Mister William "Bill" Jones... What He Meant to Me

I was in the midst of preparing a blistering analysis of the forthcoming debate over national healthcare policy, when I was startled by a sobering piece of news which was relayed to me by my father. A longtime family friend has passed… Mister William “Bill” Jones.

This news bothers me so much that I know already that I will not be able to do justice to this man’s memory, and what his life example has meant to me… Especially during difficult times & trials. I found out earlier this week that he had been ill, but that he was doing better and was out of the hospital. I planned on going to visit him today or tomorrow.

My family had the Honour & Privilege of forming a life-long friendship with the Jones Family beginning in 1968, after my Dad returned from Southeast Asia and was assigned to Carswell AFB. They were members of the church we started attending; and the friendship blossomed & grew heartily. I was in the fifth-grade… My brother in the third-grade. All of us were immersed in various church activities…. And the Jones’ were one of many vibrant and illuminating members of not only our “church family”… But our extended family.

There were Friday nights when all of us would meet at Pulido’s for terrific mexican food & great family fun! There were also gatherings at each other’s homes for relaxation and fellowship. I remember times going to the Jones’ for bar-b-ques… Bill running the pit and leading the fun! My favorite times were when Bill would grill fajitas! They were absolutely the most tender and flavorful… THE BEST {And the steaks & ribs were good, too)!

Although I am a native Texan (born in Laredo), it was primarily and predominantly because of this time in my life, that I chose to henceforth call Fort Worth, “Home”. This is no small fete for an “Air Force Brat” who lived and attended school coast-to-coast & border-to-border, because I could legitimately lay claim to “hometown status” in any number of several cities or towns, among some dozen-or-so different states. I “CHOSE” Fort Worth! And Bill Jones was a large factor in that equation.

Bill was an “Oilman”… In every Honourable & Sensible precept of that description. He was formally educated at Texas A&I - Kingsville… With the wit and wisdom of the most learned of West Texas Sages! I don’t know if he knew how much he meant to me, in the process of me becoming a man… But I hope he knew, at least, that he had a hand in it all. To me, Bill Jones was as big of a figure & character in my life as John Wayne… And for me, that’s saying a lot!

Bill was a “Man’s Man”… A Gentleman of the First Order… And a shining example of how good, one man can be.

Saudis & Israelis In Accord Regarding Attack

According to reports from The London Times, Arutz Sheva and many other European and Middle Eastern news outlets; whenever the Israelis are ready to launch a strike against Iranian nuclear facilities, the Saudis will turn a blind eye to Israeli Air Force (IAF) warplanes traversing Saudi airspace. This development is greatly significant on several levels.

According to The London Times… “The Saudis have tacitly agreed to the Israeli air force flying through their airspace on a mission which is supposed to be in the common interests of both Israel and Saudi Arabia,” a diplomatic source said last week.

Although the countries have no formal diplomatic relations, an Israeli defence source confirmed that Mossad maintained “working relations” with the Saudis.

John Bolton, the former US ambassador to the United Nations who recently visited the Gulf, said it was “entirely logical” for the Israelis to use Saudi airspace.

Bolton, who has talked to several Arab leaders, added: “None of them would say anything about it publicly but they would certainly acquiesce in an overflight if the Israelis didn’t trumpet it as a big success.”

Arab states would condemn a raid when they spoke at the UN but would be privately relieved to see the threat of an Iranian bomb removed, he said.

The first reason that this is so vital is the fact that the IAF would be able to fly a much more simple mission profile. Taking a look at the combat capabilities of the IAF’s F-16I “Sufa” (Storm), the “Sufa” has a combat radius of at least 1,300 kilometers. With the use of Saudi airspace the IAF can, if/when they decide to launch, execute what should be a quick & clean attack. The full status of the capabilities of Iranian air defenses is not fully known; but, given the state of other known Iranian military systems, these systems should be able to be defeated.

Recent events and actions by both the Israelis and the Iranians point to anticipation of Israeli Defense Force (IDF) intervention beyond just an airstrike. Arutz Sheva reports today…

Several media sources reported Friday that an Israeli Dolphin submarine passed through the Suez Canal on its way to the Red Sea last month as part of a naval exercise. Israeli security officials told the Reuters news agency that the exercise was done as part of testing Israel’s strategy in light of the Iranian nuclear threat. Egypt denied the reports.

Two weeks ago, IDF Commander in Chief Gabi Ashkenazi related to Israel’s possibly striking Iran and announced that Iran’s re-election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad requires Israel to keep all its options open. “His severe expression regarding his desire to attack the State of Israel, and the constant allowance of Iran to acquire non-conventional weaponry, requires us to keep the army posted and prepared and the air force ready and sharp like a razor. Our obligation as an army is to put all the options on the table and to be prepared to deal with any threat for near and afar,” Ashkenazi said at an air force graduation course.

Foreign media reported that Israel is performing military maneuvers to prepare for a possible strike on Iran, while Iran is making defensive plans. Among the exercises was an Israeli long-distance refueling in flight to the Straits of Gibraltar and Iran’s employing an anti-ballistic battery a half year ago.

Many ask, “Why are the Israelis acting in such a belligerent manner?”. The proper question is, “With the Israelis taking steps to defend their very existence; why is the United States chastising & criticizing Israel, and is so fixated on establishing a Palestinian state? Why isn’t the United States standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Israel to stop the Iranians?”.

For these questions there are no coherent answers. Why? Because the US administration has, without explanation, plan or strategy; abandoned what has been joint US and British policy, along with many other nations, for more than sixty years.

Irrespective of those with anti-semitic causes and agendas; one thing is crystal-clear… The US administration has neither an understanding of the threat today, nor the lessons of history which teaches us how “not” to make the same mistakes; nor the fact that, in spite of their declaration; that the United States of America is not now, nor has it ever been or ever will be, a muslim nation.

In closing, let me send these words to my Jewish Brothers & Sisters…

“Hashem magen be’ad Kevodi umerim roshi” …

“The Lord is a shield for my honor, and he raises my head”.