I’m alone this week back in Virginia while my wife Shelley remains in Kansas City to care for our grandchildren when their mom and dad are in a busy season. So, in the quiet of our home, I have time to think. I think a lot about what I’m currently writing. That’s a book on the future of artillery warfare. Not the cheeriest topic, but one that needs addressing. More on that further down this page. But there are other topics that arouse my curiosity as I periodically pause my writing to check in on the news. It’s pretty easy to do since I have easy access to the business of life at my fingertips. So, here are some things that I am following and my thoughts about them.
Syria
In the early months of 1982, I lived in Damascus, Syria when I was assigned to the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO) as part of Observer Group Golan that oversaw peacekeeping forces and observers in the Golan Heights. That was a fascinating three months during which I was one of two American officers who served alongside 18 Russian officers in the operations center in Damascus. I won’t dwell on that here. You can read about it in great detail in my book Yanks in Blue Berets: American UN Peacekeepers in the Middle East. (You can get a copy below.)
I bring up Syria because since it’s in the news these days, I am reminded about what life was like there. Damascus was a fascinating place. The sights, sounds, and busyness remain vivid in my mind. But the recent news that the US is making overtures to a new government there—one that overthrew decades of tyranny—is interesting. Former terrorists whose credibility is questionable are now in charge. Yet if the US can foster a spirit of cooperation with Syria that causes it to turn from Iran, Russia, and terror, then it’s worth doing.
In that regard, I think about the everyday people there whose paths I would cross on any given day. They have suffered much and if the US can help alleviate that while setting the conditions for peace, then that portends hope for the future. Let’s also hope, however, that when we lift the economic sanctions on the new Syrian government that such will be accompanied by positive actions by Syria to advance regional peace. Am I skeptical? Yes. Would I go there tomorrow to be the US Ambassador? I would eagerly do so to help resolve the years of war and deprivation. (I’m not expecting a call.)
Taxes and Spending
Taxes and spending now dominates the news domestically. Most of you already know that I think the bourgeoning spending is atrocious. The waste and fraud are indisputable. That Washington has not already reined it in is deplorable. Yet we see that some progress is being made to advance legislation which will begin to roll back excessive spending. Will it be enough? Probably not. But even if it’s modest, there is hope.
The same can be said of sustaining and furthering tax cuts in the country. People who love big spending often say, however, “How will we pay for those tax cuts” as if the taxes we already pay are something we are required to buy back! No. Tax cuts simply allow us to keep more of what we have earned. The government does not own our money. We do. And I am ready to keep more of what is mine.
Military Preparedness
Some people will accuse me of being hypocritical on the spending issue. Why? Because one area that requires more spending is to build back the military preparedness we need to be ready to defend this nation from some very real adversaries. You can debate that point up until the time the enemy decides to attack. Then the debate on spending ends and hopefully we will have prepared for the fight. You go to war with the force you have. We have a lot of work to do here.
Gardening
I like to garden, particularly at the river where I raise tomatoes, cucumbers, green beans, and peas. Those all make for delicious meals over the summer and into the fall. Sometimes I plant broccoli later that does well in cool weather. And this year I stared a few oak trees from acorns. Gardening is good for the soul.
Adopt a Highway
I hate litter and really have a low regard for people who carelessly throw garbage on our roads. That’s why I organized our neighborhood at the river to adopt our road to keep it clean. Virginia has that program where VDOT will erect a sign for us after we do two organized pickups. After years of thinking, I acted. That’s important too.
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