Is Kuwait a Smart Staging Ground For US Troops in the Persian Gulf?

Well, it looks like President Obama is making good on his promise to end the Iraq war and pull our troops out of that country. However, is this just a shuffling of troops to the next nearest border? The reason I ask is that the troops appear to be going to a nearby country, and merely redeployed. Okay so, maybe that is the best way to play it, I haven't looked at all the details, in fact, it may be the wisest choice.

However, if somewhat smacks of hypocrisy, and nothing more than a political move to keep the people at home happy so that President Obama can say that he made good on his promise, and still be close enough to deal with the vacuum that we have left in the country called; Iraq. Which, I might add is being filled in right now by your friend and mine; Iran.

There was an interesting article recently in Energy Daily titled; "US negotiating combat troop boost in Kuwait: officials," by Staff Writers in Washington DC on November 10, 2011 which stated;

"US negotiating with Kuwait for 3,000+ combat troops in Iraq to redeploy to the Gulf emirate to counter Iran's influence in the region. "Discussions are underway" with Kuwaiti leaders but no agreement yet. The US already has 20,000 forces in Kuwait but commanders and administration officials are keen to bolster the military's presence in the Gulf amid concerns about instability in Iraq and Iran's role in the region."

Kuwait has been good to us over the years, and is so grateful that we repelled Iraq in the past. They are also somewhat a neutral country, and they try to stay out of all of the problems of the region as best they can, which isn't always so easy considering their geographical location. However, those troops are not on their way home, their merely being redeployed. That's not exactly what the American people who voted for Barack Obama expected.

Now then, I didn't expect anything from Barack Obama, nor did I vote for him, so I'm not shocked, I am not surprised, and I realized when he made those promises that they were a little premature, and a little bit naïve, even though I realize they were politically prudent at the time, as Barack Obama was busy blaming everything on the Bush Administration and calling President Bush unfit to lead. But hey, that's just politics and I realize that, even if the twenty-somethings in their first time voting were awestruck by the careful choreographed political branding of that Junior Senator from Illinois.

Still, I ask that you please consider this, and then I'd like you to ask yourself; "how do I feel about that?" As this only seems to be a maneuver to pretend that he made good on his promise, wouldn't you agree, because that's my assessment.

Lance Winslow has launched a new provocative series of eBooks on Future Concepts. Lance Winslow is a retired Founder of a Nationwide Franchise Chain, and now runs the Online Think Tank; http://www.worldthinktank.net/

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China to Claim the Moon as Their High Ground - Of Course They'll Try

Who owns the Moon? If you said; Nobody! Then you'd be absolutely correct and thus, you could advance to; "Astronomy for $800 Bob!" Just as putting a flag at the bottom of the North Pole under the ice doesn't give a nation dibs on that land, neither does putting a flag on the moon. Now then, what if someone, or some country established a Moon base, colony, or started setting up housing, could they claim that territory, crater, or area? Perhaps, and yet, what government could rightfully grant the deed to that property? Good question.

Some believe that China wants to claim the Moon for itself, right after it takes Taiwan and the South China Sea perhaps? Anyway, there was an interesting and scary article posted to Space Review Online recently, written by Jeff Foust titled; "Fear of a Chinese Moon," appropriately on Halloween October 31, 2011. The article had a quote from Robert Bigelow stating; "I think nothing else the Chinese could possibly do in the next 15 years would cause as great a benefit for China" as claiming the Moon."

Okay so you are laughing now right, well don't because it would be right in-line with how China operates. And Robert Bigelow ought to know, as he owns the company that makes those inflatable space station habitats. Still the article points out that; "he's using the platform he has as one of the nation's leading space entrepreneurs to broadcast a warning about an unusual, even quixotic, threat to America's space ambitions: that China will, in effect, seize the Moon."

Well, nothing like putting the fear of god and a challenge out to the American Entrepreneurs to get with the program or relinquish that bygone opportunity to Red China, a Red Moon that is. Happy Halloween I say, that would be a cold-day in October indeed. Still, you think it couldn't happen? And what if it did, what if China claimed the Moon for herself along with its riches of diamonds, and Rare-Earth-Elements REEs, or rather AMEs Abundant Moon Elements? I dare to ask the question because Sci Fi authors have long since asked the questions in their many novels and movies. What if?

It only stands to reason that China might attempt to do this, as I am certain the Russians, or even our own nation, or at least some in our nation may have wanted to do previously. There is a lot of advantages to having a large solid platform like the moon available for a country's needs, wants, or even military ambitions, still, I am not going to make any conclusions here, as this article is merely to get you to think.

Lance Winslow has launched a new provocative series of eBooks on Future Concepts. Lance Winslow is a retired Founder of a Nationwide Franchise Chain, and now runs the Online Think Tank; http://www.worldthinktank.net/

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Women's Group Success Practices - Setting the Ground Rules

Every women's group needs to establish basic ground rules to be successful and keep your women coming back. Our suggested rules of the road are easy to understand and easy to maintain, and most importantly must be adhered to for the group to remain cohesive.

These Group Success Practices are meant to be followed at all times during your meetings but are most important when discussing your main topic. It is at this time the group should be a bit more formal, always adhering to the following:

Everyone is to be treated with respect

Each guest is coming to a group to learn and grow. Not everyone will have the same views on topics; not everyone will have the same education or financial stability; not everyone will be on the same page. Snickering, annoyed sighing or eye rolling should never be tolerated.

All ideas are welcomed and there are no right or wrong ideas

Everyone should feel free enough to offer up her ideas or suggestions without worrying that she will be criticized or humiliated. An idea is just that, an idea. It is neither good nor bad, right nor wrong, better nor worse. It is just something to be presented and thought about by everyone.

One person talks at a time

Many groups have a speaking stick, a talking object or some other prop that is passed to and held by the person who has the floor. Your meeting's Facilitator, or if you have a designated Timekeeper, may stop anyone else who interrupts the speaker, gently reminding her that she will have to wait her turn. Most times the talking object holder should expect to speak for about two to three minutes. Remind your guests that you will nudge them to finish up if they get too long-winded.

Practice listening as well as speaking

Remember, it's not always about you. It is said we were given two ears and one mouth because we should listen twice as much as we speak. When others are speaking, they have something worth listening to. Other people have important and differing thoughts than you, and you may learn something new from actively listening.

Confidentiality is crucial

It is often said, "What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas." Thoughts, feelings and opinions discussed within the confines of a women's group meeting are to be cherished as something all who attended are privy to. Nothing should be repeated to others outside the meeting. It is only the concern of those who are part of your group. Confidentiality leads to trust, which allows even the most reticent participant to open up and participate.

Remembering these five simple Group Success Practices will ensure that your members feel free to open up and participate actively in your discussions. Safety and security within the confines of your group are essential.

Karen Fusco is co-founder of Boomers In Motion, LLC where 'we talk to women'. She is co-author of Essentials for Starting a Women's Group and "Busy Moms: The Heart and Soul of a Home." Maximize the value of the women in your life by visiting Karen's WomensGroupBusyBites blog.

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