Troops Return From Iraq

A war that never should have been fought solemnly comes to an end.  After thousands of deaths and ill spent money, the United States finally turns the page and closes the chapter on the Iraqi war and occupation.

The war was a tremendous waste of manpower, money and resources.  The whole premise for the war was a straw man.  Alleged cloak and dagger along with false intelligence estimates lead American leaders to believe Saddam Hussein owned weapons of mass destruction.  Only after the invasion did the truth come out.

There was no link between Iraq, al-Qaida or any other terrorists.

Instead of straining the military, spending money and resources chasing a bad lead, the effort should have been focused on completely dismantling terrorists and their networks. 

While I disagreed with the Iraqi invasion, I fully supported military action in Afghanistan.  The Taliban harbored Osama bin Laden who orchestrated the 9/11 attacks.  When they refused to turn bin Laden over, the U.S. was justified in toppling the government and seeking bin Laden out.

A two front war strained the military.  Only one war was justified.  All resources and manpower should have been focused on that one objective. 

War is not a noble endeavor and thus should only be used in extreme cases.  The 9/11 attacks justified war...a false lead in Iraq didn't. 

For those that sacrificed, a grateful nation thanks you.  Welcome home to a well deserved peace.

Gov. Perry's Day of Prayer

The ACLU and some other atheist group are trying to stop Governor Rick Perry from speaking at a call to prayer planned at Reliant Stadium.

I'm no fan of Perry and am more offended (sarcasm alert) that the religious group will defile my place of worship by holding their Day of Prayer at Reliant Stadium. Reliant is my sanctuary as well as Cathedral of the Texans. I don't want other religions using my temple.

On a more serious note, I don't see where the ACLU and atheists have any standing in this case. Perry attending, or even speaking, is not a violation of church and state. Just because Perry hold office it doesn't preclude him from taking part in a public religious ceremony. Even if he endorses religion in front of thousands, it will be as an individual and not as the government.

Even if people want to argue that the a public financed facility used for a religious ceremony violates church and state separation, I don't see that valid either. How many public venues have hosted a Billy Graham crusade?

While I'm a strong advocate of separation of church and state, I don't see this as a violation of that doctrine. Perry's opponents would do better attacking his real weaknesses instead of going after something as Mickey Mouse as this.

Instead I'd love to hear what Governor Good Hair has to say and then use it against him if I can.

The Casey Anthony Verdict

I'll be the first to admit I wasn't shocked the day the not guilty verdict was announced. That morning I was listening to lawyer on CNN or Fox News comment on the verdict before the announcement. I took it that he either watched the trial or was well versed in it. His words foreshadowed the verdict. He basically stated that he could see how jury could not convict Casey Anthony. He stated that the prosecution left many holes in the case.

The more I thought about it the more curious I got. The verdict came down from the jury and I wasn't surprised by the not guilty verdict.

There seems to be considerable misunderstanding of what a not guilty verdict means to the general public. To obtain a conviction, a prosecutor must prove guilty "beyond a reasonable doubt." Beyond a reasonable doubt is a high standard to meet. Unfortunately there is no clear cut definition to the idea. Basically, if a juror has a doubt that most reasonable people would have, then he is to vote not guilty.

The general public also confuses not guilty with innocence. All not guilty means is that the prosecution failed to prove the case.

So where did the Casey Anthony go wrong? From what I read, the first issue is they didn't show how Caylee Anthony died. We know the unfortunate child died. We don't know the cause of death. The prosecution implied that duct tape was placed over Caylee's mouth and nose to suffocate her to death. No DNA, skin or hair samples were found on the duct tape.

Alternate juror Russell Huekler spoke first to the media. He basically said that prosecution didn't prove the case by not showing cause of death, motive and evidence to show murder or manslaughter. Asked if he thought she was innocent or the case not proven beyond a reasonable doubt, he stated the case was not proven.

The case was a circumstantial case. That in itself is not fatal. A circumstantial case has no direct evidence but instead has a set of circumstantial evidence and a chain of scenarios that tries to prove a case. To build a strong circumstantial case, the chain reaction of evidence needs to connect clear and strong. Any weakness in the circumstantial chain and the whole case could come down.

Huekler's interview gives good insight on what went on in the jury room. They could find no strong indication of how Caylee died. There was reasonable doubt about manner of death. No one knows for sure. Take the method of death out of the equation and the foundation of the circumstantial case starts to crumble. If there is reasonable doubt about the death, there is probably no way they could make the leap to murder.

It also looks like the prosecution tried to play on the emotions of the jurors. A dead little girl, a dysfunctional family and a party girl mom. He tried to tug on the heart strings. In the end, the ploy failed. It wasn't enough to overcome the lack of evidence.

Based on reports and statements by a juror and alternate juror, I feel the jury reached the right verdict. The jury did an outstanding job regardless of the verdict. They put emotions aside and looked at the evidence or lack of evidence to reach a verdict.

Pakistan Parliament Denounces U.S. bin Laden Strike

The parliament of Pakistan condemned the U.S. strike against Osama bin Laden.

Pakistani politicians are grandstanding against the U.S. due to unrest in their own backyards. The people of Pakistan are upset with U.S. drone strikes and bin Laden raid. Of course the solution for the Pakistani government is to improve security for its people, root out terrorist organizations and encourage economic growth.

Failure to root out terrorists and economic troubles stir the ire of the people. Instead of fixing the problems, the government is doing what all governments that have a tenuous hold on power do. They try and distract from the real issues by inflating an on going problem or create an enemy. In this case, it is the U.S. violating Pakistani sovereignty.

Since 9/11, it is the stated goal of the United States to capture or kill Osama bin Laden. It could have been done with Pakistan's help if Pakistan proved to be a reliable ally in the fight against terrorism. Pakistan instead allows terrorist organizations to operate in the borderlands. There are areas of Pakistan that the government has no control over. In these lands, the terrorists and outlaws run the show.

After the Taliban was driven from power in Afghanistan, they took refuge in Pakistan. Some are even under the protection of elements of the Pakistani Intelligence Services.

The U.S. drone attacks will stop and raids into Pakistan will stop when the Pakistani government gathers the political will to root out the organizations that not only threaten the U.S. but Pakistan itself.

The End of Bloody bin Laden

As all know by now, terrorist and 9/11 mastermind Osama bin Laden now sleeps deep beneath the waves.

In a raid ordered by President Barack Obama, a Navy SEALs team attacked a compound where intelligence indicate bin Laden lived. In the aftermath, the SEALs killed bin Laden with a shot to the chest and to the head. U.S. forces gathered computers and storage media along with bin Laden's body. They spent 40 minutes on the ground.

Using visual recognition clues, know body marks and DNA samples to identify bin Laden. A wife allegedly identified the dead man as bin Laden.

Bin Laden's body was washed in accordance with Islamic tradition and quickly buried at sea. The sea burial took care of two problems. First no country agreed to take the body. Under Islamic law, a body must be buried in 24 hours. Second, the sea burial robs others of a chance to raise a shrine or a rallying point for terrorists. He slipped into the ocean and thus brought the end to man most wanted by America.

The end also brought a sense of justice to victims, their families and the United States in general. It also serves as a warning to terrorists that the U.S. keeps its promises. bin Laden was targeted shortly after the invasion of Afghanistan. That was almost ten years ago. It took a long time but it also showed the United States doesn't give up. Those were ten long years but the patience paid off.

Osama bin Laden openly called for warfare on civilian targets as well as using force to bring down corrupt regimes in the Muslim world. He declared jihad against the United States. He backed up his words with four deadly attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. The attacks provoked the U.S. to look for and bring him to justice. When the Taliban rulers in Afghanistan refused to had him over, the U.S. launched an invasion. Thus began the hunt for bin Laden.

Like the cowards all terrorists are, bin Laden went into hiding while sending his jihadis into battle blowing themselves up and killing civilians and occasionally a military target.

Never did the USA back down. President Obama said it best at the Thursday memorial ceremony at Ground Zero,“When we say we will never forget, we mean what we say."

So long and good riddance to the coward Osama bin Laden.

Air Traffic Controllers Gone Wild? Not Really

The FAA, media and public currently are taking a close look at the sleeping habits of are traffic controllers. With good reason. Controllers are just that...controllers. They are in charge of ensuring airplanes and the skies are safe. They guide and keep planes from flying into each other, giving weather reports and other incidents as they arise. Recently seven controllers were caught sleeping. One was on the graveyard shift working alone at a regional tower. Another was sleeping at a busy Florida site and another at the Atlanta airport. Atlanta is the busiest airport in the world.

I'm a shift worker and I can sympathize to some degree with the air traffic controllers. I've worked shift work for most of my career. I've worked the straight night shift and I've worked alternating weeks between night and day shifts. I've worked 8 and 12 hour graveyard shifts. The worst shifts to work are 12 hour night shift and the alternating day/night shift. Mix in overtime with regular shifts and it can make for a tired worker.

Given the safety critical nature of air traffic controller's job, regulations should be in place to make sure they are properly rested. First off, limit them to 8 hour shifts unless emergency or shortage. In such a shortage or emergency, no more that a 12 hours shift should be allowed. Another suggestion is to stagger some of the shifts. Overlapping shift, especially at night, keeps rested workers coming in through out the day and night. A minimum of two controllers on shift at night. Also a cap on hours or consecutive days/nights worked should be in place. If there is a shortage, hire more controllers and use military or national guards as a stop gap measure.

One controversial idea is to let controllers nap on the job. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood declared that,"On my watch, controllers will not be paid to take naps." While a nice grandstand, there is merit to allow them to nap. A 20 or 30 minute nap can do miracles especially if the worker is over worked. Public safety is paramount not political considerations of policy. Other countries allow paid naps. I see no reason not to consider the idea.

One last thought. Considering the scrutiny air traffic controllers are under, why was one watching a movie on the job?

9/11 Terrorists To Be Tried by Military Tribunals After All

First enemy terrorist were be tried by a U.S military tribunal. Then they weren't. I lost count of the back and forth.

Then President Obama announced that some suspect were to be tried in civilian court. The backlash forced Obama to back off the plan. Congress threatened not provide the funds for the trials. New York mayor Michael Bloomberg stated that security for the trials would be to expensive for the city to pay.

Today Attorney General Eric Holder announced that certain suspects will be tried by military tribunal.

Of course the spin masters are out. Rep. Lamar Smith from Texas states:

"unfortunate that it took the Obama administration more than two years to figure out what the majority of Americans already know: that 9/11 conspirator Khalid Sheikh Mohammed is not a common criminal, he's a war criminal."

I find that quote laughable. Republican President George Bush had longer to bring the suspects to trial. Instead of taking action, he punted and let the incoming president decide.

Congress painted Obama into a corner with restriction against trying terrorists in civilian courts. Obama really was left with no options.

With the trials moving forward, a few things need see how they play out. First is how open the courts will be. Maybe not right away during proceedings but sometime after the trial to release evidence on why the verdicts were guilty. We already know the evidence standard is lower than civilian courts and hearsay probably allowed. It will be interesting to see what evidence produces a verdict. Will the tribunal convict on flimsy evidence? Will they instead take this as a solemn duty and see that justice is done?

What the tribunal must do is avoid all appearances of victor's justice. That is railroading a suspect with a show trial and the verdict a forgone conclusion. Some people already question the legitimacy of the courts.

Obama had planned to seek the death penalty in a civilian trial. In a civilian court, all evidence would be public. Should the defendants be sentenced to death at least there is public evidence to support the cause. In closed secret tribunals, the very legality comes into question. The death penalty should only be imposed for the most serious and strongest cases.

Anything less that a solemn and diligent court will only enforce public opinion that they are show trials.

Corruption Watch - Richard Nutt Pleads Guilty

Former Harris county deputy Richard Nutt pleaded guilty in federal court on extortion charges.

According to the article, Nutt faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

I'm all for throwing the book and locking him away for 20 years. As a law enforcement officer, the public trusts him to uphold and enforce the law. Nutt betrayed the public trust. With his crime as a public servant, punishment should be severe.

Do I hold public servants to a higher standard? Absolutely. Corruption is lethal to society. Police and elected official's power derives from society. When they abuse that power, it destroys the basic foundation of our society.

Look at country's with corrupt government. They sap resources for personal gain. Resources that rightfully belong to the people. The people and society must benefit from those resources. By allowing companies and entrepreneurs to conduct business and allow markets to rule, society benefits. In corrupt governments, nepotism and cronyism horde the profits.

In Nutt's case, he not only broke the law but cooperated with the criminal element he is supposed to stop.

Corruption Watch - Richard Nutt Part 3

One thing I failed to mention in the Richard Nutt case is that Judge Kevin Fine reduced Nutt's bail. The bail was dropped from $200,000 to $20,000 while his co-defendants remained jailed with no bond.

The judge faced heat for reducing the fine without a hearing. Prosecutors were upset. I looked for a follow up if any ethics charges had been leveled but found none.

A copy of the criminal complaint is posted online.

Corruption Watch - Richard Nutt Part 2

In my inaugural entry of Corruption Watch, I outlined the pending case against former Harris County deputy Richard Nutt and his drug rip sting.

Prosecutors obtained an indictment in federal court against Nutt and four other people on cocaine possession and distribution charges.

Nutt is currently free on $50000 bond but must remained confined to his residence. The defense filed a motion seeking to allow Nutt leave his house with a monitoring device and have a set curfew. Nutt wishes to seek employment. The prosecution and pre-trial supervisory do not object to the motion. It's now up to the judge to rule.

There has also been some controversy about Judge Kevin Fine reducing bail for the former deputy. If nothing else, it was a breach of courtroom ethics by not having all parties present.