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I was born in Minnesota, and, to this day, I love the Vikings and the Twins. I am currently retired and reside with my wife of 45 years in Southern California. I am a former educator and a Marine officer [ret.].
I am a self-described amateur historian, the love of the topic going back to my sophomore days in high school. I am probably the only high schooler in the U.S. to read the 1600-page "The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich." I also consider myself somewhat of a specialist on the Middle East. The vast bulk of my articles concern the topic.
Not unlike many I was devastated by the attacks on 9/11. So devastated, in fact, that I was determined to fight back, following in the fine tradition of the Marine Corps. But how? What could a 58-year old retired Marine officer do in terms of fighting back. The answer was quite simple. Using the writing skills I learned while writing two books, I chose as my weapon what can euphemistically be called the pen, actually a word processor.
I was determined to become a columnist to offer my sage advice while recalling recent history that I know for a fact that Americans had long since forgotten. I am here to remind them.
Fortunately, achieving the goal of becoming a columnist did not take too long. I became a columnist for a Midwest newspaper in Nov. 2001. As an added bonus, all of my articles were placed on the Internet. I have been a columnist ever since, meaning for nine years.
OpEd News Member for 877 week(s) and 4 day(s)
83 Articles, 0 Quick Links, 114 Comments, 0 Diaries, 0 Polls
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Monday, January 14, 2013
Iraq Today Americans gaze at Iraq today and wonder why it is that nearly 4,500 American troops had to die with another 32,226 wounded, many permanently with loss of arms, legs, and minds for the Iraq as it exists today.
Monday, January 14, 2013Iraq Today Americans gaze at Iraq today and wonder why it is that nearly 4,500 American troops had to die with another 32,226 wounded, many permanently with loss of arms, legs, and minds for the Iraq as it exists today.
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Tuesday, December 18, 2012
President Obama Made a Serious Miscalculation Our ambassador to the U.N., Susan Rice, wrote a real nice letter to Obama saying she had decided to withdraw from consideration for Secretary of State because her nomination was going to be too contentious and would harm the Presidency. Every intellectual observer knows that scenario is completely bogus. There is very little doubt that the White House had a hand in that letter.
Tuesday, December 18, 2012President Obama Made a Serious Miscalculation Our ambassador to the U.N., Susan Rice, wrote a real nice letter to Obama saying she had decided to withdraw from consideration for Secretary of State because her nomination was going to be too contentious and would harm the Presidency. Every intellectual observer knows that scenario is completely bogus. There is very little doubt that the White House had a hand in that letter.
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Friday, December 7, 2012
The Benghazi File Many Americans have been monitoring the controversial Benghazi controversy in total amazement. Put a different way, they are totally confused about what exactly this controversy is all about.
Friday, December 7, 2012The Benghazi File Many Americans have been monitoring the controversial Benghazi controversy in total amazement. Put a different way, they are totally confused about what exactly this controversy is all about.
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Saturday, October 6, 2012
Let's Leave Afghanistan; What Is the Problem? As many readers know I have written several articles regarding Afghanistan on OEN. They have to do with our country recognizing that we have lost still another war that we caused and was a result of sheer ignorance and arrogance.
Saturday, October 6, 2012Let's Leave Afghanistan; What Is the Problem? As many readers know I have written several articles regarding Afghanistan on OEN. They have to do with our country recognizing that we have lost still another war that we caused and was a result of sheer ignorance and arrogance.
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Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Iraq War Redux Is Pure Insanity To launch a war based solely on fear, distrust, and misinformation -- a polite term for micro-managed intelligence as in the case of Iraq -- is an egregious error in judgment that inevitably results in unintended consequences creating serious harm to the aggressor. We learned that in the Iraq war launched on March 19, 2003 ... or did we?
Tuesday, September 11, 2012Iraq War Redux Is Pure Insanity To launch a war based solely on fear, distrust, and misinformation -- a polite term for micro-managed intelligence as in the case of Iraq -- is an egregious error in judgment that inevitably results in unintended consequences creating serious harm to the aggressor. We learned that in the Iraq war launched on March 19, 2003 ... or did we?
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Saturday, August 11, 2012
Afghanistan -- The Eleven-year Old Debacle The war in Afghanistan began on Oct. 7, 2001, with an American-led NATO invasion of that forlorn, war-torn, and impoverished nation. In addition, this land-locked nation lacks any strategic importance and its mineral wealth is miniscule. In other words, Afghanistan lacks any importance of any kind. Yet, come October, the U.S. government has spent billions of dollars, lost over 2070 of our best...
Saturday, August 11, 2012Afghanistan -- The Eleven-year Old Debacle The war in Afghanistan began on Oct. 7, 2001, with an American-led NATO invasion of that forlorn, war-torn, and impoverished nation. In addition, this land-locked nation lacks any strategic importance and its mineral wealth is miniscule. In other words, Afghanistan lacks any importance of any kind. Yet, come October, the U.S. government has spent billions of dollars, lost over 2070 of our best...
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Friday, July 27, 2012
Endless War Were nations to adopt this format, instead of using the bludgeoning nature of the military, the terrorist movement would quickly die a natural death, starved of its primary sustenance, publicity that nourishes jihadism.
Friday, July 27, 2012Endless War Were nations to adopt this format, instead of using the bludgeoning nature of the military, the terrorist movement would quickly die a natural death, starved of its primary sustenance, publicity that nourishes jihadism.
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Wednesday, June 27, 2012
What Exactly Is the Neoconservative Movement? Those only vaguely familiar with the neoconservative movement may wonder isn't this ancient history? Weren't the neoconservatives a part of the Bush administration, and, as such, aren't they now past tense? The answer to both questions is an unequivocal no. Than there those who are clueless and are busy scratching their heads wondering what I am talking about. Is this another one of those conspiracy theories? No.
Wednesday, June 27, 2012What Exactly Is the Neoconservative Movement? Those only vaguely familiar with the neoconservative movement may wonder isn't this ancient history? Weren't the neoconservatives a part of the Bush administration, and, as such, aren't they now past tense? The answer to both questions is an unequivocal no. Than there those who are clueless and are busy scratching their heads wondering what I am talking about. Is this another one of those conspiracy theories? No.
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Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Ignominy Piled On Top a Mountain of Ignominy The latest absurdity in the war against Afghanistan perpetrated by American-led NATO forces -- I almost feel like a fool for writing such a preposterous statement, Afghanistan vs. NATO!!! -- is that Pakistan now wants to extort $365M/yr. from NATO countries to re-open supply lines Pakistan closed due to a friendly fire incident six months ago. However, the preposterous statement made above is the nature of the Afghan war.
Wednesday, May 23, 2012Ignominy Piled On Top a Mountain of Ignominy The latest absurdity in the war against Afghanistan perpetrated by American-led NATO forces -- I almost feel like a fool for writing such a preposterous statement, Afghanistan vs. NATO!!! -- is that Pakistan now wants to extort $365M/yr. from NATO countries to re-open supply lines Pakistan closed due to a friendly fire incident six months ago. However, the preposterous statement made above is the nature of the Afghan war.
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Monday, March 19, 2012
The Last Straw The latest incident in Afghanistan has broken the back of American strategy in this forlorn nation, while leading American politicians, including President Obama, lamely assert nothing has changed. They stubbornly continue to adhere to their ludicrous goals for this country, assuming that if they say it often enough the foolish American people will start to believe it.
Monday, March 19, 2012The Last Straw The latest incident in Afghanistan has broken the back of American strategy in this forlorn nation, while leading American politicians, including President Obama, lamely assert nothing has changed. They stubbornly continue to adhere to their ludicrous goals for this country, assuming that if they say it often enough the foolish American people will start to believe it.
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Friday, February 24, 2012
I.A.E.A. is frudulently helping the U.N., Israel and America Attack Iran ! I am so mad I could spit. I am so mad I have a few other choice phrases but they are not suitable for a family news web site. A secret society known as the International Atomic Energy Agency or IAEA, an arm of the United Nations, appears to be encouraging a military assault on Iran.
Friday, February 24, 2012I.A.E.A. is frudulently helping the U.N., Israel and America Attack Iran ! I am so mad I could spit. I am so mad I have a few other choice phrases but they are not suitable for a family news web site. A secret society known as the International Atomic Energy Agency or IAEA, an arm of the United Nations, appears to be encouraging a military assault on Iran.
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Monday, February 13, 2012
Americans Are Totally Confused Americans are flummoxed by conflicting statements regarding an impending war with Iran. This is true for Americans who are closely following events on this issue. Woe be for the average, hardworking American who relies on the corporate news (CM) to keep him or her informed. The CM is sadly lacking in this effort, or worse, distorting the issues involved for self-benefiting corporate purposes.
Monday, February 13, 2012Americans Are Totally Confused Americans are flummoxed by conflicting statements regarding an impending war with Iran. This is true for Americans who are closely following events on this issue. Woe be for the average, hardworking American who relies on the corporate news (CM) to keep him or her informed. The CM is sadly lacking in this effort, or worse, distorting the issues involved for self-benefiting corporate purposes.
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Wednesday, January 25, 2012
War With Iran Imminent? Is war with Iran imminent? That depends on who one listens to. If one listens to all the conservative hype for war and certain popular media sites who are in the business of sensationalizing the news for share of market, war is just around the corner.
Wednesday, January 25, 2012War With Iran Imminent? Is war with Iran imminent? That depends on who one listens to. If one listens to all the conservative hype for war and certain popular media sites who are in the business of sensationalizing the news for share of market, war is just around the corner.
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Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Is the War in Iraq Finally Over??? The outcome is doubtful at best. Recently, President Obama declared, "A war is ending," a curious choice of words. Imagine that, after eight years and nine months, POTUS simply says the war is over because all American combat troops will be home for Christmas.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011Is the War in Iraq Finally Over??? The outcome is doubtful at best. Recently, President Obama declared, "A war is ending," a curious choice of words. Imagine that, after eight years and nine months, POTUS simply says the war is over because all American combat troops will be home for Christmas.
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Saturday, November 26, 2011
Oh, No, Not Again Say it ain't so. Is the U.S. headed for a military clash with Iran? Listening to our political leaders and the GOP candidates for President, it would appear so. This is unbelievable. Haven't we learned a damn thing from the Iraq war?
Saturday, November 26, 2011Oh, No, Not Again Say it ain't so. Is the U.S. headed for a military clash with Iran? Listening to our political leaders and the GOP candidates for President, it would appear so. This is unbelievable. Haven't we learned a damn thing from the Iraq war?
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Sunday, November 6, 2011
Withdrawal From Iraq Is Militarily Sound This is first good news of our military posture that Americans have heard for a decade or more. It is also justification -- finally -- for those of us who have fought so long for this end game, begging a question. Why did it take the government so long to arrive at the same conclusion many of us knew years ago?
Sunday, November 6, 2011Withdrawal From Iraq Is Militarily Sound This is first good news of our military posture that Americans have heard for a decade or more. It is also justification -- finally -- for those of us who have fought so long for this end game, begging a question. Why did it take the government so long to arrive at the same conclusion many of us knew years ago?
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Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Are We Winning Yet? This is a righteous question to ask from a war-weary American public after ten years of war in Afghanistan. The issue becomes even more poignant when one realizes that current Pentagon planning, with the blessings of President Obama, has our combat troops in that forlorn land until 2014 and, perhaps, beyond.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011Are We Winning Yet? This is a righteous question to ask from a war-weary American public after ten years of war in Afghanistan. The issue becomes even more poignant when one realizes that current Pentagon planning, with the blessings of President Obama, has our combat troops in that forlorn land until 2014 and, perhaps, beyond.
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Tuesday, September 6, 2011
We Need Jobs Now Not tomorrow, and not promises and nice speeches, jobs now or we are heading back into a recession before recovering from the Great Recession. Adding to the emergency, our infrastructure is falling apart, our bridges, freeways, dams, levees, sewage and water systems, everything. Creating jobs to repair our broken infrastructure is an investment in our future.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011We Need Jobs Now Not tomorrow, and not promises and nice speeches, jobs now or we are heading back into a recession before recovering from the Great Recession. Adding to the emergency, our infrastructure is falling apart, our bridges, freeways, dams, levees, sewage and water systems, everything. Creating jobs to repair our broken infrastructure is an investment in our future.
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Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Osama bin Laden Won I know. More than a few readers are gasping at that blasphemy and infidelity. Some may even be sharpening their pencils for the original draft of a critique in rebuttal. However, before you begin, hear me out.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011Osama bin Laden Won I know. More than a few readers are gasping at that blasphemy and infidelity. Some may even be sharpening their pencils for the original draft of a critique in rebuttal. However, before you begin, hear me out.
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Tuesday, July 5, 2011
The Mystery War The war in Afghanistan can now be dubbed "The Mystery War." Why call it a mystery war? The answer is one simple question: Why are we fighting it? The answers to that question are varied, enumerable, controversial, thoroughly confusing to everyone, and add up to zero sum.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011The Mystery War The war in Afghanistan can now be dubbed "The Mystery War." Why call it a mystery war? The answer is one simple question: Why are we fighting it? The answers to that question are varied, enumerable, controversial, thoroughly confusing to everyone, and add up to zero sum.
