ANGELO MINO HAS THE WEEKEND

The “New Deal” is back! You have to be concern!

In 1930, during the Great depression, the liberal democrats and soon to be new socialists with big success launched a “new system” that changed the nature of American society. Here is when the disaster started : Franklin D. Roosevelt at the white house and supported by a massive Democrat Congress sent out a new set of federal projects, entitlements, creation of more taxes and all the regulations that people refer now as the “New Deal”. This moment is the started point and roots for democrats to claim one more “identity point” for their political landscape, The Ideology of Socialism.

The limits of federal constitutional authority were violated and worse never even observed, the States no longer were able to have local sovereignty, and private properties and businesses were on a big and risky situation when American society stared listening a new vocabulary containing words such us: Liberalism, Socialism, “statistm”, relocation of property, redistribution of wealth , etc. . The American society witnessed the creation of more federal agencies to allow the democrat party and his government to control every single movement of the Nation, a cascade of taxes stared hurting our nation, even our Supreme Court was a victim of an unfair replacement of old judges by judges with the same mentality of Roosevelt, The Supreme Court became the “President’s own legal department”, and the puppets of the White House and Democrat Congress.

Be ready! Please open your eyes! Be alert! Do not give up! Just remember that it was FDR the one that BROKE the “tradition” of only two presidential terms, Do you remember how many times he run for? He was there for 4 terms. Yes Four Terms! It will happen again if you do not listen to me. IT will happen again! He didn’t care that it was President George Washington our own FIRST President whom initiated the tradition.

Now: Let’s see what is happening right now: The President is taking over the Automobile industry, the cigar industry, communication (phone) industry, the health care system is his new farm by planning to eliminate free market!, and He is creating new agencies by appointing the “ZARS” for almost every sector of the government.

You can see what happening when you put in the White House a “Community Organizer”, a person without experience in the business area, without opportunity to make executives decisions, without knowing how run a business.

He wants to do everything at the same time, and that is when business will collapse when the top guys wants to run the show by himself, when “The Supreme” starts projects or programs without finishing first the one that are in the making, without having the rights facts together.

There is a book call “Winning in Fast Times” by Colonel John Warden III where he talks about the so famous “Center of gravities” and his well know and recognized “Prometheus Process”, looks like President Obama never had access to this book, If we wants to run several projects at the same time, He or somebody in the White House or Democrat Congress should stop everything, go find the book and read the book. By the way Colonel Warden was the mastermind behind the overwhelming victory and the well planned air campaign during the Desert Storm conflict, He (Warden) changed strategic thinking around executive and business people in USA and industrialized countries.

Now Our President is talking about Immigration amnesty or at least he is talking about new comprehensive immigration reforms, where he plans to help illegal immigrants to get the USA Citizenship. I am OK with an immigration plan, I will even support if the plan is right, but with some limitations, They (un-documented) should be allow to gain their employment authorizations and/or a Permanente Resident Cards but they should be denied the Citizenship unless they will volunteer to serve in the military if accepted.

We can not give away our citizenship so freely! He, President Obama is looking for a new political base and support; He might think that between the immigrant workforces are the votes for his continuity in power.

Be aware! Be vigilant of this next political strategy from the White House. Continuity in power like Chavez, the Castros, Correa, Morales and others………

Angelo H Mino

ANGELO MINO HAS THE WEEKEND

I was ready to submit my contribution to this blog, when an article was placed in my desk; it comes from the Walk the Talk website. As I was reading I started to thinking in Washington DC, our Senators and Representatives. Looks like they no longer remember that they are there to “SERVE” the American people; we did elect this group of “Honorable Sir and Madams” to be our SERVANT LEADERS. Every time that a Vice-president discuss and bring out to the public sensitive information, he is not serving our need of a safe place and he is going away to far away from our hopes of a safe and respected America. When the Speaker of the house has the courage to hide information or provide wrong information in front of cameras or in front of her colleagues from congress, she is not practicing Fair Play. She is going against our well respect CIA and the people that put their lives in risk by facing our enemies any time when our country request that sacrifice from them, attacking our federal agents and denying or changing the facts that she listen on the security briefings It is not right, it is not American, it is not part of the practices of civility, we no longer care to give to our heroes the “formed lines of respect”, we are treating our soldier and federal agents as criminals, we prefer to protect the enemy instead the our troops. Let’s bring back our values, let’s be again a principle driven country, and let’s bring the great “honor” or “Individual responsibility”. Let’s be Americans one more time, our Country need us today more then ever! Let’s remember the old order of civility Excerpted from “A Tender Warrior” (Lt General Hal Moore)
(The movie “ We Were Soldiers” is based on General Moore’s Military leadership) I pledged my life, my sacred honor, for America many years ago. Millions of men and women have made a similar pledge. Having lived with that pledge my entire adult life, after graduating from West Point, I can speak with great humility that it has been a privilege of the highest order to serve at the pleasure of The Commander-In-Chief.

An unequalled pledge of sacred honor took place on April 9, 1865. Before General Lee surrendered his whole Army to General Grant, all communications between the two leaders leading up to the surrender ended with, “Your obedient servant.” It was a closing used by many great American leaders and presidents. But somehow, it became less important to emphasize civility in communications as America became more sophisticated and technology rooted.

America used to be the proud home of civility. We can be again. Seldom does civility stand alone. It is seldom a one-time act. It invites compassion and sacred honor as sister pillars. It serves others and strengthens the bond in relationships.

As Lee rode “Traveller” to surrender to Grant at Appomattox, Grant formed his Union troops in two lines. They stood with their swords at attention as Lee, with great dignity, progressed the final yards to the farmhouse, riding between the “formed lines of respect.” With the slow, high-lifting discipline of each hoof, leader was preparing to meet leader at his and America’s best – in the worst of times.

During the surrender, a personal movement of appreciated civility occurred. “General Lee removed his sword and handed it to General Grant, and Grant handed it back.” After the surrender, as general Lee mounted his horse to depart, General Grant stepped down from the porch, and, moving toward Lee, saluted him by raising his hat. All officers present followed him in this act of civility, compassion and honor. Lee raised his hat respectfully, and rode off in great dignity…loving America still.

Although both were West Point graduates, they had met only briefly once before. During the surrender, from their letters in the beginning through the raising of hats at the end, the “good-by” was a leadership exhibition in civility for all. It took the two of them to teach the soldiers present why, and how, we should serve one another – even during military surrender.

The surrender had been elevated to a moment of grace. That is what civility, compassion and sacred honor produce when the servant heart leads the best of leaders. They paved the way for future leaders to emerge in history by leading through authentic practices of civility.

Such leadership moments are never lost in history. Whether signing the Declaration of Independence, leading a platoon into battle, or surrendering to one another, there are two duties of a leader at all times: He or she is in that role to serve others first and concurrently to lead them to an objective. A crucial and delicate balance is required. To achieve this, to serve well, he or she must serve with honor and lead with civility.

MINO THURSDAYS

Happy Birthday Old Glory! Happy Birthday to You!

Just for fun during the pass week, I decided to ask to several people about June 14^th and what it means to them; from a total of 34 “born American friends” only 3 provided me with a correct answer and meaning for that date. June 14 is American Flag Day!

I am so glad and thankful that as part of my naturalization (citizenship) process I have to studied and pass a 100 questions test about American history, civics, government and more. It was great to understand all the hard times this country went trough to provided freedom to people like me.

If you will read again some parts of our country’s History I promise you, the love for the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave will emerged again and again. I truly believe two books should always be part of our entire households; The Holy Bible and a good book of American History.

Just some facts about June 14:

1. - It was teacher that started the celebration of Flag Day, in 1885 Mr. BJ Cigrand in the little town of Fredonia, Wisconsin. He wanted his students to remember that June 14, 1885 was the 108^th anniversary of the official adoption of the Stars and Stripes. Do you know that some School Districts in USA are planning to take the USA flag down from their classrooms because it is “offensive” for the Muslims children attending school in our Country? Do you know that some companies do not allow or do request to their employees to take the American Flag down from their cubicles or offices because it is offensive for some people? Do you know that the City of Lenexa did not allow Perkins to fly the Big Flag in the City because for the Lenexa Governing Body the USA Flag is at the same level of any Commercial Banner?

2. - Here it goes again (Thanks God for teachers). It was a Kindergarten teacher in June 14, 1889. Mr. George Balch (New York) whom planned “appropriate ceremonies” for the children attending his school to honor the Beautiful Old Glory. Great old days when Americans were so proud and respectful of our flag. Great old days when Americans will feel honored to serve and even gave their lives to stand under and to protect that flag. The New York Board of Education adopted June 14, as a Flag Day following the example from this amazing and patriotic teacher.

3.- June 14, 1891 at the small Betsy Ross’ house in Philadelphia a group of historian and patriots decided to formally paid tribute and honor our Flag by having a vibrant Flag Day celebration, the following year the NY Society of Sons of the Revolution did the same where pomp and circumstance was the theme of the day. Kids were assembled each of them carrying a small American Flag and singing patriotic songs, the Military bands will play marches and people were not afraid to have tears running on their faces. Tears of pride and joy!

4.-This one I like the Most! : April 25, 1893 The Pennsylvania Society of Colonial Dames adopted a resolution and asked the Mayor, area authorities and to ALL PRIVATE CITIZENS to display the American Flag on June 14, it was simple as: “Show me your pride, Show me the Starts and Stripes”

Now at this point would you allow to this Guy Born in Ecuador But Made in America to challenge you?: Are you brave enough to display the American Flag this weekend at your home? Are you brave enough to knock your neighbor’s doors and ask them to do the same? If you do, please send pictures of your display to this blog , and jocosob will be glad to put them on.

5.- May 30^th 1916 President Woodrow Wilson officially established by Proclamation the Celebration of Flag Day as a way to honor all the little towns, teachers, children and all private citizens that for the past decades were celebrating the birth of our Old Glory , each year at the same day of the anniversary of the Flag Resolution of 1777.

6. - Finally President Harry S. Truman a soldier, statesman, Freemason but more important a Proud American Leader signed the Act of Congress designating June 14^th NATIONAL FLAG DAY.

Let me close this article by repeating what Frank K. Lane Secretary of the Interior said on his speech in 1914, as he was drinking a cup of coffee early in the morning and preparing his notes, he swears that the flag spoke on his heart : “I am what you make me; nothing more. I swing before your eyes as a bright gleam of color, a symbol of yourself”. My dear American brothers and sisters you are the Flag! You are America! Do not be afraid to show who you are, lets’ display with love and respect our Old Glory, do not be afraid, please do not be afraid! Let’s do it!

Angelo H. Mino

Born in Ecuador Made in America!

MINO THURSDAYS

I am an American History Lover (yes with capitals letters), I even teach American history “USA History by Angelo’s way” I do by impersonating normal, daily, regular and common people from our history. I can be Willie the Bullwhacker the guy driven the oxen in the Santa Fe Trail, I can be Indian Jim (James Garfield Brown) the Champion bricklayer and builder of the Old “Highway” from Kansas City to Olathe. These guys will never be part of a history book, no streets or parks will be named after them, they are like us daily warrior bringing the best of us to impact and make our country stronger and wiser, We are our children’s heroes, our neighbors role model and even our wife’s Knight is a shiny armor. (My is getting kind a rusty)

Willie does not talk only about the painful journeys of the trails; he also talks about leadership and personal development. Please enjoy a talk and an encounter with Willie

Willie the Bullwhacker:
Leadership Lessons from the Trail

Everyone knows how important the opening of the free exploration to the West was to
people. The opening of new routes and the discovery of new unsettled territories was
amazing. America was growing to the west, to the “Big Deserts.” Trails like the Oregon,
Santa Fe, Leavenworth or military trails became highways for immigrants. Some 350,000 used the Oregon Trail alone for a 2,000-mile trip. The “great early migration” is the best example of goal-setting, accountability, commitment, and teamwork. It was an experience where training, preparation, achievement, and leadership were daily duties. What can we learn about leadership from prairie schooners, from the oxen and mules, or from a bullwhacker, the rudest man on the trail?

The Bullwhacker was the wiser man, the right hand of the Wagon Master (CEO) he will pick only the best oxen to do the job each with specific “responsibilities”. The Wheelers were the one closer to the wheel (front line worker). The Swingers got their due to the way they will move and swing their heavy bodies as helping the wheeler to pull the load of the wagon. The Pointers will be kind in the middle of the “labor force” sharing the job with the wheelers and swinger, and the leaders where no the stronger but the best training oxen and their position was in front of the pack, and of course Willie the master mind of the journey.

This is what a learned from Willie: (a Servant Leader)

The SERVER Leader

See and focus on the future. (Goal-setting)
Engage everyone in the mission. (Inspire,
motivate and lead)
Re-engineer your projects. (Look for change
and improvement)
Value and respect your team player. (Share
and delegate)
Energize people one more time.
(Commitment and accountability)
Responsibility, the first and last goal for a
leader (Setting examples and passing the torch) an extra R: respect people of all levels
“TRUE leadership has nothing to do with
one’s level in the organization.”
How Can I use the oxen experience in today’s daily business journey? Here it goes

Fit, Do Not Fix

Wheelers: Frontline workers
Swinger: Cross-trained workers
Pointers: Supervisor and supporters
Leaders: Opening the path for the pack
Willie: The “real” leader

Wheelers

Let’s change the way we hire people. From now on, we will select people of character
and we will develop their skills and teach them the company’s culture. Hire them by
their behavior, character, and attitude. “Great leaders” don’t become leaders in a
moment (or in a month or a year). They become great leaders one day at a time,
throughout their lifetimes. In other words, fit your people into your company’s needs.
Understand that values are the beliefs that drive our behavior, passion, and love. They
drive our attitude and commitment, and our character. Let the candidate know you very
well. They need to be sure about you and your company.

Swingers

Cross-training is important. Employees need to understand what everyone does and value
the support that they provide to the “chain of success.” It may sometimes be difficult to
determine where the enterprise is heading, but heading somewhere is a MUST. Devote
your time to seeing the big picture, also. Sometimes heads up; sometimes heads down.

Pointers

Never take your eyes away from the future. You must have the right people in the right
roles fully engaged under the let’s-see-the-future doctrine. Everything that you as a
leader accomplish hinges on the people you have around you. The pointers will help to
make your job easier by “taking time today to ensure that there is a tomorrow.” Here is
where you will find that if you do not select the right people for the right job, you have
made a SERIOUS leadership mistake. And never underestimate the time, energy and
money necessary to fix it. Selection is too expensive. We cannot afford
it. The worst thing is that MORALE will suffer. The cost of declining performance
and missed business opportunities, the need to hire somebody again for the same
position, and selecting trainers and new workers will impact and hurt the morale of
your team.

Leader

My former boss used to tell me that “with every pair of hands you hire, you get a free
brain. Use them! Collect them!” It was easy for me to complete the sentence with: the
brain is connected to the heart. These guys will help you so that you don’t waste human
potential. Leaders are the role models. They will generate all levels of engagement. They have clear goals and understand you. They are raving fans of your company’s culture.

Willie

This guy is flexible with his people, but he is strong with his principles and values.
He develops opportunities for his people. He invests a lot of time in the development of
his team. He knows that this is the only way to create expectations for learning and growing. Educational resources are his everyday gift to his people.

He does not care about his people’s ID, he cares about his workers’ IDP (Individual Development Programs). He does not care about people’s DL, he cares about his team members’ CDL (Complete Direct Leadership). He does all this because he understands that strengths will FIT; weaknesses we have to FIX. He concentrates only on the positive
side of team members, and does not expend too much time talking about weaknesses. He
makes everyone on his team understand that training is not a disciplinary or corrective
action, it is a retention tool!

When was the last time you pick your oxen correctly?

Angelo H. Mino

AKA Willie the Bullwhacker

THURSDAYS WITH ANGELO MINO

For your freedom and mine freedom!
Loyal until the end!
For freedom we fight!

The above three lines or statements are the inspirational chanting mottos for the West Point Military Academy classes of 2009, 2010, and 2011. Looks like the plebe have not yet their own chant”.

Believe it or not that sole idea gives me a lot to be concern about. I am so concern because with the new Commander in Chief, the Vice-president and the Speaker of House the chanting for the Class of 2012 may change to things like “It is Ok to give up” “Always ready for an apology” “Sorry enemy if I hurt you”! “Castro, Chavez, Morales and Correa our loyalty with you all”

On the last weekend when the Honorable Secretary of Defense Gates delivered the Commencement Address to our new and future military leaders of our country, He did realized that we was talking to the next generation of generals, public servants, but more important he was talking to the future military leadership of our great nation.

I loved the part when Secretary Gates said “Today I want to talk about you and your families-because when you signed up, you also signed up all those who love you most”
I was ready to collapse when I realized that I have done something wrong, well WE have done something wrong! We elected their Commander in Chief, and their Vice-president the VP is the one that can take over if something wrong and fatal will happen with the President of USA. God won’t allow this, but we need to have the right succession plan ready to keep our country moving, He (Bidden) is the second in command. We also allowed Pelosi to continue and to move up to become 2nd ranked individual to take the presidency in case of some type of emergency situation.

I want to apologize to all the future military leaders for giving you all that you have right now as leaders (I didn’t work the hardest to put McCain in the White House), I am very sorry for giving you a Commander in Chief that bows to kings, hugs socialist presidents from other countries, and wants to easy sanctions to Cuba Communist and for sure he will run to hug the Castro brothers “as soon the conversation and negotiation will permit”.

Sorry for the VP that opens his mouth and releases to the public and to our enemies the location of our “High Level Security” facilities created to protect the top leadership of our nation.
Sorry Ladies and Gentlemen of the West Point M.A. Class of 2009 and to all military academies to allow the re-election of the Speaker of the House the same one that does not respect organizations or agencies such us the CIA, FBI or any Government agency that protects us for terrorist attacks.
And of course to the families is this brave Americans for giving you the leadership that will put your kids in a harm way! Your kids won’t have any rights to protect themselves; they will not be able to learn or practices interrogations techniques that will allow us to have information to stop future attack to our nation. Their bravery in the battlefield will be a reason for punishment! They are on their own….

Secretary Gates closed his remarks by saying: “I believe that for so long as we seek to be free men and women, for so long as the bright light of liberty shines, there will be those whose sole ambition, whose sole obsession, will be to extinguish that light” (I do believe the sad part is: sometimes we do elect them, they are around us!)

“I believe that only strength, eternal vigilance, and continuing courage and commitment of warrior like you, and your willingness to serve at all costs, will keep the sacred light of American liberty burning: A beacon to the entire world.” (All honors and respect to you our futures leaders) but once again….

I am very sorry! I didn’t mean it! May your love for our country will allow you to deal with such a great undertaking.

Angelo H Mino