Forward Observation Post – Vermillion

Views and Vents from the Frontline of the Culture War

Archive for August, 2009

J O B S – Not Being Stimulated

Aug 31

Posted by FOPVermillion in Economy, General | No Comments

This article by the Heritage Foundation reinforces what I am seeing in the business sector.  The problem with the economy in general is that the current environment is one where risk and investment is being avoided on a massive scale.  This is topping the natural creation of new jobs.  Companies are not going to hire people when the next time congress meets, they could get whacked with regulations, taxes, and fees that completely undercut their strategy.  Business is in a bunker mentality.  Until they know the shelling is over, they are going to continue to lie low and make safe moves.

No matter how much our leaders in DC want to make us believe they can stimulate us out of the recession, the truth is it will take individuals who are willing to invest and risk to create the jobs that will grow us out of these times.

- FOP Vermillion

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CFL Bulbs – The Foot in the Door

Aug 31

Posted by FOPVermillion in Environment | No Comments

There was a lot of news about the CFL bulbs today, such as the Opinion Journal, with the ban in the EU on incandescent bulbs going into effect tomorrow.  While I don’t have a problem with the bulbs themselves, I see them as a sign of things to come.  We, “for the greater good”, must give up something that works fine for something that is more expensive and does not perform as delivered.  All of this for a minimal gain at best, but one that cannot be quantified.

When I see the arguments for these little bulbs themselves because they do use less energy, I see the foundation of the argument for cap-and-trade, on a small scale.  Sure we need to reduce our use of energy.  Of course pollution is bad.  Conservation of our resources is a good thing.  But the solution here is not to come up with a free market solution but to mandate our choices to where we MUST do what is best for us.  While this is going on, we do not address the core problem which is creating more energy and developing better, more cost efficient ways of getting at the problem.  Let’s face it . . . if the future super light bulb is so expensive we can only have one per household, we will be energy efficient in the dark.

- FOP Vermillion

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Tim James, Unsung Hero

Aug 30

Posted by FOPVermillion in General, Iraq | 3 Comments

Tim James is a former NBA player who is now serving in Iraq. Once he finished his NBA career, he decided to enlist in the Army because he wanted to defend our values and freedoms.  He did this with no fanfare and until Dan Le Batard contacted the unit for the interview, they had no idea Tim was a former first round draft pick.  Tim had the money and did not have to serve his country.  With all the selfish primodonas now in sports, it is a breath of fresh to see stories like this one.

Thank you Tim and I am proud to have worn the same uniform as you do now.

- FOP Vermillion

The View from the OP

Aug 30

Posted by FOPVermillion in General | No Comments

Over the course of the last few years, I have been an observer of the world around me and a consumer of news and opinion.  When I have felt moved by what I have witnessed, I have had conversations with those around me about the events and what they may mean for the future.  This reminds me of times when I was on guard duty, out on the edge of friendly territory, and discussions with my friends and foxhole mates about what we saw or what we were thinking at the time.  Now we are in times where events are coming faster and appear to have the possibility to have permanent impacts on our life and liberty as individuals and citizens.  I cannot just sit back and only share my observations with those I know.  I am compelled to pick up the radio and get the word out to those behind the lines and sound the alarm about what is coming their way.   We live in times where freedoms and rights are under daily attack.  I am too old to answer the call again for my country, putting on my uniform and taking my place on the wall, defending the values I believe are worth sacrifice and blood.  However, I can add my voice to those that are out there standing for our values and Constitution.

In addition, I will be posting on the the things that interest me or I think you might want to hear about.  Like those long nights siting in the observation post, the conversations were never 100% related to the job at hand.  That is what this blog will be.  A view of the events surrounding my outpost on the edge of friendly territory, combined with some of the variety that makes all our lives interesting.

Until the next time I will be sitting here with my eyes peeled and the “radio” handy.

- FOP Vermillion