An open letter to Senator John McCain

Dear Senator McCain,

How are you able to securely travel to Libya and meet with the insurgents there?

Does your travel and subsequent meetings mean that American ground forces were available to ensure your safety or does it mean they will soon be deployed in Libya?

In fact, what is the exact purpose or goals of your trip there?

Did President Obama approve of your mission and if so, what does he expect for results from your trip?

In addition to combat air patrols by manned American aircraft, recent news reports indicate that unmanned American drone aircraft will soon be used over Libya.

Are these to be operated and supported by Americans based in Libya, as is done in Afghanistan and Pakistan?

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced that the United States would be providing $25 million dollars in aid to the Libyan rebels, but the aid would be limited to non-lethal items.

Does this $25 million amount include these drones or their supporting equipment and / or staff?

Many people, including myself, do not think that another open-ended involvement in an ongoing Muslim civil war helps long term strategic US goals in the Middle East.

Can you please explain clearly why we are there and what finite military goals have been assigned to our fighting forces?

As an American citizen who voted for you in the last Presidential election, I find your travel to Libya to be most troubling and at this point, I have to conclude that had you been elected, your foreign policy would be as incomprehensible as the current resident of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

Sincerely,

Jim K.

The Kids in the Desert

I can pretty much pinpoint it; that is the time when I first knew I was getting old. It wasn’t a birthday or anniversary. No, it was when I realized I was going to be sending my Son off to a shooting war in Afghanistan.

I remember thinking it would have been easier to go myself; in fact, it would have been preferable. But no, I had transitioned from being one of those called on to protect to be one of those who are protected; a sure sign of age catching up.

While my Son is back home, other’s people kids are there now, working hard to protect us and keep the bad guys at bay.

So, while I know they are men and women, not really kids, I can’t help but think of them that way as I think about all of them still over there and in particular the few that I know personally.

Those kids live, work and fight in a climate that is alternately hot and cold. It can also be perpetually dirty with a sand dust that is fine like talcum powder that gets on everything.

When my Son was there, conditions were really primitive as we had just bombed them and hadn’t moved in to rebuild yet. I am told by others now that things are better (facility wise) for our people there.

But it remains a different kind of war, in an ancient desolate country. Due to the miracles of modern data networks and high-speed computers, I sit here and chat real-time with a youngster who I helped spark an interest in computers when I first met him over six years ago, when his Mother brought him to work with her.

His name is David and he tells me he is doing well, but there is a lot of work with 11 hour shifts and little time for sleep or chow. He also tells me I would be proud of him as he is a Network Administrator for his entire Marine Company. He tells me the name of his location and I know it is a dangerous place. He sends me a smile face when I comment about it being “The Wild West.”

My eyes mist up (another sign of age) and I type back, “Yes, I am very proud of you.’

He gives me an “Oorah” and says goodnight as he clicks off.

Yes, I may be getting old and thanks to some very brave kids in the desert, I will get the opportunity to get a little bit older; we all will.

 “Oorah” and may God bless all our fighting forces in harms way.