Monthly Archives: October 2010

Flip That Bank!

Posted on October 26, 2010 by Jim Wheeler

In political blogging about the Great Recession it is a common thread to find someone or something to blame.  Amidst all the mud-slinging and counter-arguing the easiest thing for the beleaguered voter to do is to blame the president.  He … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Federal Government, Fiscal Policy | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Dutch Sandwich, Anyone? Yum, Yum

Posted on October 23, 2010 by Jim Wheeler

According to ABC News Friday evening, reporting on research by Bloomberg writer Jesse Drucker, Google, Microsoft and other corporations are using a financial strategy called the “Dutch sandwich” to legally avoid corporate taxes in the United States.  ABC News said … Continue reading →

Posted in Accountability, excessive executive salaries, Federal Government, Government waste, Taxes | 9 Comments

Graybeard Reflections

Posted on October 22, 2010 by Jim Wheeler

One of the benefits of retirement is having the time and inclination to reflect on the human condition.  When I was still working life was pretty much a cycle of work-related concerns interwoven with welcome family time.  Entertainment and sleep … Continue reading →

Posted in Armed Forces, Medical errors, Philosophy, Submarines, Technology | Tagged , , , | 8 Comments

A Challenge For The GOP

Posted on October 19, 2010 by Jim Wheeler

A perfect storm of healthcare crisis has descended on us.  Right in the midst of the Great Recession the baby boomers have begun to retire at the same time as the obesity epidemic blooms, portending an explosion of heart disease … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Federal Government, Medicine | 11 Comments

Heroism – What Is It?

Posted on October 14, 2010 by Jim Wheeler

In trading blog posts with me recently, fellow blogger Captain Anson Burlingame used the phrase, “heroic military leadership”, and he mentioned possibly applying it to General Franks, a man who planned and executed the invasion part of the Gulf War … Continue reading →

Posted in Armed Forces, U.S. Armed Forces, War | 13 Comments

An Honorable Man

Posted on October 10, 2010 by Jim Wheeler

In my recent post, Obama’s Wars, A Book Report,   I commented on the contributions of various top officials, including Thomas E. Gates, the Secretary of Defense.  In the context of passionate discussions over war strategies past, current and future, … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 15 Comments

Religious Freedom in America, or Why School History Books Stink

Posted on October 9, 2010 by Jim Wheeler

There was a massacre of an entire wagon train, about 120 Christian men, women and children on 9/11.  The “Mountain Meadows Massacre” was committed in 1857 by Christians of a different sect, Mormons.  This might seem bizarre, but historically speaking … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

War: What If?

Posted on October 8, 2010 by Jim Wheeler

Anson Burlingame, fellow blogger, retired Navy Captain, ex-nuclear-submarine skipper, has proposed an online discussion of the nature of war, with the context being America’s controversial strategy for the Afghan War. As an opening post for a continuing discussion of indeterminate … Continue reading →

Posted in Ethics / Morality, Nuclear weapons, Terrorism, War | Tagged | 8 Comments

Obama’s Wars, A Book Report

Posted on October 6, 2010 by Jim Wheeler

Bob Woodward’s book is the most remarkable non-fiction work on politics and war that I have ever read. In this remarkable narrative filled with direct quotes and statements backed by documented sources President Obama comes through as a strong leader … Continue reading →

Posted in Armed Forces, Terrorism, U.S. Armed Forces, War | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Good Enough To Gobble

Posted on October 3, 2010 by Jim Wheeler

Turkey Creek Trail, the newest addition to Joplin’s trail system was a pleasant surprise to us.  Only a quarter mile south of our little development here in Waters Edge it is like a rural chunk of Ozark mountain scenery transplanted … Continue reading →

Posted in Local government, Nature, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment