Vol. 3 No. 40 -- October 20, 2009
Garbage In, Garbage Out
The hot story on the Internet and in the liberal media outlets today is
the 30 Republican senators who voted against Senator Al Franken's
(D-Minn.) amendment to an appropriations bill. The amendment
denies defense contracts to companies that force their employees to
take sexual assault allegations to private arbitration - a process that
stacks the deck in favor of companies. The amendment is based on the
2005 gang rape of a Halliburton/KBR worker in Iraq. Because the
rape occurred on foreign soil, it was outside U.S. legal jurisdiction.
To add insult to injury, the employee was unable to sue Halliburton/KBR
because of the conditions of her contract. The Franken amendment passed
the Senate 68-30, with all of the opposition coming from Republican
lawmakers. Their argument - one I don't fully understand - is
that the government shouldn't interfere in private contracts. On
principle, I understand their concern. However, I think
that any contract involving the people's money, even that which passes
through an intermediary such as Halliburton/KBR, is
the people's business. That is where I find myself in agreement
with liberals critical of the GOP. However, being on the right
side of the issue was not good enough. Liberals have been quick
to skewer the GOP for taking such a dogmatic approach. They have
created a mock Web site, www.republicansforrape.org. But while liberals
demagogue this issue, they need to check all of the facts. According to the Huffington Post,
the so-called "Republicans for Rape" had an important ally: The Obama
Administration. It seems that the President's own Defense Department
sent a message of opposition to the amendment on October 6. "The
Department of Defense, the prime contractor, and higher tier
subcontractors may not be in a position to know such things," the Obama
Administration told the Senate. "Enforcement would be problematic." The
DoD went on to suggest that different legislation, that which would
make all such contractual
restrictions illegal, might be a more appropriate remedy. So, I
ask my liberal friends: When can I click on the "Obama for Rape" Web
site? Then there's news that Democrats locked Republicans out of
the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee room because the
GOP had the gall to videotape a public meeting of the committee - one
the Dems had failed to attend. The Republicans are trying to
force an investigation of alleged sweetheart deals made by Countrywide
Mortgage to - wait for it - Democrat lawmakers. The morale of our
story: A pox on both their houses. Neither liberals or
conservatives, Democrats or Republicans, red staters or blue staters
have the corner on moral leadership. Until they sit down and engage
each other in meaningful political debate, the story in Washington will remain the same it has been for a generation: Garbage in, garbage out.
That's it for now. Fear the Turtle.
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Vol. 3 No. 39 -- October 14, 2009
No Competition, No Service
I have had a couple of reminders this week of just how bad customer
service is when there is no competition. My first experience was
with a mini-Axis of Evil: the University of Kansas IT department, KU's
human resources department and the personnel folks at the State of
Kansas. To make a long story short, I spent close to two hours
trying to do something that should have taken only 10 minutes. Through
a combination of poorly designed software, badly written e-mails and a
series of seemingly endless closed-looped voice mails, I struggled to
complete my reporting responsibilities in connection with the open
enrollment period for state employee health insurance. It's not
like I was trying to change my health insurance coverage. No, some
genius somewhere decided that I had to file a declaration that I do not
smoke cigars, cigarettes or Tiparillos. And I have to file such a
declaration every stinkin' year. If I don't, the state automatically
increases my health insurance payments. I am not certain which
offends me most, the Bumbling Bozos of Bureaucracy who turn the
simplest task into a latter-day Spanish Inquisition or the presumption
that I am a foolhardy tobacco fiend until I declare otherwise.
Meanwhile, I am writing this blog while waiting for my Internet
and cable television provider to restore service to my home. The
nice lady at the cable company - for whom I had to wait five minutes in
Muzak Hell before she finally came on the line - tells me her service
people will get on my problem. Right away. Tomorrow. Sometime in the
afternoon. Maybe. Do you think I would be treated this way if the
mini-Axis of Evil and my Internet/cable provider had real competition
for my dollars? For all of you folks who like the idea of a
"public option" in health care reform, you may want to re-think that
strategy.
That's it for now. Fear the Turtle.
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Vol. 3 No. 38 -- October 9, 2009
A Tarnished Honor
If the United States government heaped praise on a foreign leader for
things he has promised to do in the future, gave that leader a
medal and awarded him or her a $1.4 million cash award, the U.S. would
be accused of meddling in the internal affairs of another nation.
That, in essence, is what the people who award the Nobel Peace
Prize have done in giving this year's prize to President Barrack Obama.
Geir Lundestad, director of the Norwegian Nobel Institute, told "Good
Morning America" this morning, "We feel he has emphasized
multilateral diplomacy, he has addressed international institutions,
dialogue negotiations. He has inspired the world with his vision of a
world without nuclear arms. He has changed the U.S. policy
dramatically. There's a whole list." Impressive, especially when you
consider that Obama had been in office only 11 days when the
nominations for this year's prize closed. So, we are giving the Peace
Prize for good intentions? By that standard, George W. Bush, the
compassionate conservative, would have earned the 2001 Peace Prize.
After all, his first 11 days weren't all that bad. Don't
get me wrong. I voted for Obama (Vol. 2 No. 26). I want the
guy to succeed. I still support him. I just wonder how
things are going to look in Oslo in December when Obama accepts his
prize in the shadow of ongoing U.S. military operations in Afghanistan?
The Nobel Peace Prize, which was severely diminished with the 2007
award to Earth Tone Al Gore (Vol. 1, No. 3), has been further devalued
by this clumsy political statement. Sure, I am pleased that
President Obama won the Nobel Peace Prize. I only wish he had
earned it.
That's it for now. Fear the Turtle.
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Vol. 3 No. 37 -- October 6, 2009
The All-Purpose Apology
It sure seems like a lot of folks recently have found themselves making
embarrassing public apologies for bad behavior. David Letterman
has joined Kanye West, Serena Williams, Mark Sanford and Joe Wilson
(half-heartedly) for trying to explain away inappropriate behavior. The so-called celebrity
apology has become a cottage industry. Hardly a day goes by without a
high-profile mea culpa. As a public relations practitioner
specializing in crisis communications, I have realized that I am
in a special position to perform a valuable public service. So, if you find
yourself on the wrong side of bad publicity, please feel free to use
the following all-purpose apology. Just pick-and-choose the options (in blue) that fit the particulars of your sticky situation: "Recently, I did [something bad] with/to/for/from/at [someone I now wish I never met]. I was [wrong/stupid/misguided/drunk]. For that I apologize. I [promise/pledge/hope/pray] to never do that again. It is with the strength of [God/Allah,/Jehovah,/my shrink] that I will get through the difficult [days/months/weeks/litigation] ahead. There is really no reason to dwell on my [situation/misery/transcript/videotape/arrest report/paternity test]. As I move forward from this [incident/tragedy/conviction/divorce], I believe that I have become a better [man/woman/weasel/inmate]. I hope the public and the media will [respect my family's privacy/burn in hell for tormenting me/will suffer collective amnesia]. Thank you for [understanding/nothing]." And if you use my all-purpose apology, let me know how that works for you! You can [thank/pay] me later.
That's it for now. Fear the Turtle.
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Vol. 3 No. 36 -- October 5, 2009
With All Due Respect
I am not in the habit of telling four-star generals to "shut your
yap." However - and with respect - that is my message to General
Stanley McChrystal, the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan. McChrystal,
who took on the Army's hottest job in June, recently sent a report to
the Pentagon that has stirred up a hornet's nest in Washington.
In it, he said he needs up to 40,000 more troops in Afghanistan
to carry out his mission. McChrystal said inaction risks failure. I
have no problem with the candor of his report. The President -
the Commander in Chief - requires the best - a/k/a most honest - advice
from all of his advisers. Anyone who surrounds himself with a bunch of
"yes men" is a fool. Nor do I necessarily dispute his advice.
As I stated in my September 30 post, the U.S. needs to either
take decisive action or go home. My problem with General McChrystal is
that he has gone outside his chain of command to lobby for his
position. "We need to reverse current trends, and time does matter," he
said in a London speech last week. "Waiting does not prolong a
favorable outcome." He then made the same point in a 60 Minutes
interview. I may not have gone to West Point - and I have nothing but
respect for those who have. However, I know that complaints go up
the chain of command, not down. McChrystal's is an important
voice which deserves President Obama's attention. However, the
President is obliged to listen to other voices, as well. That
includes the concerns of the people who elected him. President
Obama has some very tough decisions to make. It doesn't help when
one of his field commanders, no matter how well-intentioned, goes
outside of channels to pressure his boss. My advice to the good
general is to give the President his best advice and then give the man
some room to make a decision. I also suggest he take some time to
Google the name "Douglas MacArthur."
That's it for now. Fear the Turtle.
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Vol. 3 No. 35 -- September 30, 2009
Obama's Choice
I do not know with moral certainty that all wars are immoral. But
I do know that half-hearted attempts are waging war are. To use a poker
term, when you go to war, you have to go "all in." You do not
place the young men and women of our nation in harm's way if the
objectives are not clear and public and congressional support is
wavering. President Obama is huddled with his national security
advisers today trying to determine our future course in
Afghanistan. As a counterpoint to these discussions, we hear some
Democrats using the "Q" word, quagmire, and the "V" word, Vietnam,
while urging us to cut-and-run. Afghanistan is not Vietnam, nor is it
even Iraq. We know why we are fighting there: They are the
bastards that harbored the scum that killed our people on 9/11. I have
no problem bombing the crap out of the Taliban or even the civilians
near them. When you are at war, everyone is a combatant.
Certainly, our enemies feel this way. It is regretful that so many
civilians died during the Second World War. But does anyone
seriously believe that the defeat of Fascism wasn't in our best
interests? Would we have hastened victory - or made it an
unlikely outcome - if we had not been willing to bomb military targets
surrounded by civilians? Remember how the 1973 Vietnam Peace
Accords came about? Nixon bombed the crap out Hanoi until the
North Vietnamese cried "uncle." Of course, North Vietnam
eventually prevailed. But that outcome was guaranteed when
Congress removed all real threat of retaliation against treaty
violations with the passage of the War Powers Act. Vietnam
provides another lesson from which we should learn: By limiting the
scope of ground operations to south of the border, we placed ourselves
in a defensive position and needlessly sacrificed young American
lives. As I see it, President Obama has two options. The first is
to go "all in" and commit the troops and the weapons - including
nuclear weapons - necessary to clean out that rat's nest of a nation.
And if that means pursuing the bastards into weasel-infested Pakistan,
so be it. The second choice is to bring the troops home
now. Halfway measures being considered, such as those proposed by
Vice President Joe Biden, will accomplish nothing but to squander the
resources of our nation and spill the blood of our heroes.
That's it for now. Fear the Turtle.
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Vol. 3 No. 34 -- September 22, 2009
The Loyal Opposition
Dole Institute of
Politics Director Bill Lacy asked the most telling question of the
evening - "Where is the intellectual center of the Republican Party?"
Lacy tonight moderated the 2009 Muncy Journalism and Politics Lecture
at the Institute. He moderated a discussion with Kathryn Jean
Lopez, online editor of the National Review, and Stephen Dinan, head of the Washington Times
congressional bureau. The theme of tonight's lecture was "The
Loyal Opposition," and focused on the role of conservative media during
a period that liberals are in control of Congress and the White House.
In answering Lacy's question, Lopez and Dinan were in agreement - there
is no intellectual center of today's GOP. Unlike the past, when
observers could look to the late William F. Buckley and to the National Review
to gage the state of conservative thought, today's conservative moment
is fragmented. Lopez said the fact conservatives don't speak with one
voice is a sign of success - although she wasn't clear why she sees it
that way. Dinan said liberals have a similar problem, noting that the
late Senator Ted Kennedy served as a sort of "cheat-sheet" for gaging
liberal sentiment. Both conservative commentators said they doubted
that President Obama will be able to win congressional passage of a
broad-based health care bill this year -- primarily because he has to
deal with the framentation within his own party. Lopez suggested
that the Democrats may be satisfied to let health care
legislation fail so they can blame the Republicans. But Dinan
said he doubted this strategy would work, given that the Democrats
theoretically have the numbers to pass any legislation they want.
Because the President has staked so much political capital on
health care reform, Dinan thinks a scaled-back bill will eventually
emerge. Perhaps the most refreshing moment of the evening came when
Lacy asked his guests about their expectations for the 2010 midterm
elections. Their answer, in essence: We don't know. It's
much too early. Imagine that: something on which everyone can agree.
That's it for now. Fear the Turtle.
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Vol. 3 No. 33 -- September 14, 2009
Stupid Is As Stupid Does
Forrest Gump was
right: Stupid is as stupid does. We have been reminded several times
during the last week that even famous people should take advantage
of opportunities to keep their big, fat mouths shut.
First there was Congressman Joe Wilson's infamous "you lie" shout
out at President Obama during a joint session of Congress. The
South Carolina republican apologized to the President, and then
launched a major fund raising effort supported by his fellow
reactionaries. Wilson isn't smart enough to realize that his
boorish behavior has energized the opposition and further damaged the
already-feeble GOP. Then Serena Williams - usually as serene as her
name suggests - launched into a profanity-laced tongue-lashing of a
line official at the U.S. Open in New York. The profanity
was bad enough. However, she threatened the official. (Don't parse
words with me: saying you want to ram a ball down the official's throat is the same as saying you will
do it.) Since the unfortunate incident, Williams has been anything but
contrite in public. She avoided the issue during post-match news
conference and then laughed it off as "old news" when interviewed at
center court today. Instead, she cowardly posted an apology on
her Web site. She's been fined $10,500 - but that's not enough.
You can't threaten officials. A suspension is in order.
And then there's that great American treasure Kayne West, who
made a total ass of his drunken self during last night's MTV Video
Awards. He took it on himself to right a perceived wrong by
interrupting Taylor Swift's acceptance speech and announcing that
Beyonce, not Swift, deserved the award for the best video. Of
course, this is the same clown who engaged in an inarticulate and
rambling "George Bush hates black people" speech during a Hurricane
Katrina telethon in 2005. According to MTV's Web site, "During
the 2007 VMAs in Las Vegas, West delivered another rant and lost his
temper after he was displeased with his performance being set inside a
hotel suite rather than on the show's main stage." MTV has also
reported West "memorably took the stage at the American Music Awards in
2004, declaring he was robbed of the Best New Artist nod." At
least Wilson and Williams face potential sanctions for their stupidity
under fire. I am not certain what can been done about West.
Judging by the online reaction to his rant, even the normally lenient
hip-hop culture is getting tired of West's narcissistic act.
However, there's a ray of hope out there. When Beyonce won
an award later in the evening, she demonstrated great class when she
invited Swift to join her in the spotlight. It was a
simple act of compassion that put the Wilsons, Williames and Wests to
shame.
That's it for now. Fear the Turtle.
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Vol. 3 No. 32 -- September 9, 2009
The Obama Health Care Plan
Like millions of my fellow Americans tonight, I listened intently the President Obama's speech to a joint session of Congress on health care reform.
For the most part, I received his remarks favorably.
I agree with him that every American should have access to
affordable health care. Nor am I opposed to a federal
government-run health care option - just as long as I have the choice
of choosing my own plan. I thought the closing moments of the
speech where he quoted from the late Senator Ted Kennedy's commentary
on the American character were particularly powerful. I also
agree that there is too much disinformation being tossed about, and
that we, as a nation, should have a civil debate on this topic.
That having been said, I am not certain that the President was
completely truthful with us tonight. He said his $900 billion
plan would not "add a dime" to the nation's debt. So where,
exactly, does the money come from? Does it come from people who
supposedly can't afford to pay health care premiums in the first place?
Does it come from the insurance companies? The President also said he
was not trying to run insurance companies out of business. I believe
that. However, his proposals mandate they cover a range of health
care expenses that - at least to the untrained ear of someone who
doesn't claim to be a financial wiz - have the potential of bankrupting
the insurance industry. His claim that his plan wouldn't cover
illegal aliens doesn't ring true, either. We are already
providing them services - how would this be any different? Is he
seriously proposing that he is going to turn his back on one of the
Democratic Party's biggest constituencies? (By the way, let me be
absolutely clear on one point: I did not like it that Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.) shouted "you lie" when the President made
that particular statement about illegal aliens. Such behavior in
that place at that time is unacceptable.) And while President
Obama did indicate a willingness to look at tort reform - popular among
Republicans, but poison to most Democrats relying on attorney campaign
contributions - he did parse his words. It wasn't exactly a
ringing endorsement. All in all, I give the President good marks.
But, in the end, there's one harsh reality he has to face - if
health care reform fails, it will not be a Republican failure.
President Obama and his fellow Democrats have the votes.
Ultimately, he has to harness them and bring them home. FDR did with
Social Security and LBJ did it with Medicare - both of which President
Obama cited in his speech tonight. If the President doesn't get his
numerical majority to work to his advantage, he has no one else to
blame
but himself. Editor's note: This post was updated 9/11/09 to identify Rep. Wilson and correctly quote his inappropriate outburst.
That's it for now. Fear the Turtle.
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Vol. 3 No. 31 -- September 4, 2009
The Media's New World Order
There's a lot of
teeth-gnashing these days about the future of media. We've seen
all of the headlines about newsroom layoffs, plummeting advertising
revenues and newspapers abruptly folding. However, its not so
much that we have reached the end of the mass media age as it
is that the media are adjusting to a new world order. Yes,
the days of fat newsroom budgets and obscene profit margins are
probably gone, but there are a lot of media companies still making good
profits. The demand for local news is greater than ever. While the idea
of the "citizen journalist" keeping an omnipresent eye on "the powers
that be" is a romantic notion, it is also unrealistic. Most
people don't want to do the hard work that comes with gathering the
information required for a fully functioning democracy. And for
the cynics who think the people don't really care about the world
around them, I ask them where have they been during the last couple of
years? People are tuned in -- figuratively and literally -- to the
events around them. Whether it is political, financial,
environmental, scientific or cultural news, people rely on
journalists to gather the facts for them. Sure, they also want
the mind-candy of sports, entertainment and pseudo-celebrity news.
But when it all hits the fan and they really need to know what's going on, do you honestly think the people are going to expect content and
context from a gum-popping teenager with a I-phone? The news
business is going through a metamorphosis, and this transformation is
incredibly exciting. As was noted today by a television executive
visiting with KU's journalism faculty, future news hounds will have to
adjust to a different media culture and workplace regimen. They
will have to keep up with the ever-evolving technological landscape.
But some things will not change, such as a commitment to good
writing, balanced and accurate reporting, and ethical decision-making.
If anything, there will be a greater demand for storytelling
specialists who can marry the message and the medium to create a
product that the ever-inquisitive public both wants and needs.
That's it for now. Fear the Turtle.
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Vol. 3 No. 30 -- August 29, 2009
Small Victories
It
doesn't matter who you are: rich or poor, powerful or weak, young or
old, PC or Mac. There are times life can be pretty tough. Even
even when things are going good, a variety of aggravations can conspire
to take the shine off an otherwise brilliant day. It is like being
nibbled to death by ducks. That, of course, assumes you are having a
good day. When the sweetness of life goes sour, those annoyances are
like pouring salt on an open wound. One of the things I have
learned during the past three years is to look for small victories that
help salvage even the lousiest of days. These small victories include
having all of the socks match when they come out of the dryer. How
about finding a good parking space? Then there is having the right tool
for the right job in the right place right when you need it.
Things such as carrying the correct change or toting an
umbrella when you need it are worth celebrating. Don't you love it
when your team wins a game it had no business of winning or you get the
letter to the mailbox seconds before the postal carrier arrives? And
let's not forget bacon, canceled meetings that you didn't want to
attend in the first place, and the unconditional love of a dog.
These little gifts may not balance life's ledger, but anything
that smooths the rough edges should be considered small blessings.
That's it for now. Fear the Turtle.
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Vol. 3 No. 29 -- August 27, 2009
Ted Kennedy
I
have greeted the news of Senator Edward M. Kennedy's passing this week
with a swirling mix of emotions. There is a lot to admire in his
47-year career in the U.S. Senate. I also admire how he served as
the glue that held the Kennedy clan together in wake of tragedy piled
upon tragedy. The manner in which he conducted himself since
learning of his terminal illness was both courageous and admirable.
However, we are also reminded that Ted Kennedy was quite human with
attendant faults that come with that condition. While he has been
praised - with some justification - for his bipartisan approach in
Congress, one can argue that his orchestration of the
vigorous and, at times, vicious attacks on unsuccessful Supreme
Court nominee Robert Bork in 1987 launched the poisonous acrimony that
has infected Capitol Hill ever since. Kennedy was a tireless
champion of health care. However, even he has admitted that the
nation's health care system would have been in much better shape today
if he had been willing to compromise with President Richard Nixon on
the issue. His personal failings and moral lapses have been well
documented. However, to his credit, he appeared to be a changed
man after his marriage to Victoria Anne Reggie in 1992. Yes, there is
much to admire and much to hold in contempt. However, with his
death, I choose to honor the passing of a great American who spent most
of his life in service to the country he loved and the beliefs he held
dear. When it came to public policy, Ted Kennedy and I may not have
agreed on a lot of things. But the things in which we were
agreement are sufficient for me to join with the millions who mourn his
passing and honor his service.
That's it for now. Fear the Turtle.
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Vol. 3 No. 28 -- August 19, 2009
A Darker Shade of Blue
Bernadette
Gray-Little, the 17th chancellor of the University of Kansas, formally
introduced herself to the KU community tonight with an address at the
university's 144th Opening Convocation. She comes to Lawrence
from a place and a state I know well, the University of North
Carolina-Chapel Hill. There, she rose from the ranks of an
assistant professor to become UNC's executive vice-chancellor.
She hails from Washington, North Carolina - a place Carolinians
refer to as "Little Washington." Since I was out of Lawrence when
she was introduced at a news conference last May, this was my first
opportunity to listen to her. As one might expect, she spoke in
generalities about some of the issues facing KU and higher education.
At the outset of her administration, she said her priorities were
to increase KU's graduation rate, increase research productivity
(especially undergraduate research), and to secure the resources
necessary to achieve KU's mission. My first impression is
favorable. She strikes me as being a humble person - not a bad
quality for a leader. I was also impressed that there was
absolutely no mention of the fact that she is a trail blazer as KU's
first female and black chancellor - perhaps another sign of progress.
She joked that she still has some things to get used to --
including a wardrobe with a darker shade of blue than she was used to
at Carolina. I should clue her in - the barbecue here is a lot
different than what she was used to Down East (that's Eastern North
Carolina to the home folks). It would be foolish for me to make
grand pronouncements about KU's new leader based on one speech.
But first impressions are important, and I think she made a good
one. I wish her the best in her new adventure.
That's it for now. Fear the Turtle.
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Vol. 3 No. 27 -- August 17, 2009
Doctors Versus Lawyers
I weighed in on the politics of the raging health care debate in my last post (see Vol. 3 No. 26).
Since then, I have sought to better understand the various
aspects of the issue. Upon reflection, I can tell you without
reservation that I don't know a heck of a lot about health care.
It is outside of my area of expertise - and I feel confident that
I am not alone in this regard. In a democratic republic, we rely
upon our representatives to do the heavy lifting for us during public
policy debates by defining the options for us. Needless to say, they
haven't done a particularly good job of it. Instead of a
meaningful civic debate, politicians on the left and the right are
spoon-feeding us mindless pablum long on symbolism and short on
substance. The rhetoric of this debate has been reduced to that
of the language on competing bumper stickers. At this point I must
confess that I almost
contributed to this mindless static surrounding the health care
debate. I was prepared to write a scathing commentary demanding
that tort reform be a part of a comprehensive health care reform
package. I was going to fire both barrels. However, I felt a
journalist's obligation check my facts before unleashing my salvo.
And like everything else in the health care debate, I discovered
the issue of medical malpractice lawsuits is not as black and white
as I presumed. Yes, a cap on lawsuits would lower health care
costs. Doctors would not have to practice defensive medicine - ordering
unnecessary tests as a shield against speculative lawsuits by
ambulance-chasing lawyers. Good doctors would not be penalized for the
actions of a few bad doctors. However, a Harvard School of Public
Health study has shown that 80 percent of malpractice claims involve
significant disability or death. An argument has been made that
the threat of malpractice suits forces doctors and hospitals to
exercise greater caution, thus improving the quality of health care.
While I still believe that measures are needed to stop lawyers from
using the pain and suffering of people as a gravy train to personal
wealth, I also believe doctors and health care providers have to be
held accountable. My position is apparently aligned with that of President Obama,
who risks the wrath of his own party for even considering limiting
lawsuits against doctors. My sense is that not all lawyers are
bad guys and not all doctors are good guys - and vice versa. And
while this "revelation" may not contribute toward achieving a consensus
on health care, at least I am not joining those within this debate who
have sought to generate more heat than light.
That's it for now. Fear the Turtle.
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Vol. 3 No. 26 -- August 9, 2009
Free Speech Rocks!
This
morning's newspapers and morning talk shows are replete with confused
and hurt Democrats anguishing over public protests about health care
reform proposals at town hall meetings around the nation. They
rhetorically ask if the Republicans are behind the unrest. I ask
a better question: Who cares? These same Democrats didn't seem to care
when former President Bush and members of his administration were
verbally harassed everywhere they went during the previous eight years.
My favorite protests came a couple of years ago when hundreds of
thousands of illegal aliens took to the streets of American cities
in organized anger to fight for their right to - wait for it - break
the law. (Keep in mind that my position on immigration is close to that
of former President Bush and the Democrats, limited amnesty.) More to
the point, any grade schooler can tell you that there can't be
combustion without a source of heat. As a reporter and public
official for two decades, my experience has been that for every
successful protest mounted there have been 10 that fizzled for lack of
public support. There's genuine anger out there across the political
spectrum about the continuing impotence of our elected officials to
deal with real issues affecting real people. Protest - organized or not
- is as American as apple pie. Heck, I just got back from Boston, the
home of the first organized political publicity stunt, the Boston Tea
Party. To my friends on the left and the right - assuming I have
any - I remind you that the freedom to redress our grievances to the
government is an unalienable right of our American democracy.
Free speech rocks! God bless America.
That's it for now. Fear the Turtle.
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Vol. 3 No. 25 -- July 28, 2009
Scooter and Charlie Hustle
There
was a sort of strange convergence yesterday: News that two unrepentant
souls are seeking forgiveness. This week’s Time
cover story is about the White House infighting during the last days of
the Bush Administration. Vice President Dick Cheney pressured
President Bush to pardon I. Lewis “Scooter” Libby, the Vice
President’s former chief-of-staff. Libby was convicted in March
2007 for obstructing an investigation into the outing of a covert CIA
officer’s identity. To paraphrase the article, Bush was convinced
that Libby had lied under oath about his role in the affair and
wasn’t inclined to let him off of the hook. Cheney, for his part,
thought the conviction was political and that the President had
dishonored himself by “leaving a soldier in the
battlefield.” Ironically, this came on the day the news broke
that Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig was considering a
reinstatement of Pete Rose, banned from baseball and ultimately
imprisoned two decades ago for illegally betting on the game.
Here’s the irony: Both men did the crime, but only Rose has done
the time. I can support Selig’s “pardon” of
Rose on that basis – perfectly understanding that the
Veteran’s Committee is under no obligation to vote him into the
Hall of Fame. As for Scooter, he made his bed. Now he
should lie in it. After all, he’s an expert when it comes to
lying, isn’t he?
That's it for now. Fear the Turtle.
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Vol. 3 No. 24 -- July 21, 2009
Beltway Buffoonery
In
case you missed it, former Representative Nancy Boyda (D-Kan.) will not
be running to reclaim the seat in the U.S. House of Representatives she
lost last November. She was the only Democrat incumbent to lose
in the Obama landslide. No, she hasn't made a formal announcement of
non-candidacy, per se. However, she was sworn in Monday as the
new deputy assistant secretary of defense of manpower and personnel
issues. Knowing the amount of money required for another run at
the office - she spent $1.7 million in a losing cause in 2008 - her dip
into the public trough can only be interpreted as a throwing in of
the towel. (You can't raise campaign funds while counting paper clips
in the supply room.) Of course, the great irony is that the only way
she got
elected in a heavily Republican district in 2006 was by waging an
anti-war campaign. She was an ineffective and practically invisible
congresswoman. I'm sure she's a perfect
fit for the Defense Department. While I am on the subject of
Beltway buffoonery, here's a special shout-out to Rep. Steve Cohen
(D-Tenn.). This legislative giant is turning his laser-like attention
to the most important issue facing humanity, the National Basketball
Association's requirement that a player must be at least 19-years-old
and at least one year out of high school for league eligibility.
Thank God someone is standing up for the embattled
multi-millionaire season ticket holder! The fact that the league
and the players union agreed to this rule is of no consequence. I
agree with Rep. Cohen, we need more overpaid and undereducated
teenagers to serve as role models for American youth. I will
sleep better tonight knowing that Nancy and Steve are on the job.
That's it for now. Fear the Turtle.
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Vol. 3 No. 23 -- July 19, 2009
One Small Step
For
one brief moment 40 years ago, the people of earth believed that all
things are possible. On Sunday, July 20, 1969, millions - perhaps
billions -- of us gathered around our television sets to watch grainy
images from another world. Two American astronauts fulfilled one of
humanity's oldest dreams when they walked on the surface of the moon.
No doubt, it was a geopolitical event: The U.S. beat the U.S.S.R.
to the moon in a triumph of democracy over communism (or something like
that). Politics aside, it was a truly wondrous event. I often
think of my grandmother, born in 1875 (a year before the telephone was
invented) and in her twenties when the Wright Brothers first flew above
the sand dunes of Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. What a life she led
and what history she witnessed! Of course, we have continued to
write amazing history, especially in the area of wireless digital
communications. The scientific innovation that gave us the
historic flight of Apollo 11 laid the foundation for the many
electronic gadgets and gizmos we today take for granted. And what
comes next? I, for one, hope we engage in further space
exploration. While some may argue that we have more pressing
problems here on earth, what is to say that the answers we seek do not
lie in the stars? The collateral knowledge and amazing technology we
gained from the exploration of space has already justified the expense.
Beyond that, we have to continue exploring the unknown. It
is in our nature. Just as Lewis and Clark led a Corps of Discovery to
uncover the hidden wonders of the American Northwest just over 200
years ago, we need more Armstrongs and Aldrins to help us expand not
only our knowledge of the universe, but how to safely and peacefully
coexist within it. Forty years ago we took a small step toward
interplanetary exploration. Let us continue that journey.
That's it for now. Fear the Turtle.
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Vol. 3 No. 22 -- July 17, 2009
Salt Water Dreams
I
am very fortunate to live in one of the great small cities in the
United States. Lawrence, Kansas, has been named one of the top 10
communities under 100,000 in population - although it probably won't
qualify for that status after the 2010 Census. However, I used to
live in one of the top 10 towns under 10,000 - Easton, Maryland.
While I love Lawrence and will likely retire here, I miss Talbot
County and Maryland's Eastern Shore. Easton, Royal Oak, St.
Michaels, Oxford and the other Talbot communities have something
Lawrence lacks - salt water creeks, coves and bays. I was
reminded of my affection for salt water when I visited my sister and
her husband on one of New Jersey's barrier islands earlier this month.
There was a certain smell in the air that reminded me of my youth
on the water. We had a home on Goose Neck Road on Tar Creek,
located just off of the Tred Avon River. From our house,
you could see Oxford a little over a mile away by water - 23 miles by
car or four miles by car-ferry. We could go swimming from late April
until mid-June when the sea nettles arrived. Even the smells of a
New Jersey boatyard evoked strong memories of watermen toiling in
Chesapeake Bay waters for crabs and oysters. One local
brewer dubbed the region "The Land of Pleasant Living." Of course, this
is a somewhat idealized view of an area that, like others, has its
strengths and its faults. If you wanted a career in broadcasting -
which I originally set out to do - the Eastern Shore was a starting
point and not a destination. My dreams once took me away from the Shore
in search of that career. The search resulted in an exciting
adventure with unexpected twists and turns. That adventure continues to
this day. As I approach the final years of my redefined career, my
dreams drift back to that place I still think of as home - a salt water
haven where living is good and life is even better.
That's it for now. Fear the Turtle.
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Vol. 3 No. 21 -- July 12, 2009
The Wounds of Absence
I
met a hero this week on a flight from Philadelphia to Kansas City.
I did not get his name. However, I learned he was a First
Sergeant in the U.S. Army on leave from his second tour of duty in
Iraq. He was given the opportunity to spent a precious week on
home leave because he volunteered to escort a wounded comrade home for
medical care at Fort Riley, Kansas. He was from Atlanta, and the
vagaries of military regulation required him to fly from Georgia to
Philadelphia to Kansas City so he could then officially start his
return trip to the Middle East via Washington and Frankfort. He
talked with pride of his family, how much he had missed seeing his
basketball-playing daughter compete in the state high school
championship game and how he had also missed watching his boys playing
football. Most of all, he missed his wife. When he gets back, he
will be responsible for the safety of 32 soldiers in his platoon. The
decisions he makes may determine whether he and those he commands
survive this conflict. The First Sergeant's tour in Iraq is scheduled
to end this fall. He is about 18 months shy of retirement with 20
years of service to the people of the United States. When we
parted, I thanked him for his service and wished him well. Afterward, I
thought of how much I take for granted. I also reminded myself
that I should not take my uniformed friend - or his colleagues - for
granted. We hear a lot about the battlefield casualties, but do
not think as much about the wounds caused by absence from home. I
thank him for his service and pray that soon he and others will return
safe and secure to the arms of their loved ones.
That's it for now. Fear the Turtle.
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Vol. 3 No. 20 -- June 27, 2009
The Meandering Moron of Immorality
The
saga of South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford would be funny if it
weren't a blatant breach of public trust. Sanford is - or at least led
people to believe he is - a visionary leader with pro-family values and
a strong streak of fiscal conservativism. He was also was getting
buzz as a potential Republican 2012 presidential nominee. But all of
that was before the wandering governor went AWOL, disappeared for days
without his security detail and left everyone, including his family and
staff, wondering where we was. The governor's staff told people
what Sanford had led them to believe, that the wandering governor was
taking a few days to hike the Appalachian Trail. What we didn't
know was that the Appalachians apparently stretch from Maine to
Argentina, where the wanderer had a honey on the side. And now
Sanford is apologizing to everyone for his indiscretion and
promising to reimburse the state for any money used to fuel his
fanciful flight from fidelity. He also vows to remain on the job, ala
Bill "I did not have sex with that woman" Clinton. However,
Clinton and his legion of puppy-dog followers didn't get it back in
1998, nor does Sanford get it today. People don't give a damn
about a politician's martial vows. That's something the happy
couple has to sort out for themselves. It is the oath of office
we care about. And when a politician's reckless behavior is accompanied
by lies and the use of public resources to cover one's tracks, it's
resignation or impeachment time. Sanford has only himself to
blame for his current sorry state. But the people of South Carolina
will have to live in their own sorry state if that meandering moron of
immortality is allowed to remain in office.
That's it for now. Fear the Turtle.
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Vol. 3 No. 19 -- June 21, 2009
My Fathers' Son
It
is fitting that I take time out today, Fathers Day, to reflect on the
men who have assumed paternal leadership in my life. My real
father, Evan Carey Guth, passed away from the effects of
alcohol abuse in 1960 when I was only seven and he was only 46.
While I do not remember him treating me badly, that was not true
for others. I believe the only thing of consequence I got from
him was a nasty temper, something I have battled all my life. (Thanks,
Dad.) Even before my father's death, he was out of the house and
replaced (so to speak) by my step-father, Bill Connolly. In hindsight,
I know him to have been a hard-working and well-intentioned man who
gave my mother the love she deserved. My relationship with him
wasn't all that good, but was repaired and in good standing at the time
of his death in 1984. Arthur E. Southard did not become my father
by bloodline or marriage - he earned the title. He had been my
Scoutmaster and a family friend when he volunteered to take me in as
ward in 1966. I was a rebellious teenager at a perilous fork in the
road and he led me down the right path. Although he never
married, he mastered fatherhood better than most. He passed away
in 2006. I would be remiss if I didn't acknowledge Francis "Pudge"
Fillman, who has been my father-in-law since 1975. He
is kind, generous, loving and the common-sensical leader of a
family I have grown to love and in which I have taken great pride to be
consider a member. Pudge and I also share a common bond, having
been widowed within seven months of each other. (We both married very
well.) He, too, has earned the mantle of fatherhood. On this
Fathers Day 2009, I realize that I am my fathers' son.
That's it for now. Fear the Turtle.
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Vol. 3 No. 18 -- June 11, 2009
Legislative Shenanigans
There
is chaos in the New York State Senate. OK, that's not real news.
What is news is why - senate republicans this week seized
majority control of the chamber when two disaffected democrats switched
sides and joined the GOP caucus. The democrats are denying reality and
trying to repeal the laws of mathematics at the same time. They turned
off the lights and locked the senate chamber doors to keep the
republicans from acting. This is somewhat reminiscent of the Texas
legislature in 2003, when state democrat lawmakers fled the state in an
effort to deny republicans the quorum they needed to vote on a
controversial redistricting plan. As way back as 1833, Maryland
democrats forced the state senate into recess for months by their
refusal to appoint electors needed to complete the election process of
that time. These legislative shenanigans failed in both Maryland and
Texas, as they will in New York. However, if the U.S. Congress
turned out its lights, locked its doors and went home, would anyone
notice?
That's it for now. Fear the Turtle.
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Vol. 3 No. 17 -- June 7, 2009
The Very Least
Sadly, I didn't catch his
name. He had to be in his mid-80s. He was frail, sitting in
the shade with his oxygen tank just a few feet away from the Dwight D.
Eisenhower statue. He had come to the Eisenhower Center in Abilene on a warm June 6 afternoon for the same reason I had, to join in the commemoration of 65th anniversary of the D-Day invasion. He was wearing a U.S.S. Arizona
cap, which prompted me to ask him if he was a Pearl Harbor survivor.
He said he wasn't - his son gave him the hat after a recent visit
to Hawaii. However, I also learned that he had served in the
Pacific during the Second World War, first in New Guinea, followed by
the Philippines and then Japan. He is one of a dwindling number
of surviving veterans of that conflict - members of what Tom Brokaw
called The Greatest Generation.
He wasn't there to relive the glory of battle. He was there
to remember with whom he served, especially those who did not return.
As we talked, two young boys - I am guessing they were 10 or 12
years old - came up to the veteran and told him "We want to thank
you for your service" and shook his hand. This scenario was repeated
throughout the day, as people sought out the men and women who came to
the defense of their nation at its moment of greatest peril.
World War Two was a so-called "good" war, where the differences
between good and evil were well-defined. However, not all wars
are just. Not all wars are popular. Not all wars are
necessary. And none should be characterized as good. Wars
are the ultimate failure of civilizations to resolve their differences.
Dwight Eisenhower understood that when, in his farewell address,
he warned of the dangers of the influence of the military-industrial complex.
However, the people of our armed forces do not get to pick and choose
when and where they will fight. They do not establish policy.
What they do is answer the call and, all too often, give the
ultimate sacrifice. As a free people, we have the right to
support or protest our nation's use of arms. We do not have to
support every war. However, regardless of our feelings for this
policy or that policy, we should follow the example of those two young
boys in Abilene and thank those who serve or have served in defense of
our nation. It is the very least we owe them.
That's it for now. Fear the Turtle.
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Vol. 3 No. 16 -- May 25, 2009
The Real Reagan Legacy
We may be headed toward a
historic political meltdown. The Republican Party is at war with
itself and it is getting personal. On one side is the party of
Newt Gingrich and Rush Limbaugh. These are the so-called
"neocons," ideologically driven social conservatives who believe that
the government should stay out of the private lives of Americans -
except when it comes to matters of the bedroom. On the other side
are Tom Ridge, Colin Powell and, until recently, Arlen Specter.
These are the so-called "country club Republicans," pragmatic
champions of the free-market - except when that free market works to
the disadvantage of favored constituents. Starting with the 2006
midterm elections and continuing through Obama's inauguration, the
Grand Old Party has engaged in what amounts to a circular firing squad.
The irony of this uncivil war is that both sides in their own way have
laid claim to the legacy of Ronald Reagan. Keep in mind that I am
a Republican who never voted for Reagan, but have grown to appreciate
the job he did as President. Ronald Reagan would have had you
believe that he was a simple man - and often lured his opponents into
believing it to their own detriment. He was a sophisticated politician
with a solid grasp of strategy and game theory. Yes, he was
ideologically driven. But he was also a pragmatist. Because
of that, Reagan got things done and was in the eyes of most of the
American people a successful President. And that's the essential
element missing from today's GOP. The neocons and the country
clubbers need to focus less on process and more on results. That
means finding common ground with President Obama when values coincide
and coming up with constructive alternatives when they do not.
(By the way, those constructive alternatives do not include tax
breaks when the government is running a gazillion-dollar deficit.)
Until the Republicans stop eating their young, the only ones left
to claim the Reagan legacy of plain-speaking pragmatism and problem
solving are - surprise - the Democrats. (Yeah, I can't wait to see how
that works out, either.)
That's it for now. Fear the Turtle.
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Vol. 3 No. 15 -- May 18, 2009
All Good Things...
I have decided to step
down as associate dean of the William Allen White School of Journalism
and Mass Communications effective June 30. I will continue in my
role as an associate professor. As my closest friends can tell
you, this is a move I have been contemplating for some time. This was
my decision, one reached after consultation with the dean. Being an
associate dean is a demanding job – one that my colleagues
perceive to have power but really has none. Being wedged
between “the boss” and “the rank and file,” one often
feels isolated and frustrated. I vividly remember losing the friendship
of someone of whom I thought highly on the day after being named
associate dean in 2004 simply because I had become
“management.” And while my colleagues have been supportive
since my wife’s death in 2007, it is really tough to come home to
an empty house at the end of a hard day. There have been a lot of hard
days recently, as I have had to deal with budgetary, personnel and
enrollment issues. I have been spread thin by personal and professional
obligations. So now it is time to let go and turn attention to the
things I came here to do 18 years ago, teaching and research. I thank
the dean and the school for the opportunity to have served. And I wish
my successor Barbara Barnett, another UNC Journalism grad, great
success. She has my full support.
That's it for now. Fear the Turtle.
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Vol. 3 No. 14 -- May 15, 2009
The Question
It was the most famous
question of the most famous political scandal: "What did the President
know and when did he know it?" It was asked by then Senator
Howard Baker (R-Tenn.) during the Senate Watergate Hearings in 1973.
Since then, that question has been the gold standard by which we judge
the actions of our elected officials. Well, almost.
Republicans are expected to answer The Question. Democrats,
on the other hand, get a pass. Presidents Nixon, Ford, Reagan and
both Bushes were peppered with The Question in its many variations
during their terms of office. The record shows that each answered The
Question - although often in an unsatisfactory matter. And each
paid a price either personally or politically. However, whether it be
on the topic of Monicagate, the sale of sensitive defense technology to
the Chinese or his failure to deal with Osama Bin Laden when he had his
chances, Bill Clinton has been allowed to avoid The Question. The
republicans were pilloried for even raising The Question. And now we
have Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), who yesterday so much as admitted
that she lied to the American people about her knowledge of
waterboarding of terror suspects by the Bush Administration. No, she
didn't admit to lying when she disclosed during a "clear the air" news
conference that she had been informed of the so-called enhanced
interrogation techniques as early as September 2002. Instead, she
accused the CIA officials who conducted the briefing for congressional
leaders of - wait for it - lying to her.
Nor did she adequately explain why, in the face of the moral
outrage she said she has for the practice, she did nothing, nada, zip.
She didn't even write a letter. When asked about the
Speaker's weasel-word performance at her news conference, House
Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) initially avoided piling on the
CIA, saying "I have no idea of that - don't have a belief of that
nature because I have no basis on which to base such a belief."
However, it didn't take long for Hoyer to fall in line with the
party line and defend Pelosi. I guess he got the memo - Democrats
don't have to answer The Question.
That's it for now. Fear the Turtle.
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Vol. 3 No. 13 -- April 29, 2009
Arlen Specter
The last time – in fact the only time – that I have mentioned Senator Arlen Specter in this blog, was to mock him (see Vol. 2 No. 4).
I will not mock him today. The Pennsylvania senator has made the
difficult but politically necessary decision to abandon his life-long
commitment to the Republican Party to join the Democratic caucus. He
has been under fire from conservatives for being one of only three
Republican senators to vote with the Democrats for President
Obama’s stimulus package. That decision has been unpopular
among Keystone State Republicans and has made it unlikely that he could
win the party’s nomination for another term next year.
Predictably, some conservatives have chided Specter’s decision to
switch sides as an act of political expediency. Perhaps it was.
But it was also courageous. It isn’t easy to jump to the
other team after a lifetime in the GOP. However, as a person of
principle, he felt he had no other choice. The irony is that just
a few months ago, the standard-bearer of the Republican Party –
my party – ran under the mantra of “Country First.”
However, it is ironic that when a lifelong Republican made the decision
to place the interests of the nation ahead of scoring a few political
points, the neo-cons ran him out of the party. And they wonder why
people don’t trust them.
That's it for now. Fear the Turtle.
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Vol. 3 No. 12 -- April 22, 2009
It's Not Easy Being Green
The very first Earth Day was celebrated April 22, 1970. It was the brain child of U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson.
More than 20 million people throughout the nation participated in a
series of events that Senator Nelson would later write "organized
itself." I was one of them. On that ocassion, I was senior at Easton High School
on Maryland's Eastern Shore. I was also among a group of
dedicated students who decided that as members of the new generation of
soon-to-be high school graduates - and, therefore, about to righteously
assume the reigns of power in society - that it was up to us to save
the planet. Working with some very intelligent, dedicated and, in
hindsight, underappreciated teachers, we organized a "teach-in" at our
school. That evening, students and teachers made solemn
presentations to parents and interested public about the sorry state of
Mother Earth and the things we needed to do to save the planet.
We thought we were saving the world. That was then and this is
now. Today, it is all about being green.
Unlike 1970, the 2009 edition of Earth Day has a strong corporate
feel to it. Almost every company is telling us how using its
products will help save Mother Earth. Heck, even the producers of
24
remind us that they run a "carbon-neutral set." (If Jack Bauer is on
our side, how can we lose?) Others seek to remind us how they have been
good stewards of the Earth. Cynics call this attempt by corporate
America to drape itself in an environmentally friendly cloak "greenwashing."
In some cases, that is undoubtedly true. However, some
companies are acting on their values when they seek an eco-friendly
route to profits. What is wrong with that? Who loses when
everybody wins? It's better than being like Daniel San Diego,
the self-styled animal rights activist who just yesterday earned
himself a spot on the FBI's "Ten Most Wanted Terrorist" list. His
idea of saving the planet is blowing up buildings. I'm certain
his mother is real proud of him. Back in 1970, the seniors of Easton
High School thought we could nip this environmental thing in the bud. I
guess we didn't. But at least we tried. And it was a start.
That's it for now. Fear the Turtle.
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Vol. 3 No. 11 -- April 13, 2009
Asymmetrical Warfare
The United States Navy
struck a blow for truth, justice and our way of life yesterday when it
snuffed out three Somali pirates holding an American merchant marine
captain for ransom. A fourth lowlife, who was attempting to
negotiate with the Navy when snipers did their job, is now in
custody. This was a “happy ending” in the latest
chapter of a troublesome trend. We are seeing increasing American
involvement in what is known as asymmetrical warfare, conflict between
two or more belligerents where their relative military power differs
significantly. To put is another way, a David versus Goliath kind
of war - perhaps the very first asymmetric war. Sometimes it is as
simple as partisans versus the establishment. It can also be wars
fought by proxy, such as the Spanish Civil War, where the Nazis
bankrolled Generalismo Francisco Franco. The thing about
asymmetrical warfare is that, from Goliath’s point of view, it is
utterly infuriating. Goliath thinks David is nuts and doesn’t
have a chance. And more times than not, Goliath is right.
However, if you remember your Bible, David won. So did the Mujahadeen
against the Russians in Afghanistan, the Viet Cong versus the Americans
and, lest we forget, the colonists against the British Empire in 1776.
The War on Terror is an asymmetric war. It’s a messy
business and wholly unsatisfying. You never know when it is over until
long after its over. And even then, you can’t be sure.
Yeah, we beat the pirates on Easter Sunday. Unfortunately, this
will not be the end of it. That’s the nature of asymmetrical war.
That's it for now. Fear the Turtle.
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Vol. 3 No. 10 -- March 25, 2009
Another Bonehead Jurist
There was an item in the
news this week that caught my attention: A federal court judge threw
out a Bush administration rule against the sale of the so-called
"morning after" abortion pill to minors. The judge's reason: the
decision was made on a political rather than scientific basis.
While I am, in general, pro-choice, I am not in favor of leaving
those kind of decisions in the hands of minors. However, that is
not what has me steamed. All policy decisions in a democratic
society are, by their nature, political. We elect our leaders to make these
judgments. If they make bad decisions, we elect someone else.
However, there are too many examples of activist - and unelected
- judges substituting their will for that of the people. The
future of this policy was the Obama administration's decision - not
that of some unelected judge. The fact that Obama might have
imposed the same result is not relevant. Judges should decide matters
of law and not dictate public policy. We had a case here in
Kansas a few years ago where the Kansas Supreme Court not only ruled
that the General Assembly had failed to meet the constitutional
requirements for providing a quality public education, but then prescribed
exactly how much money the state should spend on its schools. Excuse me, but
setting appropriation levels is the purview of the legislative branch
of government, not that of the judicial branch. The court clearly
overstepped its constitutional authority and the legislature (if it had
had the chops) should have -- diplomatically, but forcefully - told the
court to go to hell. At a time when faith in public institutions is at a
new low, we do not need another bonehead jurist imposing his unelected
personal opinions on public policy over those elected to make those
decisions.
That's it for now. Fear the Turtle.
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Vol. 3 No. 9 -- March 15, 2009
Two Years
This week marks the second anniversary of the passing of my wife Jan.
A lot has happened during the past two years. It has been a
time of grieving, reflection, anger and healing. This is not to
imply that I have followed a particular process and that the process is
now complete. I continue to grieve at some level, and suspect I
will for the rest of my days. I cannot imagine a day that I will
not miss her. However, at other levels, I have started the next phase
of my life. I have resumed work on my Chesapeake Bay Bridge book, which
was put on hold with Jan's death. I have been taking better care
of myself by watching my diet and doing some exercise. (I had
lost as much as 50 pounds, but gained some of that back during the
winter months. As the weather improves, my exercise will
increase.) I have also begun a social life - a story unto itself that
will not be recounted here. Let's just say that dating as a 56-year-old
widower is not the same as being 17 and in high school. The most
important thing I have done in the past two years is to continue to be
a parent to my daughter. She's doing fine - and, as always, is quite
capable for speaking for herself. I also know that I have been
the beneficiary of the love and acts of kindness of many people -
family (the Guths and the Fillmans) and friends. Clearly, my state of
mind is better today than it was for the first anniversary (see Vol. 2 No. 8). And on this somber ocassion, that's about as good as it is going to get.
That's it for now. Fear the Turtle.
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Vol. 3 No. 8 -- March 10, 2009
A Box of Chocolates
I had an amazing dream
last night. For one thing, it wasn’t your typical
fantasy-based dream. Instead, I relived one of the most important
moments of my life. It was 1962 and I was in the fourth grade of St.
Michaels Elementary on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Every school in
county did a special activity that spring to commemorate Talbot
County’s Tri-centennial. Along with my first “best
friend” Mark Aydellote, I had been picked to be a reader for a
special program where each class depicted an important moment in county
history. This event became memorable because Mark and I were the
only fourth graders asked to read – the rest of the readers were
sixth graders. I even remember the first line of my script:
“Along the shores of the bay called Chesapeake, life for the
colonists began to change.” The fact that we had been so
precocious was a real boost of confidence. For perhaps the first time,
both of us knew there was something we did better than most. It
shouldn’t be a surprise that as adults, Mark and I both had radio
careers. And my radio career sent me on a path that resulted in
me meeting my wife, having a daughter, and eventually joining the
faculty of the University of Kansas. Perhaps this is an application of
chaos theory or, as Forrest Gump so profoundly noted, proof that life
is like a “box of chocolates.” However, I feel
blessed that for at least one night, I could revisit a turning point of
my life.
That's it for now. Fear the Turtle.
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Vol. 3 No. 7 -- February 27, 2009
In Defense of Newspapers
Another great newspaper has rolled off the presses for the last time. The Rocky Mountain News
ceased publication today, just two months shy of its 150th anniversary.
The Rocky was a victim of new age technology and old age
economics. Of course, the current economic downturn accelerated
the paper's demise. There are also serious environmental
questions surrounding the materials used in producing newspapers.
However, more to the point, 21st century newspapers are struggling to
find their niche in the Digital Age. The Internet has siphoned off
readers and, more importantly, advertising revenues. As Time
noted in a recent article, the growth of the Web created an expectation
that news content should be both free and available around the clock.
It has also given rise to the so-called "Citizen Journalist,"
where anyone with a computer and camera (or camera phone) can reach a
worldwide audience. (Michael Phelps being a case in point.) The
problem with this model is that most of these so-called "I-witnesses"
neither have the training nor the desire to provide the complete,
balanced and meaningful narratives like those prepared by professional
journalists. And while there is some merit in the argument that
media are biased, who believes the solution to that problem involves
the silencing of journalistic voices? Keeping in mind that my
background is in broadcasting, I feel that the loss of a newspaper is
serious blow to any community. In the case of the Rocky, it had
been a vital part of Denver's social fabric for seven generations. It
chronicled the rise of a great American city and the proud people who
inhabit it. And now it is gone. And what will be next paper to
fold? Don't get me wrong - I think newspapers are here to stay.
However, they will remain endangered until someone figures out a
business model in which people are willing to pay for news content and
that parent companies fully embrace the social responsibility that
comes with publishing the news.
That's it for now. Fear the Turtle.
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Vol. 3 No. 6 -- February 12, 2009
The Lincoln Mythology
There's a
certain irony that both Abraham Lincoln and Charles Darwin were both
born on this date in 1809. Throughout the years, the mythology
surrounding our nation's 16th president has gone through a constant
evolution. Not unlike President John F. Kennedy during my youth,
the years immediately following Lincoln's assassination were a period
of martyrdom and canonization for the fallen leader. Only after
the passage of time were people willing to assess the whole man, warts
and all. This deconstruction of history happens with all of our
leaders. For example, the martyred JFK was probably an above-average
president, but not as great as his earliest biographers would have had
us believe. Dwight Eisenhower, who was painted by his
contemporaries as a mediocre transitional leader, now appears from a
distance to have been an exceptional president who gave the nation
much-needed stability after decades of turmoil. Harry Truman and Gerald
Ford both engendered the respect of the American people long after the
distain of those same people hastened their departures from the White
House. All of which takes us to Lincoln, a man who freed the slaves but
believed whites were superior to blacks. While prosecuting a war
in the name of preserving the Union, he frequently ignored the
Constitutional liberties that supposedly defined it. Lincoln was
a humble man, but incredibly image-conscious. Truth be told, he
was neither a saint nor a sinner. He was a man - albeit an
exceptional man who performed extraordinary deeds in our nation's most
perilous times. To understand the true Lincoln, a great man who
did even greater things despite personal flaws, is to truly appreciate
him. Understanding Lincoln's humanity helps us to embrace our
own. By knowing that he overcame his own fears and frailties
to become our most beloved president inspires us - using
Lincoln's own words - to follow the better angels of our nature.
That's it for now. Fear the Turtle.
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Vol. 3 No. 5 -- February 1, 2009
Old Habits Die Hard
There's a
reason the Republicans are out of power. That's because they
appeared to be uncaring and out of touch with the people. The
people kicked them out. However, it is also important to remember that
there was a reason Republicans achieved power in the first place.
That's because the Democrats also appeared to be out of touch
with the people. Back in the days of Newt Gingrich's "Contract with
America," the Republicans promised to curb the unrestrained
tax-and-spend tendencies of the Democrats. Of course, the GOP
didn't live up to its promises (and supposed principles) and eventually
got the boot. It's early, but that pattern seems to be repeating
itself. Despite the fact the United States is facing a severe financial
crisis, the Democrat-controlled Congress, which took power on a promise to
return discipline and integrity to government, is treating pending
emergency relief legislation as if it were a Christmas tree. There's a
gift under it for everyone. Granted, some of the earmarks that have
been proposed - such as money for anti-smoking programs and cancer
research - are worthy. But as economic relief? President Obama
has asked the Congress to keep its eye on the ball and stick to the
business at hand. Unfortunately, the Nancy Pelosis and Harry
Reids are more interested in perpetuating business as usual.
Isn't unrestrained spending a huge part of what created this
problem in the first place? Let's hope that moderates in both parties -
if any exist - can refocus the debate of what really matters, the
economic well-being of our nation. If they don't, we are in for
another long contentious period followed by a Republican resurgence.
That's it for now. Fear the Turtle.
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Vol. 3 No. 4 -- January 20, 2009
George W. Bush
George
W. Bush entered the White House in 2001 professing to be a
“compassionate conservative” who would be a “uniter,
not a divider.” However, as he leaves office today after eight
tumultuous years, one wonders where his professed instincts failed him.
He leaves office with the lowest approval rating among modern
presidents. In fairness, the disputed 2000 presidential election raised
the toxicity of the American body politic to new levels. Even with the
temporary truce immediately after 9/11, the well of good will and
compromise had already been poisoned as Bush entered office.
Blame for that falls as much on his critics as it does on Bush. At the
end of the Bush administration, the ledger is not entirely negative.
That the U.S. has not experienced another terrorist attack since 2001
is a credit to Bush’s leadership. His foreign policy toward
Africa was inspired. Even without adequate funding, No Child Left
Behind finally addressed the need for accountability in
education. History may also credit him for his surge strategy in
Iraq as well as his initial response to the current economic
crisis. However, the images of the Bush years that we are left
with are the absence of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, a mission
not accomplished, torture in Abu Ghraib, the drowning of New Orleans,
and a wounded economy. I don’t believe history will
judge Bush as harshly as his contemporary critics have. But one
fact is inescapable: A lot of bad things happened on George W.
Bush’s watch. No amount of spin will change that fact.
That's it for now. Fear the Turtle.
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Vol. 3 No. 3 -- January 10, 2009
The Gettysburg Inaugural
I had the pleasure of
teaching the best class in my 18 years at KU during the fall 2008
semester. It was called "Campaign 2008 - The Media, Politics and
Persuasion." There were 104 students enrolled in the class, and never
have I had a group of students more engaged in discussion. The
final assignment for the class was to write an inaugural speech for
President-elect Barrack Obama in 250 words or less - ala Lincoln's
Gettysburg Address. Inaugural addresses should bring the country
together, preview the goals of the new administration, bring
comfort to our friends and warn our enemies. The class did a
really good job on the assignment. In the spirit of the
assignment, I shared my own version of Obama's Gettysburg
Inaugural with my students:
My fellow Americans...220
years ago…a Virginia slave owner took the oath of office as our
first President. I have taken that same oath. Not as a victory of
one man or of one party, but in fulfillment of a promise made on the
day this nation was born. A promise that all men are created equal. There
are forces that would deny our American Dream. Our economy is
distressed. Our health care system is ailing. Our planet is under
siege. And on distant shores…Americans are serving…and
dying…to ensure that all people are free. Let’s
join together to build a new economy built on the
productivity…creativity…and generosity of the American
people…..tackle the challenges of health care and the
environment with renewed vigor…and work with our friends around
the world to eradicate ignorance…poverty…. disease and
terrorism. By harnessing the greatest source of energy this world
has ever known…the human spirit…there are no limits to
what we can accomplish. Some
may see this vision as being too idealistic. But isn’t that
what some said when a Georgia minister stood on this very same mall 46
years ago to proclaim that he had a dream? A dream that people of
all races can live in harmony and share in all the goodness this nation
has to offer? Today’s
ceremony bears witness to a partial fulfillment of that dream.
There’s more to be done. But we can do it…once we
get started…united in purpose…under God…and with
an abiding respect for all people and for the earth, itself.
That's it for now. Fear the Turtle.
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Vol. 3 No. 2 -- January 4, 2009
Sleepless in Seattle
One of the networks broadcast one of my favorite movies, Sleepless in Seattle,
in prime time last night. This was a bit of a surprise,
considering that the movie is 15 years old. Perhaps it was a shrewd
counter-programming effort to draw an audience away from the NFL
playoff game between Indianapolis and San Diego. I had not been much of
a fan of romantic comedies until Nora Ephron's funny, yet poignant story
of a Seattle widower (Tom Hanks) making a love connection with a
Baltimore newspaper reporter (Meg Ryan). One of the things that drew me
to the movie was the realization of my own mortality. It was one
of the first times I had given serious thought to what my life would be
like if I were to suddenly lose my spouse. Of course, it was an
intellectual exercise. No one believes that is going to happen to
someone they love. Besides, Tom Hanks didn't seem to be doing so all
that bad -- he was living in the nicest houseboat I had ever seen.
(Talk about waterfront property!) Now, nearly 22 months after the death
of my wife, Sleepless in Seattle
has a much different meaning for me. I understand all too well the pain
of loss and the difficulty in restoring a so-called "normal" life.
It marked the first time since Jan's death that I could actually
bear to watch the movie. The timing of the broadcast was ironic, coming
on the heels of a subdued and, at times, painful holiday
season. The movie, itself, takes place during this time of
year. Tom Hanks' character and I appeared to be in the same empty place.
I guess I was finally willing to watch the movie because I knew
that Hollywood pain is nothing like the real thing and that at least
this was one widower's story with a happy ending.
That's it for now. Fear the Turtle.
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Vol. 3 No. 1 -- January 1, 2009
Time Will Tell
New Year's Day is the
third and last of the big year-end holidays. For some, it is a
time of new-found optimism for better times ahead. Certainly,
with the inaguration of a new president in less than three weeks, there
are a great number of the American people who believe that happy
days are here again. However, I am not certain that I share in
such optimism -- and I even voted for the guy. I like the
decisions President-elect Obama has made so far, especially his "Team
of Rivals" approach to selecting a cabinet. However, we are bordering
on a national emergency and I have severe doubts that our elected
representatives - Democrats and Republicans - are up to the task. Time
will tell. On a personal level, this New Year's Day for me is
just like the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays recently past - just
another day on the calendar. I am not in celebratory mood.
While the intensity of grief over the passing of loved ones has
diminished during the past year, the pure joy of living has not
returned. Don't get me wrong. These are not days of
despair. There have been short-lived moments of happiness. However,
for the most part, there has been neither sadness nor joy.
Emotion has been replaced with numbness of just going through the
motions. Fortunately, there's still enough of an optimist deep
inside hoping 2009 will bring positive change. However, there is
also the pessimist inside reminding me that I felt the same way on New
Year's Day 2008. Time will tell.
That's it for now. Fear the Turtle.
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