Thoughts on a music band

Just returned from watching and listening to the U.S. Air Force Band of the West in Laredo for a last performance in a South Texas swing. This is an annual performance, given free of charge to folks go get advanced tickets. As usual, the band is top notch in performance of what they do.

As I watched it occurred to me that all the parts had to work together to make it work. The drums, the horns, the reeds, the strings, and whatever else they brought in, including vocals, had to do their part - even the one that hit a pipe for a sound three times in a whole number. And when they did, a beautiful sound came forth that pleased a large audience. If each did not do his or her part at the right time, it would not have been so perfect.

Taking that thought a step further, what is true of a band is true of most things. In the military, all have to do the job they are trained for. They have to do it with precision. They have to do it on commmand. When all that comes together, we send forth a machine that provides the defense we all expect.

But it is more that all that - the music and the military. Really, that is true of Amercia. Every element has to work together to do what it does best. One thing fails, it almost, if not for sure, makes everything else fail. That is, in fact, what we are going through now. Certain segments had problems -- housing and finance, and their problems are reaching out to all the country.

And, we can take that down to the family, and even personal. Everything has a part, a mission.

As to watching the Air Force band, amazing how one thing can represent, be symbolic of the whole.

More stimulus on the way?

This is posed as a question. While the U.S. House passed its stimulus bill, it still has to pass the Senate. The House passage was 'whopsided' -- No Republicans voted for it, and 11 Democrats opposed it. While there was a good majority, it seems it was a rather dirty win, therefore, sort of. With that kind of vote in the House, it seems in present configuration it will not make it in the Senate. Perhaps it can be changed to be more palatable to secure a win and go back to the House for consensus. Time will tell.

The possible good indicator for good is that the DOW closed up 200 points or so. For a person who has lost close to half his savings, that is something to consider.

My guess is the Republicans in the House voted against for one of two reasons: (1) they did not like it, or did not like some of it, or (2) they are taking a chance that it will not work, that as a party they will come out ahead; in which case, Pres. Obama's brag "I won" a few days ago will become a political misstatement, as was George Bush's statement of spending his capital.

We had hoped that the Congress would come together on this, either one way or other. Has not happened, so far. Maybe for good reason; maybe not. Time will tell.

My view, though that does not count, is that we might be best to let fail what fails and let win what wins. That might be a lot cheaper overall. How in the world can the Government manage doing good with that kind of money in one bill? Good question, methinks.

Oh, me! Bail out what?

Heard today that the bailout being sought has an input from somebody to spend $200 million for condoms!

Can't believe that. Is anybody watching the ship?

Well, everybody has some favorite program. Let's just hope that the majority, that includes Blue Dog Democrats, catch that one. We need to build roads, repair bridges, build to the electric grid and NOT keep whoevers from making babies. There is another school for that one, and it is NOT within the purview of what a bailout out to be about.

Too much ill advice

A neat headline today (somewhere) that MacDonald's is planning 1000 new stores in 2009. Wow! Somebody sees a brighter picture, I thought. That is a good thing, just for somebody to think positively. But no! The story was from some guy who thought there were 1000 reasons why they should not!

We need to rid ourselves of naysayers, mainly among columnist (and some bloggers) who write for celebrity sake. There! I said it. There is too much naysaying these days. That is part of what's wrong with the economy.

Seems to me that MacDonald's should be the one to make the decision. They been around a long time and should certainly understand the markets, pitfalls and positives in what they plan. This is America. Let them succeed or fail based on their know how and ability. That is what I say.

More fuel efficient cars

Yes. Great idea. We've got to stay away from foreign oil domination. No more of the summer of 2008. We need to get more miles per gallon. Saves oil and saves the environment. The manufacturers have time to do it. That is good. Obama is on the right track on this one.

Not so sure that it is a good idea to approve California setting it's own standards, which would be above federal standards. California has enough problems now rather than making cars more expensive for its citizens. But, that is their call.

Obamaobama

I like his freshness but I worry his experience and viewpoint. Perhaps it will all turn out well. I do hope so. I am not one to wish his failure.

I do hope he takes care of America in a good way, for that is what he has been elected to do. Seems he has hit the ground running.

Just a few glitches, in my view: I really think he messed up the Supreme Court Master on that oath rather than the reverse. I worry about his lifting abortion restrictions overseas, and I worry that America is next. I worry about setting rules and not following them right off. I worry about appointments that have flawed practices from the past - over the very organization they have been selected to run.

So, in the first three days, my marks for Pres. Obama are not too high, though I am hopeful that it will smooth our.