The Banality of Evil

A scholarly bibliophile aptly describes my existence for the past few decades. This author's mind, however, keeps reverting back to my military years as time and experience create wisdom. They were, citing Charles Dickens, "the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to heaven, we were all going direct the other way." The Vietnam War was consuming this nation and its soul as well. Pain, agony, frustration and confusion permeated those fighting in Vietnam, but was aptly superseded by survival. Nobody wanted to die, but death was all around us. As Seymour Hirsch, eminent scholar and journalist notes: "they (the government) were operating in a democracy, guided by a Constitution and among a citizenry who held their leaders to a reasonable standard of morality and integrity." Yet, the government, as the Pentagon Papers later revealed, had been deceiving constituents for years.

Richard Nixon had, as a private citizen, dispatched Anna Chennault to South Vietnam in 1968 to inform President Thieu if he would disrupt the Paris Peace Talks a better deal from future President Nixon would be offered. These actions can be described as treason since private citizens are not allowed to conduct foreign policy, but Nixon had been this way his whole life. Meanwhile, people were dying in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. Nixon, of course, was elected promising a secret plan to end the conflict, but in reality desperately wanted to win the war. 21,000 more Americans would lose their lives in Vietnam and even more Vietnamese, Cambodians and Laotians. As the eminent folk singer, Pete Seeger, sung, "I was knee deep in the Big Muddy" myself. Everyone knew the war was lost, but survival was the key phrase. GIs, for the most part, did their jobs; some refused; some drugged it out, but everyone wanted to get home. Little did we realize Nixon was beginning the war back in the world. When I was home, I wanted to be back in Nam; while in Nam, I wanted to be home. The USA had changed and no one wanted to believe returning Veterans' about the war.

The Veterans Administration didn't know how to deal with our heads and gave psychotropic drugs out like candy. The military diagnosed many with "personality disorders" to deprive them of deserved compensation and thousands committed suicide to stop the pain. Vietnam Vets marched on the White House to toss medals on the lawn and Nixon retaliated by denying any treatment for what was later called Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. His desire was to organize VietVets into a organization supporting his foreign policy, but public demonstrations by the returnees caused an irrational Nixon to deny any validity for known specific war problems. Many simply dropped out; headed to the mountains, deserts, and foreign countries to somehow find peace...they became known as "tripwire Vets" and avoided as much social contact as possible. Others sought to lead a "normal" life, but found marriages and jobs in trouble due to their war experiences. Three out four marriages failed and jobs came and went in an endless cycle. No one seemed to care least of all the Veterans Administration. The VA sunk into a bureaucratic nightmare demoralizing those employees who cared and driving Vets away. Politicians were appointed to VA leadership positions and made inane statements which, unfortunately, were supported by the traditional veterans organizations. Many Vietnam Vets knew the rules in Nam, but were confused by this bureaucratic war at home. Many dedicated VietVets persevered, obtained their degrees and attempted to affect change, but the cards were stacked against them. Nixon wanted to win the war, not spend millions to help those "bums," as he called us, with their specific problems. Thus the Vietnam Veteran who gave everything in a war few understood and the government knew was unwinnable tried to survive at home in an atmosphere of moral confusion, nightmares, open discrimination and stereotyped as a "time bomb."

I married, wanted to lead a "normal" life, divorced, went to Idaho, lived in the mountains, returned to Boise later, and held it together long enough to get my degree. VietVets gravitated towards each other and our own support groups were created to survive. Ironically, the FBI kept an eye on us since J. Edgar Hoover believed we were "communists" for surviving. There was a feeling among us dying in Vietnam and being regarded as a "hero" was preferable to being home. The domestic conflict was that bad, but somehow our little group managed to look out for each other long enough for all to survive.

More later.....

Malformation of Intellectual Capacity

That esteemed pseudo journalist, Bill O'Reilly, again expressed outrage over a judge ruling against the Defense of Marriage Act. O'Reilly, known primarily for a sexual harassment episode and draft avoidance, compared same sex marriage as "like being married to a duck."

The question to be asked is simple. Bill, what do you have against ducks? Duck eggs are tasty in baking recipes; the birds eat numerous insects and are good friends to humans. Methinks Bill has a bird fetish he is denying and will avoid as he does discussing the $15 million settlement with Andrea Macklin, the woman he sexually harassed. Obviously, O'Reilly is no fan of Donald Duck nor Daffy. Someone needs to pull Bill aside and besides checking his citizenship, request his sexual orientation. In the meantime, ducks beware.
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Our lovable airhead, Sarah Palin, was a guest on the O'Reilly MisFactor, and Bill actually got upset with her lack of concrete answers. Palin really didn't possess any facsimile of knowledge concerning immigration, border problems, etc.; but was willing to discuss moose breeding habits along the Alaska-Canadian border. Sarah has considerable background of shopping with Republican party funds and could have filled Bulbous Bill in on many helpful points. Alas, she seemed intellectually departed and needs a recharge in her home probably built free by Bridge To NoWhere contractors. Sometimes, honor, credibility and knowledge are hard to obtain.
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Our esteemed Arizona Guv, Jan Brewer, has made some wonderful statements befitting only the classier fear mongers. Arizona Senator Russell Pearce and Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio have run fast and easy with the Arizona National Socialist Party (Nazi) attending rallies and extolling virtues. The Guv was confronted with this during a press conference and stated her father had died battling the Nazis.

Reality check: her father died in 1955; not during World War II, but its the thought that counts. Right, Jan.

Also, digging very deep to defend SB1070, the notorious immigration enforcement law, the Guv stated: a) most coming over the border were lugging drugs (mules); and later, border crossers were beheading many victims. Both were adamantly denied by the Border Patrol and even John McCain, back from a soma holiday, denied the mule fantasy. Fact is, and don't tell the Guv this, crime along the border is down considerably and JanBrew has to make up stories to justify the new Arizona law. Sighhhhhh, it becomes addictive...lets call it the Palin Syndrome....out of state Republican candidates are flocking to Brewer for endorsements, but she has to figure out where they are from first. Bring maps, candidates, and beware of the trip down to Fantasy Island...da plane, da plane, boss, da plane.
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It could probably be shown by facts and figures that there is no distinctly native criminal class except Congress which exceeds all expectations. One cannot imagine all the perks Congress possesses and would be shocked to the extent luxury replaces accountability. Personally, the idea of barracks housing for single members and government housing for married couples has an appeal. Yearly classes should be offered in ethics, the Road Kill book, interpersonal relationships, and psychological testing to detect the mentally challenged. Space, the final frontier, should not be allowed in Congress; only massive perks and pocket lining. Ask J.D. Hayworth; he knows and appreciates Abramoff as does Senator John Kyl.
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News sources the media should squelch:
1. Britney Spears...still alive, dating her bodyguard, and wanting all the money

2. The Kardashians....wow, American culture has really advanced to the point where sex videos on the net makes one rich.

3. Speaking of which, Danielle Staub, the New Jersey Reality Housewife witch, has promised us her sex video will be even better. Introduce her to Bill O'Reilly's duck, pleaseeeeeeeeeee.

4. Lindsay Lohan......please, stop it. Cannot compute, Cannot Compute. Just let her go to jail, serve the time, come out, screw up, go back, come out, screw up, go back, come out, screw up. Repetitious, isn't it? Just like Lindsay's life....being accountable isn't a movie, but reality.

5. Snookie, the New Jersey shore item. Who, where, how, when, did she become an American icon. No more comment.

6. Mel Gibson....used to like him and his movies, but where has his head moved into? Mel, go to Alice Springs, absorb the Australian sun, relax, and rebuild your career. Don't take Snookie with you; she doesn't where Australia is.

7. Glenn Beck...this guy was a Phoenix disk jockey who got up tight around ratings time. In fact, he called the wife of a dj competitor on the air and chastised her for having a miscarriage. Hey, he needs serious psychiatric intervention and preferably a hot lead enema to straighten him out.

Enough....ranted and raved...got it out of my system...still haven't got over the Nixon deal, but that's another blog subject.

Over and Out....oh, support Dave Rabbit....Google that name.

The Misconceived Arizona Bill

Tucson Unified School District is closing down 5 more schools (7 so far) with similar actions in other school districts; their superintendent is leaving for a more stable position; teachers facing layoffs if Prop 100 fails; state agencies not able to assist their clients; homelessness is increasing; meaning state government is having difficulties functioning and now overworked law enforcement officers have been tasked with a federal responsibility in Arizona. Our Guv thinks only of spending more money.....: the Federal Dept of Justice is reviewing this law which mean thousands if not more will be spent by our Attorney General's office. The Guv has also notified us AZ will be filing a lawsuit over Obamacare which will cost thousands, if not more, in legal costs. Undoubtedly, this immigration law will result in a multitude of lawsuits resulting in even more budgetary expenditures. In fact the first was filed today, April 29, and one hears the echoing sound of of a cash register depriving more children, among other issues, of a sound education. Our priorities are misplaced and where is the common sense to restore it.

There are simpler solutions if one must:

Require everyone to file a certified birth certificate with their AZ county of residence. AZ born would integrated by the Department of Health and wouldn't cost a thing....Others could retrieve from their state of residence....in turn, this information could be turned over to Homeland security after matching with other docs such as drivers licenses, etc., making INS jobs easier. Makes sense...

Better yet.....tell the Nazi sympathizers in the Arizona Legislature this ideology didn't work the first time and cost millions their lives.

Sen. Russell Pearce, by the way, is closely connected with the Arizona version of the National Socialists (Nazis) and has spent a great amount of time being photographed with J.T. Ready, a state National Socialist leader. Both are good friends and co-sympathizers of Joe Arpaio, Maricopa County Sheriff who has cost that county $60 million in lawsuit losses the past few years not including Maricopa legal expenditures. Somehow, its seems fitting many are applauding a law authored by a Nazi principle sympathizer. If you doubt this, Google: J.T. Ready or go to www.crooksandliars.com.

Arizona's Guv did not boldly stand for principle, but caved in to specific far right wing interests. She could have raised hell with the feds, but is now costing AZ precious dollars from a boycott. Senators Kyl and McCain favor National Guard along the border which will cost more and before you know it, Arizona will be a name only. Some think this boycott is "funny," but fail to see the full ramifications.

Meanwhile, the "bold" Guv is watching state government slowly disintegrate, schools close, education professionals leaving and a great immigration of brainpower. Common sense doesn't exist in our legislature who fiddle right wing paranoia while our overworked law enforcement officers endure another layer of unneeded responsibility. There was a reason most police chiefs disavowed this bill. Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik labeled the "stupid" and further stated his officers will be directed not to follow it. Ironically, one of the first lawsuits filed was by a Tucson Police Department officer.

The Guv is afraid of growing Latino voting power. She culled the voting rolls of nearly 200,000 predominantly Latino voters prior to the last major election as Secretary of State which caused some controversy. Her motives, to say the least, are supect and this current action will create a political and economic backlash.

Please think, people, and look at the big picture instead of focusing on the simplified rheotoric which envelops many in our legislature and apparently, many ill informed constituents.