http://www.wral.com/news/blog/1119141/Retired Air Force Gen. Robert Springer provides insight into political and military events that shape the state, the nation and the world.Copyright 2009 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.Mon, 29 Dec 2008 11:15:22 -0500Mon, 29 Dec 2008 11:15:22 -050060http://www.wral.com/news/blogpost/4209928/Many years ago, my English teacher stressed to her students that “words matter.” As we close out 2008, as we reflect back on over seven years since 9/11 and about the same number of years since our major response to terror around the globe, I am convinced she was right. Words matter.Mon, 29 Dec 2008 11:15:21 -0500Newshttp://www.wral.com/news/blogpost/4209928/http://www.wral.com/news/blogpost/3713593/According to The Wall Street Journal, the Federal Communications Commission has sent letters of inquiry to former military officers and several television networks to determine whether they violated the law when the officers offered views of the Iraq war during network appearances.Mon, 13 Oct 2008 10:03:44 -0400Newshttp://www.wral.com/news/blogpost/3713593/http://www.wral.com/news/blogpost/3619290/America’s longtime partner in the Global War on Terror is acting somewhat less like a partner these days.Fri, 26 Sep 2008 11:10:49 -0400Newshttp://www.wral.com/news/blogpost/3619290/http://www.wral.com/news/blogpost/3523105/As we all know too well, there are two U.S. senators vying for the world’s toughest and most demanding job – president of the United States of America. They are campaigning all over the country 24/7 as they approach election day on Nov. 4.Wed, 10 Sep 2008 15:02:03 -0400Newshttp://www.wral.com/news/blogpost/3523105/http://www.wral.com/news/blogpost/3434051/At least according to one senior U.S. military officer in Iraq, the end is in sight. This week, we are getting word that the United States and Iraq have reached an understanding on a time line for the withdrawal of U.S. and coalition forces from Iraq.Tue, 26 Aug 2008 10:28:35 -0400Newshttp://www.wral.com/news/blogpost/3434051/http://www.wral.com/news/blogpost/3374901/Could it happen again? A brief review of history and the origins of World War I, as well as the Soviet incursions into East European countries in the 1950s and '60s, contains some ominous signs in the 21st century. As I write this column, Russia is “offensively” –with a couple of meanings here – engaged in an attack, looting, destruction and occupation of the small, neighboring, democratic country of Georgia.Wed, 13 Aug 2008 16:01:21 -0400Newshttp://www.wral.com/news/blogpost/3374901/http://www.wral.com/news/blogpost/3307731/Want a job? Want an education? Want a career? Want exceptional benefits and a potentially excellent retirement package? If you answered yes to any, many, or all of these questions, please read on.Thu, 31 Jul 2008 09:29:02 -0400Newshttp://www.wral.com/news/blogpost/3307731/http://www.wral.com/news/blogpost/3209021/Much has been said, written and reported on the many successes of the “surge” of forces in Iraq initiated in 2007. The additional ground forces have made a significant difference, and as reported, the surge forces have been and are returning stateside from the conflict in Iraq. We are now hearing of the potential of an even greater drawdown of ground forces later this year and into 2009. All of this is great news!Tue, 15 Jul 2008 12:16:54 -0400Newshttp://www.wral.com/news/blogpost/3209021/http://www.wral.com/news/blogpost/3133935/It is simply too tough as an American citizen – and as a retired military officer – to sit idly by in this wild and wacky political season. So I won’t. I am gravely concerned that politics is forcing our candidates for high office to make some alarming statements without fully appreciating their impact on our citizenry and our friends and enemies abroad.Tue, 01 Jul 2008 11:44:27 -0400Newshttp://www.wral.com/news/blogpost/3133935/http://www.wral.com/news/blogpost/3041722/It is time to get really serious about drilling and mining our own natural resources.Fri, 13 Jun 2008 14:38:10 -0400Newshttp://www.wral.com/news/blogpost/3041722/