Tens of thousands are dead or dying in Syria - hundreds of innocent children and women every day. Egypt is wracked by murderous sectarian violence; Iraq has blown up, again literally, Bagdad's streets are littered with shattered human wreckage and misery from daily car bombings; Iran is speeding toward wielding the largest killing machine in history, an atomic bomb; Yemen is so threatening to America that our Embassy has been closed, possibly permanently. No country in the entire Middle East is peaceable or safe for Americans, Europeans or Israel's citizens. The Arab Spring may yet lead to a Nuclear Winter for the West, our civilization reduced to rubble or destroyed by Jihadists willing to kill forever in the name of Almighty Allah.
So, as chaos reigns, hard choices - none good, nor assured of complete success - need to be made here as our war weary nation is now threatened to be engulfed in these many murderous conflicts, spanning already two continents. Russia has made its chosen path in the region known - every military armament available to be spared from the Russian arsenal has and will be flown into Syria to keep Assad, the Butcher, on his thrown, so he can kill, maim and torture his own people in perpetuity, Reset Button notwithstanding.
In the face of this vast carnage in Syria over the last three years, our Nation's key response has been to unleash first Hillary, and now John, on the Butcher Assad with ever more withering rhetoric. This week, however, America has finally reached the Rubicon, as President Obama has called upon the Congress to authorize his use of whatever military force he deems warranted to prevent more chemical weapon attacks on Syria's civilian population.
In one recent press interview, the President said he intends to "fire a shot across the bow" of the Butcher Assad. Regrettably, as Assad does not live on a boat out at sea, he probably won't even see the splash of this so-called harsh punishment. But this is no time to carp or quibble about pin pricks or other one time symbolic, face saving gestures. Because now the Congress gets a Vote, so will Assad, Putin and the Mullahs in Iran after America fires a few tomahawks into Syria's desert. This President's fervent desire to sucker punch Assad, and then pivot back to his golf game with Joe Biden is just not the way the world works.
America and our Congress must now decide whether to get very serious about the perceived need to protect our national security. We have the military power to stop the ongoing carnage, at least for a long period of time through air strikes that ground the entire Syrian Air Force. Such a "All In" intervention - at great risk to our armed forces and citizenry due Jihadist retaliatory attacks - is not the President's Way, however. Indeed, should Congress debate this authorization to go to war seriously, knowing that a sucker punch that does not knock the opponent unconscious, leads quickly to possibly countless and uncontrollable counter punches, may well reasonably decide not to intervene. As stated at the outset, there are no good or guaranteed winning choices in today's Middle East conflict.
Nonetheless, one absolute truth does exist in this geopolitical battle for regional dominance - any one or two day, pop gun shot across the bow will accomplish nothing more than reveal to the entire World that America is faking it; we will be justifiably seen as "phoning in" our supposed concern for the gassed babies, mothers and fathers of East Damascus, let alone the other one hundred thousand slaughtered by more "humane" weapons. I will not Vote for America to become the Joke of the Middle East. I have not yet decided on whether to call my Congressional reps to seek their support for "All In" either. Nonetheless, I will not be out golfing while I struggle with that seriously Life and Death Vote. Our entire Nation deserves a few sleepless nights over this dangerous game changing decision.
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Why Robert Mueller does not Matter - At All
Current, but soon to be put out to pasture, FBI Director Robert Mueller regretfully reminds me of the Nixon Bureau Director, the very late, L. Patrick Gray. When confronted with the mounds of evidence gathered by Congress (and not the FBI) of a vast criminal conspiracy being run out of the White House to dismantle the U.S.Constitution, L. Patrick testified that he missed these obvious crimes because he didn't have a "suspicious mind".
To evaluate whether Mueller should join L. Patrick in this non-pantheon of Detective Clouseaus, let's examine the sterling record achieved by Mueller's Bureau since his ascension to this high office in September of 2001:
* Shoe bomber evades detection, until other airline passengers smell smoke emanating from his sneakers in aisle 20, window seat; Christmas Eve, 2001;
* Underwear bomber evades detection, until other passengers see small flames emanating from his jokeys in aisle 31, window seat; December 2008;
* Army Major Hasan "fully" investigated by Bureau, determined to be "harmless", before murdering 13 American Patriots in the name of Allah; July 2009;
* DOJ openly smuggles more than twenty-eight hundred assault rifles to Mexican Drug Cartels; Bureau ignores this crime and its cover-up by Main Justice; October 2011;
* F.M. Global account executives secretly transfer 1.6 billion dollars from customer lock-box accounts (set up to be entry proof by Al Gore) to their own business investments before losing every last nickle in the purchase of European government debt instruments; Former NJ Democrat Governor John Corzine laughs when informed of FBI opening criminal investigation; May 2012;
* Finally, late last week, Director Mueller capped off this most impressive record of law enforcement achievements - 0 for everything important to the War on Terror/Rule of Law - by testifying before Congress that he had not even inquired into the identity of the FBI/SAIC placed in charge of the Bureau's non-existent investigation of the IRS persecution of the Tea Party groups.
So, my conclusion is that RM certainly joins LP in his Nixonian conduct of the nation's law enforcement responsibilities - control of the restless rabble by assuring all 310 million of us - There is nothing to see here, keeping moving, do not stop to question the government or to petition it for the redress of grievances. After all, you all are under surveillance 24/7/365 in every single electronic switch you activate, or deactivate. Sleep easy, therefore, as the Government is taking care of everyone all the time, with Robert Mueller's implicit blessing or total unawareness.
To evaluate whether Mueller should join L. Patrick in this non-pantheon of Detective Clouseaus, let's examine the sterling record achieved by Mueller's Bureau since his ascension to this high office in September of 2001:
* Shoe bomber evades detection, until other airline passengers smell smoke emanating from his sneakers in aisle 20, window seat; Christmas Eve, 2001;
* Underwear bomber evades detection, until other passengers see small flames emanating from his jokeys in aisle 31, window seat; December 2008;
* Army Major Hasan "fully" investigated by Bureau, determined to be "harmless", before murdering 13 American Patriots in the name of Allah; July 2009;
* DOJ openly smuggles more than twenty-eight hundred assault rifles to Mexican Drug Cartels; Bureau ignores this crime and its cover-up by Main Justice; October 2011;
* F.M. Global account executives secretly transfer 1.6 billion dollars from customer lock-box accounts (set up to be entry proof by Al Gore) to their own business investments before losing every last nickle in the purchase of European government debt instruments; Former NJ Democrat Governor John Corzine laughs when informed of FBI opening criminal investigation; May 2012;
* Finally, late last week, Director Mueller capped off this most impressive record of law enforcement achievements - 0 for everything important to the War on Terror/Rule of Law - by testifying before Congress that he had not even inquired into the identity of the FBI/SAIC placed in charge of the Bureau's non-existent investigation of the IRS persecution of the Tea Party groups.
So, my conclusion is that RM certainly joins LP in his Nixonian conduct of the nation's law enforcement responsibilities - control of the restless rabble by assuring all 310 million of us - There is nothing to see here, keeping moving, do not stop to question the government or to petition it for the redress of grievances. After all, you all are under surveillance 24/7/365 in every single electronic switch you activate, or deactivate. Sleep easy, therefore, as the Government is taking care of everyone all the time, with Robert Mueller's implicit blessing or total unawareness.
Monday, June 10, 2013
Why James Clapper Matters - Too Much
Had composed fully a eulogy to NJ Senator Lautenberg, who was the last WWII veteran serving in the US Senate. (As my Blog drafting is by pen and paper, the inability to just publish this heartfelt farewell is self-explanatory.)
The events of this past week justify the by-passing of the departed Jerseyan (who most probably was very eloquently eulogized in NYC services - hey, Weehawken just isn't the City that never sleeps.) Oops, I remember now, Hillary Clinton was the primary orator for Mr. Lautneberg.
Many elite members probably believe that this Blog Post has written itself. Not so. As you know, the pre-eminent responsibility of the National Government is the national defense. Therefore, I will withhold judgment on the legality and usefulness of the NSA Prism program in prosecuting the apparently not so ended War on Terror until its parameters are more fully understood. Of course, I would much prefer hearing that all the electronic and phone surveillance by the NSA is being conducted against our potential adversaries and host nations for terrorists, say Russia, China, Pakistan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and France. Quite possibly they are doing such spying internationally, so this massive domestic snooping is just side hustle for slow weekend duty.
Back to the point here; the Federal Government has the same pre-eminent responsibility to conduct the nation's defense pursuant to the RULE OF LAW, so that security is not pursued at the detriment of either our sacred ideals and/or Constitutional values. Among those values is that sworn testimony to the United States Congress must be truthful. It seems that the Director of National Intelligence, James Clapper, sees himself fully exempt from this mandated standard of lawful conduct applicable to every American witness before the Congress.
In an effort to comprehend this absolute arrogance, this absolute disdain for the Congress and this absolute stupidity, it occurred to me that possibly Clapper had been informed by A.G. Holder that lying to Congress poses no risk of DOJ prosecution, so long as you are a cabinet level federal official.
Anyone who believes that a Government - which will strip our diplomats of all security in Benghazi, and then lie about it, will give thousands of assault weapons to Mexican Drug Cartels, and then lie about it, will target and harass Tea Party groups, and then lie about it - will not abuse our lawful citizens privacy after it collects billions of private, personal information, needs a mental competency examination.
So, of course, National Intelligence Director Clapper lied, indeed bald face lied, to the elected representatives of we the 310 million Americans with no fear of any accountability for that felony. Anyone taking bets on who gets prosecuted first - Clapper or leaker, Snowden?
The events of this past week justify the by-passing of the departed Jerseyan (who most probably was very eloquently eulogized in NYC services - hey, Weehawken just isn't the City that never sleeps.) Oops, I remember now, Hillary Clinton was the primary orator for Mr. Lautneberg.
Many elite members probably believe that this Blog Post has written itself. Not so. As you know, the pre-eminent responsibility of the National Government is the national defense. Therefore, I will withhold judgment on the legality and usefulness of the NSA Prism program in prosecuting the apparently not so ended War on Terror until its parameters are more fully understood. Of course, I would much prefer hearing that all the electronic and phone surveillance by the NSA is being conducted against our potential adversaries and host nations for terrorists, say Russia, China, Pakistan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and France. Quite possibly they are doing such spying internationally, so this massive domestic snooping is just side hustle for slow weekend duty.
Back to the point here; the Federal Government has the same pre-eminent responsibility to conduct the nation's defense pursuant to the RULE OF LAW, so that security is not pursued at the detriment of either our sacred ideals and/or Constitutional values. Among those values is that sworn testimony to the United States Congress must be truthful. It seems that the Director of National Intelligence, James Clapper, sees himself fully exempt from this mandated standard of lawful conduct applicable to every American witness before the Congress.
In an effort to comprehend this absolute arrogance, this absolute disdain for the Congress and this absolute stupidity, it occurred to me that possibly Clapper had been informed by A.G. Holder that lying to Congress poses no risk of DOJ prosecution, so long as you are a cabinet level federal official.
Anyone who believes that a Government - which will strip our diplomats of all security in Benghazi, and then lie about it, will give thousands of assault weapons to Mexican Drug Cartels, and then lie about it, will target and harass Tea Party groups, and then lie about it - will not abuse our lawful citizens privacy after it collects billions of private, personal information, needs a mental competency examination.
So, of course, National Intelligence Director Clapper lied, indeed bald face lied, to the elected representatives of we the 310 million Americans with no fear of any accountability for that felony. Anyone taking bets on who gets prosecuted first - Clapper or leaker, Snowden?
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Why James Rosen Matters Now
Memorial Day is here, as this is written - watched the National Symphony with hosts Gary Sinise, Ed Harris and Joe Mantegna honor our fallen heroes - am not afraid to say I shed a few tears, as their stories of our Nation's warrior elite often ended in tragedy. Most striking, the Police Action, non-war in Korea cost America 36,000 confirmed fatal casualties.
I am also now reminded that the freedoms our service men and woemen willingly died for are secure only so long as we, the living beneficiaries of their sacrifice, fight for them daily. Our federal government, be it a Republican or Democrat Administration grows more powerful each day as well. A Commander-in-Chief, who has the Absolute Power to kill anyone in the entire world by merely telling a subordinate to "make it so", and in minutes 10,000 miles away a NCO operating a Joy Stick in front of a computer screen does exactly that - no fuss, no muss - is no longer a science fiction drama.
Such immense power, may or may not corrupt absolutely (it does), but it most certainly requires the checks and balances of our Constitution, starting with the free press - unafraid to hold the Executive accountable for it abuses. Accordingly, the recent DOJ declaration that Fox New's James Rosen is a criminal conspirator having joined a spy operation is anathema to the proper role of our free press.
Indeed, were President Obama to have a son, he would be just like James - hard working, industrious, smart and honest to a fault. Absolutely no one in the entire world believes that James Rosen is criminal; well. with the one possible exception of Inspector Cleauseau Holder who signed off on the affidavit asserting James' criminality; but that was before he testified under oath before Congress and completely forgot that he had endorsed this declaration.
Such a memory lapse by Holder is quite explainable, like pulling on a Drone Hell Fire missle joy stick, do it enough times and its just another day at the office.
I am also now reminded that the freedoms our service men and woemen willingly died for are secure only so long as we, the living beneficiaries of their sacrifice, fight for them daily. Our federal government, be it a Republican or Democrat Administration grows more powerful each day as well. A Commander-in-Chief, who has the Absolute Power to kill anyone in the entire world by merely telling a subordinate to "make it so", and in minutes 10,000 miles away a NCO operating a Joy Stick in front of a computer screen does exactly that - no fuss, no muss - is no longer a science fiction drama.
Such immense power, may or may not corrupt absolutely (it does), but it most certainly requires the checks and balances of our Constitution, starting with the free press - unafraid to hold the Executive accountable for it abuses. Accordingly, the recent DOJ declaration that Fox New's James Rosen is a criminal conspirator having joined a spy operation is anathema to the proper role of our free press.
Indeed, were President Obama to have a son, he would be just like James - hard working, industrious, smart and honest to a fault. Absolutely no one in the entire world believes that James Rosen is criminal; well. with the one possible exception of Inspector Cleauseau Holder who signed off on the affidavit asserting James' criminality; but that was before he testified under oath before Congress and completely forgot that he had endorsed this declaration.
Such a memory lapse by Holder is quite explainable, like pulling on a Drone Hell Fire missle joy stick, do it enough times and its just another day at the office.
Sunday, May 26, 2013
Memorial Day 2013
Well, here it is, the Unofficial start of Summer - with snow falling in the higher elevations of the northeast, Al Gore be mystified, and cold. Nonetheless, irrespective of the inhospitable weather (and remember its not like the frozen (25 below F.) Chosen Reservoir in November 1950), we should all take time out from Mom, apple pie and baseball to recognize the sacrifices of those heroes who now rest in peace in our nation's cementaries from Sea to Shining Sea.
So many young lives given freely to defend our most cherished freedoms - free speech, freedom of the press, free exercise of religion, freedom to bear arms and the freedom to assemble and petition the government fro redress of grievances.
Indeed, the Bill of Rights is a collection of immortal ideas that are worth dying for. Still, war is the most inhuman, most repulsive, most detestable activity ever conceived by mankind. President Obama, therefore, is to be given credit for his steadfast commitment to ending our "forever" wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, while staying out of Libya and Syria. Staying away from (or removing) American boots on the ground in these internecine conflicts is definitely credit worthy.
What is not good policy, in my judgment, is for the President to speak before the National Defense College to announce that the Global War on Terror has been ended by an American Executive Order. Great, by the One's Proclamation of Peace in our Time, the terrorists - or to name our Enemy accurately, the radical Islamic Jihadists - have been ordered to stand down - very reassuring, unless you are a unarmed British soldier,walking peaceably down a London Street;
or, marathon race spectators standing peaceably on a Boston Street;
or, 13 unarmed American soldiers sitting at plastic tables at Fort Hood, Texas;
or, an American Ambassador and three fellow heroes working for us peaceably in Benghazi;
It is clear on this Memorial Day weekend that the War being waging against Western Civilization by the Radical Islamists will not end by the signing of a Peace Treaty on the deck of the Missouri. It is equally clear that these Jihadists will not end their mass killings because President Obama gave a speech at a venue that our national security apparatus could not even secure against one intemperate woman. When one Code Pink lady can confront, and for a period of time silence, the most powerful official in the world, my firm conviction is that it a mite premature to raise the "Mission Accomplished" banner just yet.
So many young lives given freely to defend our most cherished freedoms - free speech, freedom of the press, free exercise of religion, freedom to bear arms and the freedom to assemble and petition the government fro redress of grievances.
Indeed, the Bill of Rights is a collection of immortal ideas that are worth dying for. Still, war is the most inhuman, most repulsive, most detestable activity ever conceived by mankind. President Obama, therefore, is to be given credit for his steadfast commitment to ending our "forever" wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, while staying out of Libya and Syria. Staying away from (or removing) American boots on the ground in these internecine conflicts is definitely credit worthy.
What is not good policy, in my judgment, is for the President to speak before the National Defense College to announce that the Global War on Terror has been ended by an American Executive Order. Great, by the One's Proclamation of Peace in our Time, the terrorists - or to name our Enemy accurately, the radical Islamic Jihadists - have been ordered to stand down - very reassuring, unless you are a unarmed British soldier,walking peaceably down a London Street;
or, marathon race spectators standing peaceably on a Boston Street;
or, 13 unarmed American soldiers sitting at plastic tables at Fort Hood, Texas;
or, an American Ambassador and three fellow heroes working for us peaceably in Benghazi;
It is clear on this Memorial Day weekend that the War being waging against Western Civilization by the Radical Islamists will not end by the signing of a Peace Treaty on the deck of the Missouri. It is equally clear that these Jihadists will not end their mass killings because President Obama gave a speech at a venue that our national security apparatus could not even secure against one intemperate woman. When one Code Pink lady can confront, and for a period of time silence, the most powerful official in the world, my firm conviction is that it a mite premature to raise the "Mission Accomplished" banner just yet.
Sunday, May 12, 2013
Why Sean Smith, Glen Doherty and Tyrone Woods Still Matter
Ambassador Stevens will always be the face of the Benghazi scandal, which is okay so long as we never forget the lives, and brutal deaths, of Sean, Glen and Tyrone. Sean Smith's life story is particularly poignant. He is the only child of Pat Smith. Ms. Smith will obviously not be getting any flowers, calls or visits for Mother's Day, and she just wants to know why her life is now and forever bereft of a son's love.
At the Airport Hanger Memorial Service for our four dead Americans, Hilliary Clinton made only one promise to Pat Smith - that the Administration would get and punish severely the Maker of the movie trailer entitled "The Innocence of Muslims." Having swiftly fulfilled that commitment (and finding no obstacle in the First Amendment protections afforded movies) Hilliary has "moved on" as the saying goes to her new and full life - being paid a minimum honorarium of a reported $175,000.00 per speech.
Still freely speaking to anyone who will listen, knowing that her life will not move on until she obtains an answer to why her son died alone and unprotected, Pat Smith knows that she - and the American people - deserve far better than Hilliary's incredibly arrogant dismissal of how Sean's life ended: "What difference does it make now?"
Indeed, finding and bringing to Justice the Benghazi terrorists would honor Sean, Tyrone, Steve and Glen in the most meaningful fashion. Obama's failure to do so constitutes the most egregious and unforgivable aspect of this entire debacle. It is also totally inexplicable. We all know that the President is rightly known as "The King of Drones". His kill total is most probably approaching one thousand dead - both guilty and innocent combined until God sorts them out for final disposition.
So, I'm with Pat Smith. Pat and America deserve to know why Sean was murdered by terrorists who today are alive and free to call their own Mothers with well wishes until leaving on their next mission - for sure not involving the making of any movie trailers.
At the Airport Hanger Memorial Service for our four dead Americans, Hilliary Clinton made only one promise to Pat Smith - that the Administration would get and punish severely the Maker of the movie trailer entitled "The Innocence of Muslims." Having swiftly fulfilled that commitment (and finding no obstacle in the First Amendment protections afforded movies) Hilliary has "moved on" as the saying goes to her new and full life - being paid a minimum honorarium of a reported $175,000.00 per speech.
Still freely speaking to anyone who will listen, knowing that her life will not move on until she obtains an answer to why her son died alone and unprotected, Pat Smith knows that she - and the American people - deserve far better than Hilliary's incredibly arrogant dismissal of how Sean's life ended: "What difference does it make now?"
Indeed, finding and bringing to Justice the Benghazi terrorists would honor Sean, Tyrone, Steve and Glen in the most meaningful fashion. Obama's failure to do so constitutes the most egregious and unforgivable aspect of this entire debacle. It is also totally inexplicable. We all know that the President is rightly known as "The King of Drones". His kill total is most probably approaching one thousand dead - both guilty and innocent combined until God sorts them out for final disposition.
So, I'm with Pat Smith. Pat and America deserve to know why Sean was murdered by terrorists who today are alive and free to call their own Mothers with well wishes until leaving on their next mission - for sure not involving the making of any movie trailers.
Thursday, May 9, 2013
Why Christopher Stevens Still Matters
Today, Ambassador Christopher Stevens has no job. His unemployment stems exclusively from one singular circumstance - he is still dead.
Very much alive and very much still employed is Ms. Charlene Lamb, the State Department's Top Security Official responsible for stripping our Libya Embassy of all military security personnel shortly before the gruesome, murderous attacks on 9/11 last year. In an environment of complete anarchy, in which rival militias were waring daily for control of Benghazzi (these thousands of militants and terrorists were armed to the teeth with Colonel Khadaffi's looted arsenal - larger than many European NATO countries in size and sophistication), Ms. Lamb testified to Congress that a security detail of twelve non-military individuals was adequate protection for our Libyan Diplomats. That four of these brave Americans were slaughtered did not alter Ms. Lamb's absurd conviction.
Now, there is no need to ponder why a certifiably insane person remains employed by the United States Department of State. Another well qualified Department rep., spokesperson, Victoria Nuland, has informed us that pursuant to controlling federal law, incompetence is not deemed to constitute a breach of one's job duty - REALLY, I am not making this up!
Few commentors have discussed Ms. Nuland's unequivocal statement that a federal government employee can abuse the public trust so egregiously that four coworkers die and suffer no career limiting consequences, let alone job dismissal. I guess that it is taken for granted that there is no accountability for poor (to deadly awful) job performance in the federal government. Except for those brave souls who venture into "Indian Country" where personal accountability includes termination with extreme prejudice when your cohorts safe and warm back at Headquarters deem you to be expendable. Rest in Peace Chris, you and your brave colleagues will not be forgotten.
Very much alive and very much still employed is Ms. Charlene Lamb, the State Department's Top Security Official responsible for stripping our Libya Embassy of all military security personnel shortly before the gruesome, murderous attacks on 9/11 last year. In an environment of complete anarchy, in which rival militias were waring daily for control of Benghazzi (these thousands of militants and terrorists were armed to the teeth with Colonel Khadaffi's looted arsenal - larger than many European NATO countries in size and sophistication), Ms. Lamb testified to Congress that a security detail of twelve non-military individuals was adequate protection for our Libyan Diplomats. That four of these brave Americans were slaughtered did not alter Ms. Lamb's absurd conviction.
Now, there is no need to ponder why a certifiably insane person remains employed by the United States Department of State. Another well qualified Department rep., spokesperson, Victoria Nuland, has informed us that pursuant to controlling federal law, incompetence is not deemed to constitute a breach of one's job duty - REALLY, I am not making this up!
Few commentors have discussed Ms. Nuland's unequivocal statement that a federal government employee can abuse the public trust so egregiously that four coworkers die and suffer no career limiting consequences, let alone job dismissal. I guess that it is taken for granted that there is no accountability for poor (to deadly awful) job performance in the federal government. Except for those brave souls who venture into "Indian Country" where personal accountability includes termination with extreme prejudice when your cohorts safe and warm back at Headquarters deem you to be expendable. Rest in Peace Chris, you and your brave colleagues will not be forgotten.
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