Tag: Bush

Jeb Bush Attacks Huckabee’s Defense of Israel Over Iran Deal

On By kingsjesterIn Uncategorized1 Comment

Israel-Tied-600-LIIf the Republicans are going to act like Democrats. why do we need two political parties?

The New York Times reports that

ORLANDO, Fla. – Jeb Bush rebuked Mike Huckabee on Monday for invoking the Holocaust in criticizing President Obama over the nuclear agreement with Iran, arguing that Republicans needed “to tone down the rhetoric” if they hoped to recapture the White House next year.

“The use of that kind of language is just wrong,” Mr. Bush told reporters after a town-hall-style meeting here. “This is not the way we’re going to win elections and that’s not how we’re going to solve problems. So, unfortunate remark — not quite sure why he felt compelled to say it.”

Mr. Huckabee, the former governor of Arkansas, said over the weekend that Mr. Obama’s Iran policy would “take the Israelis and march them to the door of the oven.”

His incendiary language prompted a strongly worded rejoinder from Mr. Obama at a news conference in Ethiopia on Monday.

“The particular comments of Mr. Huckabee are just part of a general pattern we’ve seen that would be considered ridiculous if it weren’t so sad,” Mr. Obama said, linking Mr. Huckabee’s comments to similarly inflammatory rhetoric of late from those he called the “leaders in the Republican Party.”

After an hour in a Hispanic megachurch fielding questions from a diverse audience of pastors, Mr. Bush found himself in an increasingly familiar role: grappling with how to separate himself from controversial language and figures in his party who could turn off a general election audience while not irritating the conservative primary voters he needs to win his party’s nomination.

While his criticism of Mr. Huckabee was unmistakable, Mr. Bush seemed to restrain himself when he drifted toward mocking Mr. Huckabee, who since his 2008 presidential bid has made something of a side business of taking Americans on tours of the Holy Land.

“Look, I’ve been to Israel, not as many times as Mike Huckabee,” Mr. Bush said, before quickly adding, “who I respect.”

He also sandwiched his critique of Mr. Huckabee around denunciations of the nuclear agreement itself, which he called “horrific” at the outset and “a bad deal” in conclusion.

Mr. Bush sought a similar balance on another charged issue: the arrest and death of Sandra Bland in Texas this month and other incidents of unarmed African-Americans dying in police custody.

He said he had not seen “the full video” of Ms. Bland’s traffic stop, but called her case and the recent deaths of other African-Americans after police encounters “disconcerting.”

But he declined to offer a diagnosis for what is behind “an outbreak of these cases.”

“I’m not a sociologist,” said Mr. Bush, adding: “Maybe this has been going on a long while, but now because we capture everything in the digital world perhaps that’s the reason. I don’t know if there’s been a larger number of these things.”

As for what can be done to stop such cases in the future, he also walked a careful line.

“I think there ought to be some consideration of, and states are looking at this, expanding cameras, certainly more training,” Mr. Bush said. “There’s also got to be a recognition that being a police officer is a dangerous job, and they get it right a lot of times, too.”

Mr. Bush said mandating that police officers wear body cameras should be done on the state level. Asked if he would sign such a bill if he was still Florida’s governor, Mr. Bush suggested he would defer to the views of law enforcement.

“If they thought it was important,” he said, “then I’d go to the legislature and fund it.”

Jeb is not as smart as his brother.

On May 15, 2008. United States President George W. Bush, spoke the following words to the Knesset, at the commemoration of the 60th Anniversary of the Founding of Israel:

The fight against terror and extremism is the defining challenge of our time. It is more than a clash of arms. It is a clash of visions, a great ideological struggle. On the one side are those who defend the ideals of justice and dignity with the power of reason and truth. On the other side are those who pursue a narrow vision of cruelty and control by committing murder, inciting fear, and spreading lies.This struggle is waged with the technology of the 21st century, but at its core it is an ancient battle between good and evil. The killers claim the mantle of Islam, but they are not religious men. No one who prays to the God of Abraham could strap a suicide vest to an innocent child, or blow up guiltless guests at a Passover Seder, or fly planes into office buildings filled with unsuspecting workers. In truth, the men who carry out these savage acts serve no higher goal than their own desire for power. They accept no God before themselves. And they reserve a special hatred for the most ardent defenders of liberty, including Americans and Israelis.And that is why the founding charter of Hamas calls for the “elimination” of Israel. And that is why the followers of Hezbollah chant “Death to Israel, Death to America!” That is why Osama bin Laden teaches that “the killing of Jews and Americans is one of the biggest duties.” And that is why the president of Iran dreams of returning the Middle East to the Middle Ages and calls for Israel to be wiped off the map.There are good and decent people who cannot fathom the darkness in these men and try to explain away their words. It’s natural, but it is deadly wrong. As witnesses to evil in the past, we carry a solemn responsibility to take these words seriously. Jews and Americans have seen the consequences of disregarding the words of leaders who espouse hatred. And that is a mistake the world must not repeat in the 21st century.Some seem to believe that we should negotiate with the terrorists and radicals, as if some ingenious argument will persuade them they have been wrong all along. We have heard this foolish delusion before. As Nazi tanks crossed into Poland in 1939, an American senator declared: “Lord, if I could only have talked to Hitler, all this might have been avoided.” We have an obligation to call this what it is — the false comfort of appeasement, which has been repeatedly discredited by history.Some people suggest if the United States would just break ties with Israel, all our problems in the Middle East would go away. This is a tired argument that buys into the propaganda of the enemies of peace, and America utterly rejects it. Israel’s population may be just over 7 million. But when you confront terror and evil, you are 307 million strong, because the United States of America stands with you.America stands with you in breaking up terrorist networks and denying the extremists sanctuary. America stands with you in firmly opposing Iran’s nuclear weapons ambitions. Permitting the world’s leading sponsor of terror to possess the world’s deadliest weapons would be an unforgivable betrayal for future generations. For the sake of peace, the world must not allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon.

Yesterday, I wrote about the Vichy Republicans in Congress and their penchant for behaving just like Liberal Democrats.

Jeb Bush, erstwhile candidate for the Republican Presidential Nomination, is cut from the same cloth.

Bush is a “Moderate Republican”, like Mitch McConnell, John McCain, Lindsey Graham, and John Boehner.

He is Pro-Amnesty, and evidently, Pro-Iran.

Mike Huckabee was exactly right in his statement.

The consequences of Obama and Kerry’s Chamberlain-esque Deal with Iran, have the potential to be apocalyptic, not only for God’s Chosen People, but, for the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave, as well.

Evidently, Jeb Bush is running for the Presidential Candidate Nomination of the wrong political party.

Until He Comes,

KJ

Ft. Hood Shooting Leaves 4 Dead, 16 Wounded. Obama Speaks at Fundraisers.

On By kingsjesterIn Politics1 Comment

Obama-Shrinks-2Ft. Hood was the scene of violence yet again yesterday, as 4 of our Brightest and Best were murdered in cold blood and 16 more lay injured.

So, what did their Commander-in-Chief do about it? Don’t worry. He’s going to get to the bottom of this tragedy…just as soon as he finishing working a couple of Democrat Fundraisers.

After all, a man must have his priorities.

Truthrevolt.org reports that

On Wednesday evening, President Obama was being kept up to date on the developments from the mass shooting at Fort Hood while reportedly attending fundraisers for the 2014 election cycle. According to White House spokesman Josh Earnest, Obama is in the loop while at the fundraisers.

Obama will be in Chicago for four and a half hours, and the events have largely been closed to the media, with radio and TV reporters banned from attendance. Only one print reporter will be allowed to provide press pool notes.

According to the Chicago Sun-Times, Obama was originally slated to attend a private dinner for three between the two fundraisers, with Obama’s water and food carted in exclusively for him. The other two members of the dinner soiree will be Mayor Rahm Emanuel and former Obama top advisor David Axelrod. The first event took place at 4:45 PM CT, with tickets running $32,400 per person. Obama is slated to attend another Democratic National Committee fundraiser tonight, with 55 members of the audience all shelling out $10,000 per plate.

UPDATE: According to the Associated Press’ Nedra Pickler:

Twitter, 7:03 p.m. Eastern – Obama spoke from Chicago Cut steakhouse, in same room where he just met w/ about 25 DNC donors who paid up to $32,400.

Twitter, 7:04 p.m. Eastern – Now in Obama motorcade heading to 2nd DNC fundraiser in Lincoln Park home w/ about 55 donors who paid up to $10K.

Obama’s statement, given at 7:15 PM CT, was this:

I just got off the phone with the vice chairman of the joint chiefs of staff to get the latest on the shooting at Fort Hood. Obviously, we’re all following it closely. The situation is fluid right now, but my national security team is in close contact not just with the Defense Department but with the FBI. They are working with folks on the ground to determine exactly what happened and ensure that everyone is secure.

I want to assure all of us we are going to get to the bottom of what happened. Any shooting is troubling. Obviously this reopened pain of what happened at Fort Hood 5 years ago. We know these families, we know the service to their country and the sacrifices that they make. Obviously our thoughts and prayers are with the entire community and we are going to do everything we can to make sure the community of Fort Hood has what it needs to deal with a tough situation but also any potential aftermath.

We’re heartbroken that something like this might have happened again. I don’t what to comment on facts until we know exactly what happened. But just for now I would hope that everyone across the country keep the families of Fort Hood in our thoughts and our prayers. The folks there have sacrificed so much on behalf of our freedom. Many of the people there have been on multiple tours of Iraq and Afghanistan, they served with valor, they served with distinction. At their home base they need to feel safe. We don’t yet know what happened tonight but obviously that sense of safety has been broken once again. We need to find out exactly what happened.

The Commander-in-Chief then continued on to his $550,000 fundraiser.

UPDATE II: By way of contrast, President Obama immediately canceled an upcoming visit to Maine to speak at the University of Southern Maine the day of the Sandy Hook Elementary school massacre in December 2012.

COMPARE AND CONTRAST.

On February 20th, military.com posted the following article:

Former President George W. Bush hosted a Military Service Initiative Summit on Wednesday, and spoke about the many problems facing post-9/11 veterans and how his institute hopes to address them.

“A lot of people ask me, you know, do I miss much about being president. The answer really [is] no, [but] I do miss saluting men and women who volunteer to defend our nation during war. Many are coming home and are preparing for new missions as civilians. And I intend to salute these men and women for the rest of my life … And through the Military Service Initiative, the [George W.] Bush Institute is going to help [them],” Bush said at the George W. Bush Presidential Center in Dallas.

“Since 9/11, more than 2.5 million Americans have worn the uniform … They are the 1 percent of America who kept the 99 percent safe. And we owe them and their families a deep debt of gratitude. Our country can never really fully repay our vets, but we ought to try.”

Bush said his institute’s plans have been shaped by a joint study that the organization conducted with the Syracuse University Institute for Veterans and Military Families, which he described as “one of the most comprehensive studies ever conducted of post-9/11 veterans.”

…Bush said the Military Service Initiative will focus on the following broad tasks to make it easier for former servicemembers to transition to civilian life:

— Help Americans understand what they can do as individuals to support veterans and empower them to succeed. “The [civilian-military] divide is exacerbated by public perceptions that the veteran is either a hero or to be pitied. Most veterans … don’t want lavish celebrations or expressions of condolences. And while it never hurts to say thank you, that’s not really the point,” Bush said. “What most veterans want is to have their service understood and appreciated for what it is … and now they want to experience the American dream.”

— Help veterans translate their military skills to work in rewarding civilian jobs.

“From our research, we know one problem is that veterans and employers both have a hard time translating military experience [into obvious qualifications for civilian jobs]. That’s not surprising,” Bush said. “I mean, you don’t see many job postings that say, ‘Wanted: experience in hunting insurgents and terrorists, willing to risk life for co-workers.’ [But] when a resume says United States military, that means you can count on the applicant to be loyal, [they’ve] got good leadership, teamwork skills, and discipline. To an employer, that should mean a lot.”

— Work with leaders at higher education institutions to promote innovate programs to improve the recruitment, retention and graduation rates of veterans at colleges and universities.

“Some veterans are ready to enter the workforce immediate, [but] others need to update their skills. [That’s] especially true for younger veterans who entered the military right after high school or a short stint in college,” Bush said. “At the Bush Center we believe it’s never too late to learn a new skill. [But] unlike many Americans struggling to make it through college, the [high dropout rate] problem here is not money, the problem is fitting in … Many [veterans] report feeling isolated from their classmates and/or their professors.”

— Help businesses understand how they can improve their companies by hiring veterans, and enable employers to better tailor their recruitment and hiring efforts. “We’re going to send a broader message: Hiring veterans is not only the right thing to do, it is a smart thing to do,” the former president said.

“PTS is treatable,” Bush said. Military and medical communities have made great strides in developing effective ways to reduce and overcome PTS. Like depression, PTS can be controlled through medication and therapy and other treatment. But like most serious injuries, it rarely goes away on its own. Those affected must get help … We are going to use our platform to make clear that veterans receiving treatment for post-traumatic stress are not ‘damaged goods’ [and] they are not mentally shattered. They are people who got hurt defending our country and are now overcoming wounds. Employers would not hesitate to hire an employee getting treated for a medical condition like diabetes or high blood pressure, and they should not hesitate to hire veterans getting treated for post-traumatic stress.”

Boys and girls, the preceding is an illustration as to the difference between talking the talk…and walking the walk.

Obama views our Brightest and Best as guinea pigs to be used in social experiments…as an ancillary arm of the government, whose job whose job is to be seen and not heard, cannon fodder, whose budget, like the military itself, is subject to being reduced.

For all his faults, I miss Dubya.

At least, he was an American President.

Until He Comes,

KJ

Charitable Giving in America: Liberals Talk the Talk. Christian Conservatives Walk the Walk.

On By kingsjesterIn Christianity, Politics4 Comments

American Freedom

This time of year, Americans’ thoughts and hearts turn toward helping those who are less fortunate.

We are reminded of the plight of others every time we pass by a volunteer at a Salvation Army Kettle,

And, that got me to thinking, Who actual gives more to charity, the Vocal Minority, America’s Liberals…or the Silent Majority, Christiam American Conservatives?

I have noticed over the years, that when a Christian American Conservative, such a myself, writes a Blog concerning Christianity in America, Liberals jump up on their hind legs and start complaining that Conservatives ARE the problem with Christianity in America, and, that Christian Conservatives are the least charitable, least caring of Americans.

A pretty silly statement, when you think about it. One that is so blatantly false, it’s laughable.

Realclearpolitics.com posted the following article by George Wills on March 27, 2008,  featuring information gathered by Arthur C. Brooks, a professor at Syracuse University, who published “Who Really Cares: The Surprising Truth About Compassionate Conservatism”…

— Although liberal families’ incomes average 6 percent higher than those of conservative families, conservative-headed households give, on average, 30 percent more to charity than the average liberal-headed household ($1,600 per year vs. $1,227).

— Conservatives also donate more time and give more blood.

— Residents of the states that voted for John Kerry in 2004 gave smaller percentages of their incomes to charity than did residents of states that voted for George Bush.

— Bush carried 24 of the 25 states where charitable giving was above average.

— In the 10 reddest states, in which Bush got more than 60 percent majorities, the average percentage of personal income donated to charity was 3.5. Residents of the bluest states, which gave Bush less than 40 percent, donated just 1.9 percent.

— People who reject the idea that “government has a responsibility to reduce income inequality” give an average of four times more than people who accept that proposition.

Brooks demonstrates a correlation between charitable behavior and “the values that lie beneath” liberal and conservative labels. Two influences on charitable behavior are religion and attitudes about the proper role of government.

The single biggest predictor of someone’s altruism, Willett says, is religion. It increasingly correlates with conservative political affiliations because, as Brooks’ book says, “the percentage of self-described Democrats who say they have ‘no religion’ has more than quadrupled since the early 1970s.” America is largely divided between religious givers and secular nongivers, and the former are disproportionately conservative. One demonstration that religion is a strong determinant of charitable behavior is that the least charitable cohort is a relatively small one — secular conservatives.

Reviewing Brooks’ book in the Texas Review of Law & Politics, Justice Willett notes that Austin — it voted 56 percent for Kerry while he was getting just 38 percent statewide — is ranked by The Chronicle of Philanthropy as 48th out of America’s 50 largest cities in per capita charitable giving. Brooks’ data about disparities between liberals’ and conservatives’ charitable giving fit these facts: Democrats represent a majority of the wealthiest congressional districts, and half of America’s richest households live in states where both senators are Democrats.

While conservatives tend to regard giving as a personal rather than governmental responsibility, some liberals consider private charity a retrograde phenomenon — a poor palliative for an inadequate welfare state, and a distraction from achieving adequacy by force, by increasing taxes. Ralph Nader, running for president in 2000, said: “A society that has more justice is a society that needs less charity.” Brooks, however, warns: “If support for a policy that does not exist … substitutes for private charity, the needy are left worse off than before. It is one of the bitterest ironies of liberal politics today that political opinions are apparently taking the place of help for others.”

In 2000, brows were furrowed in perplexity because Vice President Al Gore’s charitable contributions, as a percentage of his income, were below the national average: He gave 0.2 percent of his family income, one-seventh of the average for donating households. But Gore “gave at the office.” By using public office to give other peoples’ money to government programs, he was being charitable, as liberals increasingly, and conveniently, understand that word.

Last Friday, The Christian Post published the following article about a very familiar Christian American Conservative, a man who is carrying on his father’s legacy of touching people all over the world in the name of Jesus Christ and who, coincidentally, has been banned by President Obama and His Administration from speaking to our Armed Forces at Christmas.

Franklin Graham, president of nonprofit Samaritan’s Purse, joined project organizers, local families and survivors of Hurricane Sandy at one of New York City’s major airports this week to personally send off more than 60,000 gifts to some of Typhoon Haiyan’s most vulnerable victims in the Philippines.

“Do you know what these gifts are going to mean to these kids? It means that somebody loves them, it means they haven’t been forgotten. It will mean everything in the world. It will give these little kids hope,” Graham told more than 300 attendees at Thursday’s event.

The evangelist and son of the Rev. Billy Graham was flanked by young singers of the Christian Heritage Academy and a loaded Boeing 747 over his shoulder as he thanked participants during the send-off ceremony at Hangar 19 at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK).

“It’s about letting the children of the world to know that God loves them and God hasn’t forgotten them,” Graham added in his interview with The Christian Post. His Samaritan’s Purse international relief organization has been delivering emergency aid to the Philippines after Typhoon Haiyan forced more than 3.9 million residents to flee their homes. The powerful Nov. 8 typhoon has killed at least 6,000 people and injured more than 27,000 others.

The organization’s annual Operation Christmas Child outreach will be delivering shoe boxes stuffed with goodies and essentials to thousands of Filipino children to let them know that Christians on the other side of the world are praying for them and contributing to their needs.

The other day, at Mandela’s Funeral, I noticed that, when former President George W. Bush got up to speak, Mandela’s faithful booed, and gave him a poor reception, after greeting President Obama as “a true son of Africa”. Very curious. 

Per CNN, in the four years following the unprecedented creation in 2004 of the funding mechanism known as PEPFAR (President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief), Bush sent some $19 billion to Africa and other hard-hit parts of the world.

On the other hand,last year,the Obama Administration unveiled a budget that reduces AIDS funding globally by roughly $214 million, the first time an American president has reduced the U.S. commitment to fighting the epidemic since it broke out in the 1980s during the Reagan administration.

Illuminating, isn’t it?

Until He Comes,

KJ

House Establishment Republicans Begin Push for Incremental Amnesty.

On By kingsjesterIn Politics3 Comments

boehnercryingWell, it appears that the Republican Establishment is determined to start pressing for incremental amnesty, in order to compete with the Democrats for the “Mexican” vote. Of course, they are couching it in the politically correct terms of  “Humanitarianism” and “fairness”.

Frankly, these RINOs sound like a bunch of Democrats.

‘‘Paul Ryan says we cannot have a permanent underclass of Americans, that there needs to be a pathway to citizenship,’’ says Rep. Luis Gutierrez, D-Ill., who has been working relentlessly on immigration legislation. ‘‘He is my guiding light. I know I get him in trouble every time I say it.’’

Senior White House aides often mention the Wisconsin Republican as crucial to the prospects for legislation this year, hoping the Republican with impeccable conservative credentials will sway recalcitrant House members. Ryan also is a reminder of two other powerful forces backing an overhaul of immigration laws — the Catholic Church and business.

Ryan is a practicing Catholic who made a point of attending Mass every Sunday during the jam-packed 2012 campaign; the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops strongly favors the first major changes to immigration in 27 years.

Ryan also represents a southeast Wisconsin district in a state that relies on the manufacturers of Waukesha engines, Kohler generators and numerous supply chains. The companies are counting on immigrants to fill future factory jobs.

‘‘The American economy needs immigration reform, certainly the Wisconsin economy does,’’ said Kurt Bauer, the president and CEO of Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce, the state’s chamber of commerce.

Ryan made his appeal at last week’s closed-door GOP meeting, urging Republicans to seize the moment and opportunity.

He ‘‘made some very good points about how immigration is part of our history, it’s made us great as a country. The diversity of America is one of its greatest strengths,’’ recalled Rep. Tom Reed, R-N.Y. ‘‘I will heartily agree with that. I think all of us in the conference accept that and believe that, and that’s where we recognize that this is a problem that has to be dealt with.’’

Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) on Wednesday offered an endorsement for a proposal to grant citizenship to children who were brought to the U.S. illegally by their parents.

“This is about basic fairness,” Boehner said one week after convening a two-hour meeting to discuss immigration with his conference.

“These children were brought here of no accord of their own, and frankly they’re in a very difficult position,” he said. “And I think many of our members believe that this issue needs to be addressed.”

Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) and Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) are crafting a bill to deal with children brought to the U.S. illegally. They have said it will differ from the Dream Act in the Senate, which would grant citizenship to children brought to the U.S. illegally who meet certain requirements.

Back on June 28, 2013, townhall.com reported

Speaker John A. Boehner reiterated to House Republicans this morning that he will not bring up the Senate’s immigration overhaul for a vote in the House. “Weeks ago, I — along with Eric, Kevin, Cathy and Bob Goodlatte — issued a statement making clear that the House is not going to just take up and vote on whatever the Senate passes,” Boehner told lawmakers, per a source in the room. “We’ll do our own bill, through regular order and it’ll be a bill that reflects the will of our majority and the people we represent.” … Democrats have ratcheted up pressure on Boehner to bring up the Senate’s bill even if a majority of his own conference opposes it, if the House is unable to pass legislation of its own. But the speaker last week all but guaranteed a majority of his majority would have to back any immigration bill before it would come to the floor.

What is now obvious is the fact that Boehner, Ryan, Cantor, and the rest of the Republican Establishment are the most gullible politicians on the planet.

These lunatics actually believe that, if they grant incremental amnesty to the illegal immigrants who broke into our sovereign nation, these lawbreakers will repay them by voting for RIINO Candidates in the Midterms and beyond.

Sure, they will. And, I actually resemble the late Paul Newman. Trust me.

Perhaps the GOP Elite realize that the Conservative Base will not continue to support the squishy non-Conservatives they continue presenting as viable candidates for the House, Senate, and, especially, any “Moderate” Nomination for a Presidential Candidate.

Think about it…when has a RINO actually won a Presidential Election for the GOP?

Dubya doesn’t count. Even with his lavish spending, he was waaay more Conservative than he was a RINO.

You would think that these guys would learn by now, that us “creepy a@@ crackas” living here in the Heartland actually believe in good old fashioned American Values.

We believe in morality that isn’t relative. (Just ask Hollyweird about how their Summer Box Office receipts are doing.)

Our ethics are not situational.

We include the words “under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Our children belong to school organizations like the Fellowship of Christian Students and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

We proudly fly our nation’s flag above every other nation’s.

And finally, we Conservatives, out here in America’s Heartland, believe that Patriotism is taught as part of an American child’s upbringing, and loyalty is something that you earn.

These are not things you can buy.

And, those politicians who believe that, are not ones worthy of our support.

So, the question is, Mr. Speaker, , et al…

Can you buy off enough illegal immigrants to replace your Conservative Base?

Don’t bet on it.

I hope y’all have a trade to fall back on.

Until He Comes,

KJ

Operation PRISM: But…But…Booosh!!!

On By kingsjesterIn Politics5 Comments

obamaburningconstitutionYesterday, as news of President Barack Hussein Obama and his Administration’s dissection of innocent Americans’ Fourth Amendment Rights spread like wildfire across our nation, Liberals could be heard shrieking from coast to coast:

It’s Bush’s fault!!

What they are hysterically referring to, is the fact that, President George W. Bush signed the Patriot Act into law on October 26, 2001. Here are some of his remarks, given at the time:

…As of today, we’re changing the laws governing information-sharing. And as importantly, we’re changing the culture of our various agencies that fight terrorism. Countering and investigating terrorist activity is the number one priority for both law enforcement and intelligence agencies.

Surveillance of communications is another essential tool to pursue and stop terrorists. The existing law was written in the era of rotary telephones. This new law that I sign today will allow surveillance of all communications used by terrorists, including e-mails, the Internet, and cell phones.

As of today, we’ll be able to better meet the technological challenges posed by this proliferation of communications technology. Investigations are often slowed by limit on the reach of federal search warrants. Law enforcement agencies have to get a new warrant for each new district they investigate, even when they’re after the same suspect.

Under this new law, warrants are valid across all districts and across all states. And, finally, the new legislation greatly enhances the penalties that will fall on terrorists or anyone who helps them. Current statutes deal more severely with drug-traffickers than with terrorists. That changes today.

We are enacting new and harsh penalties for possession of biological weapons. We’re making it easier to seize the assets of groups and individuals involved in terrorism. The government will have wider latitude in deporting known terrorists and their supporters. The statute of limitations on terrorist acts will be lengthened, as will prison sentences for terrorists.

This bill was carefully drafted and considered. Led by the members of Congress on this stage, and those seated in the audience, it was crafted with skill and care, determination and a spirit of bipartisanship for which the entire nation is grateful. This bill met with an overwhelming — overwhelming agreement in Congress, because it upholds and respects the civil liberties guaranteed by our Constitution.

Bi-partisan…hmmmm…doesn’t that mean that both sides of the aisle signed off on the Patriot Act? Why, yes. It does.

Rush Limbaugh dissects the Liberals’ argument even further…

The Bush warrantless wiretaps involved foreign telephone calls. Remember when the left was getting so aggravated over the Bush warrantless wiretaps? They were involving domestic to foreign phone calls and foreign to domestic. The Bush administration was not monitoring domestic phone calls, contrary to what you were told or maybe led to believe. Obama is doing that exact thing. This is every phone call that Verizon handles. Now, they’re telling us, “Don’t worry, it’s just the metadata,” which is the phone numbers of every call, and the length of the call.

“It has nothing about the details of the call, nothing about the content. No, no, no, Mr. Limbaugh! What they’re looking for is spikes. They want to see if a bunch of numbers are called frequently, constantly in large numbers over long periods of time, and then they’ll zero in to find out who was making those calls.” So now what the media is saying along with Obama is, “Hey, this is all to protect you. Don’t sweat it! There nothing to see here. When these kinds of stories have come up about the NSA or phone records in the past under Bush…

This is not collection in the usual spy craft sense of eavesdropping. These phone logs are being used for what’s called “traffic analysis,” metadata. It involves looking for patterns in the data. But the huge number of records is almost certainly unprecedented here, as is the daily monitoring. But here’s the real question: Didn’t Obama tell us that the War on Terror is over? Didn’t he tell us that? (interruption) Yeah, I know we’re not supposed to remember he said that, but, see, I can’t help it; I do.

President Obama was in San Diego yesterday to give a Sales Pitch (disguised as a speech) about Obamacare. Instead, he attempted to answer why he is recording the communications of average American Citizens.

According to Obama,

Nobody is listening to your telephone calls.

They are not looking at people’s names, and they’re not looking at content. But by sifting through this so-called metadata, they may identify potential leads with respect to folks who might engage in terrorism.

…The programs that have been discussed over the last couple days in the press are secret in the sense that they’re classified, but they’re not secret in the sense that when it comes to telephone calls, every member of Congress has been briefed on this program.

The relevant intelligence committees are fully briefed on these programs. These are programs that have been authorized by broad, bipartisan majorities repeatedly since 2006. And so I think at the outset, it’s important to understand that your duly elected representatives have been consistently informed on exactly what we’re doing.

One of the things that we’re going to have to discuss and debate is how [we’re]striking this balance between the need to keep the American people safe and our concerns about privacy, because there are some trade-offs involved. And I welcome this debate. And I think it’s healthy for our democracy. I think it’s a sign of maturity.

…It’s important to recognize that you can’t have a hundred percent security and also then have a hundred percent privacy and zero inconvenience. You know, we’re going to have to make some choices as a society.

…There’s a reason why these programs are classified. There is a suggestion that somehow any classified program is a quote-unquote ‘secret’ program, which means it’s somehow suspicious. But the fact of the matter is, in our modern history there are a whole range of programs that have been classified.

If every step that we’re taking to try to prevent a terrorist act is on the front page of the newspapers or on television, then presumably the people who are trying to do us harm are going to be able to get around our preventive measures. That’s why these things are classified.

Uh huh. And, I suppose that explains your cover ops involving the DOJ, the AP, and Fox News. Or…your shenanigans involving your use of the IRS to sabotage, or, at least slow down Conservative Secular and Religious Organizations, in order to get re-elected.

Excuse Americans, if they don’t quite buy what you’re selling, Scooter. 

On May 23rd of this year, you announced that “The War on Terror is Over” and that

We must define our effort not as a boundless ‘Global War on Terror,’ but rather as a series of persistent, targeted efforts to dismantle specific networks of violent extremists that threaten America.

Deranged or alienated individuals – often U.S. citizens or legal residents – can do enormous damage, particularly when inspired by larger notions of violent jihad. That pull towards extremism appears to have led to the shooting at Fort Hood, and the bombing of the Boston Marathon.  So that’s the current threat: Lethal yet less capable al-Qaida affiliates. Threats to diplomatic facilities and businesses abroad. Homegrown extremists. This is the future of terrorism. We must take these threats seriously, and do all that we can to confront them.

If the threat of Muslim Terrorism has been reduced to “lone wolves” and a “weakened al-Qaeda”, Mr. President, why do you need, as was reported yesterday, to be monitoring billions of phone calls and 15 Internet Servers?

The answer is simple. Just like all the other scandals that have exploded in the last month, your motives are purely political. You are a Chicago Politician and you have brought the shady activities of Chicago Backroom Politics to the Office of the Presidency.

As your sycophants at the New York Times wrote yesterday, 

The administration has now lost all credibility on this issue. Mr. Obama is proving the truism that the executive branch will use any power it is given and very likely abuse it.

Fortunately…

The best laid plans of mice and men oft times go awry.

Until He Comes,

KJ

The New Boston Massacre: A 9/11 Feeling

On By kingsjesterIn Politics1 Comment

911firefightersOn Monday afternoon, America was put on her heels by dual explosions at the finish line of the annual sports classic, The Boston Marathon.

As the number of wounded continued to climb yesterday, Americans found out , through a morning presser from President Barack Hussein Obama, that, our Federal Government, (you know…the ones who want us to give up our guns so that they can protect us) has no clue as to the perpetrator or perpetrators of  Monday afternoon’s terrorist attack.

Authorities have figured out, though, that the 2 bombs which exploded were built into pressure cookers and delivered to the scene in black backpacks.

Pressure cooker bombs are more often used in Afghanistan, Pakistan India, and Nepal – where the pots are more commonly used for cooking. But they have also been prominent in bombings and attempts in the United States, especially in New York in Times Square in 2010 and Grand Central Terminal in 1976.

In Al Qaeda’s online magazine, there’s even an article titled: “Make a bomb in the kitchen of your mom” by “The AQ Chef.” It mentions, even recommends, pressure cookers, noting that weak explosives only work with the high pressure of a cooker or sealed pipe.

Low power explosives like black powder and smokeless powder – the most likely ones used in Boston – blow up at a slower rate and only deliver the big boom if they are confined and the pressure from the gas and explosion builds up, said Denny Kline, a former FBI explosives expert and instructor in forensics at its academy.

The Administration has made a public appeal for anybody who has any pertinent information to come forward.

Frankly, it seems that they are very disorganized.

I’m glad that this Administration was not in place on September 11, 2001.  When the worst Terrorist Attack ever on American Soil occurred, that president was not sure who the perpetrators were, either. But, that night, he spoke to us, with resolve in his voice and a look in his eye, that I did not see Monday afternoon, in the short announcement given by the current occupier of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

Here is what President George W. Bush said on the fateful night of September 11, 2001.

Good evening.

Today, our fellow citizens, our way of life, our very freedom came under attack in a series of deliberate and deadly terrorist acts.

The victims were in airplanes or in their offices — secretaries, businessmen and women, military and federal workers. Moms and dads. Friends and neighbors.

Thousands of lives were suddenly ended by evil, despicable acts of terror.

The pictures of airplanes flying into buildings, fires burning, huge structures collapsing, have filled us with disbelief, terrible sadness and a quiet, unyielding anger.

These acts of mass murder were intended to frighten our nation into chaos and retreat. But they have failed. Our country is strong. A great people has been moved to defend a great nation.

Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of America. These acts shatter steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve.

America was targeted for attack because we’re the brightest beacon for freedom and opportunity in the world. And no one will keep that light from shining.

Today, our nation saw evil, the very worst of human nature, and we responded with the best of America, with the daring of our rescue workers, with the caring for strangers and neighbors who came to give blood and help in any way they could.

Immediately following the first attack, I implemented our government’s emergency response plans. Our military is powerful, and it’s prepared. Our emergency teams are working in New York City and Washington, D.C., to help with local rescue efforts.

Our first priority is to get help to those who have been injured and to take every precaution to protect our citizens at home and around the world from further attacks.

The functions of our government continue without interruption. Federal agencies in Washington which had to be evacuated today are reopening for essential personnel tonight and will be open for business tomorrow.

Our financial institutions remain strong, and the American economy will be open for business as well.

The search is underway for those who are behind these evil acts. I’ve directed the full resources for our intelligence and law enforcement communities to find those responsible and bring them to justice. We will make no distinction between the terrorists who committed these acts and those who harbor them.

I appreciate so very much the members of Congress who have joined me in strongly condemning these attacks. And on behalf of the American people, I thank the many world leaders who have called to offer their condolences and assistance.

America and our friends and allies join with all those who want peace and security in the world and we stand together to win the war against terrorism.

Tonight I ask for your prayers for all those who grieve, for the children whose worlds have been shattered, for all whose sense of safety and security has been threatened. And I pray they will be comforted by a power greater than any of us spoken through the ages in Psalm 23: “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me.”

This is a day when all Americans from every walk of life unite in our resolve for justice and peace. America has stood down enemies before, and we will do so this time.

None of us will ever forget this day, yet we go forward to defend freedom and all that is good and just in our world.

Thank you. Good night and God bless America.

In terms of the faith that average Americans, like you and me, have in this preset Administration…well…let’s just say that our belief in Obama and his minions would not fill any collection plates.

With the stench of Benghazigate still wafting in the wind, the smell of blood and the sight of amputated limbs and dead children will not be erased from Americans’ minds, as easily as the murder of 4 Americans, including an Ambassador at a foreign embassy.

While Americans still trust our brave men and women of our Armed Forces to protect us, the same cannot be said for their Commander-in-Chief.

For, its hard to believe a president who is fighting, domestically, to take away your freedom, when he looks into the camera, and tells you that he will fight for it.

While, overseas, his “Smart Power!” Foreign Policy embraces our enemies and alienates our friends.

Therefore, making his promise absolutely reek of hypocrisy.

And, unfortunately, our enemies know it.

Until He Comes,

KJ