Presidents Grand Retinue Impressed the Press

Even the Queens majesty and grandiosity couldn't measure up to Americas version of flamboyance and consumption when our President made his grand visit to Ireland/England.

It is always the story behind the story, that gets the least scrutiny, yet makes the main story possible. Conspicuous consumption is the first thing that comes to mind.

The logistical army that presents our President to the world cannot be understated when it comes to size and ostentation of the presentation.

Designed to impress the locals and anticipate every conceivable "Murphyism", the production brings the splendor, elegance and power of Washington to native peoples everywhere who are duly impressed whenever we send our President overseas.

The local press has been awed by the sheer size of the traveling entourage and I don't blame them.

Obama arrived with 500"staff", including 200 Secret Service agents and a medical team of six doctors. The White House brought along it's chef and kitchen staff with the president's own food and water, evidently warned ahead of time that the local food wouldn't meet Michelle's strict dietary ethic....Are we known far and wide for our gourmet food?

According to local British press, he also came with 35 vehicles, four speech writers and 12 teleprompters." My neck aches thinking of those teleprompters and remembering my pain after watching a long tennis match.

Air Force One in itself is a technical wonder to awe any native population with all of its bells and whistles. But the presence of Marine One, the presidential helicopter, along with its fleet of identical decoys that ferried him from airport to speech location is magnificent.

But among all of those vehicles is the presidential limousine, affectionately referred to as "The Beast". Impressive in its weight, protections and armaments, it is reinforced with ceramic and titanium armor, carries tear gas cannon, night vision devices, its own oxygen and is resistant to chemical and radiation attack. Some refer to it as a mobile "Panic Room"

Of course the president is entitled to every protection we can afford and all support necessary to project his message. But the elephant in the living room is that America is the biggest debtor nation in the world and has to borrow money from the rest of you in order to keep our lights on. But we don't skimp when it comes to projecting our grandness to the rest of you.

Hey Brother can you spare a Euro?

For other points of view visit Carroll Standard:

http://www.carrollstandard.com/

It's Open Season on Conservative Women in the Media

The first reaction of many to the suspension of MSNBC far left commentator Ed Schultz is, why did it take so long?

Known for incendiary remarks and his debasement of all things conservative, Ed evidently went a bridge too far with the new management when he called conservative talk show host Laura Ingraham a right wing slut during one of his on air rants. He didn't just say it once, he did it twice to make sure he drove his point home.

The purposeful use of this degrading language towards Ms. Ingraham was designed to demean her and make her look "less than" in viewers eyes. He most assuredly used this language in a comfortable way to carve up Ms. Ingrahams reputation with the ease of someone used to doing it without fear of repercussion.

What brought on Schultz's on air rant? It was Ms. Ingraham’s "audacious comment" that it might not have been the greatest decision for Obama to be seen drinking beer in Ireland, as Missouri tried to pick up the pieces after a devastating tornado.

Previously Ed and his fellow co hosts could get away with the juvenile name calling, extreme language and degradation of women without a worry of any repercussions. They had a megaphone/cudgel which they could character assassinate conservative women with impunity.
Their favorite targets were ANY conservative woman with the gall to run for public office. Second in line were any conservative women who were in the media.

Watching the concerted character assassinations by the left over the past few years has given pause to many of us. We note there is a double standard in the liberal media and anything goes when it comes to putting the boot on the back of strong conservative women, in order to keep them down.

And just where has that stalwart defender of womens rights, the National Organization of Women (NOW) been during this constant assault on their Sisters? Nowhere to be seen or heard. Why? Because the women being demeaned are conservatives. Guess in NOW land some women are more equal than others.

But the new sheriff in town at NBC is starting to exert its hold on civility, far left heads have rolled at the network since Comcast has gained a larger stake in the network and it seems it will no longer tolerate over the top debasement that has been the hall mark before.

Lets hope this suspension brings some civillity back to the discourse.

For other points of view visit Carroll Standard:

http://www.carrollstandard.com/

Should America Revert to its 1733 Borders?

There is talk circulating in diplomatic halls after President Obamas speech demanding Israel retreat to it's 1967 borders. The whispers are that America should set the example and revert back to its original 13 colonies borders of 1733.

After all fair is fair. Spain, France, Mexico, Russia and most of the tribes of native Americans are starting to coalesce around this idea. There is talk of a UN resolution being sponsored by Iran on behalf of those exploited by the Americans.

For those of you who attended public school and didn't get a chance to learn about this part of American history, the original American settlement was comprised of only 13 colonies. These colonies were established by the British and were comprised of mostly white Americans and according to the politically correct version of todays history lens, their main goal was to exploit native Americans, enslave blacks working on the grand plantations and not allow their womenfolk to vote, to put it in a pc nutshell. In reality the new migrants to America were of European extraction looking to start a new life in the rugged frontier, free from the tyranny of living under repressive governments.

But through warfare, chicanery, financial skulduggery, exploitation of natural resources and native peoples, Americans threw off the redcoats and commenced to expand its borders under the holy, almost God sounding mandate of "manifest destiny". Americans also used the catchphrase of "defensible borders" to justify its expansion into "other peoples land".

Finally Americas borders reached from sea to shining sea, to the present Canadian and Mexican borders and we clipped off part of Russia and grabbed an island in the mid pacific to top it off.

The USA only stopped its north and south expansions at Mexico and Canada because there were still plenty of whales in the oceans for the oil in our street lamps, so there wasn't much to exploit past the borders at that time. Petroleum wasn't recognized as a commodity...But recently the calls of "manifest destiny" have started to rumble after oil hit 100 dollars per barrel and eyes are on Canadas oil fields.

Israel is a tiny country surrounded by enemies that want to see it annihilated. It had to expand beyond its 67 borders due to warfare and belligerency from its neighbors. Many of those neighbors don't even recognize Israels right to exist. By demanding that Israel revert to its 67 borders, President obama is issuing a death sentence to the nation.

So Mr. President, examine closely the beginnings of most countries around the world and you will see they have had border changes over the ages. Many of these changes were brought about by war and conquest, a nations quest for survival. Take a look at your own county and how it expanded. Judge not, therefore ye be judged.

For other points of view visit Carroll Standard:

http://www.carrollstandard.com/

Senate Leader says "This is Almost Gangster Politics"

The hyperbole is getting heated as the President is expected to sign an executive order that would erase 70 years of efforts to get politics out of official federal business.

There are already safeguards in the system, perhaps they just need to be enforced, or tweaked. But this proposed executive order by the White house is drawing a lot of flak and many say deservedly so.

Under the order, all companies who do business with the government would be required to list their political donations as a condition to bidding for government contracts.

Senate minority Leader McConnell in an interview calls the order the "crassest" political move he's ever seen. "This is almost gangster politics, to shut down people who oppose them. . . . I assure you that this going to create problems for them in many ways—seen and unseen—if they go forward."

Democrats are claiming we deserve to know how federal dollars being paid to contractors are being spent in campaigns. The White House and Democrats tried to pass the Disclose Act last year. The legislation would have forced outside groups to disclose their donors, but it failed to pass Congress after stalling in the Senate.

The administration's argument that this is about disclosure is "a fraud,"says Senator Susan Collins. The order undermines decades of work by her and others to ensure federal business is free of corruption and political influence. It's the "equivalent of repealing the Hatch Act," she argues, the 1939 law designed to weed out federal pay-to-play.

Rep. Sam Graves (R-Mo.), chairman of the House Small Business Committee, said that asking for political contribution information from a company during a contract's bidding process disturbed him greatly.

Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), chairman of the Oversight panel, said the draft order was "Chicago, hardball politics" that could have "a chilling effect" on contractors who want to participate in the political process. "This executive order is outside of the procurement process," Issa said.

Hans von Spakovsky at the Heritage Foundation said: “It is really amazing— they(Democrats) lost in the Supreme Court, they lost in Congress, they lost at the FEC, so now the president is just going to do it by edict.”

Why Does the Obama Administration Want to Know Your Political Beliefs Before They Give You a Job?
http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2011/05/19/does-obama-administration-want-know-political-beliefs-job/

A State at a Time: American Citizens Take Their Country Back

With the disclosures that large amounts of illegal voters are possibly tipping the balance of power around the country, the new Republican majority in legislatures throughout the nation are turning their attention to getting a handle on it.

It seems the status quo for voter requirements in many states is not having to provide photo I.D.'s when voting. What kind of madness is this? Just who does this help in this day of hi-technology, when anyone can claim they are a legal, registered voter without proving it? It opens the door for fraudulent votes that can effect the whole direction of the country. Furthermore what's to stop them from voting multiple times in multiple states. If there isn't a fraud proof, concrete way of determining who voters are we are lost as a country.

The hijacking of the American voting system of one American citizen one vote, has to end. It is not a burden to have to prove who you are, that is a ridiculous excuse.

Democrats say photo ID laws are unnecessary because there is limited evidence of voter fraud....Really? They claim Republicans are using the laws to disenfranchise poor and minority voters who may not have IDs and would vote for Democrats....What! How much does a picture I.D. cost? I am sure there is a government program somewhere in the swamp of deficit spending that would provide free govt. paid for I.D.'s.

The governors of South Carolina and Texas are poised to sign new state laws requiring voters to show photo identification at the polls, who say such measures are necessary to prevent election fraud.

The South Carolina Senate voted to require voters to show a driver’s license, state-issued ID card, passport or federal military ID to cast a ballot. The bill now moves to Governor Nikki Haley, who says she will sign it.

In both states, Republicans control both chambers of the legislature as well as the governor’s office, allowing the proposals to become law despite fierce opposition.

And just what patriotic American citizen would fiercely oppose a way to fight voter fraud?

“The elections in November made a huge difference on this issue,” Tova Wang, senior fellow at Demos, a New York-based advocacy organization that works to defeat photo ID proposals.

Who is "Tova Wang" and what is "Demos"? Who would want our electoral system to be compromised by making it easy for voter fraud?

Kansas Governor Sam Brownback, a Republican, already signed a voter ID plan into law in his state — a development that would have been unlikely last year, when Democrat Mark Parkinson was Governor. In Texas, previous attempts to pass voter ID had been blocked by minority Democrats in the House, but Republicans picked up a supermajority in November’s elections, leading to this year’s breakthrough.

GOP-backed proposals are still moving forward in Missouri, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and elsewhere.

One state at a time American citizens can take their country back. This is going to have to be the trickle up version of bringing sanity back to our election system. Because it certainly is not going to happen through Washington.

Sometimes I Wish I Knew Now, What I Knew Then

Things were simpler "long ago”. I pretty much had everything figured out, the world turned my way in a predictable, orderly direction. There were definite things you could rely on as truth:

There WAS a Santa Claus. Leprechauns would share their pot of gold. I would like my job and it would always be there for me. The check really was in the mail. Of course the Great leaders in far off Washington DC were wise and would always do what was best for me and our country

But my idealistic world received blow after blow. The Leprechauns conned me. There is no Santa! Superman died! I found I sometimes needed to go directly to the source and grab the guy by the collar to get that check. At 18 Washington wanted to send me to far off lands, meet exotic people and kill them before they killed me. Then I swore I heard George Bush the 1st say "no new taxes", when he really said “no nude Texans.”

Out of all of these life disappointments came some wisdom..... I learned some valuable lessons about the politics of our country and the politicians who inhabit our halls of leadership.

The main important lesson was to judge a politician by what he did, not what he promised in a flowery speech.

I'm hearing lots of flowery speeches lately about how they're going to balance the budget. Most of these speeches are tailored at whatever group the politician is standing in front of at the time. The slickest of them can change from an east coast accent to a southern drawl in a heartbeat. The best can daub a tear from their eye on command. Occasionally you'll get one who can make members in the crowd faint.

The ageless adage of "Figures lie and liars figure" comes to mind, when elections start to loom over the horizon and the pols jockey for position. We will get the opportunity to compare the rhetoric of what was promised to what was actually delivered. There is a track record now and a history of those that are in elected office. Lets look at actions rather than listen to the words before we vote for change and hope....Or not.

Congresswoman Giffords has a job to do for her electorate

Almost 3 months after suffering what would normally be a fatal gunshot wound to her head, Congresswoman Giffords is making a miraculous comeback. She just journeyed to Florida to see her husband pilot the space Shuttle Endeavor for its final mission to space. Although the mission had to be scrubbed due to problems in the Shuttles propulsion system, the miracle of seeing "Gabby" Giffords walk up the stairs to board an aircraft made us all cheer her on and marvel at her spirit.

Politics aside, I think we can all learn from her, strength and determination that has seen her overcome the odds and prove to us that sometimes no obstacles are too difficult to overcome.

Because right now Arizona is facing a very difficult obstacle in the form of the federal government. Arizona has been trying to defend its' border from an invasion of illegal aliens and the Obama administration is putting roadblocks in its way and many think it is for political purposes.

Arizona lawmakers overwhelmingly passed a law which required police to check the citizenship status of anyone they have stopped or apprehended for other reasons. Seems pretty simple and straight forward to most of us who want to know who is in our country.

But the Obama administration say that it is against the federal law to do that and have sued Arizona so they can't implement the law.

When she comes back to work in Congress I wonder if she will listen to the majority of the voters in Arizona and help her state protect its borders?

Time will tell.

The Lilliputians Have Crippled America

With determination and purpose the "little people" in Gullivers Travels, relentlessly threw their tiny ropes over the sleeping Giant. Although each "rope" was really a thread compared to the giants size, the sheer number of them provided the strength to keep him subdued.

After six years of the left being able to sway the agenda, two of which they had absolute control, we can see the results of their handiwork and the "giant" (Americas economy) has been immobilized.

It took time, but the ropes of "green energy" are sending fuel prices sky rocketing. Domestic oil and coal exploration are being regulated out of existence. Obama said under his plan of "cap and trade" electric power bills for our homes will "necessarily skyrocket". People have to make decisions between eating or putting gas in their cars so they can get to work. That is if they have a job to go to..... But they are acceptable casualties in the war on "global warming".

The anti-business climate ropes under the direction of Obama leftists has prompted a statement by the leader of the Black Chamber of Commerce of America to say: "Obama is anti-business and the policies are starting to look Marxist to me."

The left's idea of a cure-all for everything and anything our country faces are the many ropes of bigger government and more government programs. For the first time in the history of our country over 50% of the population is receiving some sort of income or assistance from the government.

Even Americas pre-eminent investor, Warren Buffet a former Obama confidante, seems to be distancing himself from the leftist tilt that we find ourselves in. He made a statement the other day at his shareholders meeting saying that "capitalism is what made America the greatest country on earth and capitalism will be the solution to get America out of its economic morass...not government."

Time for the strapped down giant to break his bonds. Time for real adult leadership in Washington DC.

Last Words Uttered: "We Didn't Order a Pizza".

When the doorbell rang at the Osama Bin Laden compound, the security guard on duty that night failed to notice the assault rifle slung over the pizza deliveryman's shoulder. As he unbolted the front door to explain to the camouflaged pizza-man, " we didn't order a pizza", he noticed a flash of light out of the corner of his eye, then everything went dark.....for him.

The rest of the story will go down in history to be replayed in films, training programs and legend. There will probably be ballads written and parents are renaming their first born male children Barack in honor of our President.

Everyone will claim to be a part of the success of the operation. I notice many seem to be coming out of the woodwork to take credit for the action which brought the demise of Osama Bin Laden, now that it seems to be a total success.

Of course if it turned out to be a failure, knowing how politically motivated the key players are, I am sure everyone had a plan B ready just in case. A plausible deniability factor to distance themselves from the calamity....and blame.

Everyone to this day remembers Jimmy Carters failed attempt to rescue the American hostages in Iran. Jimmy Carter=Failed attempt, has a ring to it.

When Dwight Eisenhower ordered the Normandy invasion during WW II, he had already typed up a letter taking full responsibility for the failure of the operation if it had proved to be disastrous. Is there a similar letter in the upper echelons of power in the White house?

The age old axiom shines as we see everyone taking credit for the operation: "Failure is an orphan and success has many parents".

But lost in the back slapping and congratulations is that this operation started years ago when President Bush ordered a revamp of our intelligence systems and had the walls broken down between security agencies so they could share intelligence.

Under President Bush, the key intelligence was gathered that lead to the success of this operation. Using GITMO, enhanced interrogation techniques, warrant less wiretapping and not giving enemy combatants captured on foreign soil constitutional rights.

If you remember one of the first things President Obama did after he was elected was to order his Attorney General, Eric Holder, to investigate CIA interrogators who had worked within the law to garner the information that lead to the successful operation in Pakistan. He also ordered all enhanced interrogation techniques to cease.

If there is another 911 type of attack, will the same "parents" take responsibility for eliminating key intelligence gathering techniques?

Update 5/5/11:

NewYorkPost

Water boarding 'intelligence' led USA to Osama bin Laden : former CIA official http://nyp.st/kHJ6U7

Update 5/21/11:
Mullah Omar reportedly killed in Pakistan
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=689038&publicationSubCategoryId=200

Osama Bin Laden Killed

Breaking: News sources report that the head of Al Quaeda, Osama Bin Laden, has been killed.

The man responsible for the murder of over three thousand Americans by using hijacked passenger airplanes full of living passengers and fuel then slamming them into buildings.....has died a violent death himself at the hands of American special forces.

Many New Yorkers were killed that day of September 11, many Irish and Irish Americans among them.

Fire Departments were decimated when the Towers collapsed and buried these heroes along with people stranded in the buildings.

The scenes of people jumping from burning buildings and landing in the streets below will be etched in our mind forever. The smells of the burning jet fuel, building materials and death will last forever.

Today we find that after almost ten years of searching for justice, that American armed forces have served that justice on the murderer of our citizens.

Thank you President Obama, President Bush, our brave armed forces, our intelligence agencies and our allies around the world who have helped us in our search for this murderer.