Viva Le Revoluccion

Last summer, I was encouraged by a friend in the UK, a socialist, to read the writings of Karl Marx and Che Guevarra. She believed that by reading such material that I may be swayed to abandon my own belief in democracy and embrace socialism. Like those who, in medieval times, tried to turn lead into gold; the experiment failed miserably.

In the interest of friendship, I read Marx's The Communist Manifesto and Che's Motorcycle Diaries. My opinion on Marx is that his theories sound nice, but in practice, they fail miserably. For all his utopian ideals, and the bloody revolutions of the 20th Century, there is not one socialist nation that can call itself truly socialist. As for Che, I think he meant well, for he was definitely touched by the poverty he saw in Latin America, but the ends do not always justify the means. Murder and terrorism are not the way to establish change in society. Instead of becoming a hero to rally the masses, he became a criminal instead.

I do not feel that socialism is a viable form of government. Socialism fails because it does not take into count that mankind is, perhaps by nature, a greedy animal. Socialism is about taking what is yours and giving it to someone else without your permission. Socialism is about surredering your identity to the group. Socialism is about giving up your free will. Socialism is not freedom; it is slavery and humanity has abhored slavery for as long as we have existed. Socialism crushes the spirit of the individual. The individual is required to surrender himself to the state; to prostate himself to the group. Humanity has never liked chains. This too is another reason why socialism fails.

I have turned in Marx's Manifesto to my local library. I've kept Che's books only because they are so eloquently written and they present a vivid picture of life for a peasant in 1950s Latin America. I do not like socialism. I will not surrender my individuality. I like my freedom. I like my right to say 'no, I don't want to do that.'

It is, therefore, with great pleasure that I read that French Conservative, Nicolas Sarkozy, won the national election defeating the socialist candidate, Segolene Royal by a near 8 point percentage margin. Sarkozy's conservative revolution has won a major victory. He won the election but now must live up to his promise to restore France's economy and standing in the International community; a major challenge but one that Sarkozy willingly embraces.

This victory should send a message to the left that their agenda is becoming unraveled. Conservatives have been elected in Mexico, Canada, Germany and now France. Somehow, the message they wish to convey just isn't making it to the voters in the booths.

This is a good day for American and French relations. For the past 12 years, our once valued friendship had been sliding miserably into a bitter rivalry. Sarkozy has promised to restore France's ties with the United States and, to be honest, it is high time we did.

As for the socialists and their radical left contingent who have been handed yet another defeat; I ask the question, perhaps it is time to change your ways?

The National Hurricane Center

In less than a month, it's going to be that time of year again ....

As a weather forecaster for the U.S. Navy, I get the opportunity to deal with the National Hurricane Center (NHC) on a near daily basis starting June 1st and lasting through December 1st.

This will be my last opportunity to work with the NHC before I officially retire and sail off into that sunset known as civilian life. Through the years, I have to admit, working with the NHC has more than been entertaining.

They are smart guys and are good at their profession. The majority of them have years of experience and education behind them. Sometimes, though, too much education can be a hinder to the forecasting process and you just have to go with your gut instincts or be brave enough to say, 'ya know, I ain't got a clue as to where Mother Nature is going to send this one!"

Of course, the NHC does not operate that way. It is, after all, funded by the U.S. Government. Every year, it must fight to justify it's budget requirements. They have been over-creative by making overblown hurricane predictions ensuring that at least one 'monster storm' will threaten the coast of the United States. A good part of the time, they are correct, other times you would think it was time for them to throw away those tarot cards and chicken bones they use.

I have attended many of the conference calls the NHC and the US Navy have to coordinate their hurricane forecasts. I understand that money is tight but sometimes it seems that they will make up a storm that isn't a storm. They will take the slightest tropical disturbance (meaning an area of thunderstorms) and call it a tropical depression even though it may not have the upper level atmospheric support or it's just a short lived incident. Still, numbers will be numbers and the NHC is guilty of padding those hurricane forecast numbers. The discussions sometimes can take on a comical bend as they tend to make up theories to support their imaginary storms. It's as if 150 years of science, history and physics gets thrown out the door with the trash as you listen to a man with a college degree rewrite science to fit his theory.

Anyway, the 2007 hurricane season is going to be fast upon us. Buy your tickets now and get a good seat before the show starts.

Interview with Fred Thompson

Take a look at this link. It is an interview with possible Republican candidate for President, Fred Thompson of Tennessee. It was nice to see a candidate not get all emotionally riled up as if he were at a pep rally.

Of all the Republican candidates, I like Fred Thompson first, with Mitt Romney second and Rudy Guiliani last. McCain lost my support long ago and I've no interest in the other candidates.