Benghazi?????

In the weeks since the Benghazi incident exploded on the pages of America’s newspapers and cable news networks, I have been trying to understand why this event generates so much heat. It should be understood that, like members of the military, foreign service personnel sign on with the understanding that “shit” happens in and around ambassadorial posts around the world from time to time. 
Yes, it is unfortunate that 4 lives were lost in the attack on the Benghazi CONSULATE (not embassy) but no more so than the lives of America’s fighting men in Afghanistan and
other places around the world. A consulate is not manned to the extent that an embassy might be. I have seen consulates in various places around the world that were housed in a residential area in large houses. If one did not know where they were, he/she would be hard pressed to find them. Yes, shit happens and things go awry. If you think this is bad, try a military operation. But the politicos and pundits do not find such death and dying of little interest. It sickens me that there are those who would attempt to politicize this issue for political gain. For example, go to C-Span and locate the Issa committee inquisition; witness the frothing Republicans drooling and slobbering all over themselves claiming to get to the root of the problem. Why the witnesses allow themselves to be disrespected as they are before this inquisition is beyond me. 
What is amusing is the fact that two weeks from now this event will be water under the dam, and the records of the Issa hearings will be archived in the bowels of the Library of Congress.

On America’s Future as a “Democracy????”

At this point in time America is preoccupied with the upcoming presidential election. The campaigns are fraught with the rhetoric of everything from jingoist nationalism to  rights that are "God given," American exceptionalism" and the notion that America's democracy has produced the greatest government in the history of mankind.

Upon a critical examination of America's version of democracy it is my view that before considering the efficacy of that noted above, that it be understood that democracy, American style, has reached a point where it has risen from the depths of authoritarian Monarchy to a level where it has leveled off (plateau) and moved into a self-destructive phase. 

Witness, for example, the affects of the Citizens decision on the electoral process. When discussing this with my students, they overwhelmingly conclude that America is headed for plutocratic governance. Moreover; consider the influence of ALEC on state legislative policy outcomes. Witness the machinations of Republican State Legislative bodies who, through "democratic processes" have emasculated the rights of working class Americans to unionize and engage in collective bargaining. And, in a direct assault on one of the most cherished "rights" i.e., the right to vote, witness the attempts at voter suppression of large segments of the American population.

In short, it seems that "democracy" (left alone) will rise to a level wherein the freedoms provided therein and utilized within the framework of the Constitution, will self-destruct if some of the curbs provided by Socialism are not exacted in terms of curbing the excessive use of "democratic rights and liberties, the unregulated practices of Capitalism notwithstanding. 

The right to "keep and bear arms" the right to "organize" has come together to witness the rise of seriously demented, seriously armed hate groups who are preparing for the great (inevitable) race war. These are but a few examples of how the freedoms guaranteed under America's system of governance will lead to her self-destruction. Enough for now. Hope this will provide those who might read the above commentary food for thought.   

Arkansas State Rep: ‘If Slavery Were So God-Awful, Why Didn’t Jesus Or Paul Condemn It?’

After Arkansas Republicans disavowed a book by state representative Jon Hubbard (R-AK) claiming slavery was “a blessing in disguise” for African Americans, Hubbard’s colleague, state Rep. Loy Mauch (R-AK) has been outed by the Arkansas Times for his pro-slavery, pro-Confederacy letters to the editor over the past decade. Mauch’s run for reelection this year is [...]/p

The above article illustrates just how sick America has become. And if you think I am over-generalizing, think again. After all this individual did not just pop up in the Arkansas state legislature, someone elected him. His sick references to "Jesus" and the Constitution should be enough to turn the stomachs of anyone who would claim to be a "Christian." Think about this creeps logic, I wonder what his thoughts are in terms of the "Holocaust" Jesus didn't make some sort of proclamation regarding the killing of some six million plus Jews. And how about the murders of Bosnian and Serbian Muslims just 20 odd years ago. And of course, given this creeps views toward Americans of African descent, he would no doubt find the wholesale slaughter in Ruwanda was prophetic.

It is sorry that a review of reported racially charged commentary since the election of America's first Black President reveals an ever-increasing boldness in the racially tinged language of those who have heretofore been residing under the slimiest of rocks in America's swamps. Where is this country going? This at a time when Republicans and its party leadership are running about the country proclaiming "American exceptionalism" and the " inalienable, God given rights" that gives the Arkansas creeps license to "go public" with their beliefs.

The future hangs in the balance but, one thing is certain; if Barack Obama is re-elected president of the United States, things will get worse. Good Luck America!!!!!!!

Founder Of Obama Swift Boating Group: ‘I’m A Birther’

Founder Of Obama Swift Boating Group: ‘I’m A Birther’: pOn Wednesday, a group of former intelligence and Special Forces operatives released a 22-minute video accusing President Obama of jeopardizing sensitive information in order to take credit for the killing of Osama bin Laden. OPSEC, as they call themselves, is one of several new groups dedicated to attacking Obama on military issues, specifically on the [...]/p My question is this: Where are the cracks from which these worms emerge?

Huckabee and Rational Actors

Just finished reading an article posted in the Washington Times by former presidential candidate Mike Huckabee. In his article, he claims to have touched base with members of the Israeli Knesset, Israeli Rabbis, Arab Israelis, Christian Israelis, and Muslim merchants. He claims that the Israeli population take the Iranian development of nuclear weapons and their threat to wipe Israel off the map with greater seriousness than does the Obama administration. Well, duh!!!!


He has a problem with U.S. General Martin Dempsey’s characterization of Iran as a “rational actor.” Of course Huckabee has little to no idea what “rational actor” is within the context of the Dempsey statement. After a long discourse on the claims made by the Iranian government, i.e., denying the Holocaust, hanging some Christian pastor, phony elections, and shooting civilians in the streets during protest, Huckabee cites this behavior as evidence of the Iranians being not rational; such a country is “recklessly dangerous” according to this foreign policy specialist.:-




Of course from Mr. Huckabee’s description, it is clear that he has little to no idea what the term “rational actor” means. In the realm of international politics and affairs, a “rational actor” is a state that behaves in its own best interest. That is; a state will not do something that is not in its best interest, and that includes decisions to go to war, instigate a nuclear war if the results may mean its own self destruction. A nation may threaten such behavior if it is likely to gain some strategic point. Consider the North Korean behavior where they will acquire food from the U.S. for cessation of its nuclear development. For Iran, at some point, their threats wiill have little effect especially as the sanctions continue to tighen.

What Huckabee fails to understand is the deterrent effect of nuclear weapons, especially if two states have nuclear weapons and are confronting one another. The U.S. – USSR history of Mutual Assured Destruction (MAD) should inform this would-be foreign policy expert. He and his ilk should get off of the “scare” box and get real about what is going on in that part of the world. Mr. Huckabee might want to be concerned by reports that the Israeli government will not warn the U.S. in event it should strike Iranian nuclear cites. Why does this clown fail to address this possibility. It is about time that American spokespersons begin to consider these possibilities and the implications that fall from Israeli behavior.