan. Instead of more sanctions, we will probably wind up giving them money, food, and who knows what else just to get these two ladies out of there. For us it is a nightmare. For the North Koreans it is a propaganda coupe. All of this because of two silly young girls being somewhere they shouldn't be doing something they shouldn't be doing.
What should be our response? How much should we give up to spring these women? I am tempted to leave them where they are and let them serve out their twelve year sentence as an example to others who would take these stupid chances. They remind me of the idiots who went to Iraq and decided to put themselves in front of our soldiers in order to protect the people of Iraq. We know what happened of course, Saddam used them to protect not the Iraqi people but instead as protection of his army and his weapons. They were lucky to get out alive.
No, we will not let them sit in prison. Just like we did not let the young lady reporter stay in prison in Iran. We negotiated her release by giving up who knows what. Again I ask the question, why was she there? She surely knew that Iran has declared war on this country and will not rest until we knock some sense into them.
I think this is what should now happen. First we do what we have to do to get these two women out of North Korea. When they get back here, they should not get a ticker tape parade. No they should be sent to one of our prisons to serve out their twelve year sentence. If that sounds harsh, I'm sorry. We cannot continue to allow people to put themselves and this country in jeopardy by stupid actions. The next thing we should do is clear. We should punish North Korea in such a way as they would think twice before messing with an American citizen ever. I am not talking about sending them a nasty letter from the UN. I am not talking about blockading their ports. No I am talking about taking out a serious amount of their real estate. They and the rest of the world need to know that we will not allow these types of actions to go unpunished.
The reason these little third rate countries do what they do is they believe it is in their interest to do so. They do not think there will be any penalty. Why would they? We don't have a very good record of retaliation, do we?
These ladies, the two in North Korea and the one who was just released from Iran are not heroes. They should not be treated as such. They are people who for whatever reason, put America in peril. Their actions were not heroic. Who knows what the cost of this will eventually be?
Finally everyone needs to understand the reality of today's world. These are not normal intelligent people with whom we are dealing. These are tyrants who would think nothing of slaughtering people by the thousands. The sooner we all come to this realization, the better off we will be. America needs to let the rest of the world understand that there is a price to pay for crimes committed against us.
Ron Scarbro June 8, 2009
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