VA HEALTH CARE OVERSEAS – SNAFU

Once again the VA has shown its bright shining colors.  Last year I had received notice a company called Veterans Evaluation Services (VES).  It was their job to arrange medical exams for Veterans living overseas.  Since I live in Denmark, under the Foreign Medical Program (FMP) I thought this was great.  Before it was a long drawn out process for me to find a doctor to give VA exams.  Never could find one in Denmark, so I was traveling to southern Germany for VA care. 

I get a notice from my VES contact a doctor was located in Copenhagen – great I think.  But then a wrench got thrown in, my wife got diagnosed with cancer and had to go through a series of operations which meant I could not get away at the planned time as we had horses, dogs and such on our farm to take care of.  VES said no problem, they would send my file back to the VA and I should write them when I could get away.  Things worked out I could anytime after 1 December, so I emailed my VES contact letting him know, he replied they would be putting in the request for my file.  After some time I never heard back from them.  I finally get an email, but it is from another company, InternationalSOS.  So now let the games begin!!

First I get a call from some guy speaking a dialect of English I can hardly understand.  Several times I have to ask him to speak slowly, more clearly.  Finally I tell him do not call me, communicate with me by email only so I can fully understand.  So I receive notice they have found a doctor in Germany.  I write back saying I know VES had a doctor located in Denmark, why not contact them and get the name.  You think this would happen – NO!!   I bring it up several times, finally I get a reply, well this doctor is not cleared in “their” system.  So he gives me the dates, times and I make the train, hotel plans.  As I am self employed, I move customers in my books to allow for the time needed to attend the 2 planned appointment I have to make.

Tuesday I leave afternoon on the train getting to Hamburg in the evening, grab a taxi and get to my hotel.  Get settled in, grab a bite at their bar and hit the sack.  Next morning, breakfast.  As I had time I walked to my first appointment, sunny day, why not.  Doc is great.  She is very friendly.  We have a great interview and get lots of things hashed out.  She calls me a taxi and I head to another part of Hamburg for my last appointment. I arrive a little early.  I am thinking “great, I might get to the train station early and get back to Denmark a little earlier than planned”.  Oh no, this is where Murphy’s Law decided to screw me over.  For those who don’t know it, Murphy’s Law is: “Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong”

About half way through the exam I have the secretary come to me with a couple pieces of paper.  She says, “You will need these for your next appointment”.  I looked at her with question, “Next appointment, I thought this was the last one?”  No, then she added they didn’t have x-ray machines to do the pics needed.  Ok, I get the address and make my way to the third (not planned) one.  I am thinking I was glad I was early, I still might make my planned train home.  At the third place I hand my paper to a guy who says, oh yes they have an appointment, but there is no one there to do the x-rays.  WHAT!!  An appointment with no one to do the job?  Murphy has now slapped me and laughed.  He tells me I might get one done across town, he tries calling, but no one answers.  He gives me the address, calls me a taxi and off I go across Hamburg.  I now get to the fourth place of my two appointment day. 

The lady gave me that 1,000 yard stare as I told her what I wanted, then asked me for the forms.  She held up one.  I received nothing like that from the guy at place number three.  She can’t help.  I asked if she could call a taxi for me – she looked at me and said I could find one on the street.  So off I go.  Now I am fit to be tied.  I had to relax a bit and think what to do.  I am down in Germany, no x-rays.  The guy at the third place said I could come in the next morning at 0730, so now I am hunting for a taxi.  I walk up the street aways, here comes one down the street – I yell and wave, great he stopped.  So now back across town to the third place.  I get there and make an appointment for 0730 Thursday morning.  Now I get to find a place to stay.  On the phone and get one.  Off back across Hamburg to the hotel and land for the night.  Supper, a couple beers and make arrangement for a taxi at 0600 the next morning. 

Taxi arrives.   Driver asked when my appointment is, he says I got lots of time, so he will show me the place, then drop me at a coffee shop about a five minute walk.  First great thing that has happened.  So I get my coffee then off to the appointment of the day.  At least it is raining and cold.  Could have been sunny and warm and I would have been wishing to be on the golf course.

Anyway I get the x-rays done, they call me a taxi and off to the train station. 

So the trip home is in a holiday rush.  Thank God my ticket is still good, but the seat reservation is not.  Being next to a holiday, the train was jam packed.  Every seat taken.  After about an hour or so I find a seat, but at least I am on my way home. 

I spend the end of the evening at home getting my receipts in order, scanned in and ready to file my travel voucher with the VA.  I down load the VA Form 10-3542, all filled out.  Now I am ready to file.  I hit the VA site, find where I can file online – great.   I get there only to find Murphy is waiting for me.  If I had lived in the U.S. I would get my travel costs paid, but because I live overseas they have stopped paying travel.  The other VA appointments I always got paid travel, but I guess we Vets living overseas are costing the government too much money, as the government wants to spend my travel pay differently  – I find my tax money is better spend for Biden to secretly fly illegals into the country thus not jamming up the southern border. And if you don’t think this is true, just look it up.  It made the news over here.

I am finding out the VA health care is a big money making scam.  I am guessing these companies are getting some big bucks to do this.  What pissed me off is one can’t talk to the other – who gives a rat’s ass about the Vet, just as long as they get their money.  If one company could find a doc in Denmark who works with the VA, why couldn’t the other?  Because of the screw ups, I ended up paying almost double for the trip.  And I will venture to say, this will never change.  The VA, working with the health care is SNAFU.

CASH IS KING

I am so glad I am 68yrs old and not 18yrs old just starting out.  With what is being forced upon us, my generation understands the loss, some of the younger generations will conform, others will only hear of something from the past.  Let’s talk cash, currency.

As of July 2025 Denmark has made their 1,000dkr note illegal, you can’t use it in stores, pay bills, nothing.  As of now you can take them to the bank, put in the bank, but you cannot exchange them for anything else!  This is because the Danish government wants to know exactly how much money anyone living/working here has.  They have made known in other countries they will not honor them coming from other countries where people have exchanged them as well.  What the Danish government is doing is making criminals of out of honest people.  This is a way of getting total control over the people. 

Older generations of people (myself included) knew the value of saving.  Putting some money away for the future – not in a bank but where they had total control over what they had.  There is nothing like being able to put your hands on your own money at anytime.  It is not difficult to every month stash a little money aside for the future.  Yea, you can put money in a bank, but banks can go bust.  You can do the stock market thing, but that can also go bust.  Both of these options has happened.  In March 2013 Cyprus closed all banks – no one could access their money because of a financial crises.  Lots of people lost money.  You say, well this was just a little country and it couldn’t happen here?  Go ahead, think that, but people like me would rather “stash “ our money than trust a bank or government.  Look at the stock market crash of 1929 which helped sink the world into a depression.  There are even more recent examples how banks/loan institutions/governments had ruined economies.  Who survived the best?  Those who knew how to save on their own.  Maybe that investment in gold or silver wasn’t such a bad idea either. 

This electronic banking is making it easier and easier to do the dirty deed.  Just look at what Danske Bank did in Estonia?  They are trying to tells all of us “oh, just go electronic, it is so much easier to carry a card than it is cash”. Easier for whom, them or us?  All you have to do is just look at your email and see how many you get with some kind of scam going on to separate you from your money.  These people have got real good at it.  Many times you can’t detect the microscopic differences between a real message from your bank or who ever and a scammer trying to get your money. 

Then there is the every day use.  I can’t count the number of times I have gone into a “quicky mart” to get a drink or snack where I see people just standing around.  When I walk up the employee tells me the internet is down or something so they can’t do a transaction.  I whip out my CASH, I see a smile on their face as I move to the front of the line, pay and get out.  This has happened many times and I am guessing it will continue to happen.  And yet “they” try to tell us how good electronic transactions is great. 

Yes I have to admit, there are many good reason and times to use credit cards to pay online.  I have done for plane tickets, purchases online and such, but to go pay for a drink and a bite to eat??  NO WAY.  Keep that KING on the throne.  What many people never stop to think about is the charges put in place to use credit cards – nothing in this life is for free.  The businesses have to pay to run the transaction, thus the cost is passed on to the consumer.  Here there is Mobile Pay you can get on your phone, tie to your bank account and pay immediately.  For private people this service is free.  This past October the bank running this service just upped the service fees on the businesses accepting Mobile Pay.  In my business I stopped taking Mobile Pay and I know others who did as well.  If you think when cash is gone and services like Mobile Pay take over will be free for everyone, you are smoking dope!!  At that point the banks will begin to charge the private people as well. 

So now there are LOTS of people living/working here in Denmark wondering how they are going to get all the 1,000kr notes exchanged without giving up their personal freedom, while the banks and government are looking, trying to figure out how to make more money off us (with no service) and get more control over our lives. 

Don’t know how many will read this or how many will think I am just another crazy old may (which I probably am) but I do know one thing – CASH WILL ALWAYS BE KING

FREE HEALTH CARE IN DENMARK

Good old Senator Bernie always talks about the “free health care” here in Denmark. Well I can tell you, just be glad you don’t have this health care system!! No wonder so many people here purchase their own private health care. We pay one of the highest taxes there is in the world, the government says “they will take care of you”, but I have come to learn the system is only as good as the people who care. What they care more about is saving money, not the health care of the people.

When I first moved here I could say the health care was good.  I had first hand witness to the care given, but it wasn’t long until things changed.  Slowly but surely the level of care has declined to about pathetic today.  In the fall of 2017 I had orthoscopic surgery on my knee.  Same day after the surgery, the doc talked to me and said there was nothing he could do for me and that I needed a new knee.  He advised it immediately as I was in good physical condition.  My doctor set up an appointment at a hospital which specialized in this procedure.  When I met with the “quack” I was shocked.  He told me he would not do the operation for at least 3-4 months.  I asked if he had read my file which he didn’t reply, he just asked if I could walk a kilometer to which I replied yes, but at great pain.  I then asked what he wanted, me to crawl in on my hands and knees.  He looked at me to which I told him to go f&ck himself.  I start the procedure all over again at another hospital this time the doc immediately said he was going to replace the knee, but the waiting around, process and such cost me a one year wait!  In this time I started to poll my customers.  I found about 80% had their own private health insurance, now I understood why. I had many look at me in shock that I didn’t have private health care.   Finally in Nov I got my new knee. 

Ready for a shocker:  Had a horse run a nail in my hand ripping it open, to which I pulled back together, finished the job.  I later thought I should get a new tetanus shot, so when to the emergency room at the hospital.  At the desk I told the lady what I needed.  She asked me if I had an appointment!  I was shocked, I needed an appointment for the emergency room, I replied no.  She then directed me to the phone in the hallway where I could make an appointment (all this time blood is dripping on the floor).  I make the call, the lady asked me where I was at to which I replied the emergency room at Esbjerg hospital.  She could get me an appointment in about a half an hour.  I sat in an empty emergency room for 30 minutes until they came and got me. 

I got a good friend who was a customer for many years.  He had a stroke. A couple years after the stroke he was having problems with one of his legs.  He went to the hospital, they examined him and sent him home.  That night he was in so much pain they contacted his doctor, explained what was going on.  They got him to the University Hospital ASAP, over an hour’s drive away.  Because of the incompetence of the doctors in the first hospital, he lots his leg.  I am not going to get into the care he got afterwards because that would take another couple pages.

My wife had worked as a city delivery in Kolding for many years, long before there were any limits on package weights and such.  She began to have problems with her back so she went to her doc who sent her to the hospital for an exam.  They “looked” her over, gave her some pain pill and told her to go home.  Never go better, so back she went.  This time she asked if they could do an MRI on her, to which they replied no, she could take the pills, but she couldn’t take the pills and drive.  Finally her union had to force the doctors to do an MRI, now they found two collapsed disks in her back.  Reason they didn’t do the MRI earlier – cost money!!

The winter of 2022-2023 a friend of mine, his wife fell on some ice.  She fell backwards hitting her back on some concrete steps.  She was in great pain, so they went to the hospital in Kolding where she was examined and told to go home, she had strained her back.  Giving her some pills she was told to rest.  Two days later the pain was too much, so having private health insurance, he took her to a private hospital where the very first thing they did was an MRI – finding her back was broken in two places.  Kolding hospital was saving money again, who cares about the person!!

My wife’s brother has been in a very bad way for the past month and a half.  No energy, can’t hardly get out and do anything.  He was checked several times for a month until finally his doctor admitted him into the hospital because he was so bad – come to find out one valve was bad and there was a hole in his heart.  No I’m no doctor, but I know if I got no water pressure I am going to check the pump for pressure out put.  How come it took the doctors so long to check his heart?  So he has been in the hospital for 3 weeks now, on oxygen.  He can’t breath, can’t get around.   Being this way it is amazing, it wasn’t until today they finally checked his lungs, found out he had an infection!!  These docs must have had training with the VA!!

I can go on and on about the health care.  I have had customers who were home health care givers.  I would shoe their horses and have to listen to what they can no longer do for the people who have paid taxes all their lives for the health care the government promised, yet now the government needs to save money, so the old people and those needing the care can just take a back seat.  More money needs to be given to the illegals, ship the tax payers money to other countries, taking care of them before the tax payers.  Do the politicians in Copenhagen want for anything?? The biggest question is:  Why do so many people pay for their own private health care if the “free” public health care is so good?  That right there is the biggest question of all.   And you want to know the worst part I couldn’t sue them for this if I wanted to and they don’t care.

So Bernie this is the care you want for the States.  What needs to be done is you and all your two bit crooks in Washington D.C. needs to be stripped of your health care programs.  You all need to go on Tricare.  It is good enough for the military and their families, so it is good enough for your lot.   

WORK ETHICS AND RESPONSIBILITY

“Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country”.  This statement was made by President Kennedy at his inauguration.  Looking at what the United States has fallen into, it seems so many have turned this statement around.  The United States was built on hard work, everything wasn’t just handed out.  Today so many have no idea what responsibility, work ethic means.  A handshake, a man’s word is his bond.  These are a couple things I grew up with, in today’s world are nothing but words and motions to most.

As a very young lad, my Dad gave me chores to do, these were my responsibility.  If I didn’t do them, who else would?  One day we had went to town, getting home a little late, Mom had supper ready.  I figured, supper was ready, I would eat first then go out and do my chores.  I was sitting at the table, Dad asked me, “Got your chores done?” to which I replied, no, but I would get them done after supper.  “You know the chickens can’t eat until you feed them, the dog doesn’t have fresh water to drink until you give it.  You need to get up and go do your chores first”.  As I was getting up to leave, he then added, “Then you can just wait until tomorrow morning to eat, this way you will know how they feel”.  This lesson stuck with me my whole life – animals always came first.  No matter how hungry, thirsty or tired, they got taken care of first. What I didn’t know then was, he was giving me a lesson in “work ethics and responsibility”.

I was about 5yrs old, we were in town.  I saw something I wanted and ask Dad if I could get it.  He looked at me, then asked, “do you got the money to pay for it?”, to which I replied no.  He then added, “I don’t want it so why should I pay for it?  If you don’t have the money then you don’t need it.”  I then asked Dad how I could get the money.  We made an agreement, after my chores were done, he would find “other work” for me to do.  We would agree on the price then at the end of the month we would settle up.  I never had to ask Dad what I could spend my money on, although he was very free with his advice, after giving he would add, but it is your money.  Dad set up a savings account for my brother and me.  We learned the value of a dollar.  I got sent to a private school to which Dad paid for, but when I wanted to go to Boise State University’s Vo-Tec school, I had to pay for that.  So I dug in worked after school, found a scholarship to pay part and got through it.  Dad said he would support me by letting me live at the house for free while I was going to school.  He never offered any money.  We had discussions about money, he told me there were times to borrow money like big ticket items – house, car and such, but other things, save your money and pay for it, don’t go into debt.  One of the best economic advisors I ever had.

When it came to jobs, it really didn’t matter what it was, I would do it for pay.  I’ve cut weeds out of mint fields, trained hops, mowed lawns, cleaned ditch, I have done so many different jobs.  I was working at a trailer manufacturing place and got laid off so got to draw unemployment for a month.  After about 3 weeks I was restless, needed a job, so got my ass out and found one.  Dad told me once, “There is always a job out there to do if you want to work, it may not be the job you like but it will put beans on the table.  Sooner or later the job will come you want and you will get it.  Plus doing all the crappy jobs, an employer will see you have a good work ethics” . 

This is the problem today, too many people who don’t want to work.  They believe “the job” is below them, so they would rather go on social help than get their ass out and work.  When I was growing up, it was embarrassing to be on social help.  Today it is almost a job for some people because they don’t want to get out and work. 

If I was in charge things would change.  Able body people would be required to work to get their social help.  There are so many jobs which can be put into this category.  Even child care for those on “welfare jobs” can be done by those on “welfare”.  Maybe if those going on welfare were required to work, then maybe they would get out and get a job they would rather do. 

Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.  These are the things which are guaranteed by our Constitution.  Everything else is something you need to get your behind out and make it happen.  If these work ethics were brought back today, our society would grow.  People accepting responsibility for themselves instead of wanting/letting the government take care of them.   

WHAT HAS HAPPENED?

Listening to the news I learned some kid did a shooting again.  I spent part of the evening wondering, “What is different today than when I grew up?”      

As a kid growing up I was taught respect.  I may not agree with what others had to say, but I was taught to respect their opinion.  I learned if I went somewhere and caused a scene (tantrum), there was none of “just wait until we get home”, justice was served quick.  I always remember my Dad saying before he applied the justice, “this is going to hurt me more than it does you”.  I never understood this until after I grew up.  It didn’t matter who, Mom or Dad we knew they kept their word.  Mom had a little different way.  She would tell me to go out and “cut our own switch from the tree”.  My brother and I learned, don’t come in with some little, brittle thing or we would be sent out to get a “good” one then the punishment would be double.  Her worst punishment was having us go get it.  We never got in too much of a hurry.  But it wasn’t all about punishment, we soon learned the “values” of life which has stayed with me until this day. Physical punishment doesn’t need to come into play, this is evident from the way my brother raised his kids and his kids have raised theirs.  What is still the same is family love, respect for authority, discipline, values.  What has to be determined is what is discipline and abuse!  If you don’t understand the difference, how to apply discipline then you have already lost.

We ate breakfast and supper together as a family.  Most of the time my brother or I, if we were in the house helped set the table.  When we sat down, prayer was said then the food was passed in an orderly fashion.  We ate, then I had to ask to be excused from the table.  Many times this was the time when Dad or Mom, if they had something to say was said.  When done we were excused.  We took turns cleaning up afterwards. 

There was never an allowance give at our place.  Dad explained early on each of us had a fourth of the chores to do.  If we didn’t do our part, who was going to do it.  Keeping our room picked up, care of the animals was divided up, cleaning the house, mowing the lawn and trimming up. Taking care of the garden, so many things were done, no money was given for it.  It wasn’t until I was in about the fourth grade that I heard what “allowance” was.  To earn money, after our chores were done, Dad would arrange for work where we could earn money: trapping gophers, cutting thistles in the pastures, cleaning ditch, watering pastures, so many thing we did to earn our spending money.  The summer after I was in second grade we took a trip to California and Disneyland.  Yes, I had earned my spending money.  I knew what I had and Dad said I could use it as I wanted, but remember, when it was gone, there was no more!  Dad taught me the value of a dollar, he opened each of us a savings account (still got mine today).  If we didn’t have the money, we didn’t need it.  Yes, he provided all the basics, but not the over and above “wants”.

We learned early about guns.  We would trail along behind Dad when he was hunting.  We learned to always stay a good distance behind the shooter.  We were taught never to point a gun at someone/thing unless we intended to kill it.  Guns were a tool, to be used, respected.  Our guns were locked in a gun cabinet.  Even after Larry and I were hunting, the guns were always locked up.  The big difference was soon we had access to the key, but we always had to say when we were going hunting, who we were going with, where we were going.  These were the house hold rules.  Yes, there were many rules in our house.  Dad always said, “As long as you are living in my house you will live by my rules.”  This was it. 

There was a lot of love in our house.  Mom and Dad were always involved in everything we did, cub scouts, boy scouts, sports, events at school.  95% of the time both were present, 100% of the time one or the other was preset.  To this day I still know the 12 principles of a Boy Scout and these helped shape my life.  We attended church, we did almost everything as a FAMILY.  The family unit is so very important in shaping the values of kids.  I know the values my brother and I grew up with.  I know the values my brother taught his kids.  I now see the values in their kids.  I also know my brother’s kids are directly involved in their kid’s lives and it shows. 

I remember in first grade, our first class of the day we all stood up and said the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer was said.  The ten commandments were somewhere posted on a wall in the classroom.  Religion wasn’t taught in a public school, but stop and think, our country was based on the ten commandments, values of life.  Now these are no where to be see and it has been deemed “inappropriate”.  I ask, what is “inappropriate” about the basic values which each one of us should live by?  Even if you were not religious, during the day if you were sitting in class, just looking around, these were there to read and put some kind of impression in your mind – not anymore.

I hear so many time, “What is wrong with the kids, society today”.  All I have to do is look and see the differences when I grew up and what is different today.  Guns were very much available when I grew up.  Many times some kids took guns to school in their vehicles so they could go hunting afterwards.  We never did, because we lived near the school.  Is “family time” as prevalent today as it was years ago?  Respect, this is the biggest thing I see which has been trashed. There is a countless list of things which has taken away from families doing things together.  The family unit is slowly being torn down, disappearing, so goes the values which are so desperately needed.  Without these values, rules to live by, we now see what our society is slowly degrading to. 

Growing up there were not the mass shootings we hear of today, yet guns were still around.  Dad bought me my first pocket knife when I was small and taught me to use it.  I have had one in my pocket ever since, it is just a tool.  Anything can be used to kill, just look at Cain.  As a nation we are loosing God in our leadership, in the values we live by.  This break down has been a long time coming.  17 June, 1963, it was decided prayer could no longer be said in public schools.  If I were to say, this was a big turning point for the worst. It used to be at most of the courthouses, building of government you  would find the 10 Commandments – not today, they have all been removed because “they offend someone”.  How can the basic commandments/values of life be offensive?   If we as a nation don’t get back to the basic values of humanity, the 10 Commandments ( as I see it), then where are we.  We see the evidence from the break down of family values, degrading of family time, responsibility, respect.  If God, the family unit continue to be deleted from our lives, where will we be?   If the current leadership of this country don’t turn around I am afraid this country is doomed.  But who am I, just a crazy old man.

WORLD GOING DOWN HILL

I am so glad I am 67yrs old and not 20yrs old starting out!!  This world is on a slippery slope down and as I look at it, there is no stopping it.  Everyone thinks the computer age, everything electronic is great, and a lot of it is, but with it. is coming to where the world governments will have total, complete control over everything we do, everywhere we go, who we see, what we buy.

Today I had to fill out a form to open a personal bank account with a bank where I already have my business account, what a goat screw.  About the only things they didn’t ask me is if I go to the toilet once or twice a day!  I remember opening my first bank account in Idaho, I went to the office, sat talked with the bank guy, when we were done, I walked out with a book of checks and my account was good to go.  Today, after filling out the forms online, and before I was done I had to make a call to the bank where I got put on hold, then once I was talking to a “person”, she had to transfer me, I got cut off only to recall, then had to start all over again.  Finally after getting a “person” back again and getting my questions answered, he said it will be a week or so to see if I am “good” enough for an account, then they will see about opening the joint account the wife and I want. 

Banks are so afraid of you are using cash these days.  They think you are a criminal if you deposit cash into your account.  The bank my wife and I are leaving was really bad.  “They” wanted me to tell my customers not to pay in cash, but to do electronic transfers.  I told the bank if people want to pay me in cash, I will always accept it.  If I deposit too much cash in the bank, they want to know where it comes from.  “They” say it is because of money laundering.  Guess what – the electronic age has made money laundering and fraud so much easier today, the guys in the know, all they got to do is know the process, and they can still do it.  So much easier than cash.  Governments are making laws so hard and strict they are making criminals from normal people. I hear all the time of Bank fraud just as much today, even more.

Today, if you are a thrifty person who can save money, you are a criminal if that money is not put into a bank where it can be tracked, where they can see what you buy, how much you spend.  I have had my own business, I understand all the costs of running a business.  After I buy a new vehicle, I immediately start to squirrel away cash to start buying my next one.  Not much at a time, just a little, but over the course of four or five years I got enough usually to pay the majority of the cost – but not today.  Here in Denmark they have passed a law I can no longer buy a vehicle with cash, legally I can only put about 10% then the rest has to come from a bank.  Yes, I know I could put all my money in a bank, but what happens if times get really bad and the banks go down, they will go and take money from your account, you don’t think so?  It has happened already – Cyprus, 2013.  Here is a link you can read about it:  https://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2013/03/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-cyprus-bank-disaster/274096/

You say, “Oh this is the U.S. or England or a “trusted” country, well, it is getting so governments can and will allow anything “they” want and guess who is behind the governments – big business, the “money” people.  “These people” are behind the one world order, one world currency, and finally getting rid of currency so there is only a digital money world.  Once this happens, you will loose what freedoms you have left.  The governments of the world will have total control of everything.  So what happens when your account gets hacked, you loose your house, your identity?  These things are already happening as I write, and it will only

worse.  Why do you think all this new security, as we used to call in the military: sign, counter sign setup is going on now?  Because of all the hacking.  One thing I have learned in life, every time a defense has been put in place, a way to breach that defense is already being worked on.  Hackers are working night and day trying to get us and it doesn’t take much.  Just look at your emails or text messages you receive.  How many times is there a “You are the winner”, but people got wise to them, so now we are starting to get phising email which start to look real, from the government post office, from DHL, or these package firms.  Once you start looking at these, you will see they are not exactly right, but the hackers are getting better and better all the time.  All it takes is for a person sitting in a bank or business to click on the wrong link or email, then boom the hackers will get access to all our accounts, and this has already happened where customer’s personal information has been “robbed” and now where is the next step? 

I still believe in two things:  IN GOD WE TRUST AND ALL OTHER PAY CASH, and MONEY TALKS, BS WALKS.  If I could, I wish all my customers would paid me in cash, just to keep the cash flowing, just to give the “finger” to banks, big business and Governments. 

As I am writing this, I get an email notice that my subscription is about to run out – subscription to what?  – from an xyz email server!!  But how many older people get caught up in some of these scams?  Must be enough that these scammers keep on trying.  Just think how much good could be accomplished if all these scammers worked for good.  Also where do you think all the governments get guys to develop programs to fight these hackers – hackers!!

Unfortunately here in Denmark if a business does not want to take cash, they do not have to, so I just walk out and go somewhere else.  I am sorry to say, I think I am fighting a lost cause, but this old man will keep on fighting for the “cash in hand”.

AND JUSTICE FOR ALL

I pledge allegiance to the flag, of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands.  One nation,  under God,  indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

As a kid in school, this was something my entire class stood, facing the flag,with right hand over heart said, every morning.   At the time I didn’t really think much about it, but after learning what so many other countries were like, I came to realize just how lucky I was to be born here.  While in school I felt I had a debt I owed my country.  At 17yrs old I received my lottery number for the draft, soon after the draft ended, no matter I joined and completed over 22yrs for my country.

Now with a heavy heart, I look at what is happening to my great country, I can’t hardly believe it.  Those last three words no longer have any meaning.  My great country has now fallen into a state of double standards of justice.

Today the “standard ” of justice you will receive depends on which side of the political spectrum you support.  A good example is a person who in 2020 fire bombed a police car, not even caring if it was occupied or not gets 15 months in jail, yet someone who just walked into the U.S. capital on 6 January,  not doing a thing gets 2 years, by the same justice department. Or maybe we should use another example- those who rioted, burned building,assaulted police, nothing has been done.

President Trump was impeached over a charge which later was proven to be a false investigation paid for by Hillary Clinton,  while Hillary had an illegal server at her house containing classified information,  yet she goes scott free.

These are just a couple examples, but this unequal justice extends into every part of out lives.  Admission into college and universities,  immigration and the lists go on.  If you disagree, just for a moment, look around with an open mind, not blinders on and it will be seen.

Not helping this matter is the one sided news media which is constantly blaring at our society.

Along with this, the moral values of our country has gone to pot.  How can you even think that if a 20yr old isn’t old enough to drink, but a 14yr old can make a decision to change his/her gender?  Why can’t schools just teach the basics and let kids grow up – kids got a lot to deal with,  without being brain washed.  The family values need to be strengthen. 

Our politicians are out of control.  Many are spending a life time in office, which was never the meaning.   We limited the President,  but so much of the power lies with Congress.  They should be limited as well.  How many have become millionaires while in office?  There is no justice here.  Congress can vote themselves raises, health care, benefits “We the People” will never get and have to pay for.  They can and are influenced (money) by big business, padding their pockets while we scrimp and save to get by.  Some of the worst criminals in the country are currently serving in office.

Elections in the States are a joke.  As of this writing, there are races yet to be determined.   I live in Denmark.   They had an election the 1st of November.   The next day results were know.   How can “We the People” ever trust our elections if we don’t even know who is voting(no voter I.D.)?  I filed for my absentee ballot early in the year.  I received my ballot 3 November.   Instructions stated it had to be at the county recorder’s office by noon 8 November – no way did my ballot get back in 4 days (mailed on 5 Nov).  My vote didn’t count.

We don’t live in a perfect world,  but there are lots of things which we can change.  I just hope we are not too late to save this great nation, but I wonder.

AFGHANISTAN: My Thoughts

Did we just end 20 years of war in Afghanistan – no, combat operations ended 28 December 2014 (1).  At this time the mission changed from combat to support and training.  This change was formed from a separate agreement between the Taliban, U.S., NATO and the New Afghanistan government.  With this draw down to about 13,000.

President Trump came to an agreement with the Taliban to facilitate the U.S. /NATO withdraw.  Under the agreement, the militants also agreed not to allow al-Qaeda or any other extremist group to operate in the areas they control.  “I really believe the Taliban wants to do something to show we’re not all wasting time,” Mr Trump added. “If bad things happen, we’ll go back with a force like no-one’s ever seen.” (2)  President Trump’s deal had a closure time, but it was hinged on the fact nothing went wrong, not like President Biden’s pull out which had no deals as such.  In his speech in July (3) there are a lot of words but to me there is nothing said to really keep the Taliban in line.  Along with President Biden’s weak international appearances, his handling of many U.S. problems and situations, I feel the Taliban and others “smell” weakness in the leadership of the United States and I grant they will exploit this to its fullness, which they have done.  Looking over the track record of Obama/Biden administration I am guessing “they” know “they” can step over the line and nothing will be done, which we have just seen.  So what does this mean to us now?

I am not a military analysts, I am a retired Sergeant Major and I will express how I see things..  Before this all happened, I am guessing the leadership of the Taliban and other terrorists groups have had a meeting and figured out there is “weakness” in the U.S. Leadership.  Just like working with horses, if you have any kind of fear around a horse, it can smell it and will use it against you.  The world has smelt the weakness, seen how the Biden administration is handling things.  Look at the southern U.S. border, it is wide open, no one is getting stopped.  What better way to infiltrate terrorists into the States!  The Taliban saw this opportunity and I will bet you my bottom dollar terrorists are on the way or already here, crossing the southern border.

With the fall of Kabul, we have created what will be a massive human problem for many countries around Afghanistan and the rest of the world.  People will be getting out of Afghanistan any way they can, causing an economic and humanitarian situation  for the rest of the world.  These problems will be taken advantage of by not only the Taliban, but every other terrorist group in the world.  With the fall of Kabul, the U.S. fleeing with its tail between its legs, it is giving a ripened field for the Taliban to harvest and use. We seen before what they were capable of, and I am guessing we will be seeing more of the same now.

We saw once what happened when the U.S. and allies did a complete pull out after a war, WWI.  In less than 20yrs after the end of WWI, Germany was back into full military production, against the agreements signed at the end of WWI.  There was no one there to ensure the articles of surrender were carried out.  We learned our lesson, after WWII the U.S. and Allies stayed and are still in Europe is some form.  Same in Japan, the U.S. still has a presence here as well, even though there is no war in Europe or Japan.

Again, after the armistice was signed in Korea, the U.S. still maintains bases in South Korea.  What do you think would have happened if the U.S. completely pulled out?  The war in Korea is not officially over, only an armistice.  The North has rattled its saber many times and there is no doubt in my military mind if the U.S. was gone, the North would have come back down again.

So back to Afghanistan, after 2014 we were in a different roll, support and training.  Look at the make up of the troops stationed there, they were trainers and advisors.  Many Army Reserve Training Brigades were called up to send trainers over.  Special Forces were sent to train as well.  Along with these were the intel  sections, sent to gather info to help support the up coming Afghan army.  Along with these air support remained to support the up coming Afghan army.   With our complete pull out, all this support was going to be withdrawn, as Afghanistan had been give aircraft, we had trained their pilots, they could do their own intel.  In my eye, this was a big mistake.  You can look at a chart showing casualties by the month since our involvement in Afghanistan (4).  From the time we took on the training/support mission U.S. casualties were greatly reduced.  If you look at the number of casualties in Europe, Korea and other parts of the world where U.S. troops are stationed, yes, soldiers are going to die, this is just the facts of the job.  In my eyes we were justified in staying in this roll, as long as there was a strong leadership in the U.S., and the world leaders could see it.  

With the down fall of Kabul and the “smell of weakness” sensed by world leaders, what are the aspects for Taiwan, Ukraine?  Look at the saber rattling China is doing in the South China Sea and their expansion ideas.  They are threatening Japan, Taiwan, believing the U.S. will do nothing as shown in Kabul.  What will Putin do with Ukraine?  In the past eight months the U.S. has dropped substantially as the Leader of the Free World.  Going from being energy independent, we are now dependent.  The Keystone XL pipeline got canceled with many losing their jobs, yet in the blink of an eye, Biden gives Putin the OK for a pipeline to supply Europe, go figure.  So, we have gone from America first to America last.  Biden asks OPEC to increase oil production, yet has blocked much in the U.S.(5).  No wonder the world is looking at the U.S. with questions in their eyes and east/west shaking of heads. 

In conclusion, I feel we were wrong to pull out of Afghanistan as we did.  We have opened up a whole new can of worms which is not good for the U.S. and the free world.  Many Arab counties are singing praises at the raise of the Taliban and fall of the U.S. and I am afraid the worst is yet to come.  Looking back, this is not the country I, so many years ago swore to protect and defend, but I am hopeful true Americans can and will rise up and makes the changes necessary to make and keep America Great.

(1) https://www.britannica.com/event/Afghanistan-War/U-S-troop-surge-and-end-of-U-S-combat-mission

(2) https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-51689443

(3) https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/speeches-remarks/2021/07/08/remarks-by-president-biden-on-the-drawdown-of-u-s-forces-in-afghanistan/

(4) https://kdvr.com/news/local/u-s-military-deaths-from-afghanistan-over-2300-nationally-and-38-coloradans/

(5) https://www.theadvertiser.com/story/news/politics/2021/08/12/biden-angers-louisiana-gop-opec-increase-output-gulf-drilling-ban/8101488002/

RESPECT

Just a small word, less than ten letters, but it is a very powerful word.  A word which has been forgotten in this day and age. 

When I was a small boy my Dad and Mom taught me to “respect my elders”.  I was taught to say “Yes Sir” and “No Ma am”.  I was taught to speak when spoken to, not to interrupt others when they were speaking and to think about what I was going to say before I said it.  This was all part of being respectful of others, something which is not done today.

Being respectful of others does not mean you have to bow to others, you don’t have to give up the things you believe in, your way of life, the things you want to do, your religion; what it does mean when you have ideas, ways, thoughts religion, politics they are yours, you have every right to let others know how you feel, but it means you do not have the right to force others, intimidate, destroy other’s lives, property in order to force them to believe, think the way you do.  It means you can listen to other with an open mind, hear what they say and if it does not apply to you, able to say thank you, smile, “I respect you for how you believe, but I don’t feel that way” and let it go.  This must go both ways.  When you are respectful enough to listen, and not accept their ideas, belief, they in turn must also be respectful of you disagreeing.  Both sides able to turn, walk away and let it go.

The biggest thing today is if you are not agreeable, then in many people’s eyes you are a racist.  I will say and stand by what I believe – the majority of those shouting “RACIST” are the biggest racist of all.  Where is the RESPECT?  If people had more RESPECT of others, then there would be no need for the word racist.  RESPECT would take care of that problem.

Religion has been one of the biggest problems in the world.  Billions of people in the world have been killed, prosecuted all because of religion.  I am not a religious scholar; I am just a humble guy shoeing horses trying to make a living.  I can’t quote the Bible, but I do have my faith.  From what I have read I am a firm believer Jesus believed in RESPECT.  From my military service I have been sent to all parts of the world.  I have worked around people from all religions.  When you get down to it, I have learned many also believe in RESPECT.  Just think what would happen if the radical factions of the religions of the world would finally understand the word RESPECT?  Preaching their views and let people decide for themselves and then let it go.  Can you imagine what the world would be like?

Politics is another area where RESPECT has been thrown under the cart.  Speaking your views and let people decide for themselves.  What a novel idea, one which the United States was founded on, but has long been thrown aside.  Power, money are the corrupting pair which has torn my country apart in the past few years.  I could write a few pages on this subject, but in the end RESPECT is the basic principle which has been thrown away.

RESPECT is taught at home; from the time the child is small.  RESPECT for parents, family, pets. Extending out of the house to neighbors, community.  The biggest problem I seen today is many parents were never taught RESPECT, so how can they teach their children respect.  I was taught to RESPECT my parents, my very first level of RESPECT.  From there it extended.  RESPECT goes hand in hand with discipline.  If you have good discipline chances are you have a good RESPECT for others and things.  RESPECT does not mean you bow down then you know you are right, it means you know there is a time and place for everything.  When I first started to drive my Dad told me, “Always RESPECT an officer of the law.  If you are stopped for something it is always “Yes Sir” or “No Sir”.  You do not argue along side the road, court is the place to do that if need be”.  I listen to all the violence today and firmly believe if RESPECT was shown, then the violence would not be there. It is sad.  Everyone is looking for the answer.  They are looking for a solution, and it is right in front of their face – a small seven letter word – RESPECT

WHO IS REALLY IN CHARGE

This election is all but over.  Was it influenced?  In my opinion yes, but not so much by outside sources, but within.  Is this the first presidential election to be influenced by inside sources – probably not.  In my life time we can examine John Kennedy’s win, was it influenced,  much points to the mob in Chicago run by Sam Giancana.  There are many articles written coming down on both sides, will we ever know the truth, probably not, but as the old saying goes, “where there is smoke, there is fire”. 

Even before President Trump was sworn in, the Democrats, leftists, main stream media(MSM) was calling for his impeachment, getting him out of office, totally against him.  Why was this, multiple factors, he was not a politician, not of the Washington Swamp of whom during his election he vowed to drain.  He was rich, could not be bought, not like most of those running for office.  Most of  them depended greatly on money from others, probably in exchange for favors – which is usually how it works.  Trump paid for his primary himself, he could not be bought.  As a wealthy businessman he knew the ins and outs of business.  All of the above had many of the Republicans In Name Only (RINOs), wealthy, and MSM running scared because he could effect their wealth sources as well.  Also there was lots of money from outside sources put into Clinton’s campaign, supposedly for favors, not those favors could not be met.  This is the main reason Trump won the election, he was not like the others.  He also said what he thought.  This was a two bladed axe, many times working for him, sometimes not. 

We also learned in time how the Democrats, to include President Obama, VP Biden, plotted against him.  We learned how Hillary Clinton was the backing of all the so called Russian collusion fiasco which lead to a phony impeachment attempt.  If Hillary had won, we would have never learned how the leadership of the FBI was also used against Trump by the Democrats.  Corruption was at it’s highest peak, whay, because those with MONEY and POWER were scared of Trump and would go to any lengths to get rid of him.  During his term President Trump and his family were constantly harassed, subject to false claims and snubbed.  Never in my life have I seen the MSM so biased in their reporting.  This was very evident during the campaign for reelection.  Facebook took it upon itself to censer users who were for Trump, right along with Twitter.  No more do we have a free and fair media.  No more do we have free and fair elections.  The very fabric of our nation, The Constitution was stepped on, abused and trashed all in the name of the last ditch effort to get rid of Trump.

The Constitution spells it out, each State’s Legislature has the sole responsibility for setting each of their times, rules, laws for presidential election – not the Governor, not the Courts, not the Attorney General.  Yet some states, when the Legislature would not change voting laws to suit the Democrats, side stepped the Legislature, going to their State Supreme Courts to get the laws changed.  When taken to the U.S. Supreme Court, they would not get involved at the time, thus letting the Constitution be thrown aside.  Look who was running the States, Republican Legislatures with Democratic Governors and courts.  Added to this the fact that in some Democratic cities Republican observers were not allowed to observe the counting procedures.  If there was nothing to hide, then why not follow the laws set forth?  This brought forth the biggest fiasco in our voting history.  By throwing aside the Constitution, the courts failing to “protect and defend” the Constitution as they swore to do has for ever lowered the United States to the standards of third world countries who have had phony elections.  Never again can the United States talk about another country’s elections being dishonest or corrupt. It has also brought forth the fact (even if you don’t want to see or admit it) that big money, MSM can and will influence our elections when ever they want. 

Yes there are a lot of people very upset about the election outcome.  If the Constitution had been followed, we would not have had the mess.  No not like in 2016, you don’t see people screaming, crying, rioting, burning, looting as the Democrats/Leftists did.  It does make you wonder why mostly in Democratic cities was BLM, Antifa allowed to burn, loot, tear down businesses and wreck citizens lives?  Why didn’t the Democratic leaders of these areas put down the violence?  There are lots more issues to be discussed, but I am going to leave it right here.

Yes, I voted so I have the right to post my opinion, hoping the media does not censer me.  Yes, I will give Biden honor and respect, just the same as President Trump was given.  After all I took an oath many years ago to “PROTECT AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA”.  This oath never runs out!