Adding a voice to the chorus

Adding a voice to the growing chorus, let me observe that the university and college censorship trend is quite disturbing.  Under the guise of preventing students from hearing or reading something that may be "hurtful," it seems academia (both instructors and administrators) is diligently endeavoring to wrap a cocoon around the brains of their impressionable students, concurrent with an indoctrination of entitled victimization.  Apart from academia's questionable definition of hurtful, their efforts, perhaps politically motivated, are both absurd and endangering.

Absurd, because in today's electronic world, ideas and thoughts can not be completely filtered.  (Nor should they be.)  There is no way for academia to totally block out thoughts and ideas it self-righteously determines to be unworthy of discussion on campus.  With virtually every student glued to a mobile communications device, the thoughts and ideas are out there.  (As an aside, it is not surprising to learn academia is seeking to block some social media, under the guise of preventing "hateful," "racist," and "sexist" language.  That such language originates from the students is apparently not the issue to academia)  The current censorship is also absurd because it is exactly the opposite of that what academia demands as they offer ridiculous courses, commentary, and demands: academic freedom and free speech.  As absurd as the new censorship is, the greatest threat is how it endangers the students.

Preventing those with opposing views from speaking, demanding "trigger warnings,"  perpetuating segregation of thought and speech, limiting free speech to certain designated geographic locations on campus, and other misguided actions do a tremendous disservice to the students, by failing to prepare them for reality.

Does academia really believe they can protect students from something academia defines as "hurtful?"  From anything that may provide the basis for offense?  Totally impossible!  With more than 300,000,000 people in America, somewhere, someone is taking offense to something said or done by someone else, no matter how innocuous or disconnected.  That is simply part of the human experience.  We do not all agree, a fact we should celebrate.  Academia's ridiculous assumption that life can be made otherwise ignores reality.  Not all people share all the same views, nor should they.

But people can choose to take offense at all manner of things, major-to-minor-to-ridiculous.  The color of a shirt.  The type of vehicle one drives.  The music one prefers.  The movies one likes.  The weight of someone.  The height of someone else.  This or that type of food.  Political views.  The list is endless.  The key is not, as academia would have us believe, an offense or disagreement, but rather how informed and intelligent people react.  

If you don't like a particular type of music, don't listen to it.  If someone is spouting what you consider drivel, ignore him/her.  The choice is yours.  But it is an unwise choice for academia to attempt to wrap students in such a false cocoon, because it actually endangers their futures.

As that recent student enters the workplace, he/she will be unprepared to deal with reality, the friction occurring within human relationships.  If the boss demands they show up for work, prepared and on time, or face negative consequences, the recent student can't claim offense.  If the person two cubicles down legally states (exercising free speech) an opposing few, the recent student can't demand the individual only do so is a designated "free speech zone."  (Note to academia: the entirety of our nation is a designated free speech zone.)  If the recent student fails to perform his/her job and employment is terminated, the recent student can't cry foul at the "hurtful" action.  If the recent student happens upon a parade celebrating our veterans, he/she can't claim injury due to being indoctrinated that the military is evil.

Ill prepared by the current censorship trend on the campuses of our universities and colleges, once the student depart they will not be ready to take on the world, to overcome challenges, to ignore the trivial in pursuit of greatness, forsake complaints in favor of happiness.  Rather, it is feared recent students will flounder without the necessary skills for adaptation and acceptance.

Colleges and universities should be where tolerance and coping skills are acquired and refined.  Deal with the uncomfortable.  Reason with the absurd argument.  Toughen one's character. 

For crying out loud, if anywhere should be a haven for the exchange of controversial and different views, it should be the campus of a university or college.    

Veterans Day 2015

In a few weeks, Veterans Day 2015 will be upon us, and there is a real lesson to be learned.  

Across the nation, many will rightly acknowledge the day.  Some businesses will offer a one day special for our nation's veterans.  Some towns and cities will hold parades.  Old graybeards may stand a little straighter and prouder.  Some schools will invite veterans into their classrooms.  Comrades from decades past will reach out to one another, confirming life long bonds.  Scrapbooks and memorabilia may be pulled from the backs of closets.  Some local newspapers will likely run stories about the heroes living among us.  Even some elected officials will carve time from their "busy" schedules to recognize the date.

POTUS will likely do something, though not genuinely in my mind.  Genuine recognition of the day will be accomplished by other elected officials, like fellow veterans Congressman Hunter and Senator Cotton.

It is also likely those seeking office will ensure some "appropriate" activity is on their calendar that day.  Again, for some (like Clinton) it will be a chore to endure as part of a run for office.  Had Webb remained in the contest, it would definitely not be a chore, but an obligation to his fellow vets.

The perception that veterans are those grizzled old timers, gray of beard and long of years, is slowly giving way to the "twenty and thirty something" young warriors from our most recent wars.

Regardless of age, branch of service, or time served, there is one immutable fact about our veterans.  Every generation has answered the call.  Every generation has stood tall when the nation asked of it.  Every generation has sacrificed for this country.

The one unfortunate fact, however, is that the percentage of our population that serves this great country is growing smaller, year by year, with less than one-half of one percent of the nation currently serving in uniform.  That means, most regrettably, that the vast majority of the nation are less and less connected with the veterans who have served them.

That is the real lesson for Veterans Day 2015   

The has come for term limits

The time has come for Congressional term limits.

One indicator from this political season, particularly when viewing the conservative portion of the nation, is that a majority of voters are disgusted with elected officials in both the US Senate and House of Representatives.  So the time has come.

It is time for an amendment to the Constitution limiting the terms of those elected to Congress.  Such limits can be constructed rather simply.  Specifically, an individual could serve no more than two cumulative terms, elected or appointed, in either the House and/or Senate.  Pure and simple.

If a two term limit is appropriate for the presidency, then it is equally appropriate for the members of Congress.

One cannot help but be aware of the vitriol aimed at members of congress from both parties.  Almost uniformly, those attracting the most negative comments are those who have been there the longest.  And, it can reasonably be argued, those there the longest have become the least connected with their constituents.

For obvious reasons, it is not likely the current congress would submit such an amendment for consideration by the states.  Therefore, the states must convene a Constitutional Convention to pursue this objective, per Article 5 of the Constitution.

Now is the time.

Clinton's comment provides insight

During a recent town-hall type meeting in New Hampshire, Clinton said of the Congressional Select Committee, “I would never have done that, and if I were president and there were Republicans or Democrats thinking about that, I would have done everything to shut it down.”

As she is prone to do when angry, Clinton provided great insight into her character and view of the role of the president.

Her statement clearly conveys repudiation of the separate but equal constitutional premise of the three branches of our government.  She clearly believes of legitimate congressional action that she can "shut it down."  For the moment, suspend any thoughts or suspicion about the motivation of the committee.  

Congress has the right, the duty to oversee the actions of the president.  That is exactly why the Constitution provides Congress the power to impeach a sitting president.  The Constitution does not provide the president the power to shut down congressional activity.

Looking to the future, another of her statements has once more disqualified her from the office she seeks.  Together with her long, checkered history of prevarication and misrepresentation, Clinton's periodic statements providing insight into her character and her view of the role of the president offer clear and convincing evidence of her unsuitability to be president. 

Supporting our wounded warriors

A beautiful day for bikers in the San Diego region.  Also a heavily military themed day, as the annual MCAS Miramar Airshow, complete with the Blue Angels, hosts tens of thousands of visitors to the air station.  The theme for this year's airshow is Salute to Veterans.

Elsewhere in the region, another group of veterans is putting their money where their mouths are, by undertaking a fundraising ride to benefit the wounded.

A relatively small group of riders arrived in town from Arizona to support the wounded at the Navy Medical Center San Diego (NMCSD).  Operation Wounded Veterans is an all volunteer organization focusing on supporting the wounded.  Recognizing that sometimes a wounded Marine, sailor, or soldier may spend 2 or 3 years at NMCSD, this group of patriots also knows our wounded will not wake up tomorrow and be "unwounded."  Legs and arms taken by the violence of combat will not grow back overnight.  The patriots know the country must be all in supporting our wounded for the long haul.

Staging at El Cajon Harley Davidson, Operation Wounded Veterans were welcomed by the dealership and the El Cajon Harley Davidson Harley Owners Group (HOG) Chapter.

After registrations were completed, money donated, coffee and "fat pills" (military slang for doughnuts) consumed, and head calls (naval jargon for hitting the rest room) made, the bikers lined up behind the El Cajon HOG road guards for the pleasant trip to the Rosecrans National Cemetery.  At times the main pack was split into smaller groups, as the traffic lights in downtown San Diego, along Harbor Drive, and up in Point Loma worked against keeping all the bikes together.  Not a problem, as the El Cajon HOG folks ensured everyone eventually arrive at Rosecrans safely.

For our brother and sister veterans from Arizona, this first trip to Rosecrans was inspiring.  

Somberly looking over the grave markers and then across the bay to Naval Air Station North Island, even the Navy vets, like former submariner Jimbo (see above) were awe struck.  As they walked through the cemetery, one commented that he'd seen a marker of a veteran of the Spanish - American War, adding that most Americans probably do not even know about that war.

As inevitably occurs, small group discussions took place in the spectacular panoramas surrounding the bikers.  Veterans, both men and women, vets from all four services, proud parents of serving members of our Armed Forces, old and older, shared thoughts and feelings about what it means to be a veteran.  Almost universally, statements regarding the ever increasing gap between the nation's military and the average citizen were made.  Many such statements were tinged with a bit of disgust, because too many civilians are believed to disparage the service and sacrifice of our Armed Forces and their families.  Shortly, though, the comments returned to the purpose for which they had gathered, supporting our wounded.

In the end, these men and women stand out by helping our wounded.