Posted by
William D. Dannenmaier on Saturday, March 19, 2011 11:36:40 AM
Japan is in the throes of a major, national catastrophe with thousands dead, more thousands missing and a danger of nuclear plants exploding and poisoning thousands more. They have asked for help from the United States. Official announcements from the President’s office indicate that this will or will not be a problem for us. In Libya, reformists, attempting to overthrow a government that has treated its own citizens without justice or mercy and financed the killing of United States citizens, cried for assistance from the United States. Our President took their pleas under advisement. Unemployment remains about nine percent, but counting those who have given up looking for work or are under-employed it is closer to twenty percent. But the President’s speakers say it is not a problem, life is getting better. (Reminds me of a time during an economic downturn when I commented to a friend that it was a minor recession. He replied it was only minor if you had a job – he didn’t.) Mexicans and Mexican drug lords continue to invade the United States with no serious attempt to halt the illegal invasion; instead the Federal Government is considering high speed railroad trains. This might assist the dispersion of drugs. And what is the national press doing? It is giving President Bush a free ride, not mentioning his ignoring or evading all of these problems. Oh! Wait! It is not that horrible Bush, it is the sainted Barrack Obama who is President and leading the world. Tracking the doings of Charlie Sheen and Lindsey Lohan is more important for national news than trivial things that affect everyday Americans.
But our President has not been inactive during this time even if Bill O’Reilly in “Getting Gaddafi” has called him “indecisive” and accused him of “dithering.” He has played golf, plotted the basketball teams in the playoffs and predicted winners, and planned a vacation trip through South America. How can O’Reilly accuse him of doing nothing: of indecision and dithering?
Kathryn Lopez has an interesting essay, “Palin’s Terminal Velocity,” on Townhall.com (March 19, 2011) She mentions surprise at a Wall Street Journal poll which found that Democratic voters would vote for Charlie Sheen, the drug addicted Hollywood philanderer, over Alaska ex-governor, Sarah Palin, by 44 to 33%. More surprising, it appeared, to her, was that Independents would support Sheen for President over Palin by 41 to 36%. Why is she surprised? They elected Obama didn’t they?
I have been watching the Somalia pirate situation with interest which has been ongoing throughout the two and a half years of our current Presidency. It appears that President Obama, who spoke during his campaigning - if I recall correctly, of the President being a leading force in the world, is at a loss as to how to handle the situation for the good of all nations if not for United States citizens. I have a suggestion for a simple solution. President Obama should send a letter to the head of Somalia expressing hope for change. Then he should watch carefully, at the end of, say twenty-four hours, if there is no noticeable change, send another message expressing sorrow that the leaders of Somalia do not have the strength to deal with the pirates, but that the United States will help. Then send in the navy. Sink every ship in the harbor and every Somalia ship that can be located at sea. Sink them, don’t capture them: we have neither the room nor the wish to house several thousand Somalia pirates in our prisons for thirty years. Having done this, have the navy air force practice their bombing. Level the harbor and the city that surrounds it. Then send a third message to the chief of Somalia. Express pleasure at our ability to assist him in ridding his nation of pirates. Enclose a bill for the services of the navy. Don’t try to make a profit, just the costs, say a billion dollars or so.
If this idea helps you Mr. President, don’t bother to thank me, I’m just pleased to be able to assist you in finding the only solution possible, given the current situation.