How to negotiate-a high school course

From the title, you might think I am suggesting we teach high school kids how to buy a used car. True, the skill could be used that way but that is not what I have in mind.

Maybe we can teach kids how to negotiate with other kids so they can solve problems in a civil manner and not pick up a gun and kill someone. That seems to be the only problem-solving option today and that quick draw reaction is at the heart of our problem.

I will admit my bias about gun control. I an a pro gun guy and once worked for Remington Arms Company. I am not way right, however. I could support expanding background checks to include gun show sales. I would support an expansion of the database to include people who have mental issues. I do support making all gun crimes, federal crimes with strong federal prosecution and mandatory 10/20/life sentences--10 years if you are caught with an unlicensed guy; 20 years if you use an unlicensed gun to commit a crime; life if you hurt or kill someone. No plea bargaining.  All of those solutions may reduce gun violence but won't get at the heart of the problem.

Schools breed hate and starts kids down the path to violence. The school is also the place where we need to teach kids how to negotiate better solutions to problems that don't involve killing someone.

Hagel is not the right one, Mr. President

I am not a Chuck Hagel fan. Yes, I am a Nebraskan. Yes, I lean to the right and was really disappointed with the election results. And yes, I have never thought Chuck Hagel was anywhere close to the right side of things.

More than once during the Bush years, I found myself saying "What?" when Hagel offered some kind of war wisdom. I understand he served with distinction and earned two purple hearts. I am grateful for that and all of the others who served. But, i don't think that should be a fast track to the cushy seat in the Department of  Defense.

As those hearing clearly showed, "free thinker" Chuck Hagel should be doing his free thinking far from the defense department. He just doesn't seem to have a clue about the world we live in now. He didn't have a clue about the world during the Bush years as the surge clearly showed. He doesn't understand that the fuse is still burning in the Middle East and the bomb is in Israel and we have drawn a red line around that country.

Graham and McCain pinned Hagel. Others took mighty swings at him. He offered no defense and showed what can happen if you are not prepared to defend your record. I am sure he was ready to hear from a "homey" senator from Nebraska. But when her turn came, freshman Senator Deb Fisher wasn't any too kind to Hagel either.

Former Senator Hagel would not correct his statements about Iran's revolutionary guard and Israel. He demonstrated he still has a case of Washington flu and the words, "I made a mistake" get caught in his throat and never get uttered. (Not to be confused with Nebraska cow udders.) Either way, Hagel stammered and stuttered and sat there is utter or udder misery.

He doesn't get the world today and America can't afford any more folks like him in high places. Bad management means lost American lives. Benghazi proved that. Money needs to be spent smarter on clear plans with clear missions in order to protect American lives, American friends, and American interests. We need to gear up for those challenges right now and not the 2014 and 2016 elections.

Hagel has long-since left the the right side for the middle to left. And, in the opinion of this Nebraskan, he should be left out. We need someone with vision, not blinders.