Military: tools to enforce our governments will

As we consider our dead military in Iraq it might help to remember those who sacrificed their lives during our Revolutionary War.

 

The British soldiers were considered the best trained in the world and were attempting to implement their King's orders to bring the rebels back into subjection.

 

The French government used its military in their attempt to gain favor with the new nation, looking for trade and assistance with their international politics. The French soldiers sacrificed their lives fighting for their King and the mercenaries fighting along side sacrificed their lives for a paycheck.

 

The rebels who died sacrificed their lives for an idea, a principle they never experienced, the freedom we have today that we assume will always be ours.

 

A major difference between our Revolutionary War and the military action in Iraq and Afghanistan is the colonies asked for help to gain their freedom. In Iraq we used our freedom to invade a sovereign country remove their government, dissolve their military and are now attempting to form a government we like. In Afghanistan we did something quite similar plus we installed our choice for their president.

 

Some join the military services for the pretty uniforms others for the "glory" others for a job. Regardless of the motivation they have volunteered to be tool to be used to enforce our government's will. There lives are of little concern.

 

Today in Iraq we have our military and contractors. Contractors are mercenaries, fighting for a paycheck. If they survive they will have been well paid. If they do not, nothing they gained will have been worth what they lost.

 

 

NATO

By bullying Libya NATO has shown it is not interested in defending member countries but in telling the world how to live. It is well past time for NATO to dissolve

Thanks, John Jenkins
865-803-8179  cell
Gatlinburg, TN

Email: jrjenki@gmail.com
Blogs: http://littlepigeon.blogspot.com/ 
          http://alumcave.blogspot.com/

 

"People do not like to think. If one thinks, one must reach conclusions. Conclusions are not always pleasant." Helen Keller

 

"The questions you ask set limits on the answers you get." Temple Grandin

 

Death Tax

One can understand the Chinese practice of honoring one's parents, who after all have achieved something. To honor descendants, however, merely from the accident of biology, is not only groundless and absurd but often hurtful to that posterity. Permitting the passing of fortunes to new generations has the affect of establishing a class of royalty; making the purchase of items such as homes, education etc beyond the reach of those who due only the accident of biology do not have such opportunities. Those receiving these vast fortunes only because of the accident of birth are not only unprepared to control such fortunes at the same time it puts others at a disadvantage. While those responsible for accumulating such fortunes must be permitted to enjoy the fruits of their labor distributing such fortunes to next generations must not be permitted.

Re: Illegal Immigration is a Serious Threat to America’s National Security

Representative Roe:

 

Have you ever considered why anyone cares if folks are here legally or illegally? When our country began we paid people to come here. If you could get here you could stay. The Native Americans wished they could have closed their borders but they could not and we are here. We went steps further we killed as many Native Americans that we could. We starved them to death by destroying their food supply. We changed their religion. We took their land we moved them onto reservations and watched them die.

 

Now that we have everything under control we want to keep everyone out. Why do you suppose we want that? Well, I believe it is because we do not want those new folks getting the same benefits from the government that we get. How about we stop all benefits from government? Wae need to stop living off our government.

Thanks, John Jenkins
865-803-8179  cell
Gatlinburg, TN

Email: jrjenki@gmail.com
Blogs: http://littlepigeon.blogspot.com/ 
          http://alumcave.blogspot.com/

 

"People do not like to think. If one thinks, one must reach conclusions. Conclusions are not always pleasant."

Helen Keller

On Tue, May 1, 2012 at 4:51 PM, Congressman Phil Roe <rep.roe@mail.house.gov> wrote:

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Website | About Phil | First District | Constituent Services | Newsroom | Issues | Legislation | Kids Page Illegal Immigration is a Serious Threat to America's National Security Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court justices heard arguments regarding Arizona's immigration law. The way I see it, Arizona is simply trying to enforce our basic immigration laws that make it illegal to be in our country without a visa or proper citizenship. With nearly 12 million illegal immigrants in this country, it is clear that our system is broken and the federal government needs to enact and enforce strict immigration laws in order to protect the citizens of our country. The problem with illegal immigration has gone on too long, and the Arizona law is an attempt from states to address a problem that the federal government has not. The law would allow state and local law enforcement in Arizona to enforce federal immigration statutes, but it has been struck down at the district and appeals court levels. The hearing is a product of the administration filing a legal challenge against the new Arizona immigration law, originally claiming it is unjust because it will lead to "racial profiling". However, the Justice Department, under the current administration, is now arguing the law violates the Constitution's supremacy clause, which states that the Constitution, federal laws and treaties supersede state laws. I personally see the supremacy clause line of attack as questionable since it would seem that Arizona is simply trying to enforce our basic immigration laws, which make it illegal to be in our country without a visa or proper citizenship. The Arizona law, known as SB 1070, requires police officers to verify the legal status of people if the officer is suspicious that the person is in the United States illegally. The bill makes it a state crime to be in the country without authorization. According to Reuters, several U.S. Supreme Court justices in the hearing voiced support for Arizona's effort to crack down on illegal immigration, appearing to reject Obama administration arguments that the federal government has sole responsibility for dealing with people who illegally enter the United States. As a member of the bipartisan Immigration Reform Caucus, I have cosponsored a number of immigration reform bills, including H.R. 2000, the Secure America through Verification and Enforcement (SAVE) Act. The SAVE Act offers a three-part plan to drastically reduce illegal immigration, which includes a strict emphasis on border security, the verification of an employee's legal status, and increased enforcement of existing laws. H.R. 2000 would hire 6,000 additional new Border Patrol agents and 1,150 new ICE agents. In addition, it provides the tools necessary to ensure the INS agents can successfully protect our borders, including additional vehicles, better infrastructure, new facilities, lighting units, weapons, and armor.  The SAVE Act also expands E-Verify and makes it available for use by every employer over a four-year period. This will benefit employers because they will be able to efficiently check whether or not their employees are legally authorized to work in the United States.  If the federal government would do their job and pass legislation such as the SAVE Act, Arizona would not have a need to enforce SB 1070, and they would not be on trial for the law today. Illegal immigration is a serious threat to our national security, one that is very expensive and a burden to hardworking taxpayers.  Furthermore, there is a national debate over what to do with the 12 million illegal immigrants in the country. Something needs to be done to solve this problem. The federal government needs a comprehensive solution to the problem of illegal immigration that starts with securing our borders. Please feel free to contact my office if we can be of assistance to you or your family.  You can contact my office by mail, email or phone.  Our contact information can be found on our website, www.roe.house.gov.   CONNECT WITH US E-News Sign-up Forward to a Friend Contact Phil TAKE A SURVEY TAX SURVEY Do you support Arizona's immigration law? Somewhat support Strongly support  Somewhat oppose Strongly oppose Other             Choose Your Answer Washington, DC Office 419 Cannon House Office Bldg Washington, DC 20515 Phone: (202) 225-6356 Fax: (202) 225-5714 Kingsport Office PO Box 1728 Kingsport, TN 37662 Phone: (423) 247-8161 Fax: (423) 247-0119 Morristown Office 1609 College Park Drive, Suite 4 Morristown, TN 37813 Phone: (423) 254-1400 Fax: (423) 254-1403

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bin Laden was a fluke of luck

Osama bin Laden was a fluke of luck. He had no way of knowing the architects did such a poor job designing the World Trade Center towers that planes would cause the buildings to collapse. Without the collapse the attack would have killed a few hundred not the thousands resulting. The United States made bin Laden into some sort of genius planner. He was not.  
 

Ratios between the top and the bottom

Professor Herman Daly points out the military, civil service, and universities manage to keep ratios between the top and he bottom salaries in their organizations within a range of 15/20 to 1 and seem to do okay with no lack of highly skilled, motivated, and competent leaders, yet the corporate spread in the United States is now up to 500 to 1. There appears to be no evidence that such ratios actually encourage performance across the economy.

ID Theft

With the increased occurrences of ID theft the solution it may be time to make theft of IDs a capital felony allowing for capital punishment.

Thanks, John Jenkins
865-803-8179  cell
Gatlinburg, TN

Email: jrjenki@gmail.com
Blogs: http://littlepigeon.blogspot.com/ 
          http://alumcave.blogspot.com/

 

"Hell hath no fury like a vested interest masquerading as a moral principle."

Max Grosvenor

More Does Not Mean Happier

In his 1975 State of the Union comments Richard Nixon said:

As we move into the decade of the seventies, we have the greatest opportunity for progress at home of any people in world history. Our gross national product will increase by $500 billion in the next 10 years. This increase alone is greater than the entire growth of the American economy from 1790 to 1950. … In the next 10 years we shall increase our wealth by 50 percent. The profound question is: Does this mean we will be 50 percent richer in a real sense, 50 percent better off, 50 percent happier?

Our economic system is not working

Constant economic growth is not possible. The measure of government is the Gross National Product (GDP) as if economic activity is good and more is better. The system to we use to measure progress does not.  

 

In 1965 Robert Kennedy said:

 

"Too much and for too long, we seem to have surrendered personal excellence and community values in the mere accumulation of material things.  Our Gross National Product … counts air pollution and cigarette advertising, and ambulances to clear our highways of carnage.  It counts special locks for our doors and the jails for the people who break them.  It counts the destruction of the redwood and the loss of our natural wonder in chaotic sprawl.  It counts napalm and counts nuclear warheads and armored cars for the police to fight the riots in our cities. It counts Whitman's rifle and Speck's knife, and the television programs which glorify violence in order to sell toys to our children. 

 

Yet the gross national product does not allow for the health of our children, the quality of their education or the joy of their play.  It does not include the beauty of our poetry or the strength of our marriages, the intelligence of our public debate or the integrity of our public officials.  It measures neither our wit nor our courage, neither our wisdom nor our learning, neither our compassion nor our devotion to our country, it measures everything in short, except that which makes life worthwhile."

 

96 Hours to Anarchy

A little known situation is described in the New Economics Foundation's report "96 Hours to Anarchy." With our finely tuned just-in-time food supply system an interruption in the transportation system would result in empty shelves at grocery stores in just four days. A terrorist attack on fuel depots, rising oil prices, or a strike by drivers will have social and political consequences greater than we have ever considered.  

The Rich Do Not Create Jobs

How do the people who receive millions if not billions of dollars as executives personally create jobs? They do not. They give their money to people like George Bush and other unethical, immoral already rich folks such as our congress and president. Raise their taxes and eliminate all tax deductions for people as well as corporations. If you receive a dollar you owe fifteen cents. 

Thanks, John Jenkins
865-803-8179  cell
Gatlinburg, TN

Email: jrjenki@gmail.com
Blogs: http://littlepigeon.blogspot.com/ 
          http://alumcave.blogspot.com/

"Find a priest who understands English and doesn't look like Rasputin."

---Aristotle Onassis

Verify Request for Abortion

Prior to performing an abortion it appears reasonable to require visual proof a fetus exists. Doctors who perform abortions upon request just might be likely to pretend they actually performed a procedure.  

Rules vs Regulations Private vs Public

Athletic events have rules which differentiate are thletic events. If not for rules how would the participants know they were playing football or basketball. Rules are necessary they define what one may and may not do and what is considered a rules violation and punishable what what that punishment should be. Rules define what is fair. Without rules games and matches could not be played. The participants would not know what to do.

 

Businesses have the same problem. Rules or as they are known as regulations. Businesses need rules so they will know what they may and what may not do. Regulations define what is fair. 

 

Sports have their rules committees to define the rules. Businesses do not. Government, representatives of The People, sets the rules. Government defines what is fair.

Arkansas Rejects Ban on Sex Between Teachers and Students

Neither government nor the majority have ever been nor will they ever have the final decision of what is right. 

Throughout most of the 19th century, the minimum age of consent for sexual intercourse in many of the states was 10 years old. In Delaware it was seven; as late as 1930 twelve states allowed boys as young as 14 and girls as young as 12 to marry with parental consent. 

So, go ahead and decide what you prefer but never consider that your preference is "right." 

Thanks, John Jenkins
865-803-8179  cell
Gatlinburg, TN

Email: jrjenki@gmail.com
Blogs: http://littlepigeon.blogspot.com/ 
          http://alumcave.blogspot.com/

"Find a priest who understands English and doesn't look like Rasputin."

---Aristotle Onassis

Hate Crimes

Why does it make us want to increase the punishment if the killer hates the victim? If the killer liked the victim do we really want to punish the killer less? Why does it make us feel better if the killer apologizes for killing the victim? We are a weird people.   

Thanks, John Jenkins
865-803-8179  cell
Gatlinburg, TN

Email: jrjenki@gmail.com
Blogs: http://littlepigeon.blogspot.com/ 
          http://alumcave.blogspot.com/

"Find a priest who understands English and doesn't look like Rasputin."

---Aristotle Onassis

Protecting the Saints

Knowing the Saints or at least an unknown number of Saints were attempting to injure their opponents can you imagine how the rest of the NFL will treat them on the field next year? Imagine, every play every opposing player trying to permanently injure the Saints players. No bounty no fine no suspension just getting even. Should be great for ratings.

Thanks, John Jenkins
865-803-8179  cell
Gatlinburg, TN

Email: jrjenki@gmail.com
Blogs: http://littlepigeon.blogspot.com/ 
          http://alumcave.blogspot.com/

"Find a priest who understands English and doesn't look like Rasputin."

---Aristotle Onassis

Colt's Move On

The NFL is all about making money and secondly winning. Win enough games to keep the fans buying tickets, buying memorabilia, buying products endorsed by NFL players.  The ultimate win is the Super Bowl. Peyton Manning played for 14 years, helped the Colts win a lot of games but the Colts appeared two Super Bowls and won one of them. Hardly impressive when you look at a few other quarterbacks. Manning appears to be nice guy; he takes his job very seriously; does all the things NFL quarterbacks are supposed to do and then some but have you wondered why the Colts had no number two quarterback ready to step in if Manning got hurt? Do you suppose Manning had contractual control over all players brought into the Colts' organization and used that power to ensure he had no competition as quarterback? He is cares not about the team.

 

The Colts' owner bet Manning would not play another full season at an acceptable level and Manning was betting he would. Manning could have postponed the $28 million bonus until after next season, after he had proved the Colts wrong. But he did not. Could his reason have been Andrew Luck was coming in to be behind him and eventually in front of him?

 

Manning tells the Colts' fans he loves them but apparently he does not like where they live, Indianapolis, enough to live there. The University of Tennessee never beat Florida with Manning at quarterback and had to wait until Manning was gone and his backup stepped in to win the National Championship. Make no mistake Manning is probably a nice guy and says the right things so people like him but he is all about Peyton Manning. If he really loved the Colts' fans he would have stayed with the Colts, ensured there was someone to step in and do the job when he could not.     

 

Now he will go to another team and hope they have an offensive line to protect him; hope they have the runners to give him time to do his thing; hope they have receivers to catch the balls he throws; and hope the fans take to him now that he has shown the world who is most important to him. After all if he makes a mistake Sundays will be very long days and he just might spend some time going to and staying in hospitals.

 

The Sports Analysts talk about how tough various quarterbacks are and how they take hits and keep going. Manning dives for the ground; Manning is not tough. No one talks about that. A new era is beginning in Indianapolis and I wish them luck.

Peyton Manning

Peyton Manning does not know life without football. But in this case it is all about the money. The Colts are betting Manning will not play up to an acceptable level. Manning is betting he will. He could have changed the contract to something like if he played a full schedule next year he would get the $28 million. But he did not. He wanted the money and the Colts did not take the bet.  He will now go to a team without an offensive line to protect him, without runners to take the pressure off the passer and without the receivers to catch the ball. He will be beat up and possibly seriously injured. He should follow Jim Brown and go out in style. Instead he will follow Brett Favre and be pitied. He is no longer the prize he once was. He will be remembered as that old quarterback who could not quit.

Thanks, John Jenkins
865-803-8179  cell
Gatlinburg, TN

Email: jrjenki@gmail.com
Blogs: http://littlepigeon.blogspot.com/ 
          http://alumcave.blogspot.com/

 

"...for many in today's society,  success now has more to do with public image and the appearance of success than it does with the quality of our work and our character." 

Richard E. Simmons III

Russ Limbaugh and Other Talk Show Idiots

What are considered conservative and liberal, right and left radio talk shows are breeding grounds for hatemongers.  The more hatred they spew the higher the ratings and the more money they put in to the bank. The "hosts" are famous for their hatred. They are not "for" anything, they are only "against."  But the public listens and we deserve what we tolerate. For me I do not listen to any of them. If you didn't report their rantings I would be oblivious of them.

Thanks, John Jenkins
865-803-8179  cell
Gatlinburg, TN

Email: jrjenki@gmail.com
Blogs: http://littlepigeon.blogspot.com/ 
          http://alumcave.blogspot.com/

 

"...for many in today's society,  success now has more to do with public image and the appearance of success than it does with the quality of our work and our character." 

Richard E. Simmons III

Foreclosure Settlement Puts Americans Saving for Retirement at Risk

Sometimes we lose sight of the original objective. Step back for a second and consider:

 

In a free market, why is the government involved in guaranteeing home loans? Organizations such as governments who have no income other than what someone gives them begin to think the money is their money instead of it being the government's money. As a taxpayer I want government out of the home loan business. I want the government out of the business of providing tax deductions associated with home loans or the interest paid on them. Government has better things to do than be the insurer of anything.  Where in the Constitution is the government assigned the authority? Get government out of the home loan business.