TO MY GRANDSON   Dear Keirick;
  Your eighth birthday is fast approaching, and I wanted to put down some thoughts as you finish up Second Grade, and prepare for next year.
  I was very proud on your first day of school, when you were the only one in your class of five and six year olds who knew the pledge of allegiance. 
When your teacher asked you to lead the class in the pledge, my heart swelled.   You surprised me when you asked Grandma to get you a policeman costume for Halloween.  I had not appreciated how much you admired your uncle and two cousins who are police officers.  Your comments about police protecting and helping people were wise beyond your years.
  I put copies of the pictures you and I took at the Gold Star Military Museum at Camp Dodge on your Mom’s computer.  That way, you can look at them any time you want.  I know from the questions you ask, that you worry about your Uncle Patrick and Cousins Keith and JoAnn while they take on their very important jobs.  I hope you understand my answers, and know why they can’t always be with us when we want.  I worry about them too, but we both know they are very smart, and they know what they are doing and how to take care of themselves and their friends. Like all of our family, they want to protect you, but sometimes must be away while they do that.  Just remember to include them when you say your bedtime prayers, and all of the men and women in the military. 
 You won’t understand this part for awhile, but you were a very big help to your Mom when she was sick from the cancer medicine.  She tells me that you have even made dinner for both of you when she was too tired from her college classes and medicine to cook.  I don’t know how or when you learned to do some of the things you help your Mom with, but I do know that every time you help it is just like saying “I love you” to your Mom.
   When you started first grade, you were able to officially join the Cub Scouts.  You have already been to Scout Camp many times, helping your Mom and me with different Scout activities.  That means you know some things the other Cubs won’t know yet, and will be able to do some things they haven’t learned.  Don’t be a show off about the things you know, but help your fellow Cubs learn how to do those things themselves.   Like all parents and grandparents, I wanted my children and grandchildren to be smarter, healthier, happier, freer and more prosperous than my generation.  Your test scores have already shown that you are much smarter than I was, and your level of activity is an indication of your health.  What worries me now is the prospect that you may not have the same freedoms and opportunities that I had.  And for that, I take responsibility.
  I had the duty to future generations to insure that the principles upon which our Nation was founded were protected, nurtured and grown.  And in this regard, I have not kept that duty well.  While so many adults are worried about the economy, jobs and finances, we have looked in the wrong places for the answers to our questions.  We are relying on others to fix things, instead of fixing things ourselves.  And the ones who we look to for help are often the same folks who caused our problems.
   As a Scout Leader, I have tried my best to be true to the twelve points of the Scout Law.  To me, the most important is to be Trustworthy.  But I have broken that law, by allowing people who are not trustworthy to become the leaders of our country.  Many of our elected officials have lied, cheated and even stolen from others.  Yet I, and others like me, have not cared enough for your future to demand better behavior from those who have authority and power.  And now, they are taking away the freedoms I had all of my life.  By the time you reach adulthood, I fear you will have been given a country very different from the one I found as a young man.   
  I want to make a promise to you, and I know that you trust me to keep my promises.  I will do whatever I can to help bring our country back to our values and character.  I will not just let things happen, but will take a more active role in becoming a true citizen, trusting in our founding principles to give you a country and a future that cherishes our freedoms and opportunities.  I cannot guess how things will be as you grow up, but I will do my best to give you a country where you can make your dreams come true; and that will make my dreams come true.
  With Love   Grandpa  

I GOT NOWHERE ELSE TO GO So, what can I expect from an Obama Presidency, a Reid Senate, and a Pelosi House? The elimination of the Bush tax cuts will immediately raise my income taxes by 24 percent. This increase will impact our household income, based on my wife’s salary, and my retirement pension. The Obama tax plan will increase the number of working people who don’t pay income taxes from 35 percent to almost 45 percent. The promised 25 percent cut in defense spending will put our nation at risk. Energy costs will skyrocket with the implementation of ‘cap and trade’. The coal industry will be bankrupted. A private army, answerable only to President Obama and outside of constitutional constraints, will be created. Abortions will increase dramatically as a result of the ‘free choice act’. Non union workers will lose their right to a secret ballot when voting on unionization, leaving them open to intimidation, threats, and physical harm with the ‘card check’ act. The proposed hate crime laws will eliminate free speech in our houses of worship. Medical care will be distributed and rationed by unelected bureaucrats, rather than medical professionals. The ‘fairness doctrine’ will monitor free speech, and squelch dissenting voices. Criticism of the administration will result in legal threats, investigations, and official harassment. The Supreme Court will be packed with judges who do not have any respect for the Constitution, as personal agendas will be acceptable. The President will ignore Constitutional constraints and responsibilities, as he believes it is “fundamentally flawed”. Gun owners will be restricted in what they may purchase, and the type of ammunition they can use. Home owners will be criminally charged if they use a firearm to defend their family or property. Gun manufacturers will be driven out of business through new taxes and restrictions. Legal gun owners will eventually have their firearms confiscated, as we saw in New Orleans, Washington and Chicago. Radio stations that criticize the administration will lose their FCC licenses. I wish I was making these up, but each of my comments is the result of listening to Barack Obama statements, reading his writings, or watching how his campaign staff acts. In other words, there is documentation for each of the statements I have made. When asked why he would not quit his basic training in “An Officer and a Gentleman”, Richard Gere famously replied “I got nowhere else to go”. America has been the world’s last, best hope for over 230 years. I fear that is about to change. Will my grandsons grow up in the freedom I have enjoyed, or will America fundamentally change? I hope not, because I too have nowhere else to go.

ELECTILE DYSFUNCTION

 Although still recovering from both a stroke and a quadruple bypass, I was not going to miss a trip to the Chicago area for my family’s annual reunion picnic.  Fortunately, my youngest daughter volunteered to do the driving on the six hour trip.

 During the weekend, I stayed with my sister and brother-in-law.  Not unexpectedly, we discussed many things, including the upcoming presidential election.  While my sister is still conflicted about who to support, I was adamant when offering my opinion.  Frankly speaking, I don’t like anybody.  Since I am still suffering from some shortness of breath from the by-pass, I cannot hold my nose long enough to vote for any candidate.  Neither the Democrats, Republicans, Socialists, Libertarians or Greens have a nominee (presumptive or otherwise) that meet my criteria of holding at least half of the positions I feel are in the top ten that are most important to me.

 My sister recently sent me a scientific definition of the condition from which I suffer.  Her substantial medical background gives credence to her diagnosis, so I can say with some certainty that I suffer from “Electile Dysfunction”.  She defined this condition as follows;

 Electile Dysfunction: The inability to become aroused over any of the

           choices for President put forth by any party in the 2008 election

           year.

 I think I have identified why I suffer from this condition.  In a nation of almost 300 million citizens, we have been presented with a selection of potential leaders comprised entirely of professional politicians.  What makes this disappointing is obvious when you use my definition of a politician.  A politician is someone who is only interested in the next election cycle, and will say whatever he or she thinks will generate the most votes in their favor.  What I have been seeking is a statesman, one who thinks of the next generation, regardless of the polls and special interest pressure.

 In looking over our history, most of the great leaders we have been fortunate to have at critical times have not been professional politicians.  They came from varied backgrounds, and had different careers and interests before seeking elected office.  In fact, our system was designed to favor the part time political representative.  They were expected to leave their regular jobs for a few months, conduct the business of government in the shortest time required, and return to their homes and real employment.  But elected positions, certainly at the national level, have now become a full time career.  As that great philosopher, Kinky Friedman has said, politics now attracts a particular type of person.  When you define their career interest, simply break down the root of the word.  Poly means many, and ticks are blood sucking insects.  Hence, my current assessment of politics.  No wonder our congress has an approval rating of 9%, and our president looks spectacular with an approval rating of 29%.  I am obviously not alone in my assessment that we have serious issues facing our nation, and are in desperate need of true leaders with our best interests at heart.

I think I will add a new criterion to my list of attributes that candidates for office should exhibit if they want my support.  I will look for a person who actually does not want the job.  I have come to the conclusion that anyone who wants to be president is not a person I will vote for.  I say this because every candidate has said that they are going to change the way we live, alter what we believe in, tell us what we may or may not do, dictate what we can and cannot have, and limit every choice that we now have available.  In other words, they all want to represent themselves, rather than us.

 Once before, I had to endure a presidential election where there was no candidate I felt I could support.  I chose instead to write in a name.  This time, I cannot even think of anyone to write in.  And that is why I think my sister had correctly diagnosed my condition.  Unfortunately, the prognosis is not good, and there is no cure on the horizon.   

 

INCONVENIENT TRUTHS ABOUT OIL

Before my recent retirement after a career of almost 40 years, I had the unique opportunity to work in the technology areas for a major oil company, an international financial operation, and one of the world’s largest international banks.  As a result, although not an expert in either exploration or production of crude oil and its impact on financial and consumer markets, I did have access to information that most American consumers did not.  This was not secret data, nor was it proprietary information.  It was simply a case of facts the media was not interested in reporting, and our politicians felt were not germane to their own agendas.  Let me start with a few simple facts.

 At the time of the 1972 OPEC oil embargo, the domestic production of crude oil in America peaked at about 10 million barrels per day.  This domestic production accounted for almost 2/3’s of our total needs, resulting in about 1/3 of our needed crude to be imported.  The chilling effect of the embargo on our economy, and ability to provide for the national defense, resulted in our political leadership pledging that the government would work to allow America to achieve energy independence in 10 years.  What have we achieved so far? 

 By 1980, domestic crude production had fallen to 8,572 million barrels per day, while our oil usage climbed to 16,058 million barrels per day.  Imports had risen to 7,486 million barrels per day, or 46% of our needs.  In 2005, our total crude oil requirements were 20,802 million barrels per day, while domestic production had fallen to 7,486 million barrels per day.  The 15,624 million barrels per day necessary to keep America and her economy moving were met by imports, which now account for 75% of our needs.  So much for the pledge to make America independent of unreliable foreign sources.  What went wrong?

Of natural crude, we have large reserves off the coasts of California and Florida.  However, no drilling in these areas has been permitted by law since the late 1960’s.  China, however, by using agreements with Cuba to drill in this area, will begin doing so shortly.

 America also has additional reserves in the Gulf areas, from Florida to Texas.  However, no drilling is permitted in most of these areas.  Mexico, however, has no such restrictions.

In Alaska, both onshore and offshore, we have large areas of proven reserves, which are not allowed to be developed by law.  Canada has no laws prohibiting such development.

 In the mountain Western states, large amounts of oil are available in the shale rock formations.  However, EPA regulations prohibit their development.

 In the far West, vast areas of tar sands remain undeveloped due to environmental restrictions.  As with the geographic areas noted above, most of the land is owned or controlled by the federal government.  Canadian use of tar sands is a major source of their oil exports.

 The conversion of coal to oil, a technology available for over 100 years, remains another untapped resource, due to legislative and environmental restrictions.

 The bottom line is that America could have become energy independent with regard to crude oil by the mid 1980’s.  In the area of electricity, the addition of more coal fired generating plants, nuclear power plants, and additional hydro electric plants could have made the need for gas and oil fueled electrical plants unnecessary by 1990.  That would have freed up more crude for other purposes, and reduced our overall consumption of oil.  In addition, our electrical generation capacity would substantially exceed our present needs, rather than the sporadic shortages we now experience.

 Some analysts have estimated that if all of these options had been initiated in the immediate aftermath of the OPEC embargo, crude oil today would have a domestic price of 40-45 dollars per barrel, with secure supplies, and uninfluenced by foreign costs or international speculators.  Why didn’t this happen?

 It is popular to blame the oil companies, oil cartels, or greedy speculators.  But in truth, we are in a bed of our own making.  It is not the usual suspects who have passed laws based on bad science, radical environmental lobbies, self interest, political agendas or ignorance of technological advances and free enterprise economics.  It is the result of our own government, mainly through the ineptness of Congress.  At the risk of sounding glib, the following old saw comes to mind.  If the opposite of Pro is Con, what is the opposite of Progress?

 One need only look at the energy bill recently passed to confirm my opinion.  While this 86.3 billion dollar legislation (including 3.8 billion in pork that has nothing to do with energy) does tell the auto makers how to build cars, tell us that we can’t buy incandescent light bulbs after 2012, and demand that we continue to use 1.25 gallons of gasoline to produce 1 gallon of ethanol (subsidized by us of course); it does not result in one new gallon of gasoline, or one watt of new electricity.

 So who is to blame for the “new” energy crisis we face?  Look no further than Washington DC.  For 34 years, through Republican and Democratic controlled Congresses and Presidencies, they have done all that they can to create what we, the consumer, must now face.  And I see no hope that they will do anything to correct the situation they have created.  The resources are there, the technologies are proven, and the self corrective economic system is in place.  We need only a government that is both accountable and responsive.

HEROES WALK AMONG US

 To see him in a normal social setting, the casual observer would note only the college student, dressed in a plaid flannel shirt and blue jeans.  Of average height, you might notice that he had an above average muscular build, but nothing to make him stand out in a crowd.  The very slight limp, as he crossed the room, would be hard for most people to detect.

 The other young man is certainly notable for his height.  Standing almost 6’5”, with the build of an athlete, he does stand out.  But his youthful face and business casual attire would peg him as a young man just entering the business world. 

 These two young men, both well known to me, have several things in common.  Both are Eagle Scouts from my very small central Iowa BSA district.  Both are the same age as my youngest son, and served with him as summer camp counselors at our local Scout reservation.  One is currently a college student, while the other graduated with my son from Iowa State.  They have one more thing in common.  Both are decorated combat veterans, and survivors of wounds received in Iraq.

 The college student is Sgt Mike F.  Mike joined the Army after attending our local Junior College.  He was sent to Iraq with a Bradley Fighting Vehicle Unit.  His leadership earned him an early trip back to the US, not to be excused from serving in combat, but to train with the first Stryker Brigade before they were deployed to Iraq.  While in Iraq for the second time, he led a squad into a building to clear it of terrorists.  Entering one room, he was bayoneted from behind by a terrorist hiding in a closet.  After disposing of his attacker, Sgt. Mike returned to his Stryker, and put his Scout experience to work.  He grabbed a roll of duck tape, wound it around his bleeding leg, and rejoined his squad. He was not seen by any medical personnel until his entire unit returned to their forward operating base.  He was stitched up and kept overnight for observation, returning to his unit the next day.  He completed his entire 15 month tour without any further interruption.  He told me the limp can be fixed with some tendon repair, but that can wait until he finishes his graduate degree.

 The tall young man joined the Army ROTC while in college.  After graduation, he went through his initial training, and was accepted into Army Ranger training.  Second Lieutenant Mike S. was sent to Iraq with his Rangers, and saw his first combat two days after arrival.  In the first month, he learned about one disadvantage to his height.  He was struck in the head by a snipers bullet.  It pierced his helmet, and he describes how “it kind of rattled around doing some minor damage to my forehead, ear and hairline.”  Several months later, while on patrol, he was hit by a rocket propelled grenade.  The warhead missed him, and so did not detonate.  However, the fin left a deep gash in his thigh.  He finished his patrol before seeking medical care and multiple stitches.  Asked how he completed his mission with the pain from his leg, Lt. Mike said he didn’t really notice the pain.  He was too busy looking for the second RPG that usually followed an initial attack.  While Mike survived both wounds, neither the sniper nor the RPG shooter did. He has a month off, before returning to duty.  He was offered a position with Army intelligence, but instead applied for Special Forces training.  He is excited that he was accepted for this assignment.

 So, two young Iowa sons, exceptional not in appearance, nor notable for athletic competition, or business success.  Average in most respects, they would not be noticeable while in a mall, at church, or having a cold tall one with friends.  They are among the thousands of quiet heroes that walk among us every day.  Yet most of us do not know them, nor do we thank them.  Two young men who do the things that most of us can’t do, or won’t do.  Yet, everything we are able to do so freely are the result of the quiet courage of men and women like them.    

 I look at these young men , and the twenty-two other former Scouts and adult leaders (my Air Force son among them) serving in the military from my small District here in flyover country, and I am in awe of the character they show every day.  We are indeed blessed that we have heroes that walk among us.  Unknown, unrecognized, but there when we need them the most.

TAXES AND CANDIDATES AND LIES OH MY

 Call me cynical if you will, although I prefer being tagged as a skeptic if I am categorized by my view of political pronouncements.  Frankly, I follow my father’s advice, when he told me to believe nothing that I read or hear, and only half of what I see.  If I cannot prove a statement by any politician to my satisfaction, I consider it a misrepresentation at a minimum, or an outright falsehood at the worst.  And when it comes to politics, there are more falsehoods than exaggerations.

 One of the most repeated claims today by many in politics is that the tax cuts initiated by President Bush benefited the wealthy and major corporations, with little or no benefit to the middle class and lower income people.  These tax cuts are due to expire in 2010, and the only constant I am hearing from the Democratic candidates is that they all intend to allow these cuts to expire.  The current leadership of both the House and Senate, now controlled by Democrats, agree with the candidates and want these “unfair” cuts to expire.

 I am not stuck on stupid, so I understand that if you give the same break to the middle class that you give to the upper income population, the wealthy will keep more money than me, as they have more to begin with.  Cut the taxes on my middle class income at the same rate as someone in a much larger income bracket, and they will get greater benefit in actual dollars saved.  However, my skepticism comes into play when politicians say that the middle class was not treated equally with upper income taxpayers by these tax changes.  It took me ten minutes to establish the facts to my satisfaction, and I challenge others to follow my example, and see for yourself what happened when the tax rates were adjusted under the Bush tax changes.

 Step 1 – Pull out a copy of your Federal tax return for 2002, the last year before the changes to the tax rates took effect.  Write down just two figures; your taxable income and the amount of tax you paid.

 Step 2 – Divide the amount of Federal tax paid by your taxable income.  This will give you the actual percentage rate of taxes you paid in 2002.

 Step 3 – Pull out a copy of your Federal tax return for 2006, the most recent year where the revised tax rates have been in effect.  Again, write down just two figures; your taxable income and the amount of tax you paid.

 Step 4 – Divide the amount of Federal tax paid by your taxable income.  This will give you the actual percentage rate of taxes you paid in 2006.

 Step 5 - Subtract the 2006 tax rate from the 2002 tax rate.  Did the rate go up or down? 

 Please let me share the actual results of this exercise when my wife and I did this.  In the interest of full disclosure, we used our 2005 Federal return, as that was the last full year I worked before retiring halfway through 2006.

 In 2002, on a decidedly middle class income, we paid a Federal rate of 17.9 percent.  In 2005, we paid Federal taxes of 13.6 percent.  Our tax rate had dropped 4.3 percent.  In other words, our Federal tax burden was reduced by a substantial 24 percent.  Actual income was not a factor, as our taxable income had only gone up 1.6 percent from 2002 to 2005.  There also was no change in dependants (our five children are all adults), nor any significant change in any other deductions or credits as evidenced by the very small increase in our taxable income.  During that three year period, my income remained flat, and my wife received only a modest raise.

 The bottom line is that the tax cuts had a sizable impact on the Federal taxes we paid, and that impact was beneficial.  Should we elect a presidential candidate committed to allowing these cuts to expire, with a sympathetic congress that also believes these favorable cuts should go away, I have no doubt that my wife and I will pay more in 2010 than 2009, even if there are no new taxes or raises in existing taxes, simply because we would go back to the 2002 rates.  Before you nod in agreement when you hear the candidates talk about unfair tax cuts, please take this simple five step test yourself, and then decide if what you are being told is true or not.

 When considering how my wife and I will vote in 2008, one factor that will come into play is simply this.  If we have a Democratic President, and a Democratic congress, they have already told me that my taxes will go up 24 percent.  This may be one time when candidates are telling us the truth.                                    

 

 

SELECTING A CANDIDATE

 A good friend of mine, Anne Lieberman, wrote an interesting piece at her blog on the differences between the Republican and Democratic candidates for their respective party nominations for President.  You can read it here.  http://bokertov.typepad.com/btb/2008/01/democrats-are-m.html

 It got me thinking about the method my wife and I use to select candidates that we will support, in both local and national elections.  We do try to achieve agreement, so that our votes don’t offset each other, and usually wind up with the same candidate.  I thought I would share this method of selection, in hopes that it would assist some of the undecided voters facing the very serious task of exercising the most important right we have, that of selecting the people who will represent us, and make decisions affecting our lives, our city, our state and our nation.

 In the interest of full disclosure, we are both registered as Republicans, but never vote strictly on party affiliation.  Rather, we make every attempt to be objective, and base our preference on actual positions.  Before retirement, my years as a financial analyst and system administrator have had a profound impact on the way I make decisions of importance.  Therefore, this method may prove useful to any reader, regardless of political persuasion.

 We each make a list of the ten issues that are most important to us, and can actually be affected by the candidate for whatever elective office we are rating.  We rank these ten issues with a weighted score of 1 to 10.  The most important issue has a point value of 10; the least important has a point value of 1.  A perfect score on all issues would result in a score of 55 points from each of us.  I would mention at this point that no candidate for any office we have rated ever achieved an individual score of 55, let alone a combined score of 110.  Using all informational assets available, we research each candidate’s position on these issues.  Since we are both Chicago born skeptics, we not only look at statements, speeches and position papers from the current campaign, but also view their past positions and voting records, to determine their commitment to their present positions.

 After we have each worked separately, and scored the candidates appropriately, we combine our scores for each candidate.  If there is any significant disparity in our selection, we discuss where the divergence lies, and work to resolve the differences.  Usually, we are able to agree on a single candidate, and vote accordingly.

 We do have several simple rules to our methodology.  One is that we will not vote for any candidate who scores less than 56, out of a total of 110 possible combined points.  This rarely happens, but is not unheard of.  In the 1996 presidential election scoring, Bob Dole scored 48 on our combined ratings, and Bill Clinton scored 45.  After discussion, we agreed on a write in candidate, and voted neither Republican nor Democratic in that election.  On each issue, there are only two possible point values.  For example, if the issue is illegal immigration, and it is rated as the third most important to us, the candidate can either get an 8 or a 0 from each of us.  In other words, we either agree with the candidate’s position, or we don’t.  There is no equivocation or ‘spinning’ in our system.  We leave that to the politicians.

 I don’t make the claim that this is a perfect system, but it does work for us.  It provides us with at least a semblance of objectivity rather than partisanship, and induces us to research candidates on their records and positions, rather than rhetoric and personality.  The most important aspect, at least to my bride and I, is that we can and do discuss politics with each other without rancor or argument.  That two contentious Chicagoans remain married after 42 years shows that logic based decisions, rather than emotionally based perceptions are better, even if less than perfect.

 

 

We are already celebrating Chanukah, and Christmas is fast approaching.  I think it is appropriate that we be reminded of why we are free to celebrate this Holy Season, and who it is that stands between us and those who seek to destroy these freedoms. 

 I have posted this poem before, after first hearing it read on a radio show several years ago.  I have tried to get substantive evidence as to the confirmed author, but have only managed to get a long list of claims and attributions.  I will simply post this, and again give my thanks to “Anonymous”, a person who truly understands the foundations of our Nation.

 Dedicated with love to my son, half a world away again this Christmas, and my nephew, recently returned from harms way; and all of my friends with family defending us. 

3 BLIND MICE AT ANNAPOLIS

 I have watched with interest the preparations for and beginning negotiations of the Mid-East ‘peace’ conference being held at the US Naval Academy in Annapolis Maryland.  I have been fortunate to count among my friends several graduates of the Naval Academy, and know two young men who currently attend this fine institution.  I greatly fear that this storied place may become synonymous with images of failure, meaningless pronouncements and the possible sellout and subsequent destruction of a democratic ally of America.

 I am no foreign policy wonk, nor do I have any particular expertise as a professional pundit or expert observer.  On the contrary, I have a healthy distrust of anyone advertised as an ‘expert’.  My Grandfather often reminded to beware of those who call themselves experts.  The Titanic, he would say, was built by experts with extensive schooling; while the Ark was built by amateurs with common sense.  Using his reasoning, I can only equate this conference as the bound being led by the blind.

 When I say the bound, I am referring to the multitude of attending countries that have a firm anti-Israel position, based on culture, religion and prejudice.  Indeed, many of them have codified this attitude within their laws, firmly cementing a predicable bias in anything they say or do.  I am going to ignore those countries in this piece, as I think anything further I would say or write would be superfluous to the main issues.

 What is germane to the conference is the participation of Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, the President of the Palestinian Authority Mahmoud Abbas, and United States President George Bush.  Or, as I cited in the title, the three blind mice.  And why, you may ask, do I feel this analogy is appropriate?  My simplistic view, as a certified resident of flyover country, is based on my application of common sense, as taught to me by my grandfather.  As a casual observer, I can only base my opinions on the positions taken by these men, and the position of the two countries that are the actual prime movers of the current situation in that troubled area of the world.

 Prime Minister Olmert has the lowest opinion level by his own countrymen of any Israeli leader in recent memory.  His withdrawal from Gaza has established a terrorist enabling autonomous region that launches almost daily attacks against Israel, and is governed by Hamas, an organization whose very charter demands the destruction of Israel and elimination of all Jews from the area.  He has not learned yet that the Palestinians do not want a separate state.  Rather, they want it all, with no compromise, and no Israel.  Yet he continues to offer the Palestinians more land and independence, further endangering Israel’s very existence.  Thus his lack of support by Israelis.  He is indeed both blind, and mouse like in his actions.

 President Abbas has no control over Gaza, and his grip in the West Bank is tenuous, enforced by his police with assistance from the Israeli security forces.  Hamas won the election in the West Bank, as well as Gaza, and have called this conference meaningless.  Abbas can’t even control Fatah, the paramilitary and terrorist based wing of his own organization.  If he thinks any negotiations by him will be accepted by the Palestinians, he is also blind to reality, and will (if lucky) be soon banished to some mouse hole.

 President Bush has a domestic approval rating only slightly better than Congress.  His positions on illegal immigration, and other issues, have even eroded his support among those who elected him.  He has invited a myriad of nations to the conference, all but two with no real involvement or influence over the issues being discussed.  Four of the participants, Egypt, Syria, Jordan and Lebanon could have resolved the Palestinian issues over the four decades when they had control over the Palestinian people.  All they did was segregate these people from their own citizenry, and aid in establishing the attitude of victimhood and revenge that has grown over the years.  If Mr. Bush thinks their participation helpful, he is blind to the facts, and is being toyed with as a cat plays with a mouse.

The only countries that have any actual influence are Saudi Arabia, and Iran.  The Saudis have religious credibility within the Sunni community and financial credibility through their infusion of money into the region.  Unfortunately, the financial support goes mainly to terrorist organizations, to insure them the money necessary to arm and carry on the attacks on Israel.  Their standing within the social and religious areas is through their support of spreading the precepts of Wahabism within the Muslim populace.  This brand of Islam preaches racial and religious hatred, and specifically calls for the genocide of Jews.  That the Saudi representatives refuse to shake hands with the Israeli attendees, or even appear in photos with them, makes it pretty clear to this observer that they have no interest in any peaceful settlement.

 Iran continues to support and arm Hezbollah in Lebanon and Syria, rearming them so that they can restart their active campaign to destroy Israel.  Hezbollah, like Hamas, has at its core belief the complete destruction of Israel.  Let me remind you that Hezbollah is second only to Al Qaida in the murder of Americans, and are as much an enemy of the United States as is Al Qaida.  The President of Iran has repeatedly called for the destruction of both the United States and Israel, and a continuation of the Islamic Jihad against all things Western and democratic.  Somehow, I doubt that an equitable settlement is in their interest.

 The bottom line to me is that the entire comedy of this conference is an exercise in futility.  The Palestinians do not want an accord, they want Israel to disappear.  Almost all of the attendees want the same, even if they do not want to participate directly in Israel’s destruction.  Any pronouncement by the three main participants will be considered meaningless due to their weak standing at home and the overwhelming opposition to the continued existence of Israel by most other nations at the table.  My only question is how destructive the results can be to our only true friend in the region, and ultimately, to our own interests and influence.

But that is just my opinion, and I could be wrong.  After all, I am no expert.

THANK YOU COLONEL TIBBETS

 They are all gone now, except the youngest, my Uncle Bobby.  The last of my own greatest generation.

 Dad was in the Coast Guard, considered too old for active Navy duty.  Uncle Roy was in the Navy, as was his brother Wally.  Their youngest brother, Bobby, was a Marine pilot.  He had begun flying at fourteen, using the money from the job my Dad got him at a drug store to pay for his flying lessons.  Sneaking off to Palwaukee airport outside Chicago, where a sympathetic World War One veteran gave a young boy a chance to learn to soar with the eagles.

 Wally and Roy served on aircraft carriers, with the hope they could watch out for their younger brother.  But Bobby flew off fixed bases in the Pacific, flying the top line F4U Vought Corsair.  What Wally and Roy wound up watching were Kamikaze pilots trying their damnedest to kill them.  Uncle Roy had back problems the rest of his life from one of those pilots.

 Dad went first, while I was still in High School.  Uncle Wally was next, a few years after Dad.  Uncle Roy held on until after I was married, and had transferred away from Chicago.  But I went back, with my then small children, for his services.  Two of my nephews blew taps at the cemetery.  It was the first time I remember my retired career Marine Uncle Bobby crying.  He is in North Carolina now, still playing his beloved golf, and still referring to my Aunt Helen as his bride.

Gone too is my oldest cousin, Bob.  He landed at Utah Beach on D Day.  Temporarily blinded by an artillery shell air burst, he returned to the front after only a few days of recovery.  He lost a leg in France.  His oldest son gave the eulogy.  Until he spoke, most of the family never knew about the medals for valor Bob received.  Like my other family members, he never talked much about the war.

 I hear a lot of discussion about the use of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima, and the second bomb dropped three days later on Nagasaki.  It seems many historians, commentators, and pundits are still discussing the use of these weapons.  Serious debates about the need for their employment, the moral implications, and the precedents set.  Speculation, coupled with revisionist history, seem to make this an academic issue, open to many interpretations.  However, to me, it is not academic.  It is very personal.

 You see, all of my family survived World War Two.  Unlike 405,399 other American families, mine never received that dreaded visit from the Western Union man, bearing a telegram that started “We regret to inform you”.  One limb lost, burns, scars and shed blood were all felt deeply, but at least they came back.  But that could have been very different.

 An invasion of Japan would have resulted in an estimated one million American casualties, over a third of whom would have been killed.  Based on the experience of Okinawa, up to twenty million more Japanese civilians would have died.  Would my Uncle Bobby, Uncle Roy and Uncle Wally have survived?  Cousin Bob would have been here, as he had already been discharged with the loss of his leg.  Dad too, would have survived, as he was never called to combat duty.  But of the others, I understandably can’t say.  But I can say that ending the war without an invasion of Japan insured that those who were still alive would remain so. Because the war ended when it did, I grew up with an Uncle Roy, Uncle Wally, and Uncle Bobby.  And because the war ended when it did, 350,000 other American families welcomed back their sons, brothers, fathers and uncles.  And twenty million Japanese survived to rebuild both their country, and their society.

 Colonel Paul Tibbets passed away this week.  He piloted the Enola Gay, the B-29 that dropped the bomb on Hiroshima that, together with the bombing of Nagasaki, finally ended World War II.  We flew the American flag at half staff at my house, not to commemorate a bomb, but to say thank you to Col. Tibbets on behalf of my family.

Thank you, Colonel Tibbets for completing the mission that you knew would affect the rest of your life.  Thank you, Colonel, for making the right decision.

 

THE GREAT IOWA PUMPKIN CAPER

 Now that the excitement and activities of Halloween are past, I would like to share some thoughts about the GREAT IOWA PUMPKIN CAPER, and its national implications.

 Over the past few days, Iowa has been the subject of many humorous comments from television and newspaper commentators and pundits, internet news sites, and bloggers of every stripe.  Usually, comments about Iowa are limited to the Caucus season, or have to do with our rural background.  We have come to expect that, and quietly continue to provide our children with an educational system that is consistently ranked in the top four of the fifty states, a crime rate that is infinitesimal compared to most states, and an agricultural system that not only feeds the Nation, but provides foodstuffs to the world.  From a personal standpoint, I am rarely embarrassed to say that although a Chicago native, I have happily lived in Iowa for more than nineteen years, and continue to do so even though now retired.

 However, what I and many of my neighbors and friends are calling the Pumpkin Caper is not only an embarrassment, but is an indicator of a new governmental program that may portend issues of concern to all of us.  I can think of no other way to describe this other than to call it a stealth tax that could be applied many other products and services, both at a state level, and a national level.

 The short version is that Iowa is now charging sales tax on pumpkins.  That this happened in an agricultural state is the reason for the recent surge of media comments. How this happened should be a fair warning to us all.

 The news stories have the basic story wrong when they call it a new tax.  It is not a new tax passed by our state legislature and signed into law by our governor.  Rather, it is based on a decision by those nameless and faceless government bureaucrats who are answerable to no one.

 Like many states, Iowa does not levy a sales tax on food.  Therefore, most farm produce is sold tax free.  However, in a secretive move not covered by any oversight, and not noted or reported on by any local media, the Iowa Department of Agriculture, in conjunction with the Department of Revenue, reclassified pumpkins from an agricultural product to a decoration.  As a decoration, pumpkins are now subject to the state sales tax.  This action was taken under the radar, by two department heads appointed by our newly elected Democratic governor.  A new tax, without any legislative action.

 I want you to take a moment to consider the implications of this action.  The state has opened a new source of revenue by simply reclassifying a product.  If we want to avoid paying sales tax, we must request a tax exemption form, and certify that the pumpkin will be used for food, and not as a decoration.  Most retailers were not aware of this tax change until after the Halloween season was upon us, and most pumpkins sold.  They must now pay the tax out of their own revenue, putting a strain on the small grocers who have a limited income already.  Does this mean that if I hang some leftover ears of sweet corn from my door for Thanksgiving, that the Department of revenue will knock on my door demanding that I pay a tax on them, because of its use as a decoration?  How about if my grandson carved the pumpkin, but my wife then baked the seeds as a treat for him?  Is this dual use, requiring a different form.  I don’t know, because this entire process was completed in secret.

 With national elections looming, and so many candidates already talking about instituting new taxes, or allowing previously passed tax cuts to expire, will this strategy expand to other states or federal taxes.  Can other states or the Federal government increase our taxes by reclassifying certain products and services?  Can other Governors and a new President, with their own appointees in place, use the process of product classification to increase their revenues without any opportunity for either the electorate or our representatives to consider the issue?  You may think not, but are you willing to bet your spendable income on it?

 While you may consider me an alarmist, I would ask that you read the wording of the original Stamp Act put in place by the British Government when we were still a colony, and then remember what stimulated the patriots who fought for our independence.  Their first battle cry was “No Taxation Without Representation”.

UPDATE

 A little light can often cure a multitude of ailments.  And embarrassment can even work on our politicos, even in today’s liberal environment.

 The good news is that the Governor of Iowa has suspended implementation of the pumpkin sales tax, and advised the Iowa Department of Revenue to refund the tax monies already collected.

 The bad news is that the classification of pumpkins as a decoration rather than an agricultural product was suspended, not rescinded, as the media reported.  That means the process and the classification remains in place, and can be reinstated by executive order, again without legislative oversight.  In addition, as a test application, the use of product classification to change tax status was a success, and can be applied to many other products and services in the future to enhance governmental revenues.  And not just in Iowa, but at state and Federal levels.  I am confident that this is not the last we have seen of the use of a stealth tax.

Day of Atonement

 I was thinking a bit yesterday about the coming Day of Atonement, and it’s applications for a Christian.  As a Catholic, I can see some relationship with the sacrament of Reconciliation, but there are significant differences.  It was then that I read an e-mail from Patrick, my youngest son, currently in Korea assigned to (deleted) AFB.  It was just a short note, the kind he sends every two or three days.  But in among the day to day items, was the following statement.

 “Also found out today that my commendation medal from (deleted) AFB
went through.  I should be presented the medal by the commander within a
few weeks, but am now authorized to wear the ribbon.  It's certainly one
of the highest ranking medals an enlisted member can get without
actually being in combat, so I am very proud to earn it.

Things are well and I will be giving you and Mom a call sometime this
weekend and definitely in time for your birthday.”

Pretty matter of fact, and would not mean much if you did not know the story.  Certainly not an item Patrick would brag about, other than to let me know his “ribbon rack” will have a new addition.  Long story short, he was alone in the control tower when a potentially disastrous situation occurred involving two Air Force A-10’s, and a civilian aircraft.  One of the A-10’s, and the civilian aircraft were both in distress, and there was a possibility of a mid air collision occurring within seconds, as well as one or the other distressed aircraft crashing if not landed quickly.  Patrick’s quick thinking and his handling of the situation resulted in all three aircraft landing safely, without any injury to any of the occupants.  By the way, none of these aircraft were assigned to Patrick’s base.  There are details that he could not share with me, and some things I cannot share with you.  But the story is riveting, with about 150 seconds of heart thumping suspense.

 As a result, he was recommended for a special commendation, which was approved and will be awarded to him at his new assignment.

 Back to the Day of Atonement.  While I understand the purpose of the day, I do not feel I am in the proper frame of mind to truly behave in an appropriate manner.  You see, I am in a state of pride.  Not in myself, for I know that would be sinful, but in my son.  He was responsible for saving the lives of three or more people.  Those who have read my previous writings about my son know how I feel about him.  But this award is illustrative of why I feel such pride.  I believe I am justified in feeling this way, because whatever pride he feels is muted, and will no doubt pass, as have his thoughts about the many brave, ethical and loving things he has done in his life.

 If I may offer a quote from the Torah, “He who saves one life is as if he saves the entire world.”  I will think about my faults on another day.  Today, I am enjoying the feelings that I have from raising such a son.

 May you derive peace of mind and spirit on this day.

 

 

GOODBYES – AND OTHER IMPORTANT STUFF

 

I have put aside almost everything to do with politics, Congress, stocks and market issues, foreign policy, the environment and virtually anything else that seems to trip the collective triggers of Conservatives, Liberals, Libertarians, Socialists, Communists, Traditionalists, Progressives, Religious and Secularists; at least for the last week or so. I found it very easy to do, because I had some really important things that required my attention.

 

I had two goodbyes that demanded my attention.  One goodbye was to my youngest son.  He came home on a very short leave from the Air Force, before leaving for his next assignment, half a world away.  We will not see him for at least 12 months, and possibly longer.  I have written about him before, in previous posts, and will not repeat my feelings about his service.  Suffice to say that my pride in him is in constant struggle with my concerns for his safety.  I guess that puts me in company with millions of others who have family in the military.

 

The other goodbye was to my oldest and dearest friend.  In High School, we were ushers at the same suburban Chicago movie theatre.  We stood up for each other at our respective marriages, and served as Godfather to each others daughters.  Like many of our generation, he came home from Vietnam with physical and emotional issues that were never completely resolved, and contributed to his premature death at 61.  I shall miss his friendship, and pray he now has the peace that eluded him for the last few years of his life.

 

My oldest grandson is beginning his college years, and my youngest grandson has begun 1^st grade. My middle grandson continues to grow and mature, and is beginning to test his talents and interests. I am so proud of all of them, and eagerly wait for the weekly updates they provide on how school is going, and what other activities have triggered their participation.

 

My youngest daughter received a clear blood test for her leukemia the day before her brother left for his next duty station.  That made four clear tests in a row.  Too early to use the “R” word yet, but a hopeful sign that maybe they got it all this time.

 

As you can see, I was dealing with really important stuff that has immediate impact on my family.  Maybe we need a week like this once in a while, to remind us of what is really important.  I just don’t want any more goodbyes for awhile.  I hate goodbyes.

THE NEXT ENVIRONMENTAL DISASTER

 In honor of Earth Day, I thought I would alert you to the next massive environmental disaster.  Unlike the well publicized, albeit unproven issue of global warming; this one will come within the next ten years, and will affect us all.  And this disaster will be the direct result of the actions of environmentalists, politicians, state and Federal government, and we, the consumer.  The most frustrating part of this looming catastrophe is that it is avoidable.

 So what is this approaching calamity?  Simply stated, it is water contamination.  Imagine for a moment a country without safe drinking water.  No water for cooking, washing ourselves and our clothes.  No way to water our crops or our gardens.  Water that can cripple you, cause mental retardation, creates birth defects and genetic mutations.  The ramifications are almost beyond comprehension.  What could possibly cause this?  Don’t we have all kinds of laws about water quality?  Haven’t we spent billions of tax dollars to clean up our waters?  Aren’t businesses governed by strict rules about water pollution?  The answer to all of these is yes.   So where will this contamination come from?  Allow me to illustrate, and perhaps, educate.

 My son has a ceiling fixture in his bedroom that does not provide enough light for a room that size.  The fixture is limited to four bulbs, not to exceed 60 watts.  In an effort to brighten the room, my wife looked for an alternative that did not involve replacing the fixture.  She settled on replacing the 60 watt incandescent bulbs with the new energy efficient fluorescent bulbs.  Not only do they use less electricity, while increasing the brightness of the room, they are advertised as lasting up to 5 years.

 I have seen these bulbs featured on environmental news stories, magazines and newspapers, and even praised by political figures.  Efficient, cost effective, brighter, environmentally friendly, and easy to use.  Apparently, they have no downside whatsoever.  I understand that some state and city governments are even advocating outlawing the sale of traditional incandescent bulbs, and mandating the use of this new tool to reduce global warming.

 I examined all of the verbiage on the package of four bulbs my wife subsequently purchased.  Terms such as “simulates natural light”, ‘uplifting and bright light”,  “enhances colors” and “energy saving” were featured prominently.  Being a bit of a skeptic, I did read the small print cautions on the back of the package.  These advised against using in areas where they would be exposed to the weather or temperature extremes, and should not be used for emergency lighting or with dimmer switches.  Nothing there that would cause me concern, so I began to install them.  I was putting the fourth bulb into its socket when I noticed some very small print on the base of the bulb itself.  Please allow me to quote from the bulb.

 “Contains Mercury – Dispose According to Local, State or Federal Law”

 Not being one to knowingly break the law, I thought I better look into this a bit.  It turns out that because these bulbs contain mercury, they must be disposed of through a licensed hazardous waste facility.  I called the closest such location, which is 22 miles from my residence.  Yes, I was informed, they will accept these bulbs.  The current cost for their processing is 50 cents per bulb.  Why, I asked, was this necessary?  I was informed that mercury is one of the most dangerous elements that they handle, and the most expensive to store.  Why, I asked, is it so dangerous?  That is when I learned of all of the health hazards attributed to mercury, and why it must be carefully handled.  Mercury, it appears, is both forever, and is transferable from one medium to another.  Contaminate a lake with mercury, and it gets into the fish.  Eat the fish, and it gets into you.  If a bird eats the fish, it gets into the bird.  A cat eats the bird, and the cat is now mercury poisoned.  And mercury poisoning is forever.

 Now, before you write me off as an alarmist, consider this.  If we replace tens of billions of incandescent light bulbs with these new bulbs, they will eventually burn out, and have to be replaced.  Of the burnt out bulbs, where do you think they will go?  Will people drive the 22 miles, as I will have to, and then pay a premium to dispose of these now useless bulbs; or will they simply be thrown into the weekly trash?  I think we both know they will end up in the trash.  That means they will go to local landfills, and will be broken while being dumped.  The mercury will eventually leach into the soil at the landfill, and being a heavy element, will work its way down to the groundwater.  The same groundwater that we use every day.

 Five years from now these bulbs will burn out and be thrown away.  Another five years for the mercury to leach into the groundwater.  Result?  A new environmental disaster that we will have created by following the consensus decision that using these light bulbs is a good idea.  I think I may have been right when I defined ‘Consensus’ as broad agreement of improbable theories by factually disadvantaged individuals with no background in the field being discussed.

 I will now ask some critical questions.  Why are these products not labeled on the package as containing a dangerous ingredient?  Why are the environmentalists not telling us what is necessary to properly dispose of these products?  Why are our elected officials not informing us of the potential risks we incur by using these products?  I have my own answers to these questions, and other questions that have crossed my mind.  I will leave it to you to define your own answers.  But I will leave you with one clue on where to find the answers.  As with so many other issues and problems we face, it usually come down to “Follow the money”.  

A DIFFERENT KIND OF COURAGE

 There are many different kinds of courage.  Certainly, the men and women of our military display courage every day.  There are those who act on the courage of their convictions by speaking out on issues that concern them.  Police and firefighters are known for the courage they exhibit in their chosen professions.

 In the last several weeks, we have heard about three prominent Americans and their fight with cancer.  It is indeed unfortunate that so many have politicized their respective struggles to overcome this terrible disease that has most likely affected the family of every one of us.  The story that should be told is that no matter what one’s political persuasion, social standing, religion or race, we are all potential victims of this affliction.  Indeed, I think the real story is how we deal with it, rather than who we are.  That the Snow family, the Edwards family and most recently Fred Thompson are reacting with dignity and courage should be the lesson, not the political impact on the Edwards campaign, the Bush presidency, or the political future of Mr. Thompson.     

 I want to relate the story of one young woman, and the battles she has fought.  For one so young, she has displayed a different kind of courage than that displayed on the news.  She has the courage to stay alive.  Indeed, without that courage, she would most likely not be here today.  And her story is the one I wish to share in detail.

 From birth (premature) to age sixteen, she was the kind of child that most parents both desire and dread.  Strong willed (perhaps from being the youngest of five), stubborn, tough, talented, competitive and smart.  Early on, she exhibited extraordinary talent in both music and sports.  By her mid-teens, she could play piano, trumpet, French horn and saxophone.  Her favorite instrument was the clarinet, with her idol being the great Benny Goodman, whom she emulated in both style and substance.  She was in marching band, jazz band, symphony and orchestra; as part of the High School music program that became the first in the nation to be awarded a Grammy for excellence.

 Her athletic skills also showed while still young. In Grammar school, she set a girl’s softball league record for stolen bases in a season (68 steals in 16 games).  By High School, she played on the state champion basketball team, soccer team, and softball team.   She certainly would not have stood out in a crowd, at 5’3” and 110 lbs.  But on the field and on the court, her courage and spirit allowed her to play beyond her size.  But sixteen proved to be a pivotal year.

 It started with unexplained blackouts and irregular responses to physical efforts.  After many tests, and the loss of her ability to participate in any athletics, she was diagnosed with a heart ailment that caused her heart rate and respiration to speed up to dangerous levels while at rest, and slow down to dangerous levels when engaging in strenuous activity.  Four different surgical procedures did not correct the problem, but did cause her to miss so much school that she was required to transfer to an alternative High School.  Her ability to pursue her music was also curtailed, as the new school had no music program.

 With the loss of her ability to participate in either music or sports, she turned her interest to academics.  What was once a third choice now became her primary activity.  She turned from a solid C student to an Honor Roll student overnight.  Her grades and college test scores earned her entry into the pre-med program at a noted University.  But the extreme rigors of the curriculum were more than her health could handle, and she was not able to pursue her medical school goal.  By this time, she was also experiencing serious muscle pain, and suffered multiple incidents of broken bones caused by such normal activities as stepping off a curb.

 The heart issue was finally addressed after several occurrences which were severe enough to necessitate resuscitation, once by a team of EMT’s, another during a surgical procedure, and one by her father.  A brilliant cardiologist, brought in to consult, corrected the improper cardiac responses by implanting a specially designed and programmed pacemaker defibrillator device.  This same specialist referred her to another doctor, who identified the pain and bone issues as arthritis and fibromyalgia.  However, all of the doctors were puzzled as to why one so young, and formerly in such good physical condition, was experiencing such an advanced case of what is essentially an older persons medical condition.

 Not waiting for doctors to decide her fate, she continued her education.  After finishing nursing school and passing the medical boards for certification, she continued on with her education.  While earning three additional Associate Degrees, she was elected President of the local chapter of Thi Betta Kappa, the Junior College equivalent of the prestigious Phi Betta Kappa honor society.  A regular on the Deans List and the Presidents List, she refused to be bound by physical problems, or allow her condition to limit her educational interests.  It was at this time that an unplanned pregnancy brought one more opportunity for her to exhibit both courage and character.  Her decision was never in doubt, and she took on the task of being a single parent, while continuing her studies.  While her family stood with her, providing monetary and more importantly, emotional and logistical support, it was her strength that allowed her to not surrender to circumstances.

 Another curve ball, this one unhittable, was thrown at her before her son’s first birthday.  She was advised that many of the physical issues she was dealing with, outside of the cardiac condition, was the result of Lupus.  The tests showed that not only her muscles and bones were affected, but she had already suffered some damage to both her kidneys and her liver.  At a point when many would have given up, she decided instead to move closer to the University that she wanted to attend to complete her graduate work and post graduate studies.  Setting up a student housing residence, and getting her son ready for Pre School and eventually parochial school, she felt she was finally getting all of the health issues, if not corrected, at least under control.  Fate, however, had other plans.

 During a routine blood test used to monitor the Lupus, other abnormalities were detected.  After some additional tests were ordered and studied, the diagnosis was acute lymphocytic leukemia.  The cardiac device precluded her receiving radiation therapy, and the Lupus excluded her from a bone marrow transplant.  The only treatment would be chemotherapy, with a number of ‘cocktails’ available.  The first set of infusions did not have any significant effect, which caused the University Oncologists to conduct an extraordinary battery of tests.  Certain tools were not available, as you cannot do an MRI on a patient with a pacemaker, as one example.  However, an observant doctor, acting on a hunch, went looking for any undetected tumors, which might interfere with the treatments.  Sure enough, he found two small cancerous tumors hidden between an arm bone and the attached cartilage.  After surgically removing these, the next set of chemo infusions did show an improvement.  After some months, she was declared in remission.  During all of this, she maintained her class schedules, and was named to the Deans List.

 The remission of the leukemia was short lived, with its reappearance several months later.  Another round of chemo therapy, with a stronger set of chemicals, was ordered.  This time, after tests showed the cancer again in remission, the doctors continued the chemo treatments for another six weeks.  This was to ‘insure’ that they got it all.  For the next six months, this appeared to be the case.  Courage, will and years of prayers had hopefully given her the opportunity to live her life with some degree of normalcy.

 The normalcy ended four weeks before her twenty-seventh birthday.  A blood test taken while dealing with her semi-annual case of pneumonia showed that the leukemia had again shown its persistence.  A new round of chemo therapy is being undertaken, and the results will not be known for some time.  This young woman, and her now five year old son, are dealing with it as just another inconvenience.  She refuses to consider herself a victim, and will not tolerate that sentiment from either family or friends.  Her intensity has not been diminished, and her resolve to win yet another battle is unshakable.  So yes, I do believe that this woman’s life is a study in courage.  Not of the kind of courage usually cited, but the courage to lead a normal life under extraordinary circumstances.

 Courage comes in many forms, and takes many shapes.  There are courageous people all around us, but it often is a quiet courage that usually goes unrecognized.  Perhaps you might take some time and think about your family, friends, neighbors and co-workers.  If you think about them in depth, I would be willing to wager that you can find many of those you know are courageous in ways that never occurred to you before.  And after that, think about your own life and experiences, for you may discover that you also are more courageous than you realize.