Today is birthday #234 for the U S Marine Corps, one of the more unique branches of our military. And, furthermore, NCIS viewers will recognize it as the birthday of our favorite marine gunnery sergeant, Leroy Jethro Gibbs. The jarheads as they are known by some, began their storied history on November 10,1775 before there was an official United States.

Captain Samuel Nicholas formed the first 2 battalions of this elite fighting force that is today known for many things. One is the motto, never leave a man behind. Another is the unique emblem of the globe , trident and anchor. This signifies land, air and sea; any way necessary, the Marines are there.

I remember as a kid hearing the Marine Corps hymn and being fascinated by the Halls of Montezuma and the shores of Tripoli without even knowing what they meant. The more I learned the better it got. Just one thing about that. The shores of Tripoli refer to the  first Barbary War of the very early 19th century and our young nation’s first battle with pirates. Marines under the leadership of  Lt Presley O’Bannon stormed ashore at Derne,Tripoli( now Libya) in the first battle fought by American troops on foreign soil. Interestingly, the sword used by Marines today is modeled on one given to  Lt O’Bannon by the rightful heir to the throne of Tripoli.

They aren’t  the largest branch of our Armed Forces although they may be the most colorful, opinion of course. So, on the day before Veterans Day, we respectfully say Semper Fi to marines everywhere.

We are just 4 days removed from the massacre at Ft Hood. Major Hasan has begun to talk but what he is saying and to whom is unclear. There seems to be  a gazillon people weighing in. There are those who call Hasan a lone wolf shooter, totally disconnected from other influences. There are many, including the President and Homeland Security Director Napolitano who want to forestall a rush to judgment and/or an anti-Muslim backlash. I suppose we could include Chris Matthews in that group as well as The Nation and even a retired general( Casey).

Others are raising issues about why warning signs were missed or overlooked ( hint”political correctness”) that allowed the major to stay in the army. Others speculate that he was angry about the war or terror as well as his pending deployment to Iraq.

Then we have a number of cases, even in the Ft Hood area, of Muslims applauding what he did. Sort of tough to support that no outside influence theory is it not? At this point, there is not  a lot that we know for certain. Major Hasan is American born- fact, was inexplicably sent to Ft Hood from Walter Reed in Washington-fact. And the worst fact is that 13 people are dead.

I read a statement on another  blog today, WeaselZippers , that with great poignancy maybe says it best.”The death of these heroes was avoidable….I’m sorry that your Country let you down( again) .

Just a few for you to think about.

220- 215  Saturday night vote to approve Pelosi/Obama Care

Time of vote-11:15 pm

1 Republican voted yea, 39 Democrats voted nay

Who won, the Democrats, Pelosi, Obama  or the American people-yet to be determined.

Peter King is a writer for Sports Illustrated who specializes in covering professional football. He has  a short column near the back of each issue of the magazine which is entitled, “Things I Think I Think.” I like his musings but, better yet, I like the title, indeed, I am a bit envious of the title. At least, I thing that’s what it is. I would like to have some sort of regular thoughts, nothing profound, just a bit thought-provoking; about something. Obviously, I  am not expert enough on any subject to be as specific as Mr King.

He is not the first member of the media to have a regular feature with a catchy title. Paul Harvey had more than one. I well remember, over my shoulder a backward glance and partly personal. There was Charles Kuralt and over the road. And there was  President Roosevelt with his fireside chats  which was the first great presidential use of the media.

Reagan was known as “The Great Communicator” in some circles and in many instances President Obama has excelled in that area as well . But, alas, I know my sights need to aim more in the  Shetland pony  than the Palomino or Clydesdale.

From my category list, politics would seem a good area on which to focus, or sports or the media. Withing those areas, there are any number of popular tags that reappear often- Democrats, the media, Israel, among others. Better yet, there are others who desperately seek to provide fodder- Nancy Pelosi, Joe Biden,Madame Secretary,etc.

What I shall seek is to provide a wry but not sharp look at folks and things  from time to time, not quite like the quotes section of The Limbaugh Letter, but perhaps down a  similar path. So, we shall consider this as the first installment of  the  Grounds from the Percolator and see where the aroma takes us.

Thus far, there are 13 confirmed deaths,one civilian and 12 military.The alleged shooter is himself  one of the wounded. As we all have heard by now , this alleged shooter is Army major Nidal Malik Hasan, a military psychiatrist. There are also a number of other  wounded, whose fate is still uncertain.

At this point, there are probably hundreds of unanswered questions and theories beyond measure. I have listened to some news coverage and am nothing if  not more confused. I have heard numerous relatives of Major Hasn interviewed, some relatively close, some not so much. Opinions have ranged from him being almost incapable of such action to shock and disbelief and horror.

I will join the Chicago media at being disappointed with the President’s responses. I saw  a video of  a previously scheduled news conference in which his response, coming over a minute into the five minute session was somehow lacking. I could very well be wrong but it seemed devoid of emotion and depth of feeling. This is a moment in which we crave leadership from our President. The Ft Hood community is grieving as is the army ( a kick in the gut it was called) and particularly the families of those killed and injured.

Reagan made  a memorable statement that I still remember when he spoke of the Challenger astronauts slipping the surly bonds of earth and touching the face of God.Of course, nothing brings back those who are gone and there will be  along and painful search for the whys. Beyond saying that we should not jump to conclusions and blame all Muslims, which is true, he has left me lacking.

One final thought. I have  a friend who was  stationed at Ft Hood and has close friends who are still there. The pain is very real  and widespread, We do well to pray for those whose lives will never be the same. While you are at it, say a prayer of thanksgiving for the brave officer who stopped the rampage, Sgt Kimberly Munley. Many  owe her their lives.

Today, the United Nations approved, by a narrow vote of  114-18, with 44 nations abstaining, an Arab supported resolution that endorses the Goldstone Report. This paves the way for the UN Security Council to consider the matter. What did we do, voted no, along with Canada and obviously  only a handful of other countries.

The aforementioned report calls on Israel and the Palestinians to investigate the allegations of war crimes during last winter’s Gaza  incursion.( The report is named for South African jurist and UN investigator Richard Goldstone.) Deputy US ambassador to the UN, Alexander Wolff, called  the report”deeply flawed”. His main concerns were  the lack of attention or  mention of Hamas and the unbalanced focus on Israel.

Doubtless, the US would veto any Security council action. So, why is Israel concerned enough to say, via its UN Ambassador Gabriela Shalav, that granting any legitimate status to the report would essentially deny Israel “the right to defend ourselves.”  That is quite important to them, existing as they do in the world’s toughest neighborhood, as its most isolated member.

Perhaps they watch events and listen to statements with increasing nervousness, some of these from their heretofore staunchest ally.

What do Israelis think about us and them? Prior to January, 2009, some 88% of  them  believe Bush wa s pro-Israel. In May, a Jerusalem Post poll discovered that 31% of  them believed that about  Obama. A similar poll  just 3 months later showed  a figure of  4%. Quite  a precipitous drop. Joel Rosenberg referred to US Israel relations  as a coming “train wreck”, just 7 months ago. Now, he thinks the situation has only worsened. Even if one is not very pro Israel, the above numbers represent a significant concern. Are we tending to tilt more Arab, seems to be so. Is  that a good thing? I wonder.

We are all familiar with Mr Gore or algore as Rush likes to call him. He has won an Oscar and  an Emmy and apparently made lots  and lots of money in his climate change(aka global warming ) mission. Along the way, he has in some quarters reached a near oracle stage. His pronouncements are  legendary and accepted by pretty much everyone, particularly the members of Congress. He isn’t received there with awe but with something akin to it.

My question is whether you can be a mogul, a wealthy climate change entrepeneur and at the same  time be  dedicated to with near religious fervor to  your cause. Now, bear in mind that I don’t much care if Gore gets wealthy from climate change(wait, he already has) because he will not be the only one. As he said, he is just putting his money where his mouth has been, Electric cars(how and from where will we generate all the needed electricity) but not all of it.

Gore still speaks in somewhat apocalyptic terms regarding climate change. We are in the front car of the roller coaster and it is headed for  a crash. Then he praises the administration’s climate committment as well as that of China. They are planting trees like crazy and will soon lead the world in solar and wind power. A number of these statements came in an ABC  interview just recently. I didnt  see the clip so I can only imagine the impact which they must have had. Oh, he’ snot quite ready to become  a vegetarian as some climate changers would advocate.

I suppose my problem, such as it is, lies largely in the sacrifices which he urges on many, if not all. Save energy, economize, cut back, etc. They do not always gibe with his own lifestyle. My main issue always seems to come with te house. Mr Gore has  a mega sized home in Tennessee. More power to him(no pun intended) but imagine the electricity it has to use, no matter the source. So, he buys carbon offsets or something. What  exactly does that mean? From whom does one buy them, are they costly,etc.

Now, he has his books printed on recycled paper, donates proceeds to charity,etc All well and good. But  I shall the topic of  Mr Gore with two comments . In January, 2006, he predicted that we only had 10 years to save the earth and the second to paraphrase Dr Donald Mallard Of NCIS who made a similar statement regarding Gibbs. With Mr Gore and climate change, I always seem to have more questions than answers.

It is the sixth ship to bear the name of our 11th state and could well  become the most historic of the lot. The LPD-21 as it is officially designated was built in Avondale,La and is skippered by a native New Yorker, Cmdr Curtis Jones. It has a succinct but poignant motto, “Never Forget” which needs no elaboration.

The 684 foot, amphibious transport dock weighs many tons but its the 7 1/2 tons of steel in the bow- stern and keel that are most significant. For, this steel comes from ground zero.

Yesterday, it sailed past the Statue of Liberty on its way to being commissioned on Saturday in New York. It will remain in New York through Veterans ‘ Day before traveling to Norfolk where it will be one of many. On this day, it sailed  alone.

Cmdr Jones may have said it best. “We deal with tragedy by rising from it and pushing on. It’s very powerful-awesome in the truest sense of the word-and very, very humbling.”

The ships  complete story can be found at  uss.newyork.com.

We wish it fair winds and following seas!

Want to know what she overdid ? Sure you do. She overdid her praise for Israel, of course and now she is having a bit of  a mea culpa. Madame Secretary was in  Marrakech, Morocco to speak to Arab concerns about the “positive reinforcement” she had provided Israel just 2 days earlier. (And you thought Marrakech was just part of a Crosby, Stills and Nash song).

The uproar relates its seems, primarily, to the  construction of Israeli settlements and their unwillingness to bring that construction to  a halt.  This seems to be a major stumbling block regarding Palestinian- Israeli  negotiations. Obama had earlier talked tough on the matter indicating that the construction would have to stop-period. She in fact repeated this assertion that the administration does not accept the legitimacy of the settlements. Unfortunately, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu seems disinclined to completely stop the construction. So, we have  a conundrum, No wonder, Mrs Clinton was reluctant to make the Middle East trip, anticipating all might not go well. Better watch that thinking or John Kerry might have her job.

Anyway, her new old statements seemed to satisfy a number of the Arab leaders in attendance including individuals from Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan and Iraq.

To more fully reinforce her statements today, she will add a previously unscheduled trip to Egypt. There she will meet with President Hosni Mubarak on Wednesday. As of today, there has been no report of what Israel thinks of this” Back to the Future “endeavor . Doubtless, we will hear more.

Short question that could generate  a virtually  unlimited number of answers, I guess. Because we are supposed to, I don’t know, it’s the American way, use it or lose it, to get my candidate elected, to defeat the candidate I don’t like, etc. I know there are many more, some very meaningful and others not so much.

I read one yesterday that I don’t think I had seen before, but upon reflection, it may be all too common. But I hope that it isn’t.

There was  a meeting or forum, I guess here in our community a couple of days ago at Elizabeth City State University. The event was hosted by the N.C. Legislative Black Caucus and featured 9  state legislators addressing  and listening to  a packed auditorium of ECSU students. Brief historical reference here. I applaud the legislators for holding the event  and the students for attending in such good numbers. i am not so sure that a similar event held when I was  a college student would have done nearly as well.

So, the meeting was  agood idea and  a good opportunity for give and take between the legislators and the assembled students. One question and its answer intrigued me just a bit. One student asked what was one supposed  to do when the local community did not support his university? His question was apparently based on his statement that the local Wal-Mart stocked apparel and  merchandise from East Carolina University in Greenville (about 2 hours away) and the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill (about 3 hours away). Ok, a legitimate question for him. But the answer which I might have expected would deal with retail or economic issues, was  a surprise.

The answer came from Rep Alma Adams of Guilford County. This is what she said.”You can control everything that’s going on by making sure that you vote.” She added that “if you sit down, if you don’t vote, people will continue to do what they want to do.”

Perhaps, I mis-interpreted her answer but it seemed to me that she was saying the reason to vote is control. If you want to control what is going on you vote. If you choose not to vote, you relinquish that control.

Very interesting response, I thought.