Month: September 2008

Obama Tried To Delay Iraq Withdrawl

Barack Obama has almost entirely escaped media scrutiny of his efforts to influence leaders in Iraq to delay scheduled troop withdrawals until after the election. I don’t think I need to tell you why he would do something so crooked and frankly disingenuous to the American people and their soldiers for political gain. This slippery weasel is truly the opportunist we all know he is.

WHILE campaigning in public for a speedy withdrawal of US troops from Iraq, Sen. Barack Obama has tried in private to persuade Iraqi leaders to delay an agreement on a draw-down of the American military presence.

According to Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari, Obama made his demand for delay a key theme of his discussions with Iraqi leaders in Baghdad in July.

“He asked why we were not prepared to delay an agreement until after the US elections and the formation of a new administration in Washington,” Zebari said in an interview.

Read The Article Here

Historic Role of VP: no prior foreign policy

Our friend Kim writes to share an interesting article from Paul Kengor, professor of political science and executive director of the Center for Vision & Values at Grove City College.

Kim writes:

He is author of a number of books, the first of which was “Wreath Layer or Policy Player? The Vice President’s Role in Foreign Policy” (Lexington, 2000).

So, he seems to be an expert in what “experience” a VP needs in order to succeed in that role. Granted, the year 2008 has many global challenges, including terrorism at a level not seen before in the modern world.

But, WWII was complex in it’s own way, and certainly required a deft touch to negotiate with the many factious nations involved, and to more the world forward in a peaceful way that has unleashed a powerful, globalized economy.

We know Obama picked Joe Biden as his VP because Obama himself lacks foreign policy experience, which is a MUST for a president. But for a VP? History shows otherwise….

READ IT HERE

The Opacity of Vinegar

I think it’s official. Obama has passed beyond worried and has entered the bitter angry stage of his campaign’s slowing train. While addressing the issue of his lipstick-pig comment (and whether that comment was intended or not we don’t know), Obama showed the strongest signs yet of his frustration and surprise to see his lead evaporate.

If he had smart handlers, they would have told him to address the issue very lightly and playfully beg forgiveness, then move on. Instead he sat on the subject and stewed about the need to address his comment and how McCain and the press are combining to attack him. Barry, the last thing you get to complain about is why your cheerleading squad has taken a five minute break from their persistent chanting over broadcast and cable. No one’s gotten more love and protection from the press than you. And you can’t have it both ways, denying the horse you came on, and then looking in its mouth.

What a baby.

Freddie Mac/Fannie Mae, one root of evil is Barney Frank

The shockingly oblivious Democrat from Massachusetts Barney Frank has proven himself to be one of the most vehement protectors of crap management and a record-breaking flusher of others’ wealth. Thanks for the new $200+ billion invoice. And for the liberals and conservatives out there, I don’t want to hear another word about the 10 billion/month we’re spending in Iraq attracting and subsequently pulverizing extreme Muslims. Barney Frank and his kind just waged a single day war on the taxpayer (read “rich white conservatives”, not the “working people”) to the price tag of 18 months in Iraq.

Asked about Treasury’s modest bailout condition that the companies reduce the size of their high-risk mortgage-backed securities (MBS) portfolios starting in 2010, Mr. Frank was quoted on Monday as saying, “Good luck on that,” and that it would never happen.

There you have the Fannie Mae problem in profile. Mr. Frank wants you to pick up the tab for its failures, while he still vows to block a reform that might prevent the same disaster from happening again.

At least the Massachusetts Democrat is consistent. His record is close to perfect as a stalwart opponent of reforming the two companies, going back more than a decade. The first concerted push to rein in Fan and Fred in Congress came as far back as 1992, and Mr. Frank was right there, standing athwart. But things really picked up this decade, and Barney was there at every turn.

READ MORE

Oh, and the best part? Many of the irresponsible people who got into houses they never could have afforded may get to stay in those houses, on my dime. You’re welcome. Now grow up and use your brain next time. The formula is as follows:  work your tail off, get promoted, work your tail off, get promoted, buy a house you can afford in good times and bad, work your tail off, retire. I’m keeping it simple, because buying twice the house you can afford — just because some greedy (and stupid) bankers dangled the carrot — means you can’t follow complex.

Oh, and the greedy bankers? Here’s some for you. We must have experienced a decade of MBAs on Wall Street who were apparently the drunken weak link on their teams in school. Oh, except for the Goldman Sachs guys, they were the ones doing the work.

Do I sound angry? Yeah, I’m angry.

Michelle Malkin on Obama as “Community Organizer”

Nobody is mocking community organizers in church basements and community centers across the country working to improve their neighbors’ lives. What deserves ridicule is the notion that Obama’s brief stint as a South Side rabble-rouser for tax-subsidized, partisan nonprofits qualifies as executive experience you can believe in.

What deserves derision is “community organizing” that relies on a community of homeless people and ex-cons to organize for the purpose of registering dead people to vote, shaking down corporations and using the race card as a bludgeon.

The Libertarian Case for Palin

Real Clear Politics has an article itemizing Palin’s position on several points…

Then there is a question of authenticity. And it matters. Those who will do anything for power, will say anything and support any position that is convenient. From John McCain to Joe Biden to Obama, one gets the sense that political office is their life’s work. All of them have made attempts to create the perception that, hey, they’re ordinary Americans just like you. Palin won’t have to work at genuineness. With Palin, you get the impression she can take politics or leave it. Her life certainly hasn’t been saturated with policy, favor trading and back scratching.

READ IT HERE

Obama’s ‘Community Organizer’ Days, More Insight

The Community Organizer’s New Clothes

There’s a piece by James Taranto of the WSJ today about Obama’s “Community Organizer” days that shouldn’t be missed.

…community organizing consists of helping elect Barack Obama president! This fits right in with Obama’s claim, noted here yesterday, that he is more qualified to be president than Palin is to be vice president because, whereas she has run a mere town, he has run a campaign for himself.

The community Barack Obama has organized is, in [the Obama campaign manager’s] own telling, the community of those who admire Barack Obama. He is mayor of Obamaville and aspires to be president of Barackistan. At the center of it all is a man who, like Hans Christian Andersen’s naked emperor, may or may not believe that his veneer of accomplishment is real.

READ IT IN FULL HERE

also…

Why Obama’s ‘Community Organizer’ Days Are a Joke

Michelle Malkin provides some interesting insight into the non-profit-status-abusing company for whom the “exciting new guy” Obama used to work.

Nobody is mocking community organizers in church basements and community centers across the country working to improve their neighbors’ lives. What deserves ridicule is the notion that Obama’s brief stint as a South Side rabble-rouser for tax-subsidized, partisan nonprofits qualifies as executive experience you can believe in.

What deserves derision is “community organizing” that relies on a community of homeless people and ex-cons to organize for the purpose of registering dead people to vote, shaking down corporations and using the race card as a bludgeon.

Very worth a read… THE FULL ARTICLE HERE

Sarah Palin’s OK With Me…

Sarah Palin managed to convince me last night with her amazing speech and biting commentary about the state of the country and the Obama/Biden ticket. She made such a huge impression on me that I changed my mind about her. I was pretty irritated that McCain didn’t pick Romney for his VP, as I believe there’s no better person for the job than Romney, all controversies and issues aside. I immediately saw the Palin pick as shrewd and potentially election winning gimmick, but I was less than impressed with her accomplishments. She’s clearly nothing compared to Romney, but she’s far more experienced than the top seat of the opposing ticket, Messiah Obama.

The highlights…

I guess a small-town mayor is sort of like a “community organizer,” except that you have actual responsibilities.

I might add that in small towns, we don’t quite know what to make of a candidate who lavishes praise on working people when they are listening, and then talks about how bitterly they cling to their religion and guns when those people aren’t listening.

We tend to prefer candidates who don’t talk about us one way in Scranton and another way in San Francisco.

As for my running mate, you can be certain that wherever he goes, and whoever is listening, John McCain is the same man.

And…

I’ve noticed a pattern with our opponent.

Maybe you have, too.

We’ve all heard his dramatic speeches before devoted followers.

And there is much to like and admire about our opponent.

But listening to him speak, it’s easy to forget that this is a man who has authored two memoirs but not a single major law or reform — not even in the state senate.

This is a man who can give an entire speech about the wars America is fighting, and never use the word “victory” except when he’s talking about his own campaign. But when the cloud of rhetoric has passed … when the roar of the crowd fades away … when the stadium lights go out, and those Styrofoam Greek columns are hauled back to some studio lot — what exactly is our opponent’s plan? What does he actually seek to accomplish, after he’s done turning back the waters and healing the planet? The answer is to make government bigger … take more of your money … give you more orders from Washington … and to reduce the strength of America in a dangerous world. America needs more energy … our opponent is against producing it.

Victory in Iraq is finally in sight … he wants to forfeit.

Terrorist states are seeking new-clear weapons without delay … he wants to meet them without preconditions. Al Qaeda terrorists still plot to inflict catastrophic harm on America … he’s worried that someone won’t read them their rights? Government is too big … he wants to grow it.

Congress spends too much … he promises more.

Taxes are too high … he wants to raise them. His tax increases are the fine print in his economic plan, and let me be specific.

The Democratic nominee for president supports plans to raise income taxes … raise payroll taxes … raise investment income taxes … raise the death tax … raise business taxes … and increase the tax burden on the American people by hundreds of billions of dollars.

and…

In politics, there are some candidates who use change to promote their careers.

And then there are those, like John McCain, who use their careers to promote change.

They’re the ones whose names appear on laws and landmark reforms, not just on buttons and banners, or on self-designed presidential seals.

and…

Harry Reid, the Majority Leader of the current do-nothing Senate, not long ago summed up his feelings about our nominee.

He said, quote, “I can’t stand John McCain.” Ladies and gentlemen, perhaps no accolade we hear this week is better proof that we’ve chosen the right man. Clearly what the Majority Leader was driving at is that he can’t stand up to John McCain. That is only one more reason to take the maverick of the Senate and put him in the White House. My fellow citizens, the American presidency is not supposed to be a journey of “personal discovery.” This world of threats and dangers is not just a community, and it doesn’t just need an organizer.

Interesting how easy it is to get viewers and adoration by just being young and new. No wonder Obama gets so much traction. Now the GOP has one.

General Dwight D. Eisenhower to the boys on D-day.

You will bring about the destruction of the German war machine, the elimination of Nazi tyranny over the oppressed peoples of Europe, and security for ourselves in a free world. Your task will not be an easy one. Your enemy is well trained, well equipped, and battle-hardened. He will fight savagely….The free men of the world are marching together to victory. I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty, and skill in battle. We will accept nothing less than full victory. Good luck, and let us all beseech the blessings of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking.