Gotta love the AFA, though. A few minutes ago, the announcer on the PA system called our attention to ‘an unmanned aerial vehicle’ over on the southeast corner of the mezzanine that is (as best as I can remember the language) ‘designed for interdiction against perishable targets’ — or, as I turned to Sandra and said, “It’s a killer drone.” Heh. I also like the fact that the jumbotron on the scoreboard shows military types going through an obstacle course, including bayonetting dummies. Not many college commencement exercises where you’d see that. God bless the USAF, and may our enemies ever fear us.

More later. Maybe. below. In the meantime, here’s the podium area.

0930 MDT

Black limos and SUVs are coming out of the north tunnel and lots of men in dark suits have appeared. I assume the President will be making his appearance shortly.

In the meantime, here’s the photo I shot earlier:

0955 MDT
Apparently, the President has been hanging out behind the podium for the last 25 minutes. On the other hand, it’s high (we’re at 7000′+), dry, sunny, and warm moving towards hot, so I can’t blame him much.

Big cheer, and the crowd comes to its feet…for the AFA class of 2012, which has just appeared at the north tunnel.

1013 MDT
I was wrong — Pres. Obama was waiting in the north tunnel as well and walked out after the graduuating class and after the Sec’y of the USAF, the AFA Commandant, and a few AFA leaders. The applause for Pres. Obama was not as strong as for those who preceded him, though there were cheers — but there were also some scattered (and clearly audible) boos.

Couldn’t see if Pres. Obama had his hand over his heart during the National Anthem.

1022 MDT

Sec’t of the Air Force Michael Donley is now speaking and introducing Pres.Obama. “The President’s leadership has produced a number of national security accomplishments” — aside from killing OBL, they are mostly missteps, IMHO. “Having persued a career of public service himself, Pres. Obama understands the service of the military.”

Pres. Obama is now speaking. And, yes, I can see teleprompters. General introductory remarks; call out for leaving Chief of Staff — and, yes, Obama just mentioned OBL himself, as well. Tells a few good inside-AFA jokes. “Four years ago, you arrived at a time of great challenge. We were engaged in two wars…our relations around the world were strained…we were in the worst recession since the Great Depression. You are graduating into a new world. For the first time in 9 years, there are no Americans fighting in Iraq.” [wait for it] “We killed OBL” (or words to that effect). “As more Afghans step up, more of our troops will come home. We are not just ending these wars, we are doing so in a way that makes us safer and stronger.” Once again avoiding the word ‘victory’.

“For a decade, we have labored under the dark clouds of war. But now we can see the light ahead. Ending these wars also ensures that the burden of our security no longer falls so heavily upon your shoulders. Around the world, the United States is leading once more. Our alliances are stronger than ever. Our ties are even deeper. We are leading on global security, reducing our nuclear arsenal with Russia even as we maintain a nuclear deterrent…We are leading economically, boosting our exports…We’re expanding exchanges and collaborations in areas that people often admire most about America…….We’re standing with the people of the Middle East as they seek liberty…Helping to liberate Libya, where we led _from the front_.” (Emphasis his). “There’s a new confidence [around the worlld] in our leadership….Of course, the world stage is not a popularity contest…But make no mistake: how we’re viewed in the world has consequences.” Yep.

“The United States is stronger and safer and more respected in the world….Let’s put aside the tired notion that we’re weaker or that America is in decline….During the Great Depression, some thought it was the end of capitalism. But we went on to create the greatest middle class ever…Because of our dedication for the values we stand for, the Berlin Wall came tumbling down [and what caused that, exactly?]….Never bet against the United States of America. The United States has been and always will be the one indispensible nation in the world. America is exceptional, and the 21st century can be another American century. We’ll pay down our deficits, reform our tax code, andn [something else that's a standard Republican talking point].”

“We must be vigilant [in defense of the US]…We will maintain our military superiority in all areas…and as our veterans rejoin American life [he earlier mentioned the military becoming 'leaner'], we will be sure they get all the benefits coming to you.” Mentioning Libya and Afghanistan again. “I see an American century, because no other naton seeks the role we play in global affairs and no other nation can accomplish our role in global affairs.” Metioned “combating climate change”. “More and more people are reaching towards the values and goals that we do.” Sounds a lot like Bush throughout much of this address. “Sure, there will always be governm,ents that resist the tide of democracy…We welcome freedom; they don’t” [etc.] “We stand with the student in the street…we stand with women everywhere…we stand with activists, entreprenuers, all those who strive for justice and freedom.”

More talk about American exceptionalism and capability, ending on a rousing note. I’m wondering where is the Obama who talked about “at some point, you have enough money” and “you can’t keep your SUVs” and “we can’t be the world’s policeman”. Again, Bush, McCain, or Romney could have given this speech — but they would have been (IMHO) at lot more credible doing so — and the media would probably have described it as “right-wing red meat”.

Good applause at the end of the speech — not surprising, since there wasn’t much to object to in the talk. However, Pres.Obama was just presented the “Distinguished American Award” from the USAFA, and the applause was pretty tepid.

1106 MDT

Classy move, though: Pres. Obama is saluting and shaking the hand of every graduating cadet. Good for him.

1132 MDT

Up to Squadron 10 (out of 40); Matt, the cadet we came for, is in Squadron 23. Probably have another 45+ minutes to go before they’re all done (they seem to be speeding up as they go along). In the meantime, I went to use the facilities. I fully understand and sympathize with women about bathroom facilities at sports venues like this. There were fully 60+ women waiting in line for the women’s bathroom. There was no line at all for the men’s room. Of course, the urinal in the men’s room consisted of two walls at right angles with a 12″ wide trough running along their base.

My wife, commenting on Obama’s address, said she found herself listening to what he said and thinking, “Does he have no sense of irony about what’s he’s saying?” She also noted that Obama said nothing about the Constitution and individual rights and freedoms within our own country.

1153 MDT

The sun is getting pretty intense, even if the air is still pleasant. My Logitech iPad keyboard is starting to get hot to the touch. I give sincere and serious props to Pres. Obama for going the distance in saluting and shaking the hand of every single graduate.

True fact: there’s a USAFA Class of 2012 graduate named James Fenimore Cooper (Squadron 16).

1231 MDT

Up to Squadron 35 (out of 40). Clouds have been moving in from the north and are now largely blocking the sun, cutting the heat significantly. Actually, the clouds to the north look as though they could bring rain, but if they do, it probably won’t happen until later this afternoon. Once the graduation ceremonies are over, the USAF Thunderbirds are going to put on an air show.

Kids (“ages 7 to 10″) are gathering at the south end of the football field. They get to collect and keep the hats that the cadets throw into the air at the end of the graduation ceremony. Great tradition.

1249 MDT

All graduated and commissioned. It was worth the time and the heat just to be here when a few thousand cadets newly-commissioned 2nd Lts threw their caps into the air as five jet fighters roared past overhead. Still have the air show to watch.

In case it’s not quite clear:

..bruce w..

Next-to-the-last day of the cruise. Spent the whole day at sea today, on our way from St. Thomas to the Bahamas, sailing past and north of our previous stops at Puerto Rico and Grand Turk. This meant more panels and activities today, and some great panels they were, including one on the realities of political leadership with former Governor John Sununu, former Governor Tim Pawlenty, former Senator Fred Thompson, and Tony Blankley. Had the chance at lunch, at dinner, and at receptions to spend time talking with Jim Geraghty, Victor Davis Hanson, John Yoo, Andrew Klavan, Fred Thompson, Rich Lowry, and John J. Miller. The whole day was capped off with an absolutely hilarious late night session with Mark Steyn, Jonah Goldberg, and Roman Genn.

The big discussion through the cruise has been and remains: which candidate for the Republicans? No one among the speakers seems terribly happy with any of the candidates, though a few of the big-name speakers (Sununu, Pawlenty) have formally endorsed Romney. The real concern is that, in spite of truly wretched prolonged economic conditions, Obama could be re-elected anyway — and that if that happens, we just won’t be able to avoid a true financial collapse of some sort. It’s not at all clear we can avoid it even if Obama is defeated.

Rough seas ahead, folks.  ..bruce w..

Jay Nordlinger conducted a wide-ranging interview with Mark Steyn, who was in fine form. It was followed by a panel on liberal media bias, run by John J. Miller and featuring John Fund, Cal Thomas, S. E. Cupp, and Jonah Goldberg.

At dinner tonight, we had the pleasure of having John O’Sullivan and his wonderful wife Melissa at our table, along with Milt & Sue Bird and Lou Dombro. Milt is almost 90 and looks better than most of us will hope to look at 70; Sue, whose family escaped from Nazi Germany in 1939 (after her father spent 6 months in a concentration camp) — and who remembers the day when she found all the windows smashed in her family’s home on morning — is likewise lovely.

We’re back at sea now, headed for San Juan, Puerto Rico, where we’ll arrive tomorrow afternoon. ..bruce..

There’s a late session tonight (with James Lileks, Andew Klavan, and S. E. Cupp), but I’m frankly worn out by the steady roll of the ship (due to steady 30+ knot winds blowing from the east) and we’ve got an 8:30 snorkling excursion in the morning (we arrive at Grand Turk around 7 am). I may yet run down to listen a bit, but I’m whipped. ..bruce..

…you probably just didn’t expect it to be so well done. Hat tip to American Digest. ..bruce w..

[Original song above -- I lack the talent and mad skillz to do a parody recording myself]

Well I don’t know how I’ll keep my career
I got the feeling that I’m out on my rear
I’m so scared that my pension is gone
And my furniture is out on the lawn
Europe to the left of me, China to the right
Here I am, stuck in the middle with you.

Yes I’m stuck in the middle with you
And I’m wondering what the hell is you do
Flyin’ Air Force One all over the place
Raisin’ money for your 20-12 race
Teleprompters to the left of you,
‘Prompters to the right
Here I am, stuck in the middle with you. 

Well you started out with nothing
And you’re proud that you’re a self-made man
And your lobbyists come callin’
Slap you on the back and say ‘Please, please.’ 

Well, the US dollar’s gone in the tank
Doesn’t matter, we’ve got none at the bank
Greece is pulling Europe over the falls
And Beijing’s ’bout to hit their own walls
Europe to the left of us, China to the right
Here we are, stuck in the middle with you. 

Well you won in 20-08
And you’ve made a real mess of things since
Now the voters will come callin’
Look you in the face and say ‘Leave, please.’ 

Well, our country now is trillions in hock
It gets worse with every tick of the clock
The economy is set to collapse
And you’re mulliganing out on the grass
Europe to the left of us, China to the right
Here we are, stuck in the middle with you. 
(Yes we’re) stuck in the middle with you
Stuck in the middle with you
(Here we are) stuck in the middle with you.

(with apologies to the late, great Gerry Rafferty)

(Click on image for full size)

Honestly: our defense spending is high. We’re still embroiled in both Iraq and Afghanistan, and while we’re withdrawing from Iraq, it really is unclear (President Obama’s various pronouncements notwithstanding) when and under what circumstances we’ll actually leave. So, yes, if we weren’t spending the money we’re spending on defense, we’d have a lower deficit.

Maybe.

On the other hand, as the chart above — taken from Kleiner Perkins’ “USA, Inc.” report — shows, US defense spending is below the average for the post-war average up until we found ourselves in Afghanistan and Iraq. And that holds true all during the past decade of war. There’s a common liberal myth that those wars cost trillions of dollars and are entirely responsible for our current deficits. Kleiner Perkins begs to differ:

Not cheap by any means, though it’s hard to predict where we’d be and what we’d be facing if we hadn’t gone in when we did.  ..bruce w..

(Click on image for full-size version)

The Kleiner-Perkins “USA, Inc.” report offers possible solutions to the financial nightmare that the US Federal Government — and all of us taxpayers — are facing. I don’t agree with some of these — I think the empty results of the “Stimulus” pretty much negate the first item in #4 — but it’s telling how few of these are solutions that President Obama and the Congressional Democrats have been willing to entertain. The real question is: which ones are the rest of us willing to deal with?  ..bruce w..

I’m going to continue to post graphs and slides from Kleiner Perkin’s “USA, Inc.” report for some time. Here’s some of their text that accompanies this graph:

Take a step back, and imagine what the founding fathers would think if they saw how our country’s finances have changed. From 1790 to 1930, government spending on average accounted for just 3% of American GDP. Today, government spending absorbs closer to 24% of GDP.

It’s likely that they would be even more surprised by the debt we have taken on to pay for this expansion. As a percentage of GDP, the federal government’s public debt has doubled over the last 30 years, to 53% of GDP. This figure does not include claims on future resources from underfunded entitlements and potential liabilities from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the Government Sponsored Enterprises (GSEs). If it did include these claims, gross federal debt accounted for 94% of GDP in 2010. The public debt to GDP ratio is likely to triple to 146% over the next 20 years, per CBO. The main reason is entitlement expense. Since 1970, these costs have grown 5.5 times faster than GDP, while revenues have lagged, especially corporate tax revenues. By 2037, cumulative deficits from Social Security could add another $11.6 trillion to the public debt.

Yep. As the famous saying goes, the problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people’s money. Read the whole report, if you haven’t already. ..bruce w..