Dinner with Ed...

My good friend Ed is a long time, well known, Chicago folk singer. He is an accomplished performer, a guitar teacher, a sometimes songwriter, a great story teller, and most definitely, a social commentator. We've known each other since 1961 or 62. Over the years, we have lost touch from time-to-time, as we moved about the country in different directions. Now we are both anchored to Chicago as we live out our days and talk about what it would take to make this a better world. I love this guy like a brother and consider him to be one of my closest and trusted friends. 

Ed and I get together almost weekly for coffee or dinner. Since the primaries began, we have gone from talking a couple of times a week to almost daily phone calls, sometimes even 2-3 calls a day. When the primaries started, Ed was rooting for Hillary and I was for Obama. Now, we're both for Obama and both pretty sure he'll be the candidate to go up against John McCain. It took Ed a while to get to that point, but he is now certain that Barack will be the Democratic candidate. In fact, he is far more certain than me. The following are a number of topics we touched on:

Ed and I remembered we were both in either Grant Park on Michigan Avenue or in Lincoln Park, back in 1968, during the week the Democrats held their convention in Chicago. We participated in some of the demonstrations around town and were glad we did. Things got pretty crazy back then. The Democrats lost the November election and Richard Nixon became the 37th President of the United States. Nixon really doesn't look so bad after the past eight years does he?

As our dinner and conversation proceeded, I mentioned to Ed that a close, female friend thinks I just don't like Hillary and that I haven't from the get-go. I maintai, that I did not "dislike" Hillary in the beginning, but there is just something about her that really rubs me the wrong way. It wasn't a guy vs. gal thing. I have no problem with a female commander-in-chief, not a thing. It's just that Hillary pushes all the wrong buttons with me. I couldn't see it at first, but my vision has become quite clear over the last two-three months. I don't trust her, plain and simple. Her lies and manipulation have totally turned me off. The way her husband has campaigned is also a turn-off and has caused me to lose respect for him. Neither one of them will lose sleep over how I feel, but I'm not alone.

Now don't get me wrong, Hillary Clinton is clearly very bright, well qualified, and clearly more likely to try and change things in Washington than John McCain. However, like many other Democrats, she did vote to go to war. That's a big deal with me because I strongly oppose this war. I think she has hung in there all this time to show the world that she is one tough cookie and that she can go to war just like the BIG BOYS. To me, there is more strength in bucking the system at times than supporting it, and she clearly has made a mistake. Obama, who opposed the war from the beginning, can stand up against Clinton or McCain when it comes to the war.

With regard to change, Obama is the new kid on the block. He too is very bright, but some feel less qualified than Clinton. That may be so, but in my mind, he is far more likely to make the changes in Washington than either Hillary or John McCain. Experience, isn't all its cracked up to be when one considers what the past eight years have been. Did you ever imagine that an American President could screw things up so often and so badly? George W. Bush is an incompetent lout, a goof, and a national/international embarrassment. I also consider him to be a war criminal as I pointed out in last week's column- The pain of protest..."

To me, Hillary Clinton would clearly do a better job than either McCain or Bush, but she represents so much of what is wrong with Washington and so many of our politicians. The fabrication of her so-called accomplishments, the negative ads, the emphasis on 3 AM phone calls, the twisting of words that were used to question Obama's religion, all shut me down. Yes, she is "a fighter" and that might be what it takes, and Obama clearly needs to toughen up if he is to do battle with Senator McCain and the "Swift-boaters" but I want change. I'm willing to put my trust in change, hope and a vision for the future that hasn't even begun to creep into the minds of Hillary or Bill Clinton, John McCain and most certainly not, "W".

Last Tuesday, Hillary had a 10 point win in Pennsylvania. The talking heads are beginning to wonder if Hillary might really be able to pull off a miracle comeback. Of course the only way she can do that is to convince the super-delegates to vote for her. I find it most interesting the way Hillary's people work the numbers. Hillary's new math doesn't square with me and wouldn't with most math teachers. Hillary wants to count the Michigan and Florida voters, which she agreed long ago with the DNC, would not count.

Hillary and her staff are now trying to convince one and all to "work" the numbers on the popular vote and the delegate vote, and do whatever it takes to win. Does this remind anyone of Bush doing "whatever it takes" in Florida back in 2000? Little of what Hillary is trying to pull-off, would fall under the heading of following the rules. Also, please keep in mind, whatever states Hillary or Obama might win or lose against each other, doesn't necessarily translate into a loss against McCain in the general election. Also, what's going on with "Operation Chaos", the Rush Limbaugh movement to get Republicans to vote for Hillary in the primaries by temporarily changing party affiliation? Limaugh thinks Hillary will be easier to beat than Obama, in November.

So what will happen? My good friend Ed tells me not to worry. He predicts that the party (meaning the super-delegates) will never turn on Obama. Ed is convinced that going against the delegates and the populace who voted for Obama in the primaries, would be a catastrophe for the Democrats both in November, and for years to come. I tend to agree with him. Yet from the beginning, this has been the Democrat's election to lose and they sure seem to be working hard at that.

In my perfect world, Obama will get the nomination and easily beat John McCain. And if Hillary somehow wrestles the nomination away from Obama? I'll grudgingly vote for her. I won't be happy, but I'll vote for her. And if God forbid, either one of them loses to John McCain? Well, I guess if that happens, I'll call Ed and tell him to get his guitar. Then I'll muster up my middle-age and senior citizen friends, and we'll all head for Grant Park, Michigan Avenue, and Lincoln Park. Days of Rage... You ain't seen nothing yet. Peace, Bob

Contact Bob: info@thebobfiles.com

The Pain of Protest

For the last five years, the implication coming from Washington has been-, it is unpatriotic to criticize the war or speak of wasted lives. The leaders in Washington today, are very similar to those who led during  the Vietnam era. Not only are they making many similar tactical mistakes, but their self-absorption, would indicate they feel no pain as they continue to make mistake after mistake as they “surge” on. While interviewing Vice President Cheney in Oman, recently, ABC News reporter Martha Raddatz stated- “Two-thirds of Americans say it’s not worth fighting and they’re looking at the value gain versus the cost in American lives, certainly, and Iraqi lives.” The Vice President answered, “So?”

To me, that kind or response, smacks on an uncaring and indifferent arrogance, that reeks from a lack of patriotism. Vice-President is clearly out of line and out of touch, with his one word proclamation. The real kicker was seeing that famous Cheney smirk, glowing with a patronizing stare at Ms Raddatz.

I deeply appreciate the feelings of the parents, brothers, sisters, loved ones and friends of all who have served and especially those who have sacrificed the ultimate. I do understand, to the best of my ability that they are in terrible pain, when faced with the words- “wasted lives”. We must also consider the troops, who have been to Iraq, have returned home and gone back, again and again, they too, recoil at such talk. And of course, there are the thousands and thousands, who have returned home, less than whole who tell us, it was all worth it. We must also consider their feelings.

Let us also consider another reality- Politics, is often a war of semantics. The war of using misspoken words against your opponent is an art unto itself. When Sen. Kerry flubbed a joke, the opposition was all over him. When Democratic Senator and presidential candidate Obama spoke of “wasted lives” the opposition immediately attacked. And last year, on the David Letterman Show, Republican Senator and presidential hopeful John McCain made a similar statement when he said that the lives of soldiers killed in Iraq were “wasted”. McCain’s exact quote- “We wasted a lot of our most precious treasure, which is American lives over there.” As Senator McCain was being attacked, Senator Obama immediately came to his defense. They were both accused of speaking “politically incorrect.” But were they incorrect?

Throughout history, serving one’s country has always been a noble endeavor and giving up one’s life for one’s country is the greatest of sacrifices.  But like Senators Obama (who has not served in the military) and former US Naval aviator, McCain, I also believe, lives have been wasted during the last five years. And, there appears to be no end in sight.

It is common knowledge, that many at the highest levels of our government,  who supported the propagation of the let’s-go-to-war-WMD scenario, have never served in the military: VP Cheney, former CIA Director, George Tenet,  former Deputy Secretary of Defense, Paul Wolfowitz,  current Secretary of State,  Condoleza Rice,  former Speaker of the House, Dennis Hastert, former House Majority Leader, Tom Delay, former Senate Majority Leader, Bill Frist and former Assistant Secretary of State and former head of the Defense Policy Board, Richard Perle. Not one C-Ration or Purple Heart among the lot.

As for the leadership and brains behind the charade- President George W. Bush was a pilot, in the Texas Air National Guard, 1968-1973, and Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, did serve as a Naval aviator from 1954-57. However, their service to our country apparently did not leave a lasting impression with regard to  sending (enough) troops into harms way, without proper planning, training, or equipment, not to mention- No exit strategy. Between the original sin of WMD and having no way out, our leaders have shown a lack honesty, a lack of integrity, credibility, and accountability. And their actions as well as in-action have caused thousands of lives to be “wasted”.

During the last (almost) eight years our leaders have committed crimes against a believing and willing nation, against humanity and against the world. They chose to ignore the requests of America’s allies as well as the words of experience here at home. Our troops were sent to war, based on a lie.

I mean no disrespect when I speak or write of “wasted lives”, but consider: The death toll continues to climb. Because of that, we must not be afraid to voice our opinions. We can cry, it’s okay to cry, but if we truly believe in ending this war, we must not let the sadness, and loss of life, deter our goal of speaking out. We must endure the pain of protest and speak loudly and often. We must speak loud enough to be heard and not back down, when thugs and bullies try and rough us up, with their shouts of “patriotic” fervor.

This war seems to be one of silent protest. Ask yourself why more Americans aren’t protesting in the streets and on college campuses. I suspect, because there is there is no draft. The threat to most families of becoming directly involved in this ill-conceived exercise is pretty slim. Because it will not likely affect you or yours, protesting has hardly been given a second thought. I guarantee that if one or both of the Bush twins or their cousins or the VP’s daughters were wearing camouflage, it would be a whole different war game. Don’t be afraid to protest, don’t feel guilty when confronted with accusations of “unpatriotic behavior”. Speak up, speak out and speak freely and don’t listen to that age old argument that our troops are in Iraq so we can “speak freely”. That’s hog wash…

A new presidential election is upon us and the time has come, to set a course that will return America to a position of leadership based on truth, understanding and respect. Please, speak up, support the troops, and bring them home.  

Peace. Bob

Contact Bob: info@thebobfiles.com

Not just another 09/11...

The following is an e-mail I sent to a number of friends, last September, while visiting a US Naval base at Souda Bay, Crete, after completing the first leg of a solo-kayaking trip around that island.

Dear Friends- As most of you know, I am here on the island of Crete, just off the southern coast of Greece.  Crete is a place I have come to love for its people, its beauty and for the incredible sea kayaking. I am paddling three of Crete’s four coasts, in an effort to create an awareness to raise funds so desperately needed for pediatric cancer research.  My trip is in memory of Kira Arney, a sweet beautiful young girl who died from a malignant brain tumor July 31, 2006, at her home in Wilmette, IL. Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago, where the Kira Arney Fund was established, is at the leading edge in helping children with all sorts of diseases, not just cancer. But as always they and other institutions with similar programs, desperately need more money.  The funds I raise will go to help support brain tumor research at Children’s Memorial.

It is September 11, 2007, and six years ago, to the day, at approximately 8:45 AM, a man walked through the door of the Einstein's Bagels in Evanston IL, where I was having breakfast with a friend. The man announced to his friends at the next table that a plane had just flown into the World Trade Center. I looked up and immediately said... "It was a terrorist". He replied, “No I don't think so." I turned to my friend and said, “There's no way; it was done with purpose. It was intentional”. I quickly left the restaurant and drove to work, just minutes away. I turned on the television and watched and cried and watched for days, and months and years. And yes, we are still watching and at times, still crying.

On this particular 09/11, in the year 2007, while having my breakfast at one of the restaurants at the Souda Bay Naval base, a woman's voice began reading a prepared statement over the public address system. I looked at my watch… it was 8:45 AM. The woman was reminding all of us of those tragic events six years ago.  She mentioned those who were killed directly by the terrorists and those who died fighting to save others- in New York City, at the Pentagon, and high above a farmer’s field, over Pennsylvania. The tragedy of that September 11th, led to an unwarranted and unwanted war, that continues to take the lives of thousands Americans and Iraqis alike.

In today’s world and today’s war, it is no longer a matter of Republican or Democrat.  It is however, the total lack of accountability and credibility, at the highest levels of our government that allows the death to continue. When will someone, somewhere, say... ENOUGH!

Now is the time for true leadership, not just in this country but also in all countries. It is time for the leaders of the world to sit down at a table, across from one another, and unite in a common cause of peace.  No more cowboy slogans. No more tolerating extremist causes that hold the entire world hostage. No more excuses. No more war! It is time for the leaders of the world to unite for peace.

While listening to the voice on the PA system, the sound of military jet aircraft taking off could be heard.  When the voice stopped, everyone in the restaurant waited during a moment of silence (except for the jet engines above).  I then left to go back to my barracks and prepare for a day of kayaking with a group of young sailors.

Walking back, I couldn’t help but notice how clear and blue the sky was. It was going to be a beautiful day.  But it saddened me as I looked around at the mostly young men and women dressed in camouflage uniforms. I couldn’t help thinking of Kira who died at home in peace vs. the dead and injured children around the world in war torn countries. War is expensive, in lives and in dollars.

As our country continues to spend billions and billions of dollars on killing, why not, take a small portion of that money, and put those funds into helping children live an entire life?  Saving the world's children is far more productive and important than world domination or whatever it is that's going on.

Today’s children are tomorrow’s leaders.  They are the next generation of politicians who will hopefully be smarter and wiser.  Today’s children are tomorrow’s doctors and researchers who will possibly crack the code and discover a cure for the many cancers that kill so indiscriminately. Yesterday’s children, today’s children, and tomorrow’s children, are Kira Arney, and she and others like her deserve better.

I think it’s important to remember that it’s what we do with our lives that make us better human beings. It shouldn’t be about how many lives we can take.  It should be about living our lives to the fullest and contributing something to make the world a better place.  Kira made her world and everyone in it, better.  For that, I will be forever grateful.

Have a good day and think about something good you can do for someone today.  Peace, Bob

Contact Bob:  info@thebobfile.com

About thebobfiles.com

thebobfiles.com is a once-a-week, op-ed column that will be posted for your consideration, every Thursday. The column represents the thoughts, ideas and commentary of Bob. No brain surgery here, I’m just an average, everyday kind a guy. I’m not an academic, nor an intellectual and I have no insider connections. I am however, a bit of a news/politics junkie and make a point of reading, watching and listening to the events of the day as they are presented by the various mediums that seem to rule our daily lives. After taking it all in (or taking in as much as my mind will allow), I toss it about, talk with friends to get their take, then write down what I feel at that moment.

In my so-called “research”, I have often wondered why so many of the talking heads fail to ask the really tough questions. I’ve determined that many, if not most, of today’s media types fear losing access (particularly those on television), so they tend to shy away from real controversy. And although more and more are finding the courage to venture into what has up until now been “never-never-land”, I find their courage to be in direct proportion to the amount of time the Bush administration has left in Washington.

Early on in the primary process, their courage was wishy-washy at best. Now, as we draw closer to the election in November, many of the talking heads have become more direct. If my analysis is correct, a new administration will bring new fears and timidity to the interview process. And once again, we will be presented with a failed pursuit for “real answers”.

At thebobfiles.com, my access is your access and we can only draw our conclusions form our everyday sources. I assure you I am probably more like you than almost anyone on radio, television or in the newspapers. I'm just an average guy, some rough edges for sure; but no frills, bells or whistles, just an inquiring mind. I'm tired of being misled and misrepresented. It is time to speak out.

To the right, I have listed various links that will tell you more about me, links to other blogs I like, and some I'm not too crazy about. Under the heading of "Sorry Old Bloggers", you'll find the so-called "opposition". I list their blogs because I think it's important to know what the opposition is thinking and saying. Judge for yourself.

Well, that’s it. So please, read on, and if there is a particular topic you’d like addressed, please let me know.

Thanx, and enjoy, Bob

Contact Bob: info@thebobfiles.com