Devastation From Below - Crisis in the Gulf Of Mexico

As I write this the worst oil spill in U.S. history is beginning to wash up on Gulf coast beaches and turning estuaries and waterways into death traps for much of the marine life.

For decades we have read about the need to drill offshore and take advantage of the resources under the floor of the Gulf of Mexico to lessen our dependence on foreign oil. It seems ironic the estimated 210,000 gallons of oil leaking per day that will devastate our coast comes from a drilling rig owned by Swiss-based Transocean Ltd. And operated under lease from London-based BP Plc. (British Petroleum, Public Limited Company).

From all reports, this catastrophic event will eclipse the Exxon Valdez oil spill of March, 1989 off Alaska's coast.

An aerial photograph taken by National Geographic shows a small portion of the size of the spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

A NASA Aqua satellite give a view of one part of the leaking oil some 48 hours ago approaching ecological fragile wildlife refuges in Louisiana.

Louisiana has already rushed through authority to allow fisherman to harvest shrimp. The blowout comes at a particularly bad time for the shrimp industry, coinciding with the very start of the season as shrimp stocks make their way from the estuaries out to sea.

The Gulf coast region ranks as one of the most productive U.S. fisheries, especially for shrimp, accounting for more than 70 percent of a nationwide catch valued at $442 million in 2008, the last year for which federal figures were available.

Along with shrimp are oysters, calms and other seafood the region is famous for not just locally but internationally.

Could an American owned company avoided such an accident? We'll never know. But, in this one person's view, it is American coastal waters, it is our ecology at risk and that of an entire industry. Perhaps, leases to allow for offshore exploration and drilling in U.S. waters should be limited to U.S. companies; whom, I believe, would have a vested interest in the stewardship of the waters and adjoining land.

Sex and Drugs in 2010

Some 50 years ago the mantra was "sex, drugs and rock 'n roll." It was an era that encompassed free love, psychedelic drugs and mushrooms.

This week the Associated Press ran two headlines. One reads:

"Brazil official urges more sex for better health."
 
How many old hippies are sitting, reading these headlines and saying: "Wow! ...Cool! ... I knew it!"

Brazil's Health Minister Jose Temporao made the comments Monday while launching a national campaign against high blood pressure in the Brazilian capital of Brasilia.

He said a remedy for his nation's high blood pressure problem: More sex.

The Health Ministry says that 21.5 percent of Brazilians had high blood pressure in 2006. That jumped to 24.4 percent in 2009.

In our country statistics show an even greater number of Americans with hypertension or high blood pressure. A study from 1999 to 2004, by researchers from the U.S. National Institues of Health, shows only 41 percent of American adults have normal blood pressure levels.

The second headline is:

"  Psychedelic trips aid anxiety treatments in study."

The following is taken from AP's story:

New York - (AP) The big white pill was brought to her in an earthenware chalice. She'd already held hands with her two therapists and expressed her wishes for what it would help her do.

She swallowed it, lay on the couch with her eyes covered and waited. And then it came.

"The world was made up of jewels and I was in a dome," she recalled. Surrounded by brilliant kaleidoscopic colors, she saw the dome open up to admit "this most incredible luminescence that made everything more beautiful."

Tears trickled down her face as she saw "how beautiful the world could actually be."

That's how Nicky Edlich, 67, began her first-ever trip on a psychedelic drug last year. 

Researchers at New York University say the study in which Edlich participated in is among a handful now going on in the United States and elsewhere with drugs like LSD, MDMA (Ecstasy) and psilocybin, the main ingredient of "magic mushrooms." The work follows lines of research choked off four decades ago by the war on drugs. The research is still preliminary. But at least it's there.

It was another small step toward showing that hallucinogenic drugs, famous but condemned in the 1960s, can one day help doctors treat conditions like cancer anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder the researchers stated.

Based on the statistics and the wisdom of old hippies, Americans should stop calling in sick and call in reporting they are treating their illnesses. In other words, stay home take a trip and get laid.

Homeland Security ???

The recent passing of a new law in Arizona regarding the enforcement of immigration has sparked controversy across the United States. In my somewhat jaded thought process I thought I'd examine the bigger picture.

Since Arizona law gives law enforcement the power to question an individual and demand papers or a driver's license to prove citizenship in that state; what if someone is stopped and they look at the officer then respond: "Eh?" Does that mean they'll be investigated for possibly being a Canadian? Or, if there is a hockey stick in the back seat, can that be cause for proof of citizenship?

Caution - May be an illegal alien

While doing some basic research for today's blog I came across a few interesting numbers. 

The United States - Canadian border is more than twice the size of our border with Mexico. In contrast, there are reported to be a total of 1,798 agents during fiscal year 2009 on our border to the north. But, head to our southern border and the number is ten times that. Some 17,399 Border Patrol agents have been deployed on the U.S. - Mexico border during the same time frame, according to the Department of Homeland Security.

A brief search reveals 121 border crossing points with Canada and just 42 with Mexico. Now, just doing the math, don't you feel safer?

An interrupting thought here. I find it strange so many U.S. citizens will cross both borders to purchase prescription drugs, made by many American companies then exported, for much less than they have to pay in this country. Yet, Canadians and Mexicans will cross over the border to get medical care in the U.S.A.

While we Americans will cross into Mexico for cheap alcoholic beverages, Canadians cross into this country for the same reason.

All this is rather benign compared to the security of our borders.

The resources and manpower devoted to our southern border is well known. The war against illegal drugs and the violence makes headlines everyday. Often, during the hot summer months we are shown images of illegal aliens trying to enter our nation from Mexico and dying in the desert.

I don't ever recall reading, or seeing, a news report of someone freezing to death in an attempt to cross the much more porous and unforgiving border with Canada. Nor, do I remember any figures being publicly aired

regarding the number of illegal immigrants coming here across that 4,000 plus mile line. 

Yet, Canada is the primary source for terrorists entering the United States. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano has stated, "... to the extent that terrorists have come into our country, or suspected or known terrorists have come into out country, it has been across the Canadian border."

There is no easy fix to this massive problem. I don't like the idea of being asked for documentation, "papers please." It is to reminiscent of repressive governments. Diversity is what has made this country great. Now, it seems, that very diversity is divisive.

We can only hope we don't see these fliers tacked to billboards across our great southwest. 

Wanted - The Frito Bandito

Eclectic Friends

The people I consider my friends are as eclectic as my music collection. They range from functionally literate to true geniuses and from some who are scraping to get by each day to some very wealthy folks.

Their circumstances and social levels may be worlds apart but they all share the same traits. They are independent thinkers. They are compassionate. They are passionate in their beliefs yet, they will listen to someone else's opinion objectively. They are not easily intimidated and they are patriots. Another quality they have in common is their sense of humor.

One such friend, a true genius, was discussing Eastern philosophy and reading Sanskrit (a dead language) with scholars when he became a teenager many years ago. He sent me a few of his thoughts. Admittedly, he wrote, not all are original.

Since the weekend is upon us, I decided to pass a few along for you to ponder when you have nothing else to do.

These are Dave's thoughts:

• I planted some birdseed. A bird came up. Now I don't know what to feed it.
• I had amnesia once -- or twice.
• I went to San Francisco. I found someone's heart.
• Last week I forgot how to ride a bicycle.
• If the world were a logical place, men would ride sidesaddle.
• What is a "free" gift? Aren't all gifts free?
• They told me I was gullible ... and I believed them.
• What if there were no hypothetical questions?
• A flashlight is a case for holding dead batteries.
• I used to be indecisive. Now I'm not sure.
• If you're cross-eyed and have dyslexia, can you read alright?
• If swimming is so good for your figure, how do you explain whales?
• Is it my imagination, or do buffalo wings taste like chicken?
• Finally: Remember a truly wise man never plays leapfrog with a unicorn.

Have a great weekend!

Education in America at Risk

Schools across the country are in the midst of planning for graduation ceremonies. In the next two months thousands of high school seniors will move on to another stage in their young lives. Also moving on to a new stage will be America's public schools as the economy takes its toll.

Thousands of teachers will face losing their jobs; more students will sit elbow-to-elbow in crowded classrooms next year; computers that break down will sit unused; and kids will bring home longer lists of supplies - from crayons to sanitary wipes - that parents will be asked to buy for their classrooms.

A senior policy analyst with The Education Commission of the States, a non-partisan organization, told one national newspaper: "It's going to be the most difficult year we've had in probably 30 years."

Another group, the American Association of School Administrators, said many have already made cuts to transportation, textbooks, technology spending, and extracurricular activities. In a recent survey of school districts, 43 percent of respondents reported budget cuts of 10 percent or less for this academic year, and 21 percent reported cuts of 11 to 25 percent.

Looking ahead to the 2010-11 school year, districts reporting cuts of 10 percent or less from this years level rose to 48 percent. Those foreseeing cuts of 11 to 25 percent jumped to 30 percent.

Schools across the nation are faced with larger class sizes, either eliminating or drastically reducing such programs as art, music and foreign languages. Other cuts have been proposed for summer schools and athletic programs.

In Atlanta, Georgia's Fulton County school system they have been reported doing away with some 1,000 jobs including nearly 500 teaching positions.

On April 14th Sen. Tom Harkin (D) of Iowa proposed a $23 billion school bailout. Hopefully, some of the money will stave off an estimated 100,000 or more education jobs, if it becomes reality.

All this in a time when the last thing we can afford to do is to reduce the quality of our children's education. In an earlier blog writing, I noted 20 percent of high school seniors can be classified as functionally illiterate at the time they graduate. And the United States keeps losing ground in the world ranking of educating our children.

In this one person's view, it's time for the bureaucrats to pay more attention to the education of our youngsters, who will one day be the country's leaders, and less time spending unnecessary funds on pork barrel projects. Our children are more important than spending $107,000 to study the sex life of the Japanese quail or $19 million to examine gas emissions from cow flatulence. And yes, these are actual pork barrel projects.

Immigration and Guns

Laredo, Texas is a border town where I grew up. Years ago I used to cross the bridge and play baseball with kids who lived in Nuevo Laredo. When our ranch worked cattle we had men from across the Rio Grande chasing strays and doing the hard work alongside the American cowboys.

There were also times when Webb County had more than its share of rattlesnakes and we all carried guns on the ranch. Everyone knew there were "wetbacks" (the term commonly used then without today's negative connotation) working on the ranches and who returned to their homes when the work was finished. And guns were a tool, more often than not, loaded with rat shot so all you had to do was point them at a snake and pull the trigger, one didn't have to be a sharpshooter. But, that was a long time ago.

Recently Arizona, another border state, has taken bold steps in matters of immigration and the right to bear arms. I believe in enforcing our immigration laws and in the right to own a firearm but I also believe the path down which these new state laws are heading may create more problems than they will solve.

One new law will give local police sweeping powers in regard to undocumented persons. Currently, immigration offenses are violations of federal, not state, law, and local law enforcement officers only can inquire about a person's immigration status if that person is suspected of another crime. However, Arizona police will have the right to stop anyone on "reasonable suspicion" that they may be an illegal immigrant and can arrest them if they are not carrying a valid driver's license or identity papers.

Picture this, an older man of Mexican descent, who has seen his small town grow and become a Mecca for retired folks, is walking to the store to pick up some milk. It's only a block or so to the store so all he has with him is a few dollars to make his purchase. But he has brown skin and a weathered appearance from years of hard work to send his children to college, and the local, enthusiastic lawman stops him. Since he has no identification with him his trip to the store turns into a trip to jail until a family member or a friend can bring down his ID so he can prove he's a legal resident. Chances are he is either a native born citizen or received his citizenship papers before the young arresting officer was born.

Last year Arizona changed its gun laws to allow loaded guns in bars and restaurants and prohibiting property owners from banning guns in parking areas. Now, a new law will make it legal for U.S. citizens 21 and older to carry a concealed firearm in the state without a permit and to forego background checks and classes that are now required. It is already legal to carry a firearm openly in the Grand Canyon state. Jan Brewer, Arizona's governor, says the law "restores constitutional rights."

The new law goes into effect 90 days after the Legislature adjourns, which could happen in the next couple of weeks, according to The Arizona Republic, a Phoenix newspaper.

In the past a dozen previous attempts were tried but each time the state's governor at the time vetoed the bill. Arizona will now join the states of Alaska and Vermont in allowing concealed weapons without a permit.

In this One Person's View, maybe Arizona should ban motorized vehicles and return to horses and mules for the primary mode of transportation, for it seems to me we are traveling back in time to the days of the Wild West.

I love the independence that forged the west. Along with it was a tolerance that helped the west to grow nearly two centuries ago. I also know times and circumstances have changed drastically and bold measures must be taken. But they must be tempered with not-so-common common sense. And, more importantly they must not be taken out of fear.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt once said: "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself - nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance."

While we are not retreating, perhaps, we might be allowing fear to be responsible for regressing.

Tax Day, Money and New Old Ideas

Across the country yesterday there were thousands of people carrying signs and wearing T-shirts in support of the TEA (Taxed Enough Already) party movement. Allied activists from Maine to Hawaii in hundreds of lively protests, all joined in disdain for government spending.

Many of the signs called for yet another change in Washington, D.C., to rid the halls of Congress of many sitting members. Others called for change in the tax codes. Some even lambasted sitting members for their stance on certain issues.

Although still a relatively small force in the political arena compared to other groups, they are being noticed. Yet, I can't help but think (there's that word again) and wonder - Aren't many of the protesters the very same people who voted to elect those sitting in the House and Senate?

It has often said often: "What is old is new again." Perhaps, it's time to truly examine and begin work on making a few old ideas new again and solving two major problems while saving the government money at the same time.

The first would take a Constitutional Amendment and that is to institute term limits for members of Congress. This would solve a few things at the onset. No longer would members of the House of Representatives devote a great portion of their two year term to raising money for the next election. They could actually focus on issues of the day. And, second the members of Congress would not be as inclined to court the lobbies, or allow lobbyists to court them, for campaign contributions that can raise the question of influencing where they stand on an issue.

In all fairness, there are those who undertake that job with the belief they can help make America a better place. but just imagine how much more productive it might be if a Congressman served one term of four years and the Senate one term of the current six years. Oops! That would mean no more leaving the position with a large war chest of campaign money to take home with them. But that is another topic.

The second idea is the one about doing away with the current tax code. There are close to 60,000 pages of Federal Tax Laws and over 20,000 pages of regulations. The idea of a flat tax would eliminate this and be fair, providing it was done equitably. And, would allow the government to function more efficiently.

These are not novel concepts but they do involve major changes. The current administration and many past administrations triumphed using a variant on the theme of time for change. We are a nation of the people and by the people. Change does not come easily and for it to happen all the people must think and not simply follow blindly.

A Tribute To A Fallen Hero

This is an actual communication written by a commercial airline pilot.

He writes: My lead flight attendant came to me and said: "We have an H.R. on this flight." (H.R. stands for human remains.)

"Are they military?" I asked.

"Yes," she said.

"Is there an escort?" I asked.

"Yes, I've already assigned him a seat. 

"Would you please tell him to come to the flight deck. You can board him early," I said. 

A short while later a young Army sargeant entered the flight deck. He was the image of the perfectly dressed soldier. He introduced himself and I asked about his soldier. The escorts of these fallen soldiers talk about them as if they are still alive and still with us.  

 "My soldier  is on his way back to Virginia," he said. He proceeded to answer my questions, but offered no words of his own. 

I asked him if there was anything I could do for him and he said no. I told him that he had the toughest job in the military and that I appreciated the work that he does for the families of our fallen soldiers. The first officer and I got up out of our seats to shake his hand. He left the flight deck to find his seat.

We completed our preflight checks, pushed back and preformed an uneventful departure. About 30 minutes into our flight I received a call from the lead flight attendant in the cabin. "I just found out the family of the soldier we are carrying is on board," he said. He then proceeded to tell me that the father, mother, wife and 2-year old daughter were escorting their son, husband and father home. The family was upset because they were unable to see the container that the soldier was in before we left. We were on our way to a major hub at which the family was going to wait four hours for the connecting flight home to Virginia. 

The father of the soldier told the flight attendant that knowing his son was below him in the cargo compartment and being unable to see him was too much for him and the family to bear. He asked the flight attendant if there was anything that could be done to allow them to see him upon our arrival. The family wanted to be outside the cargo door to watch the soldier being taken off the airplane. I could hear the desperation in the flight attendant's voice when he asked me if there was anything I could do. "I'm on it," I said. I told him I would get back to him.

Airborne communication with my company normally occurs in the form of e-mail like messages. I decided to bypass the system and contact my flight dispatcher directly on a secondary radio. There is a radio operator in the operations control center who connects you to the telephone of the dispatcher. I was in direct contact with the dispatcher. I explained the situation I had on board with the family and what is was the family wanted. He said he understood and that he would get back to me.

Two hours went by and I had not heard from the dispatcher. We were going to get busy soon and I needed to know what to tell the family. I sent a text message asking for an update. I saved the return message from the dispatcher and the following is the text:

"Captain, sorry it has taken so long to get back to you. There is a policy on this now and I had to check on a few things. Upon your arrival a dedicated escort team will meet the aircraft. The team will escort the family to the ramp and plane side. A van will be used to load the remains with a secondary van for the family. The family will be taken to their departure area and escorted into the terminal where the remains can be seen on the ramp. It is a private area for the family only. When the connecting aircraft arrives, the family will be escorted onto the ramp and plane side to watch the remains being loaded for the final leg home. Captain, most of us here in flight control are veterans. Please pass our condolences on to the family. Thanks."

I sent a message back telling flight control thanks for a good job. I printed out the message and gave it to the lead flight attendant to pass on to the father. The lead flight attendant was very thankful and told me, "You have no idea how much this will mean to them."

Things started getting busy for the descent, approach and landing. After landing, we cleared the runway and taxied to the ramp area. The ramp is huge with 15 gates on either side of the alleyway. It is always a busy area with aircraft maneuvering every which way to enter and exit. When we entered the ramp and checked in with the ramp controller, we were told all traffic was being held for us.

"There is a team in place to meet the aircraft," we were told. It looked like it was all coming together. Then, I realized that once we turned the seat belt sign off, everyone would stand up at once and delay the family from getting off the plane. As we approached our gate, I asked the copilot to tell the ramp controller we were going to stop short of the gate to make an announcement to the passengers. He did that and the ramp controller said, "Take your time."

I stopped the aircraft and set the parking brake. I pushed the public address button and said, "Ladies and gentlemen, this is your Captain speaking. I have stopped short of our gate to make a special announcement. We have a passenger on board who deserves our honor and respect. His name is Private XXXXX, a soldier who recently lost his life. Private XXXXX is under your feet in the cargo hold. Escorting him is Army Sargeant XXXXXX. Also on board are his father, mother, wife and daughter. Your entire flight crew is asking for all passengers to remain in their seats to allow the family to exit the aircraft first. Thank you."

We continued to turn to the gate, came to a stop and started our shutdown procedures. A couple of minutes later I opened the cockpit door. I found the two forward flight attendants crying, something you just do not see. I was told that after we came to a stop, every passenger on the aircraft stayed in their seats, waiting for the family to exit the aircraft.

When the family got up and gathered their things, a passenger slowly started to clap his hands. Moments later more passengers joined in and soon the entire aircraft was clapping. Words of 'God Bless You', 'I'm sorry,
thank you, be proud, and other kind words were uttered to the family as they made their way down the aisle and out of the airplane. They were escorted down to the ramp to finally be with their loved one.

Many of the passengers disembarking thanked me for the announcement I had made. They were just words, I told them, I could say over and over again, but nothing I say will bring back that brave soldier.

I respectfully ask that all of you reflect on this event and the sacrifices that millions of men and women have made to ensure our freedom and safety in the United States of America.

A personal footnote:

As a Veteran I can only think of all the veterans, including the ones that rode below the deck on their way home and how they were treated. When I read things like this I am proud that our country has not turned its backs on our military men and women returning from the various war zones today and give them the respect they so deserve.

I have no doubt every veteran who reads this will have tears in their eyes, I did. But, you don't have to be a vet to have your eyes well up with tears while reading this. Thank you to all who have served and are still serving a grateful nation.

Animals, Children and Prejudice

Many times I have made the remark: "To judge a person's character put them in a room with either a small child or an animal. Then, watch the reaction of the child or animal. There will be no shades of gray. The child or animal will either accept or reject that person based on pure instinct.

When young children play together they do not harbor any prejudice. Plain and simple, children are children. All they see is just another friend or another playmate.

Prejudice is a learned behavior. If a child's parents display the ignorance of prejudice they will eventually mimic that behavior.

As humans we are considered to be the at the top of the food chain. Our brains are capable of many functions. We can think, we can reason, or at least this is what we have been told throughout most of our lives. Science is learning more and more about the animals that are beneath us. Some believe they too may share the traits of thinking and reasoning.

Toddlers and animals also share something most of us adults have lost - innocence and the absence of prejudice. They do not prejudge. They do not carry any preconceived notions.

There seem to be three major forms of prejudice in human beings: racial, sexual and ethnic.

If we watch young children together in a group consisting of different races, sexes and ethnicities the primary prejudice that might be displayed would be sexual, each gender staying together. But I believe this is not prejudice but just a natural grouping at that age.

I believe prejudice is born out of ignorance. Ignorance of someone's culture or simply of a people they really don't know on a more intimate level. This is perhaps fostered by stereotypes that are so far from the true representation.

E.B. White, an American writer, once said: "Prejudice is a great time saver. You can form opinions without having to get the facts."

As adults and role models for our children we should strive to do two things. One - not to pass on a learned behavior such as prejudice to our children. They can think. Let them use that ability to form their own opinions. Two - get the facts. Don't use hearsay or something based on a myth that no one has ever substantiated before you make up your mind.

This is not an ideal world but each of us could help to make it a better one if we judged individuals on their own merit and actions and not by preconceived ideas or someone else's opinion.

A Thinking Man's Dilemma

Recently I spoke with a friend in Hawaii who invited me to the islands. I laughing told her it would be a long drive. Then I recalled seeing a map of our 50th state. On the big island of Oahu there are interstate highways. That's when my dilemma began and I once again started thinking.

The prefix 'inter' means between. The word 'interstate' denotes between states. Just what other state do Hawaii's interstate highways connect with?

Taking great pride in being a thinking man I recalled George Carlin's questioning of many things. For example: "Hot water heater. We have a hot water heater. What the hell do you need with that? Hot water doesn't need heating."

One sign that has always given me pause we see everyday on our roads. "Speed Zone Ahead." Perhaps I just have a warped mind but to me that indicates I should stomp the accelerator because it tells me in the zone ahead I can speed.

Think about what you see and hear everyday. Some of the best things to ponder are found in television commercials. How many products have a testimonial where the person says: "It really works!" Just once I'd like to see a real person in an ad that claims: "This isn't worth a damn."

Jack Handey, an American humorist, is best known for his Deep Thoughts.

He said: "Sometimes when I reflect back on all the wine I drink I feel shamed. Then I look into the glass and think about the workers in the vineyards and all of their hopes and dreams. If I didn't drink this wine, they might be out of work and their dreams shattered. Then I say to myself, "It is better that I drink this wine and let their dreams come true than be selfish and worry about my own liver."

Not long ago I was in a supermarket and noticed a promotion on a package. On a bag of chips it claimed: "You could be a winner. No purchase necessary. Details inside." Did that mean I could open the bag there for the details or, just walk out of the store with the bag and not have to pay for it?

I've often wondered about the thinking of a designated driver. Here is a person who truly cares about his or her friends. If I were a designated driver and watched all my friends have fun for hours, laughing at things only the inebriated can appreciate, I would have a fun night too. When I took them home I'd drop them all off at the wrong house.

Being of the age where I remember the 60s well ... at least some of them. I'll stop with this thought. During the 60s so many took acid to make the world look weird. Today, just as many are taking drugs like Prozac to make the world look normal.

Keep thinking you never know what odd and sometimes nagging thoughts may enter your mind.

As Easy As A B C ? ? ?

Maybe A B C  isn't so simple. An estimated 32 million adults in America - about one in seven - are saddled with such low literacy skills that it would be tough for them to read anything more challenging that a children's picture book or to understand a medications side effects listed on a pill bottle.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Institute for Statistics ranks the United States 19th in the world for literacy.

Does the roadside billboard above give you any idea why?

According to the National Right to Read Foundation:

• 42 million adults can't read at all; 50 million are unable to read at a level that is expected of a fourth or fifth grader. 
• The number of adults that are classified as functionally illiterate increases by about 2.25 million people each year.
• 20 percent of high school seniors can be classified as functionally illiterate at the time they graduate.

 America is considered to be one of the world's most affluent and technologically advanced societies. Free public education is available everywhere, and the federal government spends an estimated $10 billion every year on literacy education.

But the problem does not just lie in our schools. We have people from all generations who have difficulty reading and writing.

Some might include those who design and print signs designed to assist us.

Like many physical diseases, illiteracy knows no age barrier. Many communities are making strides to tackle the problem. Nearly every public library system across the country has some form of program devoted to helping people become better readers.

Programs are in place to help the young read better, to assist the student achieve his or her grade level and to aid seniors with both their reading and writing skills.

There are also foundations dedicated to help solve this problem. One may be just a bit more unique than many of its counterparts Pawprints Literacy Plus. Founded by Ina Hillebrandt, a highly respected independent strategic planning consultant and Woman of the Year in Who's Who, discovered a second career in writing. Pawprints ties reading and writing skills to something everyone can relate to - animals.

Pawprints Literacy Plus' mission is to combine literacy skills with kindness to animals. It enlists the help of many community organizations, as well as many well known celebrities. Pawprints Literacy Plus reaches out to kids of all ages and adults. The foundation also provides tools for teachers in their quest to educate our children and helps seniors write stories. To learn more go to the Pawprints website: www.inaspawprints.com.

As I have written so many times ... One Person Can Make A Difference. GET INVOLVED! Mentor a child, help a senior citizen learn to read so they can understand what the directions tell them on their prescription bottles, volunteer with an organization in your community. As always, if you need guidance in finding some place to help, leave a comment on my blog with your location and email and I'll help you get started.

Just imagine the frustration when everyone is laughing at a sign that you can't read.

GPS and Women's Intuition

As I travel around the country I can't help but notice the increased use of GPS units in all kinds of vehicles. Some I can understand but others I wonder about.

There is definately an advantage to over-the-road truck drivers who make deliveries in places they may have never been before. Just enter the cargoes' destination and they are guided to the drop off point. Or, the four-wheeling enthusiast who goes off road in search of adventure. Punch in a few locations and they can always find their way back to civilization. Other vehicles that benefit from such precise mapping and guidance are emergency vehicles, taxi cabs and couriers.

The ones I wonder about seem to have a common trait however; they apparently have more money than sense. I'm thinking about those who spend close to a quarter of a million dollars or more on an R.V. Those big, beautiful motor homes and coaches that are somewhat limited as to the roads they can navigate.

Many of the opulent rigs are seen daily criss-crossing the country on interstate highways with their GPS either mounted on the oversize dash or being displayed on a laptop computer somewhere near the driver's captain's chair. Now, I may not be on Einstein's level of thinking but how smart do you have to be to read an oversize road sign displayed on our interstate highway system? Does someone really need a programmed voice telling them the next exit is the one where they want to turn? Or, don't they believe the sign that informs them if you want to go to Topeka turn right next exit?

It just seems to me if they can't read a map or simple signs they might really want to consider what would happen if suddenly there was no satellite communication. Would there be drivers wandering all over the countryside or parked on the side of the highway wondering: "What next?" Ah! Maybe it just helps to clarify the meaning of men and our toys.

For years I have pulled my R.V. across the U.S., all through Mexico and Central America with only a road atlas. But, I have my own form of GPS - my wife. Women are natural navigators. If Christopher Columbus would have had a female navigator he would never have gotten lost and landed on our shores.

Gentleman, if you doubt me consider this. As we travel and enter a city we have never been in before, women have a natural gift to tell us how to get to the mall. But the intuition doesn't end there. Once inside the mall, where they have never been, they can go straight to their store of choice without even consulting the little "You Are Here" diagram. Now, their instinct is in high gear. Once in that store they can proceed directly to the exact department and sometimes even the rack where the intended purchase awaits.

Think about this. If you are traveling and somehow take a wrong turn getting lost (which as men we never admit) and your wife begins the litany of: "Do you know where you're going?" Or, "Why don't you stop and ask for directions?"

Just simply reply: "This is a more scenic route to _____ (insert the name of the city)." And ask: "How do you want to go to the mall from here?"

Have a fun Monday!

Our Veterans Deserve Better - Part Three

World War II, the Korean War, the Cold War, the Vietnam War, Grenada, Panama, Lebanon, Iraq, Afghanistan and the military's anti-drug cultivation efforts in South America. What do all these have in common? The simple fact that many of our country's homeless span these eras of history.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) states about one-third of the adult homeless population are veterans. An accurate number is difficult to find but all reports indicate there are more than 107,000 on any given night. That's about the size of the population of Wichita Falls, Texas or Rochester, Minnesota. About 1.5 million other veterans, meanwhile, are considered at-risk of homelessness.

Nearly half of homeless veterans served during the Vietnam era. Two-thirds served our country for at least three years, and one-third were stationed in a war zone. And homelessness is not just a problem among middle-age and elderly veterans. Young vets from Iraq and Afghanistan are trickling into shelters and soup kitchens seeking services, treatment or help with finding a job.

Some advocates say the presence of veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan at shelters does not bode well for the future. It took roughly a decade for the lives of Vietnam veterans to unravel to the point that they started showing up among the homeless. Advocates worry that intense and repeated deployments leave newer veterans particularly vulnerable.

One leader in the VA predicted: "We're going to be having a tsunami of them eventually because the mental health toll from this war is enormous."

George Santayana, a Spanish and American philosopher once said: "Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it."

What concerns me is what will happen when the war is over or when the media scales back its coverage to a blurb on page eight or maybe just a sound bite to fill in on a slow news day. When Vietnam ended, it was over and off the front pages and off the television. Nobody paid attention anymore. I fear our young warriors will then just become veterans, as that is what has happened after every war.

Many Iraq and Afghanistan veterans will lack translatable job skills. Some only have infantry training and where does that fit in the civilian world?

These vets seeking help are more likely to be women, less likely to have substance abuse problems, but more likely to have mental illness - mostly related to post-traumatic stress, according to another VA official.

This week's blog hopefully has shed some light on some of the problems our military and  veterans face today. It is easy to hypothesize not being able to find employment, being burdened with mounting bills and having to apply for food stamps could only end up snowballing and finding more and more veterans on the streets - homeless.

I once read a piece that said our military and veterans signed a blank check to America payable for any amount up to and including their life. Can we, as a nation, stand by and ignore their plight?

GET INVOLVED! Contact your local veterans' organization: The American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, or other groups that are working everyday to help solve these problems. Not sure where to go ... leave me a comment with your geographic location and email, I will do my best to put you in touch with someone in your area that will be more than happy to guide you.