How many people know that May 8 is VE Day? Did you know that August 15 is VJ Day? VE Day is the celebration of victory over Europe. VJ Day celebrates victory over Japan. For my generation and my parents’ generation these are very important dates. Lately I fear these dates have lost some of their import to the younger generations. Maybe it is because of the way history is being taught in schools today or maybe it could be because history is not being taught in schools today. Either way I bring this up because of our current war on terror.
Will there be a VT Day? Will we have a victory over terrorism? Let’s face it. We have been at war in the Middle East for ten years now and we seem no closer to a resolution today than when we began this war. By comparison, our involvement in WWII lasted a total of four years. How will we know when we have won this war and can rest on our laurels? Another question is can we in fact win this war? Can we defeat a worldwide network of rag tag religious zealots who are completely misled, suicidal, and have no allegiance to any particular country? They carry no flag and dress in no particular uniform. They hide behind women and children and kill indiscriminately. I suspect that most of them don’t even know why they are doing what they are doing. Since this all began for us ten years ago, our enemy has probably killed more of their own than we have. This is for sure a different kind of war, but it is a war nonetheless.
These are my thoughts. You cannot have a winner until you have a loser. Seems simple enough, right? We have, for these past several years, been spending millions of dollars and thousands of lives pursuing what appears to be an unobtainable goal. Now I believe we have two basic choices. Either win it all out, or just leave this mess to those Middle Eastern countries that have put up with the nonsense for eons. Of course, if we just leave and “pull out”, these radicals will continue in their attempt to return the world to the twelfth century. All of the free world will be under constant threat of their terrorism.
That leaves us with the only other choice. Win it. How, you ask? Here’s one way. We have the capacity to bring any country on earth to their knees in a matter of seconds. We could, in fact, turn the entire Middle East into a parking lot in seconds. But, I don’t think we have to go that far, thankfully. For our victory over Japan, we only had to use two bombs. Up to that point we had spent millions of dollars and thousands of lives, but when we decided to end it, it only took two bombs.
The enemy we are fighting today is being funded and sheltered by a very few small insignificant third world countries who could ill afford our all out retaliation. And we need to come to understand that war, by its only definition, is an all out, unlimited affair. I sincerely believe that one or at most two well placed nuclear devices would cause a rapid rethinking on the part of those countries that offer safe haven to terrorists. As was the case in Japan, the choice would be theirs whether to continue and risk total annihilation or try to live in peace with the rest of the world.
For war to end somebody has to win and somebody has to lose. Pulling out one’s forces doesn’t end anything. It only serves to extend it.
Personally, I don’t want to kill anybody. I suspect David didn’t want to kill Goliath, but sometimes you just gotta do what you gotta do. We have spent enough of our treasure. We have given enough of our best military. Now we just need to end it. I look forward to VT Day.
Ron Scarbro November 21, 2010
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Monday, November 15, 2010
BECAUSE I SAID SO
When I was a child, I would often ask my parents for something or permission to do something and just as often they would answer no. When I would ask why, their answer was usually, “Because I said so”. That, without fail, ended the discussion. While that didn’t satisfy my curiosity, it was all I got.
Recent events have made the news concerning activist judges and their responses to various cases they have heard. The state of Oklahoma, in the last election, approved by a seventy percent majority a law which would disallow Sharia Law from being used in that state. A single Federal Judge, on hearing the case, stopped it in its tracks. Why? Because she said so.
Recently in Arizona, the people, by a huge margin, enacted a law which would go a long way in dealing with their illegal immigration problem. Another Federal Judge threw it out. Why? Because she said so.
All across the country judges are setting themselves up as supreme dictators usurping the will of the people and making law from the bench. Why? Because they said so. Somehow some have come to believe that these elected or appointed former lawyers are granted some divine right of intervention once they don the robe of judge.
In both of the cases cited above, appeals have been sought and in the final analysis will probably find their way to the Supreme Court where they will doubtlessly be overturned.
If the last election taught us nothing else, it should have alerted the powers that be that we the people are in charge. An example of this is the state of Iowa. There, three state Supreme Court Judges were fired by the voters for, among other reasons, finding Iowa’s law requiring legal marriage to be between one man and one woman, to be unconstitutional. Their ruling would have allowed so called “gay marriage”. The people said no. It has been reported that in the next election the remaining judges will also be eliminated by the voters.
Too often special interest groups go “judge shopping”. They research sitting judges to determine those who would be sympathetic to their cause and bring actions in their courts in an effort to stack the deck in their favor. Apparently, if you have enough money, it isn’t very difficult to do.
We the people need to face this fact. Just because a lawyer puts on a black robe and sits on a bench in a courthouse, doesn’t increase his or her intelligence or judgment. They don’t park their bias at the courthouse door. Judges are people and people are fallible. Judges, like all people, have their prejudices and their political opinions. Their job is not to write law however. That is the job of legislatures throughout the country and in Washington, DC. Judges, like all officials who govern and control our lives, must be accountable to the people. When they violate their oath and try to usurp the will of the people by writing law instead of interpreting law, they need to be fired.
Too often, I suspect, we become enamored with the pomp and circumstance of the courthouse. We have been led to believe that judges are somehow blessed with this unquestioned wisdom. One of my childhood friends is now a judge. He is a great friend and he definitely is smart, but judicial wisdom? I don’t even know what that means.
Because I said so is not a reason to usurp the will of the overwhelming majority of the people and I am pretty sure that this is not what our framers had in mind when they established the three branches of government. Laws are made by duly elected legislators and judges serve as referees, and not just because I said so.
Ron Scarbro November 15, 2010
Recent events have made the news concerning activist judges and their responses to various cases they have heard. The state of Oklahoma, in the last election, approved by a seventy percent majority a law which would disallow Sharia Law from being used in that state. A single Federal Judge, on hearing the case, stopped it in its tracks. Why? Because she said so.
Recently in Arizona, the people, by a huge margin, enacted a law which would go a long way in dealing with their illegal immigration problem. Another Federal Judge threw it out. Why? Because she said so.
All across the country judges are setting themselves up as supreme dictators usurping the will of the people and making law from the bench. Why? Because they said so. Somehow some have come to believe that these elected or appointed former lawyers are granted some divine right of intervention once they don the robe of judge.
In both of the cases cited above, appeals have been sought and in the final analysis will probably find their way to the Supreme Court where they will doubtlessly be overturned.
If the last election taught us nothing else, it should have alerted the powers that be that we the people are in charge. An example of this is the state of Iowa. There, three state Supreme Court Judges were fired by the voters for, among other reasons, finding Iowa’s law requiring legal marriage to be between one man and one woman, to be unconstitutional. Their ruling would have allowed so called “gay marriage”. The people said no. It has been reported that in the next election the remaining judges will also be eliminated by the voters.
Too often special interest groups go “judge shopping”. They research sitting judges to determine those who would be sympathetic to their cause and bring actions in their courts in an effort to stack the deck in their favor. Apparently, if you have enough money, it isn’t very difficult to do.
We the people need to face this fact. Just because a lawyer puts on a black robe and sits on a bench in a courthouse, doesn’t increase his or her intelligence or judgment. They don’t park their bias at the courthouse door. Judges are people and people are fallible. Judges, like all people, have their prejudices and their political opinions. Their job is not to write law however. That is the job of legislatures throughout the country and in Washington, DC. Judges, like all officials who govern and control our lives, must be accountable to the people. When they violate their oath and try to usurp the will of the people by writing law instead of interpreting law, they need to be fired.
Too often, I suspect, we become enamored with the pomp and circumstance of the courthouse. We have been led to believe that judges are somehow blessed with this unquestioned wisdom. One of my childhood friends is now a judge. He is a great friend and he definitely is smart, but judicial wisdom? I don’t even know what that means.
Because I said so is not a reason to usurp the will of the overwhelming majority of the people and I am pretty sure that this is not what our framers had in mind when they established the three branches of government. Laws are made by duly elected legislators and judges serve as referees, and not just because I said so.
Ron Scarbro November 15, 2010
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
WHAT IF???
If you can believe the news reports, there are anywhere from fifteen to twenty-five million illegal aliens living and working in this country. Who knows, really? I am going to use this essay to try and examine some of these numbers and their implications.
I believe that there is an agency that does know or at least has a pretty good idea of how many illegals are actually here and working. That agency is the Social Security Administration. Some have said that this agency is so large with so much on their plate that they cannot possibly know who is legal and who is illegal. What if that is just nonsense? Consider this. What would happen if you collected five dollars too much on a check from that agency? What would happen? Well, they would know within a very short period of time and they would collect back the over payment as well as any interest they can collect. What if you didn’t pay into Social Security the amount they decided you should? How long before they would be all over you? Trust me, it would not take very long.
Now think of this. Every illegal alien working in this country on a legitimate job has used a Social Security number and all of those numbers are phony. Their employer has collected and sent to SSA the amount necessary. Let’s look at the numbers. What if we use for demonstration purposes, that instead of twenty-five million illegals, there are just say fifteen million. Let’s further figure that only ten million of them have so-called legitimate jobs because we know that many, many of them work in the “underground economy” and are paid in cash with no records kept. So what if those ten million paid just fifty dollars a month into Social Security. That, my friends, comes to six billion dollars per year. Using this scenario, SSA is collecting six billion dollars each year with no real possibility of ever paying any of it out. Is it any wonder that those in power in Washington refuse to do anything about illegal aliens? If they did, this little flood of money would come to a screeching halt. Then they would have to deal with the real issue that they have spent the Social Security Trust Fund and have no way of repaying that fund.
But Ron, you’re such a skeptic. Do you really think our government could be so devious? To that question I would just answer, what do you think? If any of this is true, then our government, the Social Security Administration and the IRS are co-conspirators in a massive racketeering fraud. There is no way that the SSA can receive these millions of dollars each month with these phony Social Security numbers being used and not know what is going on. Twenty year old computers with ancient soft ware would have alerted them years ago. So you be the judge.
As a recipient of Social Security, I am glad they have found a way of funding their liability. I just wish it could be done in a more legitimate fashion.
Here’s a thought. What if these illegals could be allowed to work here legally? What if there was in place a guest worker program whereby persons from other countries could work, pay taxes, and return to their homes when that work was finished? To those among you who cry that such a program would cause lettuce to double in price, I say too bad. If I want to eat lettuce, I will pay whatever it costs or I will do without. I refuse to believe that this matter could not be fixed. We just need people in place who are willing to do the work to fix it. We are spending a fortune trying to shore up a porous border with no solution in sight.
Finally, what if we elected people who were serious about fixing this mess? One thing is certain, it is not going to fix itself.
Ron Scarbro October 27, 2010
I believe that there is an agency that does know or at least has a pretty good idea of how many illegals are actually here and working. That agency is the Social Security Administration. Some have said that this agency is so large with so much on their plate that they cannot possibly know who is legal and who is illegal. What if that is just nonsense? Consider this. What would happen if you collected five dollars too much on a check from that agency? What would happen? Well, they would know within a very short period of time and they would collect back the over payment as well as any interest they can collect. What if you didn’t pay into Social Security the amount they decided you should? How long before they would be all over you? Trust me, it would not take very long.
Now think of this. Every illegal alien working in this country on a legitimate job has used a Social Security number and all of those numbers are phony. Their employer has collected and sent to SSA the amount necessary. Let’s look at the numbers. What if we use for demonstration purposes, that instead of twenty-five million illegals, there are just say fifteen million. Let’s further figure that only ten million of them have so-called legitimate jobs because we know that many, many of them work in the “underground economy” and are paid in cash with no records kept. So what if those ten million paid just fifty dollars a month into Social Security. That, my friends, comes to six billion dollars per year. Using this scenario, SSA is collecting six billion dollars each year with no real possibility of ever paying any of it out. Is it any wonder that those in power in Washington refuse to do anything about illegal aliens? If they did, this little flood of money would come to a screeching halt. Then they would have to deal with the real issue that they have spent the Social Security Trust Fund and have no way of repaying that fund.
But Ron, you’re such a skeptic. Do you really think our government could be so devious? To that question I would just answer, what do you think? If any of this is true, then our government, the Social Security Administration and the IRS are co-conspirators in a massive racketeering fraud. There is no way that the SSA can receive these millions of dollars each month with these phony Social Security numbers being used and not know what is going on. Twenty year old computers with ancient soft ware would have alerted them years ago. So you be the judge.
As a recipient of Social Security, I am glad they have found a way of funding their liability. I just wish it could be done in a more legitimate fashion.
Here’s a thought. What if these illegals could be allowed to work here legally? What if there was in place a guest worker program whereby persons from other countries could work, pay taxes, and return to their homes when that work was finished? To those among you who cry that such a program would cause lettuce to double in price, I say too bad. If I want to eat lettuce, I will pay whatever it costs or I will do without. I refuse to believe that this matter could not be fixed. We just need people in place who are willing to do the work to fix it. We are spending a fortune trying to shore up a porous border with no solution in sight.
Finally, what if we elected people who were serious about fixing this mess? One thing is certain, it is not going to fix itself.
Ron Scarbro October 27, 2010
Sunday, October 17, 2010
FREE SPEECH???
Are there limits on free speech in America? We are about to find out. The US Supreme Court is hearing the case of the small church which likes to go to military funerals and scream protests. The church is Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kansas. They appear to be a church of about fifty to sixty people, most of whom seem to be related to each other. One thing is clear, this is a group of haters. From all indications this is the most un-Christian Christian church I have ever heard of. They were sued by the father of a fallen Marine. At that Marine’s funeral they protested in an ugly and disgusting way. Their stated view is that since America is tolerating homosexuality, God is punishing us by killing our servicemen in combat. Further, they seem to believe that we deserve all the grief being visited upon us, and it should continue until we revert to their very narrow way of thinking. The Marine’s father won a judgment of eleven million dollars which was later reduced to five million. An appeals court threw out the judgment claiming it violated the church’s free speech rights. The case has now found its way to the Supreme Court.
So, what to think of this. I am going to offer an opinion which could probably upset some folks. As Americans we are freedom loving people and freedom can sometimes get pretty messy. Freedom of speech means that even ugly speaking people have the right to that speech. There is no one on earth who can decide for me what I can say. As a free American I can open my mouth and reveal my inner most stupidity at any time if I so choose. So can the Waterboro Baptist Church. Free speech doesn’t mean just the speech that you happen to agree with. Freedom of speech doesn’t mean just the pretty words that are not controversial. No, this right allows for all speech, ugly, hateful, disgusting, and just plain down right stupid also.
I believe The Supreme Court will find the same way. Some may feel that this is a bad decision. Consider this, what if someone decided some day that your choice of songs you wished to sing, or the poetry you wished to recite, were uncomfortable to them. Would you favor their right to shut you up? What if they felt that your newspaper held the wrong political opinion? Would you favor a law shutting up that newspaper? We have, in our history, fought and died for this right, and sometimes, even when we don’t like the message of some moron, they still have the right to spew that view. Both hate speech and love speech are just speech in the eyes of the law and the Constitution.
The absolute best way of dealing with the Waterboro Baptist Church is to ignore them. No press, no TV coverage, just ignore them. Trust me, they will go away. If we denied them publicity, they would disappear just as quickly as they appeared. The Marine whose funeral they protested died so they could have the freedom to hold that protest. Seems ironic, doesn’t it.
You, who are reading this, are reading it on the Opinion Page of this newspaper. This column is my opinion. I have the freedom to express my opinion because this is America. The nitwits who display their ignorance at military funerals have the same freedom. They can scream all the hate they wish. It only serves to show the world what morons they are.
Ron Scarbro October 10, 2010
So, what to think of this. I am going to offer an opinion which could probably upset some folks. As Americans we are freedom loving people and freedom can sometimes get pretty messy. Freedom of speech means that even ugly speaking people have the right to that speech. There is no one on earth who can decide for me what I can say. As a free American I can open my mouth and reveal my inner most stupidity at any time if I so choose. So can the Waterboro Baptist Church. Free speech doesn’t mean just the speech that you happen to agree with. Freedom of speech doesn’t mean just the pretty words that are not controversial. No, this right allows for all speech, ugly, hateful, disgusting, and just plain down right stupid also.
I believe The Supreme Court will find the same way. Some may feel that this is a bad decision. Consider this, what if someone decided some day that your choice of songs you wished to sing, or the poetry you wished to recite, were uncomfortable to them. Would you favor their right to shut you up? What if they felt that your newspaper held the wrong political opinion? Would you favor a law shutting up that newspaper? We have, in our history, fought and died for this right, and sometimes, even when we don’t like the message of some moron, they still have the right to spew that view. Both hate speech and love speech are just speech in the eyes of the law and the Constitution.
The absolute best way of dealing with the Waterboro Baptist Church is to ignore them. No press, no TV coverage, just ignore them. Trust me, they will go away. If we denied them publicity, they would disappear just as quickly as they appeared. The Marine whose funeral they protested died so they could have the freedom to hold that protest. Seems ironic, doesn’t it.
You, who are reading this, are reading it on the Opinion Page of this newspaper. This column is my opinion. I have the freedom to express my opinion because this is America. The nitwits who display their ignorance at military funerals have the same freedom. They can scream all the hate they wish. It only serves to show the world what morons they are.
Ron Scarbro October 10, 2010
Sunday, September 26, 2010
UNPARALLELED IDIOCY IN A PC WORLD
Until I read it myself I found it hard to believe. A letter to the editor in the “Daily Illini”, a student newspaper of the University of Illinois, written by David Green, a self described “University Academics Professional”, surpassed all reason and common sense. Further research identifies Green as a Visiting Policy Analyst for the university.
This is what happened. On 9/11 of this year, during a football game at Illinois, there was a brief moment of silence for victims of 9/11 followed by a military flyover. During the flyover the students chanted “USA, USA”. This has become fairly commonplace at sporting events throughout the country and for that matter, not just at sporting events. Well, Professor David Green took offense. He wrote a stinging letter of complaint to the “Daily Illini” accusing the students of bellicosity and all manner of hate toward Muslims. He seems to believe that all Muslims as well as Americans who happen to be Muslims would be offended by such a chant. Why? Are they ashamed of their Americanism? How on earth could love for one’s country offend any citizen of that country? As you might expect, I have a few words for Professor Green.
First of all, I don’t personally care if a Muslim or anyone else is offended by the “USA” chant. If they are, perhaps they should find another place to be. Secondly, I believe that the assumption that anyone, American or anyone else, regardless of his religion, would be offended or frightened by this display of nationalism, is clearly an example of bigotry and racism on Green’s part. If a visitor to our country is offended by our love of country, they should either leave or just abide their discomfort until they have returned to their home. We, Professor Green, have the right to love our country, scream our chants to the top of our lungs, and fly our colors at any time we choose. If that makes you uncomfortable, let me suggest some spots in the world where you may be more at home, such as perhaps, China, North Korea, or maybe even Cuba. I am confident in those places you would never be bothered by any spontaneous display of love of country. You probably would be far too busy trying to stay alive and finding something to eat.
Green’s letter is yet another crystal clear example of political correctness run amok. What further troubles me is that Green and his ilk are teaching this garbage to our kids and grandkids. One does not have to look very far to find other examples of this ridiculous philosophy being practiced. It has become the new religion of Academia.
Professor Green, chanting “USA, USA” is not bellicosity. Flying our flag is not an act of aggression. Having pride in who we are should never offend any true American. According to Green’s letter, he appears to believe that all of our wars are nothing more than state sanctioned murder of innocents. The David Greens of this country will probably never understand that their freedom and their way of life was won in war and is secured and defended by the very warriors who offend him so much. Instead of feeding at the “public trough” as an “academic professional”, perhaps Green should get a real job. It might also be helpful if he associated himself with real people outside of the hallowed halls of “academia”. Maybe then he would come to understand what idiocy he is perpetrating.
Fortunately America has and will survive these kinds of morons. The misguided among us will continue to spew their nonsense, but common sense will prevail. All I have to say to Green and his types is “USA, USA, USA”.
Ron Scarbro September 26, 2010
This is what happened. On 9/11 of this year, during a football game at Illinois, there was a brief moment of silence for victims of 9/11 followed by a military flyover. During the flyover the students chanted “USA, USA”. This has become fairly commonplace at sporting events throughout the country and for that matter, not just at sporting events. Well, Professor David Green took offense. He wrote a stinging letter of complaint to the “Daily Illini” accusing the students of bellicosity and all manner of hate toward Muslims. He seems to believe that all Muslims as well as Americans who happen to be Muslims would be offended by such a chant. Why? Are they ashamed of their Americanism? How on earth could love for one’s country offend any citizen of that country? As you might expect, I have a few words for Professor Green.
First of all, I don’t personally care if a Muslim or anyone else is offended by the “USA” chant. If they are, perhaps they should find another place to be. Secondly, I believe that the assumption that anyone, American or anyone else, regardless of his religion, would be offended or frightened by this display of nationalism, is clearly an example of bigotry and racism on Green’s part. If a visitor to our country is offended by our love of country, they should either leave or just abide their discomfort until they have returned to their home. We, Professor Green, have the right to love our country, scream our chants to the top of our lungs, and fly our colors at any time we choose. If that makes you uncomfortable, let me suggest some spots in the world where you may be more at home, such as perhaps, China, North Korea, or maybe even Cuba. I am confident in those places you would never be bothered by any spontaneous display of love of country. You probably would be far too busy trying to stay alive and finding something to eat.
Green’s letter is yet another crystal clear example of political correctness run amok. What further troubles me is that Green and his ilk are teaching this garbage to our kids and grandkids. One does not have to look very far to find other examples of this ridiculous philosophy being practiced. It has become the new religion of Academia.
Professor Green, chanting “USA, USA” is not bellicosity. Flying our flag is not an act of aggression. Having pride in who we are should never offend any true American. According to Green’s letter, he appears to believe that all of our wars are nothing more than state sanctioned murder of innocents. The David Greens of this country will probably never understand that their freedom and their way of life was won in war and is secured and defended by the very warriors who offend him so much. Instead of feeding at the “public trough” as an “academic professional”, perhaps Green should get a real job. It might also be helpful if he associated himself with real people outside of the hallowed halls of “academia”. Maybe then he would come to understand what idiocy he is perpetrating.
Fortunately America has and will survive these kinds of morons. The misguided among us will continue to spew their nonsense, but common sense will prevail. All I have to say to Green and his types is “USA, USA, USA”.
Ron Scarbro September 26, 2010
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
WHY CAN'T WE COMPROMISE?
I was recently involved in a discussion with some very delightful ladies and the question that fueled that discussion was why can’t the Democrats and the Republicans just get together and compromise to get things done. What is the reason party politics take precedence over the good of the country? Those are fair questions and while I don’t have all the answers I believe I can shine some light on the subject.
I think all would agree that we are in the middle of what appears to be a serious partisan divide. It may well be a divide of historic and unprecedented proportions. So what to do? What is the role of the everyday citizen? How can I mend this rift?
First of all, Democrats think the way they do because that’s the way Democrats think. Republicans think the way they do because that’s the way Republicans think. If our gridlock were caused just by a difference of opinion based on our political view, that could be overcome. Our gridlock is caused by something more sinister. It would seem that party loyalty has become far more important to our elected representatives than the good of the country. I have come to believe that when a new Congressperson travels to Washington, they are greeted and told the rules. They are told what they have to do to get along as well as get re-elected. To get the plum assignments and the good committees, new people have to toe the line. If they do not, they will disappear from sight and will never be heard from again. Even if they ever had a thought of getting anything done for their district, the only way that could happen is with the support of the party as a whole. So, don’t make waves. Go along to get along. It’s just politics, you see.
Does that sound skeptical to you? Well it is and I am.
One answer does occur to me. Term limits. Let’s get rid of career politicians. Don’t think for a moment that these elected representatives will vote themselves out of office, however. That is not going to happen. What we must do is impose those limits at the polling place. The idea of seniority is repugnant to me. Why should any elected representative have any more power or authority than any other elected official? They all should be on equal footing. I am confident that the Founding Fathers never would have envisioned a Congress like we have now.
I read recently that many candidates are spending tens of millions of dollars of their own money to get these jobs. Why? What’s that all about? With the money they are spending they could buy their own country and proclaim themselves emperor or king or anything else that suits their fancy. What is it about the job that would cause such spending? All I know is that most of the representatives in Washington are millionaires; if not when they get there, certainly when they leave. Alas, more skepticism. Will Rogers once said that we have the finest Congress money can buy, and he said that over a half century ago. Not much has changed, has it? Only the amounts.
In the final analysis it is up to all of us. If you are okay with the direction the country is headed in, kindly disregard my comments. If, however, you see things differently, then you must be heard from. We have serious problems that need serious solutions. We have an economy that continues to sputter. We have nearly double digit unemployment and a border that is more like a sieve than a barrier. These problems are not going to fix themselves. They are going to be fixed by serious representatives who are willing to do the hard work and compromise. They must cross the aisle and be willing to sacrifice what might be best for their party in favor of what is best for the country. Like you, I’ll be watching.
Ron Scarbro
Constitution Day, September 17, 2010
I think all would agree that we are in the middle of what appears to be a serious partisan divide. It may well be a divide of historic and unprecedented proportions. So what to do? What is the role of the everyday citizen? How can I mend this rift?
First of all, Democrats think the way they do because that’s the way Democrats think. Republicans think the way they do because that’s the way Republicans think. If our gridlock were caused just by a difference of opinion based on our political view, that could be overcome. Our gridlock is caused by something more sinister. It would seem that party loyalty has become far more important to our elected representatives than the good of the country. I have come to believe that when a new Congressperson travels to Washington, they are greeted and told the rules. They are told what they have to do to get along as well as get re-elected. To get the plum assignments and the good committees, new people have to toe the line. If they do not, they will disappear from sight and will never be heard from again. Even if they ever had a thought of getting anything done for their district, the only way that could happen is with the support of the party as a whole. So, don’t make waves. Go along to get along. It’s just politics, you see.
Does that sound skeptical to you? Well it is and I am.
One answer does occur to me. Term limits. Let’s get rid of career politicians. Don’t think for a moment that these elected representatives will vote themselves out of office, however. That is not going to happen. What we must do is impose those limits at the polling place. The idea of seniority is repugnant to me. Why should any elected representative have any more power or authority than any other elected official? They all should be on equal footing. I am confident that the Founding Fathers never would have envisioned a Congress like we have now.
I read recently that many candidates are spending tens of millions of dollars of their own money to get these jobs. Why? What’s that all about? With the money they are spending they could buy their own country and proclaim themselves emperor or king or anything else that suits their fancy. What is it about the job that would cause such spending? All I know is that most of the representatives in Washington are millionaires; if not when they get there, certainly when they leave. Alas, more skepticism. Will Rogers once said that we have the finest Congress money can buy, and he said that over a half century ago. Not much has changed, has it? Only the amounts.
In the final analysis it is up to all of us. If you are okay with the direction the country is headed in, kindly disregard my comments. If, however, you see things differently, then you must be heard from. We have serious problems that need serious solutions. We have an economy that continues to sputter. We have nearly double digit unemployment and a border that is more like a sieve than a barrier. These problems are not going to fix themselves. They are going to be fixed by serious representatives who are willing to do the hard work and compromise. They must cross the aisle and be willing to sacrifice what might be best for their party in favor of what is best for the country. Like you, I’ll be watching.
Ron Scarbro
Constitution Day, September 17, 2010
Monday, September 20, 2010
WHY DO I GO FISHING?
(The following was published in the Newsleader on Sep 17, 2010)
Why do I go fishing? I was recently asked that question. I thought about it for a time and have come up with some of my reasons.
First, I believe it is man’s instinct to hunt and gather. Granted, most of our modern hunting and gathering is done at the supermarket these days, but the instinct is still there. Don’t get me wrong. I am truly happy to have access to fully stocked grocery stores. I am thrilled that I don’t have to go into the woods to try and find food, clothing, and shelter. I am sure that many, if not most, of my early ancestors died or were maimed at young ages in the pursuit of food. Today I go fishing for the fun of it.
Fishing satisfies a basic instinct in me. Basic should not be confused with base, the adjective, when it comes to this instinct. There are some who believe we should never take any animals or fish for food or for any other reason. That is their problem. They should just continue to graze on the clover around them. I’ll continue to eat meat and fish. I should point out here that when I am out fishing, I have a personal ethic that requires that I never kill any animal or fish that is wasted. If I won’t eat it, I won’t kill it. If, when fishing, I accidentally catch a fish that I don’t want, I release it carefully so that it may live on.
Next, I fish because I like to hang out where the fish live. If you have never gone into the mountains following a small stream rushing through boulders and rocks, forming little pools where trout gather looking for their own food, casting a tiny fly that you cobbled together out of chicken feathers and tinsel, matching your wits with theirs, you couldn’t understand. If you have never traveled up the great rivers of Alaska chasing the elusive King Salmon disturbed only by the occasional bald eagle or howling wolf, you couldn’t truly understand. Or if you haven’t taken an offshore boat out in some tropical waters following sea birds and looking to latch onto a mighty fish that in some cases could be much larger than you. Or even just traveling to the nearest lake where your peace and solitude is only disrupted by the tug on your line or watching your bobber go under. If none of this stirs your heart, then you just couldn’t understand.
Finally, I fish for the pure pleasure of a huge plateful of fresh fried fish. Of all the foods available to modern man, few bring me more satisfaction than fish I just caught, cleaned, and prepared for my meal. Whether that plateful of fish is stream- side on an open fire, or in my dining room at home, I still get the same pleasure.
I understand that fishing is not for everybody. Just like not everybody plays golf, or goes to the Ballet. Fishing will continue to be one of my great pleasures in life.
To those among you who would attempt to deny me that pleasure through misguided legislation or other means, quit wasting your time. Here’s my deal for you. Leave me and my fellow anglers alone to our pursuit and I promise I will leave you alone to graze on your clover to your heart’s content.
Ron Scarbro September 6, 2010
Why do I go fishing? I was recently asked that question. I thought about it for a time and have come up with some of my reasons.
First, I believe it is man’s instinct to hunt and gather. Granted, most of our modern hunting and gathering is done at the supermarket these days, but the instinct is still there. Don’t get me wrong. I am truly happy to have access to fully stocked grocery stores. I am thrilled that I don’t have to go into the woods to try and find food, clothing, and shelter. I am sure that many, if not most, of my early ancestors died or were maimed at young ages in the pursuit of food. Today I go fishing for the fun of it.
Fishing satisfies a basic instinct in me. Basic should not be confused with base, the adjective, when it comes to this instinct. There are some who believe we should never take any animals or fish for food or for any other reason. That is their problem. They should just continue to graze on the clover around them. I’ll continue to eat meat and fish. I should point out here that when I am out fishing, I have a personal ethic that requires that I never kill any animal or fish that is wasted. If I won’t eat it, I won’t kill it. If, when fishing, I accidentally catch a fish that I don’t want, I release it carefully so that it may live on.
Next, I fish because I like to hang out where the fish live. If you have never gone into the mountains following a small stream rushing through boulders and rocks, forming little pools where trout gather looking for their own food, casting a tiny fly that you cobbled together out of chicken feathers and tinsel, matching your wits with theirs, you couldn’t understand. If you have never traveled up the great rivers of Alaska chasing the elusive King Salmon disturbed only by the occasional bald eagle or howling wolf, you couldn’t truly understand. Or if you haven’t taken an offshore boat out in some tropical waters following sea birds and looking to latch onto a mighty fish that in some cases could be much larger than you. Or even just traveling to the nearest lake where your peace and solitude is only disrupted by the tug on your line or watching your bobber go under. If none of this stirs your heart, then you just couldn’t understand.
Finally, I fish for the pure pleasure of a huge plateful of fresh fried fish. Of all the foods available to modern man, few bring me more satisfaction than fish I just caught, cleaned, and prepared for my meal. Whether that plateful of fish is stream- side on an open fire, or in my dining room at home, I still get the same pleasure.
I understand that fishing is not for everybody. Just like not everybody plays golf, or goes to the Ballet. Fishing will continue to be one of my great pleasures in life.
To those among you who would attempt to deny me that pleasure through misguided legislation or other means, quit wasting your time. Here’s my deal for you. Leave me and my fellow anglers alone to our pursuit and I promise I will leave you alone to graze on your clover to your heart’s content.
Ron Scarbro September 6, 2010
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