THE SENIOR MEN'S CLUB OF NEW CANAAN
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of June 25, 2010
President Nick Zaccagnino opened the meeting with 126 members present, membership of 474.
Don Hudson read the minutes of the June 18 meeting. Bob Moylan is at home and recovering nicely.
ANNOUNCEMENTS: Bob Witt said Joe Sweet is moving to Virginia. Waveny Care asked if anyone wished to fill out the group going to the Metropolitan Museum of Art on July 13.
ACTIVITIES Racquetball was ?-4-2, bridge and tennis as usual. Amateur Chefs having "Lobster Fest" on July 22 @ $30pp. 4F's today at Woodway Beach Club. Golf at Whitney Farms on June 30 and Sterling Farms on July 7.
COUTH: The September Canada trip is full. Football game in October and "La Cage Aux Folles" on November 3, with dinner at Hurley'a Tavern.
HUMORIST Bob Dalury told of a teacher who found out from a student the real difference between a Red Sox fan and a Yankee fan.
SPEAKER: Frank Anderson, a former CIA man spoke to us about some of the thoughts he has concerning the Middle East. He showed maps of the area for the past 3,000 years, highlighting the many different kingdoms during that time. We have lost hundreds of thousands of people to protect our interests in SE Asia and the Middle East. In the 1,900's we were a power to be reckoned with, but in the 2,000's we seem to be powerless. After 9/11, our responses were "screwed up". We knew where Bin Laden was, but did not get him. We removed forces from Afghanistan to send them to Iraq, not leaving enough troops to hold it peacefully. Pre 9/11, discussions of the area never reached the White House. We have not done well with Arab relationships as we have to want peace more than the Israelis and Arabs. Brokering a peace will not solve all problems but would help. Iran is a problem. Talking will not help as they do not need us as long as Russia and Japan keep providing what they need. A victory on Afghanistan is impossible, but the insurgency cannot defeat us. There has to be a deal with Pakistan. We will not like it, but it will allow us to get out.
Harry Hitch, Secretary