TAKING RESPONSIBILITY

by Michael Douglas Carlin

GLOBAL CITIZENS NEED TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY
Global Citizens need to take responsibility for everything that goes on in the world. Sitting and watching without changing is not acceptable.

Let me back up. We need to make sure that we understand each other without the least degree of misunderstanding. Let's begin with a very firm foundation – a bedrock foundation of understanding.

Are most people inherently good? I believe that they are. Do you agree? Are most people good? Once they have a perfect understanding of the total ramifications of their actions, will they do what is right? I believe that when people know the full consequences, they will make right choices. Now, if they are in need, can we all agree that people will do things that are out of character to survive? I also believe that, when resources are scarce, they will do whatever it takes to survive. If there is no money, no jobs and scant resources, you can bet that the father of four will steal what his family needs, if that is the only way that he can get it.

In the world of abundance, people will choose a higher path. Our key to turning the world into a world in which people take responsibility for themselves and those around them must come from abundance. The first principle of economics is that resources are limited. To put the goodness of humankind to work, we must take limited resources and turn them into abundant resources. All barriers that make resources scarce must be broken down so that abundance can exist.

We will never know how good humankind is until we provide a world of limitless choices. Our path to a better world than has ever existed is to plot this course for our Earth and for humanity.

I believe that almost all of humanity is good. I also believe that there are a few in the human race who are purely evil. They kill, rape and pillage just for the hell of it. Evil people need to be curtailed from achieving their objectives by the rest of humanity doing what is right, so that all ill intentions and efforts are marginalized. That requires an enormous education process to enlighten the rest of humanity, so that they grasp their authority and their responsibility to act.

Most decisions about the course for humanity will be easily made once all of the information is gathered and evaluated. The decision process becomes very simple with all of the relevant information on the table. The decisions almost make themselves.

Let us be clear about another foundation principle. The Earth can be improved. It can be cleaned up. It can be engineered to deal with floods in a more efficient manner; it can be engineered to deal with drought in a more efficient manner; it can be engineered to deal with systems to sustain civilization in a more efficient manner. Agreeing on this principle does not imply a belief in Global Warming. It doesn't imply a belief in anything other than the premise that the Earth can be improved. Humanity—men, women and children -- are the stewards of the Earth. We must become Global Citizens by taking responsibility for the health and welfare of the Earth.

We must engineer mechanisms to keep the delicate balance of the Earth in place for all of the inhabitants who share the Earth as their home. When the oxygen content decreases, we need to be responsible Global Citizens and plant more vegetation. We need to plant in areas that are typically dry or arid. We need to plant in areas of the oceans that are desert-like. More vegetation will produce more oxygen and keep the Earth in balance. Seeding the desert portions of the oceans with iron will produce more ocean plant life. Planting mangroves with samphire (distinct edible plants that happen to grow in coastal areas), that can be irrigated with salt water will also produce food and oxygen.

We must take responsibility for the movement of water from areas of high concentration to areas of low concentration. Weather patterns are unpredictable from day to day, so we can all agree that occasional flooding is inevitable. We need to prepare for the 200-year floods that seem to be happening at a more frequent rate. Rivers need to be dredged to accommodate more flow. Cisterns must be implemented to collect water for use during times of drought. The entire world must implement a two-tiered water system of potable and non-potable water. Each country needs to implement a water strategy that keeps more water inland with the ability to flow water to oceans when necessary. Desalination technology must be developed to take the risk of water shortages out of the equation for all coastal cities, towns and villages.

We should all agree that the polar ice is melting. Having a mechanism in place to keep more water inland and to move it from areas of high concentration to areas of low concentration will help to keep ocean levels in check. Not having this in place could lead to disaster, as we watch our cities fall into the rising tides. Making preparations cannot hurt us, if the predictions of leading scientists are incorrect. Not making preparations is leaving the Earth open for natural disasters.

So much of the Earth is being built out of asphalt and concrete. Roofs are made with materials that soak up heat. Creating more surfaces that reflect light and heat away from the planet can stop this trend. More of the surface of the Earth needs to become green or white. As Global Citizens, we must take responsibility for everything we can to keep the Earth within her delicate balance.

We can learn from structures already in place. On the island of Bermuda, rainfall is the only water source, often falling in hurricane season. For 400 years, the natives have built their roofs in a conical fashion that funnels water into a basement cistern. The roofs are painted white to reflect the sun and are made with mortar, limestone and slate overlapped to keep them from blowing away in the hurricanes.

Since the 1950's, one in twenty homes in Israel has had a solar water heater installed due to energy shortages. Now, 90% of the homes have solar heating, and all new homes since 1980 are mandated to have them. Israel and Cyprus are the per capita leaders in the use of solar hot water systems.

Creating abundance means breaking down barriers that keep supply low and prices high. Corporations that create artificial barriers to competition and or receive giant government subsidies and then haul in mega-profits will fight this movement. Responsible Global Citizens will want abundance, because it helps people make better decisions that help our planet heal.

We should agree that toxic waste is not good for the Earth. We should agree that mining operations need to be done through clean and sustainable systems that keep the Earth in balance. Trash heaps need to be cleaned up and processed to minimize the chemical effect of degradation of toxic waste from seeping into soil and water supplies. Piles of trash floating in the oceans the size of Texas must be cleaned up to keep our ocean ecosystems in balance.

Let's agree on one more principle. Most of humanity does not take pleasure in the suffering of any mother or father, aunt or uncle, brother or sister, son or daughter. We all want them to have happiness and success. We may not always know how to help them achieve these goals, but we want for them a joy-filled life. The measure of our success as parents is the degree to which our children are able to enjoy a better life than we had. When we see a person suffering from the disease of addiction, chronic homelessness, or any type of ailment from which a person can suffer, we must remember that this is someone's father or mother, aunt or uncle, sister or brother, son or daughter and that, as we are all united in humanity, this could be someone close to us. Most of humanity really wants to alleviate suffering, and all of us would lend a hand if only we had the tools to bring those who suffer to a better place.

Let's agree that people who are trained and qualified are able to deal with most of the problems of human suffering. Let's agree that the skills to treat real problems are available on the Earth. The knowledge to alleviate the bulk of human suffering already exists, and researchers are constantly working to improve the entire database of knowledge in this field. Are we agreed? Are we agreed that there is a path to recovery for anyone who really wants to right his or her life to calmer waters? Are we agreed that, even though we may not personally possess the skills to deal with real life challenges faced by people, solutions to these real life problems do exist?

Can we agree that people who do not have adequate nutrition do not make good workers or students? Can we agree that sick people do not make good workers or students? Can we also agree that people who do not have a place to live do not make good workers or students? Can we also agree that jobs require skills?

Can we agree that many skills can be taught and learned? Can we agree that there is a minimum standard of living necessary for people to acquire skills that make them productive members of society? And can we also agree that, once these skills are acquired by healthy people, they have a better chance to become responsible, self-sustaining citizens? Can we agree that handouts lead to dependency, and hand-ups lead to independence? Can we agree that we all want people to become self-sufficient? Can we agree that we might need to give handouts before it leads to a hand-up?

Picture a place that is built in the desert called Transformation. Why the desert? The desert is cheap, and established communities will not fully embrace this Transformation. What is Transformation? Transformation is where people come to be repurposed. At Transformation, you can count on receiving three square meals a day, a roof over your head and access to services that will help you become a productive part of society. Those with mental problems can receive treatment, those with addictions can receive treatment, and those with physical ailments can also receive treatment. Those who have skills that have become obsolete can be re-educated and prepare to be placed in a new job or new field. Lawyers are on staff to wade through legal problems that people may have. They help with the filings of bankruptcy or the renegotiation of debt, or negotiation with courts for tickets or fines.

Transformation could end homelessness as we know it. Transformation could be a much more humane methodology for dealing with people in our society who have hit the skids. Transformation would only cost a hundred million dollars to start. (Think of the money collected by Super PACs in the recent election.) Each additional phase would be funded from ongoing donations and staffed by people who have flowed through the doors of Transformation.

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© 2014 Michael Douglas Carlin. All Rights Reserved.

GOOD DEEDS ARE PUNISHED

by Michael Douglas Carlin

This is a reality check; why do you give? I have sat in heated meetings about giving. Why should they be heated? Here are resources and there is need. Match the resources to the need and go home. That isn't how it is done in most organizations.

I recently attended a meeting where a piece of equipment was to be shipped to a small town where a need had been identified. I sat through an hour of complaints about the process and about setbacks. I couldn't stand it anymore. I finally chimed in. "I am not sure that I have any further information after an hour of listening to you." I had brought a shipper to the table who was willing to do the shipping free of charge. I will never really know the reason, but the offer was declined. I guess I really do know the reason.

When I was quite young, I saw a bee in our pool swimming for its life. I interceded and reached down to pull that bee to safety. I remember my mom laughing at me, as she knew what would happen next. To her credit, she didn't get involved. Sure enough, I attempted to save the bee's life and was stung. The bee, in stinging me, lost its life. This was my first illustration of the "no good deed goes unpunished" doctrine.

That doesn't stop us from having big hearts. That doesn't stop us from wanting to help. Enlightened giving helps us give more purposefully and takes out the sting.

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© 2014 Michael Douglas Carlin. All Rights Reserved.

WRITING WITH A CALCULATOR

by Michael Douglas Carlin

 I was at a recent meeting to discuss creating a thirty-second book trailer. It sounds so simple: tell readers why they should buy this book. The people around the table were all entertainment-related, and some of their ideas were really good. But the ideas were totally unrealistic given our budget to make this happen. If we had millions of dollars and a big Madison Avenue advertising agency involved, we could spend money like there was no tomorrow. The point really hit home that we need to be writing with a calculator.

Television shows need to be written that way. Feature films can never become unmanageable again like the Disney film, John Carter. Commercials for every product also need to be based upon realistic budgets. This economy is really bringing this type of writing into focus for businesses of all types. They can have all the loftiest goals imaginable, but it all comes down to what is realistic. Spending more than we have isn't really an option.

Many may say that this will stifle creativity, but I say that creativity really begins where budgets fall short. When you can't write a check to make something spectacular, you are only beginning to tap true creativity. No work of art became great by throwing money at it. It became great because of the craftsmanship of the artist(s). Money can stifle creativity. Look at the number of directors who made compelling projects while they struggled, only to make crap when life became too easy. Very few directors were able to keep their creative edge once they became wealthy.

The implications of writing with a calculator are far reaching throughout our society. I recently reconnected with a producer, Michael Mandaville, whom I met twenty-five years ago. He has a pet project called Cities First. He is overwhelmed by the challenges that our state and federal governments face and feels that he can only really affect change on services provided by his local government; the schools his kids go to, roads, fire department, police, waste, and other services. His concept is that, if we all focused on electing officials who made sure that our local cities didn't go broke and took care of the citizens who live inside the city limits, we could work to strengthen America from the bottom up. All of government could learn from writing with a calculator beginning with cities first.

Mandaville likens his Cities First approach to Thanksgiving Dinner. We all need to decide what resources we have to put into the Thanksgiving spread. Some years, we have dinner for forty people, and some years it is immediate family only depending on how well we are doing. Cities must also face the reality of what resources they have to work with to stay within their budget. It is our duty as citizens to get involved and hold the local politicians' feet to the fire to stay within their means. If tax revenue is down this year, our Thanksgiving Dinner may only be spaghetti. When things get better, we can go back to turkey, ham and all of the fixin's. Mandaville has a tremendous point that should be adopted by the citizens of America to keep local spending in check.

The reality soon set in on our little book trailer, and we all looked around the room and decided that the budget for the book trailer was about fifty bucks. The idea fairy left with the grandiose dreams for a thirty-second special effects driven commercial. It is time that we all look around the room and determine a realistic budget for our projects whatever they are, and write the future with a calculator.

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© 2014 Michael Douglas Carlin. All Rights Reserved.

ROAD TO HELL

by Michael Douglas Carlin
THE ROAD TO HELL IS PAVED WITH GOOD INTENTIONS

Many unintended consequences follow those that seek to do good.

We hear the stories of aid that gets subverted from hitting the intended mark. We read the headlines about millions of dollars paid in salaries. Money that does hit the mark often has the unintended consequences of creating aid dependency.

Dambisa Moyo wrote a great book called Dead Aid, in which she outlines the amount of aid that has poured into Africa. The conclusion is that all of this aid has left Africa worse off, because it has created an aid-dependent society. I am quite sure that most of those who contributed aid to Africa had no intention of creating an aid-dependent society. There are those who had every intention of creating aid dependency. Many charities exist to serve this need. Take away this need, and their purpose for existing disappears.

We should really ask ourselves if we are addicted to giving or are our recipients addicted to the gifts?

This is the perfect example of codependency. Not all codependency is unhealthy. Breastfeeding babies go through a weaning process as they transition to solid food. Once complete, they never return to breastfeeding. Nature provides support during the fragile infant state. In this case, the process leads to self-sufficiency.

I have been a student of relief work done by many NGO's, but one in particular has taken relief to many war torn countries as well as countries in the aftermath of a natural disaster. From my vantage point, it could be easily misconstrued that these men and women perform hit-and-runs on the societies that they touch.

They bring relief in during critical fragile windows and then leave to provide relief in other parts of the world in a seemingly unending chain of critical fragile windows around the world.

The hit-and-run style of the Knights that perform this service might be a more potent approach than it would seem. Their goal in not wanting to get entangled in a single unending mission is their commitment to not rob those embroiled in a fragile situation from exercising their own personal responsibility to return to self-sufficiency.

When they arrive with temporary relief, they make it clear that relief given today might only last a few months and that future shipments will not be coming. This prepares the refugees or IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons) for the reality that they have a responsibility to work hard to regain control over their own situations.

Those of you who follow my writings may know of the work of Sir Edward and the hierarchy of needs that he and his fellow Knights provide: food, shelter, health care, education, livelihood —all leading to hope.

The purpose of relief is not to create aid dependency but rather to create people who can stand on their own two feet without relief. Permanent relief creates aid dependency and the unintended consequence of robbing people of their dignity and their destiny.

Our need to give should never steal the self-esteem that comes with standing on equal footing by any person earning his or her own keep through hard work and innovation.

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© 2014 Michael Douglas Carlin. All Rights Reserved.

United Cannabis Corporation Announces Venture With Jamaica-Based Cannabinoid Research & Development Company Limited

 

Venture to Focus on Research and Development in Jamaica as the Country's Justice Minister Announces Legislation Has Been Drafted to Decriminalize Medical Marijuana on the Island

DENVER, CO, Oct 13, 2014 -- United Cannabis Corporation (OTCQB: CNAB) (the "Company" or "United Cannabis") today announced that it has participated with a small group of Jamaicans to form a Jamaican corporation named Cannabinoid Research & Development Company Limited ("CRD" or the "Venture"). The Company owns a fifty percent interest in CRD. The Company participated in the formation of CRD in order to further the Company's mission of advancing the use of cannabis in medical therapies through biomedical and pharmaceutical research and development, within Jamaica. The Venture has identified a 30,000 square foot facility in Kingston's industrial zone to serve as its corporate headquarters, but a lease has not yet been signed.

Despite its association with Jamaica and its culture, marijuana has actually been illegal there since the 1961 United Nations Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs. Ironically, the Jamaican government has been hesitant to decriminalize marijuana until now for fear of triggering hinted-at sanctions from Washington. That pressure has diminished in conjunction with the trend toward legalization in the US, and today the Jamaican government announced legislation has been drafted to decriminalize marijuana for medical purposes by the end of 2014.

Commenting on the announcement, Earnest Blackmon, Chief Executive Officer of United Cannabis, stated, "I have visited Jamaica during my 20-year career cultivating medical cannabis, and have long championed their decriminalization of marijuana. With that milestone clearly on the horizon, we formed CRD to formally establish our presence in Jamaica and begin preparing an application for a provisional license so we will be ready to apply the minute submissions are being accepted."

Tony Verzura, Chief Technical Officer of United Cannabis, added, "We could not be happier about the news from Jamaica. The variety of strains cultivated there, along with the benefits of the Caribbean environment provide a wealth opportunity for discovery and growth. Our 50% ownership in CRD affords us with immediate access to the local resources and insight to the intricacies of the infrastructure, giving us real momentum as we enter the Jamaican market."

Mr. Mark Richardson, Chief Technology Officer of Cannabinoid Research & Development Company Limited, stated, "I am excited to begin working with Tony, Earnie, and the rest of the United Cannabis Team. The work they have done in Colorado is on the cutting edge. Not only do they bring an extensive knowledge of the cannabis plant and its properties, but their ability to leverage technology and incorporate systems within the breeding process will be invaluable as we seek to pursue the vast opportunities here in Jamaica."

Mr. Richardson went on to say, "While marijuana cultivation was deemed illegal during the past 50 years, the unrestrained cultivation by some factions resulted in the degradation of several of Jamaica's original strains. One of the goals of CRD is to help restore the purity of those strains and standardize the breeding process to ensure this does not happen again."

Four Corners #Methane Hotspot Points to #Coal-Related Sources

Los Alamos National Laboratory measurement instruments were placed in the field for analysis of Four Corners area power plant emissions

Methane measured at 3-times higher levels than previously reported

A large, persistent methane hot spot has existed over the Four Corners area of the US Southwest for almost a decade, confirmed by remote regional-scale ground measurements of the gas.
“A detailed analysis indicates that methane emissions in the region are actually three times larger than reported by EPA. Our analysis demonstrates that current EPA inventories are missing huge methane sources in the region,” said Manvendra Dubey, a Los Alamos National Laboratory scientist on the project. “We attribute this hot spot to fugitive leaks from coal-bed methane that actually preceded recent concerns about potential emissions from fracking,” Dubey said.
A team of LANL, NASA and University of Michigan scientists reported these results in the journal Geophysical Research Letters. Methane is very efficient at trapping heat in the atmosphere and, like carbon dioxide, it contributes to global warming.
The hot spot, near the Four Corners intersection of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah, covers about 2,500 square miles (6,500 square kilometers), or half the size of Connecticut. The Los Alamos measurement ground site was located near the community of Waterflow at the New Mexico Environment Department’s San Juan monitoring site, close to two coal-fired power plants. This is an extensive coal-mining region with historically large coal-bed methane production.
Los Alamos’ remote sensing observations, taken continuously through 2011 and 2012, showed large morning increases of methane. Interestingly, a European satellite had measured methane in that area daily for seven years, from 2003-2009. “Our persistently measured increases in methane, seen over 70 percent of the time, verified that the methane hot spot observed over that same Four Corners area was real,” said Dubey the lead LANL scientist on the team. “It is clear that current EPA inventories are missing huge methane sources in the region,” Dubey said.
“We were excited to share the results with our collaborators and we followed up with high-resolution regional atmospheric modeling of the current EPA reported methane emissions for the region. When we compared the simulated methane with both our ground and satellite observations we found that they were a factor of three too low, a fairly remarkable result,” he said.
What was surprising, Dubey noted, is that the region had almost no hydraulic fracturing of oil or gas in the 2003-2009 period and the satellite still saw the large methane hot spot. Coal-bed methane is a gas that lines the myriad pores and cracks within a seam of coal. In underground coal mines, the trapped methane is a deadly hazard that causes sometimes-fatal explosions almost every year as it seeps out of the rock. This coal-bed methane, leaking progressively from the sites, may be the source of the newly measured material.
After the U.S. energy crisis of the 1970s, techniques were invented to extract the methane from the coal and use it for fuel. By 2012, coal-bed methane supplied about 8 percent of all natural gas in the United States. “Our finding clearly shows that one needs to look at the fossil mining industry as a whole when it comes to fugitive leaks, and that research on verification of reported leaks is critically needed,” Dubey said.
“In light of the expansion of hydraulic fracturing in the Farmington, New Mexico region it is important that we continue extensive monitoring with the state environment department to assure we are attributing and managing the overall methane emissions responsibly,” he continued.
Methane is a less climate-damaging energy source than coal, emitting half as much carbon dioxide as coal per unit energy produced. However, it is 25 times more potent a greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide so keeping fugitive leaks is crucial to harvest its potential as a bridge fuel, according to the science team.
“As the quest to understand emissions continues we must also correct for the missing coal-related methane sources and other biogenic sources that include cattle, landfills, and wetlands,” Dubey noted. “Regional scale methane measurements from ground and space coupled to modeling are critical to achieve this for responsible energy and environmental policy – and we have much more research to do.”
Research team: The Los Alamos National Laboratory authors included postdoctoral fellow Rodica Lindenmaier, scientist Keeley Costigan and senior scientist Manvendra Dubey. The Caltech/JPL team included Christian Frankenberg and Debra Wunch and Eric Kort of University of Michigan integrated the findings.
Funding: This work was supported a Los Alamos National Laboratory-directed research and development grant, “Multiscale Measurements and Modeling for Climate Treat Verification.” The ground solar spectrometer was funded by the US Department of Energy’s Office of Science.

8 Initial Steps Women Can Take to Improve Their Relationship with Money

Money Directly Impacts Her Overall Satisfaction in Life, Says Business Coach

Do women have different relationships with money than men? Very definitely, yes, says entrepreneur and business coach Meriflor Toneatto.

“For women, money is an emotional currency, tied to our sense of self-worth and confidence, which can lead us to financial pitfalls that ultimately limits what we pursue in life,” says Toneatto, a certified business and life coach, and author of “Money, Manifestation & Miracles: 8 Principles for Transforming Women’s Relationship with Money,” (www.moneymanifestationandmiracles.com).

A woman’s emotional relationship with money directly impacts her overall level of satisfaction in life – or lack of it, Toneatto says.

“Wealth isn’t just about money; it’s about the quality of a woman’s overall life,” she says. “Greater awareness of how you feel about your life can yield helpful insights regarding your relationship with money, which can immediately change for the better.”

There are a number of ways to start doing that. Toneatto reviews eight of them:

•  Give yourself permission.For better or worse, women tend to seek support or permission for significant life decisions. Skip a step and give yourself permission. It’s important to have an open mind and heart as you proceed with financial self-improvement, which includes being grateful for who you are right now, warts and all, for arriving at this moment in your life.

•  Be honest.  Total honesty is the best way to get to the root of your feelings, beliefs and attitudes about money. Women often keep secrets about our true feelings, especially regarding money.

•  Put yourself first. Commit to taking care of yourself and putting your needs at the top of your priority list. Think of it as “self-full” rather than “selfish.” When you love yourself, you’ll experience positive changes that will benefit those around you; you will operate better. “Self-fullness” may include scheduling uninterrupted time alone for reflection, reading, meditation, physical training and other ways to get in touch with your emotions.

•  Start a money journal.Consider keeping a gratitude journal and, taking it a steep further, a financial journal. What you focus on will grow, so focus on being grateful about money and you’ll start to see positive changes in your life.

•  Practice forgiveness. A key way to move beyond your emotional obstacles with money is to let them go and forgive. Practicing forgiveness is a powerful way to remove what’s standing between you and having more money in your life.

•  Feel prosperous and richnow. Prosperity and wealth is a state of mind. It’s essential that you don’t feel poor because that brings your thoughts toward poverty. Your goal is to take stock of what you have now, embellish it with gratitude, and enjoy the return.

•  Pay attention to synchronicities. As you begin to work on transforming your relationship with money, pay attention to what comes back to you as a result of your intention. Be aware of coincidences, synchronicities and opportunities that come your way. This may include new clients at unexpected places, hearing references to new books or even a mentor, or the possibility that you’re at the right place at the right time.

•  Celebrate the big and small – have fun! We always notice the big things in life, but we tend to overlook the little steps we took to get there. They all count! And, take heart in your journey – an adventure of self-discovery, love, courage and possibility. This is at the heart of true, lifelong self-improvement.

“Just like other crucial life factors, such as health and spiritual well-being, a healthy financial relationship is a lifelongcommitment, and what I detail here is just the beginning,” she says. “Maintaining the right money mindset will require further guidance for some women.”

About Meriflor Toneatto

Meriflor Toneatto is the founder and CEO of Power With Soul, a company dedicated to empowering female entrepreneurs and professionals by helping them transform their relationship with money. The author of “Money, Manifestation & Miracles: 8 Principles for Transforming Women’s Relationship with Money,” (www.moneymanifestationandmiracles.com), Toneatto holds a bachelor’s degree in public administration and management and graduate certifications in personal, professional and financial coaching. A former corporate executive, she is a recipient of the Amethyst Award for Excellence and Outstanding Achievement from the government of Ontario, Canada.

DoD Official Endorses Army Program to Train All Components

By Terri Moon Cronk
DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, Oct. 14, 2014 - The 1st U.S. Army's "Bold Shift" initiative to integrate the Army's active-duty, National Guard and Reserve is "the right thing to do" for readiness today and the future, a top Defense Department official said at the Association of the U.S. Army's annual meeting and exposition here yesterday.

Paul D. Patrick, deputy assistant secretary of defense of reserve affairs for readiness, training and mobilization, talked about the 1st Army's program during a panel discussion on Army total force implementation.

The Bold Shift initiative focuses on premobilization training of all three of the Army's components, so all soldiers are trained and configured in exactly how they will fight.

"The advantages of 1st Army's partnering and engagement with the Army National Guard and the Army Reserve in premobilization assessment training, planned development and postmobilization training and preparing [reserve component] units identified through mobilization for combat over the past 12-plus years in Afghanistan and Iraq are well documented," Patrick said.

"And it's brought the level of total-force integration to unprecedented heights," he added.

Optimal, efficient, cost-effective training

The Army initiative ensures optimal training in an efficient and cost-effective manner, Patrick noted.

"It encompasses not only training support personnel, facilities and equipment, [but the initiative] also brings together combat, combat support and combat service support formations from all components to train as you fight," he said.

The Army is organized, trained and equipped to fight as a total force, Lt. Gen. Michael S. Tucker, 1st U.S. Army commander, said during the panel discussion.

"We never go to war as one component," he said. "We go to war as a multicomponent force, always."

If integrating training with all components together is not done, Tucker said, "we'll go back to our stovepipes, and we can't allow that as we go to combat ... as a multicomponent force."

The Army's total force implementation, as directed by Army Secretary John M. McHugh, is a partnership, said Gen. Mark A. Milley, commander of U.S. Army Forces Command.

"We are partnering the active component with the National Guard and reserve units on a day-to-day, week-to-week, month-to-month basis," Milley said.

Need became clear in Iraq, Afghanistan

The need for a total force became clear during 12 years of combat in Iraq and Afghanistan, said Lt. Gen. Jeffrey W. Talley, chief of the Army Reserve and commander of U.S. Army Reserve Command.

Developing the total force policy has been an open and collaborative process in the Army National Guard, added Maj. Gen. Judd H. Lyons, acting director of the Army National Guard. He added that it's encouraging to see that all major exercises will now be multicomponent exercises. "It's already paying dividends," he said.

Patrick noted that total force applies to more than one service branch.

"[DoD's reserve affairs] is doing its part to ensure an optimally ready total force," he said, "not only for the Army, but for all the services."

Hagel Praises Mexico's Military in Meeting With Defense Minister

DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, Oct. 14, 2014 - Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel praised Mexico's military during a meeting with Mexican Defense Minister Gen. Salvador Cienfuegos yesterday on the sidelines of the Conference of Defense Ministers of the Americas in Arequipa, Peru, Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby said.

"Secretary Hagel thanked the minister for his leadership and praised Mexico's military capabilities, especially its disaster relief expertise," Kirby said in a statement summarizing the meeting. "Both leaders agreed that our bilateral defense relationship is enjoying an unprecedented level of cooperation."

Hagel and Cienfuegos acknowledged the strong personal interest that President Barack Obama and Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto are taking in the U.S.-Mexico defense relationship, the admiral said.

Hagel pledged to continue the close dialogue and to look for ways to work closely together with Mexican defense and military leaders, Kirby added.

 

Hagel, El Salvador's Defense Minister Discuss Partnership

DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, Oct. 14, 2014 - Regional challenges facing both militaries and the importance of a strong bilateral partnership in addressing those challenges were the focus of a meeting yesterday between Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel and Gen. David Munguia Payes, El Salvador's defense minister, Pentagon Press Secretary Navy Rear Adm. John Kirby said.

The two leaders met on the sidelines of the Conference of Defense Ministers of the Americas in Arequipa, Peru.

Specifically, the two leaders discussed the ongoing problem of drug trafficking, maritime security and natural disasters, Kirby said in a statement summarizing the meeting.

"Secretary Hagel thanked the minister for his leadership and his commitment to strengthening our defense relationship," the admiral said. "The secretary pledged to continue the close dialogue and cooperation between our two countries."

ENABLE VS. HELP

by Michael Douglas Carlin

THE FINE LINE

Gave a homeless dude a ten dollar bill tonight. Got hammered for it, too. He went immediately into 7-11 and bought some food to fight his hunger. Before he got to the cash register, I had a guy come up to me and scream at me for giving to a homeless man. "You're not helping him...you are enabling him."

There might be a fine line, and I need to know more about it. But learning about it from books just isn't a possibility; you have to dive into the pool to learn about it.

Why do we give? Who do we give to?

Down-and-Out vs. Drop Out

The down-and-out are in a bad position through no fault of their own, or maybe it is all their fault. An act of God causes their houses, village or livelihood to be destroyed. Or they had it all and just made some bad choices.

Any one of us could make some bad choices that land us on hard times. Any one of us could get hit over the head at the ATM, not remember who we are, and wind up on the streets.

Since the meltdown in 2008, more folks seem to have fallen on hard times, and there might be many decisions to be made about who is deserving. With some help, most of those folks can work their way back to productive society. Giving them a hand up is not enabling, it is helping.

Enabling continued bad behavior might not be wise. I don't always know the difference. The drop-out might be angling to scam money, but to what quality of life? I mean, there isn't a Rolls Royce involved. Seems like panhandling is a lot of work for not too much money.

I know that, when this homeless man told me he was hungry, I could see it in every expression of his face and body. He didn't go for an eight-ball or a forty ounce beer, he went straight for the food.

The man who hammered me about giving might be right and tonight that homeless man might be freezing cold on the street, but at least he has eaten well.

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© 2014 Michael Douglas Carlin. All Rights Reserved.

Hagel, Honduran Counterpart Discuss Security Issues

DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, Oct. 14, 2014 - Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel met Oct. 11 with Honduran Defense Minister Samuel Reyes Rendon on the sidelines of the Conference of Defense Ministers of the Americas in Arequipa, Peru, Pentagon Press Secretary Navy Rear Adm. John Kirby said.

In a statement summarizing the meeting, Kirby said the discussion covered a wide range of security issues of mutual concern, including the threat to stability posed by narcotrafficking, natural disasters, and the importance of a holistic approach to the security challenges facing Central America.

"Secretary Hagel thanked the minister for his support of the strong relationship between our two militaries and for Honduras' contributions to regional security," the admiral said. "The secretary reaffirmed the United States' commitment to our security obligations in Latin America."

Both leaders agreed on the need for continued dialogue and cooperation across the region through exercises, exchanges and operations, he added.

Hagel Thanks Canada for Expanded Contributions to ISIL Fight

DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, Oct. 14, 2014 - Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel and Canadian Defense Minister Rob Nicholson discussed a wide range of security issues of mutual concern during a meeting yesterday at the Conference of Defense Ministers of the Americas in Arequipa, Peru, Pentagon Press Secretary Navy Rear Adm. John Kirby said.

In a statement summarizing the meeting, Kirby said the two leaders discussed the ongoing campaign in Iraq and Syria against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, as well as the security situations in Ukraine and the Asia-Pacific region.

"Secretary Hagel thanked Minister Nicholson for Canada's newly expanded missions in support of coalition operations against ISIL in Iraq," Kirby said, "and both leaders expressed concern about the growing threat of foreign fighters inside ISIL."

Hagel and Nicholson also discussed regional security challenges in the Americas, including the threat to stability and security posed by climate change, the admiral said. Both agreed on the need for comprehensive and multinational approaches to environmental security, he added.

WE ARE AMERICANS

by Michael Douglas Carlin

911 means "emergency" in America. Whenever we have an emergency, we dial 911. On the other end of the telephone is a voice that reassures us and gets us the help that we need. The 911 operator never questions our race, political affiliation or religion. He or she utilizes every resource at his or her disposal to mitigate the emergency.

On September 11th, 2001, the telephones were ringing off the hook with needs that stretched resources to their limits. All of the responders attempted to meet the enormous burden placed upon them with all of their heart and soul. The tragedy that was 9/11 cost America some of our best citizens. The tragedy stopped all Americans that day in our tracks. We all remember the images we saw.

We all remember the first responders who ran into burning buildings to rescue people they didn't know, and we witnessed the countless lives that these men and women saved that day. Many of those first responders made the ultimate sacrifice. Many responders heard the call and donned the uniforms that protect and serve in America's armed forces. What began that day caused many families to lose their loved ones to tragedy.

Immediately in the aftermath, Americans were not divided by race, political party, gender, sexual preference or religion. We became the most unified people on the planet. We waved our flags and proudly declared to the rest of the world that we are Americans. In Los Angeles, we have the most diverse population that has ever existed in the history of the earth, and we are all united as one people—as citizens of Los Angeles or Angelinos, as Californians, as Americans.

For a brief time, our Pledge of Allegiance rang true with the words "One Nation, under God, indivisible." Eleven years later, our American population has never been more divided–more polarized. It is time that, when our ancestry or heritage is questioned, we answer: "I am an American." It is time that we stopped identifying ourselves by political parties and start answering when our political party is questioned: "I am an American." Instead of wearing our religion on our sleeve, we should wear our patriotism.

The anniversary of 9/11 is upon us. Putting aside our differences for one day would bring honor to all of those who gave their lives for America that day and those that gave their lives in Iraq or Afghanistan. Celebrating the lives of our citizens who respond to the call of duty is simply the right thing to do. Let us all wave the Stars and Stripes as we declare to the world that each and every one of us is an American, that we love our country, and that we are proud of the legacy built by the sacrifices of all those who shed their blood so that we might sleep peacefully under the blanket of freedom.

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© 2014 Michael Douglas Carlin. All Rights Reserved.

Readout of Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel's meeting with Mexican Minister of Defense General Salvador Cienfuegos

Pentagon Press Secretary Rear Adm. John Kirby provided the following readout: Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel met today with Mexican Minister of Defense General Salvador Cienfuegos. The two leaders met in Peru on the sidelines of the 11th Conference of Defense Ministers of the Americas, an important forum for the discussion of Western Hemispheric defense and security issues. Secretary Hagel thanked the minister for his leadership and praised Mexico's military capabilities, especially its disaster relief expertise. Both leaders agreed that our bilateral defense relationship is enjoying an unprecedented level of cooperation. Secretary Hagel and General Cienfuegos acknowledged the strong personal interest their two presidents are taking in this relationship. The Secretary pledged to continue the close dialogue and to look for ways to work closely together with Mexican defense and military leaders.

Press Briefing by Secretary Hagel in Peru

SECRETARY OF DEFENSE CHUCK HAGEL: First, I want to thank Father Carlos for allowing me an opportunity to come visit this spectacular church. Franz, thank you for all you have done to assure the renovation of this historic and magnificent church.

I very much appreciate the opportunity to be here in this historic city that has very significant family ties to the Peruvian minister of defense. Minister Cateriano's grandparents and parents are from Arequipa. And I want to thank President Humala for hosting this conference here in Peru.

Today's conference, which began yesterday, in particular last night at a reception, was very important. It gave the ministers of defense from 34 nations an opportunity to hear from each other and to trade observations and ideas about our hemisphere, our future together, and our partnerships.

Yesterday, when I arrived, in particular last night at a reception, I had an opportunity to spend some time in informal bilateral exchanges with some of my counterparts from South America. And I thought the plenary session this morning was particularly important to hear from ministers on different points of view regarding different challenges and opportunities in a more formal setting.

I had an opportunity this afternoon to meet with some of my counterparts in bilateral formats, where we were able to talk more specifically about some of the challenges that we face bilaterally, as well as multilaterally.

The importance of the Western Hemisphere to the world as represented by so many different cultures and ideas and values is important to recognize at a time when the world is undergoing an extensive challenge to its present world order.

It's important that we give all countries and all people support in their efforts, for human rights, dignity for all people, opportunities, education, skills, jobs, at the same time we also are mindful of some of the manmade and natural disasters and threats that face our world today.

One of the areas in particular that we touched on this morning in a plenary sessions, as well as I did last night in my exchanges, as well as this afternoon with the ministers, was climate change and consequences that we are going to have to prepare to deal with as a result of climate change.

This afternoon, in one of the bilaterals with Minister Rob Nicholson, minister of defense of Canada, we presented the minister and his staff with an American pumpkin pie to celebrate Canada's Thanksgiving.

And I would conclude my remarks with wishing a happy birthday to the United States Navy, and if I didn't, Admiral Kirby would never talk to you again. So happy birthday, United States Navy.

REAR ADMIRAL JOHN KIRBY: After that, I don't think we need to take questions. I think we're done.

SEC. HAGEL: Kirby's always told me, "End on a high note." (Laughter.)

REAR ADM. KIRBY: First question will come from Lolita Baldor from the Associated Press.

Q: Mr. Secretary, Syria, Turkey, have there been any developments in the ongoing negotiations with Turkey over Syria? I'm just wondering, there's a lot of back-and-forth going on. Are you still optimistic about it? And do you have any goals for the chiefs of defense meeting tomorrow? Anything you really hope they try to accomplish?

SEC. HAGEL: Lita, I am optimistic about progress that we are making with the Turks, as the Turks further define their role in the coalition against ISIL. As you know, we have teams from Central Command and European Command there. As you all know, I spoke with General Allen yesterday to get a readout from his meetings there, as well as I spoke with the Turkish minister of defense.

I said yesterday that I'll leave public announcements about what the Turks are committed to do to them, but I would say, though, to answer your question, we are making very good progress and I am optimistic.

As to your question regarding General Dempsey bringing 20 of the chiefs of defense together from 20 nations, that is going to be an important meeting. As I think you know, President Obama is going to stop by at the end of that meeting tomorrow.

The objective of the meeting that General Dempsey put together was to further coordinate and organize countries' efforts to participate in the coalition. They will be working through those specific areas and defining specific contributions that the nations will make. So I am much encouraged with that meeting, and it's going to be a very important meeting.

QUESTION (through translator): I'd like to ask you a very local question. This is a very Peruvian question. It's obvious that we're very worried about drug trafficking. Peru is considered number one at this point in the world when we talk about seizures, but there's really not enough seizures to go around, very little going on in terms of seizures.

So what kind of cooperation can we look for with the United States -- here I talk specifically about the interdiction flights, which stopped because of the crisis in 2001. Would you be able to give us some details, some facts, of the types of cooperation between Peru and the United States?

SEC. HAGEL: Thank you. A very important question and a very important topic, which the president and I discussed last night. I discussed this also with the minister of defense last night, as well as today.

The United States continues to strongly, actively support the Peruvian government's efforts in eradication in all of its fight and all of its different ways to deal with illegal drug trafficking.

This government has made considerable progress. I believe this year so far, they have interdicted over 10 tons of export quality cocaine. Their eradication program is making progress. This is a big problem. It's a big challenge. And it's not going to get solved in a year or two years. It has plagued not just Peru, but other nations of the region.

So like all problems, challenges, it's important that we work together, we are working together, and making certain that we, the United States, are helping the Peruvian government in every way we can, as well as the region. These are regional and actually global issues. The market for illegal drugs is a global one.

So we are very enthusiastic about the four-year plan that is being implemented by the president. And we're going to continue to support this government and the people of Peru.

REAR ADM. KIRBY: OK, next question Juan Carlos?

Q: Mr. Secretary, ISIS, any threat, ISIS threat in Latin America? Any concern possible entrance of terrorists from Mexico through the southern border? And what is the relations and the situation in Venezuela?

SEC. HAGEL: Well, as to Venezuela, that is an issue that is being addressed and needs to be addressed by the nations of South America. Each sovereign nation deals with these issues as they must.

On the threat of ISIL in South America, Central America, terrorism is not new to this part of the world. And like all terrorist groups, there are connecting rods and you prepare and plan and work with partners everywhere in the world to deal with terrorism. Specific ISIL challenges to South America, I'm not aware of any.

REAR ADM. KIRBY: OK. And last question, Bill?

Q: Mr. Secretary, I was wondering if you could talk a little bit about Anbar. The U.N. said today that 180,000 civilians had left. And there was also reports about an airbase near Hit being evacuated by Iraq security forces. I was wondering if you could confirm that, talk a little bit about it.

SEC. HAGEL: Well, I talked a few hours ago with our CENTCOM commanders on what they know and to give me an update. What they told me was they are not aware of any fighting around the airport or in the area that the press reports are specifically focused on.

As to the Hit town and whether Iraqi security forces left that area, I'm aware of the fact that the Iraqi security forces make strategic decisions on these issues. They deploy their forces where strategically they think they can have the most impact. I don't know any of the specifics beyond that.

REAR ADM. KIRBY: OK, thanks, everybody.

ARROWHEAD LOOP

10/13/2014 08:46 PM CDT

Pilots for the Thunderbirds, the Air Force's aerial demonstration team, perform an arrowhead loop during the Wings and Waves Air Show at Daytona Beach, Fla., Oct. 12, 2014.