One Last Rant for 2011

There has been a lot happening the past couple of months, politicians having scandals, uniformed police chasing one another and arresting the other at gun point, Occupy Whatever, and political correctness rearing its ugly head again just in time for the holidays!  However, between work and other obligations, once I had a few minutes to myself the last thing I wanted to do was get anywhere NEAR a keyboard.  Now that the holidays have come and gone and I’ve had a chance to “vegetate” a little while I thought I’d do one last rant to end 2011.

First, welcome home to the men and women of the U.S. Military, thank you for your service!  Many people have gone about their daily lives, going to work, getting angry with their spouse or frustrated with their children, and forgetting that there were thousands of military personnel serving overseas.  They would long for the opportunity to deal with life’s simple issues and not have to remember to put on Kevlar, or chamber a round into their assault weapon first, or be able to drive down the road without fear that as you pass something along the side of the road it will explode.  Say what you want about the military, when called upon they did their job! 

Oh, by the way, God Bless the military!  This leads me to my next issue, Political Correctness.  As graduations, or holidays approach you can count on someone to supposedly be offended and file a lawsuit because students want an invocation at their graduation, or put up a Christmas tree, or a Menorah, or manger scene!  It is demanded that I have to respect someone else’s right not to believe or practice a religion; I am victimizing “them” because of my beliefs!  To quote a general in World War II, “NUTS!”

 I am sick and tired, no wait, make that SICK and TIRED, of people making these demands in order to draw attention to their group.  I have trouble believing that they are really offended; they complain that they are offended by the recognition and celebration of holidays.  If they were truly offended wouldn’t they be offended by all holidays instead of just the ones of the Christian or Hebrew faiths?  Where’s the offended when it is time for an Islamic holiday, or how about Kwanza? 

Since I’ve started down the political correctness path; if you’re homosexual, transsexual, transgender, whatever, if it makes you feel good about yourself I’m glad for you.  However, enough already, not all heterosexuals are bad or anti whatever you happen to be.  I’ve got a news flash for you; you’d be surprised at the number of people that don’t care, so stop labeling me because of your prejudice!  If you didn’t like being told that you have a prejudice against heterosexuals, too bad, now you can appreciate how I feel when you make an assumption about me.

 I’ve got a novel idea, a bit old fashioned, how about we just respect one another!  WOW, display courtesy towards each other, just because their a human being, what a concept!

Next, what about these politicians and their sex, sexual harassment scandals?  Herman Cain was gaining ground and beginning to be looked upon as a serious candidate for the Republican nomination, then came information about a sexual harassment claim, then an affair, the so called mainstream media was having a great time with the story.  Of course others began to criticize media outlets such as Fox News for raising questions about the legitimacy of the claims.

Herman Cain’s only mistake in this entire mess was that he is not a registered Democrat.  Had he been a democrat NBC, MSNBC, CNN, etc would have either ignored the allegations or questioned the accuser’s credibility.  Think I’m just being defensive because I’m a Republican, look at President Clinton’s many accusers and how the media treated them right up until the time that President Clinton admitted to the affair or reached a settlement.  How about the reporters and media outlets that knew about the John Edwards affair for over a year, even while he was running for President and didn’t say anything.  If that’s not enough, how many have seen news articles in the U.S. media about President Obama’s alleged affair with Vera Baker?

The problem isn’t that these politicians may have cheated on their spouse, or caused pain to their family by their conduct, the problem is that we use these people as role models for our children.  I have another novel, old fashioned idea, how about we be the role model for our children.  America has got to the point that we expect the government to do everything for us, we no longer want to take responsibility for things.  We should live our lives and conduct ourselves in such a manner that our children want to emulate us instead of some politician.

About two months ago (while I was on vacation) a story made the local S Florida media about an incident in which a Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) Trooper chased and eventually arrested at gunpoint a City of Miami Police Officer.  The Miami officer was in uniform and in a marked police vehicle.  Eventually the story went national, and law enforcement was both praised and criticized.  This was also used by a lot of people to reticule and denounce officers of Hispanic descent (the Miami officer was Hispanic).

I retired from the City of Miami Police Department after serving nearly 27 years and have been a law enforcement officer for a state agency for the past 4 years.  I have also served as a Commissioner on the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission.  First and foremost the City of Miami officer was wrong to have been speeding because he was running late for an “Off Duty” Job (assignments or work outside of their normal hours and area of responsibility).  Every Miami officer, present and former that I’ve talked with  feel the same way.

However, the Trooper was also wrong for more than one reason.  Not only was she wrong, she has created a situation in which her conduct can be used in the future for someone to justify mistreating a civilian or putting a civilian lives in jeopardy.  The Miami officer was polite and apologetic from the beginning, so his behavior when approached by the Trooper can’t be attributed as a reaction to him.

If the Trooper had approached a civilian the same way she did the Miami officer she would have been criticized by the public and media as being gun happy, but thanks to her conduct teaching restraint with the drawing of your weapon just suffered a setback.  I have heard that the Trooper was afraid for her safety, the police car may have been stolen and the thief could have had access to weapons.  Her own conduct disputes that claim, if that were true the Trooper would have remained at her vehicle for cover and given commands over the loud speaker to the driver of the police car until back up officers arrived.

The Trooper was told at least twice to cancel the chase and she ignored those instructions.  The instruction to stop the pursuit was not given because it was a police car she was chasing; it was done for the safety of the other motorists and is done all the time.  There was no evidence that the vehicle was involved in a violent crime, had that been a civilian the Trooper was chasing the same instruction would have been given.

 This incident has not only caused embarrassment to the law enforcement community, it has possibly made it more difficult to discipline an officer in the future for mistreating a citizen or for causing injury to another.  If a citizen complains about an officer pointing a gun at them without justification, all the accused officer has to do is refer to this incident.  After all people believe that the Trooper acted appropriately.  If an agency attempts to discipline an officer for an unauthorized pursuit, or if the officer is sued for such an act, this Trooper’s actions will be brought up (along with FHP’s comments about her acting appropriately) as a defense.

Again, I’m not trying to justify the Miami officer’s speeding because he was late to work; I’m just saying that this should have been handled as it has been in the past.  The Trooper could have responded to the Miami Police Department and the officer ordered to the station to receive a citation.  The Trooper had the car number and this is what has been done in the past.   But instead both the Trooper and Miami officer have given those that dislike and distrust law enforcement plenty of material to criticize us, and given bigots more reason to talk about the inferiority of those of another ethnicity.  They have also created a distraction from real problems.

Now that I’ve had my rant there is one final thing I’d like to do, I want to thank those that have been reading my Blog this past year.  I appreciate your taking the time to read and to offer your opinions on what I’ve written.

 I also want to wish you a Happy New Year; I hope that 2012 is a prosperous and joyful time for you and your loved ones!

 That’s My Opinion, What’s Yours

Public Employees Are Human Beings and Deserve Treatment As Such

The attacks on Public Employees just keep coming. Here in S. Fl over the past two weeks the City of Hollywood voters were convinced to make changes to the city employees pension, the City of Hialeah City Council has decided to lay off approximately 105 firefighters, 40% of the department with no consideration to the increased property/ homeowners insurance premiums if the fire department doesn’t have the staffing to maintain their current rating. The City of Miami lowered taxes thereby creating a budget “crisis” and went after their employees. Instead of realizing that the public employees ARE NOT the problem, and ARE ready willing and able to help solve problems, politicians and their constituents would rather attack their employees over and over and over!

This week the City of Miami’s Fraternal Order of Police Executive Board is presenting proposed changes to the police contract, the impacted officers will vote on the proposal next week.

As I mentioned, The City of Hollywood voters voted recently to make changes (reductions) to their police, fire, and general employees’ pensions. The voters were told that if the changes were not approved they would face a 23% increase in their property taxes, now that they approved the changes their property taxes will only be increased by 11%.

As I've written before the “in thing” this past year is to bash public employees, attack their pay and benefits highlighting a few abuses painting a picture that this abuse is a common practice by all employees. Those politicians and administrators don't want voters to look at, and question their mismanagement because they might be thrown out of office and lose their benefits (including pension) which seem to be excluded from changes because they have contracts. The administrators want their contract to be enforced and honored, but screw the front line employees.

As I mentioned regarding Hialeah, these reductions in public employees will have an impact on the property and other insurance premiums, or increased costs because of Worker Comp claims or civil litigation judgments. Public employees, especially police and fire, are being required to work way beyond their regular hours in order to maintain minimum coverage and be able to respond to 911 calls. It has become common for officers to be ordered to work additional hours, sometimes a double shift (depending on the length of a shift). In addition to those hours they are still expected to attend court proceedings, this is especially difficult for officers assigned to afternoon and midnight shifts.

These added hours create the situation of officers not being able to get the proper rest between shifts, this increases the possibility of an officer making a mistake or not responding appropriately to an incident. This also increases the possibility of an officer becoming involved in a motor vehicle crash, which can cause injury and property damage to the citizen, officer and agency property.

Another, rarely talked about, issue is the emotional well being of public employees and their families. The added burdens being placed on them create stress, which can cause emotional reactions to incidents, domestic violence situations, and in some cases suicidal thoughts. One police agency in S Florida has seen a 100% percent increase in costs for physiological services provided to employees, hopefully administrators will realize that the current actions are not cost effective when you factor in all the other costs instead of just looking at the immediate impact. Put simply they need to STOP being penny wise and dollar foolish!

Regarding the Hollywood vote, shortly after the vote I spoke with a resident of Hollywood and asked if they would now write their Congress representative and urge them to support H.R. 1332, the Social Security Fairness Act, I got a blank stare in response. I pointed out to this person that as a recipient of a government pension I will not receive my full Social Security benefits despite having all my quarters. Changes to public pensions have been sought by the employees in order to compensate for the loss of Social Security benefits, in many cases public employees have either begun making, or have increased their contributions to their pension. Yes, many public employees contribute to their pensions, pensions they had no choice in joining (during my career my contributions were as high as 10.5% of salary).

People are complaining that Social Security benefits aren’t enough for a person to live on, that beneficiaries qualify for public assistance such as food stamps, etc. If the general public doesn’t want to live/ survive on Social Security at 100%, why are they trying to force public employees to survive with only 40% of that?

It’s about time voters and politicians start seeing public employees as human beings instead of an abstract punching bag!  You think public employees are seen as human beings, I have a test for you.  Take away public employees and replace that with African-American, Female, Hispanic, Oriental, etc.  Now if your politician told you they were going to reduce an African-American, Female, Hispanic, Oriental, Christian, Jew, single parent, homosexual's pay and health insurance benefits what would you do?  Would you say go ahead, they don't deserve what they get as it is?  No you would not!  Well that is exactly what a public employee is!

That’s My Opinion, What’s Yours


The following information comes from the Fraternal Order of Police, Grand Lodge. It is a brief description of a complicated issue.

Social Security Issues

A. Repealing the "Windfall Elimination Provision" and "Government Pension Offset"

The FOP strongly supports the passage of H.R. 1332, the "Social Security Fairness Act," introduced by Representatives Howard L. "Buck" McKeon (R-CA) Howard L. Berman (D-CA) . This legislation would fully repeal both the "Windfall Elimination Provision" (WEP) and the "Government Pension Offset" (GPO) in current Social Security law. The bill has not yet been introduced in the Senate.

The WEP was enacted in 1983 as part of a large reform package designed to shore up the financing of the Social Security system. It went into effect in 1985 and applies a modified formula designed to reduce the amount of the Social Security benefits received by individuals who collect a government pension. The ostensible purpose of the WEP is to remove a "windfall" for persons who spent some time in jobs not covered by Social Security (like public employees) and also worked other jobs where they paid Social Security taxes long enough to qualify for retirement benefits. The practical effect of the provision on low-paid public employees outside the Social Security system is that they lose up to sixty percent (60%) of the Social Security benefits to which they are entitled—a loss, not an adjustment, for a "windfall." This creates a very real inequity for many public employees, particularly police officers, who retire earlier than other government employees to begin second careers which require them to pay into the Social Security system.

We regard this as an issue of fairness, as these public employees are unfairly penalized under current law. The WEP substantially reduces a benefit that workers had included and counted on when planning their retirement. The arbitrary formula, when applied, does not eliminate "windfalls" because of its regressive nature—the reduction is only applied to the first bracket of the benefit formula and causes a relatively larger reduction in benefits to low-paid workers. It also overpenalizes lower paid workers with short careers or, like many retired law enforcement officers, those whose careers are evenly split inside and outside the Social Security system.

Like the WEP, the GPO was adopted in 1983 to shore up the finances of the Social Security trust fund. It offsets the dependent's Social Security benefit to which a spouse or widow(er) is entitled by two-thirds of the monthly amount of any government pension from noncovered employment that the surviving spouse might receive. For example, the wife of a retired law enforcement officer who collects a government pension of $1,200 would be ineligible to collect the surviving spousal benefit of $600 from Social Security upon the death of her spouse. Two-thirds of $1,200 is $800, which is greater than the spousal benefit of $600 and thus, under this law, she would be unable to collect it. If the spouse's benefit were $900, only $100 could be collected, because $800 would be "offset" by her government pension.

Again, the FOP believes this is a matter of fairness and that the offset scheme currently in place penalizes those employees least able to afford it. Law enforcement officers, who often do not participate in the Social Security system, are especially affected.


The Fraternal Order of Police strongly supports the "Social Security Fairness Act."

Police To Lead Charge For Recall of Mayor

Earlier this evening it was announced that the City of Miami (Fl) police officers will lead the effort to recall Mayor Tomas Regalado. I believe it's not only a good move, it's the only option to keep Miami from once again becoming the poster child for what's wrong with politics.

Last week the Executive Board of the Miami Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Lodge #20 voted to hold an election of the city's law enforcement personnel to determine if the FOP should lead an effort to recall the mayor. The vote was held today and the results were 432 Yes, 16 No. Other city employees are considering joining in the effort.

Because I am a Florida State Lodge Executive Officer I am a member of Lodge #20 Executive Board. I voted last week to take this action, it was not a decision I made lightly but it is necessary. When the mayor was first asked about the Executive Board's action he said this was all about pay, the unions wanted him to raise taxes so they can keep their high salaries.

The mayor's response demonstrates the problem, he knows that is not the truth but he would rather repeat a negative stereotype of public employees. He also remembers that the county's mayor was recalled over raising taxes and giving raises. The mayor would rather use the new playbook and attack his employees instead of the problem, it's a lot less work.

A few weeks ago I wrote about the next steps public employees should take, a recall wasn't explored because it's not an easy process, it's labor intensive, costly and should be a option of last resort.  If that's the case why did I support this action in Miami?  Miami's employees have made sacrifices over the past year and a half in order to help the city, and it's not the first time.  Miami has been in contract negotiations with it's employees but instead of negotiating in good faith the city has either refused to meet, or when they do meet can't or won't consider proposals.

Out of respect for the process I won't list details so no one can accuse the FOP of trying to circumvent the negotiation process.  What I will say is that contrary to what the mayor and city administration claimed in public the police offered concessions, as well as solutions.  After the negotiator at the time agreed they would return and demand more.  Now with the latest "crisis" the police have attempted to present the city with proposals that would have millions, real savings, and the city is refusing to listen.

Now the mayor has gone back on his word and is proposing additional sacrifices from the rank and file.  The employees are at a point that someone needs to stand up to the mayor and let him know that not everyone is afraid of him.  Regardless if the recall is successful it will send a message to the mayor, commissioners and administration that they should sit down and honestly work with the employees.

As I mentioned this is not the first time employees have come forward to help save the city.  In 1996 the City of Miami had a fiscal crisis.  There was serious consideration being given to the City of Miami ceasing to exist.  A new City Manager took over and at first refused to meet with the employees or allow them to participate in the process to find a solution, he even refused to allow the union representatives to attend an emergency budget meeting.  After being served with an emergency injunction the Manager gave in and allowed us to attend the meeting, however, we were told we couldn't speak.  After a couple of hours some of the staff suggested that he ask the union leaders for input, they knew we had good proposals.  When he called on us, one by one we pointed out that he didn't believe we were worthy of his consideration and that we knew he wasn't sincere.  The city asked for a recess, when the meeting reconvened the Manager apologized for his conduct towards the union leaders the previous 2 days and sincerely asked for our assistance (amazing what can happen when a union leader sits in the audience beside the Manager's life partner and engages in a conversation).

During the next 3 months meetings took place that generated enough cost savings and generated additional revenue that the city became stable, their bond rating was raised from "junk" status eventually reaching AAA rating.  This recall should bring the politicians back to reality and make them realize that their employees are truly the best asset they have, that they care about the city and it's residents, and most of all are worthy of respect and an open, honest dialogue it the City of Miami is to survive!  Who knows, maybe their bond rating wouldn't have been lowered from AAA to AA earlier this week?

That's My Opinion, What's Yours



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Standard & Poors Downgrade (Follow Up)

When I heard the announcement Friday night that Standard & Poor’s had downgraded the U.S. I was suspect of the action. Not because I’m a financial genius, my suspicion was because of my experience with that branch of S & P (and Moody’s) in the past, my watching the markets, and my experience dealing with politics.

I am always suspect of information released by, or affecting the government, on a Friday night or weekend. That the time when you put information out that you know has to come out, but you want to have some extra time to figure out a response without the criticism that you deliberately withheld the information. S & P’s release is also suspect because they waited until late on a Friday night, a time when one could be certain that members of Congress had gone home.

As I mentioned I had dealings with this branch of S & P in the past. in the mid 1990’s I was assigned full time to Miami’s Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Lodge, Miami FOP #20 was (and still is) the Collective Bargaining Agent for the law enforcement officer of the City of Miami. Periodically the rating companies, including S & P would meet with City officials prior to issuing a change in Miami’s Bond rating. At one point the raters also wanted to meet with the unions along with the City administrators. The meetings would be in three parts, the first was a general meeting in which the City would put on a presentation and the raters would ask questions. Then they would meet alone with City administrators, then with the union officials, and finally a closing session with all groups present. A part of the goal for S & P was to learn if there were labor issues that could impact the City negatively, and to get a feel for contract negotiations to determine the fiscal impact of any agreement reached. These talks were very direct, to the point and intense. Considering the intensity put into rating a municipality, if the information provided to the public was accurate and complete downgrading the U.S. at this time made no sense. Putting the U.S. on a negative watch list is warranted, a warning of a downgrade the next quarter or six months absolutely, yes.

Then on Saturday morning I saw an interview with an S & P representative trying to defend their actions. After watching the interview, and the fact that the other rating companies had the same information and didn’t lower the U.S. rating, I believed that there was something else behind the action.

No, I’m not jumping on the conspiracy bandwagon that this is out of the Cloward-Piven “playbook” and that the administration was complicit in S & P’s action in order to gain support to seizing more control of the financial markets and the economy. That’s a stretch at this point and besides the President can control the economy of the U.S. and the world just by his words. Looking at the Dow Jones yesterday before, during and after President Obama made his public comments demonstrates that point (he began to speak at 1:58 PM).

graph information from UBS

Another point proved by the Dow Jones yesterday was “Be careful what you ask for.” Over the weekend people kept asking why “we” weren’t hearing from the President, his aides and advisors were talking to the media, appearing on the Sunday talk programs, but not a word from the President.

Finally word came Monday morning that the President was going to speak at 1:00 PM. I went online and accessed the streaming audio from a local talk radio channel so I could listen to the President. To be honest I was hoping that the Barack Obama of the 2004 Democratic Convention would also be present, the charismatic speaker. I wanted to hear the President motivate us and layout specific steps he was going to do to address the situation, after all he had the entire weekend to come up with an initial plan (while his advisors and confidants were out testing Democratic talking points).

1:00 PM came and went, then 1:15, 1:30, 1:45 and still no President, but word that it would only be a few minutes. As the times came and went the market reacted. Finally at 1:58 PM the President spoke. Instead of getting the President of the United States we got a candidate for President. The President said that in the next several weeks he would lay out a specific plan, but no details. When President Obama began to speak the DJIA was down 427, by the time he finished the market dropped another 105 points to 532. Throughout the remainder of the day DJIA was like a roller coaster, up and down, it FINALLY closed -634 points (-5.52%).

I expected that today the market will begin to increase because the professional investor, persons that play the market will start to buy those stocks that dropped yesterday betting that the market will turn around, which in the short term will be a self fulfilling prophecy.

I REALLY hope that Congress and the Administration are paying attention, people don’t want politics, they don’t want talking points, people want results.  If the President does that, if people see him actually presenting detailed proposals instead of just promising time and again that they will soon come, he’ll easily win reelection without campaigning.

Poll Question and Computer Issues

If you follow this Blog you may have received my recent post a couple of times. If you did I am sorry about the additional traffic to your In Box, I noticed that when I made corrections the corrected version had not uploaded. I think that issue has been resolved, I appropriate your patience.

Also, at the time I originally uploaded the post I was not able to add a poll to coincide with the posting . That has also been corrected and the poll will be available for 5 more days, I hope you will participate.

Thank you for reading my articles and the constructive feedback, it helps me improve as a writer and put together a product you enjoy reading.


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Fiscal Catastrophe Avoided? (Part Two)

Like I said I’m not going to fault the President for celebrating his 50^th birthday, or going to a fundraiser.  Also, he is not the first president to fly Air Force One to a fundraiser so enough about that.  The President should be transported in an aircraft that is capable of keeping him or her in communication and safe should there be an emergency situation, and the communication capability has been improved since September 11, 2001.  There are provisions for the government to be reimbursed a portion of the cost involved by a campaign.  Besides, what are you going to do, have the leader fly commercial to a campaign event?  On second thought that might not be a bad idea, maybe if the President was groped by a TSA employee he’d have a better understanding of the anger many have about TSA procedures (but that’s a topic for another time).

First I believe that the President and Congress need to remember that there are a large number of Americans that weren’t here in the 1970’s and early 1980’s, they either weren’t living in the United States or weren’t born.  Our leaders need to reassure the people that the country will survive, instead of saying that our economy is going to crash if the other guy doesn’t change, try reassuring that political differences are being set aside for now to develop a solution.  To those reading this that weren’t around in the 1970’s take it from someone that was this country, you will get through this.  As the saying goes, Been There, Done That!  Like the saying goes those that don’t know their history are doomed to repeat it, so let me give the President and politicians a brief history lesson.


First, Mr. President if you’ve been conducting this as your advisors have recommended, you need to fire them and get someone else because they are failing you and the country.  If you are not, maybe it’s time you tried doing so and see how it works.  Next and I say this with all respect, unless you have something constructive, a specific detailed plan to announce to the country (and world) don’t go near a microphone.  When the media, and critics, ask why we haven’t heard from the President your aides can say that you haven’t had time because you are working on this.  Especially don’t go near a microphone in the East Room or Oval Office.  Your giving a speech without citing specifics is part of what is causing the markets and rating companies’ serious concern about our economic stability.  If you think I’m wrong just look at the market trends and compare them to the dates of your speeches and interviews.

The last two things I will tell you, for now are that you need to reconsider the speed in which you are doing things, as well as reconsidering your vision of what the government should be doing.  I can prove my point very easily by taking a look at the budget you proposed for this current year.  You proposed this year’s budget when the Democratic Party, your party, had control of both the Senate and House of Representatives.  As a matter of fact there was a veto proof majority in the Senate and your proposed budget failed unanimously, not a single democrat voted for your budget.

The final thing I will say, and I believe if you heed this advice you not only will be reelected you will be more than a notation in the history books as the first African-American elected President.  You like to bring up past Presidents; you talk about them as examples of our greatness.  In keeping with that theme I’ll mention two Presidents, Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan (who you’ve mentioned a lot lately).  I lived through both administrations so I’m basing this on my experiences and not what I read.  President Carter failed because he lectured the American people; the Sunday school teacher was scolding his class.  Try talking with the American people, not to them; speak as if you were having a conversation instead of presenting a lecture when you were teaching.

This brings me to President Reagan.  When he spoke to the country he didn’t talk about hope, he actually gave people hope.  President Reagan reminded us of how great the country had been, still was, and could be continuing into the future.  When people are going through hard times they sometimes forget that.  Finally, and perhaps more important, you’ve been talking a lot about what President Reagan accomplished.  What you need to remember is that during President Reagan’s term the Democrats were in the majority in Congress, yet despite that he was able to pass a lot of his legislative agenda.  According to both Democrats and Republicans he did that by working with the Congress.  President Reagan would give them details about what he wanted and then he and his aides would work with Congress to draft legislation that would accomplish the objective and also address all sides concerns.  Like I said the Democrats had control of the Congress.


Lastly I have a brief history lesson for the Democrats, Republicans, and Tea Party.  Democrats remember 1994, the Republicans gained control of the House of Representatives for the first time in over 40 years.  They were able to accomplish that because the American Public was complaining about the growth and spending of the federal government, they felt that the Congress wasn’t listening to what they wanted.  The people sent to Congress to represent their interests were putting Party interests ahead of the constituents.  Sound familiar?

Republicans, remember what happened after you took control in 1994?  You started off good, but then it seemed as thou you decided to make up for the past 40 years and spent, spent, spent.  You lost touch with, and the confidence of the voters.  Just like the Democrats you put Party interests ahead of the constituents! 

The Tea Party needs to remember Ronald Reagan as well.  Like you, he talked about smaller government and more control on spending.  He was able to accomplish a lot because he worked with others and compromised when necessary.  I know you think government spending is out of control and that government has grown too big and more powerful than the founding fathers intended, welcome to the club.  However, you may have to accept some change now, more next year, the year after that and so on without violating your principles.  You may not like it but being extreme gives those that want to label you as nuts (and worse) an argument for attacking you, and it gives their attacks credibility in some people’s minds.  It allows you to become the reason for any future hard times people suffer, when things are bad people always look for someone else to blame.  You have good positions, however, not being willing to compromise could end up with your being voted out of office if things don’t improve.  Why can’t the changes you want be implemented in two or four years.

The President, Democrats, Republicans and Tea Party need to stop worrying about the next election, stop worrying about their political career (Congress was never intended to be a career) and start worrying about today.  Voters will tolerate a lot, they will forgive a lot (if someone says they’re sorry and asks for another chance they’ll give it), but they do reach a point in which they are so fed up they’re willing to throw the baby out with the bath water.

In case you were distracted by the metaphors and old sayings let me make this simpler.  Stop acting like children on a playground trying to blame someone else for the bad and act like an adult.  If you do that the markets and rating companies will calm down and stabilize.  Otherwise the country’s credit rating won’t be the only thing tanking; your political career will be in the basement with the ratings.

That’s My Opinion, What’s Yours

Fiscal Catastrophe Avoided? (Part One)

(I first began drafting this on August 2^nd)

Both chambers of the Congress finally passed legislation today that raises the debt ceiling and avoids a financial catastrophe, or so the public is told. 

I’m sure there are those that are thinking that I’ve put my Republican hat on and am about to trash the President, again!  Can’t I ever say anything positive?!  OK, here’s something positive, elections are 15 months away and then we CAN AND WILL vote out the incumbents and elect new representatives of the people including the President!!

I hadn’t written about this debt crisis during the past week because frankly I was sick and tired of all the so called experts that were spewing their “knowledge”.   I was also tired of turning on the TV or radio for a statement from the President, only to hear him say nothing.  He didn’t cite specifics he wanted from Congress, except that he didn’t want to deal with this issue again until after the next election.  The President didn’t list specific proposals he had put forward, he didn’t even give a Pep Talk to the nation (the entire nation).  All he did was (for lack of a better description) was give campaign speeches!

I am not writing this as a staunch Republican, or a Tea Party member (I am not).  This is a voter that is fed up with the status quo, and also angry at what I witnessed over the past week and a half (of course another word comes to mind to describe my anger)!  I am fed up and angry with the status quo, scare the hell out of the elderly and threaten not to pay the military and put the country’s safety in jeopardy. 

You say during an interview that you cannot guarantee that Social Security checks will be mailed if you don’t get your way, this scares the elderly.  They can’t figure out how they’ll survive until a solution to the debt crisis can be reached, they have health issues and a lot don’t have any other source of income.  Now that they think they won’t be able to get their medications or buy food they’ll put pressure on Congress to agree to whatever just so they can be reassured that the check will arrive.  If I seem angrier than maybe I should be there’s a good reason.  I remember when my mother’s health had reached a point that I moved her into my house because she couldn’t live alone anymore.  I remember sitting with her at the dining room table periodically to do the bills and balance the checkbooks.  As we went through that ritual I remember realizing that with her health issues things were tight, after paying several hundred dollars for prescriptions (sometimes nearly $1,000.00) she only had a couple of hundred dollars left to pay rent, utilities, bills and gas for the car to get to the doctor appointments.  Even after she moved in with me, and my working, sometimes things would get tight.

On those occasions when she got sick and had to go to the hospital I began to notice a calm, peace that seemed to come over her.  I finally asked my mother about it and she told me that her being in the hospital meant that she wouldn’t use her medications and she could go a little longer before needing to buy a refill.  A senior living with her working son was thinking this, imagine the seniors that don’t have a family member to live with or get help from.  And the President has the audacity to make the statement in an interview that he can’t guarantee that the Social Security checks will be mailed out on time for the month of August.  SHAME ON YOU MR. PRESIDENT!  But, the President isn’t alone in this; I didn’t hear anyone in Congress say he was wrong.

The fact is that there was enough money available to guarantee that the Social Security checks could be mailed, the government takes in 171 million dollars a month.  Additionally, the last time I looked the Social Security Trust holds enough US Treasury Bonds to cover the checks.  What I found interesting was the fact that in making the statement the President did he was admitting that there is no special/ separate trust fund for Social Security, that the monies comes out of General Revenue.  In 2005 when President Bush wanted to make modifications to Social Security politicians kept talking about the separate fund for Social Security, a “locked box”.  Well if there is a separate trust fund, a locked box, why couldn’t the President guarantee that the checks would go out?

Also, am I the only one that remembers in April of this year the President and members of Congress told us how they avoided a financial catastrophe by passing a continuing resolution that fully funded the country through the rest of the fiscal year (ending Sept. 30)?  Were they lying in April or last week?

http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d112:HR01473:@@@R

Speaking of my mother, she always told me that you shouldn’t write and send things when you’re angry.  You could write and get the anger out, BUT don’t submit or mail what you wrote (press send for those of you that don’t remember a time before computers).  I decided to take her advice and wait until the weekend, that’s why this wasn’t posted sooner (I had a chance to go back and come up with a better way to articulate my thoughts i.e. clean it up).  As I sat down this evening to finish my draft and post it the announcement came that S&P was lowering the US credit rating from AAA to AA+.  This wasn’t supposed to happen if the legislation passed earlier this week. 

Now the blame game will start all over again. It’s the President’s fault because he went to Chicago to celebrate his 50^th birthday at a fundraiser, it’s the Republicans fault because they gave in to the Tea Party, and it’s the Tea Party’s fault because they don’t support the status quo.

I’m not going to fault the President for celebrating his 50^th birthday, it’s a milestone and unless you believe in reincarnation it only happens once in your life.  I’m not going to blame him for the fundraiser, trust me if I had found someone that was willing to pay $35,000 dollars to have dinner with me when I turned 50 I’d have been there with bells on!  That doesn’t mean that I’m not going to fault him for this downgrade, because it is his fault, and the Democrats, Republicans, and Tea Party.

(end of Part 1)

Can't We Just Get Along?

When I write a new posting I try to make an articulate, dispassionate argument for my position.  I try not to let emotion take over because some will use that as way of delegitimizing my position and an excuse not to debate or present an opposing opinion.  As I was driving home from work I heard a story on the news that made me decide to throw all that out the window.

I believe in God and Jesus Christ, not because that’s what was drummed into me as a child at Sunday school, my belief is because of things that I have witnessed during my life.  I have friends, coworkers, and neighbors, acquaintances of all faiths, and some that have no spiritual beliefs.  If I hadn’t just mentioned my belief in God and Jesus Christ many of you reading this would have no idea, it’s not my thing to “wear my religion on my sleeve”, some of the biggest hypocrites I’ve ever met professed to the world their beliefs!  My belief doesn’t make me better than those that have other beliefs/ faiths, and it doesn’t make me better than those that choose not to belief, it happens to work for me.

I also believe that part of being a good citizen is to try to help others less fortunate than me, also to be tolerant of others.  We are all equal, no one is better than another.  Unfortunately such philosophy is often taken as a sign of weakness, an excuse to be rude, obnoxious, and disrespectful.  After all if I truly believe I will turn the other cheek.  I have two things to say to that;

1.       WRONG!!!!!!!!

2.       ENOUGH!!!!!!!

I mentioned listening to the news and hearing a story that prompted this, the article dealt with the Ground Zero museum that is about to open.  An Atheist group has filed suit to prevent the opening until an artifact is removed because its shape resembles a Christian cross and having such a display will violate the separation of church and state. 

People of faith have to be respectful of an atheist’s non belief, people of faith have to be sensitive to an atheist’s feelings, and be quiet as an atheist’s group makes demands that their belief, or non beliefs are jammed down everyone else’s throat.  I say NO!  I am sick of being told that I have to accept and be happy about my being disrespected or my beliefs being ridiculed, I don’t deserve the same respect that I am being demanded to give someone else.

The separation of church and state does not say what this group claims, one religion is not being promoted over another!  I’m sure that someone will cite Supreme Court rulings that say they’re right and I’m wrong, however, the Supreme Court is not always right (just ask Dred Scott).  No one went out and built a cross to be placed in the museum to demonstrate that Christian beliefs are the better or correct belief. 

Politically correct has become a justification and excuse to claim that “my” beliefs, and therefore “me”, are better than you.  It is a justification for not doing “my” part, “my” fair share as a member of this community.  How about we STOP looking for a reason/ excuse to be a victim and start just being a good citizen.  It is our diversity that makes this country great; it should be embraced, not distorted for our individual agenda.

Instead of trying to impose one philosophy on others let’s acknowledge that we all have the ability, and right to believe what we choose.  Don’t do something deliberately to spark a reaction from those of a different philosophy.  More will be accomplished by working with one another instead of against each other.  I have a unique idea, instead of “running” right away to court to get satisfaction, how about just talking to one another.

 In this age of political correctness we have forgotten that respect is earned, it is earned by our actions not our station in life.  It’s about time to once again place a priority on being a good neighbor, good citizen, good friend, instead of being politically correct.

Two final thoughts for the group that filed the lawsuit and those that support that action;

1.       Not all atheists agree with your action, and

2.       If I was too harsh, or hurt your feelings, I can pray for forgiveness.  What will you do for insulting me?

That’s My Opinion, What’s Yours

We Need To Take A Deep Breath!

When the Casey Anthony trial ended last week I gave some thought to writing an article but then decided against it.  There were already enough people, so called experts, sharing their “expertise”, trying to start a new career just as some did following the Simpson murder trial a decade and a half earlier.

In my law enforcement job one of my duties is to review electronic communications that are received by my agency that the system has segregated because of a potential threat.  After a week of reviewing communications generated by the trial (and verdict), listening and watching media interviews, and observations I’ve made I decided to sit down and draft this.  However, I’m not going to talk about the trial, there are more than enough “experts” doing that already.  The only thing I will say is that my friends and law enforcement coworkers (past and present) that I’ve spoken with were not surprised at the Not Guilty verdict on First Degree Murder.  This trial has put a light on our society that we may not like, that makes us uncomfortable, and that may cause us to address just what is happening in order that we change for the better.  People have a right to be angry and feel frustrated because a child has died and there is not an explanation.  It is how we react and how we react that is the real issue.

First and foremost people need to stop threatening and being hostile towards the jurors!  With the exception of one, none of them wanted to serve on that jury.  Despite not wanting to be there, being isolated from their family, friends, familiar surroundings they served.  Agree or disagree with their decision all you want, but acknowledge the fact that they made it.  And before you say that you would have made a different decision remember that there was a lot of information that we saw on TV that they were not allowed to hear, they were out of the room.  If you still know that there is no way you would have done what they did, think about the time(s) you received a subpoena for jury duty.  Did you serve or did you try to find a way to get out of it?  If you served, thank you for your service.  If you haven’t served I hope your still as civic minded the next time you receive a subpoena.

People have been writing my agency expressing, demanding that Casey Anthony be put on trial again and again until a jury finally gets it right.  Others want to blame “the system”, we have to find someone or something to blame besides ourselves.  The United States judicial system isn’t perfect.  BELIEVE ME after being a law enforcement officer for over thirty years I can vouch for that, but it’s much better having a system where your are presumed innocent until proven guilty instead of the other way.  There are those that have claimed to have been “railroaded”, and there have been actual cases of innocent people being convicted of a crime.  What do you think would happen if the burden of proof was on you the accused to prove your innocent, I for one don’t want to experience a system of Guilty until proven innocent.

Like I said the system isn’t perfect, none is, but instead of dismantling what we’ve spent over two hundred and thirty years building, how about improving upon what we have.  Regardless of what we do, we the society need to also take a look at our expectations and perceptions.  Yes, expectations, a part of the problem are what a lot of people perceive as fact and as a result the expectations they’ve set.  A glaring example of this can be found on television and how we think of the programs we watch. 

For over two hundred years criminals were put on trial and convicted without Gil Grissom or Horatio Caine getting on the stand and professing the defendant’s guilt.   Yes I am referring to characters from the popular TV shows CSI and CSI Miami.  I know, those shows aren’t real, they’re dramatizations, and everybody knows that!  Really, does everyone know that they are fictional dramatizations?  When you look up CSI Miami on the internet one of the first listing you’ll find is from Wikipedia, there the program is listed as “CSI: Miami (Crime Scene Investigation: Miami) is an American police procedural television series”.   Not a dramatization, not a “soap opera”, it’s “police procedural television”. 

I’m not blaming those programs, I happen to enjoy them as entertainment, and there lays the concern.  A large number of people don’t differentiate the entertainment from real life, it’s “police procedural television”.  This is nothing new; fifty years ago people were convinced that the guilty person would suddenly stand up from the audience at trial and proclaim their guilt because that’s what happens on Perry Mason.

In addition to being able to recognize the difference between “procedural television” and entertainment, people need to put a human life and non human life in their proper prospective.  I went out to dinner the other night and was sitting near the entrance of the restaurant.  I watched a family walking up to the door, as I watched I thought I saw the wife’s purse start to move.  Then I saw a little head pop out of the top, it was a small dog.  A moment later I saw the family walking back to their car to leave and the wife was beyond upset, she was angry!  What had her upset?  She could not bring her dog into the restaurant, but her anger wasn’t because this was a Service Animal she used to cope with life, this dog was one of her children!  Now I have had pets throughout my life that I was fond of, BUT!!!!

We can’t tell the difference between a fictional program and real life, or a living breathing human being that came from our seed and a canine (or other animal); do we really have a right to be angry with a jury verdict? 

Maybe we need to slow down, take a deep breath, and get our priorities straight before we tear down our judicial system!  That deep breath might also give us enough time to realize that what we want to do regarding the members of the jury, or Casey, is a crime even in the idealistic system we now want to create and will make us no better than the one we despise for “getting away with her child’s death.”

That’s My Opinion, What’s Yours

Now What, How About Shining Some Light?

The past six to eight months have been a constant attack on public employees; it has been such a rough time in the various state legislatures that employees are feeling “shell shocked”.  Some are trying to figure out what happened, it seemed as if the attacks have been coming from all sides.  Those that have been around for awhile are having flashbacks to the early eighties and mid nineties; it seems as if we’re on a Merry Go Round that is never ending.  You find yourself wondering what’s next and asking now what do I do?

As far as the first question (what’s next?) we know, more of the same, many governors have said that they are going to continue until they accomplish what they started!  As for the second question (what do I do now?), I have a few ideas.

We (Public Employees) have spent the past six months on the defensive, the politicians (mostly Republican) were able to come at us with several pieces of legislation all at once, including some that they knew would take away our focus such as attacking payroll deduction for union dues.  Then while the employees’ representatives were focused on that, other legislation was submitted that could have more detrimental effects on employees.  Since politicians have declared war on the public employees, employees and their unions need to treat it like a war. 

Before anyone’s blood pressure pops I am not calling for violence, or conduct such as what took place in Wisconsin.  I thought what occurred in Wisconsin was a disgrace; it gave the impression that employees couldn’t make valid arguments against, or explain why what was being proposed was bad for the state and residents.  It allowed supporters of the proposed legislation to make the discussion about the behavior of the unions and keep it away from the facts.  Those legislators have run from the true facts like a cockroach scurries from the light.

Worse was the fact that it created another issue for others to have to defend against.  This leads me to my first suggestion.  Employees need to go on an educational blitz, say a topic a week or month, but first we need to shine light on what is being said.  This is going to take plenty of patience, there will be times that it may seem as if it is a waste, but eventually it will work.  Those legislators learned from the past, they knew that with the economy as bad as it is people are struggling, people are scared at not knowing how much worse things will get.  The legislators learned that after the initial shock wears off people will begin to look for someone to blame so rather than have them look at wasteful spending of the legislative body they’ll blame the public employees union and “extravagant” benefit packages.  This way they can keep the unions and employees from shining the light on mismanagement?  There are good and bad in everything, including employee unions, so when they (the politicians) talk about unions they generalize and create the perception that all are bad.  Now the union is defending itself against something it had nothing to do with, nor supported, such as the conduct in Wisconsin.

Employees need to point out that unions are as varied as the population and not all are affiliated with organizations such as the Teamsters, AFL-CIO, etc.  These organizations are not all bad, but they do have a negative stigma because of actions of the past.  Next we need to talk to the public about the negative pieces of legislation that are proposed.  We need to point out that we are suffering just the same as others, that we haven’t had cost of living raises in years while costs have increased.  We need to point out that we have suffered layoffs for years and have to do more with less.

We need to point out that the politicians aren’t being honest when they say the financial mess is because of the union contracts and the fact that the contracts can’t be “broken”.  We need to let the public know that the union agreements can be opened and renegotiated, the problem is that the politicians don’t want to do that because most have provisions that require a review of their (politicians) spending of tax dollars.  They don’t want light shown on their spending so they propose legislation to circumvent the process.

 The public also needs to be educated about union dues, or more specifically the laws pertaining to the use of monies for political purposes.  The public needs to be reminded of the earlier lesson about all unions not being affiliated with national organizations that have traditionally been democratic supporters.  Then the public needs to be informed that these dues proposals are not needed to protect employees because there are already laws that prevent a union member’ dues from being used for political purposes without the employee’s consent (another light on the politician).

 Next, and more importantly unions need to share with the public what is done with dues money.   That dues are used to provide legal assistance for employees when they are the subject of oppressive, unfair discipline, or are accused of misconduct and the legislative body refuses to provide assistance.  In that regard the union could also demonstrate the legal fees that have been recovered in the cases that the employee was not wronged, and the savings that the legislative body could have had if their attorney had represented the employee.  Then it should be demonstrated how dues monies are put back into the communities in the form of charity contributions, scholarship programs, etc.  In the case of law enforcement organizations explain the support for the families of officers disabled or killed in the Line of Duty, and the annual Law Enforcement Memorials (and maintaining those memorials).

I’ve saved the best for last; we need to educate the politicians.  We need to educate them on fiscal problems of the past and how when they or their predecessors finally worked with the employees instead of attacking them solutions were found that fixed the problem.  We need to show them that if they would only listen to the employees they could make real, meaningful, long lasting savings.

Last, and certainly not least, we need to educate politicians about perceptions.  Contrary to the perception not all public employees and union members are Democrats; we are Republicans, Independents, etc.  Many public employees I’ve spoken with are so disgusted that they are changing their party affiliation and leaving the Republican Party, some unions are even holding rallies to change party affiliations.  I believe a different tack will be a better approach, I was taught as a youngster that if you see something wrong you try to fix it, you don’t run away.  We should vote out the current politicians and elect those that will be fair, respectful, and honest with the employees and the public.  After all WE ARE ALSO THE PUBLIC, THE TAX PAYER!

The public shock and fear about the economy is wearing off, now the public will be more receptive to information as long as it is presented in a professional, informative, and more importantly positive manner.

That's My Opinion, What's Yours

LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS MEMORIAL SERVICE (Originally published on May9, 2011)

(Photograph by Rene Pimentel , Rene Pimentel Photography, Member Miami Police Department)


Each year, during the month of May Law Enforcement/ Peace Officer Memorial Services are held throughout Florida and the nation. These services pay tribute to, and honor those law enforcement officers that have paid the ultimate sacrifice; they’ve died in the line of duty. These services are also designed to assist the families of those that have given their lives.

In Florida the memorial service is actually a two day event, Sunday and Monday, and it honors municipal, county, state, and federal law enforcement officers serving in Florida that have died in the line of duty. Also recognized during these services are those that have been disabled and military personnel that have died serving our country (we also honor those that have been discovered from past years that had not been recognized).

On Sunday there is a lunch and meetings for the survivors where information is shared, including information about COPS (Concerns of Police Survivors). On Sunday evening there is a candlelight vigil at the capital courtyard, and on Monday there is the ceremony at the state capital. These days are also a time for the families to see that they are truly not alone. There are survivors there from previous years, they meet, get to know each other, and talk. The new survivors get to see that they are not alone and they get to be with others that have gone through what they are experiencing. They get to see that there truly is someone that knows what they are going through.

This is also a time for officers to come together, to honor coworkers and friends that have died. In law enforcement we are good at helping citizens deal with tragedy, but we are poor at dealing with our own loss. This is an opportunity for those of us that have experienced the death of a friend in the line of duty to meet with and support those that are experiencing such a death for the first time. I first experienced such a loss four days after graduating from the police academy. Back then (1981) cops didn’t show emotion; cops weren’t impacted by the death or murder of a friend/ coworker. If you showed any emotions you were no good for law enforcement and some senior officers would do what they could to force, or convince you to quit. We know now that this is not the case, it is ok to be impacted, to be sad, it is how you deal with it that is important. By our coming together we show those officers that they are not alone, that there is someone that they can talk with.

Another thing that those of us can do for officers that are experiencing such a loss for the first time is help them also deal with the family. Often time’s officers are uncomfortable being with the family because they don’t know what to say, or how to ease the family’s suffering. I tell them that they don’t have to say a word; just being there lets the families know that they are not alone.
 
People often ask why these memorials take place during the month of May. This is done to coincide around the National Peace Officers Memorial Service. On May 4, 1963 President John F. Kennedy signed Proclamation 3537 Peace Officers Memorial Day and Police Week. This proclamation designated May 15th as Peace Officers Memorial Day, and the week of May 15th as Police Week

I have attended many such services and also had the honor to be the Master of Ceremonies for both State and Miami Police services. As I’ve watched the families I took a moment to pray to God to look after them, to give them the strength to get through the next two weeks and to go on with their lives (The Florida LEO Memorial Service is currently held the first weekend in May, 2 weeks before the National Service in Washington, D.C.). I have dealt with families whose lives basically stopped; they chose to live in the past. I also gave thanks that I made it through another year of my career and my family not having to go through what these families were experiencing. There were times that my mother felt guilty, but whenever an officer died in the line of duty she prayed for the family, and also gave thanks that it wasn’t me. My mother was a social worker and always made herself available to the families. Mama Mann (as some of my partners and crews came to know her) made herself available because it was what one person did for another, and because she remembered the feelings she experienced as a detective met her at home to inform her that I had been seriously injured, and the ride to the local trauma center in the police car before learning that I was stable and would survive. She wanted to do whatever she could to ease their suffering; it was her way of giving thanks for her son’s good fortune.

Just as when I first wrote about the LEO Memorials in 2009, I know this is going to sound bad, but I do not mean it that way, I mean this in the positive. When I’ve attended the services, as the families passed me I thought of how simple some appeared. I would watch them and remember what made this country great, and had more confidence that America will get through the current economic and geo political mess and be stronger. These families were proud that their loved one had chosen public service over another career that could have been more financially satisfying. Instead of being bitter, they stood tall and proud. Sure that choice was causing them pain now, but still they stood tall.

Each year during this time I remember my friends that died in the line of duty. I also choose to rededicate myself to my chosen profession, and to serving my community.

As you go through your day to day activities I hope you take a moment on May 15th to remember those public servants that have lost their lives serving your/ our community. Also, take a moment to appreciate those in your personal life that you care about, maybe even let them know how you feel about them (believe me I know how hard that is, but try).


The Presidential Proclamation can be found at The American Presidency Project: http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=24099

NOTE:
The Fraternal Order of Police, Florida State Lodge sponsors the two day event in Tallahassee each year. It is done to pay tribute to, and honor those that have given their lives in service to their community, and to provide some comfort to the families as they deal with their grief. The Florida State Lodge has formed a Memorial Foundation to help with the financial cost of providing this service. If you are interested in learning more, or may know a business that would like to assist more information is available on the Florida State Lodge’s web site www.floridastatefop.org.

If you are an FOP member the State of Florida now has an FOP license plate available for members, the proceeds are also used to support the Memorial Service and information is also available on the State Lodge’s web site.

President Obama and the death of Osama Bin Laden

I had begun to draft a posting about criticism of President Obama, especially recently over the rising fuel costs and if it was a fair criticism. Then came the announcement a few days ago of the killing of Osama Bin Laden by U.S. Military during a mission with the CIA. It didn’t take long for doubt and criticism to start. It’s one thing that President Obama has with his predecessors, especially President Bush (G.W.), but is it fair?

First and foremost I believe this is a great testament to our military and our form of government, it shows that a military background isn’t necessary to be the Commander in Chief. A benefit yes, but not a job requirement, with good military and intelligence advisors to provide the best intelligence, operational plans and personnel to carry those plans out the President can give orders to protect this country regardless of a military background.

As I watched the President announce to the country and the world that an operation took place that resulted in the death of Osama Bin Laden I thought overall he was fine. The President made the announcement in a professional manner with the correct tone. He reiterated that the United States was not at war against people of the Islamic faith, and pointed out that Bin Laden’s planned attacks over the years have killed all faith believing people including Muslims. Could you find something to have fault with in his remarks, yes, but is it really necessary?

Now I want to take a minute to address some of the other criticisms. I agree with the President’s decision not to release the photograph’s. What will be accomplished, except feeding some people’s morbid curiosity? The photo(s) will not prove that he is dead, those that don’t want to believe it will not no matter what the U.S. does. The Taliban wants the pictures released in order to prove to them that he is dead. Since when should we worry about if they believe us or not, are they going to suddenly disband and admit that their brutal interpritation of Islam is wrong? I’ve got an idea, if they want to see the pictures surrender to U.S. forces and we’ll give them personal 8X10 glossies as a part of their care package when they arrive at Gitmo.

All they are going to do with official U.S. photos is use them to show how barbarous the infidels are! As I mentioned those that don’t want to believe are going to continue to deny the authenticity of any photos that are released. Before the President’s announcement Photo Shopped pictures resurfaced on the internet. Members of Congress were even shown them and believed they were real which proves my point that people will believe what they want. Maybe if a couple of years from now Osama Bin Laden comes out with a brand new updated video I’ll change my opinion.

Next there was the announcement that Bin Laden’s body was disposed of at sea, then that he was washed and wrapped in accordance with Islamic traditions and then buried at sea. Of course there was the criticism that his body was “dumped” at sea, then that burial rituals were observed. As far as his being buried at sea, I can understand the argument about not having a grave site that his followers can make a shrine and martyr him. They’re going to do so anyway, but now they won’t have a body to mourn and can have an appreciation for what the families of those that died on September 11, 2001 feel every day.

As far as the burial rituals being observed and his body being washed and wrapped in accordance with those rituals it makes me more proud of our military. Personally I wouldn’t have been bothered if Bin Laden was put in a Hefty bag and just tossed overboard. However, taking the time to comply with the rituals showed respect for the religion, not the man who bastardized it’s teachings for his own purpose. Without saying a word it demonstrated to the world who the true barbarians are, those that committed the attacks killing innocent people and denying those victims a burial in accordance with their traditions or the country that took time to respect the religious rituals of their enemy?

Finally there has been some criticism of the celebrations that took place in front of the White House, Ground Zero, and elsewhere. For a moment people could relax and not be afraid. Was it right or wrong? I’m not going to judge, but for those in other parts of the world that are offended I have one thing to say; now you can appreciate the anger Americans felt as you danced in the streets with joy as the towers fell, and when the soldiers bodies were dragged through the streets in Somalia, or at the beheading of a journalist. In other words, You Reap What You Sow!

That’s My Opinion, What’s Yours?

May God Bless America, our Military and Intelligence personnel, those that seek peace in this world, and may he forgive those that work against that end.

Why Are Public Employees and Their Unions Under Attack?

As many states began their legislative session’s public employees and the unions that represent them have been under attack, they also find themselves being blamed for the various state and city administrations fiscal problems. But why is it “Open Season” on Public Employees, are they/ we really to blame for problems?

There are two reasons that immediately come to mind; people often look for someone, or something to blame when they experience troubles. The other reason is that public employees are easy targets and even easier to prevent them from objecting to the attacks.

Why are they being blamed and why are public employee the problem?

When things go wrong for people they go through different phases from denial, that can’t happen to me, then shock when it does. Then there has to be a reason, someone to blame, and eventually people decide that they just have to fix the problem, recover and get on with life.

One reason that public employees are an easy target is because they are easy to control. There are rules limiting when they can identify themselves as a public employee, which would add credibility as they speak on issues. But there is much more to it than the control factor.

I could go back through history and point out times when such tactics have been used, but some might decide to create another distraction by attacking those comparisons, so instead I’ll only go back the past two to three years. For nearly three years the economy has been in a free fall, the mortgage fiasco has been in full swing, loans have been difficult if not impossible to obtain, full prices have been on a roller coaster going from around $2.00 a gallon to over $4.50 and down again (they are approaching 4 again). Last year was the second year and people were in disbelief how bad things were, and scared that they would only get worse, many were in a state of shock.

When the housing “bubble” burst Democrats began to Blame Republicans, the President at the time was George W. Bush (Republican). Then the Republicans began to blame the Democrats. After all they (Democrats) won control of both the House of Representative and Senate in the November 2006 elections, and it was prominent Democrats like Christopher Dodd and Barney Frank that fought against stricter regulations for the mortgage industry. Then information began to come out about politicians getting “sweetheart” deals on mortgages, the public began to turn on incumbents. Politicians began to talk about the economy and government fiscal problems and then “Golden Parachutes” being given to business executives as the reason for the problem in order to distract the public from their previous actions.

As states, counties and municipalities began to have to deal with financial problems those politicians realized that they needed to find a similar distraction. They couldn’t blame greedy financial sector executives, that card had already been played. People began to be angry as reports of private sector union protests and threats against executives and their families. Politicians realized a new target for deflecting public anger and discontent had to be found. Public employees and their unions became the choice, if they were put on the defensive they wouldn’t be able to remind voters that they had warned the politicians’ years earlier of the potential for fiscal problems if they (elected officials) didn’t change the way they were doing business. The same politicians that sought out and bragged about public employee union endorsements were now attacking those same unions.

Last year as positions in the legislative and executive branches of various governments were coming up for elections there were people that seized upon the public’s anger and turned it into supporters. They gave them “someone” to hate, they focused that anger. First they portrayed themselves as an “Outsider”, not a part of “The System”. Despite their past, their business partners and ventures, they kept saying that they were an “outsider” and if elected would change the system. If you keep repeating something long enough sooner or later people will begin to believe it. Once people began to believe the lie candidates could turn the anger into energy to get out the vote, and what better way than to give people someone to hate, someone to blame. Public employees and their unions were the perfect choice, you could get the voters to blame the public employees pay and benefits for the tax increases and you could exploit the incumbent’s previous endorsement from those unions to attack their credibility.

Why did the attacks intensify after the elections?

Most people don’t differentiate between public sector and private sector unions, and a union is a union. Another reason is because it’s easy to find excesses, perceived and real. Then you speak in general terms; avoid details that relate to your specific entity (local, county, state). When people are angry they will listen to the “sound bite” without researching the facts. Now your public employees and their unions have to fight on multiple fronts, they are busy trying to keep pay and benefits while fighting the public relations battle. This will allow legislators to push through legislation that will benefit their interests with very little notice or opposition. It’s like the con man or pick pocket, while you’re watching their one hand (the attacks on public employees and unions) they are taking your wallet (passing legislation that in the long run will cost you more). These attacks also keep most from realizing that the “Outsider” isn’t changing the system, they are exploiting it.

About now you may have your doubts about what I’m saying, or your remembering my “union” past and thinking that I’m just on the defensive, So let me ask you a question, when someone says unions what’s the first thing you think of? Do you think of all those examples of California’s fiscal problems and the pension benefits they get? Do you think of the factory workers in the industrial sector and their benefits? Do you think of the fact that public sector employees are doing the work of two, three, or more people and have been doing so for years?

The next time a politician blames the public employees ask for specifics. If they cite specifics you need to take the advice of Ronald Reagan, Trust but Verify.”

The union movement started in the North east, and although it has expanded to other areas the south and Midwest are mostly Right to Work States (belonging to a union is not a prerequisite to being employed). In some states public employees aren’t allowed to organize, in others they can organize but are not allowed collective bargaining.

Public sector employees, especially law enforcement, firefighters, and teachers are under attack because they are easy targets. As I’ve mentioned, as long as the message is wrapped up in a catchy commercial or has a good “catch phrase” many people will not look at specifics immediately to see if the message is correct or accurate.

If you think for a moment you can think of a public employee that didn’t do what they were supposed to, or got angry and over reacted to a situation, however, that doesn’t mean that all public employees are no good. Just as it is wrong to paint a race or ethnicity with a “broad brush” it is wrong to denigrate all public employees because of the actions of a few.

Finally, let me address the pay and benefits. In your job do you get paid overtime if you work more than 40 hours a week? Police officers and firefighters are the only occupations that are exempt from the Fair Labor Standard Act regulations regarding the payment of overtime after 40 hours a week. Although it won’t be much, will you receive your full Social Security Benefits when you retire? Because of legislation enacted in the mid 1980’s police officers, firefighters, and some other public employees will have their benefits reduced. If you look you may find that it was after that legislation was enacted that public employees began to negotiate for additional benefits. Also, although there are public pension systems that the employee does not contribute to there are many more in which they do (I paid between 7.5 and 10.5% of salary).

Politicians like to say that they have to pay the salaries and benefits because of the “union” contracts. It is also the reason they can’t fire bad employees. I have written about terminating public employees in the past so I won’t go through it again, except to say that as a union representative my job was to ensure that the employee was treated fairly and that the discipline (including termination) was done in accordance with procedures. As far as pay and benefits are concerned the politicians are leaving out something very important. They could open the contracts and renegotiate pay and benefits. However, if they were to do that their fiscal actions would be subject to review. Also, their benefits could also be called into question and reduced or eliminated. Have you seen Congress doing away with their health insurance or changing their congressional pension (a member of Congress can retire after serving only 6 years and receive a minimum pension of $66,000.00 per year for the rest of their life)?

So the next time you hear public employees being attacked, blamed for the bad situation ask the person doing the blame to do like Paul Harvey used to, insist that they tell you “The Rest of The Story.”

That’s My Opinion, What’s Yours