Talk Radio News embedded Military Affairs Correspondent Richard Miller accompanies a group of soldiers in the Afghan National Army to the firing range on a training day

The Instructor

Loading AK-47 magazines one round at a time

The face of the NCO

Check out more photos from Richard’s trip to Afghanistan on our Flickr Page!

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By Ellen Ratner

As I sit here writing this column from the oil rich Middle East, I am reflecting on the political oil wars that we are hearing so much about from President Bush, Congress and the presidential candidates. Yet, no matter our favorite party, branch of government or candidate, the whole story is not being told.

During the last week in April, there were press briefings galore in Congress with words and accusations flying everywhere. The price of oil is killing our economy, small airlines are folding and larger ones are laying off employees or trying to merge. Trucks and their drivers are parading around the Capitol on a daily basis, honking horns and making it clear that it is difficult to survive with the gas prices so high.

The Democrats want the president to stop adding to the strategic oil reserve, which is 97 percent full. So far the president has not budged. The Democrats figure that it could save Americans 5 to 24 cents per gallon. Their plan put forward in four congressional bills includes holding OPEC accountable for price fixing (HR 2264), cracking down on gas price gouging (HR 1252), repealing subsidies to oil companies, investing in renewables (HR 5351) and developing new mileage standards (HR 6).

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By Ellen Ratner

Next to George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, probably the next most familiar face in America is that of Mad Magazine’s Alfred E. Newman. His one liner, “What, me worry?” became famous at a time when the Cold War threatened to go hot, and most people were worried about a 20-megaton Soviet hydrogen bomb coming soon to a city near them. Thus, “What, me worry? was the ultimate parody of the 1950s and 60s: Nuclear war? “What, me worry?” An African-American couldn’t get a cup of coffee at a Woolworth’s lunch counter? “What, me worry?” Prescribe thalidomide for morning sickness? “What, me worry?”

Although Alfred never went away, “What, me worry?” has an encore engagement in the same theater as the last time – Washington, D.C. You can boil down the elaborate reassurances to one phrase: “What, me worry?” Secretary Henry Paulson on the subprime mortgage collapse: “What, me worry?” George Bush on the imminent recession: “What, me worry?” Fed Chairman Ben Bernacke on “Honey, I shrunk the dollar”: “What, me worry?” In fact, whether it’s the looming bankruptcy of the American airline industry, a conviction in the bond market that inflation is the main enemy, gold at $1,000 per ounce or oil at $110 per barrel, Washington is like an aviary, chirping away with “What, me worry?” The fact that tens of millions of Americans are already suffering, or are terrified at the prospect of economic decline doesn’t seem to have occurred to anybody.

Our economy is beset by malignant cancer, and it’s as if bland, stupid reassurances are somehow a substitute for an honest diagnosis and a tough-love cure. This country has traveled so far from a culture of candor that today, we would probably dismiss FDR’s famous “Fireside Chats” as scaremongering. Think of today’s phrases: Assurances that “the fundamental underpinnings of the financial system are sound,” that economic disaster is really no more than a “bump in the road,” that the declining dollar is really “good” for us, (translation: good for the National Association of Manufacturers) and that a caring political class is sending in the cavalry in the form of a $600 rebate (a powerful stimulus indeed – in the year 1850).

However, in between the bromides, palliatives and political Prozac, a few disturbing facts can still pierce one’s skull. Try these: This week we learned that in the next two years there could be as many as 3.3 million new home foreclosures. You can add to that the 1.3 million homes in foreclosure in 2007 (nearly double the 2006 rate). You do the math: With an adult population of approximately 220 million and a 65 to 69 percent home ownership rate, more than 6 million adults may be losing their homes. Six million adults, and who knows how many children? And people wonder why Barack Obama, thought by some as the most liberal U.S. senator, is so popular.

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The Obama Campaign today hosted a conference call to discuss the presidential hopeful’s position on earmarks featuring Senator Claire McCaskill (D-MO) and Obama campaign Communications Director Robert Gibbs.

Gibbs emphasized the fact that Senator Obama is “a leader in ethics reform.” He referred to Obama’s “Google for Government” plan, used to allow citizens to use the internet to clearly see where government money is spent.

Senator McCaskill endorsed Gibbs’ comments, backing Obama’s stance on earmarks and his condemning of wasteful government spending.

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This morning at the Talk Radio News Service, our Legal Affairs Correspondent, Jay Tamboli, will be covering a Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee hearing at the U.S. Supreme Court.

Our Washington Bureau will be covering:

A Senate Readiness and Management Support Subcommittee hearing on the current readiness of the Armed Forces in review of the Defense Authorization Request for FY2009 and the Future Years Defense Program.

A House Appropriations Committee Homeland Security Subcommittee hearing on “Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA): Is the Agency on the Right Track?,” where FEMA Administrator David Paulison will testify.

This afternoon, the Washington Bureau will be covering:

A House Armed Services Committee Terrorism, Unconventional Threats and Capabilities Subcommittee hearing on the FY2009 National Defense Authorization Budget request

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Former Governor of Virginia Mark R. Warner Answers Questions during Families USA Annual 2008 Conference

During a round table interview, Governor Warner answers questions concerning health care, immigration and quality of education in Virginia.

 

 Former Governor of Virginia Mark R. Warner Answers Questions during Families USA Annual 2008 Conference: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Talk Radio News Bureau Chief Ellen Ratner interviews the Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez at the Washington D.C. at a showing of “Shoot Down,” a documentary film about the Cuban government’s authorization of the downing of two U.S. civilian aircraft in 1996. 

 

 Ellen Ratner interviews Carlos Gutierrez, the Secretary of Commerce: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Presidential Candidate John Edwards on Change

According to Edwards, to bring about change the presidential candidates will need backbone, will and determination.

 

 Presidential Candidate John Edwards on Change: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Elizabeth Edwards Claims Goal is in Sight

As John Edwards takes third in the New Hampshire Primary, Elizabeth Edwards states that you have to work for your goals.

 

 Elizabeth Edwards Claims Goal is in Sight: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Presidential Candidate Rudy Giuliani Still in the Race

Rudy Giuliani is still in the race to be the president as he reviews the twelve commitments of his campaign.

 

 Presidential Candidate Rudy Giuliani Still in the Race: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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