Best and the Brightest

I grew up in a time where employers, my parents, educators and others I looked up to said that each career position should be filled by 'the best and brightest.' I believed it then and I still hold to this belief to this very day. When I fly overseas in a 767 I want a very experienced pilot. When I have foot surgery (I'm done with them now since I've had 7!!) I want a well trained surgeon. And we expect that our children will have the best and the brightest when they head to school and then off to college. That's as it should be! America is huge, diverse and it has many strengths and needs. The 320,000,000 citizens need that same experience when it comes to running our national government. Hillary Clinton has that surgical experience and talent and that's why she must be our next President. Dick

Mr. Trump - Just Call Me Irresponsible

To suggest that Secretary Clinton's ideas and policies with regard to the Middle East would start a World War III is irresponsible at best but, more importantly, Mr. Trump's comments are misleading, harmful and not in the best interests of America's National Security. No one, between Secretary Clinton and Mr. Trump, has a better idea of the importance of crafting thoughtful policy with regard to our safety and security than the Secretary. Her intelligence and ability to work with our various and multiple government agencies assures everyone she has what it takes. Some may not like her but when it comes to dealing with the Defense Dept., the NSA, the CIA, FBI and others she has the background, knowledge and respect of those in those agencies to get the job done in a competent fashion.

Mr. Trump's Claims

There is an age old slogan that goes something like this...'Just because someone says the sky is falling, doesn't mean it's falling.' That adage goes for a good number of Mr. Trump's many statements such as; the Mexicans will pay for the wall, the election is rigged, Hillary will take away your Second Amendment, "I know more about ISIS than the Generals, and so very many more. My take on Mr. Trump's claims...the sky isn't falling!!!

Rigged Election - Not so Fast Buddy!

The complaint of Mr. Trump over these past days that the election is 'rigged' defies logic and truth. On the matter of truth, one leading survey this past week noted that there were 31 incidents of fraud in the past 1,000,000,000 (yes, that is 1 billion) votes cast. Fraud you say? No, that simply isn't the case. In some states people have a hard enough time voting once let alone multiple times. On the matter of logic. Think about this... There are 50 states that have Attorney Generals. Likewise, there are literally hundreds upon hundreds of counties in America that have their own county clerks or attorney generals who are responsible for voting. Then there are thousands upon thousands of competent people who work at thousands and thousands of polling locations. All of these groups have their hands full with their responsibilities. They simply don't have the time, wherewithal, sophistication - let alone desire - to 'rig' the election. In fact, given the complexity of what I've mentioned, it's probably down right impossible! In short, there is NO proof or existence of 'rigging.'

Adios

My intent is starting this blog was to put forth the positions held by Secretary Clinton and Mr. Trump. Sadly, actually tragically, this Presidential Election is not centered on issues confronting us with respect to National Defense, Education, Agriculture, National Security, Labor, Interior, Climate Change and more. It is all about negativity, hate or hate filled statements, pot shots, personality, charm/lack of charm, innuendo, blather and name calling. Debates...what a joke. The two presidential debates aren't that at all and anyone who thinks they are is sadly mistaken. If two school children debated in the manner we've seen so far, their teachers would have given them a grade of F.. I lay much of the blame on the electorate and those who scream epitaphs, spew hatred, invoke divisive comments and think it is cute to mimic or criticize others (and yes I am well of aware of my criticism I'm currently leveling!) Wake up public and grow up. I will not put forth any additional blogs since facts, positions, policies and the like aren't part of this election or part of what too many Americans are focused on, even if they have some focus and that doesn't appear to be the case. All I have to say is good luck and good bye. Dick

An Overlooked Statement

I've said this before, too many pundits want to declare a winner and loser in presidential debates. This narrative sadly misses the point in a big way. Take the Sept. 26th debate between Secretary Clinton and Mr. Trump. At the very end of the debate Lester Holt asked each candidate if they would recognize their opponent should they win. First to answer this question was Secretary Clinton. She immediately said yes she would recognize the will of the people to select Mr. Trump if that is the outcome. When Mr. Trump was asked the same question he immediately said he will 'Make America Great Again' and talked further about himself. Lester had to ask Mr. Trump a SECOND time if he would recognize the Secretary if she won. Finally, he said yes. This tells you much about both candidates in my view. I'll leave it to you to think about this. Dick

This Takes the Cake!

There is much to detest in this election cycle particularly from Mr. Trump. He has disparaged the Khan Family, a U.S. judge, women, Mexicans, Syrian immigrants and his own Republican Party rivals. That's not a complete list of his distasteful comments...there are others. But just two days ago I believe Mr. Trump hit a new low when he said "Here's a woman she's supposed to fight all of these different things and she can't make it 15 feet to her car." As he made this hurtful comment he stumble a few steps at the public rally mocking Secretary Clinton. Has he NO decency!! When is the last time a major party politician, running for President, made such despicable public comments about his opponent. I have been alive since President Truman was our nation's President and I have never seen such crude behavior in my life. I don't care if a person is an independent, a Republican, a Democrat or a Communist. NO ONE in the United States of America should ever stoop so low!!