Pilot Fatigue

When I heard about that North West Airlines flight that bypassed the Minneapolis airport and kept on going…for another 150 miles, two thoughts immediately flashed through my mind:

1. What if they didn’t have enough fuel?

2. Pilot Fatigue?

Now those pilots say they were having a “heated discussion” about airline policy. Some people think they were sleeping. Whatever they were doing, that was scary!

I’ve been really afraid of flying since Lockerbie, because I was in London, and had just passed through Frankfurt around that time. Since then, airplane crashes and near misses have only reinforced my fear.

Hearing about that incident where pilots, TWO pilots, just let the plane fly itself to wherever on a straight line is not very reassuring.

I decided to look into Pilot Fatigue...and found a report from NASA (America’s National Aeronautics and Space Administration). The NASA report outlines the findings from a study the agency did on pilot fatigue and its implications for aviation safety.

The Deputy Associate Administrator in the Office of Aero-Space Technology at NASA testified at a Congressional Hearing on Pilot Fatigue in August, 1999. 10 Years ago!

He told the Aviation Subcommittee of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, United States House of Representatives, that Pilot Fatigue is a significant safety issue in aviation.

He testified that: “Rather than simply being a mental state that can be willed away or overcome through motivation or discipline, fatigue is rooted in physiological mechanisms related to sleep, sleep loss, and circadian rhythms. These mechanisms are at work in flight crews no less than others who need to remain vigilant despite long duty days, transmeridien travel, and working at night when the body is programmed for sleep”.

According to the NASA official: “Flight crews routinely respond that fatigue is a concern, often admitting to having nodded off during a flight and/or arranging for one pilot to nap in the cockpit seat”.

• The crewmembers napped one-at-a-time in a three-person cockpit with minimal disruption to normal flight operations and no reported or identified concerns regarding safety. The benefits of the nap were observed throughout the critical descent and landing phases of flight. The planned nap appeared to provide effective and acute relief from significant sleepiness experienced by crews in three-person nonaugmented flight operations.

• He told Congres: The Fatigue Countermeasures Program submitted a draft advisory circular to the FAA in January 1993 on "Controlled Rest on the Flight Deck." Regulatory provisions that would sanction the appropriate use of planned cockpit rest remain under review. Several non-U.S. air carriers have already implemented the procedure.

Congress apparently asked NASA to conduct the Study. NASA’s Ames Research Center created a program to examine whether "there is a safety problem of uncertain magnitude, due to transmeridian flying and a potential problem due to fatigue in association with various factors found in air transport operations."

Researchers came up with a number of recommendations and countermeasures to address Pilot Fatigue in the cockpit.

Is anyone (Sixty Minutes, Oprah?) asking if the FAA implemented those measures and how many US CARRIERS HAVE SIGNED ON?

Do I have to stop blogging and go do some investigative journalism (which I was trained to do)? I'm sleeping - blogging is much easier! Just like Networks/Media Outlets are sleeping - because it's also much easier to hire bloviates who promulgate spin, opinion and bull - instead of dealing with FACTS – which by the way are inconvenient things!

If they were indeed arguing, or "heatedly discussing" - maybe those two should NOT work together anymore? Please argue while having a drink (preferably orange juice) at a club – NOT up in the air where it causes you to go 150 miles off course.

I also found this article that appeared in USA TODAY in JUNE. 2009.

Airlines, pilot unions and federal officials have until September first to develop new rules to limit fatigue among pilots, the Federal Aviation Administration said Wednesday in an unusually aggressive move to reach agreement on one of the industry's most contentious safety issues.

The National Transportation Safety Board has cited fatigue as a factor in several recent crashes, including a February crash near Buffalo that killed 50 people.

The board revealed last month that both pilots on that flight had not gotten a full night's sleep before the accident.
The NTSB lists combating fatigue as one of its "Most Wanted" safety improvements.

FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt called on airlines and pilot unions to begin meeting with federal officials by July 15 to come up with recommendations on how long pilots can work each day.
The committee will have until September to present their findings, Babbitt said in a news release. "Now is the time to push these initiatives forward," he said.

An effort to get unions and airlines to reach a compromise in the 1990s failed, leaving 50-year-old rules that scientists who study fatigue say do little to promote safety.

Under current rules, pilots generally can fly up to eight hours a day. Their workday, which includes time on the ground between flights, can extend up to 16 hours. There are no restrictions on flying during the middle of the night or making numerous takeoffs and landings.

Curtis Graeber, a scientist who has studied pilot fatigue for nearly 30 years, said that research can better predict how long pilots should work than simple hourly limits.

Factors such as how many days in a row a pilot has worked and whether rest periods allow for a good night's sleep should be used to limit flying time, Graeber said.

Airlines in Europe, Australia and New Zealand have begun adopting such rules. Graeber said he is not hopeful that the groups can reach agreement in this country.

"Getting that kind of consensus has proved challenging in the past," he said.





Pilots have rejected attempts to extend the amount of time they can fly and airlines oppose changes that would restrict scheduling.
Airlines and the Air Line Pilots Association say they support the government's effort.

DO YOU NOTE THE SENTENCE BEFORE THE LAST? > Pilots have rejected attempts to extend the amount of time they can fly and airlines oppose changes that would restrict scheduling.

Why not just put a squadron of fighter jets on standby - to escort runaway planes…and bill the airlines/Pilots Union?!

That would get somebody’s attention!

(Please remember: I'm ONLY posting on SUNDAY'S now, due to other commitments).

First Sunday Post – Parenting

I always thought that I would not be a good parent because I have a Type A plus personality - quick temper, no patience (notice how many media types have this similar type of personality, with a super big ego?).

However, I struggled along. I have dreams of becoming a Top Model or winning Survivor (TV reality show) and writing that winning screenplay. But although none of these have happened (yet!) I have managed to not live vicariously through my son.

Well, confession: I used a mixture of threats, cajoling and bribes to get him to take an instrument at school. I wanted piano, he’s going for drums. But so far, I have not paraded him on national T.V…and there’s been no vomiting. Again, not yet!

I’m not one of those people who think that parents should not profit off their kids. The little buggers profit off us for decades, sometimes forever! Go ahead, profit off them. Raising a kid is not easy and if that kid has a particular talent or skill that can help take that family off difficult times into the good life. I say, GO for it.

However, please parents, DO NOT USE THESE KIDS AS YOUR MEAL TICKET, even if he/she/they...is/are that meal ticket.

I cannot stand to see parents parade their little girls on stage pushing them to do things the kids don’t want to do. Some do like it, some do have a natural bent for it and for them it’s OK. But many kids don’t, yet these parents push these kids into the limelight or on stage, because they are blinded by dollar signs.

I used to take my son to auditions and I would overhear the coaching, the handling, and the managing - the prodding and the bullying and the cautioning: Say this. (You can tell from the parent's tone/attitude and the child's reaction which ones are being coerced.) Do this. Don’t do that it will ruin your hair/costume, whatever…and I’d feel sorry for those kids.

Yes, sorry for those kids. We see what happens to child stars when they are not grounded, and even to some that are grounded.

We forget that Einstein was not an actor or a basketball player. But he’s more famous and respected and honored than any sports star or Hollywood celebrity will ever be.

(Please let me know if I am wrong, but:) Bill Gates was not a child star.

Mother Theresa was not a child star.

Jay Leno was not a child star.

Marie Curie was not a child star.

Do you remember the name of that cute little girl who played Bill Cosby’s youngest daughter on the Cosby show?

Do you know who Bill Clinton is? HE was not a child star, but she (Keshia Knight Pulliam) was. Which person (not character) do you remember offhand? Would you recognize her in the street today? Would you recognize Clinton? Does she have Secret Service protection?

I’m just throwing out names at random to show that our kids DO NOT NEED TO BECOME YOUNG CELEBRITIES AND OVERACHIEVERS to leave their mark on the world.

However, in the race for fame, celebrity, money and book deals (which is apparently ALL that counts these days) some of us, parents, seem to be seeing our kids as cash cows that we reckon we should milk every few hours!

What set me off? The balloon story out of Colorado!

I came home Thursday afternoon (Oct. 15, 2009) and there was this hot air balloon (home made) drifting in the sky. According to news reports, there is/was a 6-year-old inside and now he’s not, and maybe the kid fell out!

What! A 6-year-old in a hot air balloon! What was he doing in the balloon, I’m asking my son? Why was he in the balloon in the first place? Was an adult with him? Did he fall out? What if he did fall out?

I have visions of a broken body in a tree somewhere…

And then…and then…we learn the kid was safe, hiding in his attic all along.

Wow! Ok, that’s good. But…?

Then I listen to the emergency calls and I learn the dad calls a local TV station and the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) first, before calling 911. BEFORE calling 911?

Your 6-year-old son is drifting off in a hot air balloon and 911 is your third call?

Did he want to ensure that the government did NOT blast the balloon out of the air? Then the best thing would be to call 911, wouldn't it?

If my son doesn’t get home from the school bus within minutes I’m calling him – where are you? And if for some reason I can’t reach him, I’m already thinking of what to tell the police to convince them that no, he didn’t run away and has never done this sort of thing before.

So am I going to say it’s a hoax? Nope, can’t say that because for one, I’m afraid of lawsuits. This family seems to have a lot more money than I do. (Plus I make cookies; they make hot-air balloons!) They have an attic atop their garage – I don’t even have a garage! Or a parking spot!

Police plan an announcement…I’m waiting to hear it.

In the meantime, please parents, (I think) it is better to have an emotionally secure, stable, well-adjusted kid who is not a celebrity, but doing well at school and has friends etc…than one who is getting chased by paparazzi or is paraded on live T.V. and has their embarrassing bodily malfunctions televised worldwide.

And (in an unrelated incident) would I have let my kid sit on the floor at an awards show just to hold Pamela Anderson’s train? According to news reports, the 9-year-old girl did not have her own seat - she had to sit at Pamela's feet all night!

Too much to say about this one...but WE are the sanctimonious finger-waggers who criticize child labor in India and other developing countries, where these kids work TO SURVIVE...AND SUPPORT ENTIRE FAMILIES.

See Why I Rave About Hypocrisy!

What do you think?

Sunday Blogger

Hello there…

I just launched an online endeavor.

I’ve wanted to do it for more than a year, but I was dragging my feet. I got the paperwork, set things up and was afraid to take the plunge.

I finally launched this week and it’s looking promising. But it takes a lot of my time. And I won’t be able to blog every day like I used to.

So I’ve decided to bcome a Sunday Blogger.

I got the idea from a report I saw on TV about a woman who only blogs on Sundays. I thought – perfect! I don’t have to give up blogging – and I can use my weekdays to focus on my enterprise!

I will have a new post on Sunday.

Please come back. I still have lots of opinions…on everything, and I’m still NOT afraid to say them – well, most of them!

Thanks,

Conlibe.

In the Land of the Gullible…

Say I commission a group of army families to conduct a study on the impact it will have on them, their families and that area… if their base is closed:

Their Study would probably conclude that if the government closed that base, it would be gloom and doom:

People would lose their jobs and livelihoods.

That area and its economy would be devastated.

The nation’s security will be compromised.

Contracts would be lost, etc.

Accusations that the base is polluting groundwater are unfounded – so far, only one case has been actually linked to groundwater contamination, and it’s yet to be proved that the base is the source.

Ask the affluent neighboring community that’s been agitating to close the base for years, and the results are likely to be completely different:

Only a few people would lose their jobs and livelihoods, most will be transferred elsewhere.

That area and its economy would be NOT devastated, other industries will move in.

The nation’s security won't be compromised – there is another base in the area.

The army should not be conducting tests in that area – and they will have statistics to prove how the base is harming the groundwater.

So which poll do you believe?

Now I’ve used a rather silly example to make my point, but studies, like polls, can be manipulated and sometimes are. It all depends on who is doing it…why they’re doing it.

So when the insurance industry comes out with its “Poll” about how expensive health Care reform will be to the nation...I take that with a grain of salt, or in this modern age, a dose of aspirin!

The last thing we need is an insurance company trying to convince us that when we are sick, don't worry, they will BE there!

They just refused to cover that really huge, 17-pound baby in Colorado.

They looked ahead and saw a possible lifetime of complaints and complications and told that bay and its family: Oh no – you’re very likely to be sick, you’re on your own, sorry!

Rocky Mountain Health Plans caved in after the public outcry. The company CEO says that policy is appropriate for adults who may be overweight, not for that baby!

So the rest of us are screwed! I’m not overweight, but I’m sure they’d find something to hold over me!

He also says they fixed the situation “without getting all emotional about it…and Washington could take a page out of their book.” Don’t even head to that library!

Yet insurance companies are trying to convince the rest of us that they will hold our hand all the way to the grave. Yep, Mr. nice, caring, sympathetic insurance company…I’m sure you can’t even spell “pre-existing condition!”

The Insurance Study found that: If the legislation the Senate Finance Committee voted (14-9) on yesterday (October 13, 2009) became law, health insurance premiums for the average family (which is what?) would increase by approximately 4-thousand-dollars a year.

They claim that premiums for a single person would go up by another 600 dollars.

Now the accounting firm (PricewaterhouseCoopers) that conducted the study says there are deficiencies in the data it prepared for America’s Health Insurance Plans.

Montana Democrat, Max Baucus, chairs the Senate Finance Committee. It cobbled together the latest Health Care Reform version.

(Baucus's involvement in efforts to reform health care amuse me. HE’s number four on the list of Washington congressmen getting donations from the health care industry and the top democrat.)

He called the report “a health insurance company hatchet job." Guess he was keeping his toes crossed - we'd see his fingers, or would we?

The Finance Committee's version seeks to expand insurance coverage to 29 million people who wouldn't otherwise be covered. Under that plan, nearly everyone would have to buy a policy and low- and moderate-income families will get subsidies to help them afford premiums.

The full Senate is slated to begin debate on the Bill the week of October 26.

Look for more studies … coming soon from self-interested parties around the country!

Crying Time Again…

If you are a Boston Red Sox fan and you know this song…please sing along, if you can. Then look for my “Disappointed Fan Version” below…

CRYING TIME

(Owens)

Ray Charles - 1966





Oh, it's crying time again, you're gonna leave me

I can see that far away look in your eyes

I can tell by the way you hold me darling Oooh

That it won't be long before it's crying time



Now they say that absence makes the heart grow fonder (fonder)

And that tears are only rain to make love grow

Well my love for you could never grow no stronger (stronger)

If I lived to be a hundred years old



Oh, it's crying time again, you're gonna leave me

I can see that far away look in your eyes

I can tell by the way you hold me darling. Yeah now

That it won't be long before it's crying time



Now you say you've found someone that you love better (better)

That's the way it's happened every time before

And as sure as the sun comes up tomorrow ('morrow)

Crying time will start when you walk out the door



Oh, it's crying time again, you're gonna leave me

I can see that far away look in your eyes

I can tell by the way you hold me darling. Alright now

That it won't be long before it's crying time (2x)



“Disappointed Fan Version”

Conlibe - 2009



Oh it’s Crying Time again…

Angels swept Sox from Playoffs

I can see that look of despair in our eyes

I could tell…by the way the Sox were playing

That it wouldn’t be long before the Crying Time….



Now they say that there’s next year and the year after

And our tears will only make Big Papi strong

‘cause our love for him could never grow no stronger

If we lived to be a hundred years or more



Oh, it's crying time again, the Yankees made it

And they'll taunt us the next season opener

I could tell - by the way that team was playing

There'd be NO wet tissues on their floor this year



Some fans say they’ve found a team that they love better

That's the way it's happened every time before

But if the PATS win each and every game tomorrow

Crying time won’t stop till Red Sox win some more



Oh, it's crying time again, no AL East games hyah!

Fenway Park will now be shuttered, silent, dark

We all know that Papelbon will not be dancing

And the Swan Boats won’t be parading this year!



Oh well…can’t be all serious and talking about Health Care Reform. Can we? Let’s take time off for some fun…or despair!

Hypocrisy and Enclave Politics

There are many issues to blog about.

War, Obama’s Nobel Peace Prize, the Economy – to stimulate or not to stimulate? Health Care…Boston Red Sox out of the playoffs (Angels?) and Boston fans' new chapter of “Keeping Hope Alive” (which reminds me of Jesse Jackson – why is he so quiet? What's HE is up to, I wonder!?

I’ll probably touch those topics at some point….

However, to me, the story that slipped under the radar occurred in California.

Does the name: Tom Ammiano ring a bell? Probably won’t to most people.

Does the name: Joe Wilson ring a bell? Probably does.

U.S. Congressman Wilson, (Republican from South Carolina) became a household name after he shouted “You lie” to President Obama during a nationally televised joint session of Congress in September, 2009.

Ammiano is a Democrat, a state assemblyman from California. He shouted "You lie!" to California governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, who dropped in on a Democratic fundraiser in San Francisco Wednesday night, (Oct. 07, 2009).

Schwarzenegger who can be gracious (when he’s NOT castigating gays or immigrants, he’d probably want me to say illegal immigrants, which is more convenient) laughed it off by saying that: He got an even rougher ride when he decided to marry his wife, a member of the Kennedy clan. (His wife's mom was sister to U.S. President John F. Kennedy).

What has happened to graciousness, politeness and courtesy? Here you have a moderate republican like Arnold Schwarzenegger, (don’t we all have our flaws?) who was brave enough (he’s the Terminator, after all) to drop in at a Democratic fundraiser and speak…

And instead of listening to what HE has to say and engaging him in discourse and dialog, the morons there were booing and disrespectful.

So if George Bush comes to a function here in Boston, do we shout: The English are coming back!? Is that it?

I thought it was extremely rude of Mr. Ammiano (and I use the Mister with reserve) to shout “you lie” to the California governor. You dummy!

And that’s NOT all. According to published reports (I’ve never heard of Ammiano and know nothing about him) Ammiano is a veteran gay rights campaigner. Schwarzenegger's stance that marriage is between a man and a woman is unacceptable to gays.

However, instead of cornering the governor after the function and talking to him, which would be too much of a polite thing to do in today’s America, Ammiano reportedly walked out, shouting as he left: "Kiss my gay ass."

I doubt governor Schwarzenegger wants to kiss your gay ass, Ammiano. For that you may need to see another republican…the one who was hiding in the airport bathroom stall…

The event’s host, former San Francisco mayor Willie Brown, invited Schwarzenegger, INVITED him, to the event.

So why is nobody outraged?

• Is it because it was NOT president Obama, whom I admire and adore?

• Is it because Schwarzenegger is just a governor, and too low down the Totem Pole – he’s NOT president or a U.S Representative or Senator?

• Is it because Schwarzenegger is a Republican? They’re dissing everybody so let’s diss them too?

• Or do we not care anymore?

Hypocrisy at work!

How clearly can we see through the thick haze of “enclave politics” (have I just coined a term?) that’s now permeating this country?

Ammiano’s reasons for disagreeing with the governor may be sound and valid. Apart from their sexual preferences, there’s also the legislative feuding between California’s republican governor and its legislature.

Schwarzenegger wants lawmakers to agree on a plan to upgrade the state’s aging water system and was threatening to veto everything. (He lifted his veto threat today, Oct. 12, 2009.)

Ammiano is a stand-up comedian. But while many of us will agree that politics and politicians these days are becoming a joke, this is NOT funny!

This “New Rudeness Deal” started with the republicans (well, rudeness didn’t start WITH them) but they do propagate it and nurture it to suit their ends.

Hillary Clinton was a bitch? Remember? A former first lady…of the country - but because they don’t like her, they feel no compunction to be respectful?

Just as now they see Obama as a little black boy…and they’ll be damned if they will respect him.

Democrats, people of good sense, Americans…don’t go down that path…tempting as it may seem.

Remember, what you sow…as the Bible they supposedly read says…is what you reap. (Supposedly read, in between having their adulterous flings … and corrupt dealings … and planning new strategies to screw working people and poor people so their rich friends can buy another yacht).

U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson’s infamous "You lie!" outburst has reportedly paid off for him, big time.

And he’s poised to have the most lucrative fundraising quarter of any member of Congress.

Hey, rudeness pays. Don’t you dare tell your kids NOT to tell that person who could use that shower that junior won’t kiss him/her because said person doesn’t smell good. Don’t you dare!!

Encourage them, urge them to go on…say it! Then give the kid a treat! Good job!!!

Good Lover/Bad Lover

Shortly before news broke about the sexual shenanigans of one David Letterman, CBS’s resident Don Juan (forgive me, I studied Keats); I came across this article about a “bad lovers” poll.

Seems some countries have good lovers, others have great lovers and some, like America, have bad lovers!

You heard right. Americans are bad lovers. Nothing was said about the number of lovers that one has – just the quality of the loving.

Here’s how it breaks down:

Latin lovers are the best. Seems those hot-blooded Spaniards take the cake, literally.

U.K. marketing firm, OnePoll, put Spanish lovers on top – followed by Brazil, Italy and France.

Remember gentle peoples, 20 million Frenchmen cannot be wrong! And for the cartoon lovers, think Pepe Le Phew! The love-struck, over-aggressive skunk that’s into white stripes! Perpetually chasing Le pussy ferocious! La belle femme skunk fatale!!

Ireland, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Denmark and Canada round out the Top Ten BEST Lovers List.

I wonder if there’s something in olive oil, virgin olive oil that people are missing out on here in America?

In the bad lover category, Germans are number one. They’re described as unhygienic – too smelly; and the worst in bed.

Ironic, I guess, that the perfume style called Cologne or Eau de Cologne originated from the great German city of: Cologne! An Italian perfumer launched the fragrance there in 1709.

The poll of 15-hundred women from 20 countries rate English men second on the Worst Lovers List. Seems English chaps are too prim and proper…and lazy. Hey Simon Cowell – how about that?

Swedes are criticized for being too quick. My aunt is married to a Swede. Have you ever been to Sweden – in the winter? It is cold! Who wants to be uncovered that long?

Number four on the bad lovers list is Holland: Too dominating. Maybe they’re gotten too used to conquering...dams-els?

Which takes us to number five: Americans. Now usually when referring to Americans, I say us and we. Not this time. Sorry. In this instance I’m from the Caribbean.

According to the poll, Americans, YOU - are uncomfortably rough. Please guys; you have already conquered the West! OK.

Greeks – too annoyingly lovey-dovey! Aristotle…lovey- dovey?

The Welsh are too selfish. Now we understand why Princess Diana…never mind! We'll keep that low down to ourselves!

Scots too loud – MY OH MY!

Turks are too sweaty…

And Russians are too hairy. Hey I’ve seen Putin in shorts (only on TV - Russian secrets are safe) and he looks grrreat!

I notice they didn’t poll in black countries. (I bet South Africa was white South Africa). They didn’t go to Soweto! Come on!

(The saying about black men - and women: Once you go black, no looking back!)

Having bitten the good lovin’ bug, I wanted to know more. So I...Googled, of course...and this came up.

When it comes to sex, seems sports are a game stopper. According to website areyouromantic.com: (Well, are you?)

One in four men would give up sex for at least a month to ensure that his favorite team wins the Super Bowl!

15-percent would give it up for the entire season. 11 percent would give it up for however long it takes.

17-percent of men think their team’s performance on the field affects their performance in bed.

Nearly 30-percent of men think they have better sex after their team wins!

And about one in five sports fans delay sex until after the game is over!

I don’t know the nationality of these men. But based on the previous poll, I’d say they are not Spanish!

The Germans (Visigoths) invaded and occupied Spain in the 5th to 8th centuries. However: as History tells us, they did NOT leave much of a permanent mark on Hispanic culture. Otherwise, Spanish men would probably be up there with Germans on the Worst Lovers List.

Coming soon: "The Art of Seduction" by David Letterman.

Oops, I forgot. He's American. Sorry Dave…

SEX AND THE (Arlington, MA) SCHOOL DISTRICT

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Afghanistan Conundrum

The Soviets invaded and occupied Afghanistan but it was such a headache - they packed up and left. Well they didn’t pack up that much – they just left!

The Soviets started moving into Afghanistan December 24, 1979. The last Soviet troops started withdrawing in 1988 and by February 1989, they were all gone.

The U.S was best friends with the "resistance" then - the Mujahideen. The CIA armed/supplied and trained the Mujahideen to the tune of 600 million dollars per year. (Multiply that by 10 and tell me again why we can’t fund Health Care for Americans?).

Is yesterday’s Mujahideen today’s Taliban?

Over a million Afghans were killed in that war. Millions were displaced within their own country and millions more sought refuge in neighboring countries like Pakistan and Iran…

Millions more were maimed or wounded and according to Wikipedia: In the 1980s, one out of two refugees in the world was an Afghan.

Today, when we talk about the Afghan War, we’re not talking about the Soviet’s Viet Nam – we’re talking about our current quagmire.

In October 2001, a U.S. led invasion ousted Afghanistan’s Taliban government. The al-Qaeda terrorists responsible for the September Eleven terror attacks were Taliban protégés.

But instead of focusing on Afghanistan, President George W. Bush invaded Iraq.

That wild goose chase was a mistake, a distraction, a dead end, a regional destabilizer and anti-American incubator.

Now President Obama’s top Afghanistan commander is asking for as many as 40-thousand more soldiers. Congressional Republicans are also pushing for more troops. No surprise there – these people would send troops to fight Polar Bears in Iceland!

But there is division among the ranks. The Pentagon’s top three military commanders overseeing the war want to accept McChrystal's recommendations. Others, like Vice President Joe Biden, want the U.S focus on counterterrorism. That would involve using unmanned drones and Special Forces to target top Taliban and al-Qaida leaders…without involving more troops.

So which can we afford or are willing to pay for? More troops and more war – or Health Care?

It would have been easier to decide if things were quiet. But a fierce Taliban attack over the October 4 weekend killed eight U.S. soldiers - and added to the pressure.

So what can America do? What can President Obama do?

There are at least three things that He/America CAN do.

1. He/we can pack up and leave.

Either tell the Afghans to heck with you…

I’ve had enough of your corruption, your flawed elections, your infighting and your traditions that don’t make sense to me. In short, I’ve had enough of you.

Or:

Thank you very much. But I don't want any more dead soldiers. I don’t think Afghanistan will ever be “safe” and “secure” and “democratic” - whatever that means.

I/We tried. We really, really wanted to help. But this war is too expensive and we, regrettably, have to leave now.

To which the Afghans will say: You’re screwing us (would they say screwing? maybe not) deserting us again.

And we say: Sorry!

Or:

A combination of the above where we say: To heck with you. We tried and we
got nowhere.

2. He/We can say: I AM sending more troops. I am NOT leaving until I am sure that the elements of the Taliban I’m after are completely routed from Afghanistan AND Pakistan! Not only will I send more troops, if you kill those troops, I will keep on sending troops until that corner of The Axis of Evil is no longer evil!

Or:

He/We can keep the status quo – no new troops and limp along.

I’m just happy I’m not making that decision, but if I was, I’d pack up, call the Soviets, ask them the easiest way out of Afghanistan, then get the hell out! Fast!

Leaving would be sad. We’ve poured billions of dollars into that war and have little, if anything, to show for it. Yet we can’t afford health Care Reform.

America – are you listening – and deciding? Or are you too busy returning to your old shopping ways to bother about trivial things like the Afghan war or Health Care Reform? No demonstrations, no phone calls to representatives, no town-hall style denunciations - Nada?

According to White House press secretary Robert Gibbs:
"I don't think we have the option to leave. That's quite clear." Sometimes I wonder about Gibbs! You don’t have the option to leave? Why? We started off with it, I hope? So where did that option go?

When President Obama installed Stanley McChrystal as commander in Afghanistan earlier this year, Obama asked the general to assess the war. McChrystal told the President that if America did not significantly increase its troop strength in Afghanistan, the U.S. would NOT be able to gain the upper hand over the Taliban and Al-Qaida.

Supposing he's right and we rout out current Taliban elements, what are the guarantees that future elements will not appear?

White House officials say the President is likely to take weeks before making a decision.

So here we are, back at Square One. President Obama could of course take the middle road and say: I don’t support sending more troops, but since the general is there on the ground and HE wants more troops, I’m going to send some more. If things don’t turn around by a set date, I’m pulling the plug.

Let us remember, though, that bombs are not necessarily the way to go, these days. The new century calls for a new kind of war. Schnitzel has become more potent than shrapnel. Détente is more embraced than detonations.

…..Meantime, A new poll finds 42-percent of Americans now think we made "a mistake" in sending military forces to Afghanistan”.

A similar poll in January 2002 found only 6-percent of Americans thought the Afghan war was "a mistake.

Top Ten Things David Letterman Should Do!

1. Rent out that bachelor pad atop his studio – you are not a bachelor anymore

2. Do not meet Bill Clinton for drinks

3. Call his ex-lovers and ask them to get rid of their diaries, pronto

4. Change the name of his production company to: Faithful Overalls

5. Stop trying to make the unfunny funny - only funny is funny and this is NOT funny!

6. Stop confessing to the audience. Go see a shrink

7. Start a company in Hollywood titled: Beating Losers At Their Own Game

8. Get a contract stipulation that all future assistants be gay females

9. Do not ever crack any more jokes about aging philanderers

10. Hold on dearly to that lawyer of his

I have never really watched either the David Letterman Show (CBS) or The Tonight Show with or without Jay Leno (NBC) – and I don’t intend to start now.

Whenever I’m up late and these shows come on, I usually switch to a news/sports channel.

On Monday night, I was a bit lazy to get up immediately, because I was just a few minutes away from finishing what I was doing, so Letterman came on.

I must admit, I was a bit curious as to what HE would say, given the revelations about his alleged Sexual Liaisons Room – or Bachelor Pad – or bedroom, whatever above his set in the Ed Sullivan Theater on Broadway.

Monday's show was Letterman’s first show since announcing, Thursday that a CBS producer had tried to blackmail him for 2-million-dollars over the late night host’s sexual relationships with women who worked for him.
The producer pleaded not guilty to extortion charges, last week.

Scandals seem to be good for ratings. Letterman got a lot of applause when he came on. The gist of Letterman’s comments are in italics, not necessarily verbatim. He started off (his monologue?) by asking the audience about their weekend:

His weekend?: It just flew by…and that he’d give anything right now to be hiking on the Appalachian Trail. (Reference to South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford who was visiting his mistress in Argentina. An aide said the governor was hiking along the Appalachian Trail "to kind of clear his head after the legislative session.”) Lots of applause.

He got into the car in the morning and the navigation lady wasn’t talking to him (applause) ouch! Lots more applause…there’s a possibility that he will be the first talk-show host to be impeached…applause…it’s fall in New York City…he spent the weekend raking his hate mail…applause…cold too, chilly outside my house, chilly inside my house…more laughter.

I turned my T.V. off at this point. In the past, whenever I spoke about Mr. Letterman before, it was usually to refer to his salary.

According to a 2002 Forbes article (The Celebrity 100: The Producer, by Peter Kafka), Letterman’s five year contract renewal with CBS for The Late Show, was worth some 350-million-dollars; more than $155 million of was slated to go straight to Letterman

CBS pays Letterman a $31 million salary on top of the license fees it pays to his production company: Worldwide Pants. CBS even lets Letterman's people run the shows as they wish, from staffing decisions to celebrity bookings.

According to Forbes, Letterman’s contract with CBS included:

1. Letterman, rather than the network, would own Late Show (11:30 p.m.)
2. Letterman would also have the opportunity to control and own a show in the time period that followed it
3. He would have a development deal funded by CBS.

Jay Leno did not own a stake in the Tonight Show.

Months before Letterman’s contract was set to expire in August 2007, Letterman inked a contract extension with CBS that expires next year, 2010. He is currently paid 40-million-dollars (according to Forbes; others say $31 million) a year.

40 million a year breaks down to: 3.3 million a month. Just under 800-thousand-dollars a week.

Letterman’s company Worldwide Pants does own the program that follows Letterman’s Late Show: It's called: “The Late Late Show.” Worldwide Pants is also behind hits like Everybody Loves Raymond.

With a production company called: Worldwide Pants, I’m not shocked he can’t keep his pants on.

Isn’t there some subliminal significance there?

Michael Capuano

As a relatively recent Massachusetts resident, I know about Mike Dukakis. I have heard about Mayor Kevin White. I could have recognized Ted Kennedy anywhere.

John Kerry, Mitt Romney, Deval Patrick are household names. I’ve seen Martha Coakley so much on TV; I’d probably know her anywhere.

How can I not know about Barney Frank or the intrepid Steven Lynch.

(Lynch, in my opinion and in the eyes of many others) embarrassed himself before America by chastising Edward Liddy, the new CEO of A.I.G, American International Group. AIG and its convoluted deal-making was the catalyst behind the financial meltdown.

Mr. Libby left retirement because the government asked him to come and help unravel the AIG mess and help clean house…a job Libby decided to do for a dollar-a-year!

But at a Congressional Hearing, our representative, Mr. Lynch, decided to live up to his name and lynch Libby for paying out huge bonuses after AIG’s bailout.

Libby, who was just one cog on a bigger wheel of blame, took offense at Mr. Lynch’s statement. To which our congressman replied, with a mixture of pomp, sarcasm and Shakespearean drama: “Well, offense was intended…so you take it rightfully, sir.” At least he was polite!

Yes, I know about Mr. Lynch. He made his mark with this one!

I even know about Sheriff Andrea Cabral, the die-hard Hillary Clinton supporter and of course Mayor Menino and challengers Michael Flaherty, Sam Yoon and even Kevin McCrea. But who is Mike Capuano?

He’s running for Ted Kennedy’s vacant seat, but I had to Google him. I don’t know whom it says more about – Capuano, or me?!

According to his website, Michael Everett Capuano is serving his sixth term as a Representative in Congress for Massachusetts' Eighth District, which includes Cambridge, Chelsea, Somerville and approximately 70-percent of Boston.

Boston? Really? Where have I been?

Mr. Capuano is a member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, the House Committee on Financial Services and the Committee on House Administration. He is chair of the Subcommittee on Capitol Security.

In November of 2006, Capuano was appointed to head the Transition by then Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi as Democrats prepared for a majority role in the 110th Congress. In January of 2007, Speaker Pelosi appointed Capuano to chair the Special Task Force on Ethics Enforcement.

The current congressman was Mayor (1990-1998) of Boston’s neighboring city of Somerville, MA and holds a law degree from Boston College Law School.

I have heard the name Capuano before in connection with politics. But I knew nothing about him. And for somebody who’s serving his sixth term in congress, I find that odd.

But now, I shall not forget congressman Capuano. Just like Congressman Stephen Lynch, he burned his id on me (Can that happen?) on Sunday (October 4, 2009).

Boston’s local ABC affiliate, WCVB, started a new Sunday morning show called: “On The Record”. It’s a bit like "This Week with George Stephanopoulos" meets the Jim Braude Show (NECN).

According to WCVB, the weekly show (hosts Ed Harding and political reporter Janet Wu) aims to ask some of the tough questions of politicians in the Bay State, getting candidates to speak about the issues On The Record.

Sunday’s guest was U.S. Representative Michael Capuano…and boy, did he go On My Record.

Mr. Capuano is running for senate on the premise that HE can best carry on Ted Kennedy’s legacy.

In the question segment Harding suggested that since Capuano wants to be the Senator from Massachusetts, should he win, these questions on current events are likely to cross his desk at some point.

1. Who is the PRIME MINISTER OF PAKISTAN?

Mr. Capuano didn’t know.

Answer: Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani (56)

(Not that I know either. But I’m not running for the senate and so I can Google the answer.)

2. Next question: Since 2001, what’s the cost of the Afghanistan war?

Mr. Capuano didn’t know. Harding said: 227.9 million. Capuano said he’d have guessed lower; about 180 million. Harding said, not million, Billion – with a B! I can’t figure out if Harding made an honest mistake!

3. Question number 3: What is HR3200?

Capuano didn’t know. Even I know that one. Hello? Angry town hall meetings? Public Option? It’s The Health Care Bill.

4. Question number four (multiple choice): How many kids/teens in the U.S. are obese: 1 in 3, one in 30, one in 300, one in 3-thousand?. Capuano got it.

Yes!

I don’t know what else they talked about – I tuned out after that.

Really congressman Capuano..? What if Harding had asked you about the viability of Ireland’s Technology Industry and whether it was siphoning jobs away from Massachusetts?

Oh well, what can I say?

Clearly, Mike Capuano is NO Ted Kennedy!

The Spider and the Fly

When my internet connection was not working, I used to post poems (I love) on my WordPress blog. Same name, same blog...just different hosts.

To ensure that both blogs have the same content, I'm going to post those poems here on Blogger too.

They are: The Spider and The Fly and The Mock Turtle's Song/Lobster Quadrille.

First, this one about the art of persuation, bolstered by vanity and flattery:


The Spider and the Fly


Will you walk into my parlour?" said the Spider to the Fly,
'Tis the prettiest little parlour that ever you did spy;
The way into my parlour is up a winding stair,
And I've a many curious things to shew when you are there."

Oh no, no," said the little Fly, "to ask me is in vain,
For who goes up your winding stair can ne'er come down again."

"I'm sure you must be weary, dear, with soaring up so high;
Will you rest upon my little bed?" said the Spider to the Fly.
"There are pretty curtains drawn around; the sheets are fine and thin,
And if you like to rest awhile, I'll snugly tuck you in!"

Oh no, no," said the little Fly, "for I've often heard it said,
They never, never wake again, who sleep upon your bed!"

Said the cunning Spider to the Fly, " Dear friend what can I do,
To prove the warm affection I 've always felt for you?
I have within my pantry, good store of all that's nice;
I'm sure you're very welcome -- will you please to take a slice?"

"Oh no, no," said the little Fly, "kind Sir, that cannot be,
I've heard what's in your pantry, and I do not wish to see!"

"Sweet creature!" said the Spider, "you're witty and you're wise,
How handsome are your gauzy wings, how brilliant are your eyes!
I've a little looking-glass upon my parlour shelf,
If you'll step in one moment, dear, you shall behold yourself."

"I thank you, gentle sir," she said, "for what you 're pleased to say,
And bidding you good morning now, I'll call another day."

The Spider turned him round about, and went into his den,
For well he knew the silly Fly would soon come back again:
So he wove a subtle web, in a little corner sly,
And set his table ready, to dine upon the Fly.

Then he came out to his door again, and merrily did sing,
"Come hither, hither, pretty Fly, with the pearl and silver wing;
Your robes are green and purple -- there's a crest upon your head;
Your eyes are like the diamond bright, but mine are dull as lead!"

Alas, alas! how very soon this silly little Fly,
Hearing his wily, flattering words, came slowly flitting by;
With buzzing wings she hung aloft, then near and nearer drew,
Thinking only of her brilliant eyes, and green and purple hue --

Thinking only of her crested head -- poor foolish thing! At last,
Up jumped the cunning Spider, and fiercely held her fast.
He dragged her up his winding stair, into his dismal den,
Within his little parlour -- but she ne'er came out again!

And now dear little children, who may this story read,
To idle, silly flattering words, I pray you ne'er give heed:
Unto an evil counsellor, close heart and ear and eye,
And take a lesson from this tale, of the Spider and the Fly.

By: Mary Howitt (1799-1888).
Published in 1829.

Mock Turtle's Song/Lobster Quadrille

Will you walk a little faster?" said a whiting to a snail,
"There's a porpoise close behind us, and he's treading on my tail.
See how eagerly the lobsters and the turtles all advance!
They are waiting on the shingle --
will you come and join the dance?

Will you, won't you, will you, won't you, will you join the dance?
Will you, won't you, will you, won't you, won't you join the dance?

"You can really have no notion how delightful it will be
When they take us up and throw us, with the lobsters, out to sea!"
But the snail replied "Too far, too far!" and gave a look askance --
Said he thanked the whiting kindly, but he would not join the dance.

Would not, could not, would not, could not, would not join the dance.
Would not, could not, would not, could not, could not join the dance.

"What matters it how far we go?" his scaly friend replied.
"There is another shore, you know, upon the other side.
The further off from England the nearer is to France --
Then turn not pale, beloved snail, but come and join the dance.

Will you, won't you, will you, won't you, will you join the dance?
Will you, won't you, will you, won't you, won't you joint the dance?

By: Lewis Carroll, 1832-1898.

According to Wikipedia, The "Lobster Quadrille" is a parody of Mary Howitt's poem: The Spider and The Fly.

Charles Lutwidge Dodgson better known by the pen name Lewis Carroll was an English author, mathematician, Anglican deacon and photographer.

His most famous writings are Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and its sequel Through the Looking-Glass.

The New "Ted Kennedy"

My internet connection is up and running…

This computer guy came, he sat down at the computer, he opened the start menu, he hit run, he typed in a command, he did something…and problem was fixed.

I noticed he didn’t explain what was wrong – probably thought I wouldn’t get it – and I probably wouldn’t!

So now I can go back to blogging…about the next “Ted Kennedy” and the way I see it, the next influential senator from New England won’t be coming from the great state of Massachusetts.

The next Ted Kennedy is from these parts…

But the next Ted Kennedy is not a man…

The next Ted Kennedy is a Senator…

But the next Ted Kennedy is not a Democrat…

The next “Ted Kennedy” in my opinion is already making her mark.

She’s the Senior U.S. Senator from Maine, Olympia Snowe, and a moderate republican whose presence is growing in congress. The 62-year-old is now being billed as the woman with the most clout in Washington, D.C.

If Republicans decide to filibuster the Health Care Reform Bill, Democrats will need 60 votes to block them in the Senate. But so far, Democrats don’t have that number. They can, if Snowe sides with them!

As the only Republican in Congress who might vote for President Obama's Health Care Reform efforts, Snowe has become a powerful player in the negotiations. And Democrats are bending over backwards to accommodate Snowe.

For instance, she wanted an amendment that would require small employers to provide a plan with a deductible of no more than 2-thousand-dollars for individuals and 4-thousand for families...with conditions. She got it!

She wanted them to take a second look at eligibility requirements in certain cases. She got it!

She wanted some employees (whose share of premiums through their employer-sponsored coverage is more than 10 percent of their income) to qualify for the tax credit. She got it!

Don’t ask me what any of them do – or mean. I don’t even know if I’m phrasing them right – I just know she asked for change and got some change! 'Cause she is in a position to demand...and get!

I wonder if I can ask her to get me the same kind of Health Care that Congress gets. I bet she would get that too!

If the Maine republican votes with the Democrats, Obama comes out on top. But he could go down in defeat if she sides with her party and votes no, as republicans plan to do.

Google Snowe on the internet and you find headlines like these:

“Snowe Stands in Eye of Health Care Storm. GOP Senator Finds Herself in Influential Position in Reform Debate.”

Here’s what Time Magazine had to say about Snowe in an article (Sept. 25, 2009) titled: Seducing Olympia Snowe: The Key to Health Reform

Quiz time: Which of the following provisions has been tucked into the most closely watched health-care bill on Capitol Hill thanks to Senator Olympia Snowe of Maine? Is it a) an annual checkup for every Medicare beneficiary, b) a special health-insurance marketplace in every state that would cater to the needs of small businesses or c) new tax credits to help modest-size firms buy coverage for their workers?

The answer is all of the above. As the only Republican on the Finance Committee still in talks with Democrats on a final bill, Snowe now finds herself with extraordinary leverage as crunch time hits for health reform.

President Obama is trying very hard to win Snowe over and while she hasn’t said publicly yet (far as I know) how she will vote, she seems to like the president and doesn’t see him as a big-government liberal who is pushing to expand government. That’s how Snowe’s fellow republicans tend to paint president Obama.

Snowe was born in 1947, in Augusta, Maine. Her father was Greek, her mother from Sparta. After the death of her parents, she was raised by her aunt and uncle.

She attended a Greek Orthodox school in Garrison, New York, and earned a degree in political science from the University of Maine.

Senator Snowe is married to former Maine Governor, John R. McKernan Jr.

Say hello to my new Ted Kennedy…