Right on the Mark

Perspective

Recently the Iraq War reached 4000 American combat deaths. It seems like much of the media have been tracking this number like a Jerry Lewis Telethon. There should be nothing political about this number. Yet, it seems that's what has driven the touting of this number for what seems like the past two years. While I certainly don't want to diminish any single death, I'd like to put some perspective on American combat deaths in the Iraq War.

Iraq War --- 2003 - present:

• U.S. battle deaths = 3,247
• U.S. other deaths= 753
• U.S. Total = 4000

Civil War --- 1861 - 1865:

• Union battle deaths = 140,414
• Union other deaths = 224,097
• Union Total = 364,511
• NOTE: this doesn't even include Confederate deaths

World War 1 --- 1917 - 1918:

• U.S. battle deaths = 53,402
• U.S other deaths = 63,114
• U.S. Total = 116,516

World War 2 --- 1941 - 1945:

• U.S. battle deaths = 291,557
• U.S. other deaths = 113,842
• U.S. Total = 405,399

Korean War --- 1950 - 1953:

• U.S. battle deaths = 33,746
• U.S. Total = 36,516

Since Obama & Clinton like to claim that McCain wants to stay in Iraq for 100 years, it would take at least that long to come close to WWII total deaths at the rate we've seen thus far in the Iraq War. However, the casualty rate has been steadily declining since the surge began. And, they don't seem have a problem with the 65 year & counting occupation of Germany. Besides, McCain never said he wanted to stay in Iraq for 100 years. Although, we may be there that long if that's what it takes. When we reach 100 years in Iraq we will have been in Germany for 160 years.

REFERENCE   

Jeremiah Was An Albatross

I know the song goes "Jeremiah was a bullfrog" but clearly Jeremiah Wright is more like an albatross hanging around the neck of Senator Obama at this point. This issue seems to have turned into a "racial" thing. Sen. Obama's speech today even addressed racial issues. I, however, do not see the issue of Pastor Wright as racial. Certainly he's said some racially charged things. So have a lot of other folks.

The real issue for me is the "God damn America" comment that Pastor Wright made. After which he claimed "that's in the Bible; for killing innocent people." It's comments like this & many of the others we've witnessed on television over the past few days that gives insight to Michelle Obama's lack of pride in her country.

Barack Obama has run a campaign on the notion that even without a lot of experience that it's his judgment that counts. Well Senator; I'm not so sure you want to run on that anymore. Consider the fact that Oprah Winfrey used to go to the same church pastored by Jeremiah Wright but stopped several years ago. She took some flack for it according to a NewsMax report. Sound judgment should have led Barack Obama leave the church years ago. Leaving now would only appear to be political pandering. After a twenty year relationship & membership in the church since the early 1990s (according to Senator Obama) it's rather clear that Barack & his family share the same views as Jeremiah Wright.

For all those folks who've been on the "anybody but Hillary" bandwagon: are you sure? I wonder how many primary voters would like to have their votes back now? 

Put Me In Coach

Leaving politics aside, I'd like to talk about something very near & dear to me. It's Findlay Youth Baseball. A new season is just around the corner. I can almost smell the fresh cut grass & that new leather glove. I can't wait to hear the sound of cheers & the ping of aluminum bats connecting with the ball.

It takes a lot of folks to make a season happen. From FYB board members to coaches to sponsors to the city recreation department to the players & their parents. I want to encourage as many kids as possible to participate. Encourage your kids, nieces, nephews & grandkids to play, volunteer or get involved anyway they can. I would also encourage as many adults as possible to do the same.

Come & join the fun. It'll be rewarding & educational.

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Findlay Youth Baseball

2008 Registration Form

Check one: (based on player's actual age as of 4/30/08):

• PeeWee League - ages 7 & 8 q
• Junior League - ages 9 & 10 q
• Senior League - ages 11 & 12 q
• Major Youth League - ages 13 - 15 q

Residence requirements: All players must reside within the Findlay School District or live in Hancock County and attend a Findlay public school, St. Michael's School, Heritage Christian School or be home schooled.

IMPORTANT: For on-time registration, players must complete this form, mail it in along with the registration fee ($45.00) by March 21. After March 21, fees will be $70.00.

If your child played on a team last year, and is not moving up to a higher league, check this box q and indicate which team: ____________________. He will be contacted by his coach. He does not need to try out again if he will be will be on the same team.

Player's Name: __________________________________________

Birthday: ______________

Address: _______________________________________________

Phone: __________________________

School Attended: ______________________________

Parent' name: ___________________________________________

Parent interested in:

Managing ______    Coaching _____    Umpiring _____

Shirt size:

Child qsmall(6-8) qmedium(10-12) qlarge(14-16)

Adult qsmall qmedium qlarge  qex-large 

Please Note: This year each player is encouraged to buy his own batting helmet.

(TEAR OFF AND KEEP BOTTOM OF FORM)

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Findlay Parks and Recreation Department Youth Sports Non-Violence Policy

We understand that should any player, coach or parent become involved in any act of violence toward any other player, coach, parent or other spectator while attending any Findlay Youth Baseball activity, a one year suspension will be imposed limiting further participation or attendance at any Findlay Youth Baseball activity during the suspension.

Important: For on-time registration, players must complete this form and mail in $45 registration fee, payable to Findlay Youth Baseball.

After March 21, the fee will be $70.

Mail registration form to:

Findlay Youth Baseball

P.O. Box 608

Findlay, Ohio 45839

Tryouts will be held at the University of Findlay Koehler Center. All youngsters trying out will be assigned to a team.

Pee Wee League………No tryouts: teams assigned by school attended. Coaches will contact the players by mid-April.

Major Youth League: Monday, March 31 at 6:00 PM

Senior League: Tuesday, April 1 at 6:00 PM

Junior League: Thursday, April 3 at 6:00 PM

Note: Players need to bring their baseball glove and wear tennis/basketball shoes.

Client-9

He's been called the Sheriff of Wall Street, Crusader of the Year, Mr. Clean & Eliot Ness. But New York governor, Eliot Spitzer, has been reduced to Client-9 (his name on file with the Emperors Club: an upscale escort service --- okay, a prostitution ring). His dreams of becoming U.S. Attorney General, Vice-President or President of the United States appears to be over; regardless if he resigns or not. Being involved in a prostitution ring is likely to be far more costly than was his wedding ring; especially for someone with his background.

Will he resign? That seems to be the big question. These public apologies never sound sincere & this one was no different. However, beyond not sounding sincere there also didn't appear to be any remorse for wrong doing; not just morally but legally. His statement on politics being about ideas & not people leads me to believe he has no intention of resigning. I expect to see a battle to the bitter end. His moral short-coming is one thing. The big issue will be the legal trouble he may find himself in.

How does this affect Hillary Clinton & her campaign for the White House? She practically begged for Spitzer's endorsement. I don't believe his infidelity will bother her. She's accepted endorsements from a couple of California mayors with infidelity problems as well as accepting the infidelity of her husband. I don't see why this would be any different. Except, Spitzer appears to have broken the law. I suppose Senator Clinton could just call this another "vast right-wing conspiracy." Although, I'm not so sure it would work this time.

The bottom line is that we have another dirt-bag politician hiding behind an "Eminence Front" (yeah, it's a put-on). From Mark Foley to Larry Craig to Kwame Kilpatrick & now Spitzer it's clear that both major political parties are filled with shysters. We can always swear that we "Won't Get Fooled Again" but another smooth-talkin' politician will likely come along &...well, you know the deal. It's that one part of history that keeps repeating itself. I swear if I wake up tomorrow with "I Got You, Babe" playing on the alarm clock I think I'll scream.

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UPDATE:  Reports out now, Wednesday, March 12th, that Spitzer, according to a New York official, will resign effective Monday, March 17th. I doubted that Spitzer would retire from the beginning. I suppose until it actually happens I'll still doubt it. Although, I may be wrong; & happily so in this case.

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UPDATE: Well folks; he did it. Eliot Spitzer just announced his resignation as New York's governor effective Monday, March 17th. New York will have their first ever black governor; David Patterson, who currently is Lt. Governor.

It's good to see a politician, who has disgraced an office, leave without dragging it out & making things worse. Obviously he avoids impeachment but does this eliminate any criminal charges that could be brought against him for the illegal activity?

Foreign Dependence; or Domestic Economic Stimulus?

The recent contract awarded to AirBus for U.S. military refueling planes comes with many questions. Why would we put more dependency on a foreign company at this time? What does this do to the American economy? Why did we move away from Boeing; an American company with military contracts since the Eisenhower era? Does this put to rest the notion of no-bid contracts? There are probably more questions, but probably none more important than the one about our economy at this point.

I suppose it's worth noting that the contract isn't completely awarded to a foreign company. EADS (European Aeronautic Defence & Space Co.) is partnered with Los Angeles based Northrop Grumman in making the new re-fuelers for the U.S. military. Perhaps France's recent election of a pro-American president may have swayed the decision towards the French based EADS.

There have been accusations of no-bid contracts being awarded to several companies. Most notably military contracts awarded to Halliburton; the company formerly headed by Vice-President Dick Cheney. Even Boeing, the company who lost this recent bid, has been in on some deals that were considered shady as recent as 2001 & exposed in part by John McCain.

I don't know where Boeing would have done their manufacturing but it appears that Northrop-EADS will do a considerable amount here in the United States. While much of the underlying plane will be built in Europe, the final assembly is planned to be done in Mobile, Alabama. The good news for Ohio is that they plan to use General Electric engines built in North Carolina & Ohio. Clearly this will be a boost for our economy as this contract is supposed to span ten years.

I have to admit that my initial thought was: How can we be expected to buy American if our own government won't? With this global economy & free trade ruling the business world this appears to be the future of manufacturing. All kinds of foreign manufacturers have provided employment for Americans over the past couple of decades. Look right here in our own backyard & the companies in the Tall Timbers Industrial Park that provide many Findlay residents with an opportunity to make a living that otherwise may not be there.

It's always a shame to see the end of an era. Sometimes it's even scary. I just hope we don't become too dependent on foreign countries & companies to feed us, fuel us or arm us. That's the very thing former presidential candidate Mike Huckabee had warned us about.      

Primarily Speaking of the Primary

One day until we cast our vote taking one step closer to picking the two major party candidates for President. It looks like the republicans have already made their choice. John McCain has such a lead that it's impossible for Mike Huckabee to catch him. On the other hand, the democrats still have a tight race. Tomorrow's vote could turn the tide completely in favor of Barack Obama. Or, we could see Hillary Clinton hang in there making the race even tighter headed towards the convention.

It still seems funny to me that at the start of this election season the republicans appeared to be divided & in complete chaos. But now, it's the democrats that appear to be divided. I wouldn't call it chaos though. While democrats may be divided in picking their party's presidential candidate, they're certainly united in the idea of defeating the republican candidate for the presidency. However, the republicans don't seem to have that same fire.

As an independent conservative I do not have a clear candidate to vote for tomorrow. As much as I disagree with Ron Paul on the war I find myself agreeing with him on just about everything else. I know he doesn't have a chance to win but I may be casting a protest vote tomorrow.

Hopefully Hillary Clinton does well so as to keep the democratic race tight. It's the only exciting part of the election at this point. Come the general election I just may be voting Libertarian again.