In our history as a country we have seen the horror of War. Two world wars, Korea, Viet Nam, to name a few, and now Iraq and Afghanistan. One thing has remained constant no matter the conflict and that is the undeniable fact that a war kills the innocent as well as the combatants. It seems quite ironic that most wars are brought on by those who would proclaim to believe in a higher power, a God, a religion supposed to be based on forgiveness, not judging others. How can this be? How could a person be willing to blow themselves up along with innocent men, women, and children, to show or prove that their way of thinking is the intended path that their "God" chose for them?
Most Americans know by now that the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan can not be won. There is no way to win these types of conflicts unless you eliminate your enemy completely. As long as there are people dressed like civilians who will strap explosives to themselves, or fill their vehicle with them how can you possibly win? It was not that long ago that we found this out in Viet Nam, or that the Russians learned this in Afghanistan. Remember? One has to wonder what the purpose of these wars are? Do our leaders today think things are different? Is there a magic weapon that an change the out come? I don't think so. What is the ultimate goal that is pushing the ever increasing cost both monetarily and in human life? What could be so important? CAN SOMEBODY TELL ME?
What can be gained by years and years of war with an enemy who will never go away? I see nothing to be gained unless you have a stake in making money off of war. The Military Industrial complex. I believe it was President Dwight D. Eisenhower that warned leaders of our nation to beware of this. Greed, the all mighty dollar. Could a leader really go to war as a way to make money? Are there people out there who would sacrifice their citizens for the sake of wealth? We have reduced our troop levels in Iraq and now have approximately 65K in our other conflict. Only the Afghan military has greater numbers in Country. Some of our leaders want to send more troops into this war, say we can't win without them? I say bring them all home. If the Afghan people want to get rid of the Taliban, then let them. If they don't go after Osama Bin Laden and get him out of their country, then they don't. If we want him, then get him!
Both these latest wars were supposedly started due to the tragedy of 9/11. I have heard and read many things to the contrary. If we wanted to get certain individuals it has been said also that we could have. So why must we continue to live in this delusion of victory? Why do we need to go to another country to sacrifice our people, our economy, our world image, and in the process kill and mame thousands upon thousands of people who did nothing to us? The headlines are sounding more and more like those from the days of Viet Nam. The body counts for both sides tallied like a football score. They say the definition of Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. So why are we? Whether we pull out now or we stay another 5 years the outcome will be the same.
The people of their country will decide what is best for them. It is not for us to decide nor can we. So why stay? We are not willing to eliminate those who are extremists, so why do we continue when history has shown us that even the most powerful nations on the planet can not win this type of war? Without complete and total victory there is nothing to be gained by staying. We should not have entered into this war without looking upon history and taking a hard look at the reality of what has gone on before us. We have all seen it, we have lived it, we have tasted the bitterness and seen the ugliness of it. So how do we forget? MyRantasaurusRex
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Monday, October 5, 2009
Commitment
When I decided to coach my kids there were people who would ask me how I find the time to work, coach, and do all the normal day to day things you do when you have four children. Where does the energy come from? I have always been taught that if there is something that you have passion for, and enjoy, you will make the time. At times it seems that many children these days haven't been taught the same? I teach my kids that if you sign up for something whether it is sports, a school activity, or anything else, you have made a commitment. You have agreed to see it through and do your very best at completing or competing to the very end. This year my soccer teams have found more and more reasons to miss practice and to even miss games. Last week I had only one substitute available for both games. Is this the message we want to send to our children? Not mine!
Even though this is recreation soccer, missing practice and or games gives the impression that the team is not important. I don't blame the kids so much as the parents who allow them to shirk the obligation they made when they signed up. Well they didn't get their homework done, they were at a birthday party that was so much fun that they skipped the game, going camping, going here, going there, and on and on and on. Whether they realize it or not they are letting down their team mates who rely on them. Opposing coaches pick up on the fact that you only have one sub and try to utilize that to their advantage.
The same kids then wonder why they aren't starting the following game. I don't want to be a sub one told me at practice. I don't like to be a sub. I calmly replied that if you want to start the games then you should come to the games and practices and be on time for both. The team didn't like it when you decided to stay at a party instead of coming to a game in which you were scheduled to start. This disrupts the game line up and has a ripple effect for the duration of the game. And then there is the fact that those who do show up must play most of the game without rest! That week was our first win of the season and the first game we played well as a team. Those who missed it weren't there to enjoy that feeling you get when you win and celebrate with your team mates.
To parents of kids on my team as well as those every where, choose their activities based on their ability to participate in them. If you sign them up to be there, then be there! Don't let them be the one who lets their team mates down. They will remember, I will remember. As they get older if they choose to play competitive sports, sign up for the debate team, or any other team activities, the lessons they learn today will help to ensure they are team players in the future. Choose wisely and don't let them spread themselves too thin. Teach them that the rewards will come to them when they work as a team, for the team. Teach them Commitment!
BigBlogAlphaDog
Even though this is recreation soccer, missing practice and or games gives the impression that the team is not important. I don't blame the kids so much as the parents who allow them to shirk the obligation they made when they signed up. Well they didn't get their homework done, they were at a birthday party that was so much fun that they skipped the game, going camping, going here, going there, and on and on and on. Whether they realize it or not they are letting down their team mates who rely on them. Opposing coaches pick up on the fact that you only have one sub and try to utilize that to their advantage.
The same kids then wonder why they aren't starting the following game. I don't want to be a sub one told me at practice. I don't like to be a sub. I calmly replied that if you want to start the games then you should come to the games and practices and be on time for both. The team didn't like it when you decided to stay at a party instead of coming to a game in which you were scheduled to start. This disrupts the game line up and has a ripple effect for the duration of the game. And then there is the fact that those who do show up must play most of the game without rest! That week was our first win of the season and the first game we played well as a team. Those who missed it weren't there to enjoy that feeling you get when you win and celebrate with your team mates.
To parents of kids on my team as well as those every where, choose their activities based on their ability to participate in them. If you sign them up to be there, then be there! Don't let them be the one who lets their team mates down. They will remember, I will remember. As they get older if they choose to play competitive sports, sign up for the debate team, or any other team activities, the lessons they learn today will help to ensure they are team players in the future. Choose wisely and don't let them spread themselves too thin. Teach them that the rewards will come to them when they work as a team, for the team. Teach them Commitment!
BigBlogAlphaDog
Pony Up
Wow! Have you seen the new Cowboy Stadium? Can you imagine watching from the upper levels and seeing the 40 foot tall players on one of 4 insanely large screens hanging above the field? Cost the owner and who ever else contributed a billion plus to build it so I guess that would warrant screens the size of houses. Only one problem with them so far and that is a strong legged punter can hit them on occasion! Correct me if I am out of line but when I spend over a billion on something you would think all engineering contingencies would be considered? Oh well, if we have to move it, we will just move it…… Might have to add a little to the price of a beer or parking.We don't mind right?
Parking now is a mere $75 dollars and with tickets ranging anywhere from $75 to $239 bucks for a single game ticket, that means if I take my family of 6 to a game without eating or drinking anything but water I will spend $450 just for tickets, and $75 to park, WHAT? $525 to watch a football game? And that’s without food or beverages! How in the Sam He** (I'll use a saying from the good ole boys) does Mr. billionaire think he is going to fill this 100k person stadium week in and week out at these prices? And that’s for the cheap seats! Club level seat options (psl's in most stadiums) range from $16K-$50K! Must be lots of his rich oil baron friends coming to see Americas team? I can stay at home and watch in HD for oh lets say NOTHING, and you want $650-$700 of my hard earned greenbacks to watch the 2-2 Cowboys?
If I am paying this kind of cash to watch .500 football, the Cowboy cheerleaders are going to have to split up with one half watching my children while the others give my wife and I back and neck massages and at the same time, be blending us up some Margaritas' for our consumption! Then how about a couple of them give us a ride home in the company jet? If we are dreaming, might as well dream BIG! Where does it stop? How much in today's economy are you willing to spend to see mediocre football, or anything for that matter? With the athletes getting millions to play the game I guess someone has to pay the bill right? Is it the game we go to see or has it become just a reason to see the spectacle that is the stadium? It is a beautiful stadium with no shortage of eye candy in all directions. Most people can work their entire life and not make what this stadium brings in for one game!
Seeing the faces of my children at a live baseball game was something I will never forget. I have three sons who all love to watch football and I want to take them someday to see my home team play. Our stadium is one of the oldest in the league and right now I am feeling glad about that because I can probably still get away to a game for under $300. Still a lot of money but better than $700! For those who love Americas team and love your new stadium, enjoy it if you can but be prepared to Pony Up!
Parking now is a mere $75 dollars and with tickets ranging anywhere from $75 to $239 bucks for a single game ticket, that means if I take my family of 6 to a game without eating or drinking anything but water I will spend $450 just for tickets, and $75 to park, WHAT? $525 to watch a football game? And that’s without food or beverages! How in the Sam He** (I'll use a saying from the good ole boys) does Mr. billionaire think he is going to fill this 100k person stadium week in and week out at these prices? And that’s for the cheap seats! Club level seat options (psl's in most stadiums) range from $16K-$50K! Must be lots of his rich oil baron friends coming to see Americas team? I can stay at home and watch in HD for oh lets say NOTHING, and you want $650-$700 of my hard earned greenbacks to watch the 2-2 Cowboys?
If I am paying this kind of cash to watch .500 football, the Cowboy cheerleaders are going to have to split up with one half watching my children while the others give my wife and I back and neck massages and at the same time, be blending us up some Margaritas' for our consumption! Then how about a couple of them give us a ride home in the company jet? If we are dreaming, might as well dream BIG! Where does it stop? How much in today's economy are you willing to spend to see mediocre football, or anything for that matter? With the athletes getting millions to play the game I guess someone has to pay the bill right? Is it the game we go to see or has it become just a reason to see the spectacle that is the stadium? It is a beautiful stadium with no shortage of eye candy in all directions. Most people can work their entire life and not make what this stadium brings in for one game!
Seeing the faces of my children at a live baseball game was something I will never forget. I have three sons who all love to watch football and I want to take them someday to see my home team play. Our stadium is one of the oldest in the league and right now I am feeling glad about that because I can probably still get away to a game for under $300. Still a lot of money but better than $700! For those who love Americas team and love your new stadium, enjoy it if you can but be prepared to Pony Up!
Say what you want You are still a Dee eye see kay
Politics…… Who came up with Politics? While I can see the reason for having those who would represent the will of the majority, when did it become too big? Over grown, obese with both power and corruption. In the beginning there were idealists who helped to shape this country.. Those who actually looked out for the majority and didn't steal and cheat to better their lives. This is politics today and it SUCKS! Recently one of our former politicians, (shrubs number two) decided it was time to squawk about his former regime and was angry because someone is questioning their illegal tactics and torture of prisoners, oh I mean enemy combatants! It reminds us of his arrogance and his lack of concience that were well documented under the shrubs rule.
Old number two seems to feel that because people had to make hard decisions, torturing them in the name of security was simply ok. WHAT? When did it become ok to break the laws of not only this country but of the Geneva convention? If our soldiers were being tortured would he feel the same? War is ugly, War is unforgiving, and the Wars we are involved in today were created by him and his boss. His former company wink, wink, made billions off of War, at the expense of thousands upon thousands of innocent people as well as thousands of our young men and women in the Military. For what purpose? I have yet to hear anything other than the fact that this war was based on lies, greed, and a sense of revenge felt toward Sadaam Hussein. What no argument?
While the two former 1st and 2nd in command were busy creating a gold mine of wealth for themselves and all their rich friends, the people of America felt the pain and loss of paying for and supporting those who made the ultimate sacrifice. While they were busy getting richer the ponsi scheming, gas price gouging, bad loan creating crooks were busy hitting us even harder. Deregulate everything and watch the free market at it's best, NOT!!! We will live with this nightmare as more and more hard working Americans lose their jobs, their homes, and some will even lose their families trying to cope with it all. While the Pnac gang did their very best to gain complete control of the USA, the people stood up and shouted NO! It took some time but there is no turning back now. One would ask why the former number two did not run for the lead role as most do? We should all know the answer to that. He didn't want to have to try and clean up after himself.
While I don't agree with everything the new president is doing, at least he is trying to do right by those who elected him. That is the deal when you accept the role, when you take the oath of office. The shrub and his number two would have us believe that we are safer now? How does killing and maming people in another country who had no part in 9/11 make us safer? Someone will have to explain it to me. America will remember the shrub and number two as the worst in the history of this nation. America will remember the Pnac scheme and all those who jumped ship to avoid prosecution. Someday hopefully they will pay for their crimes and remember who they are supposed to serve. We will see? One bit of advice for number two. We do not care for your opinion on current events. Most of our problems were created by you and all your pnac friends yet you act like the new guy is to blame for it all! Again you are dilusional!
I must say that of all the bad politicians I have ever seen in the news for lying, cheating, stealing, corruption, etc., etc., etc., you take the cake. Go back into the hiding spot you held for most of the eight years you were in office riding the shrubs coat tails and just put a lid on it! You had your chance and all you did was destroy, deceive, and display your willingness to do what ever it took to make yourself and your gang richer, not caring one bit about the consequences that would be passed on for generations. I hope you are happy with all that money and I hope your gang is too. Someday the truth will be known about all of your deeds and when that day comes I will tell my children the story of you and the shrub and all your crimes. America will not forget number two, so stay quiet and remember these words. This is America so you can say what you want, but you are now and always will be a dee eye see kay!
MyRantasaurusRex
Old number two seems to feel that because people had to make hard decisions, torturing them in the name of security was simply ok. WHAT? When did it become ok to break the laws of not only this country but of the Geneva convention? If our soldiers were being tortured would he feel the same? War is ugly, War is unforgiving, and the Wars we are involved in today were created by him and his boss. His former company wink, wink, made billions off of War, at the expense of thousands upon thousands of innocent people as well as thousands of our young men and women in the Military. For what purpose? I have yet to hear anything other than the fact that this war was based on lies, greed, and a sense of revenge felt toward Sadaam Hussein. What no argument?
While the two former 1st and 2nd in command were busy creating a gold mine of wealth for themselves and all their rich friends, the people of America felt the pain and loss of paying for and supporting those who made the ultimate sacrifice. While they were busy getting richer the ponsi scheming, gas price gouging, bad loan creating crooks were busy hitting us even harder. Deregulate everything and watch the free market at it's best, NOT!!! We will live with this nightmare as more and more hard working Americans lose their jobs, their homes, and some will even lose their families trying to cope with it all. While the Pnac gang did their very best to gain complete control of the USA, the people stood up and shouted NO! It took some time but there is no turning back now. One would ask why the former number two did not run for the lead role as most do? We should all know the answer to that. He didn't want to have to try and clean up after himself.
While I don't agree with everything the new president is doing, at least he is trying to do right by those who elected him. That is the deal when you accept the role, when you take the oath of office. The shrub and his number two would have us believe that we are safer now? How does killing and maming people in another country who had no part in 9/11 make us safer? Someone will have to explain it to me. America will remember the shrub and number two as the worst in the history of this nation. America will remember the Pnac scheme and all those who jumped ship to avoid prosecution. Someday hopefully they will pay for their crimes and remember who they are supposed to serve. We will see? One bit of advice for number two. We do not care for your opinion on current events. Most of our problems were created by you and all your pnac friends yet you act like the new guy is to blame for it all! Again you are dilusional!
I must say that of all the bad politicians I have ever seen in the news for lying, cheating, stealing, corruption, etc., etc., etc., you take the cake. Go back into the hiding spot you held for most of the eight years you were in office riding the shrubs coat tails and just put a lid on it! You had your chance and all you did was destroy, deceive, and display your willingness to do what ever it took to make yourself and your gang richer, not caring one bit about the consequences that would be passed on for generations. I hope you are happy with all that money and I hope your gang is too. Someday the truth will be known about all of your deeds and when that day comes I will tell my children the story of you and the shrub and all your crimes. America will not forget number two, so stay quiet and remember these words. This is America so you can say what you want, but you are now and always will be a dee eye see kay!
MyRantasaurusRex
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