On each visit to the grocery store, a child seated in the cart, prods their parent to buy a piece of candy. By the time the child is 3 years old the parent may have heard the child's request for candy as many times as the child has been to the grocery store. Each time the child asks, he may do some whining, may play the "cute" card, or a number of other strategies to get the prize.
If the parent stays firm and does not buy the candy, the child will develop an understanding of the candy will not be purchased, this time or anytime.
If the parent decides to give in one day and buys a Lolly-pop for the child, the child wins their first little battle. The child may not understand it to be a battle, but they remember. They will again ask for candy at the next visit to the store. If the parent establishes a pattern of -trip to the grocery store = candy for child-, the habit is formed and the child will expect the candy. If the parent decides on no candy for the next visit, the child may throw a fit.
What is happening in Paris, France right now may be more than one issue coming to a head. However based on the current news stories on the riots; 1 million protestors hit the streets...some riotting and violence... police had to break up with tear gas, water cannon and rubber pellets.. fires are being set... it may or may not continue and worsen as the recent riots in Paris a short time ago.
1/3 of all teachers in France were on strike today. Nearly all transportation; bus, train, plane were shut down due to strikes. The economy may have come to a halt in France.
Why are these protestors angry? A new labor law allowing companies to fire an employee for any reason if the person is;
1) Less than 26 years old and
2) Has been with the company less than 2 years
The French have been spoiled like a child wanting candy, from laws for 35 hour work weeks. The country has seen little or no economic growth for a number of years. The population is stagnant or falling each year. The bill for French social welfare will eventually drive up taxes and drive away the businesses remaining.
Just just week I listened as an associate (we will name her Denise) stating how "Europe" does so many things better than the US. They are more "advanced" in their "thinking" and "socially" and their "health care." Denise also claims to be a champion of hatred toward minorities, bigotry and prejudice. Yet, she advised a small group of us in one discussion, "I don't date American men... they are all too worried about their money... who's going to take it from them... I only have dated foreign born men." So much for not being a champion.
I will make a generalization of her "kind". She supports France and Europes "ideals" blindly. When asked to explain the above: "Europe is more advanced" and "I don't date American men..." she had no defense and repeatedly chose either to ramble or change the subject. The conversation with Denise had no real meaning. It sounded like a sound-bite laden speech at a rally. Rhetoric only, with one person at the mic.
This I believe, is a typical example of the "progressive" supporter. Frankly it is often mindless repeating of monologue spoken by someone else.
Europe is beautiful with history. I have family just outside of Hanover, Germany. It is a great place to vacation. I would love to live there sometime. Only, I do not want to work 5 months of the year to pay my tax bill.
Perhaps they should start being reasonable like Americans. If we get fired, often times we deserved it. Pick yourself off the floor and find another way to feed yourself.
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
Monday, March 27, 2006
Does Moussai Want Martyrdom?
Today Zacarias Moussaoui confessed to being prevy of the attacks of September 11, 2001 prior to their follow through. According to the FoxNews article this could give him the death penalty.
It is interesting to read, as the Moussaoui's defense attorney attempted to keep him from incriminating himself, Moussaoui confirmed prior facts and actually gave the prosecution additional evidence for their case.
It is interesting to read, as the Moussaoui's defense attorney attempted to keep him from incriminating himself, Moussaoui confirmed prior facts and actually gave the prosecution additional evidence for their case.
Thursday, March 16, 2006
Iran Requests Talks with US, Iraq is Focus
The article by the AP is telling. It starts out possibly misleading, saying Iraq is slipping closer to civil war. It is hard to tell whether the writer of the article is in Iraq or spent any time there. I question the authority to make such a statement.
However the rest of the article is worth reading, twice. Iran has offered to begin talks with the US about Iraq. As the article quotes, this could lead to easing of tensions, and more talks later about Iran's nuclear program.
Let us hope the Iran offer is not a calculated, "give an inch and take it back" ploy as it was with Iraq prior to 2003.
What is even more impressive is Iran as asked to speak directly with the United States and China/Russia both encouraged Iran to do so!
This could be the most important event yet in this year's accumulating history.
However the rest of the article is worth reading, twice. Iran has offered to begin talks with the US about Iraq. As the article quotes, this could lead to easing of tensions, and more talks later about Iran's nuclear program.
Let us hope the Iran offer is not a calculated, "give an inch and take it back" ploy as it was with Iraq prior to 2003.
What is even more impressive is Iran as asked to speak directly with the United States and China/Russia both encouraged Iran to do so!
This could be the most important event yet in this year's accumulating history.
The article by the AP is telling. It starts out possibly misleading, saying Iraq is slipping closer to civil war. It is hard to tell whether the writer of the article is in Iraq or spent any time there. I question the authority to make such a statement.
However the rest of the article is worth reading, twice. Iran has offered to begin talks with the US about Iraq. As the article quotes, this could lead to easing of tensions, and more talks later about Iran's nuclear program.
Let us hope the Iran offer is not a calculated, "give an inch and take it back" ploy as it was with Iraq prior to 2003.
What is even more impressive is Iran as asked to speak directly with the United States and China/Russia both encouraged Iran to do so!
This could be the most important event yet in this year's accumulating history.
However the rest of the article is worth reading, twice. Iran has offered to begin talks with the US about Iraq. As the article quotes, this could lead to easing of tensions, and more talks later about Iran's nuclear program.
Let us hope the Iran offer is not a calculated, "give an inch and take it back" ploy as it was with Iraq prior to 2003.
What is even more impressive is Iran as asked to speak directly with the United States and China/Russia both encouraged Iran to do so!
This could be the most important event yet in this year's accumulating history.
Friday, March 10, 2006
Dubai Ports World - Giving Up Contract
The DP World issue may only be at best a sore spot between the UAE and the United States. I also doubt it will last long. Let us say bad feelings will be around for a few months or a year. Maybe. The UAE is apparently has a good many business savvy folks.
Oil has been the mid-East's bread/butter for some years. They know it will come to an end one day. The closer everyone else comes to using alternative fuels on every car sold, the closer they are to selling oil for $20/barrel.
They know this. We know this. The UAE is trying to "diversify" their portfolio. In the coming years, other mid-East nation governments and/or citizens will likely be doing the same... looking to the United States and other countries for investment opportunities. The UAE is already working on their smooth transition from a nation with most of it's eggs in the oil basket to eggs in a lot of baskets. Good on ya UAE.
OPEC will eventually run dry. The UAE is just leading the way for a changed mid-East.
Then changing economy of the mid-East will be a heavy influence on the democratization of the region. Freer trade may coincide with growing democratic influence.
Oil has been the mid-East's bread/butter for some years. They know it will come to an end one day. The closer everyone else comes to using alternative fuels on every car sold, the closer they are to selling oil for $20/barrel.
They know this. We know this. The UAE is trying to "diversify" their portfolio. In the coming years, other mid-East nation governments and/or citizens will likely be doing the same... looking to the United States and other countries for investment opportunities. The UAE is already working on their smooth transition from a nation with most of it's eggs in the oil basket to eggs in a lot of baskets. Good on ya UAE.
OPEC will eventually run dry. The UAE is just leading the way for a changed mid-East.
Then changing economy of the mid-East will be a heavy influence on the democratization of the region. Freer trade may coincide with growing democratic influence.
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
Freed Up
Sebastian Mallaby says, “Globalization scares people. Security threats scare people.”
Do we need to be “scared” of globalization?
Globalization brings many changes, however a core concern is the following: The company reaps higher profits by laying off all the American workers and hires cheap, overseas labor. Today this scare seems to be morphing into a Chinese flavor. Until now, the post-NAFTA “scare” has come with a Mexican flavor.
There are a number of issues which have risen from this topic. The debatable topics have been;
1) trade deficits
2) unfair competition
3) job cuts
4) trade wars
5) tarriffs
6) protectionism
Every person and nation seems to have an opinion of how to stop the flow of jobs out of the United States. One must pose the most important question? Which economy has been time-tested by providing for it’s citizenry? This economy must have the ability to invent new jobs when others are lost. By using nearly all economic indicators the US economy has proven itself well.
What is happening on the global stage is a “freeing up” of trade. This freeing up of trade is growing the economy and per capita incomes of all participatory nations. According to the American Enterprise Institute, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) has brought growing wealth to the three countries involved; Canada, United States and Mexico.
There is always going to be a trade surplus or deficit between any two countries. A trade deficit for one is a surplus for the other. A trade deficit is looked upon in this country with such disdain. Why?
A more wealthy economy will naturally have more expendable income per person than a country which is less wealthy. Because the United States has 260+ million population and the 4th highest per capita income of all nations, this combination allows for the largest buying power of any nation. Are we then predisposed to having trade deficits with other nations?
All economies must start somewhere. Again I say look at the United States economy and how it has progressed. 100 years ago we were heavily agrarian. With the industrial revolution and the invention of internal combustion, this allowed for fewer farmers to care for more land. This freed up more farmers to go to the factories. Factory work is now moving to automation or to third world countries. Once factory workers must find new work. Their sons and daughters then moved into services, chemicals, research and computer related industries. As we vet the factory jobs to other nations we gain more available bodies for technology jobs. The United States will continue to pass some jobs to other nations to free up Americans for the next generation of industry. This vetting will continue no doubt.
With regard to the low-wage Chinese taking high paying American jobs, let us use an example;
The year is 2006. The Barker family lives in a modest home with an half-acre of yard in suburban Atlanta, Georgia. The Barkers have decided to pay landscapers to mow their lawn.. The first landscaper contacted by phone is Jake. Jake explains his business opened in 2003. They do small to medium sized jobs. Jake quotes $116 for a 2 man crew at 2 hours labor to complete the ½ acre lot. This includes mowing the entire yard, edging the sidewalks and streets. Jake has a list of current and past customers very happy with his work.
Then the Barkers call a competing landscape firm, owned by George George immediately attempts to win the Barkers business. After listening to his pitch, it sounds as though George has similar equipment and capabilities as does Jake’s firm. George also has a list of happy customers, past and present. George is starting his second summer as a landscaper. George quotes $100 for the 2 man, 2 hour, ½ acre job.
Which landscaper will be Barkers hire? I believe most folks would hire George at $100.
Background to above:
Jake is a college graduate. He started his landscape company with two college roommates in 2003. They pooled their funds and opened up their landscaping business. They each earn $14/hour for labor. They must take into account the labor wage + supplies, fuel, wear and tear on the equipment in calculating their job quotes.
George is actually Jorge. Pronounced Hor-hay. George is originally from Columbia. He moved here with his family and needed to find work. He did so until he raised enough money to cover for a few months of wages and expenses for a landscaping company. He found a bank which entrusted him with a small business loan to purchase the equipment. He opened his business last summer, 2005. George does not have a high school education. He hired high school and college students to man his mowers. He pays them $10/hour.
All else equal, if we assume George and his workers do an effective job of mowing lawns, then he will likely maintain their current customer base. If they continue to provide an effective work product they may win new bids in the future as their reputation grows.
In the long term, if Jake’s firm mows lawns equally as well as George, then Jake and his roommates will lose their current customers to George. The eventual demise will be caused directly with either George’s decision to pay lower his labor costs, then making his product less expensive relative to Jake. Jake must then justify to his current customers and future customers why his work is worth $16 more per half acre job. If Jake is unable to justify the high costs, the business will suffer through lost clients moving to George.
Jake and his roommates agree they cannot cut the lawn of their customers any better then George. They also agree they are not willing to accept less than $14/hour in order to make their quotes more competitive.
Jake ends his business venture, sells his equipment and customer leads to George for a modest sum.
George is better off, with double the equipment, more customers and therefore the demand for his work justifying the hiring of 3 more workers. George’s reputation continues to build in the community and his phone begins ringing off the hook
At first look, Jake and his college friends are worse off while George is better off. Jake’s firm was well educated and they understood the risks of starting a business. To their discredit they would not accept lower wages to make their product more competitive. To their credit they have college degrees. They have recouped some of their capital through the sale of their equipment.
They found work at new employers while more funds are accrued for a new venture. They left the landscaping business with a failed firm. However they have gained invaluable business knowledge and this failed venture may have motivated the three to try it again…Next time perhaps in a different industry, better prepared. They were all degreed in computer programming. Maybe it will be in the computer science industry.
Here in lies the battle between American and China. The United States workforce is represented in Jake and China in George. It is obvious landscaping jobs are not being sent to Asia. But this example runs parallels of many industries once wholly contained in the United States. Chip makers, automobile manufacturers, many factory type jobs have left the United States.
The jobs have left due to the ability for Chinese workers to make a product equally as well or with near enough quality to find acceptance with the buying public. The scale tipper is the cost of each product made in China could be a fraction of a similarly US made product. If a company makes an equal product for less, or if they make an adequate product for substantially less, customers will gravitate toward this new supplier.
The important piece to remember; George continues doing what he does well and is satisfied with the income level he is receiving for his work. George hires 3 new students to work for his firm (this replaces the three jobs lost in Jake and his roommates.). Jake and his roommates would not work for less, therefore they are pushed out of an industry of which they are over qualified. They have the education and hopefully the motivation to take another risk in the future. Jake and his roommates were actually “freed up” to do something else. Something which potentially would be more financially lucrative and may require the education and skills they already have attained.
An economy can not have all the scientists and engineers “mowing grass”. Jobs should be filled, and in a free market are filled, by those qualified or accepting of the wage they will earn in a specific job. If they are not happy with the pay or it is not enough of a challenge, then eventually they will free up the job and search for something new.
Of all the nations, the United States should be least “scared” of globalization. Globalization is the free market finding the best use for all workers and resources. Before railroads there were parts of the nation segmented by geography. They could not actively participate in trade and the free market. This isolation changed with transportation improvements. The improvements caused a smaller version of globalization with the United States. If this economy is good for a state and a nation of states, why would it not be good for a world of nations?
The “freeing up” of a workforce to do something else is what drives an economy forward. Globalization is an opportunity for wealth. Wealth for developed and fledgling economies alike. It is a shame the nation is even debating the “China Card”. It is inquisitive and a shame Mr. Mallaby felt he had to spend his research and writing talent on a topic we should already understand.
Desirable Reading
Economics in One Lesson, Henry Hazlitt
Capitalism and Freedom, Milton Friedman
Wealth of Nations, Adam Smith
Google; “Austrian Economics” and “World Fact book”
Do we need to be “scared” of globalization?
Globalization brings many changes, however a core concern is the following: The company reaps higher profits by laying off all the American workers and hires cheap, overseas labor. Today this scare seems to be morphing into a Chinese flavor. Until now, the post-NAFTA “scare” has come with a Mexican flavor.
There are a number of issues which have risen from this topic. The debatable topics have been;
1) trade deficits
2) unfair competition
3) job cuts
4) trade wars
5) tarriffs
6) protectionism
Every person and nation seems to have an opinion of how to stop the flow of jobs out of the United States. One must pose the most important question? Which economy has been time-tested by providing for it’s citizenry? This economy must have the ability to invent new jobs when others are lost. By using nearly all economic indicators the US economy has proven itself well.
What is happening on the global stage is a “freeing up” of trade. This freeing up of trade is growing the economy and per capita incomes of all participatory nations. According to the American Enterprise Institute, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) has brought growing wealth to the three countries involved; Canada, United States and Mexico.
There is always going to be a trade surplus or deficit between any two countries. A trade deficit for one is a surplus for the other. A trade deficit is looked upon in this country with such disdain. Why?
A more wealthy economy will naturally have more expendable income per person than a country which is less wealthy. Because the United States has 260+ million population and the 4th highest per capita income of all nations, this combination allows for the largest buying power of any nation. Are we then predisposed to having trade deficits with other nations?
All economies must start somewhere. Again I say look at the United States economy and how it has progressed. 100 years ago we were heavily agrarian. With the industrial revolution and the invention of internal combustion, this allowed for fewer farmers to care for more land. This freed up more farmers to go to the factories. Factory work is now moving to automation or to third world countries. Once factory workers must find new work. Their sons and daughters then moved into services, chemicals, research and computer related industries. As we vet the factory jobs to other nations we gain more available bodies for technology jobs. The United States will continue to pass some jobs to other nations to free up Americans for the next generation of industry. This vetting will continue no doubt.
With regard to the low-wage Chinese taking high paying American jobs, let us use an example;
The year is 2006. The Barker family lives in a modest home with an half-acre of yard in suburban Atlanta, Georgia. The Barkers have decided to pay landscapers to mow their lawn.. The first landscaper contacted by phone is Jake. Jake explains his business opened in 2003. They do small to medium sized jobs. Jake quotes $116 for a 2 man crew at 2 hours labor to complete the ½ acre lot. This includes mowing the entire yard, edging the sidewalks and streets. Jake has a list of current and past customers very happy with his work.
Then the Barkers call a competing landscape firm, owned by George George immediately attempts to win the Barkers business. After listening to his pitch, it sounds as though George has similar equipment and capabilities as does Jake’s firm. George also has a list of happy customers, past and present. George is starting his second summer as a landscaper. George quotes $100 for the 2 man, 2 hour, ½ acre job.
Which landscaper will be Barkers hire? I believe most folks would hire George at $100.
Background to above:
Jake is a college graduate. He started his landscape company with two college roommates in 2003. They pooled their funds and opened up their landscaping business. They each earn $14/hour for labor. They must take into account the labor wage + supplies, fuel, wear and tear on the equipment in calculating their job quotes.
George is actually Jorge. Pronounced Hor-hay. George is originally from Columbia. He moved here with his family and needed to find work. He did so until he raised enough money to cover for a few months of wages and expenses for a landscaping company. He found a bank which entrusted him with a small business loan to purchase the equipment. He opened his business last summer, 2005. George does not have a high school education. He hired high school and college students to man his mowers. He pays them $10/hour.
All else equal, if we assume George and his workers do an effective job of mowing lawns, then he will likely maintain their current customer base. If they continue to provide an effective work product they may win new bids in the future as their reputation grows.
In the long term, if Jake’s firm mows lawns equally as well as George, then Jake and his roommates will lose their current customers to George. The eventual demise will be caused directly with either George’s decision to pay lower his labor costs, then making his product less expensive relative to Jake. Jake must then justify to his current customers and future customers why his work is worth $16 more per half acre job. If Jake is unable to justify the high costs, the business will suffer through lost clients moving to George.
Jake and his roommates agree they cannot cut the lawn of their customers any better then George. They also agree they are not willing to accept less than $14/hour in order to make their quotes more competitive.
Jake ends his business venture, sells his equipment and customer leads to George for a modest sum.
George is better off, with double the equipment, more customers and therefore the demand for his work justifying the hiring of 3 more workers. George’s reputation continues to build in the community and his phone begins ringing off the hook
At first look, Jake and his college friends are worse off while George is better off. Jake’s firm was well educated and they understood the risks of starting a business. To their discredit they would not accept lower wages to make their product more competitive. To their credit they have college degrees. They have recouped some of their capital through the sale of their equipment.
They found work at new employers while more funds are accrued for a new venture. They left the landscaping business with a failed firm. However they have gained invaluable business knowledge and this failed venture may have motivated the three to try it again…Next time perhaps in a different industry, better prepared. They were all degreed in computer programming. Maybe it will be in the computer science industry.
Here in lies the battle between American and China. The United States workforce is represented in Jake and China in George. It is obvious landscaping jobs are not being sent to Asia. But this example runs parallels of many industries once wholly contained in the United States. Chip makers, automobile manufacturers, many factory type jobs have left the United States.
The jobs have left due to the ability for Chinese workers to make a product equally as well or with near enough quality to find acceptance with the buying public. The scale tipper is the cost of each product made in China could be a fraction of a similarly US made product. If a company makes an equal product for less, or if they make an adequate product for substantially less, customers will gravitate toward this new supplier.
The important piece to remember; George continues doing what he does well and is satisfied with the income level he is receiving for his work. George hires 3 new students to work for his firm (this replaces the three jobs lost in Jake and his roommates.). Jake and his roommates would not work for less, therefore they are pushed out of an industry of which they are over qualified. They have the education and hopefully the motivation to take another risk in the future. Jake and his roommates were actually “freed up” to do something else. Something which potentially would be more financially lucrative and may require the education and skills they already have attained.
An economy can not have all the scientists and engineers “mowing grass”. Jobs should be filled, and in a free market are filled, by those qualified or accepting of the wage they will earn in a specific job. If they are not happy with the pay or it is not enough of a challenge, then eventually they will free up the job and search for something new.
Of all the nations, the United States should be least “scared” of globalization. Globalization is the free market finding the best use for all workers and resources. Before railroads there were parts of the nation segmented by geography. They could not actively participate in trade and the free market. This isolation changed with transportation improvements. The improvements caused a smaller version of globalization with the United States. If this economy is good for a state and a nation of states, why would it not be good for a world of nations?
The “freeing up” of a workforce to do something else is what drives an economy forward. Globalization is an opportunity for wealth. Wealth for developed and fledgling economies alike. It is a shame the nation is even debating the “China Card”. It is inquisitive and a shame Mr. Mallaby felt he had to spend his research and writing talent on a topic we should already understand.
Desirable Reading
Economics in One Lesson, Henry Hazlitt
Capitalism and Freedom, Milton Friedman
Wealth of Nations, Adam Smith
Google; “Austrian Economics” and “World Fact book”
Friday, March 03, 2006
Patriot Guard Riders at Soldiers Funerals
The following three articles are from The Indianapolis Star, PodcastingNews and MSNBC respectively. They help describe the details of a group picketing at the funerals of fallen US soldiers killed in Iraq. According to the reports they are chanting hateful slogans at the funerals and interrupting funerals.
This organization his housed under the roof of Westboro Baptist Church, however they appear to show no Christian traits. It needs to be made clear, this church has no affiliation with any larger orgnized Christian Church. Not even the Baptist church. Per an article on Beliefnet, the church is headed by Rev. Fred Phelps and members are mainly made up of Rev Phelps extended family.
The members of this church have also arrived at recent funerals of the Sago miners killed in West Virginia. There to the Westboro group yelled profanities, applauded the miners deaths and held up signs reading, "Thank God for Dead Miners." (from article 4 below)
Also in the Beliefnet article, there have been a group of motorcycle riders called the
Patriot Guard Riders (articles; 1, 2, 3, 4, PGR History) who have chapters in 49 states and number more then 5,000 nationally. They just need an Alaskan Chapter leader. Click here to see who the Chapter leader is in your state. These riders are traveling to soldier's funerals upon request or approval of the family to drown out the sinful cheers of Westboro and Mr. Phelps. The Patriot Guard Riders keep their bikes running during the funeral and cheer "U-S-A" and other supportive slogans alongside residence of the local communities.
Patriot Guard Riders are heroes! Member names mentioned in articles;
Don Woodrick
Bob Swanson -"The mission of the Patriot Guard Riders is twofold. One is to show respect for the fallen heroes and their families. The second is to shield the mourning family from any interruptions."
March 2006
Indianapolis Star
PodCastingNews.com
August 2005
MSNBC
Additionally, there have also been other activities just prior to the soldier’s funerals.
Coinciding with the funerals, typically a few days before the fallen soldier’s family is called by unknown parties and they say things such as “I am glad your son is dead.” “God makes IED’s.” The phone calls are also accompanied by vandalism to the family’s houses. Sometimes the houses are egged.
The phone calls and vandalism have not been proven to be the same group, however it is obvious either the members are doing the vandalism themselves or they are arranging/inspiring others to do the work for them.
The organization is part of the Westboro Baptist Church in Kansas. Their website, GodHatesFags, is part of their formula to get their message heard. This church has been on watch lists of many states and are known to be a “hate” group.
The Westboro group has come to the conclusion all US Soldiers are homosexuals. Because the group hates homosexuals, they are apparently compelled to bring the above hate and sadness to funerals of US soldiers and their families.
The next funeral they are attending is Monday, March 6, 2005 in Kokomo Indiana for Sgt Jones.
Per sources in the Kokomo Police Department, there may be a number of Vietnam Veterans who are organizing to attend the funeral and interrupt the protests at the Sgt Jones funeral.
Legistlators in Indiana have also passed a law which does not allow these protests to occur within 500 feet of the funeral.
This organization his housed under the roof of Westboro Baptist Church, however they appear to show no Christian traits. It needs to be made clear, this church has no affiliation with any larger orgnized Christian Church. Not even the Baptist church. Per an article on Beliefnet, the church is headed by Rev. Fred Phelps and members are mainly made up of Rev Phelps extended family.
The members of this church have also arrived at recent funerals of the Sago miners killed in West Virginia. There to the Westboro group yelled profanities, applauded the miners deaths and held up signs reading, "Thank God for Dead Miners." (from article 4 below)
Also in the Beliefnet article, there have been a group of motorcycle riders called the
Patriot Guard Riders (articles; 1, 2, 3, 4, PGR History) who have chapters in 49 states and number more then 5,000 nationally. They just need an Alaskan Chapter leader. Click here to see who the Chapter leader is in your state. These riders are traveling to soldier's funerals upon request or approval of the family to drown out the sinful cheers of Westboro and Mr. Phelps. The Patriot Guard Riders keep their bikes running during the funeral and cheer "U-S-A" and other supportive slogans alongside residence of the local communities.
Patriot Guard Riders are heroes! Member names mentioned in articles;
Don Woodrick
Bob Swanson -"The mission of the Patriot Guard Riders is twofold. One is to show respect for the fallen heroes and their families. The second is to shield the mourning family from any interruptions."
March 2006
Indianapolis Star
PodCastingNews.com
August 2005
MSNBC
Additionally, there have also been other activities just prior to the soldier’s funerals.
Coinciding with the funerals, typically a few days before the fallen soldier’s family is called by unknown parties and they say things such as “I am glad your son is dead.” “God makes IED’s.” The phone calls are also accompanied by vandalism to the family’s houses. Sometimes the houses are egged.
The phone calls and vandalism have not been proven to be the same group, however it is obvious either the members are doing the vandalism themselves or they are arranging/inspiring others to do the work for them.
The organization is part of the Westboro Baptist Church in Kansas. Their website, GodHatesFags, is part of their formula to get their message heard. This church has been on watch lists of many states and are known to be a “hate” group.
The Westboro group has come to the conclusion all US Soldiers are homosexuals. Because the group hates homosexuals, they are apparently compelled to bring the above hate and sadness to funerals of US soldiers and their families.
The next funeral they are attending is Monday, March 6, 2005 in Kokomo Indiana for Sgt Jones.
Per sources in the Kokomo Police Department, there may be a number of Vietnam Veterans who are organizing to attend the funeral and interrupt the protests at the Sgt Jones funeral.
Legistlators in Indiana have also passed a law which does not allow these protests to occur within 500 feet of the funeral.
Motivations of Young Americans
The date September 11, 2001 was not just the beginning of the War on Terror. It also was the beginning of changing allegiances between nation governments. It was the beginning of a continuing debate of how America should react to changes in everything from international travel, diplomatic/military force, and wiretaps. All these changes were immediate or at minimum quickly realized, relative to history.
The economic effects of 9/11 were also nearly immediate. Excaserbated by an already faltering economy in the 3rd and 4th quarters of 2000, the terrorists attacks in New York added force to the brake pedal of quickly falling indicators.
As country singer, Alan Jackson, wrote in his song “Where were you…” some folks prayed, others cried, spent time with their families or went out to buy a gun, in an effort to protect what they could… their family. Many Americans began making decisions based on instinct… the ‘fight or flight’ reaction when someone is scared and may not know exactly what to do.
The US Congress approved the Patriot Act giving far reaching access to methods of finding and collecting terrorists, their cells, information and communication. This act was questioned by those who want to defend civil liberties.
The media has sifted through all which was happening from September 11 through today. They have been reporting on all the channels and newspapers; consumer sentiment, public opinion, decisions by those with authority, the ebb and flow of supposed anti-Americanism and patriotism. More recently the media has tried to make sense of violent protests of muslims 8k miles away due to the Dutch Newspaper Cartoon. As is their job, the media tries to cover it all. Yet, in their quest to cover ‘it all’ there have surely been uncountable newsworthy stories missed. Some of the stories are not glamorous. For this reason the media may have voluntarily passed many of these “missed” stories.
The scoop proposed is the growing body of young Americans who began a trend on September 11, 2001. This author believes this trend is of an age group which could be ages 10-27 on September 11, 2001. This age group is those spanning elementary school students through recent college graduates. The trend is for an explosion of interest and action, inspired by the attacks. These students were scared and inspired by the same event all Americans and others world wide. These young Americans may have no different a feeling or compelling drive then all other Americans. This age group of Americans have youth on their side. Their age is the very reason why they can and will change the path of their lives.
They may be further inspired by subsequent events such as the War in Afghanistan and Iraq and continued War on Terror. They are inspired to take up education and set themselves on a path for future protection of their homeland.
These events inspired young Americans to take up careers in public service. Be it local law enforcement branches, border patrol, military enlistment/Officer Candidates, politics, intelligence and Homeland Security. Many made their decision right away. A few made the career switch almost immediately (those out of school). Others who may have still been in school, changed their study focus. While the youngest of children, who were able to understand what was happening, watched planes hit the World Trade Center towers. They began picking up their cowboy guns. Instead of pretending to shoot Indians of the old west, they began to shoot imaginary terrorists.
During my grandfathers younger days, when fighting in New Guinea during WWII, the enemy children and parents feared were German and Japanese attackers. Then it became the communists and North Vietnamese. Then in 1991, Iraq and Saddam Hussein took their turn as the evil men, which children were shooting with their plastic cowboy guns. Now it is Al-Qaeda.
This quiet ground swell of inspired young Americans will come to fruition over the course of the next 10 or 15 years. As positions of defending our nation are increased in private, public and military sectors, I propose it will not nearly keep pace with demand for these positions by graduating high school seniors enlisting in the military, graduating college students moving into intelligence and current career folks molding their own futures for a career change into an “inspired” field.
This means two things, our security may continue to improve and competition for these positions will likely increase. The brightest or most capable will fill these roles in defending our nation. If this is true, our future security will improve directly proportional to the increased number of applicants for these fields. I suppose one could find answers by asking for data of the Homeland Security, Human Resources Department in the year 2020.
The economic effects of 9/11 were also nearly immediate. Excaserbated by an already faltering economy in the 3rd and 4th quarters of 2000, the terrorists attacks in New York added force to the brake pedal of quickly falling indicators.
As country singer, Alan Jackson, wrote in his song “Where were you…” some folks prayed, others cried, spent time with their families or went out to buy a gun, in an effort to protect what they could… their family. Many Americans began making decisions based on instinct… the ‘fight or flight’ reaction when someone is scared and may not know exactly what to do.
The US Congress approved the Patriot Act giving far reaching access to methods of finding and collecting terrorists, their cells, information and communication. This act was questioned by those who want to defend civil liberties.
The media has sifted through all which was happening from September 11 through today. They have been reporting on all the channels and newspapers; consumer sentiment, public opinion, decisions by those with authority, the ebb and flow of supposed anti-Americanism and patriotism. More recently the media has tried to make sense of violent protests of muslims 8k miles away due to the Dutch Newspaper Cartoon. As is their job, the media tries to cover it all. Yet, in their quest to cover ‘it all’ there have surely been uncountable newsworthy stories missed. Some of the stories are not glamorous. For this reason the media may have voluntarily passed many of these “missed” stories.
The scoop proposed is the growing body of young Americans who began a trend on September 11, 2001. This author believes this trend is of an age group which could be ages 10-27 on September 11, 2001. This age group is those spanning elementary school students through recent college graduates. The trend is for an explosion of interest and action, inspired by the attacks. These students were scared and inspired by the same event all Americans and others world wide. These young Americans may have no different a feeling or compelling drive then all other Americans. This age group of Americans have youth on their side. Their age is the very reason why they can and will change the path of their lives.
They may be further inspired by subsequent events such as the War in Afghanistan and Iraq and continued War on Terror. They are inspired to take up education and set themselves on a path for future protection of their homeland.
These events inspired young Americans to take up careers in public service. Be it local law enforcement branches, border patrol, military enlistment/Officer Candidates, politics, intelligence and Homeland Security. Many made their decision right away. A few made the career switch almost immediately (those out of school). Others who may have still been in school, changed their study focus. While the youngest of children, who were able to understand what was happening, watched planes hit the World Trade Center towers. They began picking up their cowboy guns. Instead of pretending to shoot Indians of the old west, they began to shoot imaginary terrorists.
During my grandfathers younger days, when fighting in New Guinea during WWII, the enemy children and parents feared were German and Japanese attackers. Then it became the communists and North Vietnamese. Then in 1991, Iraq and Saddam Hussein took their turn as the evil men, which children were shooting with their plastic cowboy guns. Now it is Al-Qaeda.
This quiet ground swell of inspired young Americans will come to fruition over the course of the next 10 or 15 years. As positions of defending our nation are increased in private, public and military sectors, I propose it will not nearly keep pace with demand for these positions by graduating high school seniors enlisting in the military, graduating college students moving into intelligence and current career folks molding their own futures for a career change into an “inspired” field.
This means two things, our security may continue to improve and competition for these positions will likely increase. The brightest or most capable will fill these roles in defending our nation. If this is true, our future security will improve directly proportional to the increased number of applicants for these fields. I suppose one could find answers by asking for data of the Homeland Security, Human Resources Department in the year 2020.
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