Lurie column Dec 28- Resolutions for all of us

After the Christmas and Chanukah rush to commerce, this is the week to ponder the upcoming midnight deadline and the chance to make a commitment to change things for the better.

Resolutions are the part of new year discussed for days on either side of the midnight demarcation that drives parties and celebrations.

Many resolutions will be based on personal goals. My congratulations to the ninety six pounds shed by my newsroom compatriots in the past 13 weeks of �Fit to Print�. Most of them certainly can now hide behind narrower fonts than before.

Some resolutions are desires and goals for things that exceed our grasp, and may rightly be put in the category of �Fat chance�. I always resolve to win the lottery myself, but it seems that I need to buy a ticket on a regular basis to have a fighting chance for this to come true.

There are those who pledge to make significant life changes that often have barely the staying power of a wet Kleenex.

Friends of mine frustrated with parts and actions of our representative democracy resolve to find ways to help our government improve it�s actions and services this coming year.

Educators often resolve to find ways to bring more children to the promised land of literacy and common sense, battling the enemies of complacency and tests for testing sake. Every parent should resolve to work with them on these issues for the sake of every child.

Pastors I know resolve to find ways to reduce the marital strife and discord that ruins so many relations and all too often leaves a hazardous littered path for the couple�s children to thread. We should all resolve to help them in this endeavor.

Our military leaders in Iraq and Afghanistan will resolve to train far more police than last year so a self-actualized government can take over the challenges to stability in those places.

Our Homeland Security Dept and FEMA leaders will hopefully resolve to find ways to avoid political hacks within their agencies who may have caused as much damage as the unelected Hurricanes themselves.

Our City Fathers should resolve to redouble their efforts at finding good replacement jobs � by expanding business opportunities and support for them, for those laid off locally as MT Picture was unable to fend off technology changes and ultra-low cost Chinese imports.

Our Senators and Congress should resolve on their return to the scene of their cat fights to find ways to extend trust and understanding across the aisle in ways that make these 435 disparate individuals work together to put aside differences and focus on the similarities and pressing needs for all Americans.

I urge our President to look around outside the bubble his staff has created, and see the true impact that seemingly one sided, myopic policies have on the greenhouse gas-building environment, or the fear of illness felt by uninsured Americans, and the yoke of debt placed on our youngsters by unabashed tax cuts coupled with drunken-sailor spending.

Everyone in Washington should resolve to both heed the experts and look past their egos. Resolve to comprehend they sound like bickering Kentucky Hillbillies as serious issues keep rolling along like a boulder bouncing downhill.

I�d like everyone to resolve to watch the long term weather forecast. When a major hurricane blows ashore, it tears away a little civilization from all of us. We all need to resolve to help our politicians seriously prepare for the worst, learn to face the issues and manage the aftermath honestly and competently head-on.

Members of our Optimist Club and other non-profit groups in the valley will all resolve to work harder for the causes we hold dear. I hope you will resolve to join one of our groups and help those we serve.

Our Troy Civic Theatre members have all resolved to rehearse and work to bring better theatrical experiences to you, and we�d like you to resolve to experience live theatre in February when �Oklahoma!� opens.

Resolutions come in all sizes, styles and dedication. Some can be resolved by writing a check, or working for a few hours, others need an ongoing commitment. No matter which way you go, commit to a resolution that can bring about change, and vow to help make it happen.

Finally, I�d like everyone in the Miami Valley to make a simple early resolution that is easy to keep. Come downtown for First Night Saturday. Party all evening for free, write your resolutions on a Luminary at the Courthouse Plaza. Let�s illuminate the darkness with the rays of light and hope that all our resolutions can bring.

 

Leib Lurie is a Troy Civic Theatre Board Member, Optimist Club member and CEO of phone message service OneCallNow.com. You can reach him at Leib@Lurie.net

Or see these columns on his blog at www.llurie.blogspot.com

Lurie column- Dec 21- Secret eavesdropping interrupts First Night plans

My friends and I were planning the 2^nd annual Troy First Night celebration. We were going over schedules of twenty bands, musical acts, comedians, theatrical shows, participatory art and more. Then talk turned to the news of the season.

I ignored some of the comments and jokes and kept plowing ahead. We had work to do, and lists of things to handle. We had garnered over fourteen thousand dollars in donations and local sponsorships from a fifteen firms and people - we were feeling satisfied- it was going to be a great New Year�s eve celebration. Again, someone asked - who was he listening to and under what authority?

The committee plowed on. A donor had come through with 1,000 square feet of bubble wrap and we planned to lay it out on courthouse square for a good stomping time- having a thousand Trojans doing a hip-hop number with Rum River Blend playing strong on Courthouse plaza. Then someone asked if there was any budgetary oversight for what was reported as a surreptitious domestic listening program.

Believe it or not, I wasn�t going to be distracted from the task at hand. There were food and soft drink issues to be dealt with. First Night is a family-friendly, alcohol-free event celebrated in 300 cities around the country. Starting in Philadelphia in 1976 the concept has swept the country, but only recently the county. Last year was the first First-Night celebration in Troy. This is going to be the 2^nd. We were debating whether to expect a mere 400 people like last year, or whether the cost of admission last year $10 to $20.00 per person) was a deterrent. This year, thanks to donations and sponsors (see above) the cost was reduced. This years� cost for First Night admission had been brow-beaten down to FREE. The committee needed to work out cookies and snack logistics for several thousand folks from all across the Miami Valley on Saturday Night to ring in the new year. The talk of crowds brought up the issue of security and again, someone mentioned whether we might have a concern for terrorists infiltrating Troy; because after all- the news stories this week were alive with global acts of infiltration.

Come on guys; the clock is ticking down toward New Year. The First Night Celebration of arts and community has dozens of things left on the checklist. Let�s focus folks! This paper is sponsoring the midnight countdown by Mayor Beamish as the giant ubiquitous Troy Strawberry shuffles down in the last 30 seconds. What would happen when midnight hit and everybody present flipped on their cell phone to call someone beyond our borders? Would the cell phone towers overload and create a security concern?

�What if someone is listening in to our calls. is it legal?� someone sniped. I cringed. �It�ll be too late to worry about that� I snapped back. The committee snapped back to work. Are the carriage rides set? The cool design for souvenir buttons has been completed �Puttin on the Ritz for 2006� is a great theme, but there�s lots to be done before we can dance in top hat and tails. Cases and cases of noisemakers, horns and decorations, signs, programs, and volunteers (still need eight more � you interested? 339-5455 or send an e-mail to info@firstnighttroy.com ) When once more a few snippets of conversation interrupted our work. �The guy has been listening in for years; it�s for our own good, and besides most Americans support it�. I couldn�t believe my ears. With an agenda barely covered these accusations were threatening to take over the meeting.

I flipped on the PC to play the radio spot for approval. I played it loud as I passed around the newspaper ads. We discussed the wording for the invitation telephone calls to announce the pending event to all Trojans. We wanted everyone to know the event was free, with 20 different musical acts, theater and activities starting at 4pm at Hayner and culminating at Midnight at the Courthouse Square. Thankfully someone turned back to the task at hand and asked if we had arranged for 500 luminaries to light up the courthouse steps � as people drew notes, resolutions, wishes and prayers on their bag to bring in the new year. The candles are on order, sand, bags and markers at the ready. For a buck-a-bag everyone will have the chance to make their glowing wish seen by all. A sniper asked about whether someone would write a religious prayer on their luminary and place it at the courthouse steps.

It was a tough meeting. The myriad of details at the last minute and yet some were continuing to raise the overarching question about domestic spying and unilateral eavesdropping without any judicial oversight, congressional approval or budgetary review.

I had had enough. �Look guys, how else was he going to find out who was naughty or nice? He has to listen in to everyone at sometime! Or don�t you believe in Santa Claus?

 

Leib Lurie is a Troy Civic Theatre Board Member, Optimist Club member and CEO of phone message service OneCallNow.com. You can reach him at Leib@Lurie.net

Or see these columns on his blog at www.llurie.blogspot.com

State Department Diplomats can come from Troy

Three years ago I received an invitation from Colin Powell to consider a career change and join the United States Foreign Service. I found out later it was a form letter sent to thousands of business people who had traveled extensively internationally, but felt good at the time.

The United States Foreign Service Officers are a group of 5,000 diplomats serving in embassies and consulates around the world. These career civil servants have an obligation to work on behalf of our country to drive foreign policy towards the goals of promoting peace, stability and prosperity. This includes advocating American foreign policy, protecting American citizens, and bolstering American business throughout the world. My business was barely embryonic at the time, and this seemed like a fascinating alternative opportunity.

So I took the bait and completed the extensive application, and then, along with 33,000 others nationwide, took the State Department Foreign Service written exam. Like the ACT�s, all candidates take the test on the same day across the country. It had been 25 years since grad school, and almost as long since wielding a number 2 lead pencil for the endless stream of fill-in-the-circles of multiple choice exams. The test went on for 6 hours. The Foreign Service seeks people who have a broad working knowledge of history, culture, geography, politics, government, mathematics, grammar, and philosophy. The latter evidently so one can tackle a light banter comparing Trostke with the Greeks at a diplomatic cocktail party.

Several months later, several thousand candidates scoring well on the test were invited to schedule an all-day oral examination. I chose to take mine in San Francisco, where my daughter was interning at the time. Another grueling day. Our group of 14 started with coffee at 6:30AM, and I left the building after 7pm. We went through group exercises, single interviews and a bewildering problem solving written assignment.

As a small group, we each were assigned a position in the embassy of a synthesized country, and given a project to spearhead. The others at the table had conflicting projects. The ��Ambassador� flipped us a ridiculously low sum total of available cash to spread among several projects. A situation designed to force disagreement, discord, emotion and appeals. Around the room observers were taking notes. Should we spend monies on a new legal aid system? Elephant breeding grounds? Water purification for remote villages? (the purifying system is from a key American supplier after all), or to fund the repair of a derelict ferry connecting the Sunni�s ghetto with the mainland. These decisions mimic those that happen every day as our country really does seek to make a difference in hundreds of countries, and thousands of situations around the globe.

Although the titular head of each embassy is a politically appointed ambassador, most of the work falls on the shoulders of career FSO�s. The all-day oral session is designed to thresh out those that can stand the heat and show that they could deal with the inevitable conflicts and challenges.

One question� �Your friend for the past 2 years, the finance minister in Toganda has been overthrown in a coup and the US has recognized his successor. Your friend knocks on your door one night furtively seeking protection for his family; what do you do?� The process was fascinating yet exhausting.

In a typical year, 450 of these oral interview candidates will be asked to join the foreign service. Then the fun really begins. An FBI agent reviewed my 30 page personal history form, and then sent investigators prowling through Troy interviewing friends, neighbors and business associates. They tracked down old roommates from college (asking, I suppose if I inhaled), they spoke with family and dozens of associates in four states and six countries.

In the meantime, they ask for a medical exam that probes, prods and tests for a dozen exotic diseases; because service assignments may be anywhere worldwide.

Then the winnowed field of candidates waits for an assignment and a new career.

Or they send a letter to our Secretary of State, as I did this week where I said �It is with deep regret and mixed emotions that I withdraw my candidacy for a position in the Foreign Service Officer Corps. I would be expected to pledge loyalty to carry out the policies and positions of the United States without question and can no longer in good conscience make that pledge.� I went on to cite several examples that have appeared on this page, and also that my rapidly growing business would, in any case require a deferral.

So, Ms. Rice, I wish you the best in carrying out the directives you have been given. The Foreign Service Officers under your command have proven their mettle to get their jobs, and hopefully offer the requisite strength and stability for the long term success of diplomacy and statesmanship.  

Leib Lurie is a Troy Civic Theatre Board Member, Optimist Club member and CEO of phone message service OneCallNow.com. You can reach him at Leib@Lurie.net

Or see these columns on his blog at www.llurie.blogspot.com

We need more Pride, Honor, Integrity and Justice

G. W. Bush spoke at length last week as he unveiled the secret plan for Victory in Iraq. Reminded me of Nixon's secret plan to end the war used to win re-election in 1972. The President was surrounded and applauded eagerly by the Annapolis midshipmen; many of whom will deploy soon to the Gulf area, albeit hundreds of miles from the Triangle of Death. No Naval ship cruises upstream on the Tigris to Baghdad.

One of our family�s best friends will depart for Iraq in January. His parents won�t tell his grandparents for fear they would lie down on the runway at Dover. The Marines send people ashore.

Michael Reagan wrote last week of the courage he saw in a trip to the Walter Reed Amputee rehab centre. He wrote about the pride and honor these soldiers felt losing pieces and parts of their bodies and uncalculated damage to their minds. Although these men (and a few women) are proud of their brief service, the repercussions of their injuries will be anything but brief. Their recovery and long term prognosis far from certain.

The Bush team Plan for Victory, according to most analysts, is a re-hash of the same tired song we have heard for a war that has lasted longer than The War to End All Wars; and is approaching our time of carnage in Korea.

Our President said he welcomed disagreement over policy; while speaking for the 4^th time in as many weeks in a military or foreign environment where disagreeing Americans could not just be cordoned off, but where our Commander in Chief could be safely ensconced miles away from their attempts at such a debate where he need not listen to anyone who disagrees with him. Pride?  

Our second amendment recognizes the right of the people to form a militia to protect the homeland. Had a foreign army invaded our country under false pretenses, using fabricated evidence presented on a world stage over the objections of professional intelligence analysts; such a home grown militia fighting for freedom and independence would not be called insurgents, but patriots.  

It bothers me that we have senior members of the administration under indictment for obstruction of justice in matters involving revealing state secrets. That our attorney General and his Republican predecessor have been diligently working to find ways to permanently imprison, torture and justify torture of foreign nationals with the merest hint of suspicions. Justice?

It concerns me that our Attorneys General overruled unanimous staff recommendations that the Tom DeLay led redistricting in Texas was illegal. But hey, it added five more Republicans to the House last year, and paraphrasing Richard Nixon and Robert Haldeman after Watergate; Party pragmatism means the end result is worth whatever it takes to achieve. Integrity?

I�m confused that Congressman Cunningham pleaded guilty to taking millions of dollars in bribes and was soundly castigated by fellow Republicans, but none of them mentioned the $28 Billion in undisclosed classified spending Duke Cunningham moved through his committee; a 47% increase in the past 4 years. No one talked about the billiard ball antics of Abramof and MZM Inc; as it took government contract funds and bounced it around, maybe with a little English on the ball, back and forth between lobbyists and campaign donations to Tom DeLay, Cunningham and the Bush campaign. Honor?     

I�m concerned that a second Grand Jury has been convened to investigate leaks of CIA secrets to further a partisan agenda. Nixon had his plumbers but look where that led.

This administration also seems to have an enemies list and is determined to silence them using Cheney and Rumsfield to attack not just blatant opponents but lash out at loyalists who dare to even hint at a disagreement with mandated administration policy. Integrity?

As a journalist getting $25.00 to write this column, I�m somewhat jealous over the millions spent the Pentagon to assure editors insert opinions masquerading as informative news and blatant administration propaganda placed in newspapers and on TV. (TDN readers should be pleased to know, as you read this, that this paper is obviously not on the Pentagon dole).

Finally, I�m deeply perturbed that both the Senate and House, with Presidential approval, voted last week to compensate for a $400 Billion annual deficit, a $50 Billion Iraqi war allocation for the next 10 months, and a $60 Billion Katrina emergency allocation by �slashing spending� by $10 billion a year, mostly by cutting back programs for children, education, food stamps and work training. Then they add insult to injury by passing $50 Billion in additional tax cuts for the upper 1%. Honor? Integrity? Justice?

I�m proud to be an American, but jeez, my pride in these cumulative issues and actions makes me feel less than patriotic and forced to wonder; where�s the honor, integrity and justice in our government today? We deserve better.

 

Leib Lurie is a Troy Civic Theatre Board Member, Optimist Club member and CEO of phone message service OneCallNow.com. You can reach him at Leib@Lurie.net

Or see these columns on his blog at www.llurie.blogspot.com