HALO: Evolutions

Just completed reading "HALO: Evolutions," the recent collection of short stories from the HALO world.  The TOR and Bungie brought in a team of heavy hitter writers to help not only feed the appetites of the full-spectrum of HALO fans, but to also fill in some of the blanks on the ongoing HALO history from a intimate look at the infamous Dr. Halsey to the impossible life and mysterious disappearance of Admiral Cole.  A good read for the avid HALO fan as well as the non-fan looking for a taste of what it's all about.

A Writer writes . . . Always

"A writer writes . . . always," from Throw Mama from the Train is one of my favorite all time movie lines, and one I have been living by for the past few months.  Unfortunately, that may not be such a good thing; there are other things in life that either fall from the proverbial plate or get left in the dust.  This blog site is a good case in point.  Yes, there are other issues in this category, but I'll save those for a good therapist.

The intent of this site is to provide lessons-learned to other striving writers . . . or serve as an example as to why you should look to other ambitions in life.  Those who have answered the calling will tell you this is not for the weak of heart!  Alas, I digress.

Lets start afresh: The intent is to provide lessons-learned and provide some transparency to my way down this creative road.

A recent addition to the site is the "Currently Reading" list over on the right.  I can usually manage approximately three books at a time and will strive to keep the list updated (please note I am not a fast reader).

What is not up-to-date is the "One Last Hero" status.  Actually, the manuscript is on hold for the near future.  Originally it was stood down to rush a novella, "Juxtaposition Reality" onto the green ramp for publication.  Unfortunately, the magazine closed down; so, now comes the process of finding another publisher.  In the meantime, the manuscript for "Dew Drop Inn" its weirdness aplenty is in revision for a possible eBook.  "So the story goes."

Bottom line, the site will focus more on this writer's lessons-learned.  I think for the next posting we'll take a look at the music that helped to formulate and sustain different writings (am writing this to Yes' "Live at Montreux 2003").

See you then. And remember, "a writer writes . . . always."

Merry Christmas and Happy New Years!!!

Just want to take a moment to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and the very best of the New Year.  This especially goes out to our extended family that has found themselves a half a world away from family and friends.  We look forward to celebrating your safe return back into the arms of loved ones.

I also want to recognize the number of readers from Russia and Canada who started following this blog the past year.  Thank you for your interest and visits to the cyber Comstock.

"Gang Leader for a Day"

Although am trying to return the blog site to its original intention of journaling the writing process, I want to make a rare commendation of the book, “Gang Leader for a Day” by Sudhir Venkatesh.

A self-proclaimed “rouge sociologist,” his 2008 book is a look at JT and the Black Kings, a drug gang embedded in the projects of Chicago. He covers an almost ten-year period providing insight into not only the culture of the gang, but also takes an in-depth look at the residents of the projects and their community within a community geared towards their very survival.

Venkatesh and his work with the Black Kings were introduced in Stephen J. Dubner’s “Freakonomics.” This book is a result of the attention Venkatesh received as a result of “Freakonomics.” It is well written as the style seamlessly transitions back and forth between his memoir and his Master’s dissertation. An important take away also found within its pages is an issue we all fall victim to – a lack of cultural understanding. Every chapter is a composite of paradigm shifts SoCal raised Venkatesh was confronted with as well as cultural misunderstandings throughout his time amongst the Black Kings.

I picked up a copy for research for “Last Standing Hero” and walked away with a greater learning experience than I expected. A great read and learning experience!!

Open Cuba

The following was my response to the USA Today editorial regarding Cuba, dtd 27 Sep 2010.

Addressing the issue of relations with Cuba seems to always draw a maelstrom of emotions from individuals and groups who continually bully it off the agenda for any intellectual discussions. 

So why do we view the island nation as a threat to our way of life?  We must get beyond archaic Cold War attitudes and move forward with foreign policy enlightenment reflective of current and future global strategies.  After all, Communism as a governance system has proven to be ineffective and a politically endangered species. 

How different is the situation regarding China?  The Asian giant is plagued with allegations of human rights violations, and addresses the sovereignty of Taiwan with a contentious if not bullying approach.  And yet the United States goods imports from China were close to $300 billion last year.

Where is our credibility as a global leader if we can’t even take care of business in our own backyard?  Now is the time to stop treating Cuba like the 600-pound gorilla in the room and reestablish diplomatic and economic relations with our southern neighbor.

Finally, remember the Maine?  The USS Maine blew up in Havana Harbor 15 Feb 1898 with the loss of 260 American lives.  US Navy investigators found inconclusive evidence as to the cause of the explosion.  Similar as today, it was an outspoken populace fueled by external influences that shaped opinion and eventually drove the US political response.

Time to Turn the Page

Last night the US President announced the end of combat mission in Iraqi.  While I applaud his actions, especially with the announcement occurring on my final day in the US Army, it concerns me whether or not it’s being done for the right reasons.

Why the war in Iraq was initiated in the first place is one for historians and politicians to argue and debate in the years to come.  Personally, I am beyond that – too many hours were spent on this particular at the USAWC – now my focus is our extended family that continues the mission in my absence.

The President noted a couple of issues that immediately caught my attention: the “violence will not end” and the remaining US military will redirect their efforts to an “advising and assisting role.”  That being said, of concern is the issue of rules of engagement for the troops in Iraq.  Will they no longer have the ability to adequately protect and defend themselves while in theater?

The President also noted, “We must use all elements of our power.”  That should be a given in times of any crisis – foreign or domestic.  As for “Diplomats, aid workers, and advisors – are moving into the lead,” the question becomes, Where ya been??  Because the State Department was too slow on the upswing of resolving the issues of nation rebuilding as well as a number of the NGOs, the military in many cases had to step up to the traditional civilian roles to put in place civil infrastructure or see to their creation.

In the Q&A session the White House communications office had on uTube following the President’s speech there were a couple of reoccurring questions that probably was on everyone’s mind.  Will the money we have been putting into the war now be used on other things to jump-start the economy? And, How much will ending the Iraq war save in defense spending?

In this time of recession and depression fears these are realistic questions each of us should be asking our elected representatives – especially with elections less than two and a half months away.  But before anyone runs off to play stump the chump with the candidates there’s a couple of tidbits of information to also keep in mind.  One, this war has been for the most part done on the cheap – in terms of money.  In previous wars the nation postured themselves into a wartime footing taking significant amount of funding and materials into the fight. 

While there was significantly more funding available to prepare our military for war from what was allotted prior to 9-11, it was still not at the levels experienced in previous wars.  Of note, the latest weapon, the M-4 rifle, is still not fully fielded throughout the Army; consequently, Soldiers aren’t normally issued the weapon until they are preparing for deployment.  Helicopters lost in the war are not readily replaced, but shifted around from other aviation units not in the deployment window.  Most up-armored vehicles are kept in theater for rotation after rotation after rotation – sooner or later someone is going to have to absorb the cost of their replacement.  And the list goes on.

There are also the post-deployment medical costs that have only just begun.  We the people cannot afford or allow the affects of PTSD, suicide, physical trauma, and other disorders to simply slip to the back pages of everyday life.  These kids stepped forward when our nation called and rode to the sound of the guns to help preserve our way of life.  So, lets not make their care an issue of political contention.

The bottom line, it’s reasonable to assume this war will continue to cost us long after the last Soldier turns out the lights and flies back to the world.

What the President and I do agree on – yes, it’s time to turn the page.

Katrina - Fifth Anniversary

The fifth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina is now upon us.  And this half-decade moment should not only be one of reflection on the destruction of people’s lives and property, but also one of celebration as communities like Biloxi and New Orleans defied the odds and are slowly returning to productive neighborhoods where dreams can yet again develop and blossom.

One of the strengths that’s made the United States a social success has been an ingrained philosophy of “Neighbor helping neighbor” to address times of challenge and need.  If Katrina was anything it served as the vehicle to show the world – on a grand scale – the spirit of America was not dead.

Like the conference rooms for National Guard headquarters and other first responder organizations, it all started with a late night call for help.  Actually, it wasn’t really a request for help, but inquires as to be the ability and capabilities to “maybe provide some assistance.”  And it was from these simply questions that America’s internal humanitarian response snowballed onto a scale never before seem within the borders of the red, white and blue.

Unfortunately, this catastrophic event must also serve as a wakeup call to false realities.

How prepared were we, are we really?  A lot of assumptions came into play with Katrina: assumptions the local government had executable plans in the hopper to take care of all its citizens; assumptions the state government had contingency requests for assistance from unaffected states – some did, some didn’t; assumptions the federal government had immediate response agencies waiting in the wings; and assumption plans at all levels were executable and well rehearsed.  Like the event of 9-11, the disaster in the Southern States brought on a slurry of reviews and revisions of disaster plans to ensure this debacle will not occur again.  But all thought we were ready on 28 August 2005.

Next, the human element must be seen as the unknown factor in any equation.  In times of tragedy we look to our civic and government leaders as the authority figures who will pull us through to calmer waters.  We look, we depend, we pray for their guidance to the sanctuary of safety and the return to the comfort of our “normal” lives.  Using New Orleans as the example, the mayor did not provide the guidance or ensure the safety of his citizens; the extensive corruption of the NOPD quickly became evident in the wake of Katrina; and the governor had her own leadership issues that will remain forever in the history books.  Unfortunately, the list goes on and on.

But the NOLA basin is also the nest of the Phoenix.  Even though we must continue to pursue mitigation of the trauma from Katrina, there is a part of the human element we must never stop celebrating.  All along the southern coast is alive with everyday heroes who not only pulled themselves up by the bootstraps, but also ensured their neighbors a ray of hope for the future.  They shared shelter, shared food and clothing, and shared the spark to start anew.  When you ask them why you get many different answers.  But it all seems to boil down to this inclination of neighbor helping neighbor.