Senator Pat Roberts for President?

It is my honor to welcome Senator Pat Roberts to The Global Townhall to discuss energy, reconstruction blue prints, Iraq, Afghanistan, foreign aid, his favourite achievements and his intentions on running for President. Or not.

The Global Townhall: A roundtable meeting with Ambassador Herbst who serves as the Coordinator for Reconstruction and Stabilization with the U.S. Department of State had me considering a blue print for future operations. In the spirit of improving our next results, I would like to evaluate the Iraq reconstruction. If people compare and contrast a more successful reconstruction in Sierra Leone (which is not perfect, but as good as you could realistically hope for) they will find the most fundamental difference was reinstating the lower level workers. In Sierra Leone 300,000 people were put back to work to assist with reconstruction and civic service. In Iraq 600,000 Baathists, who knew how to run the country, were left unemployed and had less than zero incentive to assist in rebuilding the country. In the end the Baathists had to be reinstated (much to the chagrin of the different fractions of course.) What would be your advice for a future reconstruction blue print? Reinstate the lower level workers, meaning not the leaders, or not?

Senator Pat Roberts: In recent years, the Office of the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction (SIGIR) has produced several reports addressing lessons learned on reconstruction and stabilization efforts in Iraq. Our efforts in Iraq were certainly made more difficult due to the fact that we were simultaneously carrying out military operations while addressing infrastructure needs.

Additionally, multiple agencies were charged with reconstruction efforts and in some instances lacked a central source of authority. While there have been some setbacks, we have also witnessed success. The Kansas National Guard recently completed a successful mission to Afghanistan with special Agriculture Development Teams. These teams partnered with local authorities to help train and better equip individuals with tools for economic growth and stability in agribusiness. This mission in Afghanistan is an application of lessons learned in Iraq. I believe our partnership with the local government and civilian workforce has helped reinforce confidence in America's commitment to a successful, independent region.

The Global Townhall: When the oil prices were sitting at $20 to $30 a barrel in 2004, I wrote several articles warning that the 70's oil crisis prices were imminent; by 2008 they hit a record breaking high of $147 a barrel. The same conditions that caused me so much alarm then, still lurk in this new world order. The emergence of China and India's oil demand removes OPEC's dependence on America as a consumer and an unprecedented cooperation agreement quietly signe by Russia and Saudia Arabia in Sept 2003 to CO-OPERATE ON OIL PRICES drastically changes the paradigm. Consider, Russia is the largest supplier of oil outside of OPEC causing both a conflict of interest with an OPEC member having a subcontract, and creates a near oil monopoly when they want to play that card. Energy politics are drastically different from previous decades. The oil countries have new customers to buy their oil, a new contract to regulate oil prices, and of course the political will to destabilize the United States. How do you think we should address our future energy policy given the seriousness of the situation?

Senator Pat Roberts: In order to stabilize energy prices, we need to find new energy resources at home to increase our supply. With this in mind, I support the exploration and production of our oil and natural gas resources in both Alaska and the lower 48 states, expanded access to crude from Canadian oil sands, and greater development of our vast offshore energy supplies.

In addition to finding new sources of fossil fuels, we need to look to renewable resources to help meet our energy needs. As these examples show, Kansas plays a vital role in the renewable energy industry in this regard. Kansas is home to 11 operating ethanol plants with many more in development. Currently ranked 7th in the nation, Kansas produces 440 million gallons of ethanol per year. Additionally, as most Kansans know, the Great Plains and prairies provide a plentiful amount of wind. Several utility companies have come to realize this and have invested in wind energy in Kansas.

I will continue to support policies that reduce our nation's dependence upon foreign sources of energy. As our nation grows, so too must our vision for supplying our energy needs.

The Global Townhall: After living in Australia, Papua New Guinea and America and collectively spending years on the ground with locals in Indonesia, Egypt, Croatia, China and 20 odd other countries, there is one thing that astounds me; how little the world knows of all of the aid that America gives around the world. Winning hearts and minds is critical to global stability. To fully leverage our aid tax dollars and assist with national security, could we perhaps include a new requirement that the USA receives some prime time TV/radio air time in the country we are assisting to place touching ads stating we are giving the country aid? People I have mentioned this to have been excited about this concept. Although I recognize this is complicated, what is your read on the viability of putting a concept like this in place?

Senator Pat Roberts: I believe this is being done, but is perhaps not a requirement. With social media spurring revolution in Egypt, Libya and other places around the world, the U.S. must harness all means of communication to reach out to a global audience. Twitter and Facebook have allowed the U.S. to bypass some foreign government censorship, but it still happens, especially in China where they recently deleted a tweet from U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Our military is especially effective at communicating with locals in Iraq and Afghanistan and have made this a priority in their efforts to fight and win the wars there. You must also keep in mind, that many of these countries receiving aid from the U.S. are third world countries, where media is not easily accessible.

The Global Townhall: What top three achievements are you most proud of implementing as Senator?

Senator Pat Roberts:

1. My work on behalf of American farmers and ranchers. I am proud of the 1996 Farm Bill, the work we have done to improve the crop insurance program, and the work we have done in bio security to protect our nation, agriculture and our economy.

2. Intelligence reform. I am proud to have helped improve our intelligence analysis and collection capabilities post 9/11 so that our country can be better protected from the many threats we face.

3. I am also proud of work we have done to shore up Kansas' military installations and the work we have done on behalf of men and women in uniform and their families. As a former Marine, I take this very seriously.

The Global Townhall: Politics can be nasty, what advice can you offer people in any industry on how to handle critics?

Senator Pat Roberts: I always say politics is not bean bag. You can't take yourself seriously, but you must take the job seriously. I am always respectful of those that disagree with my positions on behalf of Kansas and the nation, but I make an effort to listen to all Kansas and just agree to disagree with some of my critics.

The Global Townhall: What's next for you? Do you plan on running again? Have you considered running for President?

Senator Pat Roberts: I am running again, but serving the people of Kansas is enough for me. I have no interest in running for President.

The Global Townhall: Thank you so much for your time Senator Roberts. I look forward to watching you being honoured for your lifelong service to our nation, as you receive your Business Executives For National Security of Kansas City, "National Security Award 2011" in April.

International model and political pundit, Gabrielle Reilly, is CEO/Founder of The Global Townhall. The Global Townhall provides political articles and interviews with leaders and thinkers from the left and the right and spans the globe. Interviews include billionaires, world champion athletes, blockbuster movie stars, supermodels, political leaders who offer tips to improve your life and incite into their thoughts.

On January 31, 2006 President George W Bush Delivered His State of the Union Address

In the speech he brought out many points he felt were of interest and utmost importance to the American people. Some of the main points that were mentioned had to do with the economy, war on terror, immigration, energy, social security, healthcare, education as well as other topics. In addition the President outlined succinctly his vision to insure the continued growth and safety of the United States.

The following are some of the highlights of what the President's plans are:

Economy - As President Bush said "Our economy is healthy and vigorous, and growing faster than other major industrialized nations."[1] Although many Americans believe that the economy is on a downward spiral, the facts just do not bear this out. While it is true that prices for oil and gasoline are at record highs, every leading economic indicator continues to show a uniquely robust sound and growing economy. Early in 2002 for example the unemployment rate was nearly 5.8%. This rate has continued to go down. The strong economy is validated by an unemployment rate of February 2006 at 4.8%.[2] Another leading economic indicator would be the stock market. For example, in October 2002 the Down Jones Industrial Average had plummeted all the way down to 7289.27 as it was still buried in the aftermath of the tragic events of 9/11/01, which had catastrophic effects on our nation's economy.[3] By 2006 the DJIA, again, despite soaring record high oil prices, reached a 4 year high level of 11,229.47.[4] This growth which shows an approximate 50% increase in the Dow Jones Average is a clear indicator of just how well our economy has recovered in such a relatively short period of time.

Immigration - President Bush said "Our nation needs orderly and secure borders..." and "We hear claims that immigrants are somehow bad for the economy -- even though this economy could not function without them. 1 Despite what most conservatives believe President Bush plans on calling for a guest-worker program that provides for automatic citizenship for illegal immigrants now living and working in the United States. As Daniel Henninger mentions in his article in the Wall Street Journal that President Bush affirms that he believes in respect for the law, as he mentioned it in a radio address: "America is a nation of immigrants, and we're also a nation of laws". The President's plan is to keep our borders strong. While believing this, however he also understands that our nation's economy has always been built up by the hard work, blood, sweat, and tears of immigrants.

Education - Also, President Bush said "Our greatest advantage in the world has always been our educated, hard-working, ambitious people - and we're going to keep that edge." Recognizing that the nations future lies in its advances in the technologies, the President called for more and precise Math and Science courses, and to help the struggling students so that they can further better themselves and we can continue to compete with other countries.1 I think this is an excellent plan because we should always strive to keep the United States of America number one in any category.

While the president spoke on many topics, there are the three issues I am mostly interested which are: Homeland Security/ War on Terror, Social Security and our national policy on energy. In my opinion these issues are important amongst other things, because we are at war; I need to worry about my social security as we are a nation growing older; and lastly we need to create new means of energy and to become less reliant on imports.

The events of September 11, 2001 highlighted the importance of home land security across the nation. It was clearly our nations pompous belief that we could not be attacked at home that led to a lax security system in the United States. Therefore, and because of the tragedy of 9/11, the United States Department of Homeland Security was created. The Department of Homeland Security (hereinafter DHS) was established November 25, 2002 but legitimately began on January 24, 2003. The plan was to merge any organization associated to "homeland security" into a single cabinet thereby making us more responsive and able to act quickly. The Department is currently headed by federal judge Michael Chertoff. [5] The reorganization plan of the DHS in November 25, 2002 consists of some of the following responsibilities and plans:

1) Transferring other existing agencies into the department such as the Department of Health and Human Services, the Coast Guard, the United States Secret Service etc.;

2) Establish the Homeland Security Advanced Research Projects Agency and Acceleration Fund for Research and Development of Homeland Security Technologies;

3) Establish Bureau of Border Security;

4) Information Analysis and Infrastructure Protection - identify and scope out terrorist threats; consult with the CIA and other federal agencies, state and local governments to ensure proper exchanges of information;

5) Coordinate training in information analysis;

6) Develop emergency preparedness systems;

7) Science and Technology - develop a national policy and strategic plan for identifying chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and any other terrorists threats;

8) Detecting, preventing and protecting against terrorist attacks etc. [6]

I believe that creating the DHS on President Bush's part was a great idea because homeland security is a priority for him and the Department is in fact doing their job.

Some of the accomplishments of the Department are:

Cracking down on terrorists financing with our international partners;

Improving border screening and security through the US-Visit Entry-Exit System;

Transforming the FBI to focus on preventing terrorism;

Increasing cooperation and reform among the international partners at the front lines of the war on terror;

Strengthening transportation security etc.

DHS also worked on establishing the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC), the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO), and the Terrorist Screening Center, and National Targeting Center (NTC) etc.

In part due to all of these accomplishments and actions, not only has the United States not been attacked since 9/11, but we have taken the offensive while putting terrorists on the run.

Flying has never been any safer and the US-Visit Entry - Exist system exists in 115 airports, 14 seaports and 50 land border crossings. The NTC examines about 9 million high risk shipping containers per year. 1

President Bush says it best ..."We're living in historic times when you think about this world we're in. It is a time of challenge, and it's a time of opportunity. We've got the challenge to protect the American people. My most important duty is to protect you from harm. And we have an opportunity to lay the foundation of peace for generation to come. "

-President George W. Bush-

We must never forget the day of September 11, 2001, when all of those innocent people died because of the actions of radical terrorists. We must stop all actions of terror even if they may not on our lands. The more democracies we create, the more allies we have and the safer we are.

I know that there is this concern of our freedom and civil liberties slowly being taken away. For example, Wire Tapping is a huge issue in the news, but if you have nothing to hide, then what's wrong with trying to protect us?

The next topic I would like to mention is another important issue addressed in the State of the Union, Social Security. The Social Security Act was developed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1935 during the Great Depression as part of his New Deal. It was originally created to help retirees and the unemployed by insuring an income for people as they got older or became unemployed. FICA was created in 1937 and all the employed were required to pay payroll taxes (contribute to the fund) in order to help fund the national retirement vehicle which we know as Social Security. Social Security was one of the greatest successes. [7]

Social Security faces future problems under the system today. If we do not reform Social Security there will be a high percentage in benefit cuts. The system is funded by payroll taxes and as our nations grows older and life expectancy continues to get longer fewer people will in fact be contributing to the system for more recipients. This is a tremendous problem because the government will have to come up billions of dollars in someway and eventually the system will be bankrupt. 7 Yes, Social Security is in crisis and the answer is not to raise taxes. Raising taxes would just be devastating to homes because it would just be making savings more difficult.

President Bush's plans are to allow people to put a small portion of their payroll taxes into bond and stock funds and retirement accounts. The President's goals are to strengthen the safety net for future generations; protect those who depend on Social Security; and offer every American a chance to experience the opportunity of ownership through voluntary personal retirement accounts. 1 President Bush's plans gives people a chance to save and enjoy their benefits, to put money aside and plan for their future.

The last topic I would like to discuss is energy. Before the industrial revolution we relied on the sun and burned wood for heat. For transportation we relied on horses and boats. For our machines we relied on water and wind to for energy. We went from water wheels to water turbines. Then we discovered that oil which processed into gasoline can be used for automobiles. Thomas Edison and Henry Ford were the turn of the century. Today we depend on energy to survive; therefore there is an increase in demand for the fossil fuels and the cost just keep rising. [8]

In the President's State of the Union he says

"Keeping America competitive requires affordable energy. And here we have a serious problem: America is addicted to oil, which is often imported from unstable parts of the world. The best way to break this addiction is through technology ... By applying the talent and technology of America, this country can dramatically improve our environment, move beyond petroleum- based economy, and make our dependence on Middle Eastern oil a thing of the past."

The president would like to reduce our dependency on foreign oil from 75% to 20%, which would be a lot cheaper for us. He would also like to see a 22% increase in clean coal technologies, wind technologies, clean safe nuclear energy, hybrid and hydrogen cars and a popular topic ethanol. Energy conversion is a serious issue today. A way to increase domestic energy production is by using renewable energy resources here in the United States. Renewable resources are constantly replenished and never run out. Some renewable energy technologies, such as water- and wind-driven mills, have been in use for centuries. The United States has the world's largest known coal reserves, about 275 billion short tons. There is enough coal to last over two hundred years at today's level of use. Coal can be used for electric power. Wind technologies produce electricity at low costs with minor harm to the environment.[9] In John M. Urbanchuk's article "Contribution of the Ethanol Industry to the Economy of the United States" he states that ethanol industries spent billions of dollars in raw materials to create ethanol and a large portion of their spending went to corn. He also lists the positive effects that ethanol will have on American economy such as: creating new jobs, reduces dependency on foreign oil, provides a growing and reliable domestic market for American farmers, etc.

President Bush has already acted on energy conversion even before his State of the Union address for example in August of 2005 President Bush signed the Energy Policy Act, which set a standard of 7.5 billion gallons of renewable resources such as ethanol to be used in the nations highway fuel supply by 2012. I see that there is a plan for energy conversion, but I do also understand that it will take many years for us to even see a noticeable result. As long as we continue with a plan and the technologies our domestic market will increase therefore will help the nation's economy to grow and help others individually.

President Bush has done an outstanding job overall, besides the normal issues that always face a President for example the economy. President Bush has appeared to put together a clear, concise vision for our nation's future. In addition he has enumerated a clear proactive approach in which to lay the ground work to accomplish his goals. However in my views he often times seems focused on only one topic terrorism. I speak for myself and probably for most I do not want to witness another day like 9/11 happen in my life time or any lifetime, we as a country should do anything to prevent that. I am proud that our President is concerned with the issue of terrorism but on the other hand I think he needs express his concerns for domestic issues a little more often. I don't know how soon the social security reform will take place, but hopefully soon because if so it will eventually no longer exist. President Bush's plans overall is to create affordable healthcare, save social security, reduce America's dependency on foreign oil with renewable resources, reform the immigration system, homeland security etc. I hope the next President will agree and continue with President Bush's plans for the future of this nation.

peter mangano

http://printertoner.ws/

If I Were President

I hadn't even finished my first cup of coffee while scanning through some recent FaceBook posts, and one caught my attention. I found myself responding to the posed question with a vehemence that I made myself stop, lest I anger my 3400 friends and found myself walking on eggshells as I left my office to retrieve my second cup of coffee knowing that a powerful blog was coming on.

The question was posed by a radio talk-show host named Matt Mittan, who broadcasts from Asheville, NC, and he often posts questions to his FB friends about current topics for their thoughts. This morning he posted this question: The Gov. of PA said that we are becoming a nation of wusses after the NFL suspended the game there this weekend, due to the major snow storm. Thoughts?

My response was instant and without need for thought. My reply: We're becoming a nation of wusses in so many ways...this is only a microcosm of the overall mentality of much of the American population. A bunch of babies wanting their bottles and blankies. I say get off your asses and get to work, whether it is playing a game in the snow for a gazillion dollars, or flipping burgers for minimum wage...which I have done and would do again if I needed to. I see 'help wanted' signs all over the place, but because they are not good enough...ugh. People need to change if we are to regain any self respect and return to the great nation we used to be...one of pride and hard work and individual responsibility. We never sucked our thumbs because of snow before. Maybe the NFL should end and take those burger-flipping jobs. Yes, a nation of wusses. I couldn't say it better myself.

I wanted to go on and on, but realized I would be going off topic, ever so slightly, and knew I'd catch hell from my own primarily Liberal base, who get angry if I post that I ate a lamb chop rather than some disgusting tofu blob. I can't even talk about the weather on FB without causing some 'global warming' fight to break out on my own page, when I never even brought up "that" subject. From "Wow, it's really cold outside", you can't believe the war that breaks out! Sometimes ridiculous and generally entertaining, these threads are extremely educational to read as it clearly indicates the mindsets of the people who surround me, every single day.

A nation of wusses. Ugh. What happened to us? When I was a teenager just out of high-school, I did not go on to college for many reasons. I moved out of my parents house and worked three minimum wage jobs to pay rent, and the bills that I had. I never once complained about the work I did, or the fact that I had to do it to survive except for the occasional "my feet really hurt", and my Granny would rub them for me. I was brought up to be self-reliant, responsible, hard-working and proud. I have never paid a bill late...not one single time. I have never lived beyond my means and have worked hard for every dime I have ever made.

I moved to Asheville, NC 16 years ago without a nickel in my pocket, virtually zero possessions (except my cat and my car) and knew nobody. I pounded the pavement and built a business out of blood, sweat and tears that now earns over $1,000,000.00 a year and employees some 40-50 people, and I have not had to lay a single one off or cut a dollar from their wages through this incredibly stressed economy. I had to use my entire savings to keep it afloat, but I did it, and am proud that my business survived. I did what I had to do, rather than cut and run, even though it left me broke. That is pride. And if God sees fit, I will rebound through continued hard work and determination. Many words describe me, but "wuss" is not one of them.

A nation of wusses. (side note: A friend of mine just told me that the Gov. of PA "went off" for about 45 minutes talking about all of this...I am excited to read the transcripts of his speech. I have a feeling I will be in complete agreement).

A nation of wusses. This profound truth has been bothering me so much. I returned from Florida the day after Christmas after visiting with my Papa, who was a WWII POW, and a man who I consider a hero. Brave, honorable, hard-working until he could work no more, and never a complaint. He is 92 and reaching the end of his days. I am glad he does not watch the news as he would be deeply ashamed of the decedents of the people he defended and sacrificed for in 1944.

My trip back was without radio or any music so that I could have the opportunity to meditate, think, ponder and fantasize about a world that is better than the one I now find myself in. This free-flowing thought brought me to a self-imposed question "What would I do if I were President of the United States? What would I change, how would I change it, and how would I express myself to the American public my philosophy and plans to restore our great nation?"

Before I knew it, I was making a speech to the entire country. It was obviously not written, but spoken from my mind, my heart and my soul. It all made perfect sense to me and covered all the important topics that are plaguing our country and its people. I will recount it here. Perhaps it will reach the eyes and ears of someone who will be able to hear it.

TO THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

First, please turn off these teleprompters. I do not have any desire to speak words that have been written for me. I believe a man or woman is only as good as their own word, and mine will come from me only, not from a speech-writer. I may fumble a few words here or there, but what you see is what you'll get. Whenever I speak with you, it will be words of integrity, first and foremost. I will not sugar-coat the issues, nor will I worry about being 'politically correct'. If your feelings get hurt along the way, so be it. Get over it.

What I do care about is the truth and finding solutions to the myriad problems that has turned a country that I am so lucky to have been born in, and so proud to represent into a country of wimps and babies and people who think they are entitled to anything and everything. This is the wrong path, and it will lead to the demise of our country and to your own demise, not to mention the destruction of any self-respect you may have left.

I wish to share with you my thoughts on each important issue that continues to eat away at our country and how I would correct them. Some of you will agree, and some will not. But those who don't are probably part of the problem, and serious self-reflection is strongly recommended if we are to get anywhere.

THE ECONOMY: I own a small business. I did not go to college to figure out how to start it, run it or have it be successful. The rules are elementary...make more than you spend. It is simple math. I learned it in First or Second grade. Addition and subtraction. If you made it through elementary school, you have these skills. We all do. These simple skills must be applied to our National economy. The current administration would love to run their business by figuring out how much they want to spend, and then charge you for it accordingly. As far as businesses go, it is my own experience that this is completely backwards. One must find out what income to reasonably expect, then set one's budget accordingly. Here the question is what is a reasonable income (tax) expectation.

It has been proven over and over again that the lower taxes are, the stronger the economy becomes. If I have lots of money, I spend lots of money. If I don't, I stop spending. More simple math. Obama surely wanted to end Bush tax cuts effective in a few days, but fortunately the Republicans put the breaks on that move. I find it interesting that now Obama is now taking some kind of 'credit' for this move when he had nothing to do with it. But I digress.

First, what we need to do is cut taxes across the board. And even more so for the wealthiest Americans and small businesses. They are the ones that spend the most, create the most private sector jobs and produce the most tax revenue for the government, even with significant cuts.

Second, we need to cut spending severely. No more free rides for able-bodied citizens. Period. No more pork-barrel spending. No more big government, lavish trips for heads of state to far off places on the people's dime, no more Czars to control entities that are none of their business. No more government bail-outs or stimulus packages...basically no more spending outside the absolute necessities that are required to make our country safely function. This includes keeping our military strong, our elderly and disabled cared for and our constitutional laws enforced. All other government programs would go by the way-side and become privatized if we want them to continue.

It is not the government's job to educate you, to feed you, to control you or to coddle you. This is your responsibility. It is our responsibility as individuals. What we have, we work for. When one of our neighbors are in need, we help where we can. But our neighbors must also learn to be responsible for themselves, and take whatever steps are necessary to become so.

HEALTHCARE: First, take responsibility for your health and well-being. Quit smoking, quit eating junk food, exercise and eat as healthily as you possibly can. Supplement your diet with multi-vitamins and minerals, essential fatty acids, digestive enzymes and pro-biotics. Just these steps will probably prevent you from becoming sick in the first place.

Regarding health insurance coverage, it is unconstitutional to force individuals to purchase it. But there are measures that must be taken to make it affordable to those who want it and need it. TORT reform. Elimination of medical malpractice suits is mandatory if we are to make insurance companies lower their premiums. Additionally, insurance companies are 'for profit' businesses. This is fine. But not from denial of coverage to people with pre-existing conditions. I would encourage that new non-profit insurance companies form to compete with the 'for-profit' companies. This competition would bring rates down even further the way healthy competition always does.

IMMIGRATION: It is clear that millions of people from around the world want to be citizens of this great country. I would want to be too. But there are laws and processes that need to be enforced and reinforced. I would start by making immigration requirements more specific to our country. Before one could even apply to become a legal resident of the U.S., they should be required to speak fluent English. The business I own is a school, and we are approved to accept foreign students with a Student Visa provided they pass an English language proficiency exam first. The same should apply to anyone wanting to live in this country. These individuals should uphold the laws and values of the United States, and live our way of life, and not expect special treatment, entitlements, multi-lingual signage, etc. If you want to be an American, you must become one.

For the illegal immigrants that are already here because we failed to enforce our own laws, we should provide immigration process offices across the country and give these people the opportunity to apply for American citizenship. The rules should include sufficient language skills, absolutely no criminal record, and proof that they can take care of themselves financially in every respect, or be sponsored by an American family or business. They should be required to pay taxes like everyone else and will receive the same protections and benefits that all American citizens receive. But nothing more. If these simple requirements are not met, they should be sent back to their homeland until they can meet them.

For anyone outside the United States that wish to become American Citizens, the same rules apply before one can enter this country. And our own laws should be strictly enforced from this point forward on all U.S. borders.

MILITARY: I love our men and women in service. I thank them every day. My father and grandfather were both in the service and I have nothing but respect for them. Their sacrifices are great and ongoing, even decades after their service for our country. I know many veterans who have scars so deep, they will never recover, and are treated by the VA like societal rejects rather than the heroes they truly are. Our government should spare no expense in caring for members of our military, past and present, and they should receive nothing but honor and high-quality care for their service.

As far as our military policing the world, I'd like to see an appropriate percentage of them return to our homeland and secure our borders. And in areas that present danger to our country, our military should remain deployed and active so long as the treat exists. But it must be a real threat, not a smoke-screen for an oil cache or some other ulterior motive. Our Generals and foot soldiers should be held equally to the highest standards as should our Commander in Chief. Our president should always live up to this honored title. And if he or she cannot do so with the utmost integrity, he or she should be immediately replaced by someone who can. I am fully aware that there are powers that are far greater than that of our President, but there will be no more 'wink-wink, knod-knod, Bob's your Uncle" shenanigans anymore. Behind closed doors deals will be a thing of the past, and government contracts will be granted based on quality and bid pricing, and nothing more. And it will all be transparent provided it does not compromise national security.

Our military will receive everything they need to do their job in the safest and most effective manner, using the most progressive technologies available.

EDUCATION: This government social program should be made private again. Our government program continues to degrade and costs tax-payers a fortune. You may think that public schools are free, but you are incorrect. You and I pay for them every day. To bring quality back into our schools, they should become private entities once again. Much higher quality will naturally return as each school vies for as many students as possible, and tuition will remain low with the level of competition they will have to contend with. And with the tax cuts everyone will receive from not having to pay for this government program anymore, families will be able to pay for their children to go to the school of their choosing. School curriculum will no longer be mandated and they can choose to include specialty curriculum for students who show strengths in various areas, be it sciences, the arts, mathematics, etc. While teaching the basics, students will have the opportunity and support to excel within their natural strengths from the start, and remain much more interested in education than being forced to study outside their natural interests. They will be much more likely to continue with higher education later on, and become experts in their chosen fields with a foundation that started with Kindergarten rather than in college.

PRISON SYSTEM: This system is broken in so many ways. First, it costs a fortune to provide room and board to people who have broken the law. And we pay for this. Second, it does not address the reasons these people have broken the law to begin with. It is a fact that the majority of inmates are there because the laws they broke were directly or indirectly a result of substance abuse, whether it be drugs or alcohol. While may prisons offer AA and/or NA meetings within their walls, many do not participate or understand how these substances played a role in their actions.

There needs to be effective rehabilitative services within our prison system so that individuals who have served their time have the ability to function as productive, healthy individuals when they re-enter society. Without such programs and support, these individuals will come out angry and bitter and become repeat offenders in no time, ultimately ending up back in the prison system. Some make a life of it knowing they will have food, shelter and medical care inside. For them, it is the easier way of life as they have no other options or support.

I suggest that these program can be administered through a fully voluntary program. There are many retirees that have much time and wisdom to share, and while I know plenty of them who take substance abuse meetings into the prisons, there are so many more who would likely volunteer mentoring/sponsoring programs if they were available. It would cost tax-payers nothing, and provide a much needed resource that would reduce the number of re-offenders and give these individuals a leg to stand on once they are released.

There are many more issues that need to be addressed and corrected if we are to find our way back to being a great country. These are, of course, the major issues at hand, and my thoughts about how they would be best corrected. If you are interested in hearing how I would handle any other issue, certainly ask. If I do not know the answer, I will tell you so, and then I will look for a solution. I will never make anything up just to satisfy any person. But I will tell you the truth, as I see it, and always look for the best possible solution to any problem.

God bless us all, including the Governor of Pennsylvania (whom I look very much forward to learning more about) and may we none be wusses anymore.

Peggy Huff resides in Asheville, North Carolina. Visit her blog at http://peggy-huff.blogspot.com/

Is the Navajo Nation President Being a Hypocrite about Uranium Mining

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, about 80 percent of the electricity in New Mexico is generated each year by burning coal. The irony is that the dominant anti-nuclear group in New Mexico, Southwest Research and Information Center (SRIC), has shown no evidence of denouncing coal consumption. According to Don Hancock, an SRIC Administrator who directs the non-profit organization's Nuclear Waste Safety Program, the group's "spiritual mentor" is John W. Gofman. The former nuclear physicist is an aging, eccentric author who was discredited by the Atomic Energy Commission and was branded by the nuclear power industry as "beyond the pale of reasonable communication." As a kind gesture, Hancock gave us a copy of a Gofman "cartoon book," whose theme revolves around Thoreau's essay, "Civil Disobedience." Another cosmic ally is Amory B. Lovins of the Rocky Mountain Institute, a favorite Don Hancock icon.

While Gofman championed solar energy in his hey day, Lovins presently espouses hydrogen as a primary solution for transportation, wind, and increasing efficiency through natural gas. However, neither wind power nor solar energy is a relevant energy source in New Mexico. Hydroelectricity supplies about 0.7 percent of New Mexico's electricity generation. Despite the hoopla and hyperbole, all of other renewable energy sources combined supply New Mexico with a mere 0.6 percent of its electricity. Coal is, in a very big way, the overwhelming reason why New Mexicans are not living in darkness and without heat or air conditioning.

According to the Harvard School of Public Health, about 2400 people die every year from the air pollution caused from each million tons of sulfur dioxide emitted. In 1999, it is estimated that over 1.05 billion tons were produced, releasing 11.856 million tons of sulfur oxides and more than 5 million tons of nitrous oxides. Having personally inspected the first floor library of SRIC headquarters, no anti-coal mining literature was discovered. There appears to be scant fund-raising interest from these environmental activists to close down New Mexico's large coal mines. In fact, more U.S. coal mining deaths were reported in 2005 than deaths from uranium mining (zero). StockInterview.com heard no worries at SRIC over the blackening of coal miner's lungs, but the staff appeared very concerned over the radon gas emitted from uranium mining. Uranium mining in New Mexico came to a standstill about twenty years ago. Coal mining continues as it has for seven decades.

Don't expect the coal mines of New Mexico to be closed any time soon, though. No matter how deadly coal mines are, coal production is irreplaceable at this time. According to the New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources, tax revenues from coal in 2001 exceeded $30 million. Nearly one-half of the state's energy needs are met through coal-generated power. The coal industry employed 1,800 people in 2001. New Mexico is the country's leader for methane gas production from coal beds. Coal is the state's third largest source of revenues.

An EPA Toxic Release Inventory report published in 2000 reported that two power plants and their coal mines in New Mexico's San Juan County released 13 million pounds of chemical toxins into the Four Corner's area (New Mexico, Arizona, Utah and Colorado). It was also reported that 6.5 million tons of solid waste was buried by the two San Juan County power plants on their sites or at nearby coal mines. Those airborne toxins were miniscule compared to over 300 million pounds of other emissions, such as particulates and nitrogen dioxide released into the air, and which can travel for hundreds of miles. Reports confirm those power plants were among the worst polluters in the United States. The eighth worst emitter was Giant Refining, about 17 miles from Gallup, New Mexico, which emitted 608,000 pounds according to the EPA report. Any visitor to the Gallup area can readily smell the stench circulating in the air.

Does Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley Jr Have Double Standards?

Why haven't the Navajo banned coal mining on the reservation as they have uranium mining? According to Anna Frazier, a Navajo affiliated with a local environmental group, "Our Navajo Nation is certainly not going to do that. They would rather have the revenues coming in from the coal companies and the power plants." According to a news report published in Indian Country newspaper, "The Navajo Nation receives the bulk of its annual $100 million operating expenses from royalties, leases and taxes from its coal, oil and gas. These revenues provide operational expenses for the tribal government, including the salaries of the 88-member Navajo Nation Council, the tribe's annual budgets show."

For more than 35 years, Peabody Energy has operated massive mines on Navajo territory. The closure of one such coal mine, the Black Mesa, sent the Navajos rushing for their Maalox. Ironically, it was environmental activists that forced Southern California Edison to close their Mojave Generating Station nearly 300 miles away in Laughlin, Nevada. The utility was given a choice: cough up $1 billion to stop polluting the Grand Canyon or shut it down. It had been called "one of the dirtiest coal plants in the West," and air emissions from that plant reportedly polluted half a dozen other national parks in the Southwest. But, that coal mine provided about 15 percent of the Navajo's annual budget. George Hardeen, the Navajo president's media voice, complained about the mine closing last October, "This is going to have a terrible effect on this entire region because the Navajo economy is so fragile."

John Dougherty complained about the Navajo Nation's tactics in the Phoenix New Times newspaper in March 2005, observing, "Environmental groups have long exploited the Native American tradition of sacred places to fight their battles to preserve wilderness areas...It's always the soulful Native American who steps forward as the high priest of sacred geography. In the background lurks the environmentalist equipped with charts and data on tree-trunk diameters and spotted-owl nesting sites." Dougherty concluded, "The cries of environmental destruction and cultural murder from Navajo and Hopi leaders ring hollow."

What are not going to be ringing at all will be the cash registers at Albertsons supermarket in Bullhead City, near Laughlin (Nevada), which closed down this week. That's because the Mojave power station closed as advertised because of the dirty Black Mesa coal. Mike Conner, president of the Bullhead Area Chamber of Commerce, said, "The community will be devastated." Across the river in Laughlin, Buddy Borden of the University of Nevada at Reno told a group of community leaders the area "will take an almost $21 million hit" in lost power plant payrolls. The facility will lay off 375 employees, who had an average annual wage of $87,000. Like dominoes falling, jobs in Nevada, Arizona and in the Navajo Nation were lost.

Recently, Navajo president Joe Shirley Jr. considered replacing budget shortfalls with casinos, four in Nevada and two in New Mexico. Last March, Senator John McCain forecast the Navajo casinos would fail because of their remote locations. Shirley quipped back in the Arizona Republic newspaper, "I beg to differ with him." One coal mine that won't be on the Navajo reservation is the first to receive an operating permit in six years. Peabody Energy announced a coal mine on Lee Ranch, one of New Mexico's largest landowners. It is projected to produce 102 million tons of coal over the next thirty years.

For the time being, the Navajos hope to solve their economic quagmire by just putting up more casinos across a New Mexico landscape, already replete with "truck stop casinos." One can soon get bored guessing when the next casino will surface while driving across either Interstate 40 or I-25, the state's main arteries. First you see a sign announcing which tribal land you are entering, then the ubiquitous billboard describing which has-been musical act is "now appearing," and then finally the combination truck stop, casino, restaurant(s) and discount smoke shop whizzes by. One aging Navajo told us, "It's bad for the families, and it sets a bad example for the younger ones."

On Navajo reservation land and just in New Mexico alone, Joe Shirley Jr may control more than 75 million pounds of uranium, with a gross value presently exceeding $2.7 billion. Some say the number could run much higher, into the hundreds of millions of pounds. Don't expect Mr. Shirley to over turn his ban on uranium any time soon. Dr. Fred Begay, a Navajo and nuclear physicist at Los Alamos, whose career has been featured on BBC Television and in the pages of National Geographic and celebrated by the New York Academy of Science, explained the problem, "The Navajo don't get it. They think that they'll have miners. They have illiteracy on mining and uranium." Dr. Begay clarified that the Navajo have failed to differentiate between conventional uranium mining and ISL operations, which he considers safe, "They think that miners are going in there and digging it out."

Perhaps the illiteracy about mining extends to geochemistry. Coal is big money in New Mexico, and a little-known fact about the composition of coal may enlighten more than just environmentalists. Former Oak Ridge National Laboratory researchers J. P. McBride, R. E. Moore, J. P. Witherspoon, and R. E. Blanco reported in Science magazine (Dec 8, 1978: "Radiological Impact of Airborne Effluents of Coal and Nuclear Plants") the shocking conclusion that "Americans living near coal-fired power plants are exposed to higher radiation doses than those living near nuclear power plants that meet government regulations."

In an article entitled "Coal Combusion: Nuclear Resource or Danger," researcher Alex Gabbard, explained, "Coal is one of the most impure of fuels. Its impurities range from trace quantities of many metals, including uranium and thorium, to much larger quantities of aluminum and iron to still larger quantities of impurities such as sulfur. Products of coal combustion include the oxides of carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur; carcinogenic and mutagenic substances; and recoverable minerals of commercial value, including nuclear fuels naturally occurring in coal."

Did you know that the amount of radioactive thorium contained in coal is about 2.5 times greater than the amount of uranium? For a large number of coal samples, according to Environmental Protection Agency figures released in 1984, average values of uranium and thorium content have been determined to be 1.3 ppm and 3.2 ppm, respectively. Uranium and thorium are IN coal.

For the year 1982, assuming coal contains those same uranium and thorium concentrations, each typical plant released 5.2 tons of uranium (containing 74 pounds of uranium-235) and 12.8 tons of thorium that year. Total U.S. releases in 1982 (from 154 typical plants) amounted to 801 tons of uranium (containing 11,371 pounds of uranium-235) and 1971 tons of thorium. These figures account for only 74% of releases from combustion of coal from all sources. Releases in 1982 from worldwide combustion of 2800 million tons of coal totaled 3640 tons of uranium (containing 51,700 pounds of uranium-235) and 8960 tons of thorium. Coal consumption has jumped dramatically since 1982 - by more than double!

Gabbard calculated the net impact of the release of uranium and thorium from coal burning by the year 2040:

Based on the predicted combustion of 2516 million tons of coal in the United States and 12,580 million tons worldwide during the year 2040, cumulative releases for the 100 years of coal combustion following 1937 are predicted to be:

U.S. release (from combustion of 111,716 million tons):

Uranium: 145,230 tons (containing 1031 tons of uranium-235)

Thorium: 357,491 tons

Worldwide release (from combustion of 637,409 million tons):

Uranium: 828,632 tons (containing 5883 tons of uranium-235)

Thorium: 2,039,709 tons

The population effective dose equivalent from coal plants is 100 times that from nuclear plants. According to the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements (NCRP), the average radioactivity per short ton of coal is 17,100 millicuries/4,000,000 tons, or 0.00427 millicuries/ton. This figure can be used to calculate the average expected radioactivity release from coal combustion. For 1982 the total release of radioactivity from 154 typical coal plants in the United States was, therefore, 2,630,230 millicuries.

Gabbard explained further: "Thus, by combining U.S. coal combustion from 1937 (440 million tons) through 1987 (661 million tons) with an estimated total in the year 2040 (2516 million tons), the total expected U.S. radioactivity release to the environment by 2040 can be determined. That total comes from the expected combustion of 111,716 million tons of coal with the release of 477,027,320 millicuries in the United States. Global releases of radioactivity from the predicted combustion of 637,409 million tons of coal would be 2,721,736,430 millicuries."

Uranium and the entire nuclear fuel cycle are blamed for a host of ills by the anti-nuclear crowd, but little is reported on the subject of radioactivity released from burning coal. Gabbard writes, "Large quantities of uranium and thorium and other radioactive species in coal ash are not being treated as radioactive waste. These products emit low-level radiation, but because of regulatory differences, coal-fired power plants are allowed to release quantities of radioactive material that would provoke enormous public outcry if such amounts were released from nuclear facilities. Nuclear waste products from coal combustion are allowed to be dispersed throughout the biosphere in an unregulated manner. Collected nuclear wastes that accumulate on electric utility sites are not protected from weathering, thus exposing people to increasing quantities of radioactive isotopes through air and water movement and the food chain."

While environmental groups hold fund raisers to stop uranium mining, protest the nuclear fuel cycle, and lobby to have vested interest groups, such as the Navajo Nation, ban uranium mining on the reservation, little data or statistics can be found about the daily tragedies found through coal production. There is no vocal outcry from Southwest Research and Information Center about coal mining, let alone the radioactive dangers found in releasing toxic coal fumes into the atmosphere.

It was a difficult task to locate the data illustrating, as Mr. Gabbard has done, that the radioactivity IN coal, from thorium and uranium, is far more deadly than the world's fleet of nuclear reactors. Will Joe Shirley, Jr. now ban coal mining on the Navajo reservation lands? After all, a greater amount of radioactivity is released among the Navajo from coal consumption than uranium mining ever would have achieved. Or will Mr. Shirley let that slide because his budget committee wouldn't stand for it?

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James Finch contributes to StockInterview.com and other publications. StockInterview’s “Investing in the Great Uranium Bull Market” has become the most popular book ever published for uranium mining stock investors. Visit [http://www.stockinterview.com]