Blog Archives - Michael S. Pauley, Author

Michael S. Pauley, Author

Bait & Switch & Deflection

1/28/2015

A few days ago, John Vandiver from Stars and Stripes wrote a story that dove tailed quite well with my Monday’s blog posting. In his story, Mr. Vandiver wrote of the new NATO Secretary-General’s response to the latest claim of President Vladimir Putin. In short, Putin’s drivel goes something like this: “Putin had told students in St. Petersburg Monday that elements of the Ukrainian army were ‘a foreign legion, in this case a foreign NATO legion,’ with the intent to contain Russia.” The response from the NATO Secretary General? “It’s nonsense.”

I would say that NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has hit the nail on the head. Sadly though, there are people in Russia who are highly desirous of believing the bizarre claims made by Putin. In fact, it is that belief in what they are hearing, as opposed to questioning things like their economy, that will permit Putin to continue his actions in the Ukraine. This is a classic bait and switch, which is a tool used universally throughout all global politics. It simply enables a politician to engage in the typical “Look at this, as opposed to having anyone examine the real problem” type of leadership. Of course, the media does a great job of enabling such things too, since face it, we’re still seeing report after report about the inflation of footballs, instead of discussing the real problems facing us from around the globe. ~ Michael S. Pauley

Regardless of political Views...

1/26/2015

Regardless of your political views, this past week was interesting, to say the least. Let us recap, shall we, and for the sake of geography, I’m going to take us around the world by region.

    In the Pacific, we have more antics in the South China Sea, among the nations that border that area, that is sparking a new naval weapons race. The Chinese are upgrading their naval capability and their presence in the South China Sea. In one instance, they even have built a base in the middle of nowhere, by dumping and building on an island that originally was little more than a rock protruding above sea level. This naturally caused concern to their neighbors, and now places like the Philippines and Vietnam are trying to either build up their navies, or some cases, trying to create one. The simple facts are that this is how confrontations take place, and we have something building there that nobody wants to see. (Deflated footballs are far more interesting after all.......)

    In the Middle East, we have Yemen imploding, the death of the Saudi King, and Iran making deals with Russia. The implosion of Yemen is real, and while the implications are yet to fully surface, there will ultimately be a significant impact on our own security. Most certainly, there is an impact on Saudi Security, which is now bordered by several hostile regimes, while at the same time having to adjust to their new internal leadership. To their credit, their succession plan appears to have worked well and efficiently, but for the new King, he will be faced by the hostility arising from ISIL, AQAP, Syria, Yemen, and Iran. Not a great situation for them, especially, when Iran is now openly dancing with Russia. It is also a pretty poor situation for us, when Yemen is part of the US efforts to keep various terrorist groups contained.

    In Russia, the economy is in a precarious position, but to compound their money woes, they appear to have taken a much more aggressive role in the Ukraine. On Saturday, with the use of MLRS systems, the bombardment of Mariupol by separatists began in earnest. So, what does this little city mean to that region? It is the strategic key for Russia and its surrogates to the surrounding area, and would allow them to cut off most of Eastern Ukraine. From a naval standpoint, the use of the Sea of Azov without Mariupol on their flank, along with the ease of transit to and from Crimea, makes this a prime target for Russia.

    Meanwhile, in Europe, terror cells are being sought out, and the terror alerts are at an all-time high. The Central Bank also was heard from, with the easing of some austerity measures, and a change in their policies regarding their purchases of governmental bonds. This is set against a backdrop that has seen the growth of European Nationalism at levels not seen since the end of the Cold War. In short, Europe is in turmoil for monetary, nationalistic, and terror reasons. Then when we toss in the threat of possible Russian aggression, you simply have a nasty cocktail brewing for other bad things to happen.

    Finally, in our own border skirmish with drug cartels, we get word that a drone, “overloaded” with drugs, crashed on our own southern border. If they can bring in drugs with drones, how long will it before other things that are far more threatening to us are also flown in that way? Then finally, there is our attempt to begin some sort of normalization of diplomatic relations with Cuba. This is at the same time our old buddy Putin, and the Russians, are building back up their presence in places like Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela.

    Clearly a busy week, and regardless of where you stand on the basic political issues, these are nothing more than a recap of the facts. There isn’t a slant, there is no bias, and there is no pushing of any one agenda over another one. These are simply the major issues arising and facing us as a nation, and regardless of your preferred method of approaching these problems, they are still serious problems. While there is a hope and desire to avoid such things, we don’t get to pick the time and place of someone else’s actions. One thing is sure, you can’t stick you head in the sand, because if you do, then you invite more of the same. Don’t take my word for it, pick up a history book, where the clear lesson is that you need to stop it sooner, before it grows into something you can’t stop.

    So, going back to basic math, and examining most of this in search of that common denominator, I personally can come up with one answer. Instead of asking, “who deflated the footballs?”, we should be asking, “who is common to almost all of these problems?” I’ve got an answer, and without perhaps knowing all the nuances or even the connection to the South China Sea, I can say that most everything else has a certain Russian Leader’s fingerprints all over it. Again, this is just a simple observation on my part, but if I were a betting man, I would probably pick Putin as my choice of key world troublemaker. ~Michael S. Pauley

Football foul-up

1/23/2015

Even the Superbowl is now a controversy. While none of my favorites made it, I, like most, watch for the competition and commercials. This year, I don't even care about that. Even though these players and teams rake in millions, it is just a game! I thinks a lot of the commentators are missing the point about the deflated ball issue. The point is not whether one team won due to an advantage they manufactured, the point is the cheating itself! This win at all costs mentality sets a poor example for the rest of us, especially the younger fans who look up to these players and long to be like them. What are they learning to be? Cheaters? Thugs who stomp on the guy they just tackled? ( that was not the Patriots but another team) Big, tough men who use their size against their significant others? Football is a sport, not life or death. Let's hope that some of the events of the last couple of years help those in charge take a long look at the culture they are fostering and choose to return the love of the sport back to it. These incidents are not fair to those players who play hard, but with integrity. They far out-number those who are poor examples, but we seldom hear about them. ~Michael S. Pauley

Sleep deprivation

1/21/2015

I've always said that sleep is for sissies, but I still like to get some once in a while. What's keeping me up? Is it the kids coming home at all hours? No! Is it worry over world affairs? Not always. Is it the sirens that go by in the distance all night? Sometimes. These things you can learn to tune out. What wakes me up from a dead sleep every time is the pitter-patter of feline feet as they tromp up and down my spine. The plaintive yowl while being head-butted at 3 a.m. God knows I love our feline housemates (you can't call them pets since no one can own a cat, simply live to serve them). I know they love me and want to get head rubs and tell me about every raccoon and possum wandering the yard, but a man's gotta sleep sometime! It's bad enough when I have to sleep like a contortionist in the circus just to find room for my legs because the cat has claimed his spot. I think we may have to pull a Fred Flintstone, by putting the cat out of the room and shutting the door at night. I am starting to look like an extra in the Walking Dead. I need some sleep! ~ Michael S. Pauley

MLK Day and Poe's Birthday

1/19/2015

Today we celebrate Martin Luther King Day. It is also the birthday of Edgar Allen Poe, one of my bride's favorite authors. While these may seem totally unconnected, both men left a lasting impression on our society. Both men saw the beauty and ugliness in Man and chose to believe in the beauty. Both had a great capacity for love and used words to weave a tapestry that held us all rapt.

While Dr. King was taken many years ago, his dream of a free and loving society is still a process. Unfortunately, there are those elements around the globe whose agenda is the opposite of that freedom and love we all desire. These elements base their hate on their religion, not skin color, and we are all caught in their crossfire. Let us celebrate together, stand together, and keep the dream alive. ~Michael S. Pauley

Space Finds

1/16/2015

Meteorites in Antarctica and Rovers on Mars. Both finds have sent excitement throughout the scientific community. The continuing reports about the meteorite find in Antarctica, with photos of the rock and crater, continue to provide scientists with opportunities to study bits of our solar system. One find left a huge crater and was believed to have been part of a house-sized meteor that split up in our atmosphere. (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2906488/Mystery-mile-wide-ring-Antarctica-Enormous-scar-crater-house-sized-meteorite-hit-Earth-2004.html)

And the Europeans are excited to have found their long-lost Beagle-2 rover on Mars. (http://www.foxnews.com/science/2015/01/14/has-europe-long-lost-beagle-2-mars-lander-been-found/) There are always exciting discoveries, both on our planet and in our solar neighborhood! Enough to keep us busy finding and marveling for years. ~ Michael S. Pauley

Applause to the French!

1/14/2015

A huge round of applause to the staff at Charlie Hebdo for their current edition. While it would be easier to step back and bow to the pressure of the threat of violence, they are taking the braver and more difficult stand. Another round of applause to the French people for their show of solidarity, and for so many in Europe and around the world for standing with them.

Humans have faced this situation often throughout history. Hoping to keep the peace, one group will appease another until the threatening group has gained total control. It takes bravery and a good dose of anger to say "No, it stops here!" Let us hope that this spirit takes hold the world over and these violent thugs do not gain any more territory in the minds of men. “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” ( Edmund Burke) ~ Michael S. Pauley

One Step Closer to Superbowl

1/12/2015

My beloved bride's Packers are one step closer to the Superbowl. Hurray for them. The Panthers are out of contention. You can't have everything. As the Playoffs wind down, I am trying to get up my usual enthusiasm for the Superbowl. Right now, with all that is going on around the globe, it is sometimes difficult to remember to enjoy the events and people around you. I am as guilty as some, more guilty than most, of getting wrapped up in the news, both national and global. I have to remind myself that I can not change or affect these events and the only thing I am accomplishing is raising my own blood pressure. So take a deep breath and enjoy the last few weeks of football! ~ Michael S. Pauley

Supporting Free Speech

1/9/2015

My thoughts and prayers are with those in France who were victims of the murdering terrorists, including their families, who have to live with the sorrow and anger. I support free speech and someone's right to say what they think and feel, even if I may not agree with it. I would not want to be part of any group that has no sense of humor. The ability to laugh at ourselves is what separates us from the animals. Satire and sarcasm usually require a higher level of intelligence, both to create and to understand. Even when I disagree with someone's humor, I don't think the proper response is to kill them. To quote one of my bride's favorite authors, "Violence is the last refuge of the incompetent." Isaac Asimov, Salvor Hardin in "Foundation", US science fiction novelist & scholar (1920 - 1992). ~ Michael S. Pauley

Post-Holiday Malaise

1/7/2015

Now that the adrenaline of the Holidays and the excitement/dread of returning to work and school have worn off, people seem to be walking around with a huge case of Blah-h-h. It seems everyone I see is sort of stumbling around in a daze. Without the focus of getting ready for and celebrating the Holidays, it takes a while to get back in the swing of regular life. I know we have a lot of wandering around, trying to get back on a schedule, back into a productive mind-set. Our efforts are often thwarted by others who are wandering in their own daze and bring our efforts at production to a grinding halt, not through any malice, but as a result of their own post-holiday malaise. Well, let's grab another cup of coffee and see if we can get this show on the road! ~ Michael S. Pauley