The past few years have been challenging for me, especially when I attempt to understand what the government is trying to convey to us as a nation. It seems as though mixed messages creep into news releases, press conferences and interviews (especially the one yesterday where the President was interviewed by some clever comedian where it was difficult to determined which one of them was the comedian). I am continually attempting to figure out what is happening in our world. This is especially perplexing considering the current President, when running for office, promised transparency, clarity of positions etc. so all of us could stay and keep informed.

Well, today my worries are over. I read a letter to the editor of the Naples Daily Times penned by Ed Callahan of Naples, Florida in today’s (March 12, 2014) edition entitled “Translation time.” This article has been very helpful to me, and in sharing it with you it is my hope that if you have been challenged as I have it may offer some clarity for you as well. The following is a quote from the article and I thought it worthy of sharing with you.

“Perhaps our country needs a few clarifications so we better understand what our government is telling us:

‘Leading from behind means hanging way back and looking the other way.’

‘A red line means a barely noticeable dimple in soft sand.’

‘More flexibility after the election means OK Vladimir, take what you want now.’

‘If you like your doctor…means It’s nice for you to have a professional person as a friend.’

‘Most open administration ever means No one can discuss anything because the attorney general has quickly begun conducting an investigation.’

‘We need to end the era of austerity in Washington means Let’s reduce the Army to pre-World War II levels.”

Wow, now I will sleep well tonight!

Tom Dameron