O Jerusalem, Jerusalem

So said Jesus in Matthew 23:37-39 in the days just before his crucifixion. it was the center of Israel in the days when He was on earth as it had been for many hundreds of years before. Located about 40 miles inland from the Mediterranean Sea, it has often been described as the center of the world. Today, there are about 800,000 inhabitants or  about 10% of Israel’s population.

Those are some facts about the city. But, there seems to be much more to disagree about than to agree with when it comes to a city considered holy by so many. Jewish people claim it as their own, some dating their claim to the Biblical patriarch, Abraham. In 1967, after 20 years of division, Israeli military forces reunited the city, tearing down many physical boundaries. Today, over 40 years later, the furor has really not subsided. What to do about Jerusalem seems to lie dead center in any ” peace”  negotiations between Arab and Jew. It’s mine, no mine and on it goes.

American presidents from Eisenhower on to Obama have had to focus on Israel and Jerusalem in varying degrees in an attempt to be a mediator. Now Mr Obama has his opportunity to reverse what many(particularly Arabs) seem as a blatant United States bias towards Israel. Some Palestinian leaders even say that the President has promised a new Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital. Further , a senior adviser ( Nimer Hamad)to the Palestinian president says that the Obama administration says that this is in the American national and security interest. To add fuel to the debate, if such were necessary, Mr Obama is due to make a major speech aimed at the Arab world on June 4. It will given at  Cairo University  amid speculation as to what he will or will not say and what are the implications of his speech, its locale etc. Many  will applaud the effort and say it is high time reverse the excessively pro-Israel tilt under Bush. Geo politically, they are probably correct. But if Joel Rosenberg is correct( and he has been numerous times before )  the coming train wreck of United States-Israeli relations will resound far beyond the political.

Jerusalem

The peace of Jerusalem- Psalms 122:6

Shalom!

Those Pesky North Koreans

Live from Pyongyang or those missile launches just keep on coming. I believe the latest total is six for the week and more  are undoubtedly on the way. We are sending our special  envoy, Stephen Bosworth and Deputy Secretary of State  James Steinberg. Their itinerary will include South Korea of course and China, among other stops. Though Hilary just went to China a  week or so ago. I would have thought that was sufficient, but, alas, it must not have been.

Both US and South  Korean troops are on high alert but Defense Secretary Robert (not Bill) Gates says no more troops are needed at this time.

Meanwhile the United Nations debates tougher sanctions,  sure to make North Korea even more unhappy . They probably should not worry since  many uUN  members already ignore existing sanctions, so big deal. Our president has already said that ” North Korea is directly and recklessly challenging the international community.” That, my friends, is true. But balance that statement with one by national security adviser James Jones. He said a few days ago that they’re not an imminent threat. He added that nothing they have done has surprised us. How would you like to be  part of the 25, 000 + American troops stationed there as sort of a tripwire. You go after South Korea, you go after us.

South Korean troops preparing for what ?

I certainly hope the Obama people don’t get surprised down the road, since I am not so sure that even Kim-Jong-Il knows what he is doing next.

Working For Gibbs

Now that season 6 of NCIS is in the books and not yet available on dvd, we addicts need something on which to dwell. I have often commented to my wife (also an NCIS addict, another of her brilliant qualities) about Gibbs’  excellence as a  boss. I have also said that it would be nice if people I  work  for  have worked for in the past could emulate some of these qualities.

So, what makes  Gibbs a good boss? You certainly agree that he is of course.

• Easy to work for- no
• High expectations – oh yeah
• Cares about his team- definitely
• Respects their abilities – true again
• Demanding !!!
• Lets you do your job- Check

All of the above qualities seem to be rare in a boss, at least those for whom I have worked. There are doubtless others that I have should have listed that are sort of reflected in the list, such as honesty and loyalty, to name a couple.

Early Version of Team Gibbs

If we buy into the assumption that theses qualities are rare, why is that? I think it may have something to do with the  fact that Gibbs has no hidden agenda, is not power hungry and for certain does not care for recognition or publicity. A line in the first episode of the series made the point that there wold always be more of them than of us, them being being other agencies . So much for winning the publicity battles..

So, Gibbs and his people do their job largely under the radar, with liberal doses of humor,” sarcasm” and a drive to excel. No question, they all want to make Gibbs  proud and all are pleased with the well dones that he bestows. I  think this is due that their knowing that his praise while not necessarily frequent is genuine and well earned.

Since, there are probably no openings for any of us on the  team, in spite of  Ziva’s obvious discomfort in the season ending episode.We  must console ourselves in learning as many of the Gibbs rules as necessary and hoping more of the uninitiated can learn from the show.

Notice that what  has been said does  not make him a perfect boss, but one that would definitely  make the workplace interesting. Suppose there will ever be a college course on the Supervisory Skills of Leroy Jethro Gibbs; probably not.

Justice Sonya Sotomayor

Perhaps I am jumping the gun a bit, but I really don’t think so. Short of Judge Sotomayor withdrawing or the President changing his mind and nominating himself( he is a constitutional law scholar, you know) . I believe she is a virtual lock for the court. Whether that is good or bad for the high court and/or the country is something that time will tell us. What I would like to focus on  instead are  some of the comments that have been made in the brief time since her nomination was announced. Many have  spoken from the President to the nominee herself.

Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor

Mr. Obama said that she arrives at the high court with more experience than anyone now serving there. Unnamed aides expanded that to include the last century. There have only been 110 justices and the last century would include such names as Thurgood Marshall, Oliver Wendell Holmes , Hugo Black and Felix Frankfurter .

Our friend Charles Schumer , D, NY said that Republicans would oppose her at their “own peril” adding that the confirmation hearings would be more a referendum on the Republicans, huh?

Carlos Ortiz is the chairman of  the Supreme Court Committee in the Hispanic National Bar Association. He typified her as a brilliant but humble and   ordinary person. He went on to say that it is his belief that   Hispanics and all Americans and people around the world would have greater pride in and respect for the United States than ever before. Sounds almost like a comment made about the President, does it not?

Perhaps the most prophetic comment comes from Jonah Goldberg at the National Review Online. He called Obama’s move a brilliant bit of political strategy. He picked ” the most left-leaning Hispanic possible/ confirm-able”. And he thus dares Republicans to vote against her and risk being typecast as anti- Hispanic.

As a close, I  will share a prediction made about the nominee in 1997 by El Rushbo. On September 30, 1997 he urged Republicans to block her nomination as she was extremely liberal and was on a “rocket -ship to the Supreme Court. Looks like that ship is about to land.

The Media Bandwagon for Obama

If possible and I doubted that it was, the media is moving to a new level of  Obamaitis or whatever term you might choose to conjure up. Try these  examples. Newsweek has a cover article, with photo, entitled Obama on Obama . Now who wouldn’t like a title like that. I was gonna read the whole article and actually did read excerpts. But after one of the first sentences, maybe the first, spoke of how the President was coming around to loving power, I decided I had had enough. By the way, one  can compliment Jon Meacham if one is enamored with the article.

Example #2 would be Time who certainly could not be outdone. Their cover article, accompanied by an extremely close, closeup; was entitled,The Meaning of Michele. This of course refers to the first lady For this article we thank Nancy Gibbs  and Michael Scherer . As Paul Harvey might have said, one more?, Alright. U.S. News and World Report devotes  their entire issue to the Obama Revolution. Based on the cover, it presumes to tell us how the President is changing everything. Whether that is true or good or bad, remains to be seen.

Can we describe the overall coverage as fawning, to a degree yes. Oh wait, one comment about where the media has erred. Where is the cover article about Bo, probably the greatest First Family pet ever? Remember, he is the same breed as Ted Kennedy’s dogs. Okay,  Dog World and Dog Fancy, what is wrong with you guys? Bo must have equal treatment!

Do you sometimes wonder though  if there is a disconnect between Obama policies and Obama the individual ? I suppose that has been true with many presidents, although not all.  I think that #44 probably ranks#1 or maybe #2 as far as the media goes.But it is still early, only four months into the term. Perhaps TOTUS can conjure up some words of wisdom to further burnish the image. Stay tuned.

After all, he has nominated for the Supreme Court a judge who might just have saved baseball a decade or so ago. More on Ms. Sotomayor later.

“Nevah, Nevah, Nevah” Forget

Today, we celebrate Memorial Day, although we should be celebrating on May 30. You could almost call it a forgotten holiday or a “mis-celebrated” holiday. It is, alas, thought of most often as the beginning of summer and the vacation season. But, if we pause to remember, it is far, far more.

This is not necessarily a day to celebrate wars. It is a day to honor and remember those who, many on a volunteer basis, gave of themselves and many times gave their all. As the Declaration of Independence so eloquently states”… pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor.”

As those men put their all on the line in 1776, the men and women of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard have done so  since the days of the American Revolution, the War of 1812, the Civil War, the Spanish- American War, World War I, World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam, the Gulf War, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. As well, there have been  have numerous conflicts, skirmishes, etc where soldiers and  sailors have given their  all.

As one who did not serve, it is somewhat embarrassing to to just say thank you. In itself, it is very inadequate but nonetheless should be said repeatedly.

I close with a small montage of photos in honor and memory of all who have served.

2006- U S Army in Afghanistan

Graves at Arlington on Memorial Day

Vietnam patrol

1944 - under attack in Europe

So , remember the over 43 million who have served and the almost 700,ooo who have died from the Battle of Bunker Hill to Tikrit and all points in between.

So, today, fly a flag, salute a vet but remember.

Semper Fi, Fair Winds and Following Seas, Duty, Honor, Country and Semper Paratus,Integrity, Service, Excellence.

Balancing The Local Budget

Just like most government entities, Elizabeth City is struggling with how to raise enough money to function “adequately”. Raise taxes, cut services, furlough employees, all of the preceding? Thanks to one of my coworkers, I may have the plan that will solve all our fair city’s budgetary woes.

Pay close attention, this plan may work wherever you live also, with some slight modifications. One caveat, as with all plans involving government and $, this one is not painless. But if it is executed properly, it will be a huge success.

Ok, her we go. Just recently, there were several roads( at lest three) that were paved . Now, these roads had several things in common.

• They were in dire need of paving
• They carry significant traffic
• They have relatively low speed limits which are routinely exceeded by most vehicles

Now here comes the genius part. Have local law enforcement park at strategic points  along each road, preferably in unmarked vehicles. Vary the parking places, but continue the program  on a 24 hour basis for at least, i don’t know, 2-3 weeks. Pick a  designated amount for the fine, say $50 with no court appearance or plea bargaining  etc, keeping the paperwork and costs to a minimum. Inform the scofflaws who are caught that their fine is going towards the cost and upkeep of the shiny new road on which they are traveling.

Who would possibly object to such a plan? It is doubtless a  win-win . To make it more palatable, the fines/tickets would not affect your drivers license or insurance rates. Perhaps we could throw in a quantity discount for frequent offenders.

So, if you travel on Roanoke Avenue or Herrington Road or Peartree Road in the near future, watch out.

Happy motoring!

Win, Win for Obama?

President Obama definitely has Gitmo on his mind. He seems to be pressing forward with his efforts to close the facility. This despite a 90-6 defeat in the senate on money needed to fund the closing. And, despite fierce opposition in Congress, he announced that some  terror suspects would be sent from Gitmo to prisons in the United States.

He called the Guantanamo experiment misguided, a mess etc and that he is going to fix what the Bush administration messed up. He further decried the ” fear-mongering” that is hindering his efforts. Pretty savvy, huh? Whatever problem exists, it’s Bush’s fault and he inherited it. A slight aside; a major campaign promise was to close Gitmo in one year. We  have 8 months to go. Back to our regularly scheduled post.

A defiant Obama, one article put  it, is still determined to get his way on Gitmo.Press Secretary Gibbs said today that the deadline still holds and there are many different options for handling the detainees. Wonder how many will go to Yemen, who really doesn’t care to restrict their activities. Or, as Jon Stewart put it in February, maybe even dancing squads.

One final comment, Senator Joe Lieberman, Democratic-republican Party says you cant just release them anywhere. This is  in contrast to Senator Dianne Feinstein, D(CA). She says send a bunch to Colorado. Colorado’s response, a deafening silence to this point. So, we have he says, he said, she says, etc.

It is proving to be quite an interesting thing to observe.

Gitmo Aerial View( Prison not visible)

I Just Don’t Get It

Ok, I am going to say it. I do not get the appeal of American Idol. I know it garners millions of  television viewers, more than any other show. Untold millions call in to voice their support of one or the other contestant. Supposedly over 100 million votes were cast after Tuesday’s showdown between the top two contestants. Over the course  of the season , some 624 million(can that be right?) votes were cast. No doubt, there were multiple votes cast by many people. I am aware that Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson and Ryan Seacrest are somewhat household names. Doubtless, all have made significant money from the show.

I will admit to having watched much less than an episode in total. So, why don;t I get it or watch it even care about the show. I will own to having heard some negative comments about Mr Cowell and he does seem to come across as arrogant. I have even wondered if it’s the title itself that gives me pause. Think about it, American Idol, the word idol denoting somebody or something greatly admired, even to excess. And it can even denote worship which I rather doubt is the case here, but does it border on an obsession, perhaps?

Oh well, it shall end  soon and I can return to ignoring it  even more than  I do now. What night does it come on again, Tuesday? No wonder, that is NCIS night. Now, that is a topic for discusson and soon.

“Busy, Busy,Busy”

So said Professor Hinkle in Frosty the Snowman, made for television in 1969.

Frosty and the Professor

And so he was, running helter skelter, here and there. a sentiment which we all voice on a regular, almost daily basis. we use as our reason for many things, oftentimes as the reason why we do not do this or that. But are we really busy?

We have multitudes of labor and time saving devices that were unknown or little known to previous generations. Of course, the computer, the microwave, the cell phone, power this and that. All are designed to make life easier as well as to ease our time crunch.

So, why do so many of us persist in saying we are so busy and actually believing that it is so, whether  it is or not ?  Actually, there is a sort of two-fold answer. Some people actually are legitimately busy- doctors, heads of state, single moms come to mind quickly. And there are others. I would like to posit that many, if not most, of us are as busy as we choose to be. I remember a dear friend of ours from years ago, whose husband was a physician. She  was quite active in a number of worthwhile things, to the point where she actually seemed busier than he. Her activities, it seemed to me however, were things she chose to do. That doesn’t negate them by any means or devalue them. But it just seems  that it was a  different kind of busy.

So, to help you in your busyness, I leave you  with two quotes. One is from musicians Simon and Garfunkel and their song ” Feeling Groovy” ( 59th Street Bridge Song)

Slow down, you move too fast, you’ve got to make the morning last

Just kickin’ down the cobble-stones,lookin’ for fun and feelin’ groovy

And even more profound from Psalm 46:10

Be still and know that  I am God…

Shalom!