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?
Saturday, August 18, 2012
Friday, March 2, 2012
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.
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.
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Sack Lunch: A Human Interest Story
Sack Lunches: A Human Interest Story
Posted on December 5, 2010. Filed under: Blogroll | Edit This
Sack Lunches
I put my carry-on in the luggage compartment and sat down in my assigned
seat. It was going to be a long flight.
Just before take-off, a line of soldiers came down the aisle and
filled all the vacant seats, totally surrounding me. I decided to start a conversation.
“We’re being deployed to Afghanistan,” they said.
After flying for about an hour, an announcement was made that sack lunches were available for five dollars. It would be several hours before we reached our destination. I decided a lunch would help pass the time.
As I reached for my wallet, I overheard a soldier ask his buddy if
he planned to buy lunch. “No, that seems like a lot of money for just a sack lunch.
It probably wouldn’t be worth five bucks. I’ll wait until we get to base.”
His friend agreed. I looked around at the other soldiers. None were buying lunch. I walked
to the back of the plane and handed the flight attendant a fifty dollar bill. “Take a lunch to all of those soldiers.” She grabbed my arm and squeezed tightly, her eyes wet with tears. “My son was a soldier in Iraq and it’s almost like you are doing this for him.”
Picking up ten sacks, she headed up the aisle to where the soldiers were seated. She stopped at my seat and asked, “Which do you like best – beef or chicken?”
“Chicken,” I replied, wondering why she asked. She turned and went to the front of plane, returning a minute later with a dinner plate from first class.
“This is your thanks.”
After we finished eating, I went again to the back of the plane, heading for the rest room. A man stopped me. “I saw what you did. I want to be part of it. Here, take this.” He handed me twenty-five dollars.
Soon after I returned to my seat, I saw the Flight Captain coming down the aisle, looking at the seat numbers. When he got to my row, he stopped, smiled, and held out his hand. ”I
want to shake your hand.” Quickly unfastening my seatbelt, I stood and took the Captain’s hand.
With a booming voice he said, “I was a soldier and I was a military pilot. Once, someone bought me a lunch. It was an act of kindness I never forgot.” I was embarrassed when applause was heard from all of the passengers.
Later I walked to the front of the plane so I could stretch my legs. A man who was seated rows in front of me reached out his hand, wanting to shake mine. He
left another twenty-five dollars in my palm.
When we landed, I gathered my belongings and started to deplane. Waiting just inside the airplane door was a man who stopped me, put something in my shirt pocket, turned, and walked away without saying a word. Another twenty-five dollars!
Upon entering the terminal, I saw the soldiers gathering for their trip to the base. I walked over to them, handed them seventy-five dollars and said “It will take you some time to reach the base. It will be about time for a sandwich. God Bless You.”
Ten young men left that flight feeling the love and respect of their fellow travelers.
As I walked briskly to my car, I whispered a prayer for their safe return. These soldiers were giving their all for our country. I could only give them a couple of meals. It seemed so little.
A veteran is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to ‘The United States of America’ for an amount of up to and including my life.’
Honor Our Soldiers!
As a retired U.S. Army veteran I found this story particularly touching in view of my return from Viet Nam experience.
Posted on December 5, 2010. Filed under: Blogroll | Edit This
Sack Lunches
I put my carry-on in the luggage compartment and sat down in my assigned
seat. It was going to be a long flight.
Just before take-off, a line of soldiers came down the aisle and
filled all the vacant seats, totally surrounding me. I decided to start a conversation.
“We’re being deployed to Afghanistan,” they said.
After flying for about an hour, an announcement was made that sack lunches were available for five dollars. It would be several hours before we reached our destination. I decided a lunch would help pass the time.
As I reached for my wallet, I overheard a soldier ask his buddy if
he planned to buy lunch. “No, that seems like a lot of money for just a sack lunch.
It probably wouldn’t be worth five bucks. I’ll wait until we get to base.”
His friend agreed. I looked around at the other soldiers. None were buying lunch. I walked
to the back of the plane and handed the flight attendant a fifty dollar bill. “Take a lunch to all of those soldiers.” She grabbed my arm and squeezed tightly, her eyes wet with tears. “My son was a soldier in Iraq and it’s almost like you are doing this for him.”
Picking up ten sacks, she headed up the aisle to where the soldiers were seated. She stopped at my seat and asked, “Which do you like best – beef or chicken?”
“Chicken,” I replied, wondering why she asked. She turned and went to the front of plane, returning a minute later with a dinner plate from first class.
“This is your thanks.”
After we finished eating, I went again to the back of the plane, heading for the rest room. A man stopped me. “I saw what you did. I want to be part of it. Here, take this.” He handed me twenty-five dollars.
Soon after I returned to my seat, I saw the Flight Captain coming down the aisle, looking at the seat numbers. When he got to my row, he stopped, smiled, and held out his hand. ”I
want to shake your hand.” Quickly unfastening my seatbelt, I stood and took the Captain’s hand.
With a booming voice he said, “I was a soldier and I was a military pilot. Once, someone bought me a lunch. It was an act of kindness I never forgot.” I was embarrassed when applause was heard from all of the passengers.
Later I walked to the front of the plane so I could stretch my legs. A man who was seated rows in front of me reached out his hand, wanting to shake mine. He
left another twenty-five dollars in my palm.
When we landed, I gathered my belongings and started to deplane. Waiting just inside the airplane door was a man who stopped me, put something in my shirt pocket, turned, and walked away without saying a word. Another twenty-five dollars!
Upon entering the terminal, I saw the soldiers gathering for their trip to the base. I walked over to them, handed them seventy-five dollars and said “It will take you some time to reach the base. It will be about time for a sandwich. God Bless You.”
Ten young men left that flight feeling the love and respect of their fellow travelers.
As I walked briskly to my car, I whispered a prayer for their safe return. These soldiers were giving their all for our country. I could only give them a couple of meals. It seemed so little.
A veteran is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to ‘The United States of America’ for an amount of up to and including my life.’
Honor Our Soldiers!
As a retired U.S. Army veteran I found this story particularly touching in view of my return from Viet Nam experience.
Monday, September 13, 2010
The Florida Hometown Democracy Amendment
The Hometown Democracy Amendment is a big straw man. It is probably the most useful example of how an inattentive, mostly politically ignorant, society will swallow the hook, the line, the pole and the person(s) holding the pole--w/out seasonings. Given that each city has the authority to make, and place on referendum, the tenets that govern a municipality, it makes little sense to hamstring municipal/city initiative. In other words,
if a municipality should decide that over/under development needs addressing, what is (currently) stopping them from placing the issue on the ballot as an amendment to its charter in the form of a referendum item that citizens of that particular municipality can vote on it in an a straight "up or down" election.
That said, constitutional amendment or not, the decision to do or not do something at the local levels of governance is seriously dependent on the electorate and their willingness to get engaged in the politics and the political process as well as become knowledgeable enough to make a coherent decision on their own and stop waiting for some smooth talking person to sell them the best of a number of bags of horse manure. The amendment is a total waste of tax payer $, not to mention the time taken to get this nonsense on the ballot. Wake up Flori--duh, please do not provide America an additional example of why this country's Founding Fathers right on target in their assessment of "duh people" and the notion of democratic governance. Remember the Bullet Train? How about "cleaning up the Everglades?
Flori--duh, you should ask yourselves two simple questions. What is the source of this amendment? Who initiated it? Whichever side of this issue you come down on presently, the answer to these two questions should assist you in determining whether or not this should a part of the State Constitution.
if a municipality should decide that over/under development needs addressing, what is (currently) stopping them from placing the issue on the ballot as an amendment to its charter in the form of a referendum item that citizens of that particular municipality can vote on it in an a straight "up or down" election.
That said, constitutional amendment or not, the decision to do or not do something at the local levels of governance is seriously dependent on the electorate and their willingness to get engaged in the politics and the political process as well as become knowledgeable enough to make a coherent decision on their own and stop waiting for some smooth talking person to sell them the best of a number of bags of horse manure. The amendment is a total waste of tax payer $, not to mention the time taken to get this nonsense on the ballot. Wake up Flori--duh, please do not provide America an additional example of why this country's Founding Fathers right on target in their assessment of "duh people" and the notion of democratic governance. Remember the Bullet Train? How about "cleaning up the Everglades?
Flori--duh, you should ask yourselves two simple questions. What is the source of this amendment? Who initiated it? Whichever side of this issue you come down on presently, the answer to these two questions should assist you in determining whether or not this should a part of the State Constitution.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Teleprompter Anyone?
And then there was the right wing’s idol, and impersonator of "Poppin Fresh,"Rush Limbaugh who, during a long, self-laudatory speech before the recent meeting of CPAC demonstrated why he is so popular with the “ditto heads.”
First understand “ditto head.” The ditto symbol is short for repetition. Ditto heads, then and as is often demonstrated, are nothing short of a bunch of empty headed ijots who are bereft of abilities to generate an original thought of their own. Further, one only has to conjure up the image of a human body with, instead of the normal head, find a ditto mark. Notice what exists between the two marks that constitute the “ditto” yep, you’ve got it, empty space.
While addressing CPAC, the bloviating Vicar of Conservatism, in a sarcastic jab at the President, noted that he didn’t need/use a teleprompter during his exhaustive oration. This, of course, drew laughter and thunderous applause from his audience empty heads*.
Perhaps Mr. Limbaugh might want to start using a teleprompter if he is going to quote from this country’s founding documents.
Citing the Preamble to the Constitution in an attempt at convincing “his audience of conservatives and the conservative movement of its deference for multicultural equality, Poppin Fresh summoned up his best patriotic voice wherein he noted that the Preamble to the Constitution informs us that “all men are created equal, [loud applause] that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life [loud applause] liberty [more applause] freedom and the pursuit of Happiness [standing ovation]. “
(FYI) Mr. Limbaugh and your army of “space pilots,” please find immediately below the text of the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution—in its entirety.
“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”
Further and FYI: The great bloviator’s quotation is to be found in paragraph two of the Declaration of Independence. Please note that the word "freedom" does not appear between "liberty" and the "pursuit of happiness."
One may appear to be ignorant and stupid; The he/she opens the mouth and proves it.
Ditto Heads? Get it???
Teleprompter anyone?
_______________________
*I use the terms ditto head(s), empty head(s) and space pilots, synonymously.
First understand “ditto head.” The ditto symbol is short for repetition. Ditto heads, then and as is often demonstrated, are nothing short of a bunch of empty headed ijots who are bereft of abilities to generate an original thought of their own. Further, one only has to conjure up the image of a human body with, instead of the normal head, find a ditto mark. Notice what exists between the two marks that constitute the “ditto” yep, you’ve got it, empty space.
While addressing CPAC, the bloviating Vicar of Conservatism, in a sarcastic jab at the President, noted that he didn’t need/use a teleprompter during his exhaustive oration. This, of course, drew laughter and thunderous applause from his audience empty heads*.
Perhaps Mr. Limbaugh might want to start using a teleprompter if he is going to quote from this country’s founding documents.
Citing the Preamble to the Constitution in an attempt at convincing “his audience of conservatives and the conservative movement of its deference for multicultural equality, Poppin Fresh summoned up his best patriotic voice wherein he noted that the Preamble to the Constitution informs us that “all men are created equal, [loud applause] that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life [loud applause] liberty [more applause] freedom and the pursuit of Happiness [standing ovation]. “
(FYI) Mr. Limbaugh and your army of “space pilots,” please find immediately below the text of the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution—in its entirety.
“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”
Further and FYI: The great bloviator’s quotation is to be found in paragraph two of the Declaration of Independence. Please note that the word "freedom" does not appear between "liberty" and the "pursuit of happiness."
One may appear to be ignorant and stupid; The he/she opens the mouth and proves it.
Ditto Heads? Get it???
Teleprompter anyone?
_______________________
*I use the terms ditto head(s), empty head(s) and space pilots, synonymously.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
The New Face of the Republican Party?
Going before the nation, Governor Jindal seems not to understand how the media game is played. Touted as the “new” face of the Republican Party, Jindal may be getting public exposure to early in the game if he plans a run for President in 2012.
But notice how future Republican Presidential candidate Haley Barbour, the South’s Great White (political) Shark , and other Republican hopefuls sit quietly on the sidelines while this self-absorbed political novice tests the political waters possibly committing himself to death by a thousand cuts.
Is he the rabbit in the marathon run up to the next presidential elections?
His response to President Obama’s address to the nation was pitiful. Much of the content of his presentation parroted what was said by Mr. Obama or it was much of the same old “less government, low taxes rhetoric that was rejected by the electorate in the last presidential elections. Should this guy, as governor, not be engaged in trying to do what it takes to end the effects of this recession on the citizens of his state?
One might ask, “why Jindal?” Where is the 2007 anointed Republican star Sara ‘you betcha’ Palin. Is Jindal in over his head? Louisiana resident bigeasygeezy asserts that “BobbyJ [should] ask Sarah Palin what happens when you get out of you league….”
While loudly proclaiming that he will not accept the unemployment insurance portion of President Obama’s stimulus package, it is reported that Governor Jindal will be laying off some 100 state workers in June; an op-ed piece in the Times-Picayune notes that “Fear is running through state government and universities among employees who don't know if they will have jobs when projected budget cuts are made. Hospital administrators and college presidents have been directed to prepare worst- to best-case scenarios, though none of them are good.” This, of course, will add to Louisiana’s overburdened social services sector.
It is difficult to understand how one can be so far out of touch with reality as to be unable to imagine being out of a job, struggling to feed a family and keeping a roof over their heads.
With all that is going on with the economy, and if the Louisiana Governor represents the face of the Republican Party, Jindal’s ideological rhetoric reinforces the conclusion that the Republican Party is more interested in ideological warfare vis-a-vis addressing and resolving the problems facing this country.
Suffering with a case of severe public speaking ineptitude, how did this person become Louisiana’s governor?
But notice how future Republican Presidential candidate Haley Barbour, the South’s Great White (political) Shark , and other Republican hopefuls sit quietly on the sidelines while this self-absorbed political novice tests the political waters possibly committing himself to death by a thousand cuts.
Is he the rabbit in the marathon run up to the next presidential elections?
His response to President Obama’s address to the nation was pitiful. Much of the content of his presentation parroted what was said by Mr. Obama or it was much of the same old “less government, low taxes rhetoric that was rejected by the electorate in the last presidential elections. Should this guy, as governor, not be engaged in trying to do what it takes to end the effects of this recession on the citizens of his state?
One might ask, “why Jindal?” Where is the 2007 anointed Republican star Sara ‘you betcha’ Palin. Is Jindal in over his head? Louisiana resident bigeasygeezy asserts that “BobbyJ [should] ask Sarah Palin what happens when you get out of you league….”
While loudly proclaiming that he will not accept the unemployment insurance portion of President Obama’s stimulus package, it is reported that Governor Jindal will be laying off some 100 state workers in June; an op-ed piece in the Times-Picayune notes that “Fear is running through state government and universities among employees who don't know if they will have jobs when projected budget cuts are made. Hospital administrators and college presidents have been directed to prepare worst- to best-case scenarios, though none of them are good.” This, of course, will add to Louisiana’s overburdened social services sector.
It is difficult to understand how one can be so far out of touch with reality as to be unable to imagine being out of a job, struggling to feed a family and keeping a roof over their heads.
With all that is going on with the economy, and if the Louisiana Governor represents the face of the Republican Party, Jindal’s ideological rhetoric reinforces the conclusion that the Republican Party is more interested in ideological warfare vis-a-vis addressing and resolving the problems facing this country.
Suffering with a case of severe public speaking ineptitude, how did this person become Louisiana’s governor?
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