As Barrack Obama visited the Middle East these last few days, he was given a golden egg by the Iraqi government. The Prime Minister of Iraq endorsed Obama's withdrawal proposal, much to the chagrin of the President and his chosen heir to the throne, John McCain. Now that the surge is classified as successful, they still won't commit to leaving Iraq.
Iraq was invaded by the Bush regime to establish a military presence in the Middle East. When Iraq was destabilized either by poor planning or design, it was necessary for our military to remain there to establish an environment by which "democracy" could flourish. Elections were held, a government was established, and some semblance of order has come about. Time for the US military to leave, right? Not so fast. Now American soldiers must remain to maintain order. Still no talk about withdrawal. Well, kind of. Now it is something called a "time horizon," whatever that is.
Bush is desperately trying to sign an illegal treaty to keep American soldiers in Iraq for a much longer period of time. He has committed to this "time horizon" in order to keep the Iraq government talking about his "agreement." If he can do this before he leaves office, then he will, assumably, have made it more difficult for his successors to remove American soldiers from that country. Thus he will have accomplished his goal of a military presence in the Middle East. Of course, as in Lebanon in the early '80's, American soldiers there will become a magnet for attacks.
We must speak out against this illegal treaty with Iraq. We do not need our soldiers there to attract attacks from the Arab extremists, who hate us and do not want us in the Middle East. We must demand that our soldiers be brought home, per the wishes of the Iraqi government and people. Iraq is a sovereign nation which we invaded for no reason. They have re-established their government per Bush's wishes. Now they want us to leave. Let us respect their wishes and get out. NOW, before more Americans are sacrificed there!
Afghanistan is on the verge of an explosion because of the Bush Administration's neglect. We must re-enforce our forces there and get Osama Bin Laden, if he is, indeed, alive and in that area. We need to get him, defeat the Taliban decisively, then get out of there as well. We do not need a military presence in the Middle East Afghanistan, Iraq or elsewhere.
It is time to expel the despotic, warmongering, proselytizing, regime known as the Bush Administration and put this country back on the road to worldwide respect. We must drop the fundamentalist habit of not negotiating with "non-believers" such as Iran and North Korea and threatening them with destruction, if they do not listen. It is time to reestablish diplomacy with the "big stick" supporting our point of view, not out in front, blazing a trail of death and destruction.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Monday, July 21, 2008
The Great Corporate Retirement Scam
Over the past few years many companies have walked away from their pledges to fund retirement for their workers, leaving so many retirees out in the cold. These folks were loyal to their employers and worked hard for 30 or more years in return for what they believed would be security in their declining years. They were betrayed.
Recently, companies have been using the economy as an excuse to cut health insurance for their retirees. Health insurance ranks very high on the list of necessities for those who have retired. They simply cannot afford private health insurance, and they rely on their retirement plans. Now they either have to go back to work at 65 or 70 to make ends meet because their loyalty and hard work means nothing to the bean counters running the company.
Young people today and even a few of us old heads have been taken in by the big corporate 401 (k) scam. Aided by Wall Street, companies have convinced these young workers that they will be millionaires and in the driver's seat for retirement by age 50 or 60. Therefore, they don't need a company retirement plan. Just look how much better off you will be if YOU are in control of your retirement they say (Sounds kind of Republican-like doesn't it?).
I refer you to those folks who are going back to work because the slowing economy has killed their 401 (k). Their retirement dreams are on hold and may never return. There are also those who are losing homes, etc. and having to borrow from their 401 (k). Where will they be in a few years? The American dream is on a fast boat to China, no pun intended.
I am one of the lucky ones...at least for the moment. A couple of years ago when the Enron scandal hit, we were assured that our retirement plan was very solvent with no problems. Then the Governor and his henchmen began to try to mess with it. They wanted to change the way the money is invested, putting it in more volatile investments.
Suddenly, out of the blue, the plan is in trouble and needs help. Cost of living allowances have been cut. There is talk of cutting the plans for new workers, leaving them with a 401 (k). There is a new health insurance option, giving US more control over our health insurance (Sounds kind of Republican-like, doesn't it?)
Our plan appears very solvent, but the Governor and his ne'er do well buddies are looking at a way to dissolve the State of the added expense of health insurance and other retirement options for State retirees. The extra money that they save, can be better used for their pork barrel projects.
I don't know how this major change in the way Americans approach retirement will lead us, but it looks very bleak at the moment. Our parents looked forward to a day when they would be able to rest and enjoy life. Their twilight years were supposed to be secure and without the stress of going to work every day, trying to support a family, and paying for a home. That dream has become a nightmare for many and whether they awake from it remains to be seen.
Recently, companies have been using the economy as an excuse to cut health insurance for their retirees. Health insurance ranks very high on the list of necessities for those who have retired. They simply cannot afford private health insurance, and they rely on their retirement plans. Now they either have to go back to work at 65 or 70 to make ends meet because their loyalty and hard work means nothing to the bean counters running the company.
Young people today and even a few of us old heads have been taken in by the big corporate 401 (k) scam. Aided by Wall Street, companies have convinced these young workers that they will be millionaires and in the driver's seat for retirement by age 50 or 60. Therefore, they don't need a company retirement plan. Just look how much better off you will be if YOU are in control of your retirement they say (Sounds kind of Republican-like doesn't it?).
I refer you to those folks who are going back to work because the slowing economy has killed their 401 (k). Their retirement dreams are on hold and may never return. There are also those who are losing homes, etc. and having to borrow from their 401 (k). Where will they be in a few years? The American dream is on a fast boat to China, no pun intended.
I am one of the lucky ones...at least for the moment. A couple of years ago when the Enron scandal hit, we were assured that our retirement plan was very solvent with no problems. Then the Governor and his henchmen began to try to mess with it. They wanted to change the way the money is invested, putting it in more volatile investments.
Suddenly, out of the blue, the plan is in trouble and needs help. Cost of living allowances have been cut. There is talk of cutting the plans for new workers, leaving them with a 401 (k). There is a new health insurance option, giving US more control over our health insurance (Sounds kind of Republican-like, doesn't it?)
Our plan appears very solvent, but the Governor and his ne'er do well buddies are looking at a way to dissolve the State of the added expense of health insurance and other retirement options for State retirees. The extra money that they save, can be better used for their pork barrel projects.
I don't know how this major change in the way Americans approach retirement will lead us, but it looks very bleak at the moment. Our parents looked forward to a day when they would be able to rest and enjoy life. Their twilight years were supposed to be secure and without the stress of going to work every day, trying to support a family, and paying for a home. That dream has become a nightmare for many and whether they awake from it remains to be seen.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Chuck Leavell
"WASHINGTON (AP) — The congressman-lead singer had a question for the guest keyboardist at the all-congressional band gig Wednesday night. "You know 'Brown Sugar'"? asked Rep. Collin Peterson, a Minnesota Democrat. "I think I can handle that," replied Chuck Leavell, the Rolling Stones keyboardist."
Chuck Leavell first made his name playing with the Allman Brothers band in the 1970's and stands out on such classics as "Jessica" and "Ramblin' Man." He has since played with Eric Clapton, George Harrison, and many others. For the last twenty-five years, he has been the keyboardist for the Rolling Stones.
I had the occasion to meet Mr. Leavell, a resident of Twiggs Co, Georgia, a few years ago in, of all places, Fargo, Georgia. He was taking part in a celebrity deer hunt for the Georgia Sheriff's Boy's home in Hahira, Georgia. Obviously, I was not a part of the hunt, since I have not yet achieved celebrity status. The hunt was sponsored by the late Bill Oettmeier, CEO of Superior Pine, who invited a group of us to attend his pre-hunt venison dinner. There were other celebrities, mostly professional ballplayers in attendance, but Chuck Leavell caught my attention.
I couldn't believe my eyes when I walked in the door of Mr. Oettmeier's hunting lodge, deep in the piney woods of SE Georgia on the boundary of the Okefenokee Swamp. I immediately recognized Chuck Leavell, being a fan of the Allman Brothers, Eric Clapton and the Rolling Stones. Here, in the backwoods of SE Georgia was the keyboardist for the Rolling Stones, eating venison stew with us. He is not cut in the mold of Keith Richards and Mick Jagger. He easily fit in with the group and was a very nice guy, and easy to talk to. Before the evening was over he brought in his keyboard and brightened the evening with a few songs.
Mr. Leavell is a conservationist and tree farmer, who lives with his wife on her family plantation near Macon, Georgia. An Alabama native, he has, I believe, a degree in Forestry from Auburn University, and has been honored several times with national and state conservation awards. When he is not on tour with the Rolling Stones, he records with other artists, as well as doing his own solo performances. A few years ago he was inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame.
Chuck Leavell first made his name playing with the Allman Brothers band in the 1970's and stands out on such classics as "Jessica" and "Ramblin' Man." He has since played with Eric Clapton, George Harrison, and many others. For the last twenty-five years, he has been the keyboardist for the Rolling Stones.
I had the occasion to meet Mr. Leavell, a resident of Twiggs Co, Georgia, a few years ago in, of all places, Fargo, Georgia. He was taking part in a celebrity deer hunt for the Georgia Sheriff's Boy's home in Hahira, Georgia. Obviously, I was not a part of the hunt, since I have not yet achieved celebrity status. The hunt was sponsored by the late Bill Oettmeier, CEO of Superior Pine, who invited a group of us to attend his pre-hunt venison dinner. There were other celebrities, mostly professional ballplayers in attendance, but Chuck Leavell caught my attention.
I couldn't believe my eyes when I walked in the door of Mr. Oettmeier's hunting lodge, deep in the piney woods of SE Georgia on the boundary of the Okefenokee Swamp. I immediately recognized Chuck Leavell, being a fan of the Allman Brothers, Eric Clapton and the Rolling Stones. Here, in the backwoods of SE Georgia was the keyboardist for the Rolling Stones, eating venison stew with us. He is not cut in the mold of Keith Richards and Mick Jagger. He easily fit in with the group and was a very nice guy, and easy to talk to. Before the evening was over he brought in his keyboard and brightened the evening with a few songs.
Mr. Leavell is a conservationist and tree farmer, who lives with his wife on her family plantation near Macon, Georgia. An Alabama native, he has, I believe, a degree in Forestry from Auburn University, and has been honored several times with national and state conservation awards. When he is not on tour with the Rolling Stones, he records with other artists, as well as doing his own solo performances. A few years ago he was inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame.
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