What Price Diversity?

I am not politically correct!

General George Casey is!

I resent terms like “African-American”, Jewish-American”, and “Mexican-American” because those hyphenated groups balkanize our nation. My view is that if you are a citizen of the United States you are an American. We need to be blind to ethnic, racial, and gender identity. Of course that is difficult to do if you are Black or Oriental (oops, I am not supposed to use that word) or Indian. So at least try.

Army Chief of Staff General George Casey appeared on Meet the Press today talking about the massacre at Fort Hood. This is part of his interview with David Gregory. I have underlined in bold the sentences that really upset me.

GREGORY: What about your concerns about backlash against our Muslim soldiers who are in the Army, as a result of this incident?

GEN. CASEY: Yeah. I think those concerns are real and I, and I will tell you, David, that they’re, they’re fueled partially, at least, by the speculation about–based on anecdotal evidence that people are presenting. I think we have to be very careful with that. Our diversity not only in our Army, but in our country, is a strength. And as horrific as this tragedy was, if our diversity becomes a casualty, I think that’s worse.

GREGORY: Do you have any reason to believe that having Muslims in the Army puts them in a very difficult position and makes the more conflicted fighting a war against Muslims in Afghanistan or Iraq?

GEN. CASEY: I think that’s something that they have to look at on an individual basis. But I think we as an Army have to be broad enough to bring in people from all walks of life.

In other words the loss of 13 lives and the maiming of 31 other people is not as consequential as diversity. What happened to our duty as Americans to protect American lives? Why is diversity so all important? General Casey is responsible for protecting all of his people. He failed.

Our war with terrorists is a fight to protect our nation from those who want to destroy the American way of life. For those who do not like the way we live there are many other nations to call home.

Negative Nabobs Live On

The President and the Democratic Party find themselves in a “no win” position in the world of politics now. The party of “no” is growing more extreme every day. The Republican Party has become the party of “negative nabobs.”

A little history is appropriate here.

-It was President George W. Bush’s Treasury Secretary, Henry Paulson, who rushed his proposal to give $700 Billion to the financial industry without any strings because it was believed that the nation was about to come to a grinding halt. -It was President George W. Bush who formulated the Bush Doctrine of preemptive military strikes that took the country into Iraq and neglected the situation in Afghanistan. -It was the Bush administration that ignored the warnings about the Katrina hurricane.

Now, just 10 months after entering office president Barack Obama is supposed to have solved all of America’s problems. Look at what has happened.

-3.5% GDP growth is artificial. It’s all the result of government programs. Are those the programs that the GOP said would not work? Isn’t the point of the programs to stimulate the economy? -Medical costs are rising at about 10% annually. The cost of insurance and care is taking at least 15% of American earnings. Obama proposes a Federally run insurance plan and the GOP says no but offers no alternatives. -The war in Afghanistan is going badly and the president is considering a new strategy. The former VP, Dick Cheney, calls the president’s evaluation “dithering” and the GOP faithful applaud. -Swine Flu vaccine has been quickly developed and the news media is scornful of medical lab care in assuring a quality product is produced. -Improved relations with nations that have historically been our allies and reduced tensions with other nations has been a hallmark of Obama’s presidency. It is scorned by the GOP. Their answer is let’s fight. Rush Limbaugh hopes the “president fails.”

Unfortunately Democrats are not willing to grant Republican successes. It’s the negativity of the minority party that ought to be condemned. It is rarely about what is good for America. The last time we all came together was the week after 9-11. We all need to ignore the nabobs of negativism.

Why Not Los Angeles?

Thanks to my father my family moved from Philadelphia to Los Angeles after WWII. There are many reasons for not bringing your family to Los Angeles. Most of them are poor arguments.

Metropolitan Los Angeles spreads across five counties. Traveling north to south it spreads across a distance of about 75 miles and from the beach to inland cities and towns and spreads east about 50 miles. Many people travel a distance of 30 to 35 miles just to go to work. For most people a car is necessary for the commute to work.

Homes are relatively expensive. Even with the downturn in housing prices for a home of 1700 to 2000 square feet will cost at least $350,000. Those least expensive homes are in lower income neighborhoods.

What makes the city desirable are the following features:

1. Total annual rainfall averages 16 inches. Snow is a rarity. Temperature today reached 87ºF/30ºC at my home (October 26, 2009). Winter temperatures drop below freezing at night for about a week every January. How far below freezing? One to three degrees.

2. The entertainment facilities are second to none. Live theater is in neighborhood venues, the Hollywood Bowl, L.A. Live, Staples Center, Disney Hall, comedy clubs, etc.

3. Medical facilities include UCLA, City of Hope, Cedars Sinai Hospital, etc.

4. Universities are too numerous to list but include UCLA, USC, California State University has four campuses.

5. Beaches include Santa Monica, Malibu, and Laguna.

6. Amusement parks include Universal City, Disneyland, Knott’s Berry Farm, and Magic Mountain.

7. The largest port in America and the entertainment industry brings lots of job opportunities.

8. There is also the zoo, museums, gardens, and wonderful shopping malls.

What’s wrong with this picture? The people are too liberal, many races and ethnic groups are intermixed throughout the city. West Hollywood is an internationally known gay and lesbian community. You may have to wait an hour and a half to be seated at Miceli’s and parking at the Beverly Center is always a challenge.