Business Bootcamp for Disabled Vets

Texas A&M University has a long military heritage. It supplies more officers to the U.S. military than any other college or university in the U.S. other than the military colleges. I am proud of my university and that heritage. The article linked below is one more example of A&M's commitment to those who serve our country.


Disabled vets muster at business boot camp

When our soldiers return from active duty, adjustment to civilian life can be difficult. I applaud all those who seek to make that transition a little easier. Our country did a poor job of assimilating Vietnam Veterans. We must do a better job with our Iraq and Afghanistan Vets as well as those who served in other parts of the globe. After all, they have given themselves -- even their very lives -- that we might enjoy the freedom that we have.

Iraqi Reconstruction and Budgets

Even as I continue to support the efforts of our troops and the Bush administration in Iraq, I agree that a successful conclusion to the operation is desirable. Part of success is the ability to stand on one's own feet and to take charge of one's own future. Reports of significant budget surpluses for the Iraqi government are an indicator of the success of both our efforts to reconstruct their country and of their own efforts at establishing a sound economic basis for survival.

While it is desirable that we continue to have a significant role in how the Iraqi economy is shaped as it moves toward our disengagement, it is also desirable for the Iraqi people to take greater responsibility for their own success. It is time that they utilize the oil revenue that has been enabled due to our efforts, to invest in their own country. I agree with Senator Cornyn's call for the Defense Department to begin transitioning reconstruction of Iraq's infrastructure to the Iraqi government. Let them pay their own way now that the means are available.

A RISKy Game

Have you ever played RISK? It is a strategic board game in which you assign armies to the countries which you hold. You then attack other countries or defend your own if being attacked. The object is to gain complete control of all of the countries represented on the board. The game is great for teaching basic strategic thinking.

Generally there are two basic types of players of the game. One is defensive -- always worried about holding onto what they have. They tend to play reactively. If attacked in a specific place, they quickly build up armies in that place in order to defend against the next attack. They are motivated by the fear of losing. The other type of player is offensive in nature. They are always on the attack. They look for and probe weaknesses in their opponents. They will often sacrifice some areas for the sake of an overall strategic plan. They usually win.

Mr. Obama seems to be the first type of player. Let's put 10 armies on Afghanistan. We don't need them in Iraq anymore because we haven't been attacked there lately. I don't like losing. Do you? Then why back a loser?

Character: Measuring the Course

One of the marks of a great person is the willingness to stand by a higher ideal or measure than the average man. One of the things that I believe sets President George W. Bush above the crowd is his willingness to stand by his commitments and beliefs -- even in the face of opposition and attack. To some, this can be seen as a weakness.

I think it is a matter of personal integrity when you view such character as to whether it is strength or weakness. To me, a true friend is one who will stand by you no matter what. An honorable man is one who after giving his word will keep it -- even to his own detriment. Those who would change their mind at every whim or according to the most recent poll are less than a man.

It seems to be the vogue to focus on one's self-interest. It is what is taught us by television, movies, popular personalities and political candidates. It requires true character to define oneself in the realm of right and wrong. Right and wrong don't change. Circumstances can change, courses sometimes must be adjusted, but once committed one needs to stay the course even when it hurts to do so -- if it is the right thing to do.

The young Senator from Illinois has not learned that lesson. It is clear that his mindset is "all about me." It reminds me of a recent President who defined words based on whether they were in his own self interest. How could we even consider going back to that?

Playing Games With Service Funding

Whether for or against the war in Iraq, every one of our elected representatives should be working diligently to provide funding for our military. Playing games with the paychecks of our servicemen and women is unconscionable. Just fund it. No pork. No games.

What is the Top Issue of the Campaign?

I've said it before, it's the economy. Not everyone agrees though that the economy will be the defining issue of the 2008 Presidential race. Some believe it is the candidate's positions on Iraq that will be the deciding factor. What is going on in Iraq has profound consequences for our economy. They are deeply interconnected.

I don't believe in wars for purely economic reasons unless they are a matter of survival. But, think of what happens if we pull all of our troops home. Does it have an impact on unemployment? Does it have an impact on jobs in the defense related industries? What about oil prices? Will a politically unstable Iraq be good for oil prices? The situation isn't great now but it is improving. What happens if we pull out before they can stand on their own? Will we be handing them over to Iran? It is very difficult to separate the issues.

The people in the U.S. want to see something done about the price of gasoline. They want their heating and cooling costs to come down. This fall, they will ultimately decide based on their perception of which candidate is best for their pocketbook. Every other issue will be secondary.