Despicable

“de*spi*ca*ble –
deserving to be despised:
so worthless or obnoxious
as to rouse moral indignation.”
- MW 11th Collegiate Dictionary

Last week Tim McCarver said the behavior of Manny Ramirez in his closing days as a Boston Red Sox was “despicable.”

While Manny can be obnoxious, he was never worthless, either as a man or a ballplayer, and I have a tough time “despising” any man or woman who plays a child’s game for millions of dollars simply because they do not perform up to the standards of those who report on or watch the game.

In the final analysis, it is a game – simple entertainment! And while lots of people get rich on those games (let me count the ways …) it is only a diversion from real life, not real life itself.

While I have said in this space that the race for the White House is not as important as the race to the Superbowl (and I stand by that opinion – it just doesn’t matter who is in there anymore) the daily lives and business of American’s everywhere are more important than any team sport.

Despicable does describe our Congress. Each crisis is played like it is a game so that the “Team” can win a few more seats and extend or regain their power over that huge tax base we call America.

And you know what I mean – you’ve each felt like a powerless pawn for the last two weeks while your favorite representative has played the game and added more pork.

While we may find the war of words thrown around by millionaire ballplayers and well-compensated sports columnists entertaining, the games in the Congress are rooted in the lives of all Americans. They need to stop. But they won’t.

American’s are too disconnected from the process. And the proof of that is the record low approval ratings and the fact that we continue to send them back. If we were connected, we'd rise up together and throw the bums out - Each and Every One of Them!

We should replace them with someone else and Party shouldn’t matter. We need to let the Ruling Class know there is no Ruling Class in America, and they better not play games with our lives or livelihood any more. It is time those who vote are more loyal to these United States than to any ideology or party.

And we’ll probably need to throw them out again in a couple of years from now. It is not that they are not bright people and just can't figure it out. It is simply that they get to Washington, they see all that wealth and power and they get overwhelmed by it.

So we should continue to throw them out – in mass, until those who run for office get the picture – don’t get to comfortable, you are there to serve, keep your hands out of the till, do what is best for the country, and don't put down roots. After a term or two, go home and as a private citizen, you live with the laws you made.

It is time for real change in Washington. Join me in a few weeks, won’t you? If they are an incumbent, vote them out, regardless of party for the good of the Nation.

Fiction

During my visit to Lackland AFB to witness the graduation of my son-in-law from Air Force Basic Training, I observed a thought-provoking scene.

It was the hot, humid Friday afternoon following the Graduation. We walked with Dan across the famous “Gateway” bridge to the training side of the base.

We turned left on to a road used for the movement of trainees in formation. The road has been sealed off by three large, cement planters on either end and is no longer used by vehicles. The painted lines have worn away over the years, and it is a street only in the sense that it was once.

There are no sidewalks paralleling the thoroughfare, just a raised curbing of asphalt roughly twelve feet from the edge of the grass. We walked inside that curbed area.

Out in front of us was another fresh, young Airman with a shiny, new ribbon indicating he was an Honor Graduate. He walked with what appear to be his parents and a sweetheart. Behind us were small groups of Trainees, and other Graduates and their families.

A Training Flight appeared to the left, and marched into the curbed area under the direction of grim-faced Military Training Instructor (MTI) yelling commands that kept them in step. They stopped at a “cross-street” in front of us, sent out “road-guards” to stop “traffic” and began crossing the intersection.

While the flight passed across the intersection we all began move so we would not impede the flight. We naturally looked left, and since there was no traffic, began to move over and into the “street.”

The MTI signaled that we should move onto the grass at the right, and we quickly imitated the Trainees who lined up at attention on the grass to allow the flight to pass. But the unfortunate Honor Graduate and his family had moved too far to the left to respond to the sudden and angry flailing of the MTI.

After the flight passed, the MTI stopped and at full volume began to dress-down the hapless Honor Graduate. My first thought was that the Air Force may have learned a lot about the need for positive PR but that knowledge has not filtered down to the MTI Corps.

Next, I realized that particular MTI did not understand the psychology of the process he was involved in or he would have handled it very differently.

I chuckled as the explosive MTI reminded me that no one can make a mountain range out of an ant hill like an MTI, a Mother or an English Teacher.

The MTI instructed the Honor Grad that he should have obeyed “the law of the jungle and move[d] over for the larger animal.” Then he informed the embarrassed lad that he would recommend he be recycled a week of training for his blatant “safety violation.”

It then dawned on me that the “safety violation” was nothing more than a fiction. With no rational expectation of any vehicle traffic there was, in fact, no danger other than the angry outburst of an MTI.

The fiction had been created to teach Trainees road safety and control them when they marched. The fiction served its purpose for exactly 6 ½ weeks per trainee. The fiction then became an impediment to good sense.

The human brain has the remarkable ability to build a world of its own. We often build fictitious stories or images to feign control, to escape, or to maintain our self-respect.

So since then I have asked myself:

* What fictions have I developed to allow me false control, to escape, or to maintain my self-respect in the face of poor habits?

* What fictions are causing me to yield and line up at attention while someone, or something, passes me by?

* What fictions keep me from seeing reality as clearly as I saw the fiction of a dangerous street for the large troop walk it truly was?

I’ve always thought I matured more in my six weeks at Lackland than I did on an LDS mission or in college, and once more my visit there left me with new personal growth.

Applause

“If you are a young person looking at the future of this planet and looking at what is being done right now, and not done, I believe we have reached the stage where it is time for civil disobedience to prevent the construction of new coal plants that do not have carbon capture and sequestration.” - Former U.S. Senator & Vice President Al Gore

(Speaking while on a Celebrity Panel in New York 09.24.2008
Reported in the Wall Street Journal, Editorial Page A24, 09.29.2008)

Al Gore lost the election of his life and did not get to spend the last eight years becoming the most unpopular man in the world. Instead, he retreated, gained a bunch of weight, and grew a squirrel on his face. Then after some time, he reappeared, lost that sad little beard and some weight, took up a Celebrity Cause and made a boring movie out of a speech.

For that he was awarded an Academy Award and a Nobel Peace Prize.

Aren’t people silly? Applaud them and they begin to believe all the hype. The FDA should add “Applause” to their list of Controlled Substances.

Al is another one of those “Silver-Spoon” kids who are currently running our nation into the ground. Jim Hightower’s humorous comment that George Bush was “born on third base [and he] thought he had hit a triple,” applies just as appropriately to Al.

So, what exactly has Al done to move from third-base to home plate since his crushing defeat? Well, it’s been huge! He’s jumped on a popular bandwagon. He learned how to use PowerPoint. He bought some impressive new suits. And he has talked. And talked. And talked. And, talked some more.

Some people listen to him. And why not? After all, he is Harvard educated, he has an “old money” name, he can afford handsome suits; and more importantly, he knows PowerPoint!

The point today, however, is not to comment on the state of the environment, or baseball, or PowerPoint. My point is not even related to extraordinary suits.

My point is that Al has allowed an overblown ego, brought on by fickle applause, to make public a thought he should have kept to himself. And with that silly thought expressed out loud he gave every extreme nut a license for eco-terrorism in the name of “civil disobedience.”

Talk about shouting “Fire” in a crowded theater. As loath as I am to think up new and profitable work for attorneys, Al also gave every victim of eco-terrorism a new deep pocket to sue.

The deep pocket? Why, Al, of course.

I’d imagine that right now a truly creative corporate counsel is trying to figure out how to sue Al for damages due to increased security costs based on those remarks.

Aren’t people “on” applause silly? Because of applause, Al doesn’t see the extreme and more dangerous audience when he utters whatever occurs to him. He just drones on …

The Salute

For four days last week I enjoyed a sort of “homecoming” at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. My son-in-law, Dan, graduated from Air Force Basic Military Training, and it was a rare honor and privilege to witness the events of his graduation.

The last time I stood on the Parade Grounds at Lackland was a bit more than twenty-seven years ago when I marched in a similar Graduation Parade. Since then there are minor differences in the uniform, big differences in the gender composition of the graduates, and even bigger differences in the welcome accorded the Graduating Airmen’s family members.

In 1981, at the end of my first full day of training, Staff Sergeant Berger, my Military Training Instructor (MTI), ordered us to write our parents and/or spouse and instruct them not to come to our graduation.

Those family members who attended were allowed to sit a few uncovered wooden bleachers, were not given much direction or cooperation, and were barely allowed to see anything but the Parade Grounds.

In today’s Air Force, the very same Reception Center where Dan checked in on Training Day One, is used as a Reception and briefing Center for the Airmen's Graduation Guests. Paperwork is sent to the family prior to arrival.

We enjoyed watching the “Flight Run” - an event where each of the Flights run by you in formation and step, loudly belting out their Flight Song.

The Airmen’s Coin Ceremony is a new wrinkle. It has become a favorite of the Airmen, is the true mark of Graduation, and is a solemn and meaningful experience.

At the Parade Grounds, we sat on decently kept bleachers under a canopy. There were speakers to ensure you didn't miss anything. And there was one addition to the Graduation Parade, barely noticed by most, but with deep meaning for me. I’m not sure I can find the words to describe what it meant to me, but I will try.

The Air Force has learned a bit more about public relations these days and they had public affairs types on hand to give explanations of the event, its history, meaning and the order of events. Buried in their instruction regarding our expected behavior for the passing of the American Flag during the “Pass-in-Review,” was the unexpected and much appreciated change.

“Military members on active duty and in uniform,” droned the Public Affairs Officer Type, “are expected to stand and render a hand salute.” He continued, “Military, Retired military and Prior Service members not in uniform should stand, and those who wish may render a hand salute or place their right hands over their left breast.”

I barely heard the the rest of the instructions.

You see, I did not retire from the service like my Father, Brother, Uncle, or Great Uncles. There is nothing to indicate I spent a decade of my life in the service of my country.

I understand. I don’t expect any different. That is just how it is.

Being able to render a salute to the Flag of this Country I love last Friday morning was the first real indication since I left the inactive Reserve in 1991 that I gave anything to my country at all.

In that brief moment as I reverently lifted my right hand to the corner of my eye, and as my eyes clouded, I was honored, humbled, and overwhelmed all at once.

I felt like a Veteran for the first time in my life.

Like my sons-in-law, Daniel and Jacob (Air Force E3 and E5), and my future son-in-law, Nathan (Navy E3), I love this Nation of Ours. I love its valiant Servicemen and women, and its courageous history and rich tradition.

And I especially love its sometimes selfish and greedy, often forgetful and ungrateful, and always fickle citizens, who built this great Nation under God. I was proud to serve them. And I’m damn proud of my sons-in-law who serve us today.

Notes on a Friday

The Real Campaign Begins
How exhilarating! The Real Campaign, so long awaited, has finally begun and it is off to an electrifying start. Early in January we will crown the victor. And make no mistake; this campaign has all the hallmarks of a classic political battle: The Media is revved up, the trash-talk is flying, the outcome is anyone’s guess, and everyone is guessing!

Oh, I’m sorry – you thought I was talking about the race for the White House. No! The Real Campaign is the race for a College Football National Champion. USC is off to a good start, and they meet Ohio State this week in an early contest with lots of hype and misdirection. But before Trojan fans claim the crown in mid-September the very tough SEC will have a lot to say.

And before you think I am trivializing that other campaign, answer this: Other than Supreme Court nominees – what exactly does the president impact? Foreign policy? Tell Columbia. They think congress killed their free trade deal. The Budget? You kidding? Legislation? Get real.

Time to grow up America! The Legislative Branch is more accountable for what really impacts us than who-ever is President. Even the Supreme Court has more real power to permanently affect your daily life. WE all elect a president in order to pack that court with OUR judicial activists.

So - Skip the debates. It is a waste of your time. You already know what kind of judicial appointments both tickets are going to nominate. Check in on your favorite candidates in the Real Campaign instead.

Just don’t forget to vote for your emotional favorite in that other race November 4th. And know that after you get all worked up on Wednesday, November 5th there will be a game Thursday night to quell your worst fears.

More on the State of Airline Passenger Services
I heard those groans. Relax! The rant is moderated and very short today.

If you don’t read Tyler Brûlé’s Fast Lane column in the Financial Times Weekend Edition you are missing something special. I don’t know any one else in the world like Tyler and that is the point. His viewpoint is unique but relevant. He is a pleasure to read.

Tyler is the editor-in-chief of Monocle Magazine. Depending on when you read his column, you may think he is a Fashion Guy, but that doesn’t give him enough credit. The two-part piece he did about how to fix Britain was dead-on. This last Saturday, he covered his recent customer experience with British Airways.

I was reminded of the "anonymous" airline experience at the end of the hit movie, Meet the Parents. And while that scene may have been over the top, I’m quite sure I met that Gate Representative in Detroit two years ago!

A link to Tyler’s comments is attached here for your convenience:
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/e218e37a-7ad9-11dd-adbe-000077b07658.html

And Speaking of Change ...

Candidates for the U.S. Presidency persistently assure us that they will make the best choices for America. To some degree we logically review their record to see if it matches their campaign promises.

The BIG Decision for any Presidential Candidate – the most clear indication of how involved the party or advisors will be, and the quality of their future decisions, is their choice of a running mate.

That is why many of us were surprised that Change chose an entrenched Washington insider. His choice was a Senator deeply-rooted in Washington Politics for more than thirty-years. We were equally shocked when Maverick chose a strong, conservative woman with no experience inside the Beltway.

Yes, yes, I know, Change had to address the perceived fears of the electorate that he is inexperienced. And Maverick had to do something to off-set the perception that he is Bush III.

For the record, the evidence says that we don’t generally make our purchase or voting choices logically.

I’m not sure we care if Change is inexperienced. We just don’t want him to be Jimmy Carter – so naïve about how Washington works that they eat him alive and we get four years of impassioned stagnation in the face of daunting national issues.

I am also quite sure that we don’t want four more years of the tone-deaf, slow-to-respond, single-focus Presidency we have experienced for the last eight years.

But right now it appears that Change and the Entrenched Insider have ceded the Change Position to Maverick and the New Face of Feminism.

It also appears that the deciding factor in this election may well be undecided women voters, and that there are more women voters in this category than ever before.

Maverick looks like he made a careful, creative and astute judgment while Change looks like he allowed the Party Apparatus to foist a “good-ole boy” on him.

What really matters is not what we think but how we - and especially the undecided voters, feel about the differences in the two tickets. Hopefully we can sort out our emotions and have a conclusive answer early in November.

A Summer of Change

You know, it has been a fascinating summer. It all started with the High School Graduation of my youngest daughter, Natalie.

By the time July arrived, summer was in full swing as Nicole was married. Losing Nicole wasn't easy. She is a bright, beautiful, and poised young woman. I've loved her since I first saw her and gave her that first bath and bottle.

But Dan is a wonderful young man with a great future ahead and I’m proud of him. He treats Nicole well, is serious and driven, but is still fun loving and affable, and is so obviously a gentleman. It is easy to see why Nicole adores him.

I suppose no wedding comes without some family drama and since Nicole and Dan spared us any, it was left to my oldest daughter to provide that for us. I wish she could figure out that she’s important and loved.

My son managed to provide the rest of the summer drama with several trips to the hospital. He has recently found his way to Gene Fullmer’s gym in South Jordan and has been boxing his way to sobriety.

After all of that, we bid farewell to Dan as he headed for Basic Training at Lackland AFB. Just before they were married, he joined the Utah Air Guard. After he completes Basic, he will be off to Fort Leonard Wood to learn to be a Readiness Specialist.

Life is full of irony. Growing up – an Air Force Officer’s Brat, I wanted to be a full-time Air Force Officer. As a young married man with two children, I enrolled at the Air Force ROTC program at the University of Utah when I started school there.

I was already an enlisted member of the Air Force serving in the Reserve – working first as a mechanic, then Technician, and finally Maintenance Manager and Instructor on the F4 and later F16 at Hill AFB.

My brother, currently a retired Air Force Pilot flying for Southwest Airlines, was already a student at the “U” and a member of the ROTC program. He went on to become the Cadet Commandant of the Wing, and to be offered membership in the Order of Daedalus. He was also the recipient of the President’s Cup.

Shortly after I enrolled at the “U” – my life went through traumatic changes and I made decisions regarding an Air Force career that would allow me to remain involved in the lives of my children. I also wanted to spare my children the miserable experiences that come from being a part of the airman that the Air Force does not want – his family!

As I grew older and we added the last two daughters, I came to enjoy and appreciate the value of a “home town” and roots. Career opportunities that would upset those roots for my children were avoided and refused. We even built a second home in the same neighborhood to maintain those roots!

But life is full of incongruities. My eldest daughter married a young man who wanted to go to the Air Force Academy. They had not been married long when Jake enlisted in the Air Force and has been serving ever since. He has had several tours of duty in Iraq and spent a year in both Afghanistan and South Korea. He has one of those high-testosterone jobs where he works with the Rangers and calls in air support.

Dan was the second to affiliate with the military.

Then Natalie started college. When your youngest starts college, you can't seriously tell people that you are prematurely gray!

But my summer of change was far from over. Natalie had been corresponding (mostly by cell phone – kids don’t write anymore – they phone or text!) with a young man she met at the Fitness Center she works at as a Life Guard. Roughly a year ago, he entered the Navy and has been in Pensacola ever since.

Well Nate came home on leave on his way to his new assignment in Washington, and low and behold, now there is a diamond on her youthful finger!

Nate is a cockpit and radar guy working on the new Navy Growler. It may be Navy, but it is still aircraft - I think I can live with that! I like Nate, he is bright, mature and charming, and has his future figured out. He is also funny and good-natured. Natalie seems settled and the way she misses him, it is obvious she is in this for keeps.

Like Jake and Dan – Nate comes from fine people with good roots. But - the fascinating summer is going to carry over into an action-packed fall and a life-altering winter.

I can’t help but wonder though - if I had been a career military man, would my daughters have married root-bound farmers?