HOW TO FIX AMERICA - QUICK!

I have the answer to all of America’s problems.

Seriously.

I read them in the Good Book when I was a boy growing up in small-town Willmar, Minnesota.

No, not that good book. I’m talking about the Boy Scout Handbook.

In it you can read the following:

Scout Oath

On my honor I will do my best
To do my duty to God and my country
and to obey the Scout Law;
To help other people at all times;
To keep myself physically strong,
mentally awake, and morally straight.

You can also read:

Scout Law

A Scout is:
Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful,
Friendly, Courteous, Kind,
Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty,
Brave, Clean, Reverent.

It’s that simple, ladies and gents.

If we – every last one of us – actually followed these basic rules . . . no more, no less . . . our nation would be that shining beacon to the world we aspire to be.

I love simple and true answers to complex issues.

How about you?

AMERICA: TOO BIG TO FAIL?

I've been looking into Americans Elect, a digitally inspired take on the democratic process, and, so far I'm intrigued.

Here's the situation: American politics has become polarized and the result is politicians fiddeling while the US burns. At a time in our history when able leadership is required, we get a slew of hack politicians pandering to special interest groups. It's true, we also get a spate of brilliant officials, but some of these fail to take hold as able leaders.

A possible solution might be the addition of more political parties, but won't that just create another target for lobbyists' dollars, idealogues' crusades and crazies' rants?

The links below will shed light on the Americans Elect "virtual" political party. Take a few minutes to examine this new idea and post your thoughts to the Comment section.

Americans Elect


John Avlon


Thomas L. Friedman


Micah L. Sifry

A POLITICAL POINT OF VIEW

I've lived in Puerto Rico off-and-on since 1988.

I absolutely love the place!

One of the favorite pastimes of locals is politics, and no topic garners more discussion than "status": whether Puerto Rico should become a state, seek independence or stay a territorial Commonwealth.

I believe that most Americans are oblivious to the situation in Puerto Rico - many don't even know where it is.

Furthermore, if you did realize how much of America's wealth is transferred here with little or no gain to the U.S., I believe you'd want to consider setting Puerto Rico on the path to freedom.

Here's a post I wrote for another blog. What do you think?

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Puerto Rico is America's reluctant colony. For over 100 years the United States has granted the "Shing Star of the Caribbean" rights and privileges unique in all the world.

Now, we must ask ourselves: How's it working?

I recall a discussion I had with a Puerto Rican friend. Why, I asked, is your beautiful island plagued with so many problems? Why is your economy in tatters? Why are your lovely mountains, rivers and beaches so unkempt? Why is your crime rate so terrible? Why do the people, who clearly love this place and their fellow citizens, do so little to make it better?

My friend thought for a while, then said: We act this way because we are a subjugated, colonized people. The island we love - its mountains, rivers, beaches and even its people - all belong to someone else. America is the father of this place. We Puerto Ricans live here as America's children.

I get it.

As long as another country is seen to act as their father, Puerto Rico will fail to achieve. Like children of a wealthy and powerful family, Puerto Ricans have everything, and yet they have nothing to claim for their own.

Puerto Ricans are wealthier than any of their neighbors. They have better health care, better housing, better transportation, better educational opportunity and better access to goods and services.

But like the rich child, Puerto Ricans are held back by a lack of motivation and the ambition to succeed. Their wealth and comfort, mostly earned by previous generations, have become their trap.

Now, I believe, is the time for "tough love" for our colonized Puerto Rican friends. We need to liberate them from the dependence that weighs them down. We need to set them free.

And what about us? Does America gain by showing Puerto Rico the path to freedom?

We certainly do!

Financially and politically, Puerto Rico is an anchor on the American ship of state. We send boatloads of dollars - approaching $25 billion per year ... that’s $250 Billion in just the past decade - into a Bermuda Triangle of corruption and crime. Crooked politicians, absurd tax breaks to Big Business, Big Cartels and Big Alcohol sap American financial strength. We pay huge sums to keep this tiny island afloat in dollars, while our own economy is sinking.

If we liberate the island, we can hold our heads high in the international community as a nation that leads, not by preaching Democracy, but by practicing it. Our moral authority will no longer be undermined by our blind adherence to unjust past practice.

By setting Puerto Rico free, America becomes free.

This site can be America's place to examine the important issue of our role as "parents" to the people of Puerto Rico. It is a place for both noteamericanos and boriquas to share their ideas and make suggestions for the betterment of both. Take part in the debate!

AMERICANS FOR A FREE PUERTO RICO!

RADAR CONTACT LOST

Here's the first scene from my book "Radar Contact Lost."

Enjoy!



Chapter One

It’s more fun to make love in the tropics than in Pittsburgh.

He looked out over the veranda of their lodge, Hacienda Alta Vista. It was a nineteenth-century coffee estate that had been lovingly restored, then converted into a charming bed-and breakfast. He could smell the fragrance of roasted coffee mixed in with the scent of flowers, fruit trees and the muskiness of their lovemaking. This spot, about thirty-five miles southwest of the steamy, crowded capital city of Nueva Madrid, was the perfect place to be alone and naked with his new bride, high in the tranquil San Miguel rainforest.

“Can I get you another rum?” he asked.

“In a minute.”

He watched as she lazily rocked in the soft-cushioned chair on the secluded veranda. He couldn’t take his eyes off her tussled blond hair and her smooth white skin glowing soft and warm in the flickering candlelight.

He picked out the symphony of birds caroling in the cool night air, singing just for them. In his reverie, he was scarcely aware of the dull whine of a jet, miles away, descending into the island’s main airport.

“Tomorrow, let’s get up early and watch the sunrise.” He eased behind her chair and gently stroked her shoulder, then took another sip from his drink. The dark liquid kindled his passions.

Suddenly, from somewhere on the other side of the mountain, a bright flash of light illuminated the night sky.

The woman shot upright in her chair. “My God! What was that?”

“Storm’s coming in.” He set his glass on the table and walked nude in front of her. “Don’t be afraid of a little lightning.”


A deep rumbling, like a furious blast of dynamite, shook the veranda.
“That’s the loudest noise I’ve ever heard,” he said. “I guess it’s thunder. What else could it be?”

He reached out to her, lifting her gently from the chair. The two lovers eased together. They kissed and their fear slowly subsided. Then it turned to lust.
“Maybe we should sleep in again tomorrow,” she giggled. He knew she was still giddy sensing his excitement. He guided her towards the bedroom. “I didn’t think it was supposed to rain tonight.”

The window behind them rattled loudly once again. “That does sound awfully close,” he said. "It’s going to start pouring any minute.” He looked forward to the gentle sound of rain falling on the metal roof as they made love. “Anyway, I’m sure we can think of something fun to do in our room.”

He felt her face warm. He was charmed by her virginal embarrassment.
“I’m sure we can,” she said.

He slowly eased her down on the soft bed. Within a few moments they were too happily occupied with one another to notice.

Rain never fell outside their bedroom window.

GETTING OLD

Here's an El D'Rage "Minute Rap" that looks at aging in America. What are you doing to look out for your old age?



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It's been fifty years since El D'Rage first picked up a guitar and began strummin' and hummin'. In 1955, his musical tastes ran from "The Ballad of Davy Crockett" to Tennessee Ernie Ford's "Sixteen Tons". A lot has changed since back then.

The musical background of El D'Rage is the musical background of many a "Baby Boomer". Caught up in the folk revolution of the late 50s, then Elvis, Motown and the Beatles, he is a product of America's most tumultuous - and exciting - musical era. And "El" has been in the thick of music all his life.

Now, he's done something exciting; something totally different. El D'Rage has created Elder Rap: a new form of music combining the over-the-top rhythms of Hip-Hop with lyrics fun enough to get seniors jumping (carefully) out of their chairs - and sensitive enough to bring tears to the eyes of strong men.

Elder Rap is about three things:

First, it's a celebration of two proud generations: The aptly named "Greatest Generation" and their notoriously funky kids, the "Baby Boomers". These two generations have experienced it all - the Great Depression, wars, peace, poverty and riches - and El D'Rage's rap puts lyrics to their lives.

Second, Elder Rap is all about "unwrapping the rappers." Rap, which originated as a serious attempt to express feelings about life in America's urban ghettoes, has degenerated into a foul-mouthed expression of all that is wrong with America. Much of it is racist, sexist, obscene, hateful and just plain wrong for our kids. Today's rap messages are: crime pays; being disrespectful pays: being offensive pays; do your worst and reap the rewards of a nation growing too fat, dumb and lazy to give a hoot. El D'Rage says, "Enough! Parents, WAKE UP! DO YOUR JOB!"

Third, Elder Rap is about teaching the "Three T's" - teens, twenties and thirties - about the values and experiences of their parents' and grandparents' generations. We've learned a lot of lessons over the past sixty or seventy years. Listen to us. Pick up a few pointers about how to keep America a great place to live.

El D'Rage and his Elder Rap are moving front-and-center on the American stage. People over forty-five are getting their musical voice back. Give a listen, think about what you're hearing . . . and spread the word!

BINGOMAN

Years ago, Cath and I worked in a nursing home. It was not a happy place. Residents there longed for a connection and for a mission. For many Americans, getting old means becoming irrelevent.

This El D'Rage music video looks into the heart of one old guy coming to grips with his past - and the present.

SORRY STATE OF AFFAIRS

The media is all over U.S. air traffic control and, in their enthusiasm, are particularly unburdened by the rules of good journalism. That said, there clearly is a deterioration of confidence in the professionalism and competence in the American ATC system. The flying public is coming to regard ATC as yet another reason to hate – even fear - flying.

The resignation of ATO Chief Hank Krakowski was a necessary first step, although he was not the cause of the problem.

The cause is complacency.

Complacency on the part of management, complacency on the part of training providers and most importantly, complacency on the part of controllers. People in the system have become so focused on the wrong things - the "I'm right - they're wrong" mentality - that the important business of providing safe and efficient service is taking a back seat.

To correct this, I suggest the following:

1) Both controllers and first level supervisors must be required to demonstrate technical competence at least every year or two. Professional pilots must constantly hone their skills and demonstrate their competence via regular flight check rides and simulator exercises; controllers need to do the same. As with pilots, no pass = no ticket.

2) Work shifts need to be evaluated on the basis of operational safety and controller health – not what controllers like because of the “long weekend.” Quick turnarounds and “The Rattler” are not working and never have.

3) The system which allows pilots and controllers to report errors (including their own) without fear of punitive action must remain in force. The media must respect that. Making statements such as “the huge increase in reported errors” does not represent the system’s decline, just its new transparency. It is irresponsible to misrepresent these reports.

4) It is in the nature of media these days to make every story a spectacle. A loss of standard separation incident becomes a “frightening near mid-air collision that could have killed hundreds.” By the same token, constantly mouthing the FAA lines about “safety was never an issue” and “we’re still the world’s safest ATC system,” need to be challenged. We won’t fix what we don’t acknowledge.