Scott A. Meehan's Blog

Similarities with 1939 & 2022; Poland & Ukraine; Hitler & Putin

Ukrainian fighters defending their homeland.

I just finished reading Resistance by Jennifer A. Nielsen about the uprising in the Warsaw Ghetto and their heroic stand against the Hitler-led Nazis. Relevant today? Oh, you bet. 

There were numerous quotable quotes from the story’s characters, the main character, for example, Chaya Lindner, whose “mind was older than her sixteen years.” There was Esther Karolinski, the young shy girl who joins the resistance despite a hidden past that haunts her. The similarities of these two are no doubt a resemblance to today’s merciless siege by the Putin-led Russians against the people of Ukraine. 

There are many similarities of course. The Hitler era was marked by the systematic murder, or genocide of innocent women and children who happened to be Jewish. Today in the 21st Century, for example, there is the most recent incident, among many, where there was the deliberate bombing of a Drama Theater in Mariupol despite hundreds of civilians taking shelter there. Satellite images showed the word “children” in large Russian script painted on the ground outside the Mariupol Drama Theatre. For leaders like Hitler and Putin, that does not matter at all.

The forties also witnessed the blind eye towards the plight of the innocent Jews by the rest of the world…until it was almost too late. Here in the 21st Century, the plea by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy asking repeatedly for a no-fly zone over Ukraine and for more support goes mostly unheeded. Maybe a token “We’re with you in spirit,” is sent his way. I’d like to think that much more is being done but cannot be revealed. I would like to think that.

One of the most glaring similarities between Hitler and Putin centers on their personal wealth. Yes, their personal riches, with emphasis on personal. Most people do not realize that besides being one of the evilest people in history, Adolf Hitler was also one of the richest authors of all time. His bestselling book, Mein Kampf brought in royalties that funded the early Nazi party’s rise to power and helped Hitler secure his future power with bribes and gifts given to prominent German political figures. 

Mein Kampf would go on to sell over 10 million copies worldwide. The royalties gave Hitler a vast personal fortune which he used to fund a lavish lifestyle that included a fleet of Mercedes and several luxurious mansions across his empire. Sound familiar?

Bill Browder, a financier who has been instrumental in orchestrating sanctions against Putin’s closest associates, told a US Senate hearing in 2017 that Putin’s personal wealth could be as high as $200 billion, which of course would have made him the richest man in the world…at that time. Recently, in an interview with Time magazine, Elon Musk was asked if he was the richest man in the world. His reply? “Well, I think there’s like some, you know, sovereigns. I think President Putin is significantly richer than me. I can’t invade countries and stuff.” Let that sink in. 

The world goes on and issues of the future linger in front of us. But even in the 21st Century, history is on the verge of repeating itself…for the worse. Already, the people of Ukraine, a once vibrant and modern society in Europe, are faced with the reality of “the only way out of the fire is through the fire,” a literal thought from Chaya during the resistance against Hitler’s Nazis, when they had her trapped with flamethrowers. 

Historians may argue that the resistance had failed, yet the Jews formed the nation of Israel less than ten years later. As Jennifer Nielsen pointed out in her novel, the Jewish people proved that there was value in faith and loyalty. That resistance was righteous. 

Who Am I?

My name is Asha Hawkins, and I am an Army Brat, born in 2002 to Staff Sergeant Ron (Hawk) Hawkins and Sarah (Rajiv-Tamarov) Hawkins. First, let me tell you that I am a fictional creation of author, Major (Ret.) Scott A. Meehan. I am a dynamic representation of military kids from all branches of service and of all ages. This first blog will be a current, real-time informational, which puts me at age 19. Please feel free to comment below at any time for any reason. I think you will find me to be quite an intriguing character. 

Now–my story: My father, Staff Sergeant at the time, Ron Hawkins was sent to Afghanistan with his Special Forces team from Fort Campbell, Kentucky. He and his team was sent there as a result of the 911 events when terrorists flew commercial aircraft into the New York Trade Center buildings and the Pentagon in Washington D.C. They were sent to extract punishment on the Al Qaeda terrorist network and the Taliban government who harbored them. 

During this period of time, he met my mother, Sarah. A man named Dr. Mohammed Rajiv took her under his loving care when she was a baby after her mother was shot and killed in a firefight between the Soviets and Mujahedeen. This was during the Russians occupation in the 1980s. Then, he raised her for nineteen years, teaching her many skills under his tutelage, which included multiple languages and medical nursing. 

My mom and dad’s first encounter happened like this: When wounded Northern Alliance forces were treated in local Dehi clinic, my dad brought medical supplies from his team to assist with the casualties. Just so happened that my mother worked there as a nurse. They sort of became attracted to each other. But, because some local men saw the two speaking to each other, she was marked for death…a public execution at the hands of the Taliban. I know–Craazzy! Right? 

Word of her upcoming execution got back to my dad who had returned to his team. Pleading with his commander, he and another soldier, Staff Sergeant Chris Short, along with her uncle, Abdul Mohaqeq and some of his men went to rescue my mom. During the rescue, there was a fierce firefight, which caused a lot of confusion and separation of the rescue team. As fate would have it, my mom and dad escaped together to a secret hideout in the harsh Hindu Kush Mountains. After spending a few nights in a cave hideout that my mom knew about, my Christian father and my Muslim mother fell in love. I am very happy they did…for obvious reasons – haa, haa. 

I previously mentioned that my grandmother was killed in one of those gunfire exchanges, but what I did not tell you was my paternal grandfather was also killed in battle. He was the U.S. Army Delta Forces and was shot during a 1993 battle in eastern Africa. My dad does not like to talk about it even to this day, but he does bring us all to my grandfather’s graveside in Arlington to honor him every year on Memorial Day. I wish I would have known him. The “us” includes my two brothers, Caleb who is 17 and Seth who is 15. We also have an adopted sister, Mariam, who is my age, 19. My dad rescued her from ISIS in Iraq in 2014, when she and I were 12. 

Anyway, back to the story in Afghanistan. Although mom and dad fell in love, they both had to escape the Al-Qaeda and Taliban forces who were hunting them down in the mountains. Here is where I will stop for now because if you want to know the details, you should read their story yourself. Trust me, it is good! 

The book, written by Scott Meehan, is titled, “Love In The House Of War.” This novel is the first in a series of four. I am mentioned in this book…but only at the very end when my mom announces to my dad that she is pregnant. I first appear as a force to be reckoned with in the second book, which is titled, “Homefront Force.” In this story, I am 12 and so is my Iraqi sister, Miriam. Her rescue from ISIS is in this book. 

I’ll talk about the other two books in another blog. ’til then, as they say in Tenah’see, Bah!

One Each – Asha Hawkins

The Breakfast Table – Part 2

Ron’s absences had more of an effect on Asha than he realized.

“I’m fine, honey,” Sarah answered Seth, her eyes on Asha. “Why do you ask? Do I seem upset?”Sarah had always gone out of her way to act normal whenever she was around the kids during Ron’s deployments. She considered herself successful in this area. The volatile situation between Russia and the Ukraine involving her father and now this recent development with Ron may have become too noticeable to those around her.

“Nope!” Sarah was relieved…for a brief second.“But I had to go to the bathroom in the night, and I heard you yelling in your room,” Seth answered.

Sarah looked at Seth to answer, but was interrupted by his cry, “AOw! Why did you…?”

“What’s the matter?” Sarah asked alarmed.

“Asha kicked me!”

“No I didn’t. I was just nudging you with my foot.”

“You did it hard!”

“Not on purpose. It was an accident.”

“No it wasn’t!”

“Okay, guys, no more. Asha, tell him you’re sorry,” Ron said sternly.

“I’m sorry,” Asha snapped.

Mouth opened, Sarah looked at Asha with narrow eyes. It did not escape Asha.“I’m sorry I kicked you, Seth.”

“Why did you do it?” Seth continued.

“A very good question!” Sarah echoed.

Caleb watched the whole scenario go down without saying a word. The smirk on his face could rightfully be interpreted as one from a boy who was enjoying the entertainment.

“Because…” Asha began.

“No, not you,” Seth interrupted. “Mommy! Why did you yell last night?”

Asha plopped her head into her hands. “OMG! Really?”

“Asha! We don’t say that,” Sarah answered. Caught off guard the first time, Sarah was a bit more prepared to answer after addressing her daughter’s response. “Maybe I was dreaming or something, I don’t know.”

“Must have been a scary dream,” Seth concluded.

Ron set two glasses of milk down, one each in front of the boys. Then he placed a glass of orange juice in front of Asha. After scooping some eggs and fried potatoes onto their plates, he returned to sipping his coffee from a ceramic mug. The words, De Oppresso Liber, along with the Special Forces logo was engraved on it.

Just as Asha lifted her glass of juice to her lips, Seth’s impeccable timing of dropping some egg on the floor prompted him to whistle for the family’s golden lab to point out the spilled scraps on the floor. Farsi jumped up from where he was lying next to Asha and bumped her right arm, causing the liquid to splash across her chin, on her shirt and onto the floor.“FARSI! You stupid dog!”

Sarah let out an emphatic “Aaaahhhh.” Looking at Seth, she continued, “What did I tell you about feeding animals at the table?”

Seth responded, “That’s it, Mommy!”

“What? What’s it?”

“That’s how you yelled when you were dreaming. Maybe you dreamed that Asha spilled her juice.”

“What are you talking about?”

Seth tried to mimic her exasperated, “Aaaahhhh.”

Sarah exchanged a quick glance with Ron who turned towards the waffle iron behind him. “Here you go, buddy, you get to have the first waffle, fresh off the iron,” Ron managed, trying not to laugh as he plopped them on his plate in front of him.

“Hey, no fair!” Caleb protested, no longer amused.

“I can’t believe this,” Asha muttered, wiping up the mess.

Breakfast Table – Part 1

Wearing his uniform trousers and a tan T-shirt, Master Sergeant Ron Hawkins was busy in the kitchen when his daughter Asha walked to the cupboard for a box of fruit loops. “Good morning, honey. I’m fixing eggs and sausage here.”

Without saying a word, Asha shoved the cereal box back, dragged her bare feet across the tile and plopped herself down on the arm less wooden framed side chair.

“Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.”

“How’s school?”

“It’s okay.”

“You’re off today, right?”

“Yep! I mean, yes sir!”

“Hey, you know that I work for a living, so stop…”

“I know, I know, stop calling you sir. Mom tells me I should though.”

“Hmmm. How many are in your class this year?”

“Uhh, about fifty in the seventh grade maybe, but we mix it up, so each class is about fifteen.”

“A lot different than West Creek. Didn’t they have around three hundred in sixth grade?”

“I guess so.”

“Are the teachers better at your new school?”

“The same.”

“Are any of your friends from youth group at the school?”

“A few I know.”

“Do I know them?”

“Dad! Really? Why the interrogation?”

Ron chuckled. “Just having conversation.”

Asha rolled her almond-shaped hazel eyes skyward, before resting her head between her hands–elbows planted firmly on the table.

“Huh umm, what did your mother tell you about your elbows on the table?” Ron asked with a wink. She reminded Ron of a miniature Sarah, except for the fact that her hair was lighter. than her mother’s.

“Dad! Really?” Asha slid them off toward her sides and bowed her head inches away from the flat surface.

“You look sleepy. Can you smile for me, honey? You know it brightens my whole day.”

Asha gave him a forced one-second smile without lifting her head. “You can do better than that…for me? Please?”She looked up slightly and smiled, but Ron noticed a tint of sadness in her eyes. “Well, better, somewhat. I’ll take it. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

Before Asha could answer, Sarah walked into the kitchen and stooped to plant a kiss on her forehead. “Good morning, sunshine.” Asha received it without any movement or emotion. “What’s with her?”

Ron shrugged his shoulders and turned his hands skyward. “Maybe because she’s twelve?”

“Right dad. That’s it,” she mumbled shaking her head.

Seth and Caleb emerged and bounced up to the table and promptly took their seats. Ten-year-old Caleb was quiet-natured and had his father’s brown eyes and sand-colored hair. Eight-year-old Seth, on the other hand, was rambunctious and always getting into something. He favored his grandfather’s appearance with blond hair and blue eyes. “Mom said you were making eggs, sausage, and waffles!” Seth announced.

Asha’s head perked up. “Hey, wait! You never said anything about waffles.”

“Because I didn’t know anything about them myself.”

“Your father knows how much I love waffles,” Sarah responded with a wink at Ron.

“Oh yeah, that’s right! Add waffles to the order.”

“Mommy, are you okay?” Seth asked her curiously.

“No, she’s not okay,” Asha snapped. There was silence. “Dad’s going to leave us again.”

The stark realization of Asha’s inner turmoil hit Ron like a slap in the face. Her emotional outburst released a repressed feeling that was all too common for most military kids.

To be continued

A Dream

via A Dream

A Dream

As I journeyed through the path of life, I laid down to sleep; and as I slept, I had a dream. It began with a smoldering village set within a silhouette of rolling hills. Smoke rose in several columns into the light-gray, dusk sky. A dirt road curved through the crevasses leading up to the raging community.

I looked and saw a hideous beast of a man-like figure appear, standing next to his pale warhorse, which was wearing a leather mask to cover its muzzle. The man-brute dressed in heavy metal armor was physically distinguishable from any human by his mere height alone. Standing tall at nearly eight feet, he had long, hair-like appendages dangling from his silver, earth-stained helmet, which held two horns, much like a Viking. Holding a double-headed battle axe, his face looked reptilian and featured an arthropod-like flared jawbone to go along with its flat nose. Its eyes, black and deep, like two large holes, were surrounded by quills that sprang from its cheeks. At first, the creature seemed pleased in a distorted kind of way, one that finds satisfaction in death and destruction.

A smaller version of the fiend appeared, like a servant, ready to help its master mount the towering horse. Just as the man-beast turned to mount his stallion, I saw a slow moving gray donkey appear on the dirt road, walking towards the smoldering village. The beast of burden carried a man—definitely a human—who was riding along in a flowing white robe. I could not see his face because he appeared from behind me. I noticed his thick long hair was matted and draped over his shoulders.

Behind him, a human soldier draped sideways across the Donkey’s back, his face—lifeless—displaying battle scars. He looked injured or perhaps even dead. The man in white never looked back as the ass continued to move towards the village. I was deeply moved by his presence and wanted to reach out to him.

The two creatures watched the rider disappear behind a hill and then I heard the large beast speak. Looking at the smaller one, he growled, “Curses! I have been defeated. And I will always be defeated…because of him!” as he pointed towards the human riding towards the decimated hamlet. I watched as the monster shoved his servant aside to climb his horse. Then, he spewed out his final words with a vengeance, “But nonetheless, I will be relentless!”

As he rode away, my dream faded to darkness and the image was no more.

The virtuous woman and the immoral harlot: A cunning battle

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When King Solomon, who was considered to be the wisest man on earth, graphically depicted martial fidelity versus adultery in Proverbs 5:15-17, he used the images of a well or fountain, which offered pure water for personal use, rather than water running through the street, as in mucky sewage. Both sources beckon with similar invitations – “Come to my house” (Proverbs 9:4, 16). The invitation that one chooses to accept will determine whether that person will find virtue or vice.

Few people plan to ruin their lives, yet many a life ends in ruin. Why? Because the enemy of the human soul, Satan, is alive and relentless. His plan from the beginning was to masquerade as an angel of light and convince humankind that there was another way other than God’s way. Satan’s way, though often attractive and enticing, deviates from God’s ordained pattern for love, sex, marriage, and family.

The path to adultery is broad and to some, irresistible. The trail is well worn. Those who are not alert to this plan of warfare will take the bait and find out the hard way that every kick offered by Satan contains a kickback. If you play with fire you will get burned (Proverbs 6:27). The enemy’s way is a highway to the grave, leading down to the chambers of death (Proverbs 7:27).

But, nobody needs to follow its course. If you want to be victorious, be aware of the enemy’s clever disguises and tactics. Save yourself from a lot of heartaches. Be wise towards the importance of following God’s way (Psalm 25:4-5).

Writing Time Travel

Writing background #101

[image error]In 2012, I wrote my first solo novel, a Military Sci-Fi (Time Travel). I was inspired by the often-faced question I asked myself, “What if?” I originally published this novel with iUniverse as “Eternal Eye” and under my then pen name, Al M. Scott.

Four years later, I held a contest in one of my college computer classes for a title change because I wanted to begin using my real name on the cover. The winning student, Alma Iannicelli, chose “Duty Recall.” She won a free copy of the book and an Amazon gift card. Additionally, Judith San Nicolas, from Spain, did a professional and fantastic cover design for the book (see image).

Today, Duty Recall continues to be my best-selling book on Amazon out of a list of two non-fiction books, one co-authored novel, five solo novels, and three short stories. It has recently taken another jump in the Amazon rankings. If you have never read the story and want to read it, you are in for an exciting alternate history ride (written the same year that Stephen King wrote his time travel novel on JFK…before it was published).

If you have read the story, please consider posting a review on Amazon. The best way readers can support authors without spending a dime is to write a review! Amazon factors these reviews immensely. Based on book sales (a lot) and listed reviews (only one), many are reading the book without leaving any feedback.

Here’s to book readers and may the generations of book readers continue!

SaM

 

Seeing and Hearing

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In the past three months, I have visited the Optometrist to have my eyes checked and the Audiologist to have my ears checked. The results? I will need a new pair of classes…for the fourth time within the past year since my left eye continues to blur due to cataracts and last month I returned to the VA to pick up my first ever hearing aids due to hearing loss in both ears. Ah, the joys of turning 60 in 2018.

Coincidentally, while reading my devotions, I read where Abram (the name he had before Abraham) took God’s promise, to him and his wife Sarai, into his own hands and married Hagar, Sarai’s slave. As a result, she conceived causing dissension in the home to the point where Sarai mistreated Hagar, causing her to run away.

Later, “The angel of the Lord” found her near a spring in the desert. The angel told her to go back and submit to Sarai and that she, Hagar, would have descendants that would be too numerous to count. He also told her that she would give birth to a son and she was to name him Ishmael, which means, God hears. The name was given because God heard of her misery.

Because of this encounter, Hagar gave the name to the Lord who spoke to her: “You are the God who sees me” (Genesis 16:13). She also named the well, “Beer Lahai Roi”, which means, Well of the Living One who sees me (Genesis 16:14).

Throughout my life–even during my four tours of war to the Middle Eastern desert—when times were good or, like with Hagar, there were times of distress, I knew I could always count on the God who sees me and the God who hears me. He is one and the same…the Living God. In fact,  I thank him often for being the God who has seen and heard me wherever I have been…who sees and hears me wherever I am…and who will always see and hear me wherever I go.

Scott A. Meehan

A Winning Business Model

The (Business) difference between the Boston Red Sox and the Baltimore Orioles

 

[image error]Congratulations to the best team in baseball…The Boston Red Sox. I (gulp) said it, despite being a lifetime Baltimore Oriole fan. Besides the obvious, winning more games than anyone else and winning at the right time, there is a good reason why the Red Sox won the Word Series. There is also a reason why the Orioles finished with the worst record in baseball, not to mention their franchise history. It is all about business leadership and business management along with the right human resources, all working together to put together an excellent strategic business plan.

Yes, baseball, along with all sport franchises, is a business. Now that we established that fact, we can move forward. When franchise owners invest in a franchise, they do so with the intent of a bottom line…making a profit. The best way to make a profit in any franchise is to have the best product or service…better than anyone else does (See McDonalds, Apple, Amazon, etc.). With sport franchises, this means winning games…winning more than any other of their competition.

This may seem like stating the obvious, but in order for a franchise to reach this goal, a solid, winning business franchise needs to be better than their competition. How? Follow these five ingredients:

Vision / Goal

A franchise owner and CEO (sometimes the same person) who have a clear goal/objective of being the best. These owners begin with a mission statement or purpose and then take time to make a strategic plan for the way to achieve this goal. Once the plan is complete, it is time for implementation.

Implementation

The first wise step in implementing the plan is to put together a solid human resource department, those who know the business and have expertise in the particular venue. A good human resource department will first seek top-level management, men and women with leadership experience and a subject matter expertise in their field.

Selecting Leadership

If evaluated appropriately, these selected individuals (general managers, field managers, coaches) will have had experience with obtaining the franchise’s ultimate goal…a championship. These leaders will have no problem identifying and sharing with the franchise vision, because they have experienced this winning edge in the past.  Since a business seeks to hire the best leadership personnel, it makes little sense to seek leaders who would have a difficult time sharing the franchise vision because of the fact that they had no experience with ever achieving the ultimate goal…ever. This mistake happens too often in the world of sports. The lack of quality leadership at the top becomes too predictable…sooner or later. Leadership who have the right experience and have already tasted the glory (Dave Dombrowski) are able to piece together the right personnel (Alex Cora) to combine for the winning ingredient to achieve the franchises goal.

 

The right personnel

Collecting the right personnel (David Price, Steve Pearce, J.D. Martinez, etc.) is carefully crafted by internal development (by more leadership with right credentials) and external availability (what the market has available outside the organization). This is where leadership skills come in…selecting the right personnel, both internally and externally to combine a mix who will come together as a team and perform as a cohesive unit to achieve the franchise’s goal. When good leadership can put together the right cohesive unit, the whole work atmosphere from top to bottom share with the franchise vision.

Reward

Another seemingly obvious piece of the puzzle (the elephant in the room) is salary. In order for a good owner/CEO who seriously wants to achieve the ultimate goal of winning everything, reaching the top, he/she has already realized that to obtain the best personnel for your team, you have to pay a good salary…what the quality individuals are worth (market value). Too often, poor quality personnel get paid too much and good quality personnel too little. This is another reason why having good management leadership at the top is a critical element.

Conclusion

The winning (champions) franchises in any sport have developed their business model with at least these five ingredients. There are many other intangibles involved as well, but if a franchise owner follows these five basic rules, they would have a better chance of being the Boston Red Sox or the Golden State Warriors. Clearly, the Baltimore Orioles should follow these guidelines for their future business model…please.

Scott Meehan has a Master’s Degree in Management Information Systems and a MBA in Business Administration. He is currently the Business Department Lead at City College in Altamonte Springs, Florida.