Where Liberty Dwells, there is my country

The 2010 Elections–A Step Forward

BenjaminFranklin — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 15:34:58 +0000

The results of the 2010 midterm elections are positive, but not what they need to be to reverse America’s decline. This report from the Telegraph’s

Nile Gardiner

captures it:

Tonight’s emphatic conservative House victory in the US midterms is a powerful rejection of President Obama’s handling of the economy and his Big Government agenda, including his controversial healthcare reform plans. The conservative revolution has been largely spurred by disenchantment with the federal government, and a strong belief in limited government, lower taxation, and reduced public spending, as well as a desire to return to America’s Founding principles.
It is also a powerful rejection of American decline, currently being fueled by massive debts at home, weakened defences and a defeatist foreign policy. The federal debt has jumped from 40 percent of GDP in 2008 to 62 percent by the end of this year, the highest percentage since World War Two.
As I noted several weeks ago, when I wrote of the consequences of an unchecked presidency acting with impunity:
Under the Obama White House, economic decline, feckless borrowing and towering debts, which will rise dramatically further if hugely expensive health care reforms are implemented, are combined with a flawed foreign policy and national security strategy which is leaving America weaker on the world stage and more vulnerable to attack. From its decision to scrap Third Site missile defences in eastern and central Europe, to its failed policy of engagement with Iran and its timetable for withdrawal from Afghanistan, the Obama presidency is projecting dangerous weakness and compromise in the face of its enemies.
Ultimately, President Obama’s legacy to America will be the decline of a great superpower, weighed down by crushing debts and massive entitlement programs, and facing an emboldened set of adversaries, from Moscow to Tehran to Pyongyang. The damage inflicted by the Obama administration will ultimately be worse than the harm caused by the presidency of Jimmy Carter due to the scale of the long-term economic crisis now facing America.
The overwhelming repudiation of the Obama administration’s failing policies sends a clear message to the world that the American people will not accept the decline of the world’s most powerful nation. Now the hard part begins, and a very top priority for the new Congress must be reigning in the ballooning national debt, which the Congressional Budget Office predicts could rise to 87 percent of GDP by 2020, 109 percent by 2025, and 185 percent of GDP by 2035.
While the Conservative-led government in Great Britain has already embarked upon a $130 billion austerity cuts package, shedding nearly 500,000 public sector jobs, the US administration has defiantly remained with its head in the sand, while still talking in terms of further stimulus spending. That position is unsustainable. Dramatic spending cuts (with the exception of national defence) must also be coupled with a pro-growth agenda of lower taxes, private sector job creation, free trade and economic freedom.
After the immense damage of the last two years, the midterms have offered the United States an opportunity to reverse course and get back on its feet. The world needs a powerful, successful, dynamic and prosperous America, where individual liberty and freedom are the driving forces, rather than the overbearing deadweight of federal government. The American people have spoken, and the White House must be held to account.

9/11 Is Political, It Always Has Been

BenjaminFranklin — Sat, 11 Sep 2010 12:14:08 +0000

Today we remember the horrific terrorist attacks of 9/11. At least some Americans do. Radical Muslims and the Obama administration have attempted to turn this remembrance into–for the radical Muslims–a symbol of their triumph; for the Obama administration–a National Day of Service. Both would prefer that Americans do anything but remember 9/11.

The politicization of 9/11 is unfortunate. 9/11 should be a day that unites Americans. It should be the day Americans recall that they are at war. But the Left does not want that. The politicization of 9/11 happened almost immediately after the attacks. Recall the “I am American” ad campaigns run on many stations. The Left was fearful that Americans would end their anti-American revolution, ending multiculturalism, and putting paid to the Left’s dreams of transforming America. That did not happen. And each anniversary, the Left tries to move the remembrance and reflection of the day toward something, anything, else. A day of service (to the government). To this, the radical Muslims have stuck a finger in America’s eye through the mosque at the 9/11 site in New York City. The radical Muslims know that if they push, and keep pushing, America will cave. The Left has successfully hollowed out the American character so that what would have been unthinkable 20 years ago, is now fact.

Each 9/11 anniversary Americans should remember the attacks for what they were. Not what radical Muslims and the Left want to make 9/11. Remember 9/11. Remember those who died in such horrific circumstances. Remember the shock and the pain. “Never forget” sounds trite but it is so important. The Left wants you to forget. Let’s stick a finger in the Left’s eye, and remember 9/11 for what it is.

Pat Condell: “Is America Losing Its Mind?”

BenjaminFranklin — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 13:20:51 +0000

Short answer: Yes.

Another great posting from Pat Condell on the NYC mosque near the 9/11 site.

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It Has Been a Summer of Discontent…As Americans Realize What They Are Losing

BenjaminFranklin — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 15:14:59 +0000

They are losing their country and have been for a generation.

A short review of where are we now in the United States of America…
ever increasing amounts of debt;
a President who clearly does not want to be President, one who is poison to his fellow party-members, and one who has left no golf course behind;
disaster in the Gulf
a mosque that simply must be built almost on top of the 9/11 site in NYC, with support from NYC officials, in what is a disgusting act;
palpable anger in the country about the direction the Democrats have taken the country;
lawlessness on the border, with the Democrats attacking Arizona for attempting the solve the problem the federal government created;
federal judges overturning the will of the voters, fine for the judges to do so, they are aiming for higher courts if the Democrats stay in office, but the people need to remember their actions every November;
a media so invested in Obama, and so supportive of him that one wonders why anyone would watch or read them unless to get a sense of the role of the media in North Korea

But there is something more going on:
One of Orwell’s great lines in 1984 was that “the chocolate ration has been increased from 30 grams to 25 grams…” Their are some truths so profound the Democratic Media Complex can’t hide them. One of these truths is that Americans are beginning to recognize the influence of the radical Left on the Democrats, and want none of it any more. Time for all Americans to recognize that radicals have control of the Democratic Party and will continue to march that Party, and the country when they can, toward socialism.

Past time to fire these guys….

The Dangers of Racial Preferences

BenjaminFranklin — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 16:26:33 +0000

The corrosive effect of racial preferences is huge. Just how huge is captured in a Washington Times editorial

The United States Navy has created a list of “diverse” candidates who are to be helped along when it comes to desirable positions and promotions. “Diverse” is a codeword for blacks and other minorities, possibly women as well. The “protected classes” of the Left. The bottomline is that the Navy will select a less qualified black officer over a more qualified white one.

This is a threat to the professionalism of the U.S. military and the security of the country. Political correctness, “diversity,” and all of the other racial preferences forced on the country by the Left have no place in America today, and especially no place in the national security institutions required to protect American security and allies.

The corrosion of racial preferences has gone on for far too long. It has infected all of the institutions of the United States. It is time for patriots to say “No! Racial preferences are completely at odds with the political principles of the United States.” It is time for the American people to vote for candidates who will cut out the cancer.

The Navy wants to judge sailors by the color of their skin, not the content of their seamanship.

The latest national security leak is a shocking e-mail from a Navy admiral on “Diversity Accountability.” The message, sent to a list of other flag officers, notes that “a change in focus of this year’s diversity brief is the desire to identify our key performers (by name) and provide insight on each of them.” Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead, who apparently originated this order, “is interested in who are the diverse officers with high potential and what is the plan for their career progression. He may ask what is being done within to ensure they are considered for key follow on billets within the Navy.”

The message specifies, “This list must be held very closely but will provide ready reference to ensure we are carefully monitoring and supporting the careers of the best and the brightest the Navy has to offer.” That is, the best and the brightest provided a sailor is one of the euphemistically “diverse.” If you are a white male, it might be time to set sail and seek opportunities elsewhere.

In practice, the Navy will be creating a list of privileged “diverse” officers who will enjoy special benefits and career mentoring not available to people of the wrong race, as well as a virtual guarantee of fast-track access to the highest reaches of command. Fifty-six years after the Supreme Court struck down the concept of “separate but equal” treatment of races, the U.S. Navy is erecting a wall of segregation between what will amount to two parallel promotion systems: one for the “diverse” and another for the monotone. If this isn’t illegal, it should be.

How this dual-track system will be implemented is difficult to discern. Will officers doing fitness reports on those on the list be made aware of their subordinates’ privileged status? Will the people on the list have knowledge that the system is looking out for them? If they get a poor fitness report, will they have special means of getting a second look? Will there be repercussions for reviewing officers who did not know they were supposed to just keep the list members on the fast track no matter what? The devil will be lurking in these details.

This type of backward, 20th-century, overtly racial thinking has no place in 21st-century post-racial America. The Navy leadership apparently believes the way to promote racial harmony is by engaging in blatant, invidious discrimination. In practice, however, this system will, in fact, relegate “diverse” sailors to a form of second-class status. Any nonwhite male sailor who – through intelligence, initiative and drive – builds a stellar career will simply be seen as just another special case, just one of “the Listers.” Those sailors may achieve rank, but they will have to work twice as hard to command respect.

In the contemporary naval bureaucracy, this type of politically correct nonsense has run out of control like a loose cannon on deck. The Naval Academy lists racial diversity as the “highest personnel priority,” apparently even over the mission of educating future Navy leaders for warfare on the high seas. Adm. Mike Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, made achieving diversity a “strategic imperative” when he was chief of naval operations. Call us old-fashioned seadogs, but we’d prefer that the Navy’s top priority be fighting and winning our nation’s wars rather than engaging in social experimentation.

The suggested list of privileged officers is due Monday. The message states that the reporting requirement will not be put into the secretary of the Navy’s TV4 Taskers tracking system “due to the sensitive nature of the by name list.” No doubt, once the secret list leaks, as it surely will, there will be as much discomfort for the people on the list as for those not on it, especially those unfortunates who met the diversity requirement but for some reason did not make the cut. Maybe they can sue, charging discrimination. Either way, the Navy Department has run aground.

Shari’a Is an Existential Threat to the West

BenjaminFranklin — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 15:10:36 +0000

Newt Gringrich’s speech to the American Enterprise Institute this week is exceptional in content, and because so few politicians are making this argument:
The West is in a struggle not of its choosing. It is under attack, direct and indirectly, through stealth jihad.
Newt gets it. We share his ideas. They must be shared with the American people so that they may be reminded of their political principles at a time when the Left wants them to be forgotten.

Russia Violations of Arms Control Damns New Start Treaty

BenjaminFranklin — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 14:35:45 +0000

This report documenting Russian violations of the 1991 Start Treaty was released today by the State Dept.

The New Start Treaty proposed by the Obama administration has fewer safeguards than the 1991 Treaty. The Russians will be able to cheat on the agreement with less risk of detection.

One, among other reasons, to reject the New Start Treaty. It does not advance American security, and the Russians will cheat with little risk of detection.

Happy Birthday America!

BenjaminFranklin — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 12:36:26 +0000

On this July 4th, we wish the greatest country in the world a Happy Birthday! Thanks to the Founding Fathers and all of those who labored through great difficulties to keep the country together. We owe you everything for our heritage. And shame on those who defame these great men.

The Generals and the Community Organizer

BenjaminFranklin — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 10:59:35 +0000

Here is Paul Hollrah’s analysis of why Gen. McChrystal granted access to the Rolling Stone reporter. I don’t know what Gen. McChrystal will do once he retires, but let us hope he challenges the community organizer.

One negative element in all of this is that Gen. Petraeus took over from Gen. McChrystal. We want Gen. Petraeus to challenge the community organizer too, hopefully in 2012. Taking over from McChrystal makes that harder to do.

The General and the Community Organizer

by Paul R. Hollrah
June 24, 2010

Channel-surfing from ABC, CBS, NBC, and CNN through MSNBC and Fox News,
the inside-the-beltway pundits had a field day trying to get inside the heads
of Barack Obama, Joe Biden, General Stanley McChrystal, and McChrystal’s
top aides. The one thing common to all of the analyses, by the most famous
and highly-paid talking heads in the Western World, was that they are all
wrong… dead wrong. What is certain is that they all owe General McChrystal
and his senior aides an apology for assuming that they are lame-brained
numbskulls.

The facts of the McChrystal case are not in dispute. General McChrystal
and his senior officers allowed a reporter for Rolling Stone Magazine,
Michael Hastings, to have almost unprecedented access during an extended stay in
Paris. The extended stay was due, in part, to an excess of atmospheric
ash from Iceland’s Eyjafjallajokull volcano, keeping the McChrystal party
grounded for days.

In an interview with CNN, Hastings reported that he had a tape recorder in
his hand most of the time and that McChrystal was “very aware” that his
comments would find their way into print. He said, “McChrystal and his
people set no ground rules for their conversations, although they did ask that
some parts of their conversations were off the record.” Hastings
subsequently published a lengthy profile of General McChrystal on June 22, titled,
The Runaway General.

As Hastings wrote in his profile, McChrystal thought that Obama looked
“uncomfortable and intimidated” by the roomful of military brass during their
first meeting. Of their second meeting, an advisor to McChrystal quoted
the general as saying that it was “a 10-minute photo op.” He went on to say,
“Obama clearly didn’t know anything about (McChrystal), who he was.
Here’s the guy who’s going to run his f_ _ _ing war, but he didn’t seem very
engaged. The Boss was pretty disappointed.”

As General McChrystal flew from Afghanistan to Washington to face Obama in
the Oval Office, the almost unanimous opinion of the talking heads was
that the comments made by McChrystal and his staff were off the cuff and
inadvertent. But to believe that is to totally ignore who these men are.

General McChrystal and his top officers are not simple-minded,
knuckle-dragging brutes. To the contrary, they are intelligent, thoughtful, highly
educated, patriots… graduates of West Point and other fine universities… who
are dedicated to duty, honor, and country. To think that such men would
be so careless as to speak unflatteringly of Obama, Biden, and other top
administration figures, in the presence of a reporter for a notoriously left
wing publication, defies logic… at the very least. To think that men who
are trained to be careful and deliberate in everything they do, could do
something so careless and so unguarded is simply beyond comprehension.

I would argue that McChrystal and his aides knew exactly what they were
doing.

From the day that he became the handpicked “spear carrier” for Obama’s
unique brand of warfare… playing at being Commander in Chief while playing to
his far left constituency… McChrystal’s life had been one of constant
frustration. After telling Obama exactly how many troops he needed to carry out
his mission, Obama dithered for months before deciding to give him just
half the troops he requested. McChrystal could not have been happy about
that.

The Obama team insisted on new Rules of Engagement designed to reduce
collateral damage (civilian casualties). Obama’s ROE required that U.S. troops
must be able to see the enemy with weapon in hand before they were allowed
to return fire. One videotape circulated on the Internet showed a platoon
of Marines pinned down by enemy sniper fire. But since the enemy was
firing from some distance behind the open window of a building, the Marines
could not actually see the weapon being fired. Although they were taking
deadly fire, they were prohibited by the ROE from putting small arms fire or an
RPG through the window opening.

Under Obama’s politically correct ROE, our soldiers and Marines were
required to fight with one hand tied behind their backs. McChrystal could not
have been happy about that.

A strict new interrogation policy, dictated by Attorney General Eric
Holder, required that prisoners must be delivered to an Interrogation Center
within twenty-four hours of being captured or be released. A great deal of
actionable intelligence was lost as a result and battle-hardened enemy
fighters were returned to the field to kill Americans. McChrystal must have
found that to be incomprehensible.

But the greatest insult to our troops in the field, and to the officers
who lead them, may be a new battlefield medal designed by the Obama team. It
is called the Courageous Restraint Medal and is awarded to soldiers and
Marines who demonstrate uncommon restrain in combat by not firing their
weapons even when they feel threatened by the enemy. Would we be surprised to
learn that the preponderance of these medals were awarded posthumously?
McChrystal must have found that to be an insanity.

I suggest that, having his best military judgments subjected to the White
House political sieve for nearly a year and a half, McChrystal decided that
he’d had enough. And when he announced to his senior staff that he was
prepared to retire they decided to push back… to make the most of a bad
situation. It was clear that, if McChrystal were to simply take off his uniform
and walk away, his retirement would be page-twenty news for a day or two
before the mainstream media and the American people forgot all about him.

They had to make the most of his retirement because it provided a one-time
opportunity to show the American people, as well as our enemies and our
allies, that the man who claims the title of Commander in Chief of the U.S.
military does not command the respect of our men and women in uniform. To
make the most of that opportunity they had to choose their messenger very
carefully.

They knew that, by openly showing their disrespect for Obama in front of
just any newsman, they may not attract the attention they desired. Like any
astute observer of the MSM, they knew that most reporters would turn on
their own mothers if it meant a good story. But they could not take a chance
that a mainstream media reporter might suffer a rare pang of conscience
when confronted with the prospect of ruining the careers of some of the most
senior officers in the War on Terror. They had to fix the odds as much as
possible in their favor so they chose to use Michael Hastings and Rolling
Stone Magazine.

During the long hours that General McChrystal was in the air between Kabul
and Washington, Obama knew that he had just two choices… both bad. He
could declare McChrystal to be an irreplaceable asset in the war effort, give
him a public reprimand, and send him back to Kabul. Or he could fire
McChrystal, sending a clear message that, at least in his own mind, he was the
Commander in Chief.

In the former case, he was certain to appear weak and ineffectual… a man
not totally in charge. In the latter case, he might at least win a few rave
reviews from the Kool-Ade drinkers in the mainstream media. He chose the
latter of the two options.

But what is now lost in all of the hand-wringing and speculation is the
fact that McChrystal and his people have succeeded in doing exactly what they
set out to do. They wanted to plant the seed in the minds of the American
people that Obama is not up to the task of being Commander in Chief and
that he does not command the respect of the men and women of the uniformed
services… from the newest Private E-1 up to the top four-star generals and
admirals.

That seed is now firmly planted and it cannot be unplanted.

From this day forward, no one will have to tell the American people that
Stanley McChrystal is a true warrior, a man’s man, and that Barack Obama is
nothing more than a… community organizer. Well done, General!

The Battle of Waterloo

BenjaminFranklin — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 20:28:51 +0000

Today is the anniversary of the battle of Waterloo, where Napoleon was finally defeated after making a come back. One of the greatest battles in military history influenced the military art for generations. Also, had Napoleon not been defeated, liberalism and French imperialism would have had a greater influence on the Continent, with profound implications for history–perhaps socialism would have been mitigated.

But then would Barack Obama be?