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RAPID RESPONSE (Archives)...Daily Commentary on News of the Day
This is a new section.  It will offer fresh, quick reactions by myself to news and events of the day, day by day, in this rapid-fire world of ours.  Of course, as in military campaigns, a rapid response in one direction may occasionally have to be followed by a "strategic withdrawal" in another direction.  Charge that to "the fog of war", and to the necessary flexibility any mental or military campaign must maintain to be effective.  But the mission will always be the same: common sense, based upon facts and "real politick", supported by a visceral sense of Justice and a commitment to be pro-active.  That's all I promise.
GS

Click here to return to the current Rapid Response list


TUESDAY, December 31, 2013

RR#1

"THE PROBLEM OF MUSLIM LEADERSHIP", by Ayaan Hirsi Ali, WSJ Tuesday, May 28, 2013, Opinion, pA15.

How did I miss this when it was published?  This is directly on point regarding whether "moderate Muslim" really exists or whether it is an oxymoron.  If it is the latter, and if there exists no moderate Muslim majority to expunge the Fundamentalists from their midst - and ours -, we are headed for World War. All I can do is to pray that that is not our destiny in 2014 and beyond.

GS


RR#2

Regarding the field of Economics, aptly termed "the dismal science", I must pull a Sergeant Schultz: "I know notttthhhhink."

But Alan Greenspan knows something, even though he had to admit after the 2008 meltdown something to the effect that "I didn't know the gun was loaded". 

Only Paul Krugman, the perpetually liberal economist of the New York Times, is absolutely and eternally secure in his pronouncements regarding the validity of this administration's economic manipulations. 

However, now come two articles worth reading suggesting that Krugman and the Obama administration have had it all wrong.

See "How Britain Returned to Growth", by George Osborne (United Kingdom's Chancellor of the Exchequer), WSJ Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2013, Opinion, pA17. 

See also "The Case For Repealing Dodd-Frank", by Peter J . Wallison, in Imprimis (Hillsdale College), November 2013, Volume 42, Number 11.  

Now I know something.

GS

RR#3

Folks, NUMBERS DON'T  LIE: 2013 STANK.  SO...

HAPPY NEW YEAR.


GS




MONDAY, December 30, 2013

ANOTHER MOVIE REVIEW: "SAVING MR. BANKS".

It has been noted that good...even great...movies get created mainly when the country is down in the dumps.  The Great Depression was one example of this.  Are we witnessing another such period, when truly good movies rise above the wasteland?

Here is yet another movie that is definitely worth the price of admission, and also the price of a box of Kleenex.  Emma Thompson is great, and is now my pick for Best Actress at the Academy Awards.  Tom Hanks is also very good.  But he may have to settle for "Best Supporting Actor", although I'm not sure of that one. 

For "Best Actor", I'm sticking - so far - with Bruce Dern in "Nebraska".  

And I haven't walked out of a movie in months.

GS


SATURDAY and SUNDAY, December 28 and 29, 2013

GREAT JOB, MR. PRESIDENT

Now, what are you going to screw up in 2014? There is no dearth of targets; Turkey, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, Ukraine, even Israel.  We can't wait to see this one.

GS

Obama’s Wasted Year in the Middle East - American Center for Democracy


THURSDAY and FRIDAY, December 26 and 27, 2013

RULE OF LAW? Riiiggghhht.

GS

Obamacare Whac-A-Mole - Yahoo News


WEDNESDAY, December 25, 2013

ANOTHER EDITION OF "AROUND THE WORLD IN EIGHTY OPINIONS..."

So, WHAT  TO DO?  Get back to believing that America is SPECIAL in the world...and that the unbelieving current Administration is developing a vacuum in that world.  That's very dangerous.  Wake up, folks...before it's too late.  

Meanwhile: A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HEALTHY NEW YEAR TO ALL.

GS


TUESDAY, December 24, 2013

The Air of Unreality in NSA Reform - American Center for Democracy


MONDAY, December 23, 2013

No. They are the idiots.

GS

Obamacare Explained (Like You're An Idiot) - Yahoo


SUNDAY, December 22, 2013

RR#1


"AROUND THE WORLD....": INTERNATIONAL EDITION. Stupido, Stupido, Stupido.

GS

In a World He Never Intended (To Make) - American Center for Democracy

RR#2

A BOOK REVIEW:

"Proof of Heaven: A Neurosurgeon's Journey Into The Afterlife", by Eben Alexander, M.D., Simon and Schuster, 2012.

Herein is proof that Dr. Alexander experienced what he describes in great detail. Here is evidence that many others have had similar experiences, all related to the innate and generally unreachable powers of our brains. Here are demonstrations that such experiences can make believers in the Spirit out of the most barnacled among us.

But it is NOT "proof of Heaven".  That reality will have to await the culmination of what we were taught in first grade by the Nuns: that life should be all about Faith, Hope and Charity.  Faith that there is One Supreme Being creating and embracing all; Hope that each of us, individually, is held within that embrace; and Charity as our means of realizing that Hope.

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HEALTHY NEW YEAR.

GS


SATURDAY, December 21, 2013

OBAMACARE;  NOT YET AN EPITAPH, BUT AT LEAST "THE SACRAMENT OF THE SICK", FORMERLY KNOWN A "EXTREME UNCTION". 

See the excellent summary article on this subject by Charles Krauthammer (who else?) posted in the Washington Post and in The Day  on Dec. 20, 2013 entitled: "Health Care Takeover Is Story Of The Year."  Another demonstration of the mantra of the  Liberal Far Left: Articulate, Arrogant, Asinine.              

And JUST OUT: "Told You So: The Big Book Of Weekly Columns", by Ralph Nader, going back to the 1970's.  I should be ready with my own personal version soon.  But meanwhile, you can search out my personal opinions on most controversial subjects by using our web site search engine.  Not exactly "an offer you can't refuse", but an offer nevertheless.

GS


FRIDAY, December 20, 2013

RR#1

IN THE NEW WORLD OF INSTANT COMMUNICATION AND TOTAL OPENNESS, BOTH THE RELIGION AND THE POLITICAL WORLD OF ISLAM CANNOT SURVIVE WITHOUT DOMESTIC AND EXPORTED VIOLENCE.  THUS: "IF YOU WANT PEACE, PREPARE FOR WAR".

GS

"Arab Spring" Delusions - American Center for Democracy

RR#2

MORE ON OBAMACARE: JUST SO YOU KNOW...

GS

The Obamacare ‘Shotgun Wedding’—Marry or Lose Your Home - Yahoo Finance


THURSDAY, December 19, 2013

Demography is Destiny.

GS

Population Control and the Elephant in the Room - Zenit.Org


WEDNESDAY, December 18, 2013

RR#1

HOW OLDER AND YOUNGER BROTHERS SHOULD ACT.

GS


Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Meets with Pope Francis - Zenit.Org

RR#2

"ON THE OTHER HAND..."  Something other than casualty reports.

GS

Thanksgiving - A soldier's view of thanks. One of the best letters that I have received in years . . .

Dear Rich
              I have received two packages from you since I have arrived here and everyone loves them. I know when I get a package from you I think of how many people came together to make it possible. This deployment is much different from my last two deployments. I had change my job to be able to go on this deployment from a combat engineer to a map maker. It's a much different way to contribute to the fight. Don't get me wrong, I still go on patrols about twice a week, I can't stay away from it all together.

          I have not had the same attitude on this deployment as I have had on the last two. Most days I just hate just waking up and going into work, I think I just forgot why I'm here. The other day I was out on a mission and we stopped at a base where Afghan's lived on the base with U.S troops. We parked the trucks and we were going to grab some lunch when all these little kids ran up to us. They started grabbing for our pens, sunglasses, along with asking for money and candy. I can't forget Pepsi, they love that stuff.
So after we gave them all we had, they ran to the next group of soldiers except for these two little girls. They had not gotten anything that we had given out and I asked one of them what do you want? A drink, she said no. I said, what do you want, she laughed and asked me to pick her up. I was shocked that she didn't want anything, she just wanted someone to play with. If you know the kids over here, they always want something and they don't stop till they get it. I showed the little girls how to play hot hands and give high fives. I was standing there and they both grabbed onto my arms and said up, so I lifted them up and up and up. I was so tired from lifting them up I had to stop.
When I was leaving, one of the little girls gave me a bracelet, when I knew she had nothing. It's amazing someone with so little could try to make someone happy with the little they have. I will never forget those little girls or what they did for me. They made me realize what I am, why I do what I do and why I am here. It's nice to help people who need it, to be a helping hand when someone needs it, to protect those who can't protect themselves. Those little girls we helped, will help me make it through this deployment and I thank them for that. The more people realize that we are trying to help and not take over is better for us. With every smile you receive, with every wave, with every giggle you know you're doing a good thing even though a lot of people don't think so.

           I miss home every day and think about the people I left all the time, but sometimes you have to stop thinking about yourself and do for others, just like the way you do. I thank all the people who donate candy, food, DVD's, books etc for my care packages . . . . . all of us here appreciate what you do for us. Without the support from home we could not function. Well, I have to go, work to be done and not enough time to make my boss happy.

Your Friend SGT Papandrea

RR#3

Very interesting, and unfortunately plausible.

GS

In the Cyber Domain, the Best Defense Is Defense - American Center for Democracy

RR#4

Good information regarding Health Insurance...specifically regarding Medicaid...

GS


I'm eligible for Medicaid, but is it good insurance? - Yahoo Finance


TUESDAY, December 17, 2013

RR#1

I'LL BET YOU WON'T BE THE NINTH TO FAIL TO TEAR UP.  MERRY CHRISTMAS.

GS


WestJet airline video goes viral as Santa helps company fulfill Christmas dreams - Deseret News



RR#2

A HISTORY LESSON. I certainly learned.

GS

Who Was Haym Solomon?
Read this fascinating history of the $1 bill –
all the way to the bottom to know about Haym Solomon.
You may be in for quite a surprise!

On the rear of the One Dollar bill, you will see two circles. Together, they comprise the Great Seal of the United States.The First Continental Congress requested that Benjamin Franklin and a group of men come up with a Seal. It took them four years to accomplish this task and another two years to get it approved. 
If you look at the left-hand circle, you will see a Pyramid.

Notice the face is lighted, and the western side is dark. This country was just beginning. We had not begun to explore the west or decided what we could do for Western Civilization. The Pyramid is uncapped, again signifying that we were not even close to being finished. Inside the Capstone you have the all-seeing eye, an ancient symbol for divinity. It was Franklin 's belief that one man couldn't do it alone, but a group of men, with the help of God, could do anything.

'IN GOD WE TRUST' is on this currency.

The Latin above the pyramid, ANNUIT COEPTIS, means, 'God has favored our undertaking.'
The Latin below the pyramid, NOVUS ORDO SECLORUM, means, 'a new order has begun.'
At the base of the pyramid is the Roman numeral for 1776. (MDCCLXXVI)

If you look at the right-hand circle, and check it carefully, you will learn that it is on every National Cemetery in the United States .
It is also on the Parade of Flags Walkway at the Bushnell, Florida National Cemetery , and is the centerpiece of most heroes' monuments.
Slightly modified, it is the seal of the President of the United States , and it is always visible whenever he speaks, yet very few people know what the symbols mean.

The Bald Eagle was selected as a symbol for victory for two reasons:
First, he is not afraid of a storm; he is strong, and he is smart enough to soar above it.
Secondly, he wears no material crown. We had just broken from the King of England .
Also, notice the shield is unsupported. This country can now stand on its own.
At the top of that shield there is a white bar signifying congress, a unifying factor. We were coming together as one nation.
In the Eagle's beak you will read, ' E PLURIBUS UNUM' meaning, 'from many - one.'
Above the Eagle, we have the thirteen stars, representing the thirteen original colonies, and any clouds of misunderstanding rolling away. Again, we were coming together as one.

Notice what the Eagle holds in his talons. He holds an olive branch and arrows. This country wants peace, but we will never be afraid to fight to preserve peace. The Eagle always wants to face the olive branch, but in time of war, his gaze turns toward the arrows.

An (untrue) old-fashioned belief says that the number 13 is an unlucky number. This is almost a worldwide belief. You will almost never see a room numbered 13, or any hotels or motels with a 13th floor. But think about this:

America, which relies on God (not a number) to direct and lead, boldly chose:

13 original colonies,
13 signers of the Declaration of Independence ,
13 stripes on our flag,
13 steps on the pyramid,
13 letters in 'Annuit Coeptis',
13 letters in ' E Pluribus Unum,'
13 stars above the eagle,
13 bars on that shield,
13 leaves on the olive branch,
13 fruits, and if you look closely,
13 arrows.
And finally, notice the arrangement of the 13 stars in the right-hand circle.
You will see that they are arranged as a
Star of David.

This was ordered by George Washington who, when he asked Haym Solomon, a wealthy Philadelphia Jew, what he would like as a personal reward for his services to the Continental Army. Solomon said he wanted nothing for himself, but he would like something for his people.The Star of David was the result. Few people know it was Solomon who saved the Army through his financial contributions ...then died a pauper. Haym Solomon gave $25 million to save the Continental Army, money that was sorely needed to help realizeAmerica’s –our- freedom and independence from England .
Therein lies America ’s Judeo-Christian beginning.
Most American children do NOT know any of this.
They are not taught because their history teachers do NOT know this.
[They were not taught!]
On America ’s Freedom:
Too many veterans gave up too much to let the meaning fade.
Many veterans came home to an America that did not care.
Too many veterans never came home at all.
They served, they died for youfor me.

I hope you will learn about the UNITED STATES DOLLAR BILL, and what it stands for.
America is at a critical juncture.
Let's do whatever we can to save her
while never, ever forgetting:
It is God in whom we put our trust

RR#3

WHAT A BREATH OF FRESH AIR. It may have taken 50 years, but the Agiornamento is finally here.

GS


Pope Francis: A Church That Lacks Prophecy Becomes Filled with Clericalism - Zenit.Org


MONDAY, December 16, 2013

ON HIS KNEES RONALD REAGAN

This is a rather short video that we all should watch, appreciate and fully understand its meaning. 

It is also one that everyone in our government should be forced to watch several times, at least until they get it!!!
 
If you are one of those who do not forward e-mails, please make this an exception and pass this along to everyone in your address book.

http://www.youtube.com/embed/OvN1jTkzXbY?rel=0


THURSDAY through SUNDAY, December 12 through 15, 2013

RR#1

MORE ON OBAMACARE THAT'S NOT TO LIKE.
Reminds me of the old saw: "A camel is a horse designed by committee.

GS

Finding health plans that include the doctors you want - Los Angeles Times

RR#2


MORE...

GS

AP-GfK poll: Health law seen as eroding coverage - Yahoo Finance

RR#3

THE STRIKE AND LOCK-OUT AT L&M HOSPITAL - A Letter to the Editor
 
As a physician working at this hospital for 51 years, I have never witnessed the likes of the disaster unfolding in our midst today.  And, as always, I have shared my great concerns with my colleagues and with Bruce Cummings in timely fashion. Although not in any way involved with the negotiations that have been taking place in recent weeks and months, I am quite familiar with the process of negotiation, having been deeply involved in critical efforts on behalf of the New London Board of Education, the City Council and the preservation organizations for this city in the 1960's and 1970's.  The elements of a successful  process have not changed: honesty, openness, fair play, respect.  I do not perceive these elements on either side here today.
 
Fact: ObamaCare, coming on the heels of our Great Recession, has created a sinkhole for Health Care, with the future in doubt for all of us.  Fact: health care professionals work in and expect collegiality.  Fact: business people think that a "Win-Lose" result really exists.  Fact: union leaders have been encouraged to think that Labor Law includes the right to bargain for "job security" in addition to "salary and working conditions". Fact: health care professionals have great influence on the decisions of their patients regarding both the kind of health services they need and where they seek them. 
 
On the hospital side, the way they are dealing with their nurses - and, truth be known, with their employed physicians - is akin to eating their seed-corn.  On the union side, the nurses may have chosen their representatives poorly, considering the sad state of another noble profession: teaching.  One thing is certain: the current state of affairs will have repercussions for years to come for all of us.  What a shame. 
 
GS

RR#4

OBAMACARE: Washington "legislators", bureaucrats and their medical academicians have no clue about - or stomach for - really needed health care reforms.  But that doesn't prevent them from giving their citizens and the  health care providers - Mafia-like - "an offer they can't refuse". 

In case you have been vacationing on another planet, the following are some headlines and editorials you may have missed on this subject from major newspapers.

Want more?  I'll give you more.  Check out the articles and information posted on this web site under the Categories "Health Law" and "Managed Care", including my offerings going back to 1978.  Yes, things have changed: they've gotten WORSE". Meanwhile, physician and hospital leadership and managed care "suits" continue to cave under Federal orders to "Jump!"...rather than to reply "Sez Who" in the Courts.  And the feckless Public continues to wander around saying "Wha Hoppen"?  What a Team.

GS

RR#5

THIS IS A GOOD MAN, A HOLY MAN, WHO SPEAKS THE TRUTH. THAT COMBINATION WILL ALWAYS CAUSE SOME TO PANIC.

GS

POPE FRANCIS: I'm Not A Marxist - Yahoo Finance


WEDNESDAY, December 11, 2013

ANOTHER MOVIE REVIEW.  My streak of good luck continues.

NEBRASKA.

As another real movie reviewer said, sounding hyperbolic, "Almost Perfect".  This story is filmed in black and white; and both that and the story itself are  "black and white".  No shades of grey here.  And yet it turns out to be, in a strange way, a Christmas story...without any merriment. 

So far, this makes my choices for Academy Awards: Bruce Dern as best actor; his story mother as best supporting actress; and maybe even best cinematography. Now how's that for sticking my neck out?

GS


TUESDAY
, December 10, 2013

THE LAST TIME WE SAW ANYTHING LIKE THIS.  He is missed.

GS

What a Leader! (.pdf)


MONDAY, December 9, 2013

ONCE AGAIN, WITH FEELING:

The offerings of the American Center for Democracy, for which we provide a link on this web site, are excellent.  This one is about Japan today.  "Who knew?"

GS

Japan’s Unseen Revolution - American Center for Democracy


SUNDAY, December 8, 2013

RR#1

REGARDING GUN VIOLENCE. 

Now here's an example of thinking outside the box:

"Treating Gun Violence As A Health Epidemic", by Andrew W. Papachristos, The Day (www.theday.com), Dec. 8 2013, Opinion pC7.  This is akin to what engineers talk about regarding "accidents"; namely, THE ACCIDENT CHAIN.

GS

RR#2

MORE ABOUT OBAMACARE.  Read it and weep.  Just don't get sick.

GS

When confidence is broken ... Promises not fulfilled cast a pall on Affordable Care Act - The Day


SATURDAY, December 7, 2013

RR#1

THE POPE IS RIGHT ON TARGET. WITNESS THE REACTION...

GS

POPE'S CRITIQUE OF CAPITALISM RAISES IRE ON THE RIGHT - Yahoo News

RR#2

"RES IPSA LOQUITUR"

GS

Obama Editorial Cartoons from Foreign Countries (.pdf)

RR#3

NELSON MANDELA: For once, all the praise is not hyperbole.

GS

What Would You Have Done? Nelson Mandela and American Conservatives - Gingrich Productions


FRIDAY, December 6, 2013

RR#1

YET ANOTHER MOVIE NOT TO MISS...but don't read any reviews beforehand.

"Philomena", with Judy Dench and Steve Coogan, is Grade A all the way...despite or because of the terrible subject matter: the Irish Magalena Laundries.  But, to the movie reviewer who suggested that it might have started out as a comedy, I award a consultation with a psychiatrist.

GS

RR#2

AMEN.

GS

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Number_of_guns_per_capita_by_country

Hi dad--I can't tell.  It wouldn't surprise me, though.  4 of my friends hunt.

[David]

David,

are these figures accurate?  If so, Admiral Yamamoto - who lived for a time in America, was right on target when he cautioned against invading the U.S.  "There is a gun behind every blade of grass".  

If accurate, I'll post it.

Thanks.

Dad [GS]

Interesting slant on things
AMERICA'S HUNTERS

Pretty Amazing!

There were over 600,000 hunters this season in the state of Wisconsin ...
Allow me to restate that number:  600,000!

Over the last several months,  Wisconsin 's hunters became the eighth largest army in the world.

That’s more men under arms than in Iran.   More than France and Germany combined.


These men, deployed to the woods of a single American state,  Wisconsin, to hunt with firearms,and NO ONE WAS KILLED.


That number pales in comparison to the 750,000 who hunted the woods of Pennsylvania andMichigan 's 700,000 hunters, ALL OF WHOM HAVE RETURNED HOME SAFELY.

Toss in a quarter million hunters in West Virginia and it literally establishes the fact that thehunters of those four states alone would comprise the largest army in the world.

And then add in the total number of hunters in the other 46 states.
It's millions more.

________  The point? ________

America will forever be safe from foreign invasion with that kind of home-grown firepower!

Hunting... it's not just a way to fill the freezer.

It's a matter of national  security.

***************************************

That's why all enemies, foreign and domestic, want to see us disarmed.


Food for thought, when next we consider gun control, whether you agree with it or not.

Overall it's true, so if we disregard some assumptions that huntersdon't possess the same skills as soldiers, the question would still remain...

What army of 2 million would want to face 30 million, 40 million, or 50 million armed citizens???

For the sake of our freedom, don't ever allow gun control or confiscation of guns.


THURSDAY, December 5, 2013

REGARDING "AMERICAN EXCEPTIONALISM", THIS IS "WHA HOPPEN?"
Now let us ask: What is the definition of "Treason"?

GS

How to Castrate a Super Power - American Center for Democracy


SUNDAY through WEDNESDAY, December 1 through 4, 2013

MORE PROOF OF LIBERAL SCHIZOPHRENIA. They disapprove of just about everything President Obama has done...but a plurality of them would still vote for him! At least now we have a diagnosis. Now on to the treatment, in 2014 and in 2016.

GS


Most youth unhappy with Obama's job performance: poll - Yahoo News



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