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I was born in Minnesota, and, to this day, I love the Vikings and the Twins. I am currently retired and reside with my wife of 45 years in Southern California. I am a former educator and a Marine officer [ret.].
I am a self-described amateur historian, the love of the topic going back to my sophomore days in high school. I am probably the only high schooler in the U.S. to read the 1600-page "The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich." I also consider myself somewhat of a specialist on the Middle East. The vast bulk of my articles concern the topic.
Not unlike many I was devastated by the attacks on 9/11. So devastated, in fact, that I was determined to fight back, following in the fine tradition of the Marine Corps. But how? What could a 58-year old retired Marine officer do in terms of fighting back. The answer was quite simple. Using the writing skills I learned while writing two books, I chose as my weapon what can euphemistically be called the pen, actually a word processor.
I was determined to become a columnist to offer my sage advice while recalling recent history that I know for a fact that Americans had long since forgotten. I am here to remind them.
Fortunately, achieving the goal of becoming a columnist did not take too long. I became a columnist for a Midwest newspaper in Nov. 2001. As an added bonus, all of my articles were placed on the Internet. I have been a columnist ever since, meaning for nine years.
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Wednesday, April 8, 2009
The Search for Common Sense I recently read Obama's entire speech in Prague, The Czech Republic, regarding nuclear weapons proliferation. Naturally, he is opposed to it, and his speech was resounding, including many applause interruptions. Good speech, but I was looking for something and when I found it my blood began to boil.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009The Search for Common Sense I recently read Obama's entire speech in Prague, The Czech Republic, regarding nuclear weapons proliferation. Naturally, he is opposed to it, and his speech was resounding, including many applause interruptions. Good speech, but I was looking for something and when I found it my blood began to boil.
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Saturday, March 28, 2009
America Divided It appears as though America is divided as much as ever. On one side we have the supporters of the charismatic President Obama who are so fervent in their loyalty to him the phenomenon can be likened to adoration of a rock star. On the other side we have his opponents who are just as fervent, fierce actually, in their opposition to the President.
Saturday, March 28, 2009America Divided It appears as though America is divided as much as ever. On one side we have the supporters of the charismatic President Obama who are so fervent in their loyalty to him the phenomenon can be likened to adoration of a rock star. On the other side we have his opponents who are just as fervent, fierce actually, in their opposition to the President.
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Thursday, February 26, 2009
Absurd Rhetoric: Violations of Common Sense For the past eight years I have heard or read a litany of ludicrous rhetoric from Washington and other places that would fill a lifetime. Hundreds of times over that period, I have asked myself, what has happened to common sense. Of course, since 9/11, I have been paying closer attention. Living the horror of 9/11 will do that to a person.
Thursday, February 26, 2009Absurd Rhetoric: Violations of Common Sense For the past eight years I have heard or read a litany of ludicrous rhetoric from Washington and other places that would fill a lifetime. Hundreds of times over that period, I have asked myself, what has happened to common sense. Of course, since 9/11, I have been paying closer attention. Living the horror of 9/11 will do that to a person.
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Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Bold Moves My last article drew an enormous amount of interest. It suggested that our new President take unprecedented steps in the war-torn Mideast by utilizing our strategic weapons as opposed to the tactical use of ground troops. This is a follow-up to that article necessitated by developments since the article first appeared on OEN.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009Bold Moves My last article drew an enormous amount of interest. It suggested that our new President take unprecedented steps in the war-torn Mideast by utilizing our strategic weapons as opposed to the tactical use of ground troops. This is a follow-up to that article necessitated by developments since the article first appeared on OEN.
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Sunday, February 1, 2009
Mr. President, It Is Time to Make Bold Moves It is past time to make bold, perhaps even audacious, political and military decisions to strengthen our great republic. It is past time to remove all our troops and all of our bases from the Middle East. The concept is based on military and economic pragmatism while ensuring our nation's security.
Sunday, February 1, 2009Mr. President, It Is Time to Make Bold Moves It is past time to make bold, perhaps even audacious, political and military decisions to strengthen our great republic. It is past time to remove all our troops and all of our bases from the Middle East. The concept is based on military and economic pragmatism while ensuring our nation's security.
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Saturday, January 31, 2009
Mr. President, It Is Time to Make Bold Moves It is past time to make bold, perhaps even audacious, political and military decisions to strengthen our great republic. It is past time to remove all our troops and all of our bases from the Middle East. The concept is based on military and economic pragmatism while ensuring our nation's security.
Saturday, January 31, 2009Mr. President, It Is Time to Make Bold Moves It is past time to make bold, perhaps even audacious, political and military decisions to strengthen our great republic. It is past time to remove all our troops and all of our bases from the Middle East. The concept is based on military and economic pragmatism while ensuring our nation's security.
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Monday, January 12, 2009
The Bush administration conundrum This article is unique. Ordinarily, when I sit down to pen an article, I voice a very strong opinion on an issue that is of concern to many. The following will be different in that respect. On this issue I am completely ambivalent. My equivocation is based on what day it is, or even what time it is, or, perhaps, even the position of the moon, stars and planets in the universe.
Monday, January 12, 2009The Bush administration conundrum This article is unique. Ordinarily, when I sit down to pen an article, I voice a very strong opinion on an issue that is of concern to many. The following will be different in that respect. On this issue I am completely ambivalent. My equivocation is based on what day it is, or even what time it is, or, perhaps, even the position of the moon, stars and planets in the universe.
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Saturday, December 27, 2008
Afghanistan: Stand and Deliver ... or not In the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks Americans were aggrieved, furious, and vengeance filled their hearts. Unlike the Pearl Harbor attack against largely military targets, the odious 9/11 outrage was against massive civilian structures in our largest city and the death toll exceeded that of Pearl Harbor. On the other hand, what I advocate is realism.
Saturday, December 27, 2008Afghanistan: Stand and Deliver ... or not In the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks Americans were aggrieved, furious, and vengeance filled their hearts. Unlike the Pearl Harbor attack against largely military targets, the odious 9/11 outrage was against massive civilian structures in our largest city and the death toll exceeded that of Pearl Harbor. On the other hand, what I advocate is realism.
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Friday, December 12, 2008
The SOFA-- Bush's Deal With Iraq-- Has Some Dubious Aspects Barring an inane and extremely provocative attack on Iran between now and Jan. 20, a highly remote possibility at best, it appears that this may be my last opportunity to bash Bush, one of the most inept and lonely lame duck Presidents in our history. Doing so has been a six-year long endeavor, beginning with his illegal invasion of Iraq, and, in a perverse sense, I will miss him.
Friday, December 12, 2008The SOFA-- Bush's Deal With Iraq-- Has Some Dubious Aspects Barring an inane and extremely provocative attack on Iran between now and Jan. 20, a highly remote possibility at best, it appears that this may be my last opportunity to bash Bush, one of the most inept and lonely lame duck Presidents in our history. Doing so has been a six-year long endeavor, beginning with his illegal invasion of Iraq, and, in a perverse sense, I will miss him.
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Sunday, November 9, 2008
This didn't have to happen I read with enormous interest an article published by The Independent UK entitled "Pakistan Stares Into the Abyss." As one may infer from the title, it was a very disturbing article. The scary part of the article is that this nation in chaos is a nuclear-tipped nation. Then the thought occurred to me that this didn't need to happen. My mind returned to a different place and time.
Sunday, November 9, 2008This didn't have to happen I read with enormous interest an article published by The Independent UK entitled "Pakistan Stares Into the Abyss." As one may infer from the title, it was a very disturbing article. The scary part of the article is that this nation in chaos is a nuclear-tipped nation. Then the thought occurred to me that this didn't need to happen. My mind returned to a different place and time.
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Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Obama and McCain's foreign policy I am not to blind to the fact that we are facing an economic crisis right now, and, more than likely, the economy will be the number one issue on Nov. 4th. If so, essentially, that is the wrong approach voters should take on this election, very wrong.What does the current economic crisis have to do with the future of our republic? Nothing. The future of our country will be determined by our relationships with other nations.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008Obama and McCain's foreign policy I am not to blind to the fact that we are facing an economic crisis right now, and, more than likely, the economy will be the number one issue on Nov. 4th. If so, essentially, that is the wrong approach voters should take on this election, very wrong.What does the current economic crisis have to do with the future of our republic? Nothing. The future of our country will be determined by our relationships with other nations.
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Friday, September 26, 2008
The Angry American We are engaged in two endless wars that have so far cost a trillion dollars. My home will be paid off in months. My reward: It has lost $200,000 in value. In the past year, not unlike millions of Americans, I have lost thousands of dollars in my retirement portfolio. All of this has taken place during the Bush administration, and there is a good possibility the Republicans will be rewarded with victory in November.
Friday, September 26, 2008The Angry American We are engaged in two endless wars that have so far cost a trillion dollars. My home will be paid off in months. My reward: It has lost $200,000 in value. In the past year, not unlike millions of Americans, I have lost thousands of dollars in my retirement portfolio. All of this has taken place during the Bush administration, and there is a good possibility the Republicans will be rewarded with victory in November.
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Thursday, September 11, 2008
9/11 - A macabre anniversary It is now seven years later. Like everyone, I will never forget that day. Dutifully, we put the flag out in front of our house, just like we do every Sept. 11 since that fateful day, just as we do every Fourth of July and Memorial Day, and other selected dates. But, Sept. 11th is not like the Fourth of July, and it is not like Memorial Day. It is not even like Dec. 7, 1941.
Thursday, September 11, 20089/11 - A macabre anniversary It is now seven years later. Like everyone, I will never forget that day. Dutifully, we put the flag out in front of our house, just like we do every Sept. 11 since that fateful day, just as we do every Fourth of July and Memorial Day, and other selected dates. But, Sept. 11th is not like the Fourth of July, and it is not like Memorial Day. It is not even like Dec. 7, 1941.
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Sunday, August 31, 2008
America is going into the tank The 2008 election is one of the most historic in the life of our great nation. It will answer the question: Who will succeed the imperial Presidency of George W. Bush? In my view, although a Republican, but an American first, a Democratic victory is essential for the very survival of our country.
Sunday, August 31, 2008America is going into the tank The 2008 election is one of the most historic in the life of our great nation. It will answer the question: Who will succeed the imperial Presidency of George W. Bush? In my view, although a Republican, but an American first, a Democratic victory is essential for the very survival of our country.
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Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Setting precedents and loss of the moral high ground America has reached the nadir in terms of moral leadership of the Western democracies. No where is this more true than Bush's dilemma in dealing with Russian actions in Georgia. Bush's decisions regarding Iraq make a mockery of any advice he may give the Russians re their decisions concerning Georgia. Everyone knows it, perhaps, even Bush.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008Setting precedents and loss of the moral high ground America has reached the nadir in terms of moral leadership of the Western democracies. No where is this more true than Bush's dilemma in dealing with Russian actions in Georgia. Bush's decisions regarding Iraq make a mockery of any advice he may give the Russians re their decisions concerning Georgia. Everyone knows it, perhaps, even Bush.
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Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Classic military blunders During the modern era there have been numerous military blunders made by commanders-in-chiefs. I have chosen three because each has turned the tide of civilization, two in a positive sense, one in a not so positive sense. Each shows the intransigence of the respective nation's leadership and an inability to deal with reality.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008Classic military blunders During the modern era there have been numerous military blunders made by commanders-in-chiefs. I have chosen three because each has turned the tide of civilization, two in a positive sense, one in a not so positive sense. Each shows the intransigence of the respective nation's leadership and an inability to deal with reality.
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Saturday, July 12, 2008
Understanding Iran Actually, the title should read, "Trying to understand Iran." Or, "Is Iran bipolar?" Or, "Confusion exists over Iranian intentions." Or - and this is ominous - "Are there twin, equally powerful centers of power in Iran?" Put a different way, this writer with years of experience in matters Iranian is totally perplexed over developments in Iran during the course of the past two weeks.
Saturday, July 12, 2008Understanding Iran Actually, the title should read, "Trying to understand Iran." Or, "Is Iran bipolar?" Or, "Confusion exists over Iranian intentions." Or - and this is ominous - "Are there twin, equally powerful centers of power in Iran?" Put a different way, this writer with years of experience in matters Iranian is totally perplexed over developments in Iran during the course of the past two weeks.
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Thursday, June 19, 2008
Is Al Qa'ida influencing US elections? Now don't get me wrong. If The Surge results in lower casualties for both Americans and Iraqis and hastens our withdrawal from that forlorn land, then I want it to succeed despite my complete misgivings about the decision to invade Iraq in the first place.
Thursday, June 19, 2008Is Al Qa'ida influencing US elections? Now don't get me wrong. If The Surge results in lower casualties for both Americans and Iraqis and hastens our withdrawal from that forlorn land, then I want it to succeed despite my complete misgivings about the decision to invade Iraq in the first place.
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Monday, May 19, 2008
The myth of the War Powers Resolution, Oct. 11, 2002 There is a common misconception held in America that in Oct. 2002, Congress gave the Bush administration a blank check to invade Iraq. Today, two Presidential candidates voted for Authorization For Use Of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution Of 2002, or P.L. 104-243, and a third has accepted the common misconception.
Monday, May 19, 2008The myth of the War Powers Resolution, Oct. 11, 2002 There is a common misconception held in America that in Oct. 2002, Congress gave the Bush administration a blank check to invade Iraq. Today, two Presidential candidates voted for Authorization For Use Of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution Of 2002, or P.L. 104-243, and a third has accepted the common misconception.
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Monday, May 5, 2008
War with Iran ... that is up to Iraq According to the highest circles in our government, the evidence of Iranian misbehavior is being presented to Iraqis, not Americans, and "Baghdad will decide what to do about it."
Monday, May 5, 2008War with Iran ... that is up to Iraq According to the highest circles in our government, the evidence of Iranian misbehavior is being presented to Iraqis, not Americans, and "Baghdad will decide what to do about it."
