The Gadfly On The Wall

Lofty Expectations: Some citizens expect government to be able to perform miracles. Witness the latest angst over residential streets still ice-packed a week after the initial blast. It seems the belief of some that their cities should have had the side streets cleared by now. Never happen, unless those citizens want to pony up a gazillion dollars per year to buy graders, scrapers, salt/sand trucks (which would sit unused for 11 months and 3 weeks per year most years) and pay all the drivers it would take to maintain such a huge fleet.

Cabin Fever? Having ventured out several times this week to slip and slide over secondary streets to fetch essentials for the household, I find "cabin fever" absent. True, I was housebound (by choice) for five days, secure in the belief another vehicle was not needed on the roadways and I had no pressing reason to venture forth. Besides, with the Internet and several good, hefty books at hand, it was a chance to thoroughly explore the written word. Ten Minutes To Normal, Karen Hughes' autobiography, provided insight to George W. Bush, whom I continue to try to figure out. It Doesn't Take A Hero, retired General Norman Schwarzkopf's autobiography, rekindles the "Duty, Honor, Country" mantra drilled into those of us who served in the "brown shoe Army" (pre-1959) and still drilled into West Point cadets today. (For those unfamiliar with the term "brown shoe Army," the reference is to the brown shoes and boots issued to those in the Army up to about March 1959; those of us issued brown footwear for duty in Europe had the task of dying them black and then trying to spit-shine them into looking like the new, black shoes and boots being issued to newbies. Seldom were we successful.)

Governor Late: Brad Henry, who is chronically late to almost everything, it seems (I've personally witnessed his tardiness on two occasions, so it's not hearsay), needs to pay attention to these words from Karen Hughes' book as she writes about President Bush's always-on-time habit: "The first several months, dozens of members of the support staff, motorcade drivers and military personnel and the Air Force flight crew, commented to me about how the president was always on time. They appreciated it because they thought it showed a respect for their time; if the schedule said the motorcade was leaving at nine or Air Force One was departing at ten, the president was there on time, or a few minutes early; dozens of support people didn't have to sit for hours in hot cars or on airplanes waiting for him."

Al-Qaida In Central America? Reports continue to surface alleging terrorists are training in Central America's rain forests for eventual migration north into Mexico and then, across the border into the United States. Skeptics say it's not possible there's an Al-Qaida base we don't know about in the forests. Having visited the rain forests of Guatemala 40 years ago (and not much has changed there since), I attest is is possible for the City of New York to exist there and it would be 10 years before we knew it unless we knew exactly where to look and focus our satellite cameras.

Be Prepared: Doomsday is not at hand, my opinion, despite the continuing terrorist threat. I do, however, continue to honor my Boy Scout motto and have on hand an ample supply of firearms and ammunition, in substantial calibers, and am sufficiently trained in their use, to defend should the need arise. And I promise I'll do my best to also defend my gun-grabbing, liberal neighbor who is ill-prepared to defend against even the weakest of assailants.

Good Old Buddies: Labor Commissioner Lloyd Fields has named former State Rep. Bill Settles of Muskogee, as his general counsel and former State Rep. M. C. Leist as deputy commissioner. This convergence of good old buddies from the House in the Department of Labor makes some uncomfortable.

Gadflys On Other Walls: Blogger Ron Black has his camo pants all waded up over the suggestion a "MAPs3" is needed in Oklahoma City. Blogger Mark Shannon is similarly situated as he contemplates running for mayor of Edmond. Being the circumspect, veteran conservative that I am, I am taking a "wait and see" posture. Alphecca's Jeff Soyer continues to uphold the Constitution. Michael Bates in Tulsa continues to offer the best blog anywhere; my favorite. Click on the tiny "Newsgator" label on the right side of his home page for the best postings from other blogs.

On The Air: Satellite radio is amazing. Although my air time on Sirius Patriot Channel 144 is limited to a few nights a week on the NRA's "Cam & Company" show, I am startled by how many listen all over the country. The technology is superb; one can listen anywhere in the nation, even driving across it, with no static, no button-punching for a clear signal, and there's something for everyone. Now, if Sirius would just add a Zydeco music channel....

Idiocy: "SACRAMENTO, CA ~ California parents could face jail and a fine for spanking their young children under legislation a state lawmaker has promised to introduce next week. Democratic Assemblywoman Sally Lieber said such a law is needed because spanking victimizes helpless children and breeds violence in society." Sure, it does. Just look at all of us violent law-breakers who had our fannies whacked in childhood.

Share |