WikiLeaks

I personally do not see any major damage from these leaks.  It validates many things we already know.  Russia is corrupt, Pakistan is in a fragile state, Arab leaders want us or Israel to attack Iran and China has been hacking our computers.

The founder of Wikileaks did this for transparency in government.  If you noticed the highest level of security status was secret.  So what do you think that diplomats are now going to do.  Change the level and means of communicating.  So it will be harder for this thing to happen again.  This will have the opposite effect of transparency.

Korea

The current situation worries me.  While North Korea has used military aggression  since the end of the Korean War to antagonize South Korea, South Korea has shown great restraint.  North Korea has tried to assassinate the South Korean President numerous times.  It has blown up a South Korean Airline.  In the 1960s both sides and the US were basically at a low intensity conflict.

While it is not in the best interest of South Korea to allow this to blow up to a full blown conflict.  It also can not allow this aggression to continue or grown and it must strike back in a calculated military manner.  The US must seriously consider taking prudent military steps to be ready for the unthinkable and support the south Koreans in what ever means necessary.

Also the causalty rate with be similar to the first Korean war.  The same goes for the rate we lose equipment to combat.  I hope we are ready.

MD-11 & KC-X

I never understood why the Air Force has not expanded and modernize it fleet of KC-10.  Especially in the last 15 years or so.  The MD-11F is the newer and modernize version of the DC/KC-10.  It is a little longer and bigger.  They could have started slowly getting rid of the KC-135 sooner.  http://www.Boeing.com/commercial/md-11family/

Even now they can bring MD-11F on board to replace the older KC-135. There is a need for interm tanker before KC-X comes on board .  The rumblings now are that the KC-X will be awarded to EADS with the KC-45.  This is due to the change in congress and foreign countries are taking deliveries with less problems then Boeing.

I think the MD-11F is a good stopgap measures that can expedite the replacing of KC-135 and modernize the the refueling fleet.  There are many great things with the KC-135 as a refueler and had a chance to witness numerous refueling in it.  I can not understand why the Air Force just did not come out with a request for a new aircraft based on the KC-135 airframe.  However it is time to replace it, to include the E-3, joint star and other intelligence platforms using that air frame.

Now that it look like change will be happening

"Be careful what you ask for"  That old saying speaks volumes right now.  The Republicans, the Tea Party and all Americans who voted for change now must make sure it happens and be willing to keep the energy moving forward.  All the different factions must be willing to be critical and innovating in their thinking.  To be willing to think outside the box for solutions to the issues we face.  Be willing to say what issues are the constitutionally responsibility of the US government or the state governments.

Not be afraid to make incremental changes when necessary and bold ones when necessary.  To work together and support each other when necessary.  Be willing to discuss, argue and disagree when necessary.  But always move forward and make and pass the necessary legislation  to present to the president on a regular basis.