Termination Dust

I spent three years flying out of Anchorage as an Air Force Rescue helicopter pilot.  The thing I most remember about Alaska, besides the obvious environment, is the people.  They are a hardy bunch.  Whether they are winter camping, landing on a sandbar of a river with a very small airplane, or combat fishing, they tend to be brave, self-reliant, and a little bit different.  Definitely not your right or left coast cocktail circuit crowd.

I am shocked, surprised, and elated that McCain has picked Palin.  I think they together could really do some good on the national stage for the country.  The Republican party has drifted too far into the big government camp and we need someone to return the party to its principals.  This is a game changer in my opinion.  Either she will make it work or she won't.  They both are not from the East coast Wall Street crowd or the Southern Bible Belt and don't carry the baggage from either sect.  They will promote freedom, opportunity and government for the people.  In short, they will be brave, self-reliant and a little bit different - a Western kind of different.  

I used to fish near Wasilla; its on the way to Talkeetna, the town that supports the base camp for climbing Mt McKinley.  When the snow starts coming down from the mountain peaks in the fall, getting a little closer to the valley everyday, they call it "termination dust."  

I think Palin has sprinkled a little on the Obama campaign.

Prediction

Now that the Russian tendency for imperial conquest has reasserted itself, the world remembers why they like having the United States around.  They don't want to admit to themselves or anyone else but its nice having a big brother who you can call to get you out of a jam.  

For decades, our European and Asian allies have been underfunding their defense requirements while relying on the U.S. defense umbrella; all the while, wailing about the war-mongering Americans.  

On the American side, we can little afford to allow other aggressive nations to overrun the free world or threaten it in any significant way.  

My prediction is that you will see many democracies on the periphery of Russia move closer to the American sphere.  You will also the new conservative governments on the continent rally around NATO and the common defense.

All of the members of NATO need to dedicate a greater share of their GDP towards rebuilding the alliance's joint capability.  I published a post earlier to this point regarding the need for advanced weapon systems and continued superiority in this area.

My bet is that they sleep a little better in Europe knowing they can always rely on the United States to defend them; but, there is a lot of work to do.

Ability to See Evil

This weekend Russia invaded Georgia.  Initial reactions are important as they show how an individual thinks and reacts.  

Lets look at what happened and see how the two candidates would react to a serious foreign policy crisis.

McCain immediately condemned and stated the Russian aggression was unacceptable.  Obama said, "Lets not jump to any conclusions."  He later modified his response to stiffen his response to Russia.  He must have taken a poll.

A consistent theme in my posts has been Obama's lack of principal and saying or doing whatever it takes to get elected.   This is more evidence.

There is value in McCain having seen evil and experienced over a long period of time.  Obama has avoided it and is now appeasing it.

I think the American people will see this in November.

We have to protect our way of life and stand up to aggression.

Self Destruction

IN TRINIDAD ON BUSINESS

I was meeting with a client today and during the elevator ride he asked are people interested in the election in the US. I told him that it was the big show and people were following it closely. His comment to me without request was, " I think Obama is self destructing."

This told me that what I have been saying about the arrogance and lack of principal from Obama was being sensed by others as well. If a financial professional in Trinidad can sense it - Joe Bag of Donuts in the US obviously can.

I hope McCain can continue to be more forceful on the campaign trail and more distinctly articulate his policies and solutions.