Where's a leader like Eisenhower?

KC Line Up
Originally uploaded by mdt1960

Two stories heard on National Public Radio this morning reminded me of old themes. Fear and greed or courage and generosity.

We tax payers are shoveling piles of money into building impressive and powerful fighter jets like the F22
( $300,000,000.00 each ) which are - according to defense analysts who study these things - useless at defending against kids with britches full of explosives and determination to kill as many infidels as they can. Or commercial jets headed for World Trade Center buildings but not fully "on the radar" of the underfunded Air Traffic Controllers.

While American soldiers are fighting in dangerous places without needed supplies and arms and our wounded soldiers not getting satisfactory services in the Vet's Admin system. While the folks at Lockheed Martin are banking big profits from projects like F22 designed to fight the Soviets. Based on greed ?

Hey Congress !!! The Taliban don't use jets. Get smart and use common sense about this war effort and provide the men and women who put their lives on the line, with the tools they need.

Regardless of how we feel about the politics of it all.

What Drives Record Spending on Defense?

The other story was about the enduring beauty of Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata. For over two hundred years it keeps bringing goosebumps and deep emotion. Maybe it speaks to human longing for authenticity, courage and beauty.

Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata

Where I spend my time and energy - political pork and greed OR creative beauty is hardly a question to consider. With choices like these I'll go with beauty.

Maybe we could send the Taliban recordings of the Moonlight .... naw they don't like music. Let's "nuke em" in their mountain-cave terrorist cells with fire power from $ 300,000,000.00 fighter jets.

Does it get sillier? Was Beethoven on to something enduring ?

Blessings and peaceful times,

Ken