Jan292012

Deep Six Somali Pirates

By Don Moskowitz | January 29, 2012 | Posted in Around Town, Politics | Tagged , , , , | Comments (2)

The recent rescue of hostages in Somalia by a Navy Seal Team brings into focus the ongoing problem we have with the Somali pirates.  These pirates continue to wreak havoc on commercial shipping off the coast of Africa, and there are numerous ships and hostages currently being held by the pirates for ransom.

In February 2011 four Americans were taken hostage aboard their yacht off Africa, and were subsequently killed by their captors.  During the same time frame the pirates commandeered the Italian tanker Savina Caylyn, which can carry $63 million of crude oil; and captured the U.S. bound tanker Irene SL 220 miles off Oman.  The Irene SL was carrying 2 million barrels of oil worth $200 million.

Maritime industry officials believe over 40% of the world’s seaborne oil supply could be at risk of pirate attacks and this could have an adverse impact on oil prices and the economies of countries dependent on oil imports.

Action has to be taken to combat the pirates.  Shipping companies should place heavily armed professional guards on ships with shoot to kill orders.  All countries with commercial ships traversing the African shipping lanes should provide naval warships to protect shipping, and if necessary, provide convoy escort duty just like they did during WWII.  We might need slow moving strafing aircraft located at sea or on land to be available to quickly search out and destroy the pirates in their boats.

If the preceding steps do not work, the impacted countries should attempt to rescue the hostages and then sink the pirates’ mother ships, and consider hitting the pirate havens along the coast of Somalia with precision aerial (possibly drones) and naval attacks.

Although diplomacy is preferable to military action, the Somali government is too weak to rein in the pirates, and therefore military operations are probably needed to solve the problem.

Don Moskowitz is a well known prolific writer on subjects of the nation and the world that spark his interest. Retiring from the US Navy in 1967 as a Lieutenant, he often writes on military and political maters he is very active in the Londonderry American Legion. A long career in corporate management he retired after developing a successful business with multiple locations in southern New Hampshire.

He lives in Londonderry, New Hampshire with his wife Betty, they have three children and four grandchildren.

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By Don Moskowitz | Posted in Around Town, Politics | Tagged , , , , | Comments (2)
Jan222012

Cruise Ship Safety, Unanswered Questions

By Don Moskowitz | January 22, 2012 | Posted in Columns | Tagged , , , | Comment (1)

As a former naval officer; officer-of-the deck underway, independent and formation steaming; and qualified marine navigator and instructor, I have questions concerning the grounding of the cruise ship Costa Concordia off the coast of Italy.

Was the captain on the bridge exercising control of the ship?  If so, why was the ship so close to the rocks?  If not, who was on the bridge conning the ship?  What were their qualifications?  Was there a maritime pilot on the bridge?  The most dangerous period in peacetime for a ship underway is when it is leaving and entering port or traversing in close proximity to land.  This is when you have to be on full alert.

Why did the Costa Concordia only hold emergency evacuation drills once every fifteen days?  During a fifteen day period the ship would normally visit a number of ports and embark new passengers.  A drill should be held prior to leaving every port.

The maritime industry should evaluate the viability of lifeboat systems which fail when a ship takes on a significant list that makes it very difficult or impossible to launch lifeboats.

More attention must be paid to the safety of passengers and crew.

Don Moskowitz is a well known prolific writer on subjects of the nation and the world that spark his interest. Retiring from the US Navy in 1967 as a Lieutenant, he often writes on military and political maters he is very active in the Londonderry American Legion. A long career in corporate management he retired after developing a successful business with multiple locations in southern New Hampshire.

He lives in Londonderry, New Hampshire with his wife Betty, they have three children and four grandchildren.

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By Don Moskowitz | Posted in Columns | Tagged , , , | Comment (1)
Jan012012

Ron Paul: Unfit To Be President

By Don Moskowitz | January 1, 2012 | Posted in Politics | Tagged , , , , , | Comments (2)

Ron Paul disavowed knowledge of anti-Israel, possibly anti-Jewish, anti-black and anti-gay views expressed in his newsletters in the 1980s and1990s, but I assume he knew the contents of his newsletters.  He was the editor.

A 1987 issue stated Israel is “an aggressive, national socialist state”, and another newsletter about the 1993 World Trade Center bombing stated “whether it was a setup by the Israeli Mossad, —–, or was truly a retaliation by the Islamic fundamentalists, matters little.”

Paul believes the U.S. should allow Israel to be independent, which is code for the U.S. to cut off foreign aid to Israel.  Paul said Iran is not a dangerous country and we should not be concerned with Iran’s nuclear development program.

A 1990 newsletter was critical of this country creating the holiday honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  In 1992 Paul’s political report about the Los Angeles riots said “Order was only restored in L.A. when it came time for the blacks to pick up their welfare checks.”

Paul accepted a campaign donation, and posed with Don Black, a neo-nazi white supremacist.

Paul’s newsletters and his positions on Israel and Iran indicate he is not fit to be President.

Don Moskowitz is a well known prolific writer on subjects of the nation and the world that spark his interest. Retiring from the US Navy in 1967 as a Lieutenant, he often writes on military and political maters he is very active in the Londonderry American Legion. A long career in corporate management he retired after developing a successful business with multiple locations in southern New Hampshire.

He lives in Londonderry, New Hampshire with his wife Betty, they have three children and four grandchildren.

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By Don Moskowitz | Posted in Politics | Tagged , , , , , | Comments (2)
Nov202011

Time Running Out For Iran

By Don Moskowitz | November 20, 2011 | Posted in Around Town | Tagged , , , | Comments (4)


Recently the United Nations International Atomic Energy Agency, who thoroughly investigated the Iranian nuclear development program, concluded Iran is developing nuclear weapons. The evidence, including satellite images, overwhelmingly points to the manufacture of nuclear weapons within the short term, probably on the order of a number of months to a year. U.S. intelligence information corroborates this assessment.

The prospect of a nuclear armed Iran, along with the capability to deliver the nuclear weapons via missile systems, poses a threat to the Middle East and Europe. Iran will be able to strike other Arab countries, Israel and parts of Europe.

Other totalitarian countries with nuclear weapons, like North Korea, China, Russia, and Pakistan, have respect for the capabilities of opposing forces armed with nuclear weapons. They know retaliation will be swift and comprehensive to a nuclear attack.

Unfortunately, Iran is governed by irrational leaders who live in a closed society cut off from reality, and who believe in the use of military force to achieve their aims.

Sanctions and diplomacy have not worked to deter belligerent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. The countdown to prevent Iran from possibly launching nuclear attacks is approaching action time by threatened powers in the Middle East.

Don Moskowitz is a well known prolific writer on subjects of the nation and the world that spark his interest. Retiring from the US Navy in 1967 as a Lieutenant, he often writes on military and political maters he is very active in the Londonderry American Legion. A long career in corporate management he retired after developing a successful business with multiple locations in southern New Hampshire.

He lives in Londonderry, New Hampshire with his wife Betty, they have three children and four grandchildren.

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By Don Moskowitz | Posted in Around Town | Tagged , , , | Comments (4)
Oct162011

Anti-American Funeral Picketers

By Don Moskowitz | October 16, 2011 | Posted in Columns | Tagged , , , | Comment (1)

The recent Supreme Court decision upholding the First Amendment right of the Westboro Baptist Church, Topeka, KS to picket at the funerals of military personnel was a victory for our Constitutional rights but a defeat for morality in this country.

The followers of this so called church typically gather at the funeral ceremonies of our fallen heroes accusing them of condoning homosexuality within the military.

These misguided disciples are reminiscent of the Nazis and other fascist elements who persecuted gays, the clergy, Jews, gypsies and various ethnic peoples in the 1930’s and 1940’s.  They should be looked upon as anti-American bigots who are trying to undermine our military and tear at the fabric of our country.

States should pass laws which prohibit such provocative and anti-American behavior within one mile or more from a funeral ceremony.

Don Moskowitz is a well known prolific writer on subjects of the nation and the world that spark his interest. Retiring from the US Navy in 1967 as a Lieutenant, he often writes on military and political maters he is very active in the Londonderry American Legion. A long career in corporate management he retired after developing a successful business with multiple locations in southern New Hampshire.

He lives in Londonderry, New Hampshire with his wife Betty, they have three children and four grandchildren.

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By Don Moskowitz | Posted in Columns | Tagged , , , | Comment (1)
Jul312011

Block Iran on the Arabian Peninsula

By admin | July 31, 2011 | Posted in Columns | Tagged , , , | Comment (1)


The Iraqi Shiites have increased their attacks on American troops in Iraq. June saw 14 U.S. soldiers killed, which is the highest death toll since 2008.

The Iraqi military, which consists primarily of Shiites, is reluctant to counter Shiites attacking American soldiers. Prime Minister al-Maliki, a Shiite, is hesitant to order military action against fellow Shiites.

Iran is smuggling in weapons to the Iraqi Shiites to promote the destabilization of Iraq and establish a stronger Shiite presence. Iran will probably increase its influence in Iraq as U.S. troops are withdrawn, thereby enabling it to threaten oil producing countries in the region, including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the UAE.

Although the U.S. imports only 10% of its oil from the Middle East, any threat to the oil supply reverberates throughout the world and adversely impacts oil prices.

The U.S. needs counter weights against the Iranian Shiite and Iraqi Shiite forces. We should provide weapons to the Kurds in the north, maintain a military force in the Sunni area west of Baghdad, and have sufficient counter forces in Kuwait. A U.S. naval presence must continue in the Persian Gulf.

Hopefully, this will check any advances contemplated by Iran on the Arabian Peninsula.

Don Moskowitz is a well known prolific writer on subjects of the nation and the world that spark his interest. Retiring from the US Navy in 1967 as a Lieutenant, he often writes on military and political maters he is very active in the Londonderry American Legion. A long career in corporate management he retired after developing a successful business with multiple locations in southern New Hampshire.

He lives in Londonderry, New Hampshire with his wife Betty, they have three children and four grandchildren.

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By admin | Posted in Columns | Tagged , , , | Comment (1)