Years ago, I came across this story in one of Stephen Covey's books, and it reminds me now of the dangers that can lie ahead when you have an arrogant, stubborn man in charge of your destiny. This captain too, demanded to "stay the course". (The article by Frank Koch in "Proceedings", the magazine of the Naval Institute, was printed in Covey's book.)


Two battleships assigned to the training squadron had been at sea on maneuvers in heavy weather for several days. I was serving on the lead battleship and was on watch on the bridge as night fell. The visibility was poor with patchy fog, so the captain remained on the bridge keeping an eye on all activities.

Shortly after dark, the lookout on the wing of the bridge reported, "Light, bearing on the starboard bow."

"Is it steady or moving astern?" the captain called out.

Lookout replied, "Steady, captain," which meant we were on a dangerous collision course with that ship.

The captain then called to the signalman, "Signal that ship: We are on a collision course, advise you change course 20 degrees."

Back came a signal, "Advisable for you to change course 20 degrees,"

The captain said, send "I'm a captain, change course 20 degrees."

"I'm a seaman second class," came the reply. "YOU had better change course 20 degrees."

By that time the captain was furious. He spat out, "Send, I'm a battleship. Change course 20 degrees."

Back came the flashing light, "I'm a lighthouse."

We changed course.
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(Of course, today our "captain" (better known as "the decider") who is overseeing the Iraqi War, cannot bear to utter those words of change. He would rather remain stubborn and arrogant (while many young Americans get killed), instead of voicing those three little words, "I was wrong".

Since RFK Jr. launched his whistlebower lawsuits targeting several E-vote machine manufacturer (over FRAUD- related issues), the Bush regime has sprung into action.

Kennedy was told that they FIRST had to consult the Department of Justice. Alberto Gonzalez's Department of Justice proceeded to issue a GAG ORDER for 60 days. (That would squash any investigations BEFORE the election.) Isn't this In-Your-Face obstruction of justice?

But IMO the bigger issue is this. After what happened in the Ukraine, and now what is happening in Mexico (concerning MASSIVE "election-fraud" demonstrations everywhere in the country), we see how desparately hungry some citizens of the world are for their freedom . They know what oppression is like... and they will fight IN THE STREETS for change.

Americans won't do that.....they have more important things to do....more self-serving,and self-indulgent "things to do." Their sense of ENTITLEMENT and INDIFFERENCE (a deadly combination) has become a priority, and they won't fight for their freedoms UNTIL they find themselves saluting a dictator AND being punished if the don't comply.

What happened to us?

I also believe that you "play the hand you're dealt." Even though Democrats would prefer to discuss/debate ideas, solutions etc., that is NOT what the Republicans are "dealing out". They (Republicans) seem afraid of debate and open discussion, and depend on spin and manipulative rhetoric and misinformation. So....whether or not the Democrats like it....that is what we HAVE TO deal with. And as the old saying goes...."what you can't get out of, get into.....WHOLEHEARTEDLY!"

Let's be ready for it!

(...and yes, I think SHE is the wordsmith behind the majority of Bush's slogans..)

They will spend the entire week trying out the latest catchy slogan...."agenda journalism".

The Democrats new mantra (via John Murtha's speech at town meeting in Virginia last month), should be:

We are fighting another war,.. a war of rhetoric vs. substantive solutions/debates..(a war against catchy slogans!).

Tell Republicans we want "FEWER slogans and MORE solutions." ( repeat....repeat...repeat...)

This was John Murtha's suggestion when he spoke at a town meeting with Rep. Morton in Virginia last month.

His general complaint was that the Republicans rely too much on catchy slogans to win (?) their argument. He suggested that we have MORE substantive solutions, MORE substantive debate, instead of rhetorical spin.

I think this is a suggestion (and cause) that Democrats should embrace in their political campaigns.

He said we are in a battle of "rhetoric vs.substantive solutions and debates". That is it exactly.

Catchy slogans vs. actual problem-solving debate.

I am sick of the Republicans' grand push of "catchy slogans".
Where is THEIR plan?
What are THEIR solutions?

I want to hear Democrats stand up and say, "ENOUGH! Enough of the "catchy slogans". What are the Republican solutions to America's problems? That is what Americans want to know.

...and their diverse opinions. (...the more opinions, the more debate...Democrats embrace the unique differences in America.) On the other hand...

Republicans represent the LOCK-STEP party-liners. NO ONE strays from the "group think" of conformity.

I'll take the diverse viewpoints of Democrats any day. And be PROUD of it.

OK. Copy these down.

"GOP...the CUT AND RUN party"

1. They CUT up the Constitution , and RUN roughshod over civil liberties.

2. They CUT off political debate, and RUN on fear.

3. They CUT funding for homeland security, and RUN off at the mouth about protecting our nation. (mention the ports.)

4. They CUT taxes for the wealthy, and RUN up huge deficits for all Americans to pay.

5. They CUT verterans benefits and combat pay, and RUN a war without a clear exit strategy and without sufficient troops.


1. Print up these points.
2. Memorize them.
3. USE THEM. (Whenever a Republican accuses a Democrat of a "cut and run" strategy.)

Thank you TDubyaA