No Policy President

SHORT COMMUNICATION 380

No Policy President

 

By

 

Roger Behra

 

All the people who voted for America’s President Obama now realize that they have been bamboozled. It is sad that has happened in America at a crucial time in America history and the world situation. Many chickens are going to come home to roost because Obama has no policies to make things better. He has taken the road of appeasement to takes no action at all. It is absolutely justifiable to call Mr. Obama America’s no policy president.

 

What really irks the voters and especially the ones voted for him is shortly after he took office he began his 180° turn away from many of his campaign promises and words. As a result he has suffered the lowest percentage of approval of any president after only a short time in office. That has infuriated his Democratic voter-base and not helped America at all.

 

In matter of foreign relations with Russia and Iran, it has been a disaster. The New Start treaty Obama counted on has been largely ignored by Russia because Obama ruffled Russia’s feathers over missile defense. No help from Russia in Iranian matters are coming from Russia, either. In fact, the exact opposite is true. Moscow has thwarted America at every turn as they help Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Moscow has weakened or blocked resolution after resolution. Russia has declared it will oppose any new sanctions on Iran, also. Vladimir Putin is blaming America for being the secret power behind recent anti-government protests in Russia.

 

Even worse, is Obama’s approach to the situation with Iran? Years ago, when Obama began his presidency, he started by bowing, apologizing, and acknowledging the U. S. involvement in a coup that happened over 50 years ago. His bilateral negotiations failed miserably because of no firm policy. He adopted neutrality during the popular revolution in Iran in 2009 because he had no policy to put in place. That revolution was a golden opportunity to help the people foster a regime change, which cannot be possible now. Currently, Iran is diligently racing ahead in their weapons development program and their feverish goal to become a nuclear power. Iran has the help of Russia, China, and North Korea. No Obama policy is in place to counter act that.

 

Recently, Iran forced down a U. S. drone, and Obama asked Iran to give it back to the U. S. Iran completely ignored Obama, who took no action at all. That helped to confer legitimacy on a savage and terrorist regime. It’s a certain bet that China and Russia has benefited from information derived from the capture drone.

 

Iran hopes to someday complete the wish to wipe Israel and the U. S. off the face of the earth. Iran already has ballistic missiles that go 1,500 miles with a payload and drones with a range of 1,250 miles. They except to have a missile that can reach Israel and the U. S. shores by 2015. All of this progress puts Iran in the very troublesome category and should be monitored around the clock. Israel has a great intelligence system, and Obama must develop a policy that listens to Israel and supports them in matters of Iran’s weapons development and motives.

 

R. B.

3-5-14



Untrustworthy Iran

SHORT COMMUNICATION 379

Untrustworthy Iran

 

By

 

Roger Behra

 

Thanks to several dunderheaded leaders who threw caution to the wind and placed their trust in Iran who received limited relief the many sanctions that were hurting Iran because of their refusal to stop their enrichment of nuclear bomb and weapons’ grade uranium, Iran still remains a very strong threat to American interests in many parts of the world. Thankfully, the limited sanctions relief only a six-month moratorium. Iran is an untrustworthy Islamic Republic, and that means current times are full of hurdles that need to be overcome.

 

Despite the nuclear accord, Iranian activities continue to threaten the United States and its aliens, especially Israel. The two untrustworthy leaders remain in power; Ali Khamanei and Hassan Rouhandi. That is bad news for the limited sanctions promoters. It is especially bad news for the U. S. and Israel and Saudi Arabia.

 

The latest reports reveals that Iran has developed the Sejil-2 ballistic missile that can deliver a payload 1,500 miles and drones with a range of 1,250 miles. A recent report estimated that Iranian missiles could reach the U. S. shores by 2015.

 

Iran is very sneaky also behind the scenes. Iran has supplied weapons that have killed Americans. Iran bought rockets and machine guns and then sold them elsewhere, and those weapons killed American soldiers in 2007. Iran uses its influence to engage terrorist groups to further own terrorist activities and desires. In 2011, the FBI helped to uncover a plot to assassinate the Saudi Arabia ambassador to the U. S. and bomb the Israeli embassy. Espionage in favor of Iran has been uncovered to kill teachers at Jewish school; to kill people at the U. S. and Israeli embassies in Baju: to seize assault rifles, grenades, and explosives. Iran supports conflicts between Muslim groups. Iran backs terrorist groups that   threaten Israel’s northern borders. Iran supports the bloody Syrian regime. It is easily understood why Iran cannot ever be trusted.

 

When ex-leader of Iran said that “Israel and U. S. should be wiped off the face of the earth”, he was not whistling in the wind. If Iran could harm Israel, they would in a heartbeat. In Iran, there is an ingrained hatred towards Israel and U. S. because the U. S. is committed to supporting and helping to defended Israel if they are attacked. The limited sanctions relief given to Iran has had no effect. There has been no lessoning in Iran’s oppositions to the existence of Israel. Another big concern is the fact Iranian missiles could reach U. S. shores by 2015. That threat cannot be allowed to become a reality. In the near future, if Israel concludes that Iran’s missiles are a definitive threat and they need to be taken out, the U. S. must stand behind Israel’s decision and give whatever help that is necessary. Meanwhile, every move Iran makes has to be carefully watched. The Islamic Republic (Iran) is beyond even one minute’s trust.

 

R. B.

1-28-14



California vs. Texas

SHORT COMMUNICATION 378

California vs. Texas

 

By

 

Roger Behra

 

There is a continuous battle going on between California and Texas that started long ago. Most recently it has picked up in intensity and is now a full-fledged economic battle for technology development and export supremacy. In 2012 the tide turned and Texas began forging ahead of California. In 2013 Texas owned the lead. Export from Texas hit $45.1 billion while exports from California totaled $44.8 billion. Silicon Valley was supplanted by the Texas.

 

California’s economy is stuck in a recessionary ditch. The unemployment rate is stuck at a 12 percent. That’s the second highest in the Texas’ jobless rate is nearly a third lower and about one percentage point below the national rate. Concerning the matter of taxes, California’s tax rates are among the nation’s highest. Texas’ tax burden is one of the lowest. It’s about a third lower than California’s which is one of the nation’s highest.

 

Texas city in south Texas do not indicate recession, as do California’s. There are few vacant stores. Retail, dining, and entertainment venues are hopping with economic activity. The Texas oil industry is booming and is begging for workers. Texas highways are wide, smoothly paved, and well-maintained. California’s are congested and deteriorated, even though California’s fuel taxes are nearly twice as high. The total tax burden California’s pay per gallon of gasoline is the highest in the nation. Texas has the 13^th best business climate, while California’s is the 49^th, only ahead of New York. There is no doubt. Texas has won the economic battle them and California.

 

When Jerry Brown was elected the first time, he promised to greatly improve the economic condition in California, but he didn’t. He begged for a second 4 year term, which the voters gave to him. He thanked them by reneging on his camping promises. He even completely changed some of them to the opposite effect. Gov. Jerry Brown and his crew of political helpers have had one thing on their agenda and it’s taxes, and more taxes. That has caused hundreds of businesses to flee the state and the average Californian to curtail spending. California will never be the same as before Jerry Brown became governor. His second four-year term is worse than the first four-year term because he knows his political career is over. He’s leaving California in bad and unfixable economic condition. Texas is holding most of the candles to California. But when it comes to climate and physical beauty, Texas simply cannot hold and candle anywhere near California. And thankfully, Jerry Brown as California’s governor cannot get involved in trying to negatively change or tax California’s beauty or climate.

 

R. B.

1-24-14

 



The Wrong Decision

SHORT COMMUNICATION 377

 

The Wrong Decision

 

By

 

Roger Behra

 

Recently, a very tall, black, talented football player finished his playing days at the university he was attending. He made it well known that the wanted to be selected by one of the National Football League (NFL) teams. It seemed like clear sailing ahead until he opened his mouth and put feet in it.

 

Several days later he told his father he was GAY. His father was not prepared for the message he received from his son. His father has not been emotionally together since those moments, and soon the rumor began to circulate.

 

The very tall, black, very talented football player had no choice. He had to out himself, and since he did that, the NFL and the rest of the football word has not been together either. It was a bombshell revelation.

 

Quickly, the sport talk media made it a major issue, and the place the tall, black, very talented player had at the top of the NFL draft list vanished. Since the revelation, his place on the NFL list is near the bottom.

 

The sport talk media made it very clear about homosexual behavior that it does not belong in an culture at any time, and that it can never be acceptable on any or female sport’s team. It was made abundantly clear that people are gay because they choose to be gay, that God has never deliberately created a gay person, that God outlaws gay behavior, and that in the Bible there are references the make it clear homosexuality is grievously sinful. The talk shows also made it very clear that sex was created by God to be between a man and woman so that the human race can increase and multiply. Homosexual sex violates God’s plan for sexual behavior.

 

Concerning matters of common sense, no athlete (man or woman) has any place in a team locker where the athlete goes about business in a state of partial or complete undress. So, the very tall, black, very talented football player who recently told his father and the word that he chose to be gay should never be drafted or be seen in an all male team locker room. A heterosexual male team player cannot be seen in an all female locker room, so a gay male team player cannot be seen or part of an all male locker room. It’s a matter of common sense. What it narrows down to is the tall, black, talented football player made the very wrong choice to be gay and that no exception should be made. He has to live with grievously sinful mistake. That is the way the ball bounces. (No pun is intended.)

 

R. B.

2-16-14

 



Military Sex Crimes

SHORT COMMUNICTION 376

 

Military Sex Crimes

 

By

 

Roger Behra

 

If you have not come to the conclusion that immoral sexual activity has taken over with Americans and seriously affected American culture, you have to drastically change your thinking, wake up, and smell the coffee, because that is exactly what has been going on for a very long time. It is chocking but not surprising that on Feb. 11, 2014, it was revealed to everyone that the U. S. military has been greatly involved in sex crimes for a long time. It was additionally shocking to be informed as to how the military was handling the sexual assaults.

 

Now the Pentagon is under extreme pressure by the American Congress, detailed information on the sexual assaults in the armed forces and how they were handled has to be made known. The sexual assault cases in japan opened up a large can of worms and turned on the glaring spotlight.

 

Five major U. S. bases are involved in the military sexual assault cases. The base in Japan caused Congress to decide to get further involved, and they found four bases in the U. S. in four different states: Fort Hood in Texas, Naval Station Norfolk in Virginia, Wright-Peterson Air Force Base in Ohio, and Camp Pendleton in California. The records obtained shed enormous light on the enormity of the assaults. When the records were actually opened, it was absolutely shocking. Well over 1000 reports were on record.

 

There was considerably more shock at the type of sexual assaults that were recorded. The Senate Army Services personnel panel was totally shocked at the very long list of reports and allegations that the panel had to investigate. There were more than 1000 reports of sex crimes involving U. S. military personnel. The reports and allegations included rape, forcible sodomy, sexual assault, sex in the barracks, adultery and attempts at adultery, conspiracies or solicitations to commit these crimes. The investigation is an ongoing one, because there are more than 1,000 sex crimes to investigative and that will take much time.

 

When the investigation focused on the sex crimes, the investigators were very strongly overwhelmed with disbelief. Here they were investigating more than 1,000 military sex crimes, and investigators were finding that what appeared to be strong cases were often reduced to lesser charges. Suspects were unlikely to serve time even when military authorities agreed a crime had been committed. In two rape cases, commanders overruled recommendations to court-martial and then completely dropped the charges instead. It was extremely disturbing to find out that some commanders refuse to prosecute sexual assault cases even when the evidence is overwhelming. The identities of the commanders are kept secret. That means they can’t be held accountable for how they handled the cases.

 

What also has been going on is the Defense Department has been maintaining a closed system when was really needed was an open and transparent system so that the root of the problem can be readily known and that the right solutions can be put in place very quickly. Congress and the military must wake up and smell the coffee and get the correct solutions in progress ASAP.

 

R. B.

2-14-14

Dysfunction in Progress

SHORT COMMUNICATION 375

Dysfunction in Progress

 

By

 

Roger Behra

 

The dysfunction on a daily in the state of California is unimaginable. And one the most expansive dysfunctions is the California prison system. Is that a surprise? No, not really. Since 1978, closed to 800 inmates have been sent to death row by juries. Since 1978, California has executed only 13 inmates. That tells a story.

 

The death penalty was buried deeper in 2006. Since then, California’s lethal-injection protocol has been on hold, when U. S. District Jude Jeremy Fogel stayed the execution of convicted rapist/murder Michel Morales, lest Morales suffer any pain. Death row inmates are now likelier to kill themselves than they are to be executed, and so far, 78 inmates have also died from natural causes or violence.

 

Since 1978, the cost of the death penalty is estimated to be $4 billion dollars. That mean California’s taxpayers have paid that much since 1978 to administer the death penalty in California, and there are have been only 13 executed inmates since 1978. When you divide 4 billion by 13, you find that an execution cost on average $308 million dollars each. That is hard to imagine but it is so true. In 2009 the death penalty cost Californians $184 million dollars.

 

The small number of executions since 1978 and the unbelievable high cost of each one is great victory for the opponents of the death penalty. They have been pushing an end to it. Opponents consider California’s death penalty an expensive failure and an ideal example of the dysfunction of the state prison system. California’s death row is the largest and most costly in the United States. The 1978 death penalty law inspires frivolous appeals that clog courts, delays punishment, and burns through taxpayers’ dollars. It is really a certain black eye on the face of California’s politics.

 

It all boils down to the fact that many boneheaded rulings by federal judges has spawned dysfunction in the California prison system that is irreversible. What is the next political argument? Is it going to be that life without parole is too expensive?

 

R. B.

2-10-14

 



The Two Californias

SHORT COMMUNICATION 374

 

The Two Californias

 

By

 

Roger Behra

 

When you consider what makes up the state of California and what goes on there, you come to the realization that there are two Californias. One is for the rich people and the other is for the poor, and you can tell which is which geographically. The western half belongs to the rich, and the eastern half belongs to the poor. All the blade goes to Mother Nature.

 

Along with the geographic setup California there are the social disconnects, and the social disconnects cause the reality that there are two different kinds life: one for the rich, one for the poor. The disconnects make it clear that the state of California has two different cultures. One culture is very desireable, and the other leaves much to be desired.

 

California’s income and sales taxes are among the nation’s highest, but the state’s deficit is about $16 billion. More than 2000 upper-income Californians leave the state per week to flee high taxes and costly regulations. California’s taxes higher and its business climate ranks near the bottom of most surveys. Its teachers are among the highest paid in the nation, but its public school students consistently test near the bottom in both math and since. The state’s public employees have generous pensions and benefits, but California’s retirement systems lack billions in funds to pay for them. Californians pay very high gasoline taxes, but the freeways and the city streets have degenerated into potholed and clogged nightmares. It is a very mixed bag of problems faced on a daily basis, because the disconnects are many varied.

 

The two different cultures are caused by the two different landscapes: coastal and interior. Everyone wants to live in the coastal side because of the ocean, scenery, well maintained freeways and highways, beautiful homes, many businesses, and great restaurants. The interior side leaves much to be desired. There is too much unscenic open space, poorly maintained roads, old houses, old schools, and the fact the interior is a magnet for so many illegals that can’t speak any English and flood the schools. Interior restaurants cannot compare with coastal restaurants. People who better their daily living and education quickly leave for coastal California.

 

Some people may justifiably conclude that there is no such state, that there is no California. Instead there are two radical different cultures and landscapes with little common and dysfunctional in very different ways. Really, it is not a stretch of the imagination to say that the two cultures from disaster that cannot be called a state or California.

 

R. B.

2-9-2014