No New Troops for Afghanistan

Most people in Afghanistan are still in a 12^th century world. For the most part minimal infrastructure is nonexistent in that country. Illiteracy is a major problem. Dr. Sanjay Gupta reported on CNN that there are 11 doctors for every 100,000 population.

President Obama has told us in his own words that he is not a “war president.” If he was he would follow the George W. Bush format. That would mean using words saying “We are going to win this war.”

He is in a tough position because there has been no Pearl Harbor or 9-11 while he has been president. Instead it’s a “What do we do now?” moment. We are all tired of this battle and see no end game. I do not see any way to change Afghanistan in one year (winter is coming and most new troops won’t be deployed until spring 2010).

Many conservative and libertarian people of considerable consequence are questioning this 30,000 man surge. Two most prominent are Ron Paul and George Wills. The president’s commentary about the impact on Pakistan does not connect sufficiently. I know they have nuclear weapons. I understand the administration’s concerns. I just question the strategy.

The president knows that many of us see the similarities between Vietnam and Afghanistan. He did not convince me that the United States is not going down that same path.

Obama is trying to do the politically correct thing. That is a choice that makes no one happy. There is no military draft so most of us are not directly impacted by this fight. Besides the $1million per man cost there is a loss of brave lives for a questionable goal. Congress should say no to this idea and tell the president to find another path to stopping al-queda. Sadly Congress will probably vote yes.

Easy 35mm Slide Scanning

With over 2,000 35mm slides and the new digital world it is appropriate to want to scan them onto a CD. The issue was doing this at a cost that would not break the bank. I really did not want to buy a new HP printer with scanning capabilities. The only model with this capability costs $300.00. I have found the solution but it’s not pretty. The Memor-ease 35mm film and slide converter does a beautiful job BUT it scans pictures one at a time in a 4 slide holder. The cost is low at $50.00 and the package comes with Photoshop Elements 5.0.

The software will not work in Windows 7 but does operate in Windows XP and all Vista versions. Using Photoshop Elements you can do a Quick Fix or Full Edit before saving the scan. It’s a great opportunity to see pictures you haven’t seen in years including old friends. I am saving the pictures in a .jpeg format. I found this scanner in Costco. I will be working on this project for many months.

More Signs of Economic Recovery

A Parallel Turkey Universe?

from http://www.guy-sports.com/humor/pictures/picture_thanksgiving.htm

Green shoots of economic recovery can be found in many unusual places. This was brought to my attention by LogisticsTODAY. They are reporting that UPS (United parcel Service) is raising their rates an average of 4.9% in 2010. This is not an isolated event. The airlines started doing this early in 2009. American Airlines charges $20.00 for each checked bag. Some airlines even charge for coach seats that provide more leg room. Homes in my neighborhood had dropped in price byaas much as 50% just two months ago. From that low point the asking prices have increased by one third or more.

Finally the unemployment situation has improved with the drop in new claims for unemployment benefits to 466,000 per week from 501,000 last week. That is the first drop below the 500,000 mark since the week of November 1, 2008. This is a 7% drop in new claims. It won’t be straight line down but it is a significant decline from the high of 674,000 new claims last March 28.

In the area of politics this drop in new claims will be a White House argument that their stimulus strategy has worked. Republicans will contend that the recovery was the result of private enterprise doing its thing. Regardless of the cause, more of us will be celebrating a Happy Thanksgiving than was anticipated. The green shoots are a good thing.

Law Stands Above Religion

I saw the interview of Bishop Thomas Tobin of Providence on Hardball. It is accurate to say that Chris Matthews was not the deferential Catholic. Mr. Matthews clearly disagrees with Catholic teachings. That aside the Bishop said something that was truly disturbing to me. He said of an elected official “His first commitment has to be to his faith. … No commitment is more important than your commitment to your faith.” He repeated that second sentence twice saying the words precisely the same. In other words your religious beliefs takes a higher priority than faith to the laws of the country.

How does this philosophy differ from Jihadists and others holding extreme religious views? This bishop would make an excellent witness for Khalid Shaikh Mohammed and Maj. Nidal Hasan. I believe that the United States cannot survive as created by its founding fathers if we accept religious beliefs to hold a higher authority than the laws of our nation. Apparently I am not alone in this view. Chris Matthews is at least one other voice that believes law stands above belief.

Early Signs of Rationing Health Care

First it was a government panel saying that mammograms are not necessary before the age of 50 and every other year is sufficient. Advice to women not to do self examinations because it might lead to false positives goes against years of encouragement to check yourself. Now it’s Pap Smear every other year. Of course those opposed to health care reform will grab these two declarations as proof of health care rationing.

The prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test does result in many false positives. This could be another test a government agency will say is not reliable and so won’t be recommended at all or not so often.

Let’s be honest here. Every test that can be delayed another year means more money in the pockets of the insurance companies. Kaiser Permanente gives a Sigmoidoscopy every 5 year to its senior patients. A Colonoscopy (a very unpleasant procedure) every 10 years unless there is indications that closer monitoring is appropriate. Is this a form of rationing or is it sensible health care?

Annual physical exams seem to rarely detect an issue. Perhaps every other year is sufficient. After all the determination that I had a hernia was not made as the result of an annual exam. For that matter most health problems I have ever had were not determined at an annual physical.

We already have health care rationing but aren’t willing to admit it.

War Criminals are not Civil Criminals

“We the people of the United States” are the first words of the Constitution. The basic law of this country was not meant to be the basic law of the world. Now strangely the Attorney General wants to bring Khalid Shaikh Mohammed who is part of a sworn enemy of this nation to New York City for a trial. He was captured in Pakistan. Attorney General Holder argues, along with others that support his views, is that this trial will send a message to the rest of the world that we treat everyone the same. The argument is both flawed and erroneous.

First, the United States has never treated enemy combatants as law breakers. No enemies from other wars have ever been put on trial as law breakers. Those Prosecuted for war crimes have been convicted in military trials. Nuremberg felons are the leading example.

Second, the calls for dismissal of charges against Khalid Shaikh Mohammed will be based upon the fact that he was not read his Miranda rights, was not charged with any crimes in a reasonable period of time, and was the victim of torture while held in a prison for more than five years. I am not a lawyer and I understand these realities. It is not hard to imagine that a lawyer will have many other reasons to move for dismissal of this case.

Third, Khalid Shaikh Mohammed has admitted guilt and under American civil law those pleading guilty are not put on trial. There is not presentation of evidence in cases where the accused pleads guilty. A judge issues a sentence.

For those who would argue that there is no war I ask: if there is no war why has the United States placed over 100,000 troops in Iraq and another 68,000 troops in Afghanistan?