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The silver linings are there if we look for them

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By Roger Conrad

Saturday, Jul 19, 2008 - 12:47:28 am CDT

If you watch the broadcast media and read most newspapers, it is very easy to become depressed and sometimes have feelings of hopelessness regarding the current state of affairs in the world.

I usually pride myself on being optimistic no matter what the situation, yet I find myself looking very hard for the silver lining in the clouds that sometimes gather. From the war on terrorism to the economy to record high gas prices, it appears that pundits and politicians alike are more intent on casting blame and focusing on the negative than trying to find realistic solutions to the problems plaguing us.

In a recent story regarding the statement by Iraq’s prime minister, Nouri al-Maliki, discussing the withdrawal of U.S. and coalition forces from Iraq, the focus appeared to be on the Bush administration’s opposition to stating publicly the exact date the troop withdrawals would begin.

Story Photo
Roger Conrad

Shouldn’t the story have been about the positive and confident outlook of the Iraqi prime minister on the development of his nation’s military and police force and its ability to be self-sufficient when it comes to the security of the country? There are still issues within the nation of Iraq, but for the first time since the removal of Saddam Hussein, the Iraqi government appears to be confident in its ability to handle its security without U.S. assistance. Wasn’t this the stated goal all along?

The Iraq oil ministry announced on July 1 that it was opening six key oil production fields to more than 30 foreign companies, not just U.S. companies. Iraq’s oil minister, Hussain al-Shahristani, said Iraq would begin taking bids later this year for longer-term contracts on six of its oil fields.

Thirty-five foreign companies have qualified to participate. Iraq hopes to almost double its production, to 4.5 million barrels of oil a day over the next five years, from the current 2.5 million barrels. Oil is the Iraqi economy and always has been. I wonder what impact this new Iraq will have on the international market with its proven second-largest oil reserves in the world now that the country can secure this industry itself.

But, this leads us to the topic of what to do about America and the world’s dependence on oil and how it affects the environment.

Now, if you are one of those people who believe man is actually responsible for the current warming trend of the earth, good for you. You are no doubt riding your bike, planting trees by the hundreds, purchasing carbon credits from homeless people without cars, growing hemp and weaving it into your own clothes and attempting to plug the top of the Kilauea Volcano in Hawaii. Recent studies have found a new carbon dioxide emission rate of 8,500 tons a day from the volcano’s summit. Are these natural phenomena taken into account by the global warming fatalists?

I am all for reducing dependence on fossil fuels and improving the air we breathe. Build me a truck that is affordable and runs on water or pine cones or peanut butter and I’ll buy it, but in the meantime let’s use our technology and science to build some new oil refineries without taking 25 years and costing the builder millions of dollars just to obtain the permits. I can’t imagine why some people are hesitant to take on that challenge.

Can we stop burning coal for electrical power and build a few clean nuclear power plants? I know there are some in our nation who are stuck with the “China Syndrome” mentality, but look at France. They have 59 nuclear reactors that supply more than 430 billion kWh per year of electricity, 78 percent of the total generated there. As a result, France is said to have a substantial level of energy independence and almost the lowest-cost electricity in Europe, according to the World Nuclear Association. It also has an extremely low level of carbon dioxide emissions from electricity generation because more than 90 percent of its electricity is nuclear or hydroelectric.

Now, I really don’t like much about France, but you have to admit that it appears to have figured out how to generate clean and safe electrical power.

Folks, if you think the government will solve all your problems, provide your insurance, reopen closed factories and bail you out of irresponsible home loans, then you already know for whom to vote.

Raising taxes on the industries and businesses that employ America is not going to create more jobs; it will cost them. It will not cause the economy to grow; it will shrink even more. I would prefer that the government make opportunities available and affordable for all the people of this nation to succeed in whatever endeavor they pursue, whether it be business, politics or turning wrenches, and then get the heck out of the way.

Be positive. Be responsible. Be proud of this country (unless you are Michelle Obama).

Enjoy life. It’s much too short to be spent walking around hating the nation in which you live.

Roger Conrad is a Marine Corps veteran who served a tour of duty in Iraq and works for the Nebraska Department of Corrections.


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Jeff wrote on July 19, 2008 9:15 am:
" Here's a couple silver linings. The Bush adminstration's time is almost over. For those of us in the center and to the left of the political spectrum who love this country and don't like putting up with arrogance and imcompetence, there is hope.

The story in Iraq for months was the Bush Administratino refusing to set a time table, saying the Iraq army and government was not ready, and swearing that they were pushing them along as fast as possible. It was a story when the Iraq government had to publically announce that they wanted a time table to get the U.S. out. And the Bush administration, who arrogantly NEVER admits to bad judgement, had to be forced to even admit it was time to talk about a time table. There biggest relectance now probably has to do with politics more than what's happening on the ground, and that's just more signs of the perpetual election mode that this administration operates under.

Have you really checked both the economy and the mood of these Europeans lately who are suffering under programs like universal healthcare. Things are good. Are you familiar with the issues of American healthcare. The problem with 47 million uninsured. Non-profit hospitals closing doors due to poor reimbursement. The highest costs in the world, crippling small business and large business alike, sending jobs overseas (where they have universal healthcare?) Are you aware that we've financed this war by borrowing money from China? We all look for the silver lining. But some of us can't seem to get our arms around reality and what the possibilites for this country really are. "

 Right on Roger wrote on July 19, 2008 9:21 am:
" The silver lining is there and it's coming in November. By the way, France was right. That's no reason to dislike them. "

 notarightwinger wrote on July 19, 2008 9:55 am:
" Mr. Conrad keeps getting invited by the Journal Star to share his far-right perspectives. As usual, he is condescending and contemptous toward people of other viewpoints that don't share his undying support of the current administration and policies.
The unfair insult to Mrs. Obama sums up his arrogance and intolerance. Too bad many readers will agree with him enthusiastically..... "

 WandaC wrote on July 19, 2008 11:20 am:
" Thank you Roger Conrad. You should be running for office. It is about time the positive happenings in Iraq are talked about in the media. I am proud to be an American and I am thankful for our servicemen and woman who have fought to protect the freedoms we have here in America. There are countries in this world where if one were to publicly say they hated their country they would be executed - not so here due to brave men and women like yourself fighting to protect our freedom of speech. My advice to those who hate this country is "You are welcome to leave at any time!" "

 Universal Health Care is a fairy tale wrote on July 19, 2008 9:42 pm:
" Jeff, I would urge you to read the Community Columnist Barbara Fischer's recent column regarding Universal Health Care in the Washington Post. She indicates that in Canada the wait time across all specialties averaged 18 weeks in 2005. A dog can get a hip replacement faster than a Canadian. Let's also remember that Medicare and Medicaid are Govt provided universal health care. There has been recent debate at the federal level about further cuts to the Medicare reimbursement rates to doctors. As I recall the Journal Star even had an article about a doctor who felt he would have to limit the number of Medicare patients he could see if the cuts were reinacted. The problem is we need tort reform so doctors are not needing to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars for malpractice incurance. Also, the Medicaid budget is currently 17% of the Nebraska General Fund Expenditures for its recent biennial budget. Just how much can we afford to pay in taxes before we are taxed to death. "

 Edgar Pearlstein wrote on July 19, 2008 9:49 pm:
" WandaC seems to think that anyone who criticises our country must hate it. Tell us, Wanda, do you ever criticise your children? "

 DR wrote on July 19, 2008 11:13 pm:
" Now Mr. Pearlstein is confused. Never critisize the country because it is just a great place to live. However, don't stop critisizing the stupid actions of nice polititians. It is our responsibility to keep a close watch on those we elected to serve and to communicate our pleasure or displeasure with their actions or stated goals and strategies.

On anoter note: I enjoy reading from Roger Conradt. He is correct about one thing for certain: We are reaching the goal of the Iraqi Government taking control of their own destiny. It is welcome sign to see their officials believing and speaking of self control and the exit of American troops, don't you agree? "

 another ex-Marine wrote on July 20, 2008 8:41 am:
" "Realistic solutions to the problems facing us" will never be found in wars based on lies , trashing the Constitution, or giving Multinational oil companies access to the second largest oil reserve in the world. Solutions will be found when we begin to respect other people and their culture and dignity as fellow human beings . Roger Conrad's optimism is based on a naive ignorance and arrogance that will diminish us all. "

 spoken wrote on July 20, 2008 10:10 am:
" like a real republican bush follower. Wow, I'm almost dumbfounded. I agree with Jeff as the silver lining is that bush and cheney are almost done wrecking the country. All we need is a few more right wing conservatives writing all the articles the will publish. This guy needs to join up, go through special forces training, and get his rear end over to iraq for a couple years, then onto afghanistan for two more. Leave his business and family behind to fend for themselves, then come back and tell how good his party is. Hopefully roger is not the typical nebraska republican. Speaking of nebraska, I wanted to rent a car for a week and checked the pricing at lincoln airport. The car is priced at 225 for one week + 11.5 percent in taxes in lincoln. I checked the airport where I'm going in springfield Mo. The car rent is 175 dollars for the same week and the tax is 6.5 percent. Why would there be that kind of difference? Oh I forgot I was trying to rent it in nebraska where tax is king. "

 Tort Reform wrote on July 20, 2008 11:32 am:
" No one says we have to copy Canada's health system. Or the United Kingdoms. We need to stop using that as an excuse to do nothing. 30% of our health care dollars goes for paper pushing, eaten up by the myriad of third party payers who suck out a huge portion of the money for administrative costs. And the competition really doesn't function in healthcare the way it might in other parts of the economy. Our for-profit system spends huge dollars on new drug entities and technology that offer very little to overall health care - but then the companies spend billions in marketing campaigns, TV commercials - to create a market for a product that probably shouldn't exist. We pay premium prices for medications so that other countries can pay 1/3 to 1/2 of what we do. Are you happy subsidizing drug costs for the rest of the world. Don't copy Canada's system. We are already spending about double the money that Canada does, so there is no reason to think our system would ever be like theirs. There seems to be this huge denial about the effect it is having on our economy and competitiveness inthe world economy. As a civilized nation we need to cover all people and have more preventative medicine. This will save huge amounts of money - instead of waiting for them to come to the emergency room with a heart attack, stroke, respiratory failure, diabetic acidosis, etc. "

 Rxwoman wrote on July 20, 2008 11:28 pm:
" Yeah, Roger, I have often said there is one silver lining in the black cloud this disaster of an administration has become. That it has allowed for people to get a good look at what a Republican controlled, Neo-con agenda, means for this country. It means putting corporate America in charge, tax cuts for the wealthy, never-ending wars, loss of jobs, rising poverty, slashing public benefits, mind-boggling deficits, while still giving big business their subidys, it means the gap between the the rich and poor becomes big enough to drive a gas guzzling hummer through. It means crony capatalism, tax loop holes and Cayman Island accounts for those with the right connections, and 4+ dollar a gallon gas, and an over all raise in the cost of living for those of us who work to survive. It's another gilded age.
I hope folks have learned their lesson. "

 Nina wrote on July 21, 2008 8:37 am:
" It seems Mr. Conrad mixes his motives - trying to spread encouragement for the future with some sound advice, then turning around to bash Michelle Obama with a line taken out of text that the media reported. If he would have taken the time and effort to listen to her complete text, he might feel a little badly about what he said. After all, he accuses innocent people of growing hemp, which is a crime (this fact taken out of text, also, to show how ridiculous people can make an innocent comment sound.) So, minus the propoganda and right-wing bluster, Mr. Conrad had a couple of good things to say. "

 Ray wrote on July 21, 2008 9:05 am:
" Speaking in Milwaukee, Wis., on Monday February 18, 2008, Michelle Obama said, “People in this country are ready for change and hungry for a different kind of politics and … for the first time in my adult life I am proud of my country because it feels like hope is finally making a comeback.”
Her adult life began in 1982. So that means that EVERYTHING that took place in this nation prior to her birth and since has given her NOTHING to be proud of UNTIL this year when her husband began his presidential campaign.
Seems pretty clear to me. What was taken out of context again? "

 Nina wrote on July 21, 2008 9:51 am:
" For Ray's and Roger's benefit, check online for 'I am proud of my country,' Michelle Obama clarifies 'first time' remark, because you have evidently been misguided. "

 Ray wrote on July 21, 2008 12:35 pm:
" 4 months after she made this comment, Michelle Obama appears on "the view" and states that she has always been proud of her country. I really should have googled for that little sentence. Everyone that believes that can now stand on their heads. "

 Bill wrote on July 21, 2008 4:20 pm:
" Thank you Mr. Conrad for your support of the United States and our military. I note the Bush haters are out in force. I bet they don't agree with the French about nuclear power, just the French back stabbing us on the War. On the French and War, I always remember the old saying, "going to War without the French is like going deer hunting without your accordion. I think they hate President Bush because he's Christian, that's my best theory. You would think the fact we've won in Iraq after a slow start would quiet them down, but it doesn't. "

 Ray wrote on July 22, 2008 9:12 am:
" Nina, I looked and looked for some clarification on Michelle Obamas' comment, but for the life of me I just can't find it. Perhaps she said what she actually meant. It is not hard to believe that a woman who for years attended a church that was lead by a racist, America hating pastor, would eventually begin to see things as the pastor does, no matter that she had reaped the very best education available in the land of the free and the home of the brave. That Michelle Obama is only proud of her country now that her husband is the presumtive democrat candidate for president, is really not a stretch of the imagination. I call 'em like I see 'em. But what a great first lady she will be. O BOY! "

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