A Need For Speed

Scramjet engines have been on the drawing board for years.  It seems that Boeing has been able to get one launched -- with speeds up to Mach 5!  It is still a long way from being perfected as a more economical mode of propulsion, but this is progress!

New Technology has Creators Floating On Air

Imagine, 45 minutes from New York to L.A.....

Not So Science Fiction Any More

Defense technology has always interested me, as has science fiction.  I grew up on "laser gun" science fiction.  It appears to be getting very close to reality now, with the recent tests by Raytheon agains UAV's.

Anti-aircraft laser unveiled at Farnborough Airshow

The article points out a number of the problems with the technology but also indicates that this is a major step forward.  Let us hope that it doesn't fall into the hands of the Taliban or any of the Al Qaeda linked groups that are often the targets of our UAV's.

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.

Subsidies, Trade, Agriculture and Security

Rising global food prices have created some interesting dynamics in recent trade discussions. In the past, agricultural subsidies and import/export tariffs have been a sticking point in any negotiations. One reason for this is that many countries wish to protect their agriculture industry due to security concerns. If world agricultural product prices are low, many industrialized countries cannot compete on the world market. Their producers are threatened with failure. So, the governments of those highly developed economies typically subsidize their farmers in some fashion so that they can remain in business and thus keep agriculture viable.

With high food prices, the subsidies are not as necessary to maintain viability for famers in advanced economies. They can compete with low-cost producers such as Brazil. This provides the opportunity for those governments to offer a cut in farm subsidies in exchange for things like reduced import tariffs for manufactured goods in countries that have erected barriers to protect their industry for reasons similar to industrialized countries protecting agriculture.

Ultimately, the most efficient way to allocate the world's resources is with a completely open, free market. This of course would necessitate that the world's governments all feel safe enough from their neighbors to believe that dropping protective barriers is prudent. Those barriers are like an economic stockade or fort. Just as a country seeks to protect itself militarily, it must protect itself economically.

In the last 30 years, the U.S. has exposed itself economically, yet has maintained its world preeminence in some respects, by its military power. Countries fear to take economic retaliation on the U.S. because of the potential for an overwhelming military response. Our dependence on foreign oil has weakened our position. We now are at extreme risk due to our high dependence on foreign sources of petroleum. Have we stretched our military capacity to the point that the military threat is less likely to offset that economic threat?

We must achieve energy self-sufficiency. We also must remain vigilant to maintain our food security. The greatest strength of our country is our economic system. It is also our greatest point of vulnerability. If we are hostage to foreign sources of energy -- or, through exposing our agricultural sector to extreme market vulnerability by eliminating a system of price subsidies -- we offer ourselves to the mercy of our enemies.

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?

Cornyn Enjoys Significant Lead in Poll

U.S. Senator John Cornyn of Texas has demonstrated strong leadership in border security/immigration issues, energy production to ease our dependence on foreign oil, taking care of our military and their families and in promoting high ethical standards for members of Congress. In spite of -- or perhaps because of --his efforts in the service of his constituency which shares those same values, the Democrats have painted a large bullseye on his back. Their recruit for those purposes is a seemingly confused Rick Noriega.

In spite of their efforts, Senator Cornyn continues to enjoy a significant lead according to the latest Rasmussen poll. There will be continued attacks from the left, but the voters of Texas are usually fairly astute at seeing through the smoke screen.

The Next Class of Leaders

The son of good friends of mine recently graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. He very quickly was sent to his new station in a country that I cannot disclose. His specialty is military intelligence although that isn't what they call the degree. He is an impressive young man. Very poised and intelligent.

The next class of future officers just now headed off to the various military academies. They are the future leaders -- not only of the military services, but of our country. I wish them the best. They, along with many other fine young men and women who will be seeking careers in other areas, give me the sense that the future of our country is in good hands. They deserve our support as they commence this new phase of their life.

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.