Patty has retired from being the editor of the Times Tribune. Now she is campaigning to be the alderman for the 4th Ward in Troy. She's running against our next door neighbor.
That's all for now.
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Fiasco -- Some thoughts About Our Country At War
I recently finished reading Thomas Rick's book, "Fiasco" which is an amazing history of American's "Mis-adventure" in Iraq. I was prompted to read this book after reading Woodward's "State of Denial." (Thanks Jessica) It was also mentioned by Thomas Barnett in his blog and perhaps "The Pentagon's New Map."
Woodward's book focused on the mismanagement of this war by the executive branch of the Government. Rick's book targets the tragedy and mismanagement of this war by the military and the civilian leaders. One point that is quite clear is that the president's claim that he gave the military the resources they requested is certainly not correct.
Anyway, this is an exciting book that reads almost like a novel rather than non fiction.
This book makes it clear that America has been fighting an insurgency since 2003. The claim that we are fighting terrorists seems to be untrue. To a large extent, the military created the enemy we are currently fighting. We did almost everything wrong to win the hearts and minds of the public of Iraq. Most of the enemy is comprised of Sunni military who could have been brought into the Iraq Army we are trying to build. The other bad guys are the Shiite followers of Maqtadr al-Sadr who don't want an occupying army.
One of the other things that I learned was the amazing talent of the U.S. military although they made many serious errors. Its clear that you can be bright, highly trained, and motivated and still lose a war.
I can see that counties like the US can and will likely end up losing this war against a poor, technologically limited people who are willing to fight an unconventional war. There are just too many Iraqi insurgents and they have learned how to fight the mighty US military because they have won the support of the people.
I recommend this book highly. After reading Woodward's and Rick's book, there is no way I can support the people who got us into this war.
We can't leave Iraq precisely because of the mess Bush created, but we can't continue to be an occupying force.
Woodward's book focused on the mismanagement of this war by the executive branch of the Government. Rick's book targets the tragedy and mismanagement of this war by the military and the civilian leaders. One point that is quite clear is that the president's claim that he gave the military the resources they requested is certainly not correct.
Anyway, this is an exciting book that reads almost like a novel rather than non fiction.
This book makes it clear that America has been fighting an insurgency since 2003. The claim that we are fighting terrorists seems to be untrue. To a large extent, the military created the enemy we are currently fighting. We did almost everything wrong to win the hearts and minds of the public of Iraq. Most of the enemy is comprised of Sunni military who could have been brought into the Iraq Army we are trying to build. The other bad guys are the Shiite followers of Maqtadr al-Sadr who don't want an occupying army.
One of the other things that I learned was the amazing talent of the U.S. military although they made many serious errors. Its clear that you can be bright, highly trained, and motivated and still lose a war.
I can see that counties like the US can and will likely end up losing this war against a poor, technologically limited people who are willing to fight an unconventional war. There are just too many Iraqi insurgents and they have learned how to fight the mighty US military because they have won the support of the people.
I recommend this book highly. After reading Woodward's and Rick's book, there is no way I can support the people who got us into this war.
We can't leave Iraq precisely because of the mess Bush created, but we can't continue to be an occupying force.
So What's the Problem?
Ok. This Plesko family blog is sorely lacking in posts. What's the problem? Perhaps you are concerned about your safety on the information super highway. Well, don't fret. I have had my students complete a unit on Internet Safety and I will share some tips with you so you can post without panic. Here you go:
*Don't never let someone on the computer tell that there is something for sale. (This one is for Chris.)
*Remember, parents can often sniff out a rat!
*Do not click on a pop up without your adult.
*Inappropriate sites are sites only adults can go on and are not suitable for kids to see.
*Keeping your real identity is very safe.
*Make your world a better place to have an internet.
*Do not give out your personal stuff.
*Never talk to people over 30. (That one is my favorite.)
*When people you don't know are talking to you. That is evil.
*Don't open mail if you don't know how it is.
*Don't go on chat sites and talk to predators.
Ok. There you have it. Now I want to see some interesting posts from the rest of the family. Things here in Manchester, MO are rolling along. I spend a lot of time at work or doing work-related activities. I'm reading a very good book that Marni gave me called The Ha Ha by Dave King. I am knitting (of course) and working on a vest for me, a baby afghan (for the baby hope chest), and a scarf. Jessica has started a new semester at UMSL and she has a very busy semester ahead. Teddy is a baby and we love him everyday and spoil him as much as possible. OK. Have a good weekend and take some time for YOU and the people you love.
Peace out.
*Don't never let someone on the computer tell that there is something for sale. (This one is for Chris.)
*Remember, parents can often sniff out a rat!
*Do not click on a pop up without your adult.
*Inappropriate sites are sites only adults can go on and are not suitable for kids to see.
*Keeping your real identity is very safe.
*Make your world a better place to have an internet.
*Do not give out your personal stuff.
*Never talk to people over 30. (That one is my favorite.)
*When people you don't know are talking to you. That is evil.
*Don't open mail if you don't know how it is.
*Don't go on chat sites and talk to predators.
Ok. There you have it. Now I want to see some interesting posts from the rest of the family. Things here in Manchester, MO are rolling along. I spend a lot of time at work or doing work-related activities. I'm reading a very good book that Marni gave me called The Ha Ha by Dave King. I am knitting (of course) and working on a vest for me, a baby afghan (for the baby hope chest), and a scarf. Jessica has started a new semester at UMSL and she has a very busy semester ahead. Teddy is a baby and we love him everyday and spoil him as much as possible. OK. Have a good weekend and take some time for YOU and the people you love.
Peace out.
Sunday, January 7, 2007
Some Plesko Pics
The Wii experience:
Some biking pictures:
On a side note, I'd like all of you to know that it's 7:00 on a Sunday night and Chris is out in 30 mph winds building a snow cave in our front yard. Enough said.
Some biking pictures:
On a side note, I'd like all of you to know that it's 7:00 on a Sunday night and Chris is out in 30 mph winds building a snow cave in our front yard. Enough said.
Thursday, January 4, 2007
Another Day Off (Oh Yeah)
Well, today is Thursday and I have another day off from school. I have been working on my lessons this morning and correcting papers too. I must return to my classes on the 8th of January. Teaching is awesome. Not just for the time off, but also for the great interaction you have with people everyday. My students are challenging and funny (sometimes) and aggravating too at times. Some of them might say the same things about me. One of the funnier things someone wrote during the first semester was a result of some vocabulary words we were learning. One of the words was "sheaves." On his paper the student wrote, "Sheaves-the plural of sheep. There were many sheaves standing in the field." I guess we need to review that word again! Anyway, I just wanted to see if I could actually post something to this blog. I was going to go into a discussion on new year's resolutions, but I better give myself a few more days before I reveal those and my progress or lack of progress so far.
Peace out.
Peace out.
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