A conversation with General Petraeus

Click here for a 45 minute interview with General Petraeus.

I was so disgusted by the democrates grandstanding during General Petraeus's report to congress. Pro Democrate groups like Moveon.org slandering the Petraeus name even before he made his report to congress was just another push of public perception into the dirrection of ignorance. I was so ticked off by the democratic showboating that I just couldn't bare to watch anymore after only a short while of viewing it. The Democrates attempts to twist the facts, ask questions that are not in the control/duty of Patraeus, and then there was the complete idiots who choose not to ask questions, but instead to take the chance to basicly call General Petraeus a liar, well it makes this American sick.

The facts are the facts and if you wish to hear General Petraeus get into details about the facts, the current dynamics, the new dirrection, the political engine in Iraq, anbar, and very interesting take on Iran.......View the video link. It is the best interveiw I have seen with the general since the Anbar Awakening.

Movie Review - Ken Burns The War

A very interesting look at World War II and the lives of those who lived it on the front lines and on the home front.
I was very pleased with the work that Ken Burns did in making his documentary "The War". I hope that it encourages more vets to participate in the Library of Congress's Veterans Project. I was surprised after all the uproar of some who felt Ken Burns did not represent the Latino contribution. There is some great interviews of Japanese Americans of the 442nd and also there was a lot about the African American contribution. So after all the hype of those who felt Ken's documentary was biased I say they must not have watched the same show I saw.
The first part probably hit me the closest to home, and I did have some hellish dreams that night. The unit that I found of most interest (which may be why I ended up dreaming I was there) fought a rear action in New Guinea. These U.S. Troops performed guerrilla operations within the enemy’s rear and were very successful in interrupting and disrupting the enemy. They didn’t have a lot of information on that operation and I am still searching for a good source.
Mr. Burns addressed PTSD very well. It is sad how ignored and stigmatized PTSD was back then. There have been a couple other specials that have discussed this important issue. One thing I found interesting is how many Vietnam vets have been re-experiencing PTSD. One of those interviewed said that every time he watches the News he feels anxious and upset and his PTSD had come back again. To him and all Americans I say STOP watching the News on TV !! Argh ! I know I sound unsympathetic to some, by saying that. However it has been haunting me since I heard him say that the News had affected him so badly. Our news today focuses so much on the bad and not on the successes that the News is now completely out of touch with the realities. The fact is War is hell. It grinds up good men in hopes of bringing security and freedom to those in need. There are many Veteran groups, other than the VA that are very helpful in the treatment of PTSD. If you have a friend or family who has served, be sure to encourage them to seek help if you see a change in their character or behavior. Here is some links for how to spot PTSD.
PTSD, a specific diagnosis, is not the only psychological damage soldiers can sustain. And experts say that mental disorders can make the already rugged transition from military to civilian life a harrowing one. Soldiers can experience depression, hypervigilance, insomnia, emotional numbing, recurring nightmares and intrusive thoughts. And in many cases, the symptoms worsen with time, leaving the victims at higher risk for alcohol and drug abuse, unemployment, homelessness and suicide. - msnbc
I hear the words humanity and humane used so much nowadays that it has lost all meaning. It makes me think, have we forgotten/ignored how inhumane humans can be? As long as there are humans there is likely to be wars. The moment we forget that, and we let our guard down, we take two steps backwards. - Ian Bach

Veteran's History Project - Library of Congress

I have been watching the PBS special "the War" which is based on information about World War II collected by the Veteran's History Project. I hope to encourage more people to get involved with this project. I think it is a great project. I have learned a lot about military groups and operations I previously had never heard of. Veterans from all Wars are encouraged to participate. - Ian Bach

"The War" by Ken Burns, The story of World War II is a story shared by millions of Americans, but as time goes by, many of these stories are being lost. For those who served our nation, from the battlefront to the home front, every story deserves to be heard. That's where you can help.

PBS and Florentine Films have partnered with the Veterans History Project (VHP) in a massive effort to capture the stories of men and women who experienced the war first-hand before the generation that witnessed World War II has passed.

The Veterans History Project is part of the Library of Congress and honors American war veterans and civilian workers who supported them by preserving stories of their service to our country. VHP collects and archives the one-of-a-kind stories that represent the diversity of the veterans who served our country — veterans from all conflicts, from all branches of the military, all ranks, all races and ethnicities.

The Veterans History Project relies on volunteers to collect and preserve stories of wartime service.

Primary focus is on first-hand accounts of
U.S. Veterans from the following wars:

• World War I (1914-1920)
• World War II (1939-1946)
• Korean War (1950-1955)
• Vietnam War (1961-1975)
• Persian Gulf War (1990-1995)
• Afghanistan and Iraq conflicts (2001-present)

In addition, those U.S. citizen civilians who were actively involved in supporting war efforts (such as war industry workers, USO workers, flight instructors, medical volunteers, etc.) are also invited to share their valuable stories.

How did the Veterans History Project start?

The United States Congress created the Veterans History Project in 2000. The authorizing legislation (Public Law 106-380), sponsored by Representatives Ron Kind, Amo Houghton, and Steny Hoyer in the U.S. House of Representatives and Senators Max Cleland and Chuck Hagel in the U.S. Senate, received unanimous support and was signed into law by President William Jefferson Clinton on October 27, 2000.

Organizations can become official partners: veterans' associations, military and history organizations, colleges and classrooms, and ongoing veterans' oral history projects. Please visit our partner page for more information on how to become an Official Partner or Official Youth Partner.

PBS Web page

http://www.pbs.org/thewar/vet_hist_project.htm

Petraeus Video Interviews

A conversation with General David Petraeus - Video interview 9-14-2007

David Petraeus - Biography and Video interview 4-26-2007

The first link will also lead you to various related video interviews and includes an interview with Petraeus on 3-1-2004

I have been very discouraged and have begun to hate watching Charlie Rose. Mr. Rose has a bleak picture in his view of Iraq and I don't think one interview with Petraeus will change it anytime soon. But I was proud to see General Petraeus's interview and his responses to Charlie's hard hitting questions. I recommend anyone with a pro or con view watch the interview. It should be available online at the above link for a while I hope. No matter what your view is you will learn a lot about the current dynamics and events taking place. Also I think General Petraeus hit all the correct points about Iran that need to be addressed. As I have said before the nuclear program is hindering the financial state and future of Iran. Iran’s economy has seen increasing inflation within the past few years and it is on the verge in some respect of this perhaps becoming a long term problem for Iran. Iran has a large population of young people who will need jobs soon and I think Petraeus has a good take on the problems Iran faces in the near and distant future relative to their actions abroad and inactions at home.

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Here is a Video interview with General Petraeus with CBS
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0Vp1Eq2QY0

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http://www.army.mil/-links/2007/08/17/4477-gen-petraeus-interview/

Gen. Petraeus Interview

Aug 17, 2007
BY Soldiers Radio and Television

Gail McCabe interviews Gen. David Petraeus.

SRTV's Gail McCabe sits down for an exclusive interview with Gen. David Petraeus, commander of Multi-National Force-Iraq.

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Petraeus, Crocker Discuss Iraq Assessment
Army Gen. David Petraeus and U.S. Ambassador Ryan Crocker discuss their Iraq war report, as Democratic leaders call for a speedy troop withdrawal and President Bush prepares to make a prime-time speech Thursday.

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/military/july-dec07/petraeus_09-12.html

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More Interviews incoming soon..........

"From Good to Great"

Originaly done as a study of fortune 500 companies that went from good to great over a 15 year period from the past 45 years. The study took 5 years and yielded amazing results. I hope you take the time to read some of Jim Collins writings. I know I will be reading his book "From good to great". The application of his findings not only to business but also to education (the grade school with the worse literacy in Yuma Arizona adopted the methods and yielded 100% literacy in its first year), police (in Paticluar Dallas Texas PD was mentioned on PBS - Grats to them and thier new Chief of police who broght crime down 20% and homicide down 10% in his 1st year and similiar resluts look good for his second year in service), and government has seen some amazing results.

The amazing thing is the type of people who have achieved great things. In business and society we think of the charismatic person or the person with the gift of Gab as someone who would be a great leader. Yet the police chief in Dallas is somewhat more of a shy reserved person. The mayor described meeting him the first time and he loooked down at his shoes. Yet this humble man suceeded where others had failed. What is the recipe that makes this so achievable. I will Let Mr. Jim Collins explain that..... since I am still learning more about his findings, lectures, and writings.

Are you a Hedgehog or a Fox?

Read excerpts

Text excerpts from...
Good to Great and the Social Sectors
Why Business Thinking Is Not the Answer
by Jim Collins

The following are short excerpts from the monograph Good to Great and the Social Sectors: Why Business Thinking Is Not the Answer, published in 2005 by Jim Collins. The full monograph can be obtained from many local bookstores and major online booksellers. In addition, you might like to visit the Lecture Hall section of his Web site, where you can find audio excerpts from the monograph.

Author’s Note

During my first year on the Stanford faculty in 1988, I sought out professor John Gardner for guidance on how I might become a better teacher. Gardner, former Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare, founder of Common Cause, and author of the classic text Self-Renewal, stung me with a comment that changed my life.

“It occurs to me, Jim, that you spend too much time trying to be interesting,” he said. “Why don’t you invest more time being interested.”

Click here for more at Jim Collin's web site