News - Opinion - Sound Off

Sunday, Nov. 08, 2009

Is it really friendly?

Though I appreciate the value of social networking Web sites such as Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter to bring people together and allow introverts a way to communicate more openly, I do have to wonder…if you have to go online in a public forum to find out the most recent status of your friends, are they TRULY your friends? I mean, wouldn’t they pick up the phone or e-mail you if they really wanted you to know their status prior to their 300+ “friends”?

Not renewing with AARP

I have been a member of the AARP for 12 years. However, since they endorsed Madam Pelosi’s health-care bill I will not renew my membership. I do not understand how anyone who has not read the almost 2,000-page document can endorse such a plan. I cannot imagine AARP read this document overnight, since they endorsed it the next day. I am against any bill that would take away $460 billion from Medicare and so should the AARP be against it.

Don’t be misled

The real debt Republicans are referring to is the escalating cost of a new giant entitlement program. The $1 trillion (plus) over the next 10 years is misleading. We the people start paying for it immediately, but it doesn’t go into effect for four or more years. So initially we have 10 years of payment for a five-year program. The next 10, 20, 30 years is where we will really pay. And as in all entitlement programs the cost will escalate at an exponential rate; look at Medicaid and Medicare. If you are paying attention, you know it is being held back by fiscally conservative Democrats. They have the White House, and control of the House and Senate. If all Democrats were on board, it would have been a done deal long ago.

Don’t ask, don’t tell

I was pulled over for a bad tail light. I gave the officer license, proof of insurance, registration. He asked where I was going, I told him I was going to a friend’s house. He asked me who my friend was, and what the address was. I told him, “Officer, I don’t see that it is your business who my friend is.” He became agitated, and ordered me out of the vehicle. He said I was in a high-crime area. Will we need papers soon? I was in a high-crime area because he made me stop!

Coast Guard making waves?

An article today in the Sun Herald stated Northrop Grumman delivered a second cutter to the Coast Guard. It said it is capable of executing the most challenging maritime safety and security missions around the globe. Being an old Navy man, it seems to me the Coast Guard is duplicating the Navy’s role in our defense program. Deepwater has always been the Navy’s realm, as well as global requirements. The Coast Guard as far as I know guarded our coasts. If we want to save money, this is not the way to do it.