I am saddened and grieve for the folks in Newtown, Connecticut. I am dismayed at the sudden cry of outrage from the many who would ban all firearms of any kind. The tragedy of this event is an opening of many who will stir the pot to ban bullets, guns, licenses and create more regulation and red tape.

The real problem is not with the weapons, but the users. Increase mental health programs and education to early and more easily identify potential threats. Educate the populace to observe and detect possible problems. Provide funding in a logical direction to law enforcement, educators, medical personnel who can evaluate, identify and treat persons with the potential to create this scenario again.

Provide funding to identify and correct the access into the school environment. A suggestion would be classrooms that can be locked down, shuttered and protected. This would isolate the threat and give law enforcement and medical personnel a chance to defuse a situation. Expensive, Yes. But thoughtful ideas and discussion could develop solutions that could apply to all areas where potential threats to many could occur.

The bottom line, don't run screaming about a falling sky, Stop, Think, Investigate Openly and then find an INTELLIGENT SOLUTION.

More than 1,000 American soldiers have lost their lives in Afghanistan in the last 27 months. This is more than the combined total of the nine years before. Thirty have died in August.

The commander in chief is AWOL. Not a peep, although he ordered the White House flag flown at half mast for the Sihks that were killed. There is a deep disgust, a fury, growing in the ranks of the military against the indifferent incompetence of this president. It has taken on a dangerous tone. No one knows what to do about him, but the anger runs deep as the deaths continue with no strategic end in sight to the idiocy of this war. Obama has had 4 years to end this futile insanity, during which time he has vacationed, golfed, campaigned, and generally ignored the plight of our men and women in uniform.

But, there is now a movement afoot in the armed services to launch a massive get out the vote drive against this president. Not just current active duty types, but the National Guard, Reserves, the retired, and all other prior service members. This is no small special interest group, but many millions of veterans who can have an enormous impact on the outcome of the November election if they all respond. The million military retirees in Florida alone could mean an overwhelming victory in that state if they all show up at the polls.

It might not keep another one hundred U.S. troops from dying between now and November, but a turn out to vote by the military against this heart breaking lack of leadership can make a powerful statement that hastens a change to the indifference of this shallow little man who just lets our soldiers die.

Move this on to all the Vets and caring Americans that you know.