header image

[Sign Up Now] to Receive Our FREE Daily SCVTV-SCVNews Digest by E-Mail

Inside
Weather


 
Calendar
Today in
S.C.V. History
March 28
1934 - Bouquet Canyon Reservoir, replacement for ill-fated St. Francis Dam & reservoir, begins to fill with water [story]
Bouquet Reservoir


The Real Side | Commentary by Joe Messina
| Monday, Oct 14, 2013

joemessinamugLet me start by saying, this is not a Democrat vs. Republican piece. This is an “administration gone stupid” piece.

These budget games have been played for years. These fights over who knows best have been played for years. But Mafia-style thuggery like this should be left in Chicago, New York, Miami or Boston. I presume they are used to it and know how to deal with it.

The government shutdown, caused by the failure of the Senate to pass a budget in the last five years (read my piece from last week if you need details), should have no effect on our war memorials. If we can keep the president’s golf courses open and Mrs. Obama’s 16 assistants funded, and if we can continue to enter into contracts and pay for guards to protect illegal aliens marching at the National Mall, then we can allow our veterans to visit their war memorial.

Yes, we could have cancelled the march on the National Mall, just like we cancelled some air shows across the country – air shows that demonstrate what American pride and strength look like; air shows that inspire our kids to want to be soldiers and pilots and heroes.

Now, on Oct. 1, the White House ordered the National Park Service to put up barricades around the monuments in and around Washington, D.C. That included the World War II Memorial, an open-air monument normally open year-‘round, with no chains, no gate, ever … until now. Did anyone in the White House stop to think that the brave men and women who most want to visit these monuments, our veterans, were not thwarted when landing at the beaches of Normandy; were not stopped by ground-to-air fire; nor were they stopped by depth charges or torpedoes? Did they really think some little crowd-control gates were going to stop them from paying respects to their fallen brothers and sisters?

Apparently, no one in the White house has ever been in a combat situation to understand the determination of our veterans.

Planeloads of World War II veterans were scheduled to arrive on honor flights to visit their war memorial. Instead, this administration spent money and time to block the monument from those it stands to honor. To call this ridiculous would be a gross understatement.

And let’s not stop at the veterans. The White House is also attempting to cancel the Air Force vs. Navy football game, and the Army’s game against Boston College. It doesn’t seem to matter that service academy athletic programs are self-funded, private organizations requiring no government funds. It also doesn’t seem to matter that by cancelling the Air Force-Navy game alone, those programs stand to lose $4 million.

According to a story in the Capital Gazette, Naval Academy Athletic Director Chet Gladchuk said: “We could run our entire athletics program and conduct events as we always do without any government funds. … In talking to the Air Force athletic director, their football team could execute the trip without government funding.”

According to National Review, when the Department of Defense was asked why it was suspending intercollegiate athletic contests if government funds were not required, Gladchuk said he was told it was about “optics.”  “It’s a perception thing.”

Think about this. It is self-funded. That means no tax dollars. The programs will lose millions. And all this current White House administration cares about is perception?

The White House told us health care wouldn’t cost us any extra money and everyone would have healthcare. Yes, they sold you perception.

This president said he was going to fundamentally transform this country to be a better country. Yes, he sold you perception.

Our nation’s founding fathers feared the majority of a mob as much as they feared the tyranny of a monarch, and that’s why they gave us the constitutional system of checks and balances that the Republican majority in the House of Representatives is using today. Minority rights are protected in that document, which makes the position of a president demanding 100 percent compliance proof-positive that he doesn’t understand the document he swore to uphold.

Mr. President, tear down these unnecessary barricades, gates and roadblocks. Quit shutting down programs that have no reliance on government funding. And stop with the lies, the fear and the spin. Our founding fathers were fearful of under-informed voters because they knew it could mean disaster. You seem to feed on misinforming and sometimes even downright lying to the public simply to justify your position. You seem to embrace disaster and thrive on confusion.

Tear down the walls you have erected, stop exaggerating the divisions, and work to unite all of us. Maybe then you’d allow us to be that great country we can be, and once were, again.

 

Joe Messina is host of The Real Side (TheRealSide.com), a nationally syndicated talk show that runs on AM-1220 KHTS radio and SCVTV [here]. He is also the current president of the Hart School Board. His commentary publishes Mondays.

 

Comment On This Story
COMMENT POLICY: We welcome comments from individuals and businesses. All comments are moderated. Comments are subject to rejection if they are vulgar, combative, or in poor taste.
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.

2 Comments

  1. dig_into_the_lies says:

    Well said.

  2. Greyling says:

    This reads like a Klan press release. Taking a Confederate flag to the White House is just such a friendly thing to do. What’s next, burning crosses on the White House lawn? Your side lost the Civil War 150 years ago. Get over it.

Leave a Comment


Opinion Section Policy
All opinions and ideas are welcome. Factually inaccurate, libelous, defamatory, profane or hateful statements are not. Your words must be your own. All commentary is subject to editing for legibility. There is no length limit, but the shorter, the better the odds of people reading it. "Local" SCV-related topics are preferred. Send commentary to: LETTERS (at) SCVNEWS.COM. Author's full name, community name, phone number and e-mail address are required. Phone numbers and e-mail addresses are not published except at author's request. Acknowledgment of submission does not guarantee publication.
Read More From...
RECENT COMMENTARY
Wednesday, Mar 27, 2024
Remo, Inc. is is the world's leading manufacturer and developer of synthetic drumheads and shells. They’ve been in business for 60 years
Tuesday, Mar 26, 2024
Springtime in Santa Clarita brings not only vibrant blooms and opportunities to embrace the outdoors with warmer weather, but also an array of free, family-friendly events and this Saturday is no exception.
Thursday, Mar 21, 2024
Did you know that each year, Main Street in Old Town Newhall undergoes countless makeovers for different events, such as Light Up Main Street and the Fourth of July Parade?
Thursday, Mar 21, 2024
Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, whose Fifth District includes the Santa Clarita Valley, issued the following statement Thursday in response to an announcement by Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel of a proposal to change how calls to the 9-8-8 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline are routed.
Monday, Mar 18, 2024
Unlike our children who enjoy a week-long spring break, we adults no longer have that luxury.
Friday, Mar 15, 2024

Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
1934 - Bouquet Canyon Reservoir, replacement for ill-fated St. Francis Dam & reservoir, begins to fill with water [story]
Bouquet Reservoir
The California Department of Public Health launched the “Never a Bother” campaign, a youth suicide prevention public awareness and outreach campaign for youth, young adults, and their parents, caregivers, and allies.
California Launches New Youth Suicide Prevention Campaign
The Santa Clarita Master Chorale invites the community to "Let the Sunshine In," a delightful evening of food, wine and song at the annual Cabaret & Cabernet fundraising benefit.
April 20: Santa Clarita Master Chorale’s Cabaret, Cabernet Fundraiser
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health cautions residents who are planning to visit the below Los Angeles County beaches to avoid swimming, surfing, and playing in ocean waters:
March 27 Ocean Water Warning
As an integral ingredient necessary to help the Santa Clarita Valley to flourish, feedback from the business community is the secret sauce for achieving great things.
SCVEDEC Asks For the Business Community’s Opinion on Santa Clarita
Raise your heart rate while raising funds for the Santa Clarita Sister Cities Dollars-for-Desks campaign to provide school desks for students in Sariaya, Santa Clarita's Sister City in the Philippines.
April 13: Sister Cities Zumba-thon Fundraiser
Remo, Inc. is is the world's leading manufacturer and developer of synthetic drumheads and shells. They’ve been in business for 60 years
SCVEDC Company Spotlight: Drumming Up Big Business with Remo, Inc.
California State Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo (D-Chatsworth) and Assemblyman James Ramos (D-Highland) have introduced AB 3074 the "School or athletic team names: California Racial Mascots Act."
Schiavo Introduces Bill to Prohibit ‘Derogatory’ School Mascot Names
Los Angeles County’s Justice, Care and Opportunities Department  in collaboration with Local Initiatives Support Corporation Los Angeles is proud to announce the 2nd Annual Pitch Competition for the cohorts of JCOD's Incubation Academy.
March 28: JCOD Incubation Academy Helps Grassroots Non-Profits For the Second Year
Children’s Bureau is seeking foster families and now offers two virtual ways for individuals and/or couples to learn how to help children in foster care while reunifying with birth families or how to provide legal permanency by adoption.
April 18: Children’s Bureau Hosts Virtual Orientation
The Sunburst track was constructed in 1887 by the Southern Pacific Railroad and was a part of the main line running between San Francisco and Los Angeles.
Enjoy Spring With a Ride On The Sunburst Track
California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond hosted a Personal Finance Summit today where he announced his support for Assembly Bill 2927 (McCarty), legislation that would require a personal finance education course for California high school graduation.
State Superintendent Announces Support for Personal Finance Graduation Requirement
1847 - Probable birth date of Pico Canyon oil driller Charles Alexander Mentry [story]
C.A. Mentry
The first Music Jam Session at The MAIN was held on Thursday, Feb. 22 and was a hit. Come out and join in for the next one on Thursday, March 28 7 p.m.-9 p.m.
March 28: The MAIN to Host Musicians’ Jam Session
Los Angeles County Inspector General Max Huntsman of the Office of Inspector General has issued a report entitled "Tenth Report Back on Implementing Body-Worn Cameras in Los Angeles County."
Office of Inspector General Issues Latest Report on LASD Body Cams
College of the Canyons women's tennis played to a convincing 7-2 conference win over Ventura College on Moica to strengthen its potential playoff resume.
Canyons Closes Out Ventura 7-2 in Final Home Match
Join the Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce with the Latino Business Alliance at the Cinco de Mayo Networking Celebration on Tuesday, May 7.
May 7: Latino Business Alliance Cinco de Mayo Celebration
The Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control is hosting March Meowness promotion where all cat adoptions are just $15 from now until April 9.
Adopt a Cat During March Meowness at Castaic Animal Center
California State University, Northridge is partnering with the Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians and the Tataviam Land Conservancy to battle the impact of climate change in disadvantaged communities throughout the San Fernando Valley by establishing “urban forests.”
CSUN Partners with Fernandeño Tataviam Band to Build Urban Forests
Join the Santa Clarita Artists Association on Monday, April 15, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Barnes and Noble, 23630 Valencia Blvd., Valencia, CA 91355, for the SCAA monthly meeting and guest demonstrator.
April 15: SCAA Presents Debbie Abshear Watercolor Demo
Residents are invited to join members of the Santa Clarita City Council for a special ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the addition of Santa Clarita's 38th park, Skyline Ranch Park, 18355 Skyline Ranch Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91351, to the Santa Clarita parks system on Saturday, April 6, at 10 a.m.
April 6: Grand Opening for Santa Clarita’s 38th Park
The Santa Clarita Valley Senior Center is preparing for the annual fundraising event, Celebrity Waiter, with the theme “California Dreamin’” on Saturday, April 27 at Bella Vida, 27180 Golden Valley Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91351.
Table Sponsorships Still Available for Celebrity Waiter Dinner
Springtime in Santa Clarita brings not only vibrant blooms and opportunities to embrace the outdoors with warmer weather, but also an array of free, family-friendly events and this Saturday is no exception.
Ken Striplin | A Fun, Festive, Egg-Filled Day
SCVNews.com