Senior Scribes
People and Money
By Mona Lease

Hi, all!! He was a very young man for the job. He was inexperienced. But, he had a smile. He wore the right clothes - white shirt and black suit. He had a petite, lovely wife. She smiled, was poised, and spoke of the children. I'm speaking of John F. Kennedy - or, am I?

He had the right family connections. He had political backers who knew their places - mostly silent ones. He came on strong - always with that charm and smile. A few good things seemed to happen. Some never happened at all - time ran out, as it always does. It's Kennedy - or is it?

He picked up where the previous man quit - poor man! See what he had on his plate from the start? There was a plan in place. It had been worked out before he had arrived on the scene. He had been briefed about it before he entered his "job." The country sat between two countries who were friends. His country was nervous - maybe downright scared. One wrong word - one wrong move - and they had no real chance.

History shows us that the USA decided to "take out" Cuba. They were littler...more accessible...just a small island. Cuba's friend (Russia) would have to go through the USA or around to lend any aid. See - the USA thought they had "friends" in the 1400 Cuban exiles. They would know the land - the "powerseat." They needed help. Castro had just overthrown Batista a mere two years prior (Castro had been a most rebellious citizen prior - rabble-rousing and getting an "army" of followers together). The USA thought the Cubans in the homeland would support the invasion.

The USA used old equipment (why?..no money?) and the second of the two scheduled airstrikes was canceled. The people on the island were armed and waiting. Castro ordered an all-out assault. The USA had not counted on bad weather - that led to wet equipment and there was not enough ammunition.

The young man told his country that "they" need us..."they" are helpless...unwillingly under someone's else's control. However; 20,000 ground troops stormed to the Bay of Pigs to meet the USA - willingly or not. And all the while - Cuban Air Forces controlled the skies. Some of the USA's boats were caught on the rocky shore - no one thought of that? The 1400 exiles who aided the USA did not know that? The date was April 17, 1961...I'm just adding that as another fact.

As I write this; Russian President Vladimir Putin says Russia reserves the right to use "all means" to protect the interests of it's citizens in Eastern Ukraine. Many of the Crimeans have defected from Russia - sound familiar? Now they are in trouble - not enough food, arms, etc.

The media is reporting that the USA is going to "loan" $1 billion in economic & energy aid to the Ukraine and simultaneously telling Russia it is violating International Law by sending troops to Crimea's edge.

I've never known the USA to send aid in any form to someone and not send people to "keep the peace." ..or to "help distribute it evenly." Why does this look to me like another Bay of Pigs - or maybe a Bay or Tatars? My final point is - Why would you loan money (that you said we did not have $17 trillion ago) to a country who defected from a country who really only puts up with us...and you tried to destroy their friend only 50+ years prior??? And that country has stated publicly that it is reserving the right to use "all means" (they did not even add "necessary" - just "all means") to protect it's citizens' interests who currently reside in eastern Ukraine. Gotta be just me, right?

And the answer to last week's riddle "When does a liar become not a liar?" is "When the liar starts telling the truth."

Remember the kiddies and our service people. Take good care of the furry and feathered ones out there. Be safe and healthy. See ya next time. Ever Toodles!! MONA