SamSaid!

BIG PROBLEMS

     Oh, to be the President. When George Bush starts off the day, all kinds of big decisions confront him. While Saddam commands center stage, George still has to worry about Afghanistan and North Korea. I think the die is cast in terms of Iraq, and we will have to go get Saddam without strong UN support. No surprise here. At the same time, I am worried about Afghanistan. The provicial warlords are up to their old tricks in asserting local power and at the same time undercutting the Central Government. While we see the new central Government as the salvation of this country, the local chieftains see it as a limitation of their own power. For the most part, they haven't gone after US forces since we have the big bucks. But as the saying goes, “the natives are restless” and trouble is brewing.

     It is scary to think about how the Russians got bogged down in that desert swamp, and there is little doubt that the Afghanistan disaster had a lot to do with the collapse of the old USSR 10+ years ago. Now the Afghan Central Governement is asking for more help and a greater presence from the US. And this is happening in an environment where we aren't sure who is on what side. Maybe the Taliban is gone, or maybe they are just sleeping and waiting. It is conceded that Afghanistan will not stabilize and grow without our help  — big time. But how nice it would be to walk away with the confidence that our military efforts have been wortwhile. If we are losing ground in the program to strengthen and stabilize the new central Governbment, that is a bad omen indeed. If we go aftre the Iraqis, we sure don't need to deal with flare-ups in Afghanistan.

     And all of this while putting North Korea on the back burner. And their knuckle-headed leader may be the most dangerous of all. Very busy days for George W.

ROLL

     The Republicans are really on a roll. Not only did they gain control of the Senate and expand their majority in the House, but they also got Nancy Pelosi as the Democratic Minority Leader in the House. True, the Democrats elected her, but, given the chance, the Republicans would have picked her also.

     Ms Pelosi is a charming bright  lady who is a hard working fund raiser. She is also a far left San Francisco liberal. After all of the rhetoric dies down, she will have to face the hard task of uniting her far left buddies with the conservative “blue dog” Democrats who are philosophically much closer to George Bush. Nowadays, most politicians like to stake a claim in the “main stream” of American thought, but Nancy is nowhere near the mainstream; rather she is in the left side of the river, swimming in an eddy pool fed by left wing runoff. It would be foolish to underestimate her or to write her off too soon. But she can't have it both ways in dealing with her comrades. Unless the Republicans shoot themselves in the foot, she will have a tough row to hoe in dealing with fellow Democrats  –  much less the Republicans.

ACTIVISM

     On 11/5 the Republicans won big. The margins weren't great, but the impact was. A variety of major issues of national concern will be affected, but none more important than the selection of Circuit Court Judges since they are the reservoir from which future Supreme Court Judges will be taken. .

     Our system of governemental is set up to give a big advantage to those in Congress who would prevent legislative change rather than effectuate it. If nothing else, just consider the power of Congressional Committees and the option to filibuster. Unless one party has the Presidency and an overwhelming majority in both Houses it is not easy to implement a legislative program. That is why the Democrats and Liberals look to the Courts for desired change rather than passing legislation. As an example, think about capital punishment. No right minded liberal would consider placing the issue on a ballot to let the people vote.  Oh no, they will take their chances with a liberal ACTIVIST Judge who will decide against capital punishment. .

     Briefly described, an activist Judge is one willing to interpret the law  ..  i.e., the Constitution  ..  as the thinks it SHOULD be applied rather that what it says. Every year, we see the Constitution re-written by actiivist Judges  –  independent of Congress. They simply interpret our #1 Document to mean much more than was ever implied ir intended. And that it why nominations to the Supreme Court are so important. They are the last word.

     As opposed to Activist Judges, there are Strict Constructionist Judges, i.e., those who do not stretch the Constitution to satisfy their own social goals or philosophies. They do nor create rights not specifically granted by the Constution, and apply the Constitution as it reads  –  not what they think it should read. George Bush wants to fill Circuit Judge vacancies with conservative Strict Constructionists. Up until now, Patrick Leahy and Ted Kennedy have prevented these appoinments from being voted upon by the Senate. No more – not after 11/5. . Now the Senate Judicial Comittee will be chaired by Orrin Hatch who will see to it that qualified judicial nominees will be voted up or down in the full Senate. They will not be buried in Committee.

     George's judicial nominees, if appointed, will influence this country for the next 10-20 years as changes begin to occur on the Supreme Court. The strict constructionist Judges will be much less likely to expand the welfare state through judicial decree, and we all will be better off. It is difficult to underestimate the judicial impact that will come from this Republican controlled Senate. It is not unreasonable to expect 2-4 Supreme Court appointments in the foreseeable future. And George has the power to nominate.

    If ever there was a case to show that one vote can make a world of difference, this is it!

GOING IT ALONE

     I am convinced that george Bush means business. As he watches the military buildup in the Gulf area, Saddam Hussein thinks so too. More importantly, our ambivalent friends in the UN think so also. Their problem is finding a way to have George back off. If they cannot dissuade George, the only alternative is to buy time. That's what the inspector program will do. Once the inspectors are on site and looking for Nuke, Bio or Chemo weapons we are not apt to pull the pin. And Saddam will have his best wish granted  –  time to play hide and seek and slowly erode the resolve of the UN crowd. The UN folks want to buy time and so does Saddam. Don't hold your breath waiting for a UN recommendation to “go get him”.

     It particularly galls me to subject our actions to the lily-livered French whose miltary history is a long sequence of spectacular defeats from Napoeon's retreat from Moscow, Waterloo, the Franco Prussian war, the failire of the Maginot Line in WWI, the WWII “pitiful 14 days” in 1941, Dien Bien Phu in Indo-China, and Algeria. Twice we have sent thousands of Americans to save their country when they couldn't do it themselves. I wonder what they would do if the Ragheads blew up the Eiffel Tower? When it comes to the French, I am reminded of that tongue in cheek WWII slogan for selling used French or Italian war rifles, “Never been fired, only dropped once”.

GOING IT ALONE

     I am convinced that george Bush means business. As he watches the military buildup in the Gulf area, Saddam Hussein thinks so too. More importantly, our ambivalent friends in the UN also think so.  Their problem is finding a way to persuade George to back off. If they cannot dissuade George, the only alternative is to buy time. That's what the inspector program will do. Once the inspectors are on site and looking for Nuke, Bio or Chemo weapons we are not apt to pull the pin. And Saddam will have his best wish granted  –  time to play hide and seek and slowly erode the resolve of the UN crowd. The UN folks want to buy time and so does Saddam. Don't hold your breath waiting for a UN recommendation to “go get him”.

     It particularly galls me to subject our actions to the lily-livered French whose miltary history is a long sequence of spectacular defeats from Napoeon's retreat from Moscow, Waterloo, the Franco Prussian war, the failure of the Maginot Line in WWI, the WWII “pitiful 14 days” in 1941, Dien Bien Phu in Indo-China, and Algeria. Twice we have sent thousands of Americans to save their country when they couldn't do it themselves. I wonder what they would do if the Ragheads blew up the Eiffel Tower? When it comes to the French, I am reminded of that tongue in cheek WWII slogan for selling used French or Italian war rifles, “Never been fired, only dropped once”.

     It is easy to be a big time diplomat and compromiser when you are not the target. Right now we are the target, and good words are not likely to suffice. So the Arabs might get mad at us. Many of them already are. I would like to feel optimistic about the UN resolutions, but I'm not. If we take out Saddam, we will likely have to go it alone.

     Just be happy that Bill Clinton and Al Gore are not in the White House!!

VOTING

     Election day approaches and while I look forward to casting my vote, I despair over two aspects of our electoral process. Now we hear the drumbeats of “get out the vote” and see new measures to make it easier to vote. A few years back it was the “motor/voter” bill. Now it is a move to allow voter registration on election day  –  right up to the time a vote is cast  –  right at the polling place. Registration at the polls is a proposition on the 2002 California ballot.

     I wonder what ever became of the informed electorate. Presumably, marching the uninformed and indifferent to the polling place is a wonderful aspect of democracy. Not by my standards.I hate to think of my vote being cancelled by a warm body who doesn't know the difference between his fanny and first base. Not only that, it is my observation that as efforts like this continue, the growth of voter fraud does too. I am not so naive to believe that there hasn't been voter fraud in machine politics over the years (Chicago, New York, Jersey City, Miami, etc) but now we are making it easier to play fun and games with voting all over the country. How is it that our do-gooders look  upon mass registration as OK but are indifferent to increasing voter fraud (only in Florida).

     This year,  the outcome of a few races will make a huge differencs in our country. Should they be decided by fraud or by capturing many whose normal priorites do not include voting?. I have always thought that people should WANT to vote and would be self-motivated rather than herded to the polling places by their political wranglers. Maybe it is signs of the times that voting fraud is just accepted as part of the deal. Sad commentary.

    As a case in point, just take a look at the California ballot with its many choices of Candidates, Measures and Propositions. It is a farce. No one  –  repeat  –  no one can possibly understand all of the issues on that ballot. Yet people who haven't even seen the ballot will get the OK to fill in the blanks. So why should I bother to read and discuss the ballot and its complications? Will it make a difference?? 

     I've never missed voting in an election in my life. So, I'll just vote and hope. Maybe an illegal alien will cancel someone else's vote.

SECURITY

     On 9/11 my wife and I flew across the country from SFO to Savannah via Atlanta. Some of our friends thought we were either gutsy or nutty or maybe both, and I confess that we hade a few nervous moments enroute to the airport.  But we sailed thru curbside check-in and entered a 1/2 empty airport. No delay at the X-ray hand baggage check point. The flight was on time and the plane only 2/3 full. Nice flight. Security was ever present, but not obtrusive. AND…..  no raghead trouble at all.

     Along the way, there was evidence of random checks, but we were spared that selection delay. But  seeing a tall grey-haired septuagenarian in Salt Lake City removing his sneakers reminded me of the myopia that has seized Norman Mineta, our Secretary of Transportation. He is so blinded by the Nisei experience of WWII that common sense eludes his mentality. In the aftermath of 9/11, if there ever was a case for profiling, it is now. What on earth is there to be proven or achieved by singling out aging Norwegians while scruffy looking ruffians who can't speak English zoom through. And we are paying thru the nose for all of this. Norman ought to go  — quietly or otherwise.

    All in all, the trip was about the same as we have experienced in the past, but it is clear to me that air travel will never be quite the same. The size of the security problem is immense  –  as illustrated by the thousands and thousands of people milling about and traveling thru the Atlanta airport. Tight security will change the odds, but will not totally eliminate the possibility of major mischief. But taking the long view, traveling inherently carries danger. Nothing is 100%.

TRAVEL

     I play golf with a remarkable old bird who passed his 87th birthday earlier this year. He is a good ole farm boy from the midwest who joined the Air Corps in WWI and flew an airplane of some kind. I don't know if he was shot at or not. But at his age he is a remarkable specimen and has a beautiful golf swing. Big arc on the backswing and a nice swing thru the ball. Right down the middle. Of course, aging has robbed him of some of his former distance, but he still has that swing that many hackers would kill for. I can relate to that. I can keep the ball in play, but not as the result of a picturesque swing. Gerry has scored under his age twice this year. A lot of the old guys are envious.

      We played together last week and both shot in the 80s. Very pleasant day. Afterwards, we enjoyed a glass or two of iced tea, and talked about family matters. He said he would be traveling for a week or so  –   flying out of Oakland on 9/11 to visit friends and family in Alaska. I told him that my wife and I would be flying out of SFO on Wed 9/11 on a trip back east to visit friends and family — returning via Salt Lake City. Of course that led to conversation about flying on 9/11.

     Gerry said that he had been flying in airplanes for over 50 years and wasn't going to vegetate in front of the TV in his game room because of a bunch of #$*@#X&# ragheads trying to terrorize the country. He said, “At our age, my wife and I  may not have that many more chances to visit friends and family…..we're going!!  I said, “Gerry”, we'll be back in two weeks…. I'll see you one the first tee.

     We waved at each other and went home to pack.

BIG TIME DECISION

     It is always tough to face a dilimna  —-   what to do? I recall that in the street language of my youth a tough choice was described as being caught between “a rock and a hard spot”. At least phonetically, we now seem to be caught between “Iraq and a hard spot”. 

     It is interesting to see the “experts” wiggle, squirm, twist and turn  –  trying to find a save haven or to get off the hook. Isn't it amusing to see how raptors turn into chicken hawks?  Those who say ….”we need more proof” …  will never get enough proof. They really don't want irrefutable proof because that places them between Iraq and a hard spot.  There really isn't much question about Saddam's track record, and there is really only one key question  –  “Can we afford to wait?” Or in contemplating military action, ”What if we do?  –  or more importantly, “What if we don't?”

    Afghanistan is a mess, and will be a bit chaotic for a while. The War Lords have re-surfaced and the ethnic/religious factions will no doubt make life tough for the new government. I'll be glad when our guys are out of there, but that won't happen unless the Europeans and Turks accept the full on site responsibility to be sure the new government doesn't fail. It will likely take 10 years or more. But in Afghanistan, messy as it is, we acted. Now,  back to Saddam's Iraqis.

    “Can we afford to wait?” For 11 years all kinds of non-military actions have been directed at Saddam –  yet he goes along his merry way. The events of 9/11 show him that the US is vulnerable and he feels confident that the rest of the world will not fight our battle. Yes, I guess we could wait. But wait for what? What leads us to think that his game plans will change? 

     It is a big decision to commit our forces to war, knowing full well that Americans will be killed. None of us relish that thought. But can we evade it?  Can we wait? When we wait, we place the fate of some (maybe many) of our countryment in Saddam's  hands. That is not a very reassuring thought.

BALL FOUR

     Journalists and newscasters are practically salivating over any morsel of news (or rumor) dealing with the next move in the War on Terrorism or bringing down Saddam. But all of this fades into the background before the burning issue that is dominating the country  –  will there be a baseball strike?”

     On other occasions I have referred to my extensive baseball background as a team mascot, batboy, statistician, player, coach and fervid fan.  Well into my 30s I made a bee line every AM to check the box score of yesterday's game, and I generally stayed up until 11P to get the latest scores. Non-baseball fans must consider a baseball box score as so much unintelligible gibberish, but to true fans, it literally re-broadcasts the games.

    Baseball is a great game. It is the perfect blend of individual effort and team play. And it doesn't require a lot of expensive equipment. But it has lost its allure. The watershed event for Major League baseball was a court case involving a St. Louis Cardinal outfielder named Curt Flood. The decision ended the era when baseball clubs (owners) held exclusive rights to player contracts and services. That decision ushered in “free agency”, player agents, unionism, and outlandish salaries. From my viewpoint, a major casualty of this change was the loss of home team loyalty. Here today, gone tomorrow. If total ownershipof player services was the disease, I'm not at all sure that free agency and unionism have been a good cure.

    In the last 15 years I have seen just 2 major league games and it is doubtful that I will see another  –  even with a freebie ticket. So if the players strike next week, it will be no loss to me. Actually, they lost me some years ago, and the current flap just confirms my earlier opinion. Baseball as I knew it is history, and maybe the current game with free agency, parasitic agents, the players Union and multiple million dollar salaries isn't worth saving. Millions of kids in this country can play baseball without the Major Leagues.

     Let them strike. No big loss.