As a retired military officer, similar thoughts were discussed when Bill Clinton was elected. Many times did I find myself biting my lip. I had a unique position in that I knew folks who were assigned to Air Force One, the Clintons, despite all the rhetoric and public appearances had little use for the military and the mission of the Armed Services. While I would like to give Prez-elect Obama some slack initially, I fear that many of his ilk will endanger this nation and our troops abroad by policies that are tied to ideology rather than facts on the ground. For example, Barney Frank wants to cut Defense Appropriations by 25% at a time when Russia is flexing its bear paws (Georgia), North Korea may somewhat unstable due to Kim Jong-Il’s questionable health, and Islamist terrorism.
Yes, I second #3 – I’m thankful for the posting of this round-up. A couple of the excerpts from those who’ve put themselves in harm’s way to guarantee the possibility of an election such as Tuesday’s, brought tears to my eyes. Another, that from ‘No angst zone’, rings of God’s truth to me, not so far spoken by anyone I’d heard.
And thank you, LeightonC, for speaking from experience.
Leighton: Even Sen. McCain wants to cut some of the more outrageous ‘toys’ in the Defense Dept. budget…several of which the Pentagon doesn’t even want, but some congressional district craves! Let’s make those cuts!
well one can only wait and see if obama turns out to pander and appoint matching idealogues(?) like bush did. obama was not my first choice but i hope and pray that he will govern from the center. i for one am sick of partisanship and cronyism. yes, no. 5 it is only pork barrel if it happens in some state other than ours. one only has to look at the bridge to nowhere in alaska; we see it as shameful waste of taxpayer money but alaskans probably see it quite differently; that is why ‘uncle ted the felon’ may actually be re-elected.
Magnolia,
Clinton did far worse than Bush, including firing all the DA’s (I think) that Bush appointed, even some in the middle of trying important cases in court. Plus, Bush left in place many Clinton appointments, including those in the Pentagon, the CIA and the FBI, which led to the “intel” that justified the invasion of Iraq to both Republicans and Democrats.
Democrats are much more partisan and more vindictive, as well (Leiberman is out as the Nat. Security Committee head, presumably in favor of someone who will toe the party line) than Republicans who have been bending over backwards since the Bush II was first elected (people forget that “no child left behind” was Ted Kennedy’s program, created when W. reached across the aisle to ask him to help create a bi-partisan education bill).
So, let’s see if Obama follows Clinton’s lead instead of Bush’s. I’m hoping he takes the high road.
great site, interesting perspectives. thanks for posting.
As a retired military officer, similar thoughts were discussed when Bill Clinton was elected. Many times did I find myself biting my lip. I had a unique position in that I knew folks who were assigned to Air Force One, the Clintons, despite all the rhetoric and public appearances had little use for the military and the mission of the Armed Services. While I would like to give Prez-elect Obama some slack initially, I fear that many of his ilk will endanger this nation and our troops abroad by policies that are tied to ideology rather than facts on the ground. For example, Barney Frank wants to cut Defense Appropriations by 25% at a time when Russia is flexing its bear paws (Georgia), North Korea may somewhat unstable due to Kim Jong-Il’s questionable health, and Islamist terrorism.
Rev. Canon Dr. Harmon – the breadth of your blog postings is terrific! Thanks for posting this.
Yes, I second #3 – I’m thankful for the posting of this round-up. A couple of the excerpts from those who’ve put themselves in harm’s way to guarantee the possibility of an election such as Tuesday’s, brought tears to my eyes. Another, that from ‘No angst zone’, rings of God’s truth to me, not so far spoken by anyone I’d heard.
And thank you, LeightonC, for speaking from experience.
Leighton: Even Sen. McCain wants to cut some of the more outrageous ‘toys’ in the Defense Dept. budget…several of which the Pentagon doesn’t even want, but some congressional district craves! Let’s make those cuts!
5, Barney Frank wants a 25 % cut, let’s do that!
well one can only wait and see if obama turns out to pander and appoint matching idealogues(?) like bush did. obama was not my first choice but i hope and pray that he will govern from the center. i for one am sick of partisanship and cronyism. yes, no. 5 it is only pork barrel if it happens in some state other than ours. one only has to look at the bridge to nowhere in alaska; we see it as shameful waste of taxpayer money but alaskans probably see it quite differently; that is why ‘uncle ted the felon’ may actually be re-elected.
Magnolia,
Clinton did far worse than Bush, including firing all the DA’s (I think) that Bush appointed, even some in the middle of trying important cases in court. Plus, Bush left in place many Clinton appointments, including those in the Pentagon, the CIA and the FBI, which led to the “intel” that justified the invasion of Iraq to both Republicans and Democrats.
Democrats are much more partisan and more vindictive, as well (Leiberman is out as the Nat. Security Committee head, presumably in favor of someone who will toe the party line) than Republicans who have been bending over backwards since the Bush II was first elected (people forget that “no child left behind” was Ted Kennedy’s program, created when W. reached across the aisle to ask him to help create a bi-partisan education bill).
So, let’s see if Obama follows Clinton’s lead instead of Bush’s. I’m hoping he takes the high road.
Peace
Jim E. <><