By Carl Mumpower

Anyone attempting to sell our eight-year military adventure in Iraq as defending America needs medication, a lie detector test, or a kick in the fanny.  Seriously claiming success by sacrificing our young in that quagmire mirrors Coach Sandusky pretending to uplift kids with private lessons.  Military adventurism is different than military defense and one never serves the other.  In fact, our foreign entanglement in Iraq has placed America at great risk.  We’ve neglected our military infrastructure and spent tomorrow’s defense dollars on this police action.  That’s criminal behavior and treason, not something to celebrate.  We should be treating the people responsible like social pariahs, not respected statesman.  We won’t, because too many people buy the red, white and blue sales job.  Still, there are two things to celebrate as we leave Iraq.  Our troops fought with courage and tenacity.  And, finally, most of them are coming home.

Regarding American Exceptionalism

America has a long history of serving as the beacon of the free world. That light dimmed dramatically with this century’s decision to expand our role as the world’s policeman. That deal with the devil got us focused on mowing the other guy’s grass instead of our own. We’ve spent a trillion-plus dollars on Iraq,  Afghanistan, and Libya and foreign aid to equally ungrateful countries. They’ve replied back with a reality check on the limits of U.S. power. We live in a crazy world and it’s getting crazier.  It’s not necessary we become isolationists, but the sooner we start working on America the sooner we can turn our light back on. We serve the world best as a model, not a benefactor or policeman. America has been exceptional and can be again. Productivity, responsibility, excellence, service, creativity, and persistence are the keys to happiness and cultural sanity.  The sooner we shut down the left’s efforts to take us to socialistic mediocrity, the sooner we can renew our relationship with prosperity and a future of hope — no matter what our crazy world does.

Round Three for Germany

Angela Merkel, Germany’s chancellor, is not the front man one would expect for the rebirth of an empire.  Nonetheless, that’s precisely the role she’s playing and it’s all coming together thanks to Europe’s persisting fascinations with the seductions of socialism.  That boat always sinks, and when it does, the castaways start looking for an island of stability in the midst of the chaos.  Enter Germany, a country no bigger than Montana, that’s the third largest exporter in the world.  They’re also the only country in Europe that has prioritized productivity and prudence.  All the rest, to one degree or the other, have lived large and passed the costs forward.  The bill is due and it’s overwhelming.  What Germany couldn’t do with war, they’re now doing through economic turmoil.  Germany remains as dedicated to power as ever — history tells us it’s in their DNA.  The German leader to watch out for waits in the shadows.

The Need for an Adult President

Hope springs eternal that this time America will elect an adult to the presidency.  Voting on the basis of personality didn’t work so well last time.  That exercise in feel good folly got us things like a publicity hound burning 9,000 gallons of jet fuel to plant a tree on earth day.  It also got as an offshore drilling embargo, lawsuits against states resisting illegal immigration assaults, a new and well used teleprompter in the White House press room, an iPod for Britain’s queen and DVDs for its prime minister, 57 states instead of 50, an unannounced Air Force One joy ride over Manhattan, 32 new czars on a government power trip, and a healthcare plan that puts those same wise and frugal bureaucrats in charge.  The presidency is an executive position.  That means the job centers on administration, not personality.  We’re moving into a darker time for America.  We need a president who can turn on the lights — not just his fan club.

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Carl Mumpower, a former member of Asheville City Council, may be contacted at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it