Dateline Dayton — In an effort to provide you only with correct information, here is a change to last week’s Ramblings. The South Bend baseball team is not known as the Lugnuts. They are the Silver Hawks. The Lugnuts are from Lansing, MI. Sorry
Some weeks ago I was telling you I needed a new soapbox, which I should have constructed then and there. I am back on my old soapbox to present two cents of opinion on current events. Even if I had a new soapbox, my position would not change.
Way to Go, Guys
Every day we hear news about the state of the economy and how jobs our leaving our country. What does New York City do to help? For their taxi fleet, they are purchasing foreign cars.
If it isn’t crazy enough to buy taxis from a foreign company, they are not even being manufactured in the USA. This is outrageous. Here is a serious situation, which is receiving little attention.
Union members should be converging on New York like bees to wild flowers. Instead, they are spending time fighting states like Wisconsin and Ohio, who are just trying to put programs in place to save taxpayers money, not give jobs to foreign countries. All unions should be insisting that the New York taxi fleet consist of American-manufactured cars, supporting jobs in the USA.
I cannot imagine how any government agency can justify spending money, be it taxpayer-supported or private, to purchase foreign cars, with the sagging condition of the United States automobile industry. There must be an auto manufacturer here with a vehicle that can compete with the one they are purchasing. If not, at least acquire cars built in our country.
Bin There, Done That
Should we be celebrating the killing of Osama bin Laden?
I don’t think so.
Killing, no matter who it is, should not be cause for celebration. Respect for life is a problem in our country, from abortion to the number of shootings we have on a daily basis. Sure, bin Laden was an evil man. Our military action was justified. Instead of celebrating his death, though, we should celebrate a successful military action and the fact that all our personnel made it out safely.
Although I don’t agree with our President on most issues, I do agree there is no need for pictures of his body to be published. What would be the accomplished? No matter what, you will have people saying it wasn’t bin Landen. I now hear that his family wants proof we killed Osama. Why don’t they just ask his wives? One was present, or so we once were told.
Can we rest easier now that bin Landen is gone?
I don’t think so. There is probably someone already taking his place. Guess what? He or she could be more evil. We had better keep our guard up and not trust anyone, even those who claim to be our friends.
Should we be sending millions of dollars to Pakistan?
I don’t think so.
Until it is proven that no one in Pakistan was aware that bin Laden was living there, stop the giveaway program. Our schools are in desperate need of funds. In most cases, the money going to foreign governments could be better used right here in the USA. Possibly we could even make a payment on our debt. Personally, I would like to see this whole issue of foreign aid examined, to see what we are getting for the billions we provide. Friends cannot be bought.
Did some or possibly many in Pakistan know that bin Landen was living in this compound? I believe so. It sure appears that someone — probably on the take — was helping to conceal his whereabouts. I doubt if we will ever know the “real” story, or how many were truly involved.
We should have gotten everyone out of that complex and destroyed the place. Possibly then, we would be in a better position to know what exactly was, and is, taking place.
Child Welfare
You may remember the case of Benjamin Mills Jr., the birth father of Baby Vanessa, the child whom California resident Stacey Doss was trying to adopt. He recently was arrested. Mr. Mills, who is supposed to a loving father, wanted custody of this child. Guess what he was arrested for? Welfare theft involving two of his older children.
All along I have contended Mr. Mills had some motive, besides his claim of being a loving father, as to why he wanted this child. I now believe we have an answer — the opportunity to place more taxpayer money in his pocket.
The taxpayers of Dayton and Montgomery County have spent a lot of money on Mr. Mills. It is time we put a stop to his nonsense. If we need to change laws, change them.
The real loser in this case is Baby Vanessa, who will only have a loving guardian, Stacy, when she should be her mother. Worst yet, Vanessa will need to tolerate visits from this guy, Benjamin Mills Jr. He and grandma had better be paying for their visits personally, not taking from taxpayers, either through the child welfare agency or fraud.
In a separate count, Mr. Mills was also indicted for felony theft stemming from a Feb. 9 incident in which he allegedly stole — you guessed it — a child support card. What a guy.
Mr. Hennessey may be contacted at pmhenn@sbcglobal.net
