The Political Commentator

Terror Trial, Iran, Afghanistan, etc. Are Not Independent Events

exetertraining@aol.com (The Political and Financial Markets Commentator) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 13:35:00 +0000

Hope and Change or Truth or Consequences

What Credibility Does Mr. Obama Think That He Has?

He Talks of Consequences In Iran While Allowing Terrorists To Go On Trial In Civilian Court In The United States

Talk and rhetoric are cheap as the nation and the world has witnessed since the campaign that brought President Obama into office. Actual experience and actions in the election unfortunately took a back seat to speechmaking and smear campaigns. What was the reality for those who fell over each other to pull the lever for Obama was the incessant use of the phrase Hope and Change. Great marketing created from the bowels of a high priced wordsmith hired by the campaign and tested in focus groups for effectiveness.

While that smoke and mirrors may well have fooled those who put him in office, countries such as Russia and China eat his words for lunch. These leaders understand one thing and one thing only. It is not the well turned phrase, but the assumed willingness to back up those phrases with action.

More than flowery speech, those who pass for our allies are keenly aware of the reality behind the Obama words. Statements such as:

"begun discussions with its international partners about the importance of having consequences" "It is going to take time and part of the challenge that we face is that neither North Korea nor Iran seem to be settled enough politically to make quick decisions on these issues."

fools no one into actually believing them. Statements made regarding the fact that the leadership in Iran has only so much time before the United States loses its patience are dismissed out of hand. What credibility does Obama have? As the leader of the worlds last superpower he is holding all of the cards. He has pocket aces with the other two on the table. Unfortunately he is playing it out as if he has no hand with 8 as his high card. Russia and China understand strength. They understand the making of tough, firm and globally unpopular decisions that serve their own countries best interests and they see the United States wanting only to appease.

President Obama is not viewed as decisive or tough. To the contrary he is viewed as extremely weak. He will make decisions to placate other countries to the detriment of our. The recent decision by Eric Holder/Obama for reasons that only the two of them understand could be viewed metaphorically as the straw that broke the camels back in terms of the ultimate insult to the American people and butt kissing to the world. Or at least certain parts of the world. The decision I speak of is the one to try the terrorists involved in the 9/11 bombing in a civilian court in New York as opposed to a quick and easy military tribunal resulting in a quick execution.

Can you imagine for a second that the Russians or Chinese were faced with the same choice? They look at this decision and laugh. That the United States is affording a trial with a jury of peers to these terrorists. Who will comprise this jury of their peers might be one question. Another would be that these mass murderers of American civilians and military are being given rights of any kind. We have the ability to mete out swift judgment while offering these terrorists due process. It is called a military tribunal. After all, is this not where they belong?

At the end of the day our standing in the world has been severely diminished under this administration to the detriment of our national security. The left will say that we are now liked around the world, reversing the damage done by President Bush. The logical thinker will say that we as a nation are much less secure after only a little less than a year of President Obama. It is all well and good to be liked, but if you are not respected, you put the country you were put in office to protect in grave danger.

Hope and Change or Truth or Consequences

Nixon: Manson Guilty

exetertraining@aol.com (The Political and Financial Markets Commentator) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:00:00 +0000

Is The Administration Trying To Lose This Case?

It certainly seems like it. Did Eric Holder and Barack Obama learn nothing from the Charles Manson trial and the statements made by President Nixon? Apparently not. As if it is not bad enough that AG Holder decided to try these terrorists in a civilian court as opposed to a military tribunal, both he and the President seem to have both failed Trial 101, and the more advanced How Not To Prejudice a Jury and Risk an Acquittal 315 in school.

(http://bovinabloviator.blogspot.com/2009_07_01_archive.html)

Is the idea to do everything possible to get these 5 off, or to insure that they are put to death as they should be. How much more fuel can they possibly provide to a defense attorney than they already have? Wait and see.

(AP) "...In one of a series of TV interviews during his trip to Asia, Obama said those offended by the legal privileges given to Mohammed by virtue of getting a civilian trial rather than a military tribunal won't find it "offensive at all when he's convicted and when the death penalty is applied to him...

...Asked what might happen if the suspects are acquitted, Holder replied: "Failure is not an option. These are cases that have to be won. I don't expect that we will have a contrary result."

Newsflash: We Are At War and the Presidential Teleprompter

exetertraining@aol.com (The Political and Financial Markets Commentator) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:00:00 +0000

The Presidential Teleprompter

We Are At War
So Says Attorney General Eric Holder

Prior to beginning his testimony on Wednesday in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee to explain (or more to the point try to explain) the upside to a civilian trial held in New York City versus a military trial for the five terrorists held at Gitmo, he wanted to first make clear that he is aware that a war is going on. Assuming that is true, he should try and explain that fact to his boss.

In any case, as a mere observer from Ground Zero in the War on Terror (Overseas Contingency Operations), what is the possible upside to a civilian trial for those who are in essence war criminals. Is it so a slick lawyer, the best money can buy with funds from who knows where, can make a mockery of the judicial system with stall tactics, attempts to suppress evidence, civilian jurors who could go either way and assuming that there is a conviction, years to an execution.

Does the Attorney General realize that the Pentagon was attacked as well on 9/11? Why not hold a military tribunal down in Washington where justice can be served, without traumatizing an already traumatized city. Unless of course the President wants to be able to preserve his date nights which could be compromised due to the increased security brought on buy a trial in that town.

Net net, like many of the decisions and non-decisions coming from this White House, it all makes absolutely no sense. All of that said, here are some of Holders statements:

-“There was not a political component to my decision,”
-“As a prosecutor, my top priority was simply to select the venue where the government will have the greatest opportunity to present the strongest case.”
-“And at the end of the day, it was clear to me that the venue in which we are most likely to obtain justice for the American people is in federal court.”
On the five areas of misconception regarding the case
- “First, we know that we can prosecute terrorists in our federal courts safely and securely because we have been doing so for years,”
-“Second, we can protect classified material during trial.”
-“Third, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed will have no more of a platform to spew his hateful ideology in federal court than he would have had in a military commission.”
-“Fourth, there is nothing common – there is nothing common – about the treatment the alleged 9-11 conspirators will receive.”
-“Finally, there are some who have said that the decision means that we have reverted to a pre-9-11 mentality, or that we don’t realize that this nation is at war. I know that we are at war. I know that we are at war with a vicious enemy who targets our soldiers on the battlefield in Afghanistan and our civilians in the streets here at home.”

Hmmmmmm.

Has Anyone Seen My Contact Lens?

exetertraining@aol.com (The Political and Financial Markets Commentator) — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:00:00 +0000

Yet Another Example Of Portrayed American Weakness Under The Obama Administration
Bows to the Emperor of Japan at a perfect 90 degree angle

Bows to the King Of Saudi Arabia at slightly less than 90 degrees
Metaphorically Bowing To Russia and China At A Full 90 degrees As They Call The Shots
May As Well Be Bowing In Iran and Afghanistan

Focus On The Japanese and Saudi Bow

Merely a show of respect according to the mainstream media and not an act of subservience.
Just a show of respect to a foreign leader.
Roll that around the tongue for a few seconds and it starts to sound as if it may even be okay.
A show of respect for the King of Saudi Arabia and the long list of suspect actions committed or sanctioned by that regime as well as the country of the 9/11 bombers.

Hypocrisy Of The Media

Let me ask you this then. A few days ago I wrote a short article entitled "Saluting The American Flag Optional?" with pictures of the President along with members of his administration as well as members of the military. All with hands over heart or salutes save for one. You guessed it, the President.

Now if bowing to foreign leaders is apparently an accepted show of respect, what then is the refusal to show our own flag respect? Hmmmm.

The feedback I got was that this accusation of a lack of patriotism was a non-starter. That for the Star Spangled Banner, unlike the Pledge of Allegiance, the hand over the heart or a salute was optional. A show of patriotism is never optional for a president, unless of course he doesn't feel it. He is the role model for the women, children and men of the country. What lesson is he teaching?

Number 9, number 9, number 9, number 9, number 9

exetertraining@aol.com (The Political and Financial Markets Commentator) — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 01:07:00 +0000

Remember The Beatles Revolution 9? Very Strange. Sorry, That Was Penny Lane
President Obama Could Potentially Hold The Ninth Meeting On Afghanistan This Week

President Obama is off on his trip to the Far East, ready to come home to deal with the many items piling up on his plate: healthcare, the economy, Thanksgiving, Democrat fundraising, the environment, early Christmas shopping, you name it. Busy, busy schedule. Somewhere in all of that he will fit in his ninth meeting with his war council on the troop decision in Afghanistan. To date he has spent a good 20-30 hours with them. That 20-30 hours has been spread over many months (close to 11 in office to date), leading one to believe that this decision is not his number one priority.

He probably spends more time than that in a week lobbying for his healthcare bill. What message is this sending to the rest of the world, let alone his troops and the country.

Multiple Choice Problem

(A)Meticulous decision maker? (B)Dotter of I's and crosser of T's? (C)Focused leader? (D)Procrastinator? (E)Unfocused? (F)Weak? (G)Indecisive? (H)Unable to prioritize? (I) Military and the troops a low priority? (J) Worst kind of politician putting a healthcare bill ahead of the safety and lives of our troops?

1. A, B and C
2. A, B and not C
3. A,C and not B
4. B,C and Not A
5. D, E, F, G, H, I, J (and more)
Hint: #5

Even The MSM Is Catching On
Things are getting a little dicey when members of the press actually ask questions with bite, rather than giving the President the free ride that he has had since the time he began running for office. The President and his handlers obviously do not like being held accountable, as the tone of response shows.

This from the AP's Jennifer Loven in Shanghai: (Post-Gazette)"Can you explain to people watching and criticizing your deliberations what piece of information you're still lacking to make that call."

The President then countered with what appears to be the official talking point on the matter.

"With respect to Afghanistan, Jennifer," the president scolded, "I don't think this is a matter of some datum of information that I'm waiting on. Critics of the process tend not to be folks who are directly involved in what's happening in Afghanistan. Those who are, recognize the gravity of the situation and recognize the importance of us getting this right."

Maybe General McCrystal should get more involved, because according to the President's statement he is not.

The President: "I am very pleased with how the process has proceeded," he said. "And those who participated I think would acknowledge that it has been not a academic exercise, but a necessary process in order to make sure that we're making the best possible decisions."

20 - 30 of discussion hours spread over 11 months is not an academic process or any other type of process. It is neglect. With soldiers lives on the line. The same soldiers he professes concern for in photo ops at Dover AFB.

2012: An Article Of What Constitutes Off Limits In The New World

exetertraining@aol.com (The Political and Financial Markets Commentator) — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:53:00 +0000

2012

The following article is a discussion of the movie which looks at the supposed end of the world in 2012. Within the movie there are depictions of the destruction of important religious icons around the world but for one religion. Why? The reason is fear. Not fear of offending because many of the pictures and scenes in the movie have the potential to offend one religion or another. No, it is fear of violent retribution. This poses a problem going forward, as the situation stands to only get worse.

Article by David Rusin: 2012: Rated D for Dhimmitude

"Who will survive 2012?" asks a website promoting Roland Emmerich's new end-of-the-world film set three years from now. The answer: Muslims — or at least their cherished holy places:

For his latest disaster movie, 2012, the 53-year-old director had wanted to demolish the Kaaba, the iconic cube-shaped structure in the Grand Mosque in Mecca. …

But after some consideration, he decided it might not be such a smart idea, after all.

"I wanted to do that, I have to admit," Emmerich told SciFiWire.com. "But my co-writer Harald [Kloser] said I will not have a fatwa on my head because of a movie. And he was right."

Just about every landmark on the planet gets pummeled in the CGI-heavy 2012, including the Vatican and the statue of Christ overlooking Rio de Janeiro. But naturally the director expresses no worries of being targeted by Christians. Instead, he proudly explains that seeing St. Peter's Basilica crash and the statue crumble pleases him "because I'm against organized religion."

Emmerich's frank admissions echo those of British artist Grayson Perry, who has stated that he trashes Christianity but avoids Islam "because I feel real fear that someone will slit my throat." Yet while their candor about not wishing to become the next Theo van Gogh may be rare, examples of creative types pussyfooting around Muslims are not. A 2008 IW essay explores this phenomenon in the art world. Cases from film and television are just as common. Among them:

For the 2002 movie The Sum of All Fears, Arab Muslim terrorists from Tom Clancy's novel were turned into white neo-fascists, thus satisfying the demands of CAIR.

The 2005 season of the Fox drama 24, featuring a Muslim family as a sleeper cell, ran a disclaimer with Kiefer Sutherland offering assurances that the plotline is not meant to besmirch American Muslims. CAIR's fingerprints are here as well.

Comedy Central censored an image of the Islamic prophet in a 2006 episode of South Park. Yet the same episode depicts "Jesus defecating on the American flag."

In 2008 British comedian Ben Elton argued that a "scared" BBC "will let vicar gags pass but they would not let imam gags pass." He even reported that he had been warned against using the rather innocuous phrase "Muhammad came to the mountain."

Recently HBO's Curb Your Enthusiasm had star Larry David urinate on a picture of Jesus. Jamie Glazov asks whether we might ever see him similarly profane books and symbols sacred to Muslims. And, if not, "what meaning and lesson do we draw from this?"

The answer is no; the lesson is that political correctness and fear are turning Hollywood into Dhimmiwood, where eager capitulations by Roland Emmerich and company will only embolden Islamists and soften us up for disasters far worse than computerized explosions.

Iran: What Credibility Do The Words Of This Man Have?

exetertraining@aol.com (The Political and Financial Markets Commentator) — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 09:00:00 +0000

Not Ahmadinejad But Barack Obama

I don't know about the rest of you, but the fact that Iran is running this show, making the international community look like fools on the subject of the nuclear armament of this rogue country is extremely troubling. It is unfortunately very obvious that Iran is going to be able to play out the string due to the United States lack of resolve and the double dealing of our negotiating partners.

(Fox News) "President Obama told Iran Sunday that the international community will not wait in perpetuity for the regime respond to a UN offer over its nuclear program. "We are now running out of time with respect to that approach," he said, sitting alongside Russian President Dmitri Medvedev."

Unfortunately, when the time comes that the patience runs out our next step will be sanctions in the hands of the impotent United Nations, along with our partners who will likely go back door to violate them. But first let's look at the time factor.

I suppose that the underlying question regarding President Obama's statement would be just how big the hourglass filled with sand is. Is it an egg timer, or as big as all outdoors. Judging by his decision making prowess concerning troop deployment to Afghanistan, why would one believe that his definition of time is anything more than just another open ended statement. There is a lot of space between today and in perpetuity, and it is anyones guess where President Obama would be on that timeline. By the time any credible action is taken the Iranian missiles could already be airborne. Or worse the nukes that they develop could be in the suitcase of a terrorist making his or her way to a world city.

While both the Iranian and Afghan policy decisions are complex and critical, Iran has many more moving parts to the extent that coalition building is required and there is an unknown involved as to just how close that country is to deployable nuclear weapons. And what exactly is the President's resolve to make a decision that may involve a unilateral move as our allies China and Russia are playing both sides of the issue?

It's 10:00 PM, Do You Know What Your Children Are Playing With?

exetertraining@aol.com (The Political and Financial Markets Commentator) — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 22:22:00 +0000

Modern Warfare 2: MA

Disclaimer: I do not play video games, and the only snippet that I have seen of the recently released Modern Warfare 2 is in the video below.

I am not here to provide my moral judgement of this game which appears to be incredibly violent, and that seems to my untrained eye to reward that violence as being the key in the players quest to "win".

This genre of game is now an ingrained part of our society for better or worse, and a huge money maker for the companies that develop them (MW2 opening day sales of 4.7 million copies or $310 million). They are not going to be taken off of the market now or at any time in the future. As with most entertainment, future releases will have to keep pushing the envelope in order to maintain the excitement level among the players that buy them. This was apparent in the morphing of the Grand Theft Auto series.

Therefore, the short answer is that these games will continue to be produced and continue to be purchased aggressively by gamers around the world.

PG or Parental Guidance

This is where the art of parenting comes into play, with the need for adults to set limits for children. While young kids may want Modern Warfare 2 or other games like it, it is up to their guardians to say no and to attempt and exert the oversight that will prevent them from playing somewhere else. This is the difficult part of being a parent, the part of saying no and sticking to it.

Nobody said being a parent was easy, but it are the kids that will benefit in the future from the limits set for them today. There will plenty of time later on for a 14 year old to play these games once they turn 18, and think how much better the graphics will be.

Saluting The American Flag Optional?

exetertraining@aol.com (The Political and Financial Markets Commentator) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 20:17:00 +0000

No Flag Pin On The Lapel. No Salute Or Hand Over The Heart For The National Anthem!

From the one picture speaks 1,000 words department, here are 2,000. Just a little food for thought on a Friday afternoon. The picture on top is Memorial Day this year, and the one below is during the Presidential campaign. Unless the music is over and the others on the podium are frozen in position, President Obama was just not inspired to show his respect for the American flag and by extension the Country. Now there is different protocol for the Pledge of Allegiance and the National Anthem, but not for a President. And apparently not for the others he is standing with.

This our Commander-in-Chief who professes love of country and love for the troops. Is this just another administration example of rhetoric over reality? Is this a red flag? Just some food for thought for Friday Happy Hour.

Examiner.com

exetertraining@aol.com (The Political and Financial Markets Commentator) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 17:53:00 +0000

Homeland Security Columnist At Examiner.com

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It is simple to subscribe for email delivery straight to your inbox. Simply go to my specific page, New York Homeland Security. Then, by clicking on the subscribe button to the right of my name and entering your email address, you will be one of the first to know that an article is available.

As always you can continue to read articles at the The Political Commentator, subscribe for email delivery or receive articles as a feed. It is always good to have options! Any way you read it, I am always eager to receive your thoughts and feedback.

Mike

From The Picture Archive and A Rhetorical Masterpiece, Now What?

exetertraining@aol.com (The Political and Financial Markets Commentator) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 10:40:00 +0000

From The Archives: Pakistan Airline Ad Circa 1979

(Gothamist) "This ad for Pakistan Airlines is real. And in the history of advertising, it really takes the creepy cake. Even worse than babies endorsing cigarettes! Seriously, if Nostradamus ran an ad firm to warn the world about blowback, this would have been in his portfolio.

It appeared in the March 19th, 1979 issue of Le Point (and surely countless other publications). Yes, the shadow is in pretty much in the same place as where the planes hit on September 11th, and there's no way the shadow should be that big unless it's seconds away from hitting the towers...but we don't think this should evoke any conspiracy theories. Right?"

President Obama Gives Good Speech: Afghanistan Ad Nauseum

No question about it. When he is scripted he will typically deliver well as he did at the memorial ceremony at Fort Hood. He spoke for an un-Obama like 15 minutes with little of the speech focused on himself as it so often is. He spoke of his admiration and respect for the soldiers in the military, saying "We need not look to the past for greatness, because it is before our very eyes."

Strong words. Words fraught with emotion that indicate his overwhelming support for the military he commands. But as always, actions speak louder than words, and his actions are indicative of a politician who is more concerned with protecting his base and edge in Congress than he is in dealing with the pressing issues of Afghanistan, Iran and North Korea. This has nothing to do with the many days it took to get down to the base after the attack, but more to due with his procrastination and indecisiveness in the face of ever increasing violence and death in both Pakistan and Afghanistan.

In the many months since the McCrystal troop surge request was leaked, President Obama has been moving in relative slow motion. Eight meetings in the four months since the request was made, and only this week did the ambassador in Afghanistan, Karl Eikenberry, provide his assessment which recommends no troops until the Karzai government proves that it is up to the task of cleaning things up. This is the opinion of a man the President apparently has much faith in, so why is it only being provided now? Is it possible that he is more forthcoming now that the healthcare vote is done in the House? I certainly hope that is not the reason but one is left scratching the head of the lack of any urgency to deal with this problem.

If you don't want to rush the decision, and not rushing is the correct thing to do, then accelerate the delivery of the information that you need to make the decision. The President has the entire world at his beck and call, and the process could have been condensed. It now appears after yesterdays summit that any decision is going to be pushed back weeks. This is due to the fact that the four options currently on the table due not adequately address the ultimate endgame of Afghani takeover and the United States ability to withdraw.

Now I am not an expert on the inner workings of this foreign policy decision, but it would seem to me that these questions, only now arising, would have been questions that could have been foreseen and addressed months ago. Why does this process seem so haphazard and seat of the pants. Is it at all possible, that despite the rhetoric, this was actually a back burner issue while healthcare is pending?

The fact that commentary on the lack of an Obama decision in Afghanistan continues to get ink is unfortunate, both for the readers and for the country. This situation will be rectified when the long awaited strategy is announced. Until then....

Fort Hood: How Safe Are The Rest Of Us?

exetertraining@aol.com (The Political and Financial Markets Commentator) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 09:00:00 +0000

Fort Hood Shooter

At Fort Hood, the largest military base in the country, it would be assumed that it would have a superior level of security, at least when compared to the streets of New York City, Chicago or some other urban area. People are watched going in and out of the base, they are constantly observed and they are subject to the rules and disciplines of the armed forces. In our cities and towns there is no such surveillance or rules. Malik Nadal Hasan was a known entity, and one whose actions had been under scrutiny. In other words, all of the signs were there if someone wanted to see them.

Contact with Imam Anwar al-Aulaqi
Purchase of a gun in August
Internet postings on suicide bombings
Speech given on the divided loyalties of Muslim soldiers
Vocal opponent of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan

Hasan's faith may help determine the answer to the question of why all of the warning signs were overlooked or dismissed as unimportant. The level of political correctness in our society has reached epic proportions. Even today, after many facts are in, some are loathe to label this a terrorist attack. Even the FBI had initially said terrorism was not involved before any of the facts had even surfaced. Some people and groups are strictly off limits, because to bring up the facts as existed in this case would have potentially created a firestorm. Not only in Killeen or the State of Texas, but potentially internationally. The government does not like firestorms of controversy. Particularly under President Obama, we just want to be liked, get along and maintain the status quo with the rest of the world.

That mentality, which helped to result in the mass murder at Fort Hood should be heeded, because the United States is dealing with these issues on a global scale. The benign neglect that led to these shootings is but a small window to the benign neglect going on concerning Iran, North Korea and in Afghanistan. The warning signs are all there, yet we refuse to act. When it is to late, as it was at Fort Hood, will we again look back and say that in hindsight it was all painfully obvious.

Iran has reportedly been working on technology to put nuclear warheads on missiles. They are making fools of the international community led by the United States concerning the deal made to ship enriched uranium out of the country. They have nuclear facilities that the IAEA was unaware of. The international community dithers while Iran goes along on its merry way.

If the warning signs were ignored on a military base, where will they be found and dealt with early enough to prevent something like Fort Hood, or something on an even a larger scale from occurring?

Afghanistan: Overseas Healthcare Operations

exetertraining@aol.com (The Political and Financial Markets Commentator) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:49:00 +0000

Author's Note: Although I understand that a great deal of focus is spent by me on foreign affairs and national security issues, the events at Fort Hood have shown that the United States faces threats not only overseas, but on our own soil as well. The phrase "Overseas Contingency Operations," coined by this White House was an attempt to deflect that reality so that domestic issues could become the priority. The reality is here and now.

We face a Global War On Terror, and that certainly includes the United States. There are people and groups that would like to see our society and way of life destroyed, and places like Afghanistan and Pakistan are ground zero for the development of the terrorists. We unfortunately have some of those same issues here. Let your representatives know that you are aware of where the focus in Washington should be. If the terrorists and countries such as Iran have their way, domestic issues will not matter.

If Only Afghanistan Could Be Renamed Overseas Healthcare Operations: Then It Would Get The Presidents Attention!

Until then, whatever decision is ultimately made will be done in dribs and drabs, fit in around a domestic agenda.

For those of you keeping track as I am of the machinations and deliberations taking place in the White House, Wednesday marked meeting number 8 on the road to a decision on troop deployments in Afghanistan. This situation, not surprisingly, is not extensively covered on your evening news, but it brings up questions as to the Commander-in-Chief, decision making capabilities of this President.

The protection of our people, soldiers and way of life is in no way connected to political considerations. Homeland security is not determined by anything more than what needs to be done to keep Americans safe. This is not the place to be pandering to your base, playing to the polls or for making nice with the very same people that want to destroy you, and who are playing us as patsies.

Over time, he has also raised questions as to his Campaigner-in-Chief capabilities (John Corzine), Olympian-in-Chief (Chicago going down in the 1st round), Diplomat-in-Chief (giving away the store and receiving nothing in return) and Healthcare Reform Obsessive-in-Chief as well. But those are secondary issues to the security of the country.

On Tuesday, Press secretary Robert Gibbs said this:

(AP) "President Barack Obama is considering four options for realigning U.S. strategy in Afghanistan, his spokesman said Tuesday, while military officials said the choices involve several ways the president could employ additional U.S. forces next year.

White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said Obama will discuss the four scenarios with his national security team on Wednesday. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One en route to Fort Hood, Texas, Gibbs would not offer details about those options. He insisted that Obama has not made a decision about troop deployments..."

It sounds very much as if he is not close to a decision. He had his limited time in the Senate, the presidential campaign and close to a year in office to digest and understand the problem. He has had months since the McCrystal recommendation was first leaked. In those months he has had the opportunity to meet with whatever people he wanted to, as many times as he wanted to in order to understand the facts, hear the opinions and to develop a plan, but he has chosen instead to meet 8 times.

In this time we have seen a pick-up in violence in both Afghanistan and Pakistan. Is there a correlation? Some people thrive on the indecision and perceived weakness of others. That would be a good description of our enemy.

For the sake of the country, let's hope the President is getting close to a decision, and that he makes the right decision for all of us, and not for his political aspirations!

Veterans Day: Thank You

exetertraining@aol.com (The Political and Financial Markets Commentator) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 09:00:00 +0000

Veterans Day 2009

We celebrate our veterans, both living and dead who have dedicated themselves to keeping our nation free and great. Some have made the ultimate sacrifice, while others have suffered injuries that affect them, or affected them for the rest of their lives. Those of us that never served will never know of the sacrifices they have made, some in body and some in mind, but on Veterans Day we stop and take the time to thank them all.

Let's take the time all of the other days of the year as well.

Thank you!

America's Wars Total
U.S. Military Service During War................43,185,893

Battle Deaths................................................653,708
Other Deaths (In Theater).................................14,560
Other Deaths in Service (Non-Theater).............525,930
Non-mortal Woundings................................1,447,281
Living War Veterans..................................17,835,000
Living Veterans (War & Peacetime)............23,698,000

(Courtesy of HNN)

Another Man's Obama Opinion

exetertraining@aol.com (The Political and Financial Markets Commentator) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:23:00 +0000

It's Not Just Me

I have been writing commentary on President Obama for some time now, and on the day after the Berlin Wall ceremonies which he did not attend, wanted to offer the thoughts of Neoavatara. These thoughts are very similar to mine, but may help those who do not agree by hearing them said in another way.

For those leaning left, have an open mind and take off the rose colored glasses. Understand the inactions and perceptions that he is fostering around the world. It is not a right/left issue, but a United States issue.

Neoavatara: Obama The Clueless

I have more than given Barack Obama the benefit of the doubt on many foreign affair issues. I have made excuses for him regarding missing the 20th anniversary ceremonies at the Berlin Wall, and even defended his slow, methodical discussions regarding Afghanistan.

But anyone with any rational thinking whatsoever has to be getting really worried.

With the Berlin Wall Anniversary, I understand that it is more symbolism than substance. But Mr. Obama’s entire foreign policy is built solely on symbolism…the symbol that he, unlike his predecessor, is a man of the world.

In this case, Mr. Obama was blind to the reality of the world. European papers have been ripping Obama to shreds over his absence yesterday. The French, Polish, and English newspapers have been laughing at Obama all week for his ‘busy schedule’, basically joking that he is sitting in his office pondering his own greatness. Der Spiegel, a left leaning German paper, went even farther, basically stating that Mr. Obama skipped the ceremonies because the attention would not be on him:

There was one world leader absent for today’s commemorations marking the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. Surprisingly enough, it’s President Barack Obama, who found time last year to give a campaign speech there last year, which Der Spiegel summed up as “People of the World, Look at Me”.The White House has cited a packed schedule, though looking at it he had nothing much on yesterday (brief chat to reporters about healthcare – by far his biggest priority) and just blah briefings and a bill signing today until a metting this evening with Benjamin Netanyahu. This time, Der Spiegel has reported it as “Barack Too Busy”.

And to illustrate the point, Mr. Obama sent a taped address to Germany that did not mention Ronald Reagan or Margaret Thatcher, but did somehow refer to himself several times. “Few would have seen on that day that… that their American ally would be led by a man of African descent.” Um, who cares?

Obama’s 3 month walkabout on Afghanistan continues as well. He will begin discussing 5 options for Afghanistan. Ironically, only one of those is from the military itself (Gen. Stanley McChrystal’s plan, sent to him in July). Several news agencies had reported that Obama had decided on sending 34,000 troops (at the low end of what the military asked for), but that was quickly shot down by the White House. It likely was a trial balloon for the White House to see how the public would react.

The more time passes, the more and more one has to believe that this is more than just simple deliberative thought process that is holding up the decision. It is, in fact, indecision. Clearly his political advisors are divided, with Sec. of State Hillary Clinton and Sec. of Defense Robert Gates both defending the military, and Sen. John Kerry and Vice President Joseph Biden (both of whom, incidentally, have been wrong on virtually every foreign affair crisis over the past quarter century) asking for a much smaller military footprint in Afghanistan.

The decision making on Afghanistan and the Pakistan border is difficult, but not that difficult. The first logical question is whether the war is worth fighting; Obama has answered that in the affirmative on multiple times, and has clearly stated that he will not pull out of Afghanistan. O.K., taking that into consideration, the second question is how to achieve victory? That is not a political question, like the initial question is. It is a purely military one. Once you have decided a war is worth fighting for and winning, the military must be given the tools to win the war outright. Correct?

I criticized former V.P. Dick Cheney when he said Obama was ‘dithering’ on the Afghanistan decision. I take back the criticism. At this point, Obama frankly has no excuses left. The Afghan election, for better or worse, is over. Hamid Karzai is the leader, and he is who we have to deal with. Afghanistan never has been or never will be the ideal situation. For Obama and his cohorts to hope for that is a waste of time. Obama is left with the war we have, not the war he would choose. And the time to choose has come and gone.

Frankly, these two scenarios have to be worrisome. In general, even during last year’s election, I thought Obama was a pragmatist on foreign affairs. I no longer believe that. He is a political animal first and foremost. Berlin did not give him any political points, so he skipped it all together. Afghanistan is full of potholes, and has nothing but negative political future potential, and thus he cannot make a decision. Presidents are ultimately the Commander in Chief. It is time that Barack Obama acted like it.

Taliban With U.S. Weapons In Afghanistan

exetertraining@aol.com (The Political and Financial Markets Commentator) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 13:31:00 +0000

What Do You Get If You Keep Sitting On Your Hands Mr. President?

You know the punch line to that old joke.

When you say that you want to win the war, what exactly does that mean? Slow motion only works in sports replays. You got the vote in the House on healthcare, so now how much longer do we wait for a decision on troops in Afghanistan? Until it is to late?

Decision by omission, politics and procrastination do not make for a winning strategy.

Malik Nadal Hasan and Jews and Blacks In World War II: Racism and Anti-Semitism

exetertraining@aol.com (The Political and Financial Markets Commentator) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 09:00:00 +0000

Did They Shoot Up Their Bases And Kill Their Tormentors?

Is Hasan A Victim Or A Perpetrator?

During World War II, as well as most other times in recent history, both blacks and Jews faced a degree of torment during basic training or after being deployed.

(Forward) Jerome Minkow graduated from high school in the Bronx on January 30, 1945 and entered the army on January 31. When he reached basic training at Camp Blanding down South he couldn’t understand how he could be such an oddity for his fellow GIs. One of them even asked him to sign a piece of paper to show the folks back home what a Jew’s signature looked like. Minkow was flabbergasted, and stunned by the animus that surrounded him. He regularly found himself in fights. Eventually Minkow earned respect in the boxing ring.

(Daily Progress) When Frank C. Brown showed up to serve his country in World War II, he got beatings and an insult.
It wasn’t just the normal treatment Marine recruits get, either. It was because he was black. In 1943, Brown, who now lives in Kents Store in Fluvanna County, enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in Washington.

How did these soldiers deal with the mistreatment that was based solely on who they were or what they believed? No pulling of weapons. No killings. No national apologies or attention to the problem to help the Jewish or black soldiers deal with the situation. If it was dealt with at all, it was mano y mano with fists.

Some in the news and elsewhere seem to be attempting to blame the murder committed at Fort Hood on the treatment that Major Hasan had reportedly received as it concerned his Muslin faith from some of his fellow soldiers. Is this a Columbine situation where the man was an abused outsider driven to kill? In a politically correct world where the truth is manipulated in order to make the committer of the act the victim of his own actions, that seems to be the attempt by many. On a certain level it has been made to sound as if the United States should apologize for putting Hasan in the position where he was left no choice but to commit mass murder.

I say that this position is wrong. Very wrong. As discussed before, groups through out time have been on the receiving end of taunts from their comrades due to either religious, ethnic or racial factors. That did not drive them to shoot up their base, killing or wounding many while allegedly screaming words indicating that this was a pre-planned act carried out for very specific reasons. A fight with the tormentor most likely, but not gunfire.

Prosthelytizing, Radical Mentor, Terrorist Associates, Radical Views

Not to go through all of the factors that may very well lead to the conclusion that this was in fact an act of domestic terrorism, but we as a nation need to take a step back and end the process of being apologists for ourselves when it comes to conflicts at home and around the world.

All those on the left and the ACLU groupies who seem to take pleasure in the picking apart of acts of violence, inevitably coming to the conclusion that the perpetrators had their hands forced by some wrong inflicted by the United States. Perhaps they need to understand more completely that there are in fact groups of people who hate us and our way of life in a way and to a depth that is difficult to comprehend, and that no level of appeasement or apology is going to change that.

We can look to alter ourselves all that we want, but it will not change the reality of the world that we are living in. Political correctness is all well and good at a prep school, but not in the real world! Not when people want to eradicate you!

American Ex-Pat View Of The Fall of the Wall

exetertraining@aol.com (The Political and Financial Markets Commentator) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 19:52:00 +0000

Below is a note sent to me today by Bill Dawson, one of my regular readers in Vienna, Austria. He is the author of the German History Blog, and offered this picture, note and other resources dedicated to this anniversary of an extraordinary day 20 years ago. The fall of the Berlin Wall. As he mentions below, it is unfortunate that the leader of the free world does not seem to deem it as significant as say...staying on Capitol Hill twisting arms on his healthcare monstrosity or jetting off to pitch the Chicago Olympic Games. Interesting priorities.

Dear Michael,

First I want to say "Happy Anniversary" because I know that to freedom lovers such as yourselves and your readers, the 20th anniversary of the seminal event marking the end of communism in Europe is something to be celebrated. (Even if just one of the heads of state of the former four-power occupiers, our own President Barack Obama, doesn't find the occasion important enough to join the other three in Berlin.)

I want to also suggest that, while we celebrate, we also remember the victims. Because of my focus area, German History, the German victims of communism are of course most interesting to me. So on 9 November I will be sure to take a moment to think of people like Ida Siekmann, the Wall's first victim. I'll also be thinking about former political prisoners such as Wolfgang Welsch, who spent seven years in Stasi prisons until he was sold -- yes, sold -- to West Germany. In Mr. Welsch's case, I'm pleased to report that he is still with us today -- despite three attempts on his life by Stasi agents after he left East Germany -- working tirelessly within Germany to remind and educate people of the nature of the second German dictatorship.

In case your readers are interested in immersing themselves in this extremely important anniversary, I've put up a resources page concerning the Fall of the Berlin Wall, in addition to the several blog posts I've made over the last four weeks or so in preparation for the November 9 anniversary. If I could share a direct link to one of my favorite recents posts, it would be the one wherein I quote a few letters from an East German penpal writing to my wife in 1988 and 1989. I think you and your readers will find the words of this young man quite stirring.

Thank you for celebrating this important anniversary.

Best regards,
Bill Dawson
German History Blog

Major Nidal Malik Hasan: Unlikely Terrorist?

exetertraining@aol.com (The Political and Financial Markets Commentator) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 09:00:00 +0000

Problem For Society

Educated psychiatrist. Articulate and vocal defender of his religion. Protester of the United States participation in the war in Iraq as a war on his religion and not on the people. Disgruntled soldier who wanted out. Internet author of radical views. Finally a murderer of his fellow American soldiers.

But for the last two descriptors, this profile could describe millions of Americans. Educated. Passionate. Anti-war. Staunch believers in their faith. The difference may be the radical direction that some such as Hasan are being led (unconfirmed reports are that Hasan attended the same mosque as two of the 9/11 terrorists, which at the time was led by radical Imam Anwar al-Awlaki) , and what it is that in their minds represents an acceptable resolution for differences. Tolerance of ideas different than ones own, or total intolerance. Vocal protest or the murder of those with beliefs different than your own.

In hindsight, those now looking into the past of Hasan see the clues and the warning signs, but will anyone put those clues together proactively next time first in order to prevent a tragedy? As I said before, these traits are not that different from anyone else with an opinion that is willing to articulate them. And will putting these facts together be decried as racial profiling and therefore not to be allowed to be pursued?

There is little question that intolerance of one kind or another is being incubated in portions of various religions and groups around the country and the world. Religious, ethnic and other types as well. Look at some examples. India versus Pakistan. The ethnic cleansing in the old Yugoslavia. The genocide in Africa. Uigurs versus Han in China. Not one in particular, but many.

Some are focused on peaceful demonstration to promote ideas and ideological differences, while others take it to the next level, and some to the ultimate level.

Here is an open question. How do we as a society deal with the unpredictable nature of this problem that has the potential to bubble over into deadly violence at any time? In a politically correct world, what is the solution? If we know that a certain Imam is preaching hatred and supporting the idea of Jihad, do we use surveillance techniques or would that be an ACLU violation?

If you have an idea to deal with this problem, pass it along.

Fallen Soldiers Take Second Fiddle To A Department of the Interior Conference

exetertraining@aol.com (The Political and Financial Markets Commentator) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 22:27:00 +0000

12 Murdered, 31 Injured, Not The Presidents Priority

If you thought that President Obama was negligent in his lack of attention to national security issues due to his overwhelming concentration on jamming healthcare reform down our throats, his first response to the tragedy that occurred at Fort Hood is equally telling. Stepping out to the podium, the crowd expecting to hear solemn words, heartfelt sympathy and potentially even anger at the seemingly religiously motivated shootings resulting in military deaths and wounded on our very own soil, they heard the statement below instead.

What are the priorities of this President? Does he know the seriousness of what happened at Fort Hood? Does he care? Does he truly sympathize with the soldiers, civilians and their families or is this just more rhetoric that he was fed to say? Judging by the priorities of his speech I would say that like most everything else coming out of this White House it is merely the rhetoric they think people want to hear. Only this time they screwed up the order of his delivery.

The left can say what they will about our former President, but he had and still has a deep feeling for our men and women in combat and sincere sorrow for any who make the ultimate sacrifice. President Obama making the very public move of going to Dover Air Force Base to see soldiers being returned from overseas was great P.R. However, his priorities in his speech and ability to inject levity when he spoke may tell you all that you need to know.

Robert Reich: Healthcare Advice To Obama From An Unlikely Source

exetertraining@aol.com (The Political and Financial Markets Commentator) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:49:00 +0000

Priorities, Priorities, Priorities

Robert Reich, staunch partisan democrat, made these comments in his blog November 1 regarding the priorities of the Obama administration. Today's employment numbers make them that much more valid.

"Obama's focus on health care rather than jobs, when the economy is still so fragile and unemployment moving toward double digits, could make it appear that the administration has its priorities confused. While affordable health care is critically important to Americans, making a living is more urgent. Yet the administration's efforts to date on this more basic concern have been neither particularly visible nor coherent...

...While health care reform, if done right, can help American families stay afloat in the economy, the current bills won't offer most Americans any appreciable decline in the cost of their health insurance nor clear improvement in the efficiency or quality of the health care they receive, and those who will benefit won't see the benefits until 2014 at the earliest. All this is partly a result of Obama's sharpest break from Clinton -- whose ambitious health care plan drew immediate fire from Big Pharma, the American Medical Association, and health insurers: The Obama White House bought off the medical-industrial complex by promising it fatter profits, bolstered by tens of millions of new paying customers.

That and other deals cut with industry -- including promises to Big Pharma that Medicare wouldn't use its bargaining clout to reduce drug prices, to the AMA that doctors wouldn't have to face larger cuts in Medicare reimbursement rates, and to private insurers that the White House wouldn't fight hard for a public insurance option -- are likely to make the resulting reform far more costly than it would be otherwise. These extra costs will be borne by those Americans who will be required to buy insurance but won't qualify for federal assistance, along with Medicare beneficiaries who will be paying more and receiving less. These people may not know they're indirectly paying the costs of buying off these industries, but they'll know they're getting shafted (Republicans will be sure to make them aware, even though the GOP has a much longer record of shafting the middle class for the benefit of big business)..."

Obama Interim Grade: F

exetertraining@aol.com (The Political and Financial Markets Commentator) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:17:00 +0000

Unemployment, Domestic Policy, Foreign Policy, International Stature All Rate A Failing Grade

The employment report released this morning inspired a look at exactly what it is that President Obama has accomplished, or not accomplished over the course of almost one year in office. Although the Democrats will say that whatever has occurred is due to the fact that he "inherited" the problems, it is time to own it. As the shooting yesterday at Fort Hood shows, we live in an extremely dangerous world and healthcare reform is not going to solve our national security issues.

Teacher Comments: While Barack plays well with his international friends and has had no trouble becoming well liked, he demonstrates no urgency regarding any of the real problems facing the country. While outgoing, he does not seem to be taken seriously by his peers. Further, his political considerations seem to usurp national security considerations which could lead to a very bad result down the road. Overall, his failures trump his congeniality successes, and forces the interim grade of F. With renewed focus on dealing with those situations that truly matter to the country, there is definite room for improvement.

Stimulus Package: Unemployment reaches 10.2% with the actual rate factoring in part time workers who want full time work and those who have given up at over 17%.

Foreign Policy: Iran is apparently testing an advanced nuclear warhead design while we give oversight to the IAEA. The deal for Iran to ship fuel out of the country is going nowhere, and as it seems to be off of the front pages it is being ignored by the Administration. Violence in Pakistan and Afghanistan is surging while the decision to provide additional troops has been put off for months with no decision pending in the near future.

Domestic Policy: Total focus on passing a government takeover of healthcare that the American public does not want, at least concerning the Democrat bill. This move towards socialism will further hurt an already hurting economy, and few if any programs run by the government end up being run well. The President is presiding over an environment of partisan politics not seen for a very long time if ever.

Political: Recent losses by Democrats in New Jersey and Virginia governors races indicate a national dissatisfaction with the direction that things are moving.

World Stature: As mentioned before, although President Obama is well liked by his leader friends around the world, he seems to be considered as a President light given the way that his policies are treated. Examples include the giving up of missile defense in Eastern Europe to appease the Russians and receiving nothing promised in return. The Iranians in negotiations seem to consider him to be the second coming of Jimmy Carter, and by not going to the anniversary ceremony of the fall of the Berlin Wall, what message is he sending?

It is the sincere hope of the nation and the world that President Obama renews his focus on the things that truly matter to the country, national security first and foremost, and that his grade drastically improves.

Obama: All Healthcare All Of The Time

exetertraining@aol.com (The Political and Financial Markets Commentator) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 09:00:00 +0000

Note: It is the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.

Ronald Reagan: 0 Nobel Peace Prizes
President Obama: 1 Nobel Peace Prize

The Politics Of Healthcare Supersedes The Security Of The Country

Watching the news intraday on Thursday, a familiar character appeared on the screen.

Low and behold, on a day when ordinary citizens descended on the capitol to show their disapproval of the Pelosi bill due to come up for vote as early as this weekend, President Obama made a move that he had only made twice before. He showed up in the White House press briefing room to give a little more PR for socialized medicine.

It has become painfully obvious to anyone actually looking, that a decision on Afghanistan is being pushed to the side in order to avoid antagonizing any of his far left liberal base prior to this healthcare vote.

Socialized medicine taking precedence over the security of our country and the safety and lives of our troops. That is your Commander-in -Chief!

An Inglorious 30th Anniversary In Iran

exetertraining@aol.com (The Political and Financial Markets Commentator) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:00:00 +0000

The More Things Change, The More They Stay The Same: Where Were You When...

Where were you when the Iranian hostage crisis began? I was a junior in college, and in the '70's the mind was on things other than international affairs. But this story hit home. Americans, on American "soil", attacked and captured by "students", police and the Revolutionary Guard who overran our Iranian Embassy under the direction of the Ayatollah Khomeni.

The Iran Crisis - America Held Hostage: Day 1 - 444

Night after night at 11:30, people would gather to watch that days events unfold surrounding these 52 hostages. As a college student I didn't realize the world view of Jimmy Carter, his weakness, indecisiveness and lack of resolve. His inability to make a move to free these American citizens, captured on American territory and held for weeks and then years made a mockery of our stature as a world power. It was an embarrassment on a grand scale, as our own citizens and leaders around the world came to realize the level of incompetence emanating from the White House.

To top off this sad episode, Carter launched a failed rescue attempt, due in no small part to his meddling in the planning and execution. He also had attempted the diplomacy route by offering concessions to the very kidnappers that invaded our country and took our citizens hostage, which of course failed miserably as well.

History Repeating Itself

On the anniversary of this event, the current leadership in Washington bears a striking resemblance to the Carter administration. This similarity I am sure does not go unnoticed around the world. As much as the world has changed, Iran has remained much the same. Have we?

Live Coverage: 20th Anniversary Of The Fall of the Berlin Wall

exetertraining@aol.com (The Political and Financial Markets Commentator) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:25:00 +0000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Media Contact:

Stephen E. Dreikorn

703-994-4314

* * * MEDIA ADVISORY * * *

Reagan Foundation and Library and Heritage Foundation to Offer Live Internet Stream of Entire Conference Commemorating 20th Anniversary of the Fall of the Berlin Wall, November 6, 2009

WHAT: The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Library and The Heritage Foundation will commemorate the 20^th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall and the advent of freedom and democracy in Eastern Europe with a one-day conference on Friday, November 6, 2009, at The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in California.

The entire conference, from the red carpet arrivals at 7:30 AM PT through the end of the panels at 5:30 PM PT will be streamed live on www.reaganfoundation.org.

Complete program outline (all times Pacific):

9:30 – 11:15 “Insider Perspectives on Ronald Reagan and the Fall of the Wall”

11:15 Mrs. Reagan photo op

12:00 – 1:45 “Tear Down This Wall,” address by George Schultz

2:00 – 3:45 “The Unfinished Legacy of the Fall of the Wall”

4:00 – 5:30 “Worldwide Perspectives on the Fall of the Wall”

WHO: Insider Perspectives on Ronald Reagan and the Fall of the Wall

Panelists: Ed Meese (United States Attorney General, 1985-1988), Richard Allen (National Security Advisor, 1981-1982), John Lehman (Secretary of the Navy, 1981-1987), Martin Anderson (Chief Domestic Policy Advisor, 1981-1982) and Peter Robinson (White House Speechwriter), Leszek Balcerowicz (Former First Deputy Prime Minister, Poland).

Moderator: John McCaslin (Co-host, America’s Morning News)

The Unfinished Legacy of the Fall of the Wall

Panelists: Vaclav Klaus (President of the Czech Republic), Steve Forbes (Former chairman of the bi-partisan Board for International Broadcasting), Mart Laar (Prime Minister, Estonia, 1999-2002), Lord Charles Powell (Foreign Advisor to Margaret Thatcher, 1983-1990), Richard Pipes (Frank B Baird, Jr Professor of History, Emeritus).

Moderator: Edward Lucas (Deputy Editor, International Section, The Economist)

Worldwide Perspectives on the Fall of the Wall

Panelists: Dr. Robin Harris (Heritage Foundation), John O’Sullivan (Radio Free Europe), Peter Brookes (Heritage Foundation) and Lee Edwards (Heritage Foundation)

Moderator: Matthew Kaminski (Member, Editorial Board, Wall Street Journal)

WHERE: Online streaming at www.reaganfoundation.org.

REAGAN FOUNDATION:

The Reagan Foundation is a non-profit, non-partisan organization that sustains the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum, the Center for Public Affairs, the Presidential Learning Center and the Air Force One Pavilion. Located in Simi Valley, California, the Library houses over 55 million pages of Gubernatorial, Presidential and personal papers and over 100,000 gifts and artifacts chronicling the lives of Ronald and Nancy Reagan. It now also serves as the final resting place of America’s 40^th President.

Afghan Decision: Still Waiting [del.icio.us]

halthouse1 — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 05:25:09 PDT

The Politicians In The White House Continue The Military Debate

Security of our homeland begins in Iran and Afghanistan [del.icio.us]

halthouse1 — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 08:34:40 PDT

Article talks about the danger of appeasement and the Iranian missile crisis.

Jimmy Carter: One Term Wasn't Enough? [del.icio.us]

halthouse1 — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 03:56:55 PDT

No, this former peanut farmer from Georgia wants to make sure that his name goes down in history as a destructive career diplomat as well, both foreign and domestic. His current diatribe concerns the fact that any criticism of the new administration must have its foundation in racism. ...While blatantly untrue, why is this ex-President playing the race card, particularly when it is so far off base? Why is he making statements at all?...

The FBI Is The New CIA: Where Is The Public Outrage? [del.icio.us]

halthouse1 — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 04:22:55 PDT

For President Obama, The War On Terror Is Now Over. Excuse me. For President Obama "violent extremism," "overseas contingency operations" and "man-caused disasters" is no longer of concern (politically correct verbiage)...

The Hypocrisy Of The Phrase: Failed Policies Of The Last 8 Years!! [del.icio.us]

halthouse1 — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 03:27:35 PST

I know the rules of Washington. What you say in front of the cameras today is the new reality that wipes out any of your actions that have actually occurred through the years (i.e. Chappaquiddick, sorry couldn't help myself). Even though I know these rules, you reach a point where you just can't listen to it anymore without expressing some outrage. Remember some of the players and situations from before Bush took office? Bill Clinton, Barney Frank, Chris Dodd, Melvin Watt, the expansion of the Community Reinvestment Act in 1995, the political clout of Fannie Mae, the political contributions made by Fannie Mae (now President Obama was a substantial beneficiary), sweetheart mortgage deals, the attempt to reign in the problem that was blocked by the Democrats when Bush was in office and so on and so on.

The Stimulus Bill Simplified [del.icio.us]

halthouse1 — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 18:00:47 PST

The Stimulus Bill Explained Shortly after class, an economics student approaches his economics professor and says, "I don't understand this stimulus bill. Can you explain it to me?" The professor replied, "I don't have any time to explain it at my office, but if you come over to my house on Saturday and help me with my weekend project, I'll be glad to explain it to you."...

Obama Mortgage Modifications: Life Preserver or Something Else? [del.icio.us]

halthouse1 — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 03:36:23 PST

Politicizing The Problem President Obama gave the speech today outlining a plan to curtail the volume of home foreclosures in front of a cheering crowd in Arizona, thereby politicizing a problem that might have been better discussed in a speech from the White House in prime time to a national audience. That would have been Washington business as usual at its best. Quote: The government infected us with the disease (starting with Clinton and continued by Bush), and now they are trying to kill us with the cure.

Democrats: The New Age Of Plausible Deniability [del.icio.us]

halthouse1 — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 03:22:27 PST

What Is Plausible Deniability? "The term plausible deniability was introduced into the English language in 1975 when the Church Committee, a US Senate committee, conducted an investigation into the intelligence agencies. Plausible deniability has been honed since in government and private enterprise, into an art form. We all do it, at home with the kids, at work, with our mates from our club and sometimes sadly, with ourselves. The problem for me is that plausible deniability is a phrase that equates to lack of accountability." (ChangeFactory.com)

Time For Hillary Clinton To Start Proving Her Mettle [del.icio.us]

halthouse1 — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 04:29:33 PST

This is the quandary of opening a dialogue with the leaders of Iran. Talks in good faith would be terrific but cannot be one sided. We can not allow ourselves to be used as pawns by the Iranian government who will no doubt say and promise one thing and do another. Now one argument is that the ordinary citizens of Iran have become disillusioned with the government and want change. Can they force change? Maybe, but doubtful. How long do we wait for the change to happen? Conventional wisdom, or at least my wisdom, would say that we need that to happen before Iran has the nuclear weapons making capability.

Are You Part Of The "Chattering Class?" [del.icio.us]

halthouse1 — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 03:56:30 PST

Chuck Schumer: Pork? Americans Don't Care I think the reality is a little bit different in that Americans care about pork and don't care much for the politicians in Washington. To attempt to set the record straight for Senator Schumer, who for full disclosure happens to be my Senator and who also appears to be slightly out of touch with his constituency, I am giving the results of a recent ATI-News/Zogby poll.

The Political and Financial Markets Commentator: Illinois Being Illinois [del.icio.us]

halthouse1 — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 03:56:36 PST

Maybe The Senators Who Opposed Seating Roland Burris Had A Point And Should Have Stuck To Their Guns As an update to the soap opera that is Illinois politics, Roland Burris may have perjured himself in testimony to the Ilinois House impeachment committee in the investigation of Governor Blagojevich.

The Political and Financial Markets Commentator: How To Communicate With Your Senators or Congress People [del.icio.us]

halthouse1 — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 13:05:19 PST

Do you want to contact your senators or congressman or woman? Is their something about the stimulus bill you don't love? There are proper and improper ways to do this, and I am providing some recommended guidelines below courtesy of CongressMerge.com. If you would like the contact information for your representatives the following link will provide that for you. I hope this helps.

Rhetoric Versus The Reality Of Office [del.icio.us]

halthouse1 — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 05:10:51 PST

During the campaign candidate Barack Obama had much to say about the way that Washington has been broken, and how the failed policies of the last eight years have brought us to the economic point we are at now. He spoke of how the political insiders needed to go, and that with Change we would have fresh, non-Washington beholden blood in office free to operate without the ties that bound the Bush administration...

The Political and Financial Markets Commentator: Morality Is Still Under Attack [del.icio.us]

halthouse1 — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 03:21:02 PST

The Decline Of Society Continues Back in November of 2008 I talked about morality and our kids, but some of the commercials on T.V. for Valentines Day I'm watching has brought it all back.

The Political and Financial Markets Commentator: Congressional Testimony: Take The Train [del.icio.us]

halthouse1 — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 06:18:17 PST

Knowing that our leaders in Congress would focus on public relations and face time back home first, they knew that even taking a commercial plane to Washington might provide the ammunition to get blasted for squandering public funds. Taking no chances, they decided even Amtrak might be considered frivolous waste.