eNews 10-17-2014

• Ebola Epidemic
• American Troops Already Making a Difference in Ebola Fight
• Treasury Secretary Jack Lew: a Giant Job Killer
• ISIS Approaching Baghdad
• Richard Cohen: “Obama must be feared as well as admired”
• Salute: Richard Eastman
• Salute: Kinnelon Fire Department

Ebola Epidemic

The increasingly disturbing news about the spread of Ebola in West Africa and the growing number of Ebola patients here in the United States is understandably making people very uneasy. This sense of unease reflects, in no small measure, a lack of confidence in our federal government’s uncertain response to this crisis.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has not bolstered people’s confidence that it is, in fact, fully capable of controlling andpreventing Ebola here in the United States.  In this well-reasoned column Washington Post columnist Michael Gerson discusses the need for a better response.

What we do not need, however, is an “Ebola czar.” Unfortunately, the President not only decided to create that position, he filled it with someone with absolutely no experience in public health or medicine. Personally, I believe Dr. Anthony Fauci of the National Institutes of Health, would have been the perfect person to coordinate our efforts, without the need for another czar.

American Troops Already Making a Difference in Ebola Fight

In Liberia, American troops are already hard at work, essentially rebuilding the nation’s health infrastructure from the ground up. 

The Defense Department has assured me that while our troops are helping the most-affected African countries fight the epidemic, they willnot be caring for Ebola patients directly. 

I am sure you share my pride in our troops as they work to contain the spread of Ebola and save countless lives as a result!

Treasury Secretary Jack Lew: a Giant Job Killer

The Obama Administration’s continued refusal to recognize that the best way to create jobs is to unleash the private sector from excessive regulations and high taxes is one of the major reasons we are stuck in the slowest recovery from recession since World War II. 

Today’s must-read editorial in the Wall Street Journal  examines why “The Obama Administration keeps wondering why businesses don’t invest more and why it gets no credit for what it claims is its wonderful economic recovery.”

ISIS Approaching Baghdad

The United States’ limited air campaign to “degrade and then destroy” ISIS does not yet appear to be achieving its goal. Brave American airmen are risking their lives every time they take to the sky.  But the jury is still out whether these actions have “degraded or destroyed” this terrorist threat.

As the New York Times reported earlier this week, ISIS is apparently preparing to lay siege to a town just 25 miles from Baghdad. This is a disturbing sign that the fight against ISIS is far from over. 

Richard Cohen: “Obama must be feared as well as admired”

Perhaps the fundamental weakness of President Obama’s foreign policy is the fact that America’s enemies don’t believe he has the stomach to defend America’s interests overseas.  The cumulative effect of too many apologies, erased “red lines,” and half measures has created the perception that the United States has become a paper tiger.

Washington Post columnist Richard Cohen describes why the United States must be both admired and feared if our enemies are going take us seriously.

Salute: Richard Eastman

Congratulations to Richard Eastman of Morristown who was sworn in on October 12^th as Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army (CASA) from New Jersey. Rich, a retired United States Army Lieutenant Colonel, will serve as a “special Army ambassador” representing our state. In this important position, he will work with Army commanders and with the Secretary of the Army on issues affecting New Jersey.

I was honored to nominate Rich to be one of New Jersey’s two CASAs and was not at all surprised when he was appointed to this post by Army Secretary John McHugh.

Among the criteria for appointment is that the CASA be a United States citizen of outstanding character, integrity, and patriotism; has a deep interest in military affairs; and, is a leader in community affairs. Rich’s 24 years in the Army (active and reserve), coupled with his service as the Morris County Chamber of Commerce’s Military Liaison for the past 12 years, make him an ideal person for this volunteer job!

I salute Richard Eastman for his long record of service to our nation and for his willingness to serve as CASA for New Jersey.

Salute: Kinnelon Fire Department

This past Sunday, the Kinnelon Volunteer Fire Company celebrated 50 years of pancake breakfasts!  Very few organizations are able to maintain a tradition such as this for 10 years, let alone 50. Their long record of success is a tribute to the volunteers who have sustained this tradition.

The success of these types of breakfasts is also a measure of the strong support and gratitude that the members of our communities have for the volunteer members of the fire departments who protect life and property.