Say it Ain't So, Joe

Let's flash back to earlier this week when a clip of Sarah Palin (whose new book, America By Heart: Reflections on Faith, Family and Flag, is released next week) being interviewed by Barbara Walters for her 10 Most Fascinating People of 2010 Special, further drove the left (and some on the right) into the booby hatch. In this clip, Palin states that she believes there is a chance she can beat Obama in 2012. This tease of Walters's special is leading many to believe Sarah Palin is in.

And their biggest threat entering is scaring the heck out of those on the left. Joe Biden appeared on MSNBC and had this reaction:



We all know Joe's history of putting his foot in his mouth whether claiming he's the smartest person in the room or clearly endorsing ethnic stereotypes. He just flat out laughs at her, which is demeaning and a bit sexist. Biden likely hearkened back to how she slaughtered him in the Vice Presidential Debate, as he backed off, while at the same time, over-compensated and cast a cloud or doubt over his boss, the President.

Sarah Palin is a fighter, born competitor and no matter how much her detractors slam her, she keeps coming back, while putting forth a positive demeanor. If anything, this clip in giving more incentive and fuel to drive her to seek the nomination.

The jury is still out in my mind on if she is running, but the political followers were definitely provided with some more sound bytes and teases about 2012.

Yawning in Class

A professor at Cornell University recently became quite agitated in class the other day. With the proliferation of technology, the reaction to his interrupted lecture appears on YouTube.



This video brings up a few questions:
- Was the professor's reaction appropriate?
- Why do the student's act with a lack of decorum?
- Can something be done to "teach" decorum and manners at that age?

Coming from an educator's point of view, it needed to be said, the student was rude/classless, was likely not taught or given expectations, and manners can always be taught (even if the parents do not teach them), but they apparently weren't in this classroom. The best way to avoid this situation is to place in writing, expectations and limits within the a syllabus and consistently enforce the policy. When and if the professor eventually finds out the offender, it is safe to say the rest of the semester will not be an enjoyable one for that student.

Airport Security Continued

Last weekend, "The 'Right' Solutions" touched on the issue of Airline Security, as it is a major part of our battle in the War on Terror, then updated the entry with the "Don't Touch My Junk" guy.

Since this week began, we have been bombarded with stories about searches, lawsuits and yesterday's news that TSA Agents at San Francisco International Airport will be prosecuted for inappropriate touching. Video recently resurfaced of a TSA Agent searching A THREE YEAR OLD and the child's reaction (WARNING: This video is upsetting to view)



Mind you, this video is two years old, but it is still very unsettling.

Despite these images and complaints, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano simply responds comply or don't fly. Her unwillingness to change on this issue and endorse behavioral analysis in lieu of the body scans and invasive pat-downs could have deleterious effects on tourism, the airline industry and our freedoms, as Napolitano will view it as reason to expand the use of these machines and techniques.

In New Jersey, Newark International Airport, the first New York area airport to receive the body scanners, doesn't have the best security track record, between the goodbye kiss lockdown, in the Continental Airlines Terminal (EWR is a major Continental Hub), that delayed flights worldwide, as well as the act of missing of a hunting knife. This is probably the reason why Homeland Security decided EWR received them early. New Jerseyans have mixed reviews, but Senator Mike Doherty is leading a bi-partisan effort to ask Congress to stop the use of the body scanners. In his press conference, Republicans, Democrats, the medical community and ACLU all come together to speak against these machines and techniques. Knowing he can take an issue to the forefront of a debate, is is hopeful that Governor Christie will support this effort and speak loudly against these changes.

Having traveled to Europe and used major airports such as Fiumicino (Rome), Schiphol (Amsterdam) and Keflavik (Iceland), I have witnessed dogs used to search and many believe they are more effective. And again, it would be most effective if Homeland Security implements changes to their security process that analyze behavior, similar to what is done at Israel's Ben Gurion Airport.

Americans will be watching, and if the Federal Government ignores these complaints, we may be seeing more Opt-Out Days, as well as average American citizens speaking out in similar fashion to those in the TEA Party.

He's Baaack

Former President George W. Bush has returned to the public eye the past two weeks with the release of his memoir, Decision Points. The book explores 14 major decisions in the president's life, many of which took place while in the presidency. He takes the reader through each, whether or not he feels he made the right moves and the ramifications of the decision.

On a personal note, I met the president twice, having a short conversation with him in the first meeting on the campaign trail (This meeting inspired his appearance in interacting with Michael Buonocore in The Calling to Lead) and just shaking his hand in an exchange of "Hello" and "God Bless You" in the second meeting at the Inaugural Ball. He connects well with people on a one-on-one basis and is a man of character. It saddens me he was not able to make and show that connection, especially during his second term. As we watch President Bush in his interviews and the softballs thrown at him to give him a chance to take a swing at Obama, he refuses, and this speaks volumes about his character.

I just finished reading the book today and walk away very impressed. The reader can observe his wit, and as one reads it and uses their imagination, it's as if George W. Bush is speaking the words on the page. Unlike other memoirs, he does not attempt to whitewash history and confronts issues where he was heavily criticized such as Iraq, TARP and Katrina. He defends the decisions he made (Iraq, Afghanistan, Wartime Decisions, The Freedom Agenda, TARP), in analysis of other decisions, he examines where he went wrong, (Katrina, campaign decisions, Social Security Reform, Immigration Reform, personnel) and he discusses disagreements between members of his staff, either with each other or with Bush himself. (Cheney v. Bush on Libby, Rumsfeld v. Powell on Iraq) His most apparent weakness in office was his inability to defend himself and/or articulate his positions. Bush, in his memoir, touches on why he didn't "fight back" (Did not want to dishonor the Institution of the President) and also explains the background further on why he made the decisions he did (Iraq, Katrina). He comes off as satisfied with the decisions he made, honored that he served, and is ready to move on to the next chapter of his life, as explained in this rather witty passage near the end of the book:

"Shortly after we moved to Dallas, I took Barney for an early morning walk around our neighborhood...Barney spotted the neighbor's lawn, where he promptly took care of his business. There I was, the former President of the United States, with a plastic bag on my hand, picking up that which I had been dodging for the past eight years."

When Bush's second term ended, I gave him the grade of B-; far from a perfect president. After reading Decision Points, that B- still stands. First and foremost, we were not attacked after September 11 during his presidency, and that significant achievement should be the first item cited when assessing his presidency. As previously stated on "The 'Right' Solutions" our security is our most important issue as one attack can make every other issue moot. Further positives that were factored in consist of his tax cuts, Supreme Court picks, as well as the honor and protection of our military men and women. He will not come close to that A grade as a result of his his refusal to defend himself/inability to further explain the issues to the people, his endorsement of high federal spending (including TARP), inconsistencies on illegal immigration, and he and his team's inability to stop the Financial Crisis of 2008 5 years earlier.

As a president, George W. Bush will be remembered for his leadership. He took in all accounts, both pro and con, and in the end, made a decision and stuck with it, as opposed to flip-flopping and leading while predicting which way the political wind will blow.

It was very smart Decision Points was released after the midterm elections, as attention was kept on the Republicans who were campaigning to serve in the House and Senate, and as we enter the cycle of the Election of 2012, we will soon hear from Don Rumsfeld and Dick Cheney, and both can be guaranteed to shake up the political landscape!

One and Done?

Democrats/pollsters Doug Schoen (worked for Clinton) and Pat Caddell (worked for Carter) have been quite vocal about their feelings on Obama and the Democrats leading up to the Midterm Elections of 2010 and likely won't be attending the White House Christmas Party as a result of those opinions. This week they stepped up their feelings in a co-written article in the Washington Post, recommending to the President not to seek a second term in order to achieve greatness.

It was a bit of a surprise to read the article, but I guess they were looking at the President's previous statements and made an attempt to hold him to this response to Diane Sawyer's question:



I respect Schoen and Caddell as intellectually honest Democrats and with my assessment of their opinion, and I don't mean to demean them, but Hell will freeze over before Obama decides not to run again. He is in too deep to turn back now and despite his party losing the House and much strength in the Senate, Obama still believes he can win in 2012. He has brought "change," yet this change was clearly not what Americans wanted and he has clearly misinterpreted the voters' preferences. Republicans have been left out in the cold and even though Clinton triangulated to get re-elected, I do not see Obama doing the same thing as there has been no evidence of it in these past two years. There is no reason to believe he will start now.

Despite that, there is the chance Obama still can win and that could happen two ways. First, the Republicans could throw him a line and "compromise." These new Republicans were not sent to work with the president, but to stop him while standing up for their principles. Even if they did stop him, Republicans are further protected by the Democrats running the Senate as Obama cannot run against a "Do-nothing Congress" in the same fashion Truman did in 1948. Clinton was helped by a Congress that "worked with him," as he took credit for their work, and it shouldn't be put past Obama to do the same thing. The voters will be watching and I believe these freshmen will have quite a strong resolve.

Second, the Republicans MUST make sure a Conservative runs against Obama in 2012. When we examine history since 1968, Conservative Republicans win Presidential Elections (Nixon, Reagan, George HW 1988, George W) and Moderates do not (Ford, George HW 1992, Dole, McCain)...even if they nominate Conservatives as their running mates.

In the end, Schoen and Caddell have a hidden message in this article, and that is: "Run, Hillary, RUN!" Remember, Schoen worked for Bill and Caddell is a little more friendly toward the Clintons than he is toward Barack Obama. They think Hillary's candidacy can push Obama out in the same way Robert Kennedy did to Lyndon Johnson, yet I believe he will not step away. As I said earlier, Hillary will not hold back this time if she runs, and if she resigns her post as Secretary of State by April 0f 2011, get your popcorn ready as the primary season in the Democrat Party will get very interesting!

(Note: picture comes from this speech)

Sarah Palin's Alaska

This Sunday night, Sarah Palin's Alaska premieres on TLC, a travelogue and documentary featuring the Alaska Wilderness, Palin and her family; the first of eight parts.



We are already hearing those in the political world ask questions about the documentary:

- Is it a campaign kickoff?
- Will it hurt her?
- Will someone be sued?

Governor Palin continues to keep her supporters (and detractors) guessing about 2012, while also responding to Karl Rove's comments, making the statement, "Wasn't Ronald Reagan, an actor, wasn't he in Bedtime for Bonzo?"

I predict the ratings to be pretty strong for this documentary series and look forward to seeing Governor Palin in her element, in her beautiful home state, with her family.

UPDATE, 11/15/10: 5 million...A TLC Ratings Record!!!

Airline Security Questions

On September 11, 2001, we learned that our world was forever changed. When we woke up the next day, it was to a new, scary and unknown world. Commercial airliners were used as weapons to kill Americans and destroy our sites and symbols of commerce, military and government.

A little over nine years later, the Federal Government is still making changes to how we fly. Over time, Americans have gracefully accepted these new procedures from the TSA, to the checkpoint lines (notoriously long at Denver, Orlando and during rush hour at Newark), to the toiletry/carry-on regulations. Their latest change has people who fly very unnerved and that is the radiation body scanner, which are being used in addition to the magnetometers, which are currently used in the nation's airports, as well as at various landmarks, and in some schools.

When an individual uses these machines, they stand in the area with hands up and the X-Ray radiation beams with which you are zapped, scans the user's body and the images are shown to the TSA employee operating the machine who can determine if there are any banned substances and/or weapons on the person.

There are great reservations among people who fly in response to the increasing service of these devices. First, many are uncomfortable with their naked bodies being scanned to a computer and viewed by someone who isn't a family member or a doctor. The privacy issue is very troubling. Being zapped with radiation, raising a risk of being diagnosed with cancer, is an even larger reservation. We must ask ourselves if this use of technology is appropriate. I do not believe it is and others agree with me. Pilot unions, flight attendants, Islamic Organizations, along with tourism groups and grassroots organizations are speaking out against the scanners; some even going as far to declare a National Opt-Out Day. An option, which I will be undertaking next time I fly, will be to "Opt Out," if the airport(s) I use will have them in service. When one does, they are patted down by a TSA Employee. Unfortunately, these pat downs are not uniform, as there have been complaints, one of which, is explained by Alex Jones and a member of his staff:



The pat down is just as intrusive, but at least travelers are not risking cancer in this fashion. If going for the opt-out, it is recommended to have a woman TSA agent frisk children and other women, and to have the pat-down in public. It would be a good idea if Homeland Security develops and practices uniform methods of pat downs, so as to assuage the reservations of travelers.

Now the question many ask is what to do in lieu of the body scanners. Homeland Security must look at how security is handled at Israel's Ben Gurion International Airport and should listen to the advice of former El Al Head of Security,Isaac Yeffet, who clearly explains that behavioral analysis and behavioral recognition have been integral in stopping hijackings and preventing terrorist attacks that may have roots in the airport. It is a viable option to consider and brings in the human factor, as we have seen many times that while technology can give our side an advantage, that advantage is not always a given.

Behavioral analysis will not only benefit the airline industry and travel/tourism, but it will not put civil liberties and health at risk, and will keep those who fly safe from the threat of terrorism.

UPDATE, 11/14/10: An incident occurred yesterday at San Diego International Airport where a man who was randomly selected to submit to the body scan or "more intrusive pat-down." He refused, claiming it was a violation of his rights, as well as the fact that he observed TSA employees let a traveler pass who set off the magnetometer. After a few minutes and confrontations with management and police, he was escorted from the airport and denied boarding of his flight. The incident was caught on video and posted to YouTube and the individual's blog.