What may come as a surprise to the General is that his own actions are casting doubts regarding the General’s own counterinsurgency approach in Afghanistan, and I would take that a step further and suggest that it’s time that civilian political leadership take back control of our military strategy, rather than relying so heavily on professional military officers.
Another day brings another addition to ever growing portfolio of lies that Sean Hannity is delivering to his Fox News viewers about Barack Obama. On his show tonight, Hannity lied about Obama slashing anti-terrorism funding to New York City. This is a complete falsehood. New York City is actually gaining $47 million more in anti-terrorism funding over last year.
Our President, in just a few short weeks, is managing to address multiple disasters and crisis situations at the same time. Response to what may become the largest and most significant and dramatic oil spill disaster in our nation’s history is now being blamed on the Obama administration by the “usual suspects on the “Right”‘ instead of the big oil company, BP that caused it, while at the same time keeping America safe from terrorism.
The Washington Post, that “liberal elite” paper, is following in Fox’s footsteps by regurgitating false Miranda information, suggesting that Miranda rights are optional and should not be employed with suspected terrorists, even if said suspect is an American citizen. Fox News has long advanced the claim that reading Abdulmutallab Miranda rights compromised the government’s ability to get information. This, of course, was not an issue for Fox when the Bush administration handled the suspected terrorists the exact same way. When they’re not trying to terrorize Americans into voting for them, the Right is trying to terrorize Americans into giving away all of their freedoms.
On his radio show today, Rush Limbaugh theorized that the Times Square bomber was an Obama supporter. Limbaugh said, “Guess what Faisal Shahzad was a registered Democrat. I wonder if his SUV had an Obama sticker on it.” Guess what, this is a rumor being spread by right wing blogs with no confirmation or evidence, but that doesn’t stop Limbaugh.
Palin’s latest scandal, “Shreddergate”, turned serious and ugly when Palin fans started threatening State Senator Yee and President Obama. These threats are now being investigated by the Secret Service (due to threatening references to the President) as well as the California Highway Patrol.
Lest you think that the Palin 2008 rallies of hate were an anomaly, Palin fans are now attacking Senator Yee, who called for an investigation of Stanislaus State after University administrators refused to supply Palin’s speaking contract, claiming they didn’t have it. The rage, hatred, bigotry and violence that Palin fans have put on display here has a goal: to silence the Senator. In other words, this is political terrorism.
After the historic Nuclear Arms Reduction Treaty signed the previous week between the United States and Russia, the seemingly logical next step was to get as many nations together as possible to be on the same page. The threat of nuclear weapons getting into the wrong hands like al Qaeda or rogue nations like North Korea or Iran, who are currently developing nuclear weapons, should be of grave concern to the entire world.
Throughout my life I’ve never hated someone’s message so much that I wanted to shut him or her down by force. My liberal parents taught me that those folks had a right to freedom of speech. Freedom of speech. This is our right as American citizens. Part of my job as a citizen is to tolerate ideas with which I do not agree, so long as they do not infringe on the rights and safety of others. This is a concept that Republicans no longer understand.
On his radio show today, Rush Limbaugh claimed that Obama’s declaration of 9/11 as a day of service is really nothing more than Obama recruiting people to support him. He said, “There are endless and countless examples of subtle and not so subtle efforts by this White House to recruit and organize Americans.”
The attempted Christmas day terror attack has thrust the issue of terrorism back into the spotlight, while the cynical, paranoid neo-con chicken hawks have looked to exploit the issue for political gain. Here is how the US can battle al-Qaeda without giving into fear and changing who we are.
Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin took to her Facebook page again today to attack President Obama for treating the suspect in the attempted Christmas Day terror attack as a criminal. Palin’s entire intellectual basis for argument is based on what she saw on Fox News, and things that she made up.
We are in the midst of one of the nation’s greatest fears, being attacked by extremists. No, not just the “Underwear Bomber from Nigeria, but also Dick Cheney, Jim DeMint, and other right wing extremists who are suffering from a case of collective amnesia related to how they dropped the ball on national security.
The latest big lie being spread through right wing media is that Bill Clinton not George W. Bush is to blame for 9/11. On FNC’s Hannity program, Dick Morris said, “The reason 9/11 happened was because Bill Clinton treated the ’93 bombing of the World Trade Center as a crime, not an act of war.”
Republicans like Rep Pete Hoekstra are expressing their shock and outrage because they believes that President Obama should have been more Republican in his response to an attempted terror attack. He should have been more like George W. Bush who waited six days to answer questions about the foiled shoe bomber attack.
As he continues to hold up the confirmation of Obama’s TSA administrator appointee Errol Southers, Jim DeMint should be ashamed that he put politics over Americans’ safety. And not just Americans’ safety; there were people from all over the world on that flight. He owes America an apology.
On the Senate floor today, Sen. Al Franken (D-MN) sent Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT) a strong message today when as acting president he denied Lieberman’s request for more time to speak. The message was simple. If Lieberman is going to destroy healthcare reform, then he shouldn’t count on getting any future help from Democrats.
Sarah Palin appeared at Fort Bragg today, promoting her book, “Going Rogue” to the military. Palin had promised to limit herself to signing books, no politicizing her visit, amidst general concerns that her signing would violate Federal Law (Titles 10, 2, and 18, United States Code), Department of Defense (DOD) Directives, and specific military regulations strictly limit a military active duty person’s participation in partisan political activities.
One thing Palin’s ghost-written hagiography has made clear is that Palin is constantly dabbling in Christian political porn; her tantalizing naughtiness always right out there for the repressed, as she dangles her poison apple in phrase, deed, and clothing.
At the memorial service for the victims of last week’s shooting at Ft. Hood, TX, President Obama not only paid tribute to the fallen, but also placed their service to the country in the context of history. Obama said, “The stories of those at Fort Hood reaffirm the core values that we are fighting for, and the strength that we must draw upon.”
Forty seven women have come forward reporting similar experiences to those recounted by Jamie Leigh Jones, who was gang raped by employees of defense contractors Halliburton and KBR. I had previously identified the number at 11, from earlier information in my research; the higher number reflects the more recent numbers who have contacted Jamie Leigh Jones and her Foundation. Just as important is the fact that the Senators who voted no on the Franken Amendment are being held accountable in their home states.
Republicans are playing the terrorism card to dissuade Attorney General Eric Holder from investigating torture. Nine GOP lawmakers have sent a letter to Holder warning that the U.S. could face a terrorist attack if the attorney general appoints a special prosecutor to investigate the CIA’s use of torture against “war on terror†suspects.
The violence brewing in video clips of the astroturffing tea baggers hell bent on making sure no intelligent debate can take place in Town Hall meetings regarding Healthcare has thrown even the unflappable, calm, rational ex-clown, Glenn Beck, into a tizzy of fear. Glenn Beck has begged his viewers not to turn violent.
In an interview on CNBC today, President Barack Obama made his strongest statement yet by proclaiming that his administration would not get involved in the post election protests in Iran. Obama said, “I think’s important to recognize is that the easiest way for reactionary forces inside Iran to crush reformers is to say it’s the US that is encouraging those reformers.”
On his MSNBC program Countdown host Keith Olbermann laid the responsibility for the murder of Dr. George Tiller at the feet of Bill O’Reilly and Fox News. Olbermann said that Fox News incites murder and terrorism, and must be stopped.
While speaking at the National Press Club today, former vice president Dick Cheney, passed blame for 9/11 away from the Bush administration and on to former counterterrorism chief Richard Clarke. Cheney said, Dick Clarke, who was the head of the counterrorism program in the run-up to 9/11. He obviously missed it.”
On Sunday morning late term abortion provider Dr. George Tiller was gunned down while he served as an usher at church in Wichita, KS. While several anti-abortion groups have expressed their shock and dismay over Tiller’s murder, others such as Operation Rescue founder Randall Terry, and Operation Save America have blamed Tiller for causing his own death.
While trying to make the case for keeping Guantanamo Bay open as a detention center, Republican Sen. John Ensign said of the detainees, “They get better health care than the average American citizen does.” I think Ensign just gave the Democrats their best argument in favor of healthcare reform.
Today President Obama put out a statement stressing that military tribunals are going to be the method of trial for some GITMO detainees. However, he announced that his administration is reforming the process to give detainees more legal rights, and to make sure that the prosecutions are legitimate.
Former Sec. of State Condi Rice recently took questions from a few dozen students at the Jewish Primary Day Schools. A 4th grader asked Rice what she thought about what the Obama administration was saying about the Bush administration’s use of enhanced interrogation techniques. A 4th grader asked a question about torture. For people who think that morality doesn’t matter, think about that for a moment.
Sen. Patrick Leahy was on MSNBC’s The Ed Show tonight, where he extended an invitation to former vice president Dick Cheney to testify before his Senate Judicial Committee. Leahy said that if Cheney is so concerned about torture, then he should come before Congress and answer a few questions.
For years now, piracy has been a problem especially near the lawless nation of Somalia, but it took the capture of a U.S. operated ship for the problem to get worldwide attention, now some experts are cautioning that the motives for the piracy could be al-Qaeda affiliated terrorism, and money.
According to the Voice of America, President Obama’s holiday message to the Iranian people on Thursday night drew millions of listeners to the VOA and its website. Many of these listeners have come from Iran, where media is restricted.
Right winger Gary Bauer blew a gasket today and accused President Obama of confirming his worst fears by rel
The White House announced today that President Obama has ordered a 60 day review of the nation’s
In his opening statement for his Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing, Obama’s nominee for attorney general promised a radical shift away from the policies of the Bush years. He listed his goals as terrorism protection, a less partisan department, and a return to the protection of civil rights and the American consumer.
The Republican National Committee and the Coleman campaign released statements today calling Democrat Al Franken’s attempt to certify his Senate victory outrageous and underhanded. The RNC statement also claimed that Franken’s lead is artificial.
During his statement to the new Congress, Majority Leader Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV) waded into the disputed Minnesota Senate race by referring to Republican Norm Coleman as a former senator, and he called on him to concede, but Coleman said he will be filing suit to contest the certification of Al Franken as the winner.
Trailing in the polls with six days to go, the presidential campaign of John McCain has decided to revive the Obama associates with terrorists line, by criticizing the LA Times for not releasing a videotape of Obama at a 2003 farewell dinner for Rashid Khalidi. I guess this is their version of an October Surprise.
The presidential campaign of Barack Obama has today unveiled a new robocall to counter the calls sponsored by John McCain and the RNC that link the Democrat to terrorists and terrorism. The calls slams McCain for using hateful and sleazy phone calls and mail.
Well, we are done with the final debate between the candidates and going down the home stretch towards Election Day. And it looks to me like McCain and his campaign are making every possible dumb move that can be made, and no Rovian tactic can help them. In fact, it is the Rove-like maneuvers that are hurting McCain/Palin in the eyes of the American people.
With Barack Obama opening up a wider and wider lead, both in national polls as well as state polls (even crucial swing states), and John McCain literally sinking quicker than the Titanic, the question must be asked: what happened to John McCain?
The latest AP-Yahoo News poll was released today and it confirms what many election watchers already know. John McCain’s negative campaign against Barack Obama has completely backfired. Carrying out a negative campaign when McCain isn’t well liked has resulted in Obama’s favorables going up, and McCain’s going down.
Ignoring all signs that their negative campaign against Barack Obama is backfiring, John McCain and the Republican Party continue to try to label their opponent as a terrorist by using robocalls in swing states like Virginia, Maine, Florida, Missouri, and North Carolina. There is also a direct mail piece from the Republican Party in Virginia that links Barack Obama and Osama Bin Laden.
The presidential campaign of John McCain continues to press the implication that Batack Obama is terrorist due to his association with a former member of the Weather Underground, Bill Ayers. Today, the McCain campaign put out a statement from John M. Murtagh whose home was firebombed by the radical group when he was nine years old, “Barack Obama’s friend tried to kill my family.”
The Minneapolis Star Tribune released a new Minnesota poll this morning, and it contains more bad news for John McCain, as Barack Obama now leads the Republican 55%-37% in a blue state that McCain had targeted to flip.
A new poll by The Washington Post/ABC News shows Barack Obama taking a slight lead in the battleground state of Virginia over John McCain 49%-46%. The Democrat’s lead has been powered both voters’ economic concerns, and their belief that Obama is better suited to handle the economy.
In her first solo network television interview Sarah Palin appeared clueless when asked about the Bush Doctrine by ABC’s Charlie Gibson. When Palin was asked about the Bush Doctrine, she appeared not to know what it was.
Here is the video:
Today Barack Obama, John McCain, and George W. Bush all spoke on the seventh anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks and none of them mentioned Osama Bin Laden, the al-Qaeda leader who is still at large. Why have our political leaders forgotten Bin Laden?
It’s Thursday, the last day of the Republican National Convention. So far, they haven’t offered much substance. They’d better seize the day and pull this one out.
President George W. Bush told America tonight that the nation needs John McCain. Considering that Bush has exhibited terrible judgment all through his presidency, this should be reason enough for America to collectively run screaming away from McCain.
With the release of today’s Fox News/ Opinion Dynamics poll which has Barack Obama leading John McCain 42%-39%, it is now clear that this contest is a statistical dead heat.
During a conference call about Obama’s op-ed in the New York Times today, Sen. Joe Biden (D-DE) said that John McCain has no notion of what is going on in Iraq.
The cover of the July 21 New Yorker depicts Obama in turban fist bumping his wife who is complete with an afro and automatic weapon while an American flag burns in the fire place and picture of Osama Bin Laden on the mantle that is getting all the attention.
As expected the Senate passed the FISA bill today complete with full immunity for the telecoms who participated in President Bush’s warrantless wiretapping program. The bill passed by a vote of 69-28.
A just released LA Times/Bloomberg poll has Barack Obama leading John McCain by twelve points, 49%-37%. On a four man ballot that includes Ralph Nader and Bob Barr, Obama leads 48%-33%, with Nader and Barr splitting 7%.
Today Fox News and Opinion Dynamics released a new national poll that finds at tight race nationally between Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain. The poll finds that Obama leads McCain 42%-39%. Ralph Nader gets 4%, and Bob Barr is at 2%. If the names of the candidates are removed and voters are asked if they will vote Democratic or Republican, Democrats lead 42%-35%.
Because Barack Obama supports the recent Supreme Court ruling that suspected terrorism detainees have a right to challenge their detention, McCain campaign advisor Randy Scheunemann accused him of possessing, “the prefect September 10 mindset.” For all of you, who had June 17 in the pool as the date when McCain would invoke 9/11 consider yourself a winner.
Barack Obama told reporters in Flint, MI today that he will be visiting Iraq and Afghanistan before the election. This is critical not only because John McCain’s campaign has been making a daily point to hammer Obama on not visiting Iraq, but also because as the Democratic Party’s nominee, he has to go to Iraq.
Barack Obama said of today’s Supreme Court ruling that the detainees at GITMO have the right to challenge their detention in civilian court, “The Court’s decision is a rejection of the Bush Administration’s attempt to create a legal black hole at Guantanamo – yet another failed policy supported by John McCain.”
Earlier this morning, the United States Supreme Court gave the Constitution, which had become much attacked under the Bush Administration, a boost of high octane gas (at $5.65 a gallon…ok, kidding).
The latest Survey USA state poll of Washington finds Barack Obama with a commanding lead over John McCain 56%-39%. Obama leads McCain among all age groups and races. He leads McCain 59%-36% among 18-34 year olds and 56%-40% with those 50-64 years old. Not surprisingly, McCain runs best with older voters. Among voters over age 65, Obama leads McCain 49%-46%.
There was some good news and some bad news for Barack Obama in the latest Quinnipiac University poll of swing states Florida, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. The good news is that Obama is beating McCain in Pennsylvania. The bad news is that he is losing to McCain in Ohio and Florida, and working class white voters are the difference.
Sen. Barack Obama accused President Bush of making a “dishonest, divisive attack” on him last week during a speech to the Israeli Knesset.
Sometimes when I write about Republican presidential candidate John McCain’s age in a less than flattering way, I get accused of ageism, so is it fair to call John McCain old? John McCain was born on August 29, 1936. By the time he accepts the Republican nomination in September, he will be 72 years old.
At the end of the Texas/Ohio campaign last month, Hillary Clinton unleashed her now-infamous “3 A.M.” television ad, challenging Barack Obama’s foreign policy inexperience. Earlier this week, facing another must-win primary in Pennsylvania, Clinton used some brief footage of Osama bin Laden in another television ad.
On Tuesday during the Senate Armed Services Committee hearing about the progress of the Iraq war Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama suggested once again that we should implement a diplomatic surge that would include talking to Iran about the situation in Iraq.
Well, it has been about two weeks since I contributed the first part of my comprehensive look at the Presidential candidates that have fallen by the wayside. I do apologize for the delay, but apparently I forgot about Opening Day in St. Louis, which was last week.
What becomes obvious at first glance is that both campaigns chose to focus on Iraq in a different way. Clinton wanted to focus all blame on the Republicans, while looking presidential. This is a strategy aimed at the general election. “The mistakes in Iraq are not the responsibility of our men and women in uniform but of their Commander-in-Chief.
Today the House of the Representatives passed a Democratic bill that would set the rules for the surveillance of the emails and phone calls of people within the United States. The bill was passed among mostly partisan lines, 213-197.
Today, President Bush used his weekly radio address to defend his veto of a bill that would have banned the use of waterboarding and other forms of torture by the CIA. The president’s first point was to remind America that al-Qaeda is out there and wanting to attack. “Al Qaida remains determined to attack America again.