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It's All Hollows Eve, time to be wary of lycanthropes, zombies and spooks. The Spooks in our story do not haunt houses, but security policy. Sun Tzu said "Intelligence is the first line of defense," But what if that first line is being decimated by it's own watchers?
Quis custodiet ipsos custode? Who watches the watchers?
Most Congressional Democrats are up in arms about Central Intelligence Agency [CIA] Director Michael Hayden investigating the Inspector General [IG] of the CIA; But the watchers of our watchers are not pure either; Mary O. McCarthy leaked information regarding Renditions from the IG's own investigations. She worked on the IG CIA staff. If renditions are leaked to the press, what else was brought out of secrecy?
The whole purpose of the CIA/NSA/etc. is to be able to work off intelligence that is not released to the public. If the IG goes public, can you blame the Agency for not trusting their own watchers?
Something Democrats and the Press need to understand, the Military, the National Security Apparatus, a majority of the Federal Agencies exist to protect this country no matter which President is in charge. The people working for a President on January 19 of one administration will still be there on January 21 with a new administration.
No President owns these agencies. Nor do any political parties, but from the attack on General Petreaus to the politicizing of foreign policy (again I must repeat Senator Vandenburg's dictum: Politics must stop at the waters edge), the Democrats have acted that since they have no control, the Republicans should not have control either.
Imagine a country without a strong Executive or Intelligence, what do you have? Lebanon or Ethiopia. Do Democrats want America to go the same route?
My question is this: Since the Church Committee (and during the Clinton era, the Torriccelli Amendment), the CIA has been hampered from doing their jobs; why should Democrats be trusted with the National Security Apparatus when they are so determined to destroy it?
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Sunday, October 28, 2007
The Global Veto vs. American Exceptionalism
Please join in the Valley of the Shadow Annual Fundraiser. We are raising $7,700. Please hit the Tip Jar here to contribute. Thank you.
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To win Presidential elections in the United States, the top candidate must think like a Jew. No, not worrying all the time, but to cite the fact that America is, to paraphrase, "A Chosen People,"
For instance, in Conservative and Republican language (Democrats have their own language as well --- more on that further down), American Exceptionalism is the concept that America is the New Jerusalem of the world.
Let us consider that before 2001, at this candidate debate, Nation Building (i.e. Wilsonianism) was not part of Republican Party Foreign Policy, but in 2000, it was a part of Democratic party Foreign Policy (i.e. Haiti, the former Yugoslavia):
For a long time during America's growth, America could remain isolated from the world. Heck, the Republican party after the Treaty of Versailles stood very strongly against foreign intervention. But that policy gave us World War II and the rise of dictator states. The Democrats (and the Buchaninites/Ron Paul lemmings) have acted as if the world has not changed since 1919.
Yet, the other extreme is relying too much on Collective Security. Senator Kerry, as presidential Candidate in 2004, talked of "A Global Test," before America could send troops overseas. The world could veto US foreign policy? Which organization would have precedence? NATO? The EU? The UN? The former Warsaw Pact? Who?
Remember how I said Democrats have their own language too? Democrats believe in carrot Diplomacy, but with no stick. A sovereign nation can threaten our Ambassadors, our military or our citizens overseas, but with a future Democratic Administration, there will be no consequence.
Because the world is interconnected, America cannot just turn it's back; The Democrats want to, but, again I ask, what are the consequences? Democrats are pushing a bill through Congress limiting the number of military bases in Iraq. When Iran tipped over in 1979, America's only allies in that reigon were Israel and Saudi Arabia. Should we not keep an eye on that part of the world?
American Exceptionalism is about countering Collective Security when it fails. How many massacres have the United Nations stopped? How many wars or threats of war? We are an optimistic nation; Democracy, even with it's flaws (1960 and 2000), is still better than a dictatorship. If Democrats cannot argue in 2008 for American Exceptionalism, they can follow the Whigs.
----------------------------------------------------
To win Presidential elections in the United States, the top candidate must think like a Jew. No, not worrying all the time, but to cite the fact that America is, to paraphrase, "A Chosen People,"
For instance, in Conservative and Republican language (Democrats have their own language as well --- more on that further down), American Exceptionalism is the concept that America is the New Jerusalem of the world.
Let us consider that before 2001, at this candidate debate, Nation Building (i.e. Wilsonianism) was not part of Republican Party Foreign Policy, but in 2000, it was a part of Democratic party Foreign Policy (i.e. Haiti, the former Yugoslavia):
For a long time during America's growth, America could remain isolated from the world. Heck, the Republican party after the Treaty of Versailles stood very strongly against foreign intervention. But that policy gave us World War II and the rise of dictator states. The Democrats (and the Buchaninites/Ron Paul lemmings) have acted as if the world has not changed since 1919.
Yet, the other extreme is relying too much on Collective Security. Senator Kerry, as presidential Candidate in 2004, talked of "A Global Test," before America could send troops overseas. The world could veto US foreign policy? Which organization would have precedence? NATO? The EU? The UN? The former Warsaw Pact? Who?
Remember how I said Democrats have their own language too? Democrats believe in carrot Diplomacy, but with no stick. A sovereign nation can threaten our Ambassadors, our military or our citizens overseas, but with a future Democratic Administration, there will be no consequence.
Because the world is interconnected, America cannot just turn it's back; The Democrats want to, but, again I ask, what are the consequences? Democrats are pushing a bill through Congress limiting the number of military bases in Iraq. When Iran tipped over in 1979, America's only allies in that reigon were Israel and Saudi Arabia. Should we not keep an eye on that part of the world?
American Exceptionalism is about countering Collective Security when it fails. How many massacres have the United Nations stopped? How many wars or threats of war? We are an optimistic nation; Democracy, even with it's flaws (1960 and 2000), is still better than a dictatorship. If Democrats cannot argue in 2008 for American Exceptionalism, they can follow the Whigs.
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Between the Santa Anas and the Smoke
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If you haven't been under a rock the past week, there were fires to the West, the South and the North. Normally, I'd file this post under the next cycle of California Encyclicals, but instead, this proves what is going well in Southern California.
The San Fernando Valley was safe (save from traffic accidents and road closures), but others weren't. Before I get political here, please make a donation to The Red Cross for the survivors.
Now let's go over the winners and losers of the Fires:
Winners
LAFD, SDFD, and all the Fire Departments involved -- They did the hard work. Give them support during their fund drives and wish them well. They kept Los Angeles and San Diego safe.
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-CA) - By being bi-partisan in his effort (welcoming President Bush, working with local Democrats in Malibu), he played a great role here. He might not help Republicans win in the next election, but he has proven he can carry the day.
Mayor Jerry Sanders (R-San Diego) - San Diego was a corrupt city before his election as mayor. By working to clean out corruption, he made it easier for the Federal officials to get in.
The City of San Diego -- A healthy two party system, clean of corruption, and a military town; San Diego showed how cities can tackle crisis that occur.
David Geffen - Democratic party contributor who refuses to open to the beach to the public, but opened his homes to his neighbors. Kudos from the Valley.
City of Malibu - They kept their (rich) citizens safe.
President George Bush (R-TX) -- Activated FEMA after the call from Governor Schwarzenegger, their earlier disputes melted away against the backdrop of the fires. Sometimes Republicans working together can be a good thing.
Losers
John Garamendi and Barbara Boxer - Context and timing. Disagree with International policy? Fine. "Act civil?" There is only one President at a time, Lieutenant Governor Garamendi, he came here about the fires. Next year, I heard rumors of an election for another President; Couldn't both Boxer and Garmendi wait until the fires had cooled? No, they proved to be partisan hacks.
The City of New Orleans, and the State of Louisiana - A one party state with a history of political corruption could not get their own house in order for the Federal Agencies. For all those who complain, answer me this: What role does a Mayor and a Governor have in an emergency? It always takes three days before the Federal Agencies arrives. That is the same number under President Clinton and President HW Bush. However, tired of excuses, Louisiana elected Rep. Bobby Jindal (R-LA). Maybe Louisiana is on the way to becoming San Diego.
Enviormentalist Lawsuits - Lawsuits show up if people want to clear brush or to adapt anything in the forests. Enviormentalists used to be about "Conserving", but with these fires, the collective total of lawsuits are killing trees while the fires are killing people. Battle in the court of public opinion not just in the legal courts. Judicial fiats are not a way to prove your point.
With tonights rain, the fires should have cooled, so should the political rhetoric during an emergency.
---------------------------------------
If you haven't been under a rock the past week, there were fires to the West, the South and the North. Normally, I'd file this post under the next cycle of California Encyclicals, but instead, this proves what is going well in Southern California.
The San Fernando Valley was safe (save from traffic accidents and road closures), but others weren't. Before I get political here, please make a donation to The Red Cross for the survivors.
Now let's go over the winners and losers of the Fires:
Winners
LAFD, SDFD, and all the Fire Departments involved -- They did the hard work. Give them support during their fund drives and wish them well. They kept Los Angeles and San Diego safe.
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-CA) - By being bi-partisan in his effort (welcoming President Bush, working with local Democrats in Malibu), he played a great role here. He might not help Republicans win in the next election, but he has proven he can carry the day.
Mayor Jerry Sanders (R-San Diego) - San Diego was a corrupt city before his election as mayor. By working to clean out corruption, he made it easier for the Federal officials to get in.
The City of San Diego -- A healthy two party system, clean of corruption, and a military town; San Diego showed how cities can tackle crisis that occur.
David Geffen - Democratic party contributor who refuses to open to the beach to the public, but opened his homes to his neighbors. Kudos from the Valley.
City of Malibu - They kept their (rich) citizens safe.
President George Bush (R-TX) -- Activated FEMA after the call from Governor Schwarzenegger, their earlier disputes melted away against the backdrop of the fires. Sometimes Republicans working together can be a good thing.
Losers
John Garamendi and Barbara Boxer - Context and timing. Disagree with International policy? Fine. "Act civil?" There is only one President at a time, Lieutenant Governor Garamendi, he came here about the fires. Next year, I heard rumors of an election for another President; Couldn't both Boxer and Garmendi wait until the fires had cooled? No, they proved to be partisan hacks.
The City of New Orleans, and the State of Louisiana - A one party state with a history of political corruption could not get their own house in order for the Federal Agencies. For all those who complain, answer me this: What role does a Mayor and a Governor have in an emergency? It always takes three days before the Federal Agencies arrives. That is the same number under President Clinton and President HW Bush. However, tired of excuses, Louisiana elected Rep. Bobby Jindal (R-LA). Maybe Louisiana is on the way to becoming San Diego.
Enviormentalist Lawsuits - Lawsuits show up if people want to clear brush or to adapt anything in the forests. Enviormentalists used to be about "Conserving", but with these fires, the collective total of lawsuits are killing trees while the fires are killing people. Battle in the court of public opinion not just in the legal courts. Judicial fiats are not a way to prove your point.
With tonights rain, the fires should have cooled, so should the political rhetoric during an emergency.
Where I've been, where I'm going (ii)
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Sometimes all you need is a nap. It's been a busy few weeks at work, it's been a time changing plans from moving 3000 miles to moving in a range of 10 miles.
I can deal with changes, but sometimes, they are the changes you do not expect. Also, I was told to hold off as far as traveling east, so I can become "A new face" in DC after 2009. A little tough, but my ego is strong.
In one of my favorite comic book limited series, Wolverine, he is able to save his future bride by leaping against an assassin and not changing a beat. I changed my beat and I personally needed some time away -- sorry to all.
For now, I am looking at studios and 1 bedrooms between Magnolia Blvd and Mullholland Drive; From Studio City to Sherman Oaks. I hope to move in before my birthday (December 16).
Also, last night, I caught a local version of Rocky Horror Picture Show. The words change, but the mood remains the same. As someone who caught Rocky Horror first in Forest Hills on Queens Boulevard, (when I was 15) and then in the Village, it still rocks. Silly and stupid, yes, but sometimes silly and stupid is needed to bring you out of a funk.
----------------------------------------------
Sometimes all you need is a nap. It's been a busy few weeks at work, it's been a time changing plans from moving 3000 miles to moving in a range of 10 miles.
I can deal with changes, but sometimes, they are the changes you do not expect. Also, I was told to hold off as far as traveling east, so I can become "A new face" in DC after 2009. A little tough, but my ego is strong.
In one of my favorite comic book limited series, Wolverine, he is able to save his future bride by leaping against an assassin and not changing a beat. I changed my beat and I personally needed some time away -- sorry to all.
For now, I am looking at studios and 1 bedrooms between Magnolia Blvd and Mullholland Drive; From Studio City to Sherman Oaks. I hope to move in before my birthday (December 16).
Also, last night, I caught a local version of Rocky Horror Picture Show. The words change, but the mood remains the same. As someone who caught Rocky Horror first in Forest Hills on Queens Boulevard, (when I was 15) and then in the Village, it still rocks. Silly and stupid, yes, but sometimes silly and stupid is needed to bring you out of a funk.
Sunday, October 21, 2007
A Sea made smaller
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----------------------------------------------
While the Democratic party and their partisans are trying to destroy diplomacy between nations and weaken Executive Branch power in foreign affairs, the region known as the Caspian Sea, is building towards a climax that will affect oil and heating prices at least ten years down the line.
Just last week, Putin met with President Ahmadinajad regarding control of the Caucuses, and specifically, the state of Azerbaijan, with the city of Baku. Putin sends oil out to Europe through pipelines, the Caspian Oil is still in the process of being shipped east through Turkey (Hmm, does Speaker Pelosi believe in causation?) towards the West. Russia is also building pipelines towards the east, towards China, in (friendly) competition with Iran.
China is already exploiting the chaos in the Sudan to extract oil from that Government. Meanwhile, President Ahmadinijad is working on a multitude of deals with President-for-life Hugo Chavez. Some of which include oil controls.
Between Iran and Russia, the Caspian Sea has become a lake. Deals are negotiated to spite "the evil Bush," Unfortunately, Democrats, to quote Inigo Montoya from the Princess Bride, foreign policy does not mean what you think it means. If enemies of American sovereignty are building deals to cripple the United States economically, does your rhetoric help the situation?
Since 1989, the world has experienced Globalization -- everything (including this Blog Post on the geographically diffuse Internet) is interconnected. China is entering the industrial age, sacrificing Mao for Thatcherism, they are beginning to expand their reach. The Caspian Sea is the Oil Ring that will bind the Middle East, Russia and Asia together. Iran's ties to Venezuela (and Chavez' ties within South America) can bring back the Oil Shock of the 1970's, if OPEC stands behind each deal.
The Caspian Sea borders Russia, Central Asia, Iraq and Iran. My questions are: How will the art of Diplomacy stave off an Economic Sword of Damocles? What Democrat believes in American Power to be used to protect American interests? Conservatives and Republicans believe in American exceptionalism, do the Democrats?
----------------------------------------------
While the Democratic party and their partisans are trying to destroy diplomacy between nations and weaken Executive Branch power in foreign affairs, the region known as the Caspian Sea, is building towards a climax that will affect oil and heating prices at least ten years down the line.
Just last week, Putin met with President Ahmadinajad regarding control of the Caucuses, and specifically, the state of Azerbaijan, with the city of Baku. Putin sends oil out to Europe through pipelines, the Caspian Oil is still in the process of being shipped east through Turkey (Hmm, does Speaker Pelosi believe in causation?) towards the West. Russia is also building pipelines towards the east, towards China, in (friendly) competition with Iran.
China is already exploiting the chaos in the Sudan to extract oil from that Government. Meanwhile, President Ahmadinijad is working on a multitude of deals with President-for-life Hugo Chavez. Some of which include oil controls.
Between Iran and Russia, the Caspian Sea has become a lake. Deals are negotiated to spite "the evil Bush," Unfortunately, Democrats, to quote Inigo Montoya from the Princess Bride, foreign policy does not mean what you think it means. If enemies of American sovereignty are building deals to cripple the United States economically, does your rhetoric help the situation?
Since 1989, the world has experienced Globalization -- everything (including this Blog Post on the geographically diffuse Internet) is interconnected. China is entering the industrial age, sacrificing Mao for Thatcherism, they are beginning to expand their reach. The Caspian Sea is the Oil Ring that will bind the Middle East, Russia and Asia together. Iran's ties to Venezuela (and Chavez' ties within South America) can bring back the Oil Shock of the 1970's, if OPEC stands behind each deal.
The Caspian Sea borders Russia, Central Asia, Iraq and Iran. My questions are: How will the art of Diplomacy stave off an Economic Sword of Damocles? What Democrat believes in American Power to be used to protect American interests? Conservatives and Republicans believe in American exceptionalism, do the Democrats?
Farynghoula Mutating Meme
Please join in the Valley of the Shadow Annual Fundraiser. We are raising $7,700. Please hit the Tip Jar here to contribute. Thank you.
------------------------------------------------------------
Jason, of Washington Interns Gone Bad sent me this meme. The instructions are copied verbatim. This meme is about Genetics and Blogging.
Here are the instructions:
There are a set of questions below that are all of the form, “The best [subgenre] [medium] in [genre] is…”.
Copy the questions, and before answering them, you may modify them in a limited way, carrying out no more than two of these operations:
* You can leave them exactly as is.
* You can delete any one question.
* You can mutate either the genre, medium, or subgenre of any one question. For instance, you could change “The best time travel novel in SF/Fantasy is…” to “The best time travel novel in Westerns is…”, or “The best time travel movie in SF/Fantasy is…”, or “The best romance novel in SF/Fantasy is…”.
* You can add a completely new question of your choice to the end of the list, as long as it is still in the form “The best [subgenre] [medium] in [genre] is…”.
* You must have at least one question in your set, or you’ve gone extinct, and you must be able to answer it yourself, or you’re not viable. Then answer your possibly mutant set of questions.
*Please do include a link back to the blog you got them from, to simplify tracing the ancestry, and include these instructions. Finally, pass it along to any number of your fellow bloggers.
Remember, though, your success as a Darwinian replicator is going to be measured by the propagation of your variants, which is going to be a function of both the interest your well-honed questions generate and the number of successful attempts at reproducing them.
My changes are italicized. Original questions are in Bold.
The best Horror movie in SF/Fantasy is: Alien
The best hip hop song from speed metal is: “Word up" by Korn
The most disturbing movie in Independent Film is: Faces of Death
The trashiest reality show on cable TV is : Growing Up Gotti.
The Most Surrealistic Comic in Graphic Novels is: Waterloo Sunset.
My genealogy is:
My great-great-great-great-great-great-grandparent is Pharyngula.
My great-great-great-great-great grandparents are The Flying Trilobite and Metamagician and the Hellfire Club.
My great-great-great-great-grandparents are Flying Trilobite and Leslie’s Blog.
My great-great-great-grandparents are A Blog Around the Clock and The Meming of Life.
My great-great-grandparents are From Archaea to Zeaxanthol and The Primate Diaries.
My great-granddad is The Other 95%.
My Granddad in this meme is Tangled Up in Blue Guy.
My father is Washington Interns Gone Bad
I send this Meme to:
Aurora, Chessnovice, Donald Douglas and Malcot
Good luck!
And this is post number 200. Here's hoping for another 100 more.
------------------------------------------------------------
Jason, of Washington Interns Gone Bad sent me this meme. The instructions are copied verbatim. This meme is about Genetics and Blogging.
Here are the instructions:
There are a set of questions below that are all of the form, “The best [subgenre] [medium] in [genre] is…”.
Copy the questions, and before answering them, you may modify them in a limited way, carrying out no more than two of these operations:
* You can leave them exactly as is.
* You can delete any one question.
* You can mutate either the genre, medium, or subgenre of any one question. For instance, you could change “The best time travel novel in SF/Fantasy is…” to “The best time travel novel in Westerns is…”, or “The best time travel movie in SF/Fantasy is…”, or “The best romance novel in SF/Fantasy is…”.
* You can add a completely new question of your choice to the end of the list, as long as it is still in the form “The best [subgenre] [medium] in [genre] is…”.
* You must have at least one question in your set, or you’ve gone extinct, and you must be able to answer it yourself, or you’re not viable. Then answer your possibly mutant set of questions.
*Please do include a link back to the blog you got them from, to simplify tracing the ancestry, and include these instructions. Finally, pass it along to any number of your fellow bloggers.
Remember, though, your success as a Darwinian replicator is going to be measured by the propagation of your variants, which is going to be a function of both the interest your well-honed questions generate and the number of successful attempts at reproducing them.
My changes are italicized. Original questions are in Bold.
The best Horror movie in SF/Fantasy is: Alien
The best hip hop song from speed metal is: “Word up" by Korn
The most disturbing movie in Independent Film is: Faces of Death
The trashiest reality show on cable TV is : Growing Up Gotti.
The Most Surrealistic Comic in Graphic Novels is: Waterloo Sunset.
My genealogy is:
My great-great-great-great-great-great-grandparent is Pharyngula.
My great-great-great-great-great grandparents are The Flying Trilobite and Metamagician and the Hellfire Club.
My great-great-great-great-grandparents are Flying Trilobite and Leslie’s Blog.
My great-great-great-grandparents are A Blog Around the Clock and The Meming of Life.
My great-great-grandparents are From Archaea to Zeaxanthol and The Primate Diaries.
My great-granddad is The Other 95%.
My Granddad in this meme is Tangled Up in Blue Guy.
My father is Washington Interns Gone Bad
I send this Meme to:
Aurora, Chessnovice, Donald Douglas and Malcot
Good luck!
And this is post number 200. Here's hoping for another 100 more.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Where I've been, Where I'm going
Please join in the Valley of the Shadow Annual Fundraiser. We are raising $7,700. Please hit the Tip Jar here to contribute. Thank you.
-------------------------------------------------
Sorry for the lack of posts, but we are edging into Oscar Nomination Season at work. Also, when I am in Deep Thought ("42" yells the chorus), I end up going incommunicado. I take some calls, occasionally a Blog Post, but more likely, I am lost in thought. It's not personal.
I have also added a new thing to my schedule -- working out. That takes time away from Blogging.
Here is what I am working on:
1) Getting a Laptop: This will help me with,
2) Moving around the Valley or Hollywood, which in turn means,
3) A possible new car? and leads back to:
4) Moving back to DC
Also, I am working on a few future Blog Posts. There will be the California Encyclicals Redux, more discussions with Revolutionary Jimmy, how to make Hollywood profitable again, my Political Conversion, and as we get to the end of the year, a few good words to the opposing party. I do it because most of the major left sites do not. Let me know if I am wrong.
The political scene is not changing while I am away. Just understand two rules:
A) Let your opponent "save face" (This is how the Democrats lost the S-CHIP Veto override in the House)
B) Words have Consequences. The enemy is not American, that is your opponent. There is such a thing called "carrot and stick diplomacy" None of which allow Diplomats to be recalled.
For now, I suggest you read these Blogs:
Jason's, Aurora's, Chessnovices', and Malcot's.
Also, watch this better version of Hitchikers Guide to the Galaxy. The cheap version by the BBC was funnier than the Hollywood version:
-------------------------------------------------
Sorry for the lack of posts, but we are edging into Oscar Nomination Season at work. Also, when I am in Deep Thought ("42" yells the chorus), I end up going incommunicado. I take some calls, occasionally a Blog Post, but more likely, I am lost in thought. It's not personal.
I have also added a new thing to my schedule -- working out. That takes time away from Blogging.
Here is what I am working on:
1) Getting a Laptop: This will help me with,
2) Moving around the Valley or Hollywood, which in turn means,
3) A possible new car? and leads back to:
4) Moving back to DC
Also, I am working on a few future Blog Posts. There will be the California Encyclicals Redux, more discussions with Revolutionary Jimmy, how to make Hollywood profitable again, my Political Conversion, and as we get to the end of the year, a few good words to the opposing party. I do it because most of the major left sites do not. Let me know if I am wrong.
The political scene is not changing while I am away. Just understand two rules:
A) Let your opponent "save face" (This is how the Democrats lost the S-CHIP Veto override in the House)
B) Words have Consequences. The enemy is not American, that is your opponent. There is such a thing called "carrot and stick diplomacy" None of which allow Diplomats to be recalled.
For now, I suggest you read these Blogs:
Jason's, Aurora's, Chessnovices', and Malcot's.
Also, watch this better version of Hitchikers Guide to the Galaxy. The cheap version by the BBC was funnier than the Hollywood version:
Monday, October 15, 2007
The Triumph of the Democratic Party Diplomacy
Please join in the Valley of the Shadow Annual Fundraiser. We are raising $7,700. Please hit the Tip Jar here to contribute. Thank you.
------------------------------------------------
I live and work in an area that is filled with Armenians. They are great people; The massacre back in 1915-1916 paved the way for Hitler's Holocaust. It deserves recognition. However, context is everything.
Every Democrat running for office (Presidential and Congressional) says that their party is better at Diplomacy and can bring countries back to the side of the United States.
When a nation recalls an Ambassador, that means the nation might cease to be an ally (This occurred a lot before the beginning of WWI). Turkey has recalled it's ambassador to the US. Also, thanks to the Democrats, our military alliance with Turkey is in trouble.
As you can see by this list, American Congress' have always recognized the Armenian Genocide. This time, it was done for a Partisan, not a political or policy reason. Even Rep. Jane Harmen (D-Long Beach) wrote an editorial asking for context.
No, the Democrats are willing to stick it in the eye of President Bush (and multiple bi-partisan Secretaries of State) rather than allow diplomacy and military alliances work. if this is the begining of how Democrats work diplomacy, it's a wonder that America will not become a pariah nation if a Democrat wins the Presidency. Shouldn't Democrats be working on Turkey Armenia Reconciliation? Mount Ararat is an Armenian holy site.
By the way, every April 24 is Armenian Rememberence Day. Remember.
------------------------------------------------
I live and work in an area that is filled with Armenians. They are great people; The massacre back in 1915-1916 paved the way for Hitler's Holocaust. It deserves recognition. However, context is everything.
Every Democrat running for office (Presidential and Congressional) says that their party is better at Diplomacy and can bring countries back to the side of the United States.
When a nation recalls an Ambassador, that means the nation might cease to be an ally (This occurred a lot before the beginning of WWI). Turkey has recalled it's ambassador to the US. Also, thanks to the Democrats, our military alliance with Turkey is in trouble.
As you can see by this list, American Congress' have always recognized the Armenian Genocide. This time, it was done for a Partisan, not a political or policy reason. Even Rep. Jane Harmen (D-Long Beach) wrote an editorial asking for context.
No, the Democrats are willing to stick it in the eye of President Bush (and multiple bi-partisan Secretaries of State) rather than allow diplomacy and military alliances work. if this is the begining of how Democrats work diplomacy, it's a wonder that America will not become a pariah nation if a Democrat wins the Presidency. Shouldn't Democrats be working on Turkey Armenia Reconciliation? Mount Ararat is an Armenian holy site.
By the way, every April 24 is Armenian Rememberence Day. Remember.
Saturday, October 13, 2007
The Nobel Peace Prize, a partisan award
Please join in the Valley of the Shadow Annual Fundraiser. We are raising $7,700. Please hit the Tip Jar here to contribute. Thank you.
------------------------------------------------
So, Vice President Albert Gore (and the Intergovernmental Committee on Climate Change) won the Nobel Peace Prize. First, congratulations to both. Now the crux of the problem:
According to Albert Nobel, creator of dynamite and founder of the Peace Prize:
"The whole of my remaining realizable estate shall be dealt with in the following way: the capital, invested in safe securities by my executors, shall constitute a fund, the interest on which shall be annually distributed in the form of prizes to those who, during the preceding year, shall have conferred the greatest benefit on mankind. The said interest shall be divided into five equal parts, which shall be apportioned as follows: one part to the person who shall have made the most important discovery or invention within the field of physics; one part to the person who shall have made the most important chemical discovery or improvement; one part to the person who shall have made the most important discovery within the domain of physiology or medicine; one part to the person who shall have produced in the field of literature the most outstanding work in an ideal direction; and one part to the person who shall have done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses. The prizes for physics and chemistry shall be awarded by the Swedish Academy of Sciences; that for physiology or medical works by the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm; that for literature by the Academy in Stockholm, and that for champions of peace by a committee of five persons to be elected by the Norwegian Storting. It is my express wish that in awarding the prizes no consideration be given to the nationality of the candidates, but that the most worthy shall receive the prize, whether he be Scandinavian or not"
By those basic precepts, the prize should go to someone who has made people's lives more freer and peaceful. In the last two decades, the prize has gone to Anti-semites such as Yassir Arafat, Mohammed El-Baridi and the United Nations (famous for it's 1975 "Zionism is racism" and always voting against Israel save for the United States), Democratic partisans such as, (anti-Semite) Jimmy Carter and Albert Gore. Receiving the Nobel Peace prize does not change the sins, but it should not redeem the sinner. An Anti-Semite is still an Anti-Semite after they win the award.
By the way, how many wars and massacres have the United Nations stopped? The same amount as the League of Nations.
I could think of other, more deserving people, who should get the Peace Prize: How about the Burmese Monks? How about an Iranian dissident? or a Cuban one? Or a Palestinian organization which believes in non-violence?
The last Republican who was given the prize was Henry Kissinger; Does removing dictators and theocrats count as bringing peace and freedom? If the Nobel Prize is the guide, people can suffer under dictators or theocrats. Thanks Norwegians!
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So, Vice President Albert Gore (and the Intergovernmental Committee on Climate Change) won the Nobel Peace Prize. First, congratulations to both. Now the crux of the problem:
According to Albert Nobel, creator of dynamite and founder of the Peace Prize:
"The whole of my remaining realizable estate shall be dealt with in the following way: the capital, invested in safe securities by my executors, shall constitute a fund, the interest on which shall be annually distributed in the form of prizes to those who, during the preceding year, shall have conferred the greatest benefit on mankind. The said interest shall be divided into five equal parts, which shall be apportioned as follows: one part to the person who shall have made the most important discovery or invention within the field of physics; one part to the person who shall have made the most important chemical discovery or improvement; one part to the person who shall have made the most important discovery within the domain of physiology or medicine; one part to the person who shall have produced in the field of literature the most outstanding work in an ideal direction; and one part to the person who shall have done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses. The prizes for physics and chemistry shall be awarded by the Swedish Academy of Sciences; that for physiology or medical works by the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm; that for literature by the Academy in Stockholm, and that for champions of peace by a committee of five persons to be elected by the Norwegian Storting. It is my express wish that in awarding the prizes no consideration be given to the nationality of the candidates, but that the most worthy shall receive the prize, whether he be Scandinavian or not"
By those basic precepts, the prize should go to someone who has made people's lives more freer and peaceful. In the last two decades, the prize has gone to Anti-semites such as Yassir Arafat, Mohammed El-Baridi and the United Nations (famous for it's 1975 "Zionism is racism" and always voting against Israel save for the United States), Democratic partisans such as, (anti-Semite) Jimmy Carter and Albert Gore. Receiving the Nobel Peace prize does not change the sins, but it should not redeem the sinner. An Anti-Semite is still an Anti-Semite after they win the award.
By the way, how many wars and massacres have the United Nations stopped? The same amount as the League of Nations.
I could think of other, more deserving people, who should get the Peace Prize: How about the Burmese Monks? How about an Iranian dissident? or a Cuban one? Or a Palestinian organization which believes in non-violence?
The last Republican who was given the prize was Henry Kissinger; Does removing dictators and theocrats count as bringing peace and freedom? If the Nobel Prize is the guide, people can suffer under dictators or theocrats. Thanks Norwegians!
Monday, October 08, 2007
Words of Wisdom, Forgotten by Time
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Here is a quote by President Bill Clinton, said in 1995:
"I say to you...there is nothing patriotic about hating your country, or pretending that you can love your country but despise your government. There is nothing heroic about turning your back on America, or ignoring your own responsibilities. If you want to preserve your own freedom, you must stand up for the freedom of others with whom you disagree. But you also must stand up for the rule of law. You cannot have one without the other. "
As someone who despised President Clinton and his wife, I knew the difference between hating them and hating the Government. Most Democrats today, if forced to choose between rule of law by President Ahmadinijad or President Bush, will choose the president of Iran.
In my case, under no circumstances would I choose a foreign ruler over any American President. During 1993, I traveled through Europe during the summer and guess what I learned?
People hated the US back then too. And being overseas, I defended my Country and my President (even though I did not vote for him).
C'mon Liberals and Democrats, is that so hard to do?
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Here is a quote by President Bill Clinton, said in 1995:
"I say to you...there is nothing patriotic about hating your country, or pretending that you can love your country but despise your government. There is nothing heroic about turning your back on America, or ignoring your own responsibilities. If you want to preserve your own freedom, you must stand up for the freedom of others with whom you disagree. But you also must stand up for the rule of law. You cannot have one without the other. "
As someone who despised President Clinton and his wife, I knew the difference between hating them and hating the Government. Most Democrats today, if forced to choose between rule of law by President Ahmadinijad or President Bush, will choose the president of Iran.
In my case, under no circumstances would I choose a foreign ruler over any American President. During 1993, I traveled through Europe during the summer and guess what I learned?
People hated the US back then too. And being overseas, I defended my Country and my President (even though I did not vote for him).
C'mon Liberals and Democrats, is that so hard to do?
Sunday, October 07, 2007
Without History or Precedence
Please join in the Valley of the Shadow Annual Fundraiser. We are raising $7,700. Please hit the Tip Jar here to contribute. Thank you.
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After being sick, then busy, I have returned back to the Valley! While I was gone, I had a chance to look at this post at Althouse discussing Clarence Thomas' book and the New York Time Editorial that came in response.
There were issues in the past between the Democrats and the Civil Rights crowd (Senator Theodore Bilbo [D-MS], anyone?). After all, the Democrats for years depended on "The Solid South" as part of the New Deal Coalition.
But this post is not about Democratic party sins, but about modern Democrat forgetfulness.
Let's get a little modern and international. This Senator from Tennessee chastised President Bush fils about the ties between terrorism and Iraq in 1992:
And these speeches give on November 15 and December 16, 1998 describes the problems of Iraq. These speeches were given by President Clinton:
So, a President who offered the 1998 Iraq Liberation Act has a wife running (and according to The Economist, succeeding) for the Presidency on the support of dealing with dictators. When did the party of Wilsonianism become Nixonians?
The Anti-war crowd talks without knowledge of their own history or precedence. If the partisans talk like this on international issues, imagine how the Democrats memory is on domestic issues?
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After being sick, then busy, I have returned back to the Valley! While I was gone, I had a chance to look at this post at Althouse discussing Clarence Thomas' book and the New York Time Editorial that came in response.
There were issues in the past between the Democrats and the Civil Rights crowd (Senator Theodore Bilbo [D-MS], anyone?). After all, the Democrats for years depended on "The Solid South" as part of the New Deal Coalition.
But this post is not about Democratic party sins, but about modern Democrat forgetfulness.
Let's get a little modern and international. This Senator from Tennessee chastised President Bush fils about the ties between terrorism and Iraq in 1992:
And these speeches give on November 15 and December 16, 1998 describes the problems of Iraq. These speeches were given by President Clinton:
So, a President who offered the 1998 Iraq Liberation Act has a wife running (and according to The Economist, succeeding) for the Presidency on the support of dealing with dictators. When did the party of Wilsonianism become Nixonians?
The Anti-war crowd talks without knowledge of their own history or precedence. If the partisans talk like this on international issues, imagine how the Democrats memory is on domestic issues?
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
Leading by Formality
Please join in the Valley of the Shadow Annual Fundraiser. We are raising $7,700. Please hit the Tip Jar here to contribute. Thank you.
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Jason, of Washington Interns Gone Bad, asked in The Senate, in Action post: Shouldn't I stand above the douchebaggery of the Democrats? This came on the heels of my saying,
"If the Democratic party, their partisans, operatives, et. al. learn to say Mea Culpa more often, I might shut up about the issue."
Between coming down with a cold (which I still have), and re-reading all my posts, I've come up with a few answers.....
A) Between Thanksgiving and the first day of the 110th Congress, I said a lot of good words about my former party. There should be some period of time where partisanship does not rule. I've expressed it here in the Valley between November 2006 and January 3 2007. It has been done.
B) Goldwater to Nixon moments: It happens in GOP circles, but never within Democratic ones. I've spent a lot of words describing how Democrats do not allow dissent (i.e. Senator Lieberman, Rep. Brian Baird), but they refuse to clean up if they cross the line into crassness describing Conservatives and Republicans. A Mea Culpa when a Democratic partisan goes overboard will bring some civility back to the process.
C) If I stand up first, does that mean the Huffington Post, the Daily Kos or the Heathlander will step down? No.
Here is my acknowledgement: I never wish ill upon Democrats or their partisans or allies. However, I expect the same in return. I don't hate any politician but I don't have to like them either (Read: President and Senator Clinton). I like mutual assured agreements, not one sided loss of weaponry.
As I've said many times in the Valley, I am a partisan. However, I do not come with the attitude that "The Left is Evil, they must be wiped out," No, they are Americans who have different views than me. When I read Moveon or Code Pink, I see Americans who want me to shut up and wiped out. That isn't right either. My attitude is: discuss, maybe get them to move an inch or two in my direction.
When Congress is in session, I play my role. This is a political Blog, I can't just lower my guns until I know the bigger blogs and partisans are playing by the same rules. It's not right or perfect, but I'd like to see more Democratic partisans and Bloggers with the same attitude I have.
Deserts have more water than Democrats who can be civil and disagree. Jason, you are civil and can disagree -- most of your tribe do not follow you. They should, but they don't.
------------------------------------------------
Jason, of Washington Interns Gone Bad, asked in The Senate, in Action post: Shouldn't I stand above the douchebaggery of the Democrats? This came on the heels of my saying,
"If the Democratic party, their partisans, operatives, et. al. learn to say Mea Culpa more often, I might shut up about the issue."
Between coming down with a cold (which I still have), and re-reading all my posts, I've come up with a few answers.....
A) Between Thanksgiving and the first day of the 110th Congress, I said a lot of good words about my former party. There should be some period of time where partisanship does not rule. I've expressed it here in the Valley between November 2006 and January 3 2007. It has been done.
B) Goldwater to Nixon moments: It happens in GOP circles, but never within Democratic ones. I've spent a lot of words describing how Democrats do not allow dissent (i.e. Senator Lieberman, Rep. Brian Baird), but they refuse to clean up if they cross the line into crassness describing Conservatives and Republicans. A Mea Culpa when a Democratic partisan goes overboard will bring some civility back to the process.
C) If I stand up first, does that mean the Huffington Post, the Daily Kos or the Heathlander will step down? No.
Here is my acknowledgement: I never wish ill upon Democrats or their partisans or allies. However, I expect the same in return. I don't hate any politician but I don't have to like them either (Read: President and Senator Clinton). I like mutual assured agreements, not one sided loss of weaponry.
As I've said many times in the Valley, I am a partisan. However, I do not come with the attitude that "The Left is Evil, they must be wiped out," No, they are Americans who have different views than me. When I read Moveon or Code Pink, I see Americans who want me to shut up and wiped out. That isn't right either. My attitude is: discuss, maybe get them to move an inch or two in my direction.
When Congress is in session, I play my role. This is a political Blog, I can't just lower my guns until I know the bigger blogs and partisans are playing by the same rules. It's not right or perfect, but I'd like to see more Democratic partisans and Bloggers with the same attitude I have.
Deserts have more water than Democrats who can be civil and disagree. Jason, you are civil and can disagree -- most of your tribe do not follow you. They should, but they don't.
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