The Gulf Oil Spill

The Gulf Oil Spill - What Has Not Been Said (one man's observations)

© June 5, 2010

Richard O Harris

Once again, I begin a subject many will find disagreeable at best. It is certainly not my desire to cause unrest or argument, simply honest reflection. I am compelled to share some of my observations regarding this catastrophe that seem to be continually overlooked and unreported (or is it deliberate misdirection by our government once again?).

No doubt, this is a new and unique event in our history. A history which continues even now to search for ways to decrease the dependency of our nation for any one product on other nations. Realistically, some dependencies will always remain because of the nature of hydraulic despotism.

As has been seen all over the news and other media, BP has been daily pro-active toward finding a solution to the problems without point fingers or blame at others. The other two companies involved have yet to even a single public statement or own their portion of responsibility. I wonder as I watch the daily news if either of the two companies have even been contacted or is the media once again targeting a single corporation simply because of its national and global reputation.

Additionally, no one has yet to come forward and mention those who passed the laws and granted the permits allowing deep sea drilling (namely our government representatives and organizations). Nor have any of these individuals or groups come forward to own their share of responsibility and offer aid in this time of crisis. In fact, it was President Obama himself who not long ago approved offshore drilling off Florida's East Coast (the Atlantic Ocean) and his 6 month moratorium creeps slowly by without any mention from him or others.

Many groups have begun movements to boycott BP businesses due to this crisis not realizing they are not hurting BP since these businesses are privately owned. Instead, their boycott(s) are only causing hardship for people, like themselves, who are unfortunate enough to become a target because of a product they sell or the producers actions. To me, it makes no sense, it is a bunch of people who are losing their businesses and becoming unemployed trying to put another bunch of people at risk of losing their businesses and becoming unemployed without making any impact on those responsible.

These are just a few of my observations as I watch the developments and try to hear what is "not" being said. President Obama can claim outrage over this incident and, no doubt, sincerely so. Yet, what happens when his six month moratorium for offshore drilling on Florida's East Coast ends? No one knows, do they?

Open Letter To All Military - Past, Present, and Future

Open Letter To All Military - Past, Present, and Future

© Richard O Harris

May 29, 2010

I would like to begin by expressing how grateful I am to each and everyone of you for your service to this great country of ours. Unfortunately, there are no words that can express the depth of the love, respect, and gratitude I feel for all of you and those you love who continue to put your selves in harms way each day so the rest of us can feel safer. There is only a deep swelling in my soul as I, too, have had and do have family members fighting and some dieing in all this country's battles since the Revolutionary War.

Though I feel our current President's decision to take a holiday instead of accept the distinct prestige of honoring you and all those who have served my reveal a hidden agenda, I want you to know he is only one man and in this case in the minority of our citizens. The majority of citizens in this country still maintain an awesome love and respect for those of you serving in the military. Not even the current Commander-in-Chief's actions can diminish our love and respect for you (no matter how many Fort Hood or other such incident's occur).

No, I do not believe Fort Hood was command oversight. Nor do I believe Hussein Obama's decision to slight the military this Memorial Day is anything less than an indication of a hidden agenda to cause as much disruption as possible from the highest office obtainable in our government. He also dishonors those who fought in the Civil War to give him the freedom of where he is now. What I do believe is he is showing great disrespect to himself, his forefathers, his country, the military, and every President since the Civil War when this tradition began.

However, I did not begin writing you to talk about Hussein but to tell you of the pride and love I have for each and everyone one of the military - past, present, and future. Plus, if I should continue my discourse on the President, I may be visited and/or detained by one of those three letter agencies of the government. This possibility is very real even though our constitution and you vow to defend it against all enemies, both foreign and domestic, guarantees me the right to freedom of speech.

So, back to the original intent of this letter. As you daily place your selves in harm's way for the rest of us know you are in our thoughts and prayers. I firmly believe there is no greater love than he who would give his life for another and that means all the men and women in the military. You are those I wish I could do so much more for to show my heartfelt appreciation.

While I can only empathize with a people who would teach their children the only true worth they had was to kill others by committing suicide, this is the absence of love. Those who oppose you oppose themselves by forfeiting their future children and grandchildren in a battle that has no winners. Once again, history will judge this as a time when men blamed their God because they wanted something they could not have.

Rest assured, in the meantime, I and I am sure others like me, continue with our efforts to assist you in any way we can. Though sometimes limited, there are approximately 5700 homeless veterans here in Jacksonville FL, my hometown to my great shame and personal dishonor. No matter the reason(s) for their plight, they too once stood in harm's way for the rest of us. I know I alone cannot assist each of these men and women but I do try to give as much as I can to help them with food and a little money once in a while and really do not care what they purchase.

I continue to raise awareness when and where I can regarding the plight of these men who also once stood where you stand today - in harm's way. I have had discussions (reasonably productive) with the VA Office of Personnel Management, the Department of Defense, the Department of Labor, and various VA Volunteer groups regarding many issues. Among them the complete and utter failure of the VETS FIRST PROGRAM touted by the politicians as a triumph yet almost non-productive. Also the group known as Work Source and others that will not even return phone calls or conduct follow up interviews with Veterans. I know this for a certainty as my roommate, who I knew before he was shipped off to Vietnam, was downsized from his job in January 2009 and, even with a Veterans 5 point preference remains unemployed today. Rest assured, as long as I remain able, I will do any thing I can for any one of you at any time.

I am sure there are others who feel as I do and who are helping as much as they possibly can at this time. You are most of the best of us and you deserve more recognition than you have received thus far from your leaders. Have no fears, I will continue my advocacy for you and your injured or fallen brothers and sisters in arms. I am PROUD to be an AMERICAN because of the representation you provide in what it means to be one. I am not Euro-American or African-American or Indian-American, I am an AMERICAN top to bottom, inside and out because you have given me that privilege.

You are not, cannot, and will not be forgotten!!!

You are loved, wanted, needed and desired!!!

I salute each and every one of you!!!