Political Abrogation - Commissions

When  politicians want to avoid the responsibility of their jobs it seems they form a commission.  They then study the subject at hand and turn the results of their findings back to the politicians.  Most often those findings are ignored.  But it gets the politician off the hook for either a bad decision or an unpopular one.

Now when I see a commission being proposed a red flag goes up.  What's one of the hot button issues of the day?  Social Security solvency. It's a hot button issue because the politicians use it as a scare tactic then wonder why they can't come to a consensus on what to do. So form a commission to study it.

The suggestion that it stay as is for those 55 and older but revised for those younger seems eminently fair to me.  Especially since one of the options for the under 55 set would be to stay in the system as is.  What more can you ask for?  What more can a politician ask for?

Anything but something sensible it would seem.  Something so innocuous that no one could be blamed for anything.  Or given credit for - especially solving the problem.

That's why Dick Durbin, D-IL, wants to form a commission to study it.  The hyperbole sounds good.  They would have 180 days to come up with a plan.  When it gets to the point 14 members of the commission agree it would go to both chambers for a vote.

Here's where it all falls apart.  Mr. Durbin wants an 18 member bipartisan commission.  Tough way to start - with an even number.  With only 14 needed to move it to the floor there would be no need for a tie breaker.  Of course there wouldn't. If they can get to fourteen. The devil is in the details.  He wants six appointed by the Senate which is held by the Democrats.  Six from the House which is Republican.  And six from the President.  Now you have a stacked deck guaranteeing nothing will get done and Social Security will continue it's downward spiral. And no one gets blamed. Bipartisan? Maybe not so much.

Why don't you politicians all go back to square one and look at the most sensible solution out there?  If you can improve on it among yourselves, do so.  It's what you're being paid to do.  But don't shuffle it off to the obscurity of a commission!

If you can't handle the pressure of making a decision it's time for you to go.  As a friend reminded me a couple of days ago, 2016 is coming.  I'm not so sure about my Social Security check.
   

Military Eye Candy

I've got to hand it to the Israelis.  They've surely come up with a way to make the mandatory military service seem bearable even though shells and rockets from less than friendly neighbors are a constant companion!

They've chosen Bar Refaeli, a former Sports Illustrated swim suit model to be the face of a military public relations campaign. Strange.  It's not the vision of women in the military I usually harbor! It's akin to using Tom Brady's wife, Gisele Bundchen, as a recruiting tool for our military.  She's nothing like the grim faced Uncle Sam with his finger in your face telling you it's you he wants.

Not everyone is pleased, however.  It seems the lady married a friend for a brief period to side step her own military service and she is  considered a bad example for the potential enlistees at whom the campaign is aimed.  Like there's something better to do with your life maybe?

I'm wondering if they might be looking at the wrong thing about which to complain.  Most of their enemies are Islamists and you all know how they feel about women.  Especially women unveiled. Will this inflame their already hostile attitudes or stop them dead in their tracks?

This may just be the most useful thing in the world to bring war to a screeching halt.  The army with the super model leading the charge, not in military uniform, but in her modeling 'uniform' might be just enough to bring the savage gun bearing beasts to their senses.  This is what they're fighting for, not some dusty, forsaken chunk of land in the middle of no where.

This should satisfy all who think women won't be able to carry their weight in combat.  They won't have to.  The beasties will be fighting each other for the privilege of  (ahem) bringing up the rear.  It could reduce itself to nothing more a grand bar brawl while the ladies sip their Chablis on the sidelines.

My conclusions on this are still out.  It could be absolutely brilliant, incredibly stupid or sexist.  The only thing missing is race and I'm sure that too can be accommodated. Go for it ladies.

The TSA - Because They Can Doesn't Mean They Should

I'm beginning to think that if there is another disaster involving terrorists and the airlines it will be because of the TSA rather than in spite of them!

It is no secret how I feel about airport screenings - that they do little good since agents with fake explosives seem to readily allude them. And of course now pocket knives and golf clubs are going to be allowed while shampoo and mouthwash is still verboten. How can you respect this group of "highly trained professionals"?

I wonder about the requirements for employment for those $40,000+ a year jobs.  They must include a degree - in stupidity, mean spiritedness and hubris.  The more an individual has the more likely they'll become a supervisor never again to be seen.

You see, after all these years, they still haven't gotten to the point of using good judgement.  There must be at least a story a week regarding unnecessary and invasive searches.  This week is no exception.

This time an active duty Marine who lost both legs to an IED and was wheelchair bound. He showed the TSA his military identification and as the story reads it seemed to encourage them to go beyond total reason.  He was ordered to stand and walk to a different area, having been directed to the wrong one initially.  Though extremely difficult for him, TSA agents made no attempt to help. Then he had to remove his prosthetics, put them back on then stand again while his chair was searched.

My eyes tear up whenever I watch one of those Wounded Warrior spots on television and think what a waste of once healthy young men and women.  How inordinately brave they and their families are in dealing with situations that have no end.  Then to read how they are treated at an airport. It makes my blood boil.

This young man filed a complaint with his Congressman who asked for a detailed report regarding procedures for wounded members of the military.  While his treatment is egregious, no one should have to endure what he did and so many others who are are elderly or very young or exceptionally good looking or incapacitated in any manner.

Rather than spending her time purchasing more ammunition than has been used in the entire Afghanistan war, armored vehicles, drones and new uniforms, perhaps Secretary Napolitano ought better to spend her time setting some reasonable policies if indeed we even need them and actually training those who so love flexing their muscles in the ultimate power trip.

Then again, perhaps this is a new definition of the trickle down theory.  If there is nothing in the way of intelligence at the top there is nothing to trickle down!  You know what?  Both parties are little more than a collection of power hungry, bloated egos paying no attention to anything but self.  One of these days the people just might fight back.

If they do they will win.  They aren't power hungry, just hungry.  Their egos aren't bloated for they have little left after governmental abuses.  And they've more collective intelligence than those they would face. So much for 'representative' government.

The CPAC Sweeps Winner Is...

Chris Christie!  He may yet end up being the go to guy.  For the moment I'm going to put aside my worry about his health/weight and his abrasiveness and look at the positives.

First of all he wasn't there. Not only was he not there, he wasn't even invited. The Republicans have not yet forgiven him for his praise of Obama during the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. Never mind that he was doing what he thought necessary for the people of his state.  And never mind that Obama was all photo op and no action.  It's an action for which Christie should be given some slack.

The lack of the invitation alone tells me the Republicans have a suicide wish.  Especially considering who was there and their demeanor.  Rand Paul swiping back at John McCain and Lindsey Graham.  I criticized those two for washing their dirty laundry in public with their criticism of Paul.  So what does he do?  Returns the favor.

Then there was Ted Cruz prowling the stage like a caged animal chuffing and snarling.  I have no problem with him being aggressive but demeanor counts and his was condescending and rude.

Sarah Palin?  She is what she is.  Shrill and no longer relevant. Do the Republicans really still need her to light their fire?  Does calling the President a liar help? Does belittling Carl Rove help?

I come away with the impression CPAC is no more than a conservative love in.  A place for them to strut their stuff and those who may need their support down the road to shed their dignity and integrity.  In other words, it was a pretty sad display of partisan fealty.

I'm not sure they did the party any good.  It magnified the differences within and did little to set forth anything positive.  Becoming as computer savvy as the Democrats, running more diverse candidates and clarifying policy is something to be left behind the scenes, not in the forefront screaming, "We're a mess!"

The Democrats are loving it.  Hillary has reversed herself and is now for gay marriage. That's a huge vote generator. Biden becomes less of an issue to her every time he opens his mouth.  All they have to do is sit back and watch the Republicans continue to self-destruct.

The Republicans have two years and counting to get their act together and reinvent themselves into a cohesive unit or the Democrats will take everything just as Obama plans.  After that we'll have a country so different than what we have today we'll be hard pressed to remember it.  In four years it will be the norm.  If that happens those of us who are old enough will miss the country we once knew and we'll be blaming the Republicans.  Even if we once shared the name.  And rightfully so. Because they couldn't or wouldn't become a worthy adversary.

In My Easter Bonnet

Yep.  My inner child has been catered to and I have my new hat.  I first saw it at the Charlie Russell Museum last spring and even though I've pretty much missed this winter, I'm ready for next! I absolutely love it!

Actually, I am writing this in an attempt to prolong what was a really great break from the gloomy weather and even gloomier news. Heck, we had to ask a bartender in an Irish Pub in Missoula, MT last Wednesday who became Pope!  We were that disengaged.

On the next morning to Great Falls for the art shows surrounding the Charles M. Russell Museum art auctions.  We've begun alternating the shows we attend since there are so many about the same time of year.  Last year we went to Wickenburg, AZ for Cowgirls Up.

I love our drives through Montana.  Kids look for different license plates, I try to spot wildlife.  This trip was rewarding with two elk herds and a moose!  That's extremely unusual.  What is usual and held to form are the deer, antelope and eagles.

The art shows were of good quality too.  We arrived early and the venues weren't yet busy so we even had time to visit with some of the artists.  I spent and hour with Judith Syverson,  a member of the Royal Society of Miniature Painters based in London.  Her work is exquisite and I've long been an admirer.  We found we had a lot of common opinions and she  even gifted me with a special poem she had written.  I was quite touched and honored.  It will be framed and hung among along with our other art.

I had a chance to relay a story to Kevin Red Star's daughter about his grandson encountering us in Red Lodge as we looked at a gallery window full of his art.  "That's my grand dad," we were informed.  He went on to invite us to his grand dad's studio in Roberts, just down the road.  "Do go," she encouraged us.  Indeed we shall.

Then too there was Terry Lee, a local artist of some note who was sitting outside his display room. I introduced myself and by the end of our chat he too invited me to visit his studio.  And indeed I shall.

The last highlight was finding a gallery from Bozeman that had several paintings by Elizabeth Lochrie who was one of the first well known women artists in Montana.  She was also good friends with Hub's folks and we have quite a few of her paintings.  After her death they disappeared from the market for some time so it was great to see them regaining exposure.

All in all it was a wonderful, relaxing trip.  But all good things must end.  We're back and I'm already shaking my head over the headlines.  The Americans are already complaining about the new Pope.  Get over it folks.  He's Catholic and is going to do his best to preserve the Catholic beliefs, not change to meet yours!

And the politicians of course.  CPAC.  Wow.  And seeing that suddenly there is no immediate debt crisis.  I'm not sure I've re-entered in the same universe that I exited last Wednesday.

Oh well, tomorrow is soon enough to get back into the routine of trying to make sense of it all.  I'm not easily buffaloed you know!