If This President Never Concerned You...

If this President and Presidency hasn't, to date, concerned you, he and it should now.

Donald Trump 'considered invading Venezuela'

US president briefed not to mention the topic at dinner with leaders from four Latin American allies – but he did so anyway

Why on Earth would we, the United States, invade and attack Venezuela?

Because they're Socialists?

And then, when you get there, what do you do? Whom do you attack? What, precisely, would you be trying to do and/or undo?

What the heck?

Hot potato!!! Comin' through!!!

US pressures allies to take Libya mission now (AP)

enjoy your evening, y'all

Americans: crazy or stupid or what?

That last president took us into a huge, hugely mistaken, wrong war by ATTACKING ANOTHER SOVEREIGN NATION  unprovoked all the while his (our) 13 intelligence agencies told him the leader of said country (Saddam Hussein, Iraq) was NO THREAT TO THIS COUNTRY but did the American people, by and large, say much?

Hell, no.

Sure, some of us protested, ahead of time, the attack on Iraq and the Iraqi people but by and large, the American people--including the people in Washington, a lot of whom should have known better--were behind the lying president and his administration.

Heck, the media--including The New York Times--all but lay down and roll over for the guy so he could go in and attack.

Now?  This time around, with this president, who only loaned some of our planes to attack a lunatic leader of another nation because he was outright KILLING HIS OWN PEOPLE?

This is what's happening:

Obama taking heat from all sides for Libya action

You bloody hypocrites.

You idiots. 

You morons.

You've got to be one of the 3.

And this coming from a peacemonger like me.

Sure, he'd better keep his promises that the attacks our planes are making are only short-term and that we're going to get out "in a few days" and sure, I'm skeptical about it and want to make sure we keep him to it, sure.

But for everyone on the Right and Left, his own political party and opposing ones to now come down on him this hard for doing what a week ago people were calling for and saying he was "going too slowly" and being "indecisive" is just hypocrisy or insanity or hypocritical insanity.

Dubya and "Darth Dick" must just be laughing their asses off right now.

Link to original story:  http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_exclusive/obama-taking-heat-from-all-sides-for-libya-action;_ylt=Ahi_PY6jT1oIQcCUFTTvbiVnhVID;_ylu=X3oDMTRudXNvMm5vBGFzc2V0A3libG9nX2V4Y2x1c2l2ZS8yMDExMDMyMi9vYmFtYS10YWtpbmctaGVhdC1mcm9tLWFsbC1zaWRlcy1mb3ItbGlieWEtYWN0aW9uBGNjb2RlA3VzbmV3c3ZpZXdzaGFyZQRjcG9zAzMEcG9zAzMEc2VjA3luX3RvcF9zdG9yaWVzBHNsawNvYmFtYXRha2luZ2g-

Tribute to Sen. Robert Byrd: His "shining moment" and wisest words, in memoriam

Arrogance of Power Today, I Weep for my Country... by US Senator Robert Byrd Speech delivered on the floor of the US Senate March 19, 2003 3:45pm I believe in this beautiful country. I have studied its roots and gloried in the wisdom of its magnificent Constitution. I have marveled at the wisdom of its founders and framers. Generation after generation of Americans has understood the lofty ideals that underlie our great Republic. I have been inspired by the story of their sacrifice and their strength. But, today I weep for my country. I have watched the events of recent months with a heavy, heavy heart. No more is the image of America one of strong, yet benevolent peacekeeper. The image of America has changed. Around the globe, our friends mistrust us, our word is disputed, our intentions are questioned. Instead of reasoning with those with whom we disagree, we demand obedience or threaten recrimination. Instead of isolating Saddam Hussein, we seem to have isolated ourselves. We proclaim a new doctrine of preemption which is understood by few and feared by many. We say that the United States has the right to turn its firepower on any corner of the globe which might be suspect in the war on terrorism. We assert that right without the sanction of any international body. As a result, the world has become a much more dangerous place. We flaunt our superpower status with arrogance. We treat UN Security Council members like ingrates who offend our princely dignity by lifting their heads from the carpet. Valuable alliances are split. After war has ended, the United States will have to rebuild much more than the country of Iraq. We will have to rebuild America's image around the globe. The case this Administration tries to make to justify its fixation with war is tainted by charges of falsified documents and circumstantial evidence. We cannot convince the world of the necessity of this war for one simple reason. This is a war of choice. There is no credible information to connect Saddam Hussein to 9/11. The twin towers fell because a world-wide terrorist group, Al Qaeda, with cells in over 60 nations, struck at our wealth and our influence by turning our own planes into missiles, one of which would likely have slammed into the dome of this beautiful Capitol except for the brave sacrifice of the passengers on board. The brutality seen on September 11th and in other terrorist attacks we have witnessed around the globe are the violent and desperate efforts by extremists to stop the daily encroachment of western values upon their cultures. That is what we fight. It is a force not confined to borders. It is a shadowy entity with many faces, many names, and many addresses. But, this Administration has directed all of the anger, fear, and grief which emerged from the ashes of the twin towers and the twisted metal of the Pentagon towards a tangible villain, one we can see and hate and attack. And villain he is. But, he is the wrong villain. And this is the wrong war. If we attack Saddam Hussein, we will probably drive him from power. But, the zeal of our friends to assist our global war on terrorism may have already taken flight. The general unease surrounding this war is not just due to "orange alert." There is a pervasive sense of rush and risk and too many questions unanswered. How long will we be in Iraq? What will be the cost? What is the ultimate mission? How great is the danger at home? A pall has fallen over the Senate Chamber. We avoid our solemn duty to debate the one topic on the minds of all Americans, even while scores of thousands of our sons and daughters faithfully do their duty in Iraq. What is happening to this country? When did we become a nation which ignores and berates our friends? When did we decide to risk undermining international order by adopting a radical and doctrinaire approach to using our awesome military might? How can we abandon diplomatic efforts when the turmoil in the world cries out for diplomacy? Why can this President not seem to see that America's true power lies not in its will to intimidate, but in its ability to inspire? War appears inevitable. But, I continue to hope that the cloud will lift. Perhaps Saddam will yet turn tail and run. Perhaps reason will somehow still prevail. I along with millions of Americans will pray for the safety of our troops, for the innocent civilians in Iraq, and for the security of our homeland. May God continue to bless the United States of America in the troubled days ahead, and may we somehow recapture the vision which for the present eludes us. Thank you, Senator. You will be sorely missed. Link to original post: http://www.commondreams.org/views03/0319-04.htm

Prediction: President Obama is getting his voice

You watch, after the "beating" the President took from political consultant James Carville about the British Petroleum, in which Mr. Carville said the President either needs to somewhat "get tough" or the situation would hand him his ass, so to speak, in a sling, I believe the President is getting his voice. He's getting his strength.

Proof?

From The Huffington Post, late Saturday night/Sunday morning:

Obama Repudiates Bush Doctrine In West Point Graduation Speech

WEST POINT, N.Y. (AP) --The U.S. must shape a world order as reliant on the force of diplomacy as on the might of its military to lead, President Barack Obama said Saturday as he outlined a foreign policy vision that repudiated the go-it-alone approach forged by his predecessor, George W. Bush.

Addressing nearly 1,000 graduating cadets at the U.S. Military Academy, many of whom will likely head to war in Iraq and Afghanistan under his command, Obama said all hands are required to solve the world's newest threats: terrorism, the spread of nuclear weapons, climate change and feeding and caring for a growing population.

The U.S. military is the "cornerstone of our national defense," but Obama said the men and women who wear America's uniform cannot bear that responsibility by themselves. "The rest of us must do our part," he said.

"The burdens of this century cannot fall on our soldiers alone. It also cannot fall on American shoulders alone," the commander in chief told graduates in gray and white uniforms seated on the field at Michie Stadium.

Diplomacy and muscle must work together, he said in calling for "renewed engagement" from diplomats, along with development experts, intelligence and law enforcement agencies, and first responders.


So, yeah, you watch, I predict that, from here out, Mr. Obama s going to, to an extent, take off the "kid gloves" and get tougher. Don't you know Rahm Emanuel is/would push him in that direction?

The times and the situations call for it--the economy, Israel/Palestinian relations, our work with the banks and the oil companies, virtually every corner of his work.

You watch.

Heaven knows I could be proven wrong.

I don't think I will be.

This President is a good student and a learner.

Let's see what happens.

Here's hoping.


Link to original post:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/05/22/obamas-west-point-speech-_n_585988.html