Captain Jim's Green Flash Sightings

2016 Election For the last seven years, the President of the United States has worked with unprecedented opposition to his initiatives, and the American electorate has stood by and accepted the dysfunctional way our national government has been doing the peoples’ business, or not doing the peoples’ business. Now there are divides and ideological differences, but in the end the business of governing has to go forward, smoothly and reliably. The opposition raises their issues, voices, and argues their points; but the imperative is to get the job done, find the compromise and common ground that allows the certainty that the programs are funded and the bills paid. At least that is what I expect of these duly elected representatives. In the coming election, I do not see a candidate that if he or she were to win is going to be able to change the way Congress functions for the better. The entire Republican field is campaigning in undoing the ACA, imposing Christian values as protected...

What will be the prospects for Americans this time next year, 2017? Another year has passed and we are a world with a full plate of issues and concerns. It is a long list. Climate Change, Immigration, Muslim fundamentalism and thuggery – ISIS and al Qaeda, IRAQ and Afghanistan US military commitments, China flexing its military muscles and expanding its influence in the Western Pacific, and the list goes on. Internally, the 2016 Presidential Campaign has provided convincing evidence that national level politics have gone awry in a big way. Politicians making personal attacks and outrageous statements, and winning in the national polls. There is no civil discourse among the opposing sides. The entire run-up to the primaries has centered on Donald Trump and his vision of American greatness and the general and often specific unworthiness of his rivals and opponents. Generally, concerned Americans are voicing their disgust with Congress for not doing its business. There is no...

2016 Election For the last seven years, the President of the United States has worked with unprecedented opposition to his initiatives, and the American electorate has stood by and accepted the dysfunctional way our national government has been doing the peoples’ business, or not doing the peoples’ business. Now there are divides and ideological differences, but in the end the business of governing has to go forward, smoothly and reliably. The opposition raises their issues, voices, and argues their points; but the imperative is to get the job done, find the compromise and common ground that allows the certainty that the programs are funded and the bills paid. At least that is what I expect of these duly elected representatives. In the coming election, I do not see a candidate that if he or she were to win is going to be able to change the way Congress functions for the better. The entire Republican field is campaigning in undoing the ACA, imposing Christian values as protected ...

I am very lucky, truly fortunate and blessed, to have served as a commanding officer in the United States Navy. Those of us who have served on Navy ships are exposed to the unique command structure and organization that encompasses leadership responsibility at sea. Where it becomes most in evidence is on the bridge of the ship while underway, the Captain present on the bridge, in command of the ship and all of the crew. The Commanding Officer is the absolute authority, responsible and accountable for everything and everyone on board; to the mission, safety, morale, and well-being of the crew. I was very lucky that my career progressed through some very special experiences, most very good and memorable, some not, with commanding officers, and leaders at all levels up to 4 stars, having a part in molding me. What resulted was a command philosophy and leadership approach that was not conventional or traditional. Somehow their examples and teachings inspired and empowered me to be a CO ...

Americans should not be so in love with our idea of "American Exceptionalism" when justifying our role in interventions to the rest of the world's cultures and nations. Such belief a Americans should not be so in love with our idea of "American Exceptionalism" when justifying our role in interventions to the rest of the world's cultures and nations. Such belief and thinking by some of our leaders does not empower us to take any and all actions to impose our idea of democracy and a free society. Americans have done a vast number of good and even great things, maybe because we benefited from freedom and were able to have the security of the two oceans between us and Europe and Asia. But our Nation's growth was built in no small part on the institution of slavery, Indian removal, exploitation of Chinese immigrant labor, anti-Semitism, and ...

Our President represents the best of what the United States is all about to our citizens and to the rest of the world. We grant him this status as our elected leader, responsible to protect our way of life and secure our posterity, our future. The goals of security, economic stability and growth, and conservation and protection of our environment, can only be achieved by dealing with the global community.  So, the air we breath, the water we drink, must be a priority. A threa t to our climate is a global security problem and needs a global solution by those nations that can make a difference. We need a leader who can speak to our understanding and acceptance of the threat of climate change and leads the way to the best possible measures to improve our future prospects. Steps to keep the Earth Biodome capable of sustaining life on the planet is an urgent priority. Denying the science, challenging the integrity of the scientists and their process, is more than ignorance it is a cons...

Arguing About Gun Control My life experience has me convinced that any reckoning for the people who kill other people, for whatever reason, will be after death and decided by God's judgement.  Living each day with the memories of all the men, women, and children killed in acts of violence is terrible burden for all of us to bear.  We should do what we can to minimize guns in the hands of citizens who are not so innocent - people who are spouse abusers, documented mental health issues/problems, felons convicted of violent crimes, etc.  It is not, and should not be about citizens in good standing owning guns. It should be about gun owners being responsible and safeguarding their weapons. We should do all we can to see that guns purchased by citizens are registered, and each time that gun legally changes hands, it is documented and registered in the new responsible owner's name. Making it easier and less restrictive, and Congress outlawing registration records of gun o...