Better leaders in Washington would be a fitting memorial for U.S. troops
This weekend in America, when remembering those who have gone before us, particularly those who died while serving their country, its appropriate to ask whether they were appropriately sent into battle. History suggests Lyndon Johnsons administration blundered by vastly escalating our role in defending South Vietnam only to watch another administration hand South Vietnam to North Vietnam after losing so many American soldiers to prevent the spread of communism. Learning nothing from that lesson, President George W. Bush blundered by attacking Iraq when our resources were needed for a thorough mop-up in Afghanistan. His staff failed by having inaccurate information about weapons of mass destruction. They had no post-war strategy for Iraq, creating a haven there for new terrorists. And they dishonestly implied Iraq was involved in the Sept. 1, 2001, terrorist attacks. This Memorial Day weekend, we ask how many U.S. troops must die defending ill-conceived foreign policy decisions that have tarnished Americas reputation worldwide? Americans have always been willing to fight and die to defend our freedom, and the freedom of good people worldwide. Sadly, our elected leaders have abused that patriotism and valor. Most recently, President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney shamelessly sacrificed American blood in the misguided belief that brute force will soften centuries of Mideast hatred among radical Muslims, Christians and Jews. At best, their Mideast agenda can be classified as wishful thinking based upon misinterpreted Biblical prophesy. At worst, they engaged in out and out skullduggery to establish a legacy in future history books. American troops and their families deserve better from Washington than to be led into senseless fighting by administrative megalomaniacs and a Congress gripped by consensus ignorance. We hope better leaders will direct the United States by Memorial Day 2009 leaders who make decisions that best serve the American people not politicians hell bent on sacrificing American bodies to embellish their egos. We hope there will be fewer future veterans, because our leaders will stop dragging U.S. troops into centuries-old battles that defy resolution. And we hope our new administration treats existing veterans with respect, offering them the services they need after sacrificing the best years of their lives in lands where human life is held in such disregard.
Posted by: Ron Brochu on 5/23/2008 at 6:46 PM | Comments (1) | Permalink
Greens err by slamming concept in absence of data
A spokeswoman for Lake Superior Greens this week announced the group opposes an expansion of Murphy Oils Superior refinery, citing environmental concerns. Thats certainly the groups right, but with the opposition announced even before a refinery plan is introduced, it spotlights the concern more and more people have about some environmental groups: They appear to be against all development. Period. Why should companies even bother doing their homework, seeking permits or asking for regulatory approvals? In essence, the Lake Superior Greens said they wont let any information, including scientific data, get in the way of their opinions. Sadly, this casts a pall on other groups that might be willing to take an honest look at new development. It takes a broad brush and negatively slathers everyone who raises legitimate questions about the refinery expansion or any other new project. To be clear, nothing has been introduced, either formally or informally. And that raises the question of why the Greens suggest Murphy Oil is trying to frame the concept as a local issue that wont have broad implications. In fact, Murphy has never issued a news release, held a press conference or made any public outreach making that suggestion. So far, company representatives have gone public only when local news media searched them out regarding property purchases surrounding the existing refinery. To suggest theyre promoting any agenda whatsoever is outright nonsense. As The Telegram has said in the past, this concept, if it ever advances, should be subjected to thorough scientific study and regulatory scrutiny. The decision on whether or not to proceed should be based on hard facts, not politics or opinion. The Lake Superior Greens are absolutely correct about one thing. This isnt a local issue. People from around the state, region, nation and world are carefully watching this debate. But theyre not just watching Murphy Oil. When a local environmental group slams the potential development in the void of any specific information, they do so while in a spotlight that can be manipulated by conservative pundits who love to publicize such missteps. Issues of this magnitude need to be considered cautiously and seriously, not with reckless abandon.
Posted by: Ron Brochu on 5/18/2008 at 7:14 PM | Comments (1) | Permalink
Boaters beware: The Feds have your number
Boaters who cruise the Duluth-Superior harbor beware: The Bush administration on Monday escalated its fear and deception campaign, suggesting you might be mistaken for a terrorist hell-bent on nuking Presque Isle.
An exaggeration? Vayl Oxford, the head of Homeland Securitys Domestic Nuclear Detection office, said the United States cant sit back and wait to be attacked. In an Associated Press story, Oxford said his office is establishing programs to train and arm harbor patrols. Theyll be equipped with portable radiological and nuclear detection equipment. The adventure will begin in Seattles Puget Sound, then move to San Diego.
States have been urged to join this bizarre exercise, establishing programs for boaters to observe and report suspicious waterborne behavior much like a neighborhood watch program. But take heart. Matters could be worse. An earlier plan called for the government to establish a federal license for recreational boaters. Fortunately, our friends in the boating industry objected loudly enough to, dare we say it, blow that idea out of the water.
Sounds like a scene from George Orwell's 1984. For those who havent read the novel, its about a totalitarian government that controls its citizens by filling them with fear about a war in which their country supposedly is engaged. The government, led by Big Brother, uses the threat of attack to justify total control of people, institutions, history even the dictionary. Signs are posted everywhere warning Big Brother is watching you.
Under Bush and Cheney, the United States is moving in that direction invoking a police state mentality in which people forfeit individual rights for the sake of security.
Establishing a waterfront citizen goon squad is more than a little extreme. Same goes scanning runabouts for radiation. Pretty soon, the feds will demand warrantless bait box searches, confiscate flare guns and strip search water skiers. Some day soon, users of the Arrowhead boat launch may have to pass through a metal detector before landing their first bullhead.
This country already has an outfit called the Coast Guard. As the name implies, its duty is to guard the coast. It does that job extremely well, along with numerous other tasks.
And it does that job without subtracting from our personal freedoms, which are guaranteed by the Constitution and Bill of Rights.
Heres some advice for the bureaucrats at Homeland Security: Go fish.
Posted by: Ron Brochu on 4/29/2008 at 2:08 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink
PETA's rants can be silly, but they stimulate needed ethics debate
On the surface, a recent spat over Northwestern Middle Schools hunting wall seems pretty silly.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, better known as PETA, called upon principal Ken Bartelt to remove a collection of photos showing birds and animals killed by students. PETA argues the wall sets a precedent for a dangerous mind set that glorifies and even rewards violence.
That part of PETAs argument definitely is silly, at least from a woodsy cultural perspective.
American Indians and subsequent North American settlers relied upon hunted animals to survive. Even today, animal meat supplements the diets of many area residents, and even makes it way to area food shelves, all without prompting area gun owners to harvest fellow humans.
Also silly is PETAs argument that the wall should be replaced with something that demonstrates how students are doing good work to benefit the community.
It can be argued that ridding area roads of deer goes far toward accomplishing that task. Deer can be classified as a dangerous highway hazard. Their habit of jumping in front of cars puts every driver in danger and causes property damage that jacks our insurance rates. After mosquitoes and bees, theyre the most disdained Northland pest.
But despite PETAs culturally-incorrect proclamations from afar, the group has actively used its free speech right to make us think about topics wed rather ignore.
" It lobbies against puppy mills, which are notorious for breeding dogs in despicable conditions.
" It promotes vegetarian diets which, truth be told, would make us all healthier.
" It objects to wearing fur because of the cruelty caused to animals in the harvesting process.
" It spotlights horrible farm practices used in the raising and harvesting of animals for food.
Is the group a bit wacky? Oh yeah! Thats how it grabs attention.
Should PETA be ignored? In some cases definitely, but not in others.
Remember that some good emerges from PETAs efforts. Members have shined a needed spotlight on many questionable practices. And theyve made us re-evaluate our ethics.
Posted by: Ron Brochu on 4/25/2008 at 8:00 AM | Comments (0) | Permalink
Consumers won't benefit from airline merger
A battle is brewing that hopefully will set a precedent in the out-of-control world of business mergers.
The agreement to combine Northwest and Delta is being met with opposition by U.S. Rep. Jim Oberstar, who chairs the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and others in Congress. Hopefully, the Minnesota Democrat and like-minded representatives will succeed in preventing the carriers from becoming the countrys top mega-airline.
Thats quite a challenge, as the Bush Administration has never seen a monopolistic business deal it didnt like. The merger of XM and Sirius satellite radio is a prime example. Laws to prevent the creation of monopolies mean nothing in the current White House.
Clearly, combining Delta and Northwest would move airlines in that direction, prompting more carriers to consolidate, reducing competition and degrading service. Such was the case as Northwest grew to its current size. As it purchased North Central, then Republic, options such as flying from the Twin Ports to Thunder Bay, or Twin Ports to Madison and Chicago without changing planes, disappeared.
If anything, the federal government should raise its level of airline regulation. Irrational price cutting has slammed many top carriers into bankruptcy, eliminating countless good jobs including ones at Northwests maintenance facility in Duluth. Service has become progressively worse, with cabins almost resembling a proverbial bus ride in Guatemala, with chickens and goats in the aisle. Thats just about fitting for Northwests menu water and nuts.
It remains to be shown that larger airlines are better airlines. Consolidations may reduce costs, but that wont be a positive development if it further fuels a price war that ensures failure.
Posted by: Ron Brochu on 4/15/2008 at 4:49 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink