Now I ask you: How does Dick
Combs do it? How does he keep track of all the ins and
outs of foreign policy? And he is fluent in Russian, too!
Dick really gave us some wonderful insights into the challenges
faced by our new president as well as the background of various
foreign issues. The transition from one president to another
hinges on their outlook and governing style. Our President
Elect seems to be pragmatic, open minded, and willing to draw on
non-partisan expertise. The following is a summary of a
meager portion of the information Dick presented: The issues Obama
faces are the war in Iraq, Afghanistan, Islam extremism, the
Israeli/Palestinian conflict, African problems of violence and
humanita
rianism,
and emerging global powers (China; Russia and former Soviet
countries.) Russia is still a potentially hostile country
with poorly secured nuclear weapons at risk of terrorist
appropriation. Mr. Obama needs to concentrate on what is in
the American national interest, rather than the interest of other
countries. The Bush Administration has been internationally
unpopular. The Obama administration stands to improve
relations with our allies. I’ll tell you something else: I
need to get out a map and re-familiarize myself with where all
these countries are…things are sure different than when I
studied geography 40 years ago…whoops!...I mean 20 years ago!
Thanks, Dick for a very informative program. (I didn’t see
or hear anybody napping, either, so that speaks volumes to your
success!) 
Our Football Pool is alive and
well. There is still time to join, so contact Justin
Mosley. He has a variety of “innovative” gifts for
“winners” even when you team doesn’t win! This week
our notables were Doug Berg, Gene Yunt, and Gerry
Schneider. Congrats, guys! Andy Balerud conducted
a brief salute to our veterans. He even wore an Uncle Sam
Hat…looks good on you Andy! Board elections are coming up.
Turn in names of “people of interest” to President Ed, Al
Fisher, or Paul Sonier. Thanks once again to our
Wine Auction Committee for a job well done! Special thanks
to our Shannons (Mike, Eric, Mark, and JR) for all you do
for our club and our
wine
auction. Our club mourns the passing of Dick Shannon, member for
65 years and the last of the “John Waynes.” Remember to
calendar our Christmas Party on December 10th at 6 pm
at the Marriot. Let’s all dress up again like last year…that
was fun!
Thanks to those joining our
Sully’s Sailors crew. Larry Nava raised over
$600,000 on the Library Foundation Board. Larry volunteers
to be Captain Al’s assistant…is that like a cabin boy? ; Phil
Hornburg came back from Africa with a gift of fermented fruit
juice the elephants prefer! (Do the elephants have, like, little
cocktail parties or something?) Phil volunteered to be the mutiny
mediator on board ship (good one, Phil!); Doug Lovik is our
first honorary crew member. Doug is an
original Navy Seal (Wow! With a capital “W”) and volunteered
to be morale officer; Dick Watson is back from his travels
in Illinois, North Carolina, Oregon, Montana, and Hawaii. He
figures he’s got enough money left over to join the Sailors for
$200 and give $100 towards the wine auction. Thanks, one and
all! Next week our program is about “Water Efficiency
Programs,” presented by California Water Service. (For
some reason this makes me think “meters”) Also, plan to attend
our meeting on November 26th (the Wednesday before
Thanksgiving) when Mike Chrisman, State of California
Secretary of Resources, will be with us (not an easy program to
set up!) TTFN, Ta Ta For Now!