The FBI... What in the World is Going On? (Part 3 / Conclusion)

 

                                                                                                            

The current dubious status of the Federal Bureau of Investigation is without question due to… leadership.  Most of you have figured this out already.  The Director is Christopher Wray.  Is he qualified to be the Director?  Well, let’s see:  The FBI has approximately 25,000 employees.  About 11 or 12 thousand are Agents.  The remainder being support personnel.

So, is Wray qualified and experienced enough to lead such a mammoth organization?  To evaluate that, we need to know something about his background.  Wray comes from a wealthy family and his father is an attorney in a prestigious law firm.  Wray was sent to a private school, the Phillips Academy in Massachusetts.  I understand this is a tony school for kids from prominent (aka wealthy) families.  He went from said preparatory school to Yale where he got a degree... in philosophy.  I went to a public college.  I wasn’t even aware that they had a degree in philosophy.  At least it never crossed my mind.  I had to look this up.  It turns out that a degree in Philosophy is not that useful in most areas of occupational endeavor; but you do become an interesting conversationalist with the ability to understand and consider both sides of a discussion.  From there he went to Yale’s Law School and yada, yada, yada.

Being a connected young man, he found ready employment as an attorney and then as an Assistant United States Attorney.  Doors opened… well you know how it goes.  OK, what’s my point?  The point is that prior to becoming Director of the FBI, he had supervised (and I’m giving him the benefit of the doubt on this) no more than 25 or 30 employees.  Suddenly, he was put in charge of 25,000.  Can you see why there might be a problem here?

Chris Wray may be a nice man, but he is way over his head; and, as a result, easily manipulated by others around him.  I’m sure he was never particularly interested in being FBI Director and probably still isn’t; but he is interested in an illustrious, lucrative, subsequent career in the federal government or with a pricey law firm.  For his ambition, the men and women of the FBI suffer the inescapable indignities and perception of being politically biased… which unfortunately, under current management, they are.

So, where do you find a good, qualified FBI Director.  My suggestion is that they look for him or her, in a highly considered law enforcement agency, or perhaps the military.  After all, aren’t they looking for a leader rather than a politician with no background in leadership.  Do you think Wray got his job due to his resume?  I don’t think so.

Well, you might say… Trump picked him.  That’s true.  But maybe Wray’s most prominent qualification for selection was that he was perceived to be easily manipulated – which has proven also to be true… in spades.

True Nelson

The FBI…What in the World is Going On? (Part 2)

  

I only served under Hoover for a short period of time.  He died about five or six months after I entered the Bureau.  It could be correctly stated that he ruled the Bureau and his Agents with an iron hand.  The rules for conduct were extensive, extreme and some bordered on the eccentric.  For example:  Agents were not allowed coffee breaks while on duty - that was in or out of the office.  I soon learned that said rule was often, almost universally, ignored by the Agents.  Nonetheless, if caught by a supervisor, you could be officially censured; and if on probation status at the time, it could mean 'adios.'

Another requirement, more difficult to circumvent, was that New Agents were limited to how long they could be in the Office.  Reason given:  FBI Agents do not solve cases in the office.  I recall the Time in Office (TIO) allowed was about 10% of the workday.  That was approximately an hour because ten-hour days were expected.  For new Agents with no assigned car, this was a problem; and often meant standing at the front door in the morning waiting for a more senior Agent to arrive and ask (beg) to use their car for part of the day to cover leads.  If that failed the public library was a place to work on reports.  And yes, you had to walk.  This was the typical 'First Office' which lasted about nine to ten months.  Finishing that, you were assigned a 'Second Office.'  In my case, it was San Francisco.  I felt that I had hit the jackpot.  That's when, finally, they treated you like a regular Agent... and cars were available.

I had been a deputy sheriff, prior to the military, and before I entered the Bureau.  It was the Bureau’s custom or policy to send five or six Agents to make an arrest – arrests that a deputy sheriff often made on his own.  It seemed kind of demeaning.  In my 'first office,' I remember arresting a selective service violator, a Jehovah’s Witness.  I had previously talked to him and his mother on the telephone.  They were both cooperative.  I said I would come by the house and get him, take him for processing.  The supervisor made me take two other Agents for ‘back up’ and to insure he was properly handcuffed.  It was embarrassing.  The kid was upset.  The mother was upset.  Both seemed like very nice people.  I did apologize to the mother and made some lame excuse for why this was necessary.

Now, it would seem that the Bureau has carried on that same tradition or mind set on steroids… with SWAT teams sent to almost all arrests.  Why?  The Agents' pool, in large part, has morphed into something like ‘girly men.’  I know that term might get me in trouble.  However, they seemed to get away with it on Saturday Night Live.  So, I will give it a try.  But, to clarify, I worked with women Agents, and for the most part, they did not fit in that category.  It generally fits the type of men (and some women) presently recruited.  Which explains why they send a SWAT Team to make the most mundane arrests.  And, it explains why the shooting requirements for Agents have sunk to comical lows.

 

To be continued…

 

True Nelson

The FBI... What in the World is Going On?

 

The FBI… I was an Agent in the 70s.  I am proud of my service.  And, I must say that the experience and connections I gained there greatly enhanced my subsequent career.  Although, early on, being inside the FBI (at the time) was disillusioning in many aspects.  That said, the quality of the men and women in the Bureau, the Agents, generally was pretty high – except for a few.  In that era, many had been officers in the military; but we had former teachers, accountants, and some attorneys.  Which reminds me of a humorous story.  I will digress for a moment.

Awhile back, I was having some physical therapy on my knee.  The therapist, a nice young woman, was asking me about my earlier life… what I did for employment, etc.  I mentioned that I had been a deputy sheriff, a military officer, and an FBI Agent.  She was interested in the FBI aspect.  She said are you an attorney?  I said that I was not.  She said I thought you had to be an attorney to be an Agent.  I responded that was not the case; and that, in my experience, the former attorneys usually turned out to be the worst Agents.  She said, “Oh… my dad is an attorney – and graduated from Harvard Law School.”

Yes, it was an awkward moment.  The only thing I could think to say at the time was, ‘your dad must be a very smart guy.’  She was kind of coolish after that, did not talk much, and I never went back to her.

Nonetheless, my opinion on attorneys in the FBI, and in general, remains the same.  They are ‘hired guns’ that generally have little ethical compass.  Well, ‘hired Guns’ is probably a considerable mischaracterization as far as the Bureau is concerned.  I should describe them more accurately as men and women that are uncomfortable with guns; as well as the requirement to deal appropriately with undesirables, aka the criminal element.  However, former attorneys are generally good at talking, or should I say pontificating, but deficient in many other aspects.  Unfortunately, the talking part often gets one promoted in the Bureau.  But, for those so inclined, it means you do not have to do the scary part.  You can just talk tough and assign someone else to handle it.

This is perhaps the long way around, but I plan to talk about the current FBI and how disappointed I am in the organization’s leadership, particularly Christopher Wray.

To be continued…

True Nelson

Zachariah Peterson (JUDICIAL FOLLOWUP SUMMARY) Threatened to mow down Teachers!

 

In that there has been considerable recent interest in my old blog posts concerning Zackariah Peterson; I thought I would update the judicial process posted in the OregonianLive newsfeed dated 7-28-16 (Maxine Bernstein reporting).  I kind of loss tract of the case over the years.  Hopefully, Peterson has moved on to a responsible and productive life upon serving his sentence.

 

Bernstein quote:  "Upon arrest, Peterson admitted to police that he had left the voicemail messages and wrote the online post, that he had been drinking and had no intention of acting out on his threats. Police found firearms in his home and seized them, including a 12-gauge shotgun, .22-caliber pistol, a 7mm rifle, and a .22-caliber rifle. He was taken into federal custody on Sept. 11, 2015.”

“In March, he pleaded guilty to felon in possession of a firearm and threatening communication in interstate commerce.”

" I'd like to take the opportunity to apologize,'' Peterson, 30, said in court, addressing several parents from the school, the principal and a math teacher. "When I realized what I'd done, I felt horrible about it. I can't imagine how it made you all feel. I just can't believe what I did.''

"A defense-hired psychologist, Scott Senn, testified that Peterson is extremely bright but struggles with alcoholism, intimacy and emotions. He was scarred as a child, and the bullying went unaddressed."

"Assistant U.S. Attorney Greg Nyhus and Assistant U.S Attorney Mackeson jointly recommended a sentence of one year and nine months."

"But U.S. District Judge Anna J. Brown calculated Peterson's offense level differently, with an enhancement due to his possession of what she considered a .22-caliber rifle with a high-capacity magazine. She also noted that Peterson, who was convicted of a felony in 2006, wasn't allowed to possess any guns."

"The threat conveyed is appalling...words used were as bad as you can imagine, especially in today's climate," the judge said. "I appreciate those who felt the sting and horror and alarm from his remarks and want to be protected."

"But Brown said she can't ignore an evaluation that found Peterson is at a low risk of re-offending. She said she believes that if his mental health issues and alcohol problem is addressed, he should be able to return to pursuing his Ph.D. when he's completed his sentence."

"I'm very shameful of this. All of this here today happened because I was too proud to seek help that I knew I needed for my drinking and mental health issues,'' Peterson said, standing before the judge moments before she issued her sentence. "I should have known better than to create this situation...If there is one benefit for having been incarcerated for almost a year is I'm sober.''

True Nelson

True's Miscellany: Gun Control Issues; The Biden Crime Family or 'Boys will be Boys'; and COVID

Sometimes it seems that there are so many things to talk about that it defies talking about it.  Moreover, no one particularly wants to hear what you have to say.  But, I have my blog and it is my outlet.

The gun issue:  Everyone, mostly people that know practically nothing about guns, have an emphatic answer to curbing gun violence which they are more than happy to share.  That said, I kind of feel that I have a certain amount of expertise (perhaps I am presuming too much); but I do have 10 years in law enforcement and during which period I was an FBI Firearms Instructor, as well as a member of a SWAT team.  Subsequently, for most of my career, I was in corporate security for a Fortune 100 company; and (I suppose not too surprisingly) ‘workplace’ violence prevention was a priority.  Yes, and I was in the military, and we did use M-16s.  But no one is particularly interested in my opinion, if it in anyway conflicts with their own.

Asked to define the dreaded “assault weapon” on everyone’s mind these days, they generally are referring to the AR-15.  “It looks dangerous.”  And, it is dangerous.  But all guns, generally speaking, in the wrong hands are dangerous.  But, you opine, ‘It’s a ‘military assault weapon.’  Well, not exactly.  Did you know that the AR-15 is not modeled after the M-16?  Did you know, or even care, that the AR-15 predated the M-16?  Nonetheless, those who know little about guns want to deal in generalities that have no relevance to any sort of legal definition of what constitutes an ‘assault weapon.’  It gets kind of tiresome, even hopeless, to discuss.  I’ve written extensively on ‘gun control’ and, if you’re interested, go to my blog’s ‘side bar’ and type in ‘gun control.’  I’ve had a lot to say on the subject.  There are some things we can do to prevent ‘school shootings.’  Let’s just do it with a modicum of expertise involved.

And, if you want my opinion on the AR-15… Well, I think that anyone who would purchase an AR-15, in view of the rifle’s bad reputation, is kind of a ‘knucklehead.’  Best not mention your purchase in public.

The Biden Family:  Could we describe said clan as a ‘organized crime family?’  Well, I might.  Others might qualify the Bidens’ many questionable and even illegal acts as ‘just politics.’  Sort of like breezily discounting it as ‘boys will be boys.’  As a result, giving Joe, Hunter and Jim Biden the benefit of the doubt as ‘just politics;’ and furthermore accepting the belief that there are many other politicians doing the same thing.  Well, you’ve got me there.  Yes indeed, Al Capone would fit right in as a politician.  But he’s passed on to his reward.  My concerns are that it seems the FBI and Secret Service are in on it.  Who is watching out for the public?  It appears no one.  It would be interesting to know how all the money pouring into the Biden Family is ‘laundered.’  Does the IRS look the other way?  God help us.

Covid:  Just had a bout with said disease.  As you might have noted, I survived.  It wasn’t too bad.  Sort of like a bad cold, runny nose with lots of coughing.  Interestingly after four Covid vaccinations, I still acquired Covid.  Whatever they injected into us, maybe they should call it something other than a vaccination.  What if they told us, when we received our Polio vaccination years back, that this will not prevent you from getting Polio, but you probably won’t die?  Or the Smallpox vaccination, or Whooping Cough?  Oh well, I did not die.  I’m thankful for that.

 

True Nelson

"Laptop from Hell" ... Miranda Devine's Book / Exhaustively Researched

 

Just finished reading Miranda Devine’s informative book “Laptop from Hell,” featuring the intrigues of Hunter Biden, drug addict, amateur porn star, and all-around reprobate.  Oh, incidentally, he happens to be the son of our current President, Joe Biden.

Those who choose not to read the book, either because they are simply not interested, or because they passionately believe and have confidence in the integrity of the current Presidency, might opine... ‘you can’t believe everything you read.’  Understood.  But this looks well documented with real evidence.

What do I think about Hunter Biden’s lucrative endeavors with foreign governments which are detailed in the book?  Well, I believe those activities are suspicious in the extreme and, almost without doubt, incorporate illegal activities.

I have a perspective that many might not have.  Some years back, I was a Special Agent in the FBI.  My last office was San Francisco.  And, I was on the Organized Crime Squad.

One thing that people might not know about ‘organized’ crime (Mafia, Chinese Triads, Cartels, Corporate/Political/Civic corruption) is that those involved don’t necessarily have trouble obtaining money by way of an infinite variety of illegal activities. Their biggest problem is how do you explain the money or ‘wash it’; and avoid falling into numerous banking and tax evasion violations, so that they can in turn safely use the money to buy anything and/or anybody they desire.  Therein lies ‘organized crime’s’ weakness; the trip switch; and an investigation’s genesis.

Generally a Grand Jury is instituted, evidence presented, witnesses are called, and once a witness or two decides to save their own skin (hoping for lesser sentences), the dominos begin to fall, and one by one the principals go to jail.

After reading ‘Laptop from Hell’ and listening to the extended interview of Tony Bobulinski (former business associate of Hunter’s) I feel confident that Hunter Biden was involved in illegal international crimes which will subsequently be proven… if an investigation is allowed to continue.

My ‘Take Aways’ from reading the book:

Where is the FBI?  They had the contents of the abandoned laptop before anyone else – yet apparently did nothing.  The computer store owner, upon seeing the contents therein, and the criminal implications, was afraid for his life after he furnished the laptop’s information to the FBI – and they apparently did nothing, did not even have the decency to follow-up with the owner to offer their appreciation, advise that an investigation was in process, and/or to assure his safety in some way.  Now, as incomprehensible as this might sound, the FBI says they can’t locate the laptop.  So, what are we to believe?  Are they in the ‘tank’?  Is the FBI incompetent?  Under the current Director Christopher Wray, my guess is a little (maybe a lot) of both.

It appears that most of the immediate Biden family (which sounds like many of them also have few redeeming qualities) were profiting one way or another through Hunter’s intrigues.  In fact, Hunter complains about that very topic in emails on his laptop.  Explaining that he is tired of supporting the whole family – to include his dad.

 

True Nelson

 

Joe Biden, Russian Oil and America's Shame

 

I watched Joe Biden’s State of the Union Address last night. Yes, unbelievably, I watched the whole speech… hoping.  However, I was disappointed and saddened.

The speech was filled with what I consider to be ‘glittering generalities’ and platitudes, laced with downright misrepresentations. Dare I say lies? Oh, I know he did not write the speech, perhaps didn’t even understand most of it; but I was nonetheless hopeful.

Why did I bother? Well, I was hoping that he would say that the United States would be cutting back or eliminating the purchase of Russian oil. Currently, the U.S. imports approximately twenty million barrels a month from Russia. Nonetheless, in the infinite wisdom of his key advisors, the Russian imports will continue, and the American dollars will be crated on pallets and sent to Russia – in part to finance the atrocities in Ukraine.

Fellow Americans:  When we gas-up our cars, let us hang our heads in shame.

 

True Nelson

The National Debt... It's not funny anymore.

 

The National Debt:  Well, here we go.  Who am I to address such a monumental, incomprehensible problem?  I’m nobody when it comes to this issue.  But, nonetheless, I have my thoughts and forecasts (for what it’s worth).

The National Debt is at 30 trillion dollars and growing.  If you’re like most of us, you might be thinking that ‘we’ (whoever that is) will, at some point, need to pay the money back.  OK, currently that's about $300,000 for every American tax payer.

To whom do we owe that money?  Until recently, I thought the debt was principally owed to other countries like China, Japan, etc.  However, interestingly, most of it is owed to the Social Security System (yes, our Social Security), as well as numerous American pension plans.  Well, isn’t that interesting.

If it had been China or some other country, we could possibly (out of necessity) say: ‘We’re not going to pay you back; and you can’t make us.’  But, that’s not going to work.  Really too childish and could cause international hard-feelings.  Therefore, let's face it, American citizens are principally on the hook to pay it back… one way or another.

Of note:  The last President to decrease the National Debt was Calvin Coolidge 1923-1929.  Since 1929 the National Debt has increased exponentially.  The interest owed on the debt alone is shocking, overwhelming and nearly incomprehensible.

So, what do I think will happen?  The National Debt, let’s face it, will never be paid off – except and unless the US Treasury prints enough valueless paper money to pay it down.  Of course, this will cause uncontrollable inflation.  Welcome to Venezuela.  Make sure you have a wheelbarrow, to carry the money required, if you’re planning on going to the market.

Other possible option:  cataclysmic events that we do not even want to think about.

Perhaps the most likely, the Federal Government will simply ‘welch’ on any pay back to those pension plans to include the Social Security System.  What does that mean?  Ten cents on the dollar?  Your guess is as good as mine.

Some might opine that, 'It's not my problem... I will be gone by then.'  Referring to when the debt comes due.. one way or another.  Yes, I kind of understand where you're coming from.  However, before you exit stage left, why don't you sit down and explain to your grandchildren how you're leaving them holding the check.  Something to remember about you - so to speak.

 

True Nelson

December 31, 2021 / A Veteran Died Today

 

December 31, 1946 is the official date for the ending of World War II

 

“Presidential Proclamation 2714 (61 Stat. 1048) was signed by President Harry S. Truman on December 31, 1946, to officially declare the cessation of all hostilities in World War II.”

I was thinking about this.  I was thinking about the thinning ranks of all the World War II veterans.  That period is often referred to as ‘The Greatest Generation.’  The designation applies to not only the veterans (who we should all honor), but also to the civilian population that sacrificed so much to win the War… particularly the grieving families of the soldiers, seaman, and airmen who never returned.

But that was then and this is now.  It makes one wonder if that revered generation is the last ‘great’ generation for this United States.  That said...

The following poem came to mind.

He was getting old and paunchy
And his hair was falling fast,
And he sat around the Legion,
Telling stories of the past.,

Of a war that he once fought in
And the deeds that he had done,
In his exploits with his buddies;
They were heroes, every one.

And 'tho sometimes to his neighbors
His tales became a joke,
All his buddies listened quietly
For they knew where of he spoke.

But we'll hear his tales no longer,
For ol' Joe has passed away,
And the world's a little poorer
For a Veteran died today.

He won't be mourned by many,
Just his children and his wife.
For he lived an ordinary,
Very quiet sort of life.

He held a job and raised a family,
Going quietly on his way;
And the world won't note his passing,
'Tho a Veteran died today.

When politicians leave this earth,
Their bodies lie in state,
While thousands note their passing,
And proclaim that they were great.

Papers tell of their life stories
From the time that they were young,
But the passing of a Veteran
Goes unnoticed, and unsung.

Is the greatest contribution
To the welfare of our land,
Some jerk who breaks his promise
And cons his fellow man?

Or the ordinary fellow
Who in times of war and strife,
Goes off to serve his country
And offers up his life?

The politician's stipend
And the style in which he lives,
Are often disproportionate,
To the service that he gives.

While the ordinary Veteran,
Who offered up his all,
Is paid off with a medal
And perhaps a pension, small.

It is not the politicians
With their compromise and ploys,
Who won for us the freedom
That our country now enjoys.

Should you find yourself in danger,
With your enemies at hand,
Would you really want some cop-out,
With his ever-waffling stand?

Or would you want a Veteran
His home, his country, his kin,
Just a common Veteran,
Who would fight until the end.

He was just a common Veteran,
And his ranks are growing thin,
But his presence should remind us
We may need his likes again.

For when countries are in conflict,
We find the Veteran's part,
Is to clean up all the troubles
That the politicians start.

If we cannot do him honor
While he's here to hear the praise,
Then at least let's give him homage
At the ending of his days.

Perhaps just a simple headline
In the paper that might say:

"OUR COUNTRY IS IN MOURNING,

A VETERAN DIED TODAY. ”

Author 'Unknown

True Nelson

Larry Gilbert Dahl, Medal of Honor Recipient, and my thoughts.

 Larry Dahl was a hometown boy, born in Oregon City, Oregon.  He died a man, with the US Army while serving in Vietnam (1971). He has been awarded the Medal of Honor, the United States highest military honor, for throwing himself on a grenade to save the lives of fellow soldiers.

I have often wondered about such almost inconceivable acts of heroism.  What motivated him?  Was there no other option?  More importantly, would I have done the same under similar circumstances?  I, of course, will never know the answer to that.

I can imagine, as many fathers might, running in front of a speeding truck to save your child.  It almost goes without saying.  It is instinct.  It is the love of someone’s life that is more important than your own.  Perhaps, men in combat (some men) have the same feelings toward their comrades in arms.

What is courage?  What takes more courage… storming the beaches of Normandy or throwing yourself on a grenade?  Storming beaches, in a hail of gunfire and deadly explosions, certainly takes prolonged courage – and, in my opinion, a preconceived notion / belief that you will probably die, that you will never again see your family, your loved ones.  On the other hand, Dahl’s courage would manifest itself in seconds or less.

I was not in the Army or the Marine Corps.  Maybe, their personnel receive some orientation on such deadly circumstances.  Maybe, there is an honored history.  I was in the Air Force and the subject never came up, even among informal discussions with comrades.  It is conceivable that Air Force personnel could experience a similar situation, but it is unlikely.  Others in the military, I am sure, would have more insight on the instant decision required:  attempting to throw the grenade away or fall on it.  If you review the records for those who have received the Medal of Honor, many Marines and Army soldiers were awarded the MOH under remarkably similar circumstances – the last full measure of devotion to duty and honor. 

With deepest respect for Dahl’ sacrifice…

“Through his indomitable courage, complete disregard for his safety, and profound concern for his fellow soldiers, Sp4c Dahl saved the lives of the other members of the truck crew while sacrificing his own.”

 

 

True Nelson

 

Some Things are Hard to Keep Inside...

 

Forgive me if I use this blog as an emotional outlet. Some things are hard to just keep inside. Watching the news sometimes seems like slow torture. Yes, I watch too much.

What is happening to our country? This question is overly generalized and rhetorical I suppose – some might consider it an old man’s statement and… here it comes… are 'America’s best days behind us?'

For example:  undocumented immigrants streaming across our southern border.  And Biden and his administration seem to ignore the harmful, even disastrous, implications.  While common sense tells us that the situation, if unchecked, will degrade, potentially destroy our country. So, what is going on? What is the sense of it? What is the justification? Is Biden so impaired he fails to see that this tide of immigrants will undermine the quality of life for US citizens? Cannot he see the cost of the services required to assimilate these illegals; as well as potentially criminal elements? Does he care about current citizens? The answer of course is probably not… he does not really care. But why…

Let us see:

1)     Many major players in the US economy will benefit from the open borders and the hoped for ‘cheap’ labor. Such as the giant agriculture operations, processing plants and product distributors. The service industry, the hotel / motel business is a good example – again cheap labor. And, we can include construction jobs that normally are hard to fill involving difficult, sometimes dangerous jobs; and exist under very competitive labor cost situations.  They are jobs that most Americans are unwilling to do – too hard, too dangerous, too low paid.

2)     Other than the above corporate / business profit makers (assuredly the big political doners); what is in it for the Biden Administration? Well, they of course are counting on the immigrants being steadfast Democrats – which is the ultimate game. To be a politician, inherently, their first priority is:  What’s in it for me? Have you ever wondered how many politicians become multi-millionaires on a government paycheck?

 

Relevant (I am not sure) but I would like to relate some of my experience:

For two years, in the military, I lived in the Philippines (Angeles City) right outside Clark AFB. Being a junior officer, my wife and I were required to live ‘off-base.’  What was that like:  Well, on the positive side (at least for us), we had a live-in housekeeper / maid. We had a ‘yard boy’ that kept our home exterior in pristine condition. How did we afford such things on a Lieutenant’s salary? Well, that was because the maid’s normal living conditions were so abysmal, that she preferred living with us in an extra room. We paid her the normal rates that were better than the employment she could find elsewhere. The ‘yard boy,’ who was not a boy, but a young man trying to survive, was very appreciative of the job and what we paid. Did my wife and I feel a little guilty? Yes, of course we did. We both came from very middle-class homes. But this was the Philippines.

OK, what was the neighborhood you lived in like? It was kind of nice. However, it was totally surrounded by a 10’ wall with (literally) broken glass imbedded in the top of the wall. We had armed guards that patrolled the complex 24 hours a day. And the gate to the community, had two guards (armed with shotguns) that checked everyone in and out of the complex. I could go on. But, you get the picture.

And, about now you are asking:  What is the relevance?

 

My point is that, potentially, this is what our country can and will become unless we have secure borders. It will become the ‘haves’ and the ‘have-nots.’  The ‘haves’ will live in gated communities with guards.

And, what about the ‘have-nots,’ that are most Americans. They will be discriminated against, victimized, and forgotten. Think about it folks before it is too late to go back. The United States of America is the greatest country the world has ever known. Please, please, let us try and keep it.

True Nelson

 

“Let not anyone pacify his conscience by the delusion that he can do no harm if he takes no part and forms no opinion. Bad men need nothing more to compass their ends, than those good men should look on and do nothing.

He is not a good man who, without a protest, allows wrong to be committed in his name, and with the means which he helps to supply, because he will not trouble himself to use his mind on the subject.”

John Stuart Mill / 1867

General Mark Milley; Kabul, Afghanistan … FUBAR

This is hard to think about; the tragic and stumbling withdrawal from Afghanistan resulting in the needless death and injury to US military personnel.  One feels incredibly sad (and angry) for the families.  This shouldn’t have happened.  Inept leadership was responsible.

What can one say?  Will General Mark Milley write a letter to the families of those who died?  Doubtful.  That duty will be forced on some ‘underling.’  And, if absolutely required, a machine or an NCO will sign Milley’s name.  Will he admit that he oversaw and directed one of the worst fiascos in military history?  And, that as a result, admit failure, do the honorable thing, and retire?  Doubtful?  Will he be given another meaningless medal to pin on his vastly overstuffed uniform?  Probably.  Will he accept it and consider the medal a great honor, earned honorably?  Yes, without doubt.

As they say in the military, the evacuation was FUBAR*.

What can one say about the President?  Who, might I ask, is in the background propping him up and scripting his speeches?  I noticed he had to remind us once again that his older son served in Afghanistan.  Reminded us I suppose (how could we possibly forget it) to lend a note of empathy to the families that lost loved ones in this tragedy.  How dare he?  Perhaps, we should also recall that his younger son was kicked out of the military for drug abuse.

And when the ‘festivities’ begin, the hollow speeches and other nonsense transpires on September 11^th 2021 – let us hang our heads in shame.

As a personal aside, I wanted to add an experience I had in the military – nothing like what I talked about above, nothing like that – just a vignette from my life.  I was a lowly Air Force Lieutenant on temporary assignment to Chu Lai, Vietnam.  It was 1968, shortly after Tet.  I was having lunch at a table in the chow hall and a Marine Major sat down with his lunch, saying “Mind if I join you?”  I said, “No Sir that’s fine” as I stood up.  He said, “sit Lieutenant.”

This was a Marine base, and he asked why I was there?  I explained we were delivering updated tactical communications and navaids equipment to the flight line – that it’s now operational, and that we have almost completed revetting.  It became clear that he principally wanted to lecture me on the many differences between the Marine Corp and the Air Force.  I listened but didn’t say much.  One comment stuck with me.  “You know Lieutenant, if you were a Marine, I could send you to attack a hill with your unit – knowing full well that you and your guys would probably all be killed in the effort – and not think twice about it.”  I didn’t respond, other than “Yes Sir.”  As the years have passed, I always remembered a part of his lecture… ‘and not think twice about it.’  I wonder…  Is this the nature of military officers who ultimately become Generals?

True Nelson

*Military acronym meaning:  F..ked-Up Beyond All Reason or Repair.