Pakistan, Pelosi and Reconciliation

President Obama has made it very clear that he intends to pursue the war against the Taliban in Afghanistan. In fact, he is basically following the Bush era policy in that regard and is effectively, recreating the Bush surge that turned the tide in Iraq. However, the members of the Taliban do not seem to care and do not seem to be alarmed by this.

Why? It is very simple. The Taliban has decided that Afghanistan is just a pawn in their little game against democracy. They have bigger goals. Or, at least that is what seems to be the case right now. Every piece of evidence suggests that the Taliban are going after the government of Pakistan and its reward of nuclear weapons.

Since the beginning of the year, the Taliban has pretty much invaded Pakistan. It all started when the democratically elected president of Pakistan, Ali Arif Zardari, permitted Islamic fundamentalist rule of law in parts of the country as a result of threats from the Taliban. Since then, the Taliban has encroached on Pakistani land more and more with each passing week. As of Sunday, the Taliban had established a position in Pakistan only 70 miles from the capital city of Islamabad. Just a little bit further and these radical Islamist crazies will have control of the country.

This cannot happen! Should the Taliban gain control of Pakistan, they will be able to reap the reward of Pakistan’s arsenal of nuclear weapons. What do you think they will do with them? Let’s start with the obvious. These weapons will be used against our armed forces in Afghanistan and Iraq. They will probably be used against Israel. And, I am sure there will be some threat to India.

Remember, the Taliban protects Al Qaeda and Osama Bin Laden. The War on Terror or whatever euphemism President Obama has decided to call it will be basically lost. Once the Taliban and Al Qaeda have control of Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal, we will have to negotiate with them if they even choose to negotiate. If we continue to prosecute the war, the Taliban and Mr. Bin Laden will use their weapons. Don’t kid yourself by thinking they will not.

Based upon this, I am only left to wonder. What is President Obama waiting for? At some point, and it better be soon, the encroachment into Pakistan has got to be stopped. Whether this is done by the United States on its own or through UN action or through a combined military operation, we cannot wait any longer. President Obama is going to have to commit military troops to Pakistan and, unfortunately escalate the War on Terror (whatever he chooses to call it). Negotiation will not work with these radicals.

On another matter, my tirade against Nancy Pelosi must continue based upon the incidents of the past week. How does this women continue to be elected and more important, remain Speaker of the House? There is evidence that she knew about water boarding and enhanced interrogation techniques as early as 2002. Further, Ms. Pelosi and a group of Congressional leaders from both parties, where briefed continually on interrogation techniques from 2002 until, evidence suggests, 2006.

Once this story broke in the Washington Post last week, Ms Pelosi went on the record stating that she did not know about the water boarding and would never have acquiesced to it. However, she did not deny the briefings occurred. In fact, she stated that she did attend briefings but alluded to the fact that the material briefed was classified and only involved whether there was legal precedent and not that water boarding and other forms of enhanced interrogation techniques were used.

Come on? Does anyone believe her? I agree with Dick Cheney on this issue. If we are going to declassify some documents regarding the above, then it is time to declassify everything relating to the enhanced interrogation techniques. Whether they be about what was done; the legality of what was done; and who knew about what was done. Let’s find out whether Ms. Pelosi is telling the truth. And, if she is playing fast and loose with the truth, she should be prosecuted in the same manner she wants to prosecute the people responsible for the policy. Jack Cafferty of CNN should keep his mouth shut on this issue. Cheney has got a right to speak his piece just like every other citizen in this country.

According to Fox News, the clash of accounts (regarding the above) has stirred Republican claims that Democrats have selective and politically motivated amnesia when it comes to who knew what, and when, about the Bush-era interrogation programs.

Of course, the other alternative is to take President Obama’s position before he caved to the far left last week. We are beyond this and what happened in the past should be left in the past. The time now is for reconciliation.

Speaking of reconciliation, whatever there was of bipartisanship is pretty much completely gone now because of the above and because of a little known Congressional Rule called reconciliation. It is a process that can be used in budgetary legislation that eliminates the power of a filibuster in the Senate effectively giving the Democrats the power to pass budgetary legislation even if they do not have the sixty votes needed to end a debate.

The Democrats are now threatening to use reconciliation to ram through President Obama’s health care initiative even though they know it will increase the deficit and will have little, to no support from the Republican Party. If this happens, you can guarantee that any nascent bipartisanship is dead. Or, is that really a bad thing?

By the way, if you agree or disagree with me, please post comments on this page. One of my main reasons for writing this column is to create an open dialogue with people who have opinions that are either in agreement with me or inapposite. I do not believe that either side is 100% correct and the only way debate can be had is with continual comment and criticism. Until next week!

©2009 by Frank T. DeMartini. Permission to be copies will be granted freely upon request.

USS Stockdale and Some Words on the Economy

Last Saturday morning, I had the privilege of attending the official commissioning ceremony of the USS Stockdale, a new destroyer named after deceased Admiral Jim Stockdale, a Vietnam War hero and POW that endured torture because of his refusal to capitulate to his captors. This article is going to be relatively short, but I want to say a few words about the pageantry and patriotism of the men and women serving in our Armed Forces, in this case, specifically the navy.

The entire ceremony was full of deep seated navy tradition. The men and women making up the crew of the Stockdale showed extreme patriotism and made me proud to be an American. These young men and women will do anything; even give their lives for love of country. And, they do it under the scrutiny of the liberal media and liberal extremists that basically do not even want the military to exist.

I must say that during the centuries old ceremony, I was almost brought to tears a few times. This is especially true when I think of the speeches given in honor of Admiral Stockdale. This is a man that was a Vietnam POW that endured 7 ½ years of torture because he would not do anything against the flag. Much of that time was spent in solitary confinement at the Hanoi Hilton where he was being held prisoner along with Senator John McCain. Stockdale was promised on multiple occasions that if he agreed to renounce the flag and/or make statements against the interests of the United States, his captivity would be more comfortable. He refused for the full time of his confinement. As such, he was physically and mentally abused continually. Listening to Ross Perot describe Stockdale’s humanity and patriotism almost brought tears to my eyes.

At the point in the ceremony when the Ship was declared operational, the flag was raised on the ship and the men and women making up the crew boarded. A fly by was done as a patriotic song was played by the navy band in attendance. Again, the feeling of love of country was very strong and moving.

Where is this type of patriotism in the left wing now? As I have stated in previous columns, there are many liberals that feel it is an embarrassment to join the armed forces and that defending this country is something only crazy people do. I guess you can say that President Obama’s apologies for being American at the G20 summit fit into that category. I would also like to note that, although President Obama is technically the Commander in Chief, there was very little mention of him or his office at the event. In fact, other than the President of the United States being mentioned in one formal order during the ceremony, there was absolutely no mention of him by name. I guess what I have heard about the military not being too happy with him is true.

As you all know, last week was tax day. Now, that we are done licking our wounds and noticing the visibly smaller sums in our bank account, I would like to make a small comment about the Tea Parties that occurred all over the country last week. Again, I must state that I am proud to be an American. This truly is a grass roots/populist movement. It really is about time that the right in this country started protesting and complaining in the same manor that the left usually does. In fact, the true “patriot” Speaker Nancy Pelosi stated that the tea parties were not a grass roots campaign, but instead were Astroturf. Someone should run against this lunatic and relieve the US citizens from the pain and agony she is causing them. Maybe the California Governor should challenge her when his current term is up. I have a feeling she would run a little scared at that point. I also find her amusing in that she claims to be representing the common man. Maybe, someone should really take a look at her checkbook?

The liberals in this country have done everything within their power to discredit the Tea Parties. Some of them even went so far to say that they should not have been permitted and were unpatriotic. As I have said before, I guess the liberal Democrats only feel that free speech is permitted when they agree with what is being spoken. Bringing back the alleged “fairness doctrine” is one example of limiting free speech that the Democrats would like to accomplish. My opinion is real simple, other than the three instances in which the US Supreme Court has limited free speech; there should be no other limitation. I have the right to say whatever I want as long as I do not infringe on your right to say whatever you want.

Lastly, I would like to make a quick point about the news yesterday involving the nationalization of the banks. Apparently the Obama Administration and Timothy Geithner do not want the banks to pay back the TARP funds. Instead, they would like to convert the preferred shares the government owns in such institutions as Bank of America and Citibank into common shares. This would be the final nail in the coffin of capitalism. If the Obama Administration gets to take over the banks and start appointing Board members based upon their share ownership, we would be on our way to becoming a true socialist or should I say communist state. Of course, every bank stock in the country plummeted yesterday on this news. I advise you to all call up your Congressmen immediately to make sure this doesn’t happen. We must keep business independent no matter what the cost. I feel that way for the auto industry. I feel that way for the banking industry. I feel that way for all industry.

A reader of mine from Scottsdale, Arizona sent the following video that all of my readers should definitely watch. It is a clear indication of where the Muslim Extremists stand on the United States. http://www.tangle.com/view_video.php?viewkey=0861ff3eabea1ceb73e4. Anyone that believes Muslim Fundamentalists do not want this country to perish is truly in fantasyland. President Obama should stop kowtowing to these people and other people that hate America, especially his new best friend Hugo Chavez. Wasn’t it wonderful watching the two of them shake hands like old buddies last week.

For humorous viewing, there is a video on You Tube called the “Obama Deception.” It is clearly conspiracy theorist fodder, but there is some truth set forth in its otherwise ridiculous statements. If you do watch it, do not believe that I think it is 100% accurate, but it does make a few good points that may cause some of you to think.

That’s about it for this week. I hope that you all have an enjoyable and fruitful week and a really fun weekend.

©2009 – Frank T. DeMartini. Permission to copy will be given freely upon request.

Foreign Affairs (Almost All)

In the past few days, I have been thinking that way too much of this column has been about domestic affairs and the economy. This was not the original plan, but the events of the past few months have dictated it. However, based upon the current events in Thailand and the G20 Summit last week, I think the time is ripe to discuss foreign affairs a bit.

Today in Thailand, the Red Shirts, headed by the lunatic ex-prime minister decided that the Thai way of peaceful solutions to problems should cease. And based upon video and news reports that I have seen, the Red Shirts have gone crazy. At least, two people are confirmed dead and more than 100 are injured in just the last 24 hours.

Since most of you that are not aware of the situation in Thailand, a little background is in order. The Red Shirts are led by the ex-prime minister of Thailand, Thaksin Shinawatra. He was ousted in 2006 amid allegations of corruption and political scandal. Since then, there have been two other prime ministers, both of which Thaksin claims are illegitimate “heirs” to his position which have not been democratically elected. The current government, of which Thaksin is in direct revolt, has seized all of his domestic assets and has been trying to extradite him back to Thailand for criminal prosecution.

The government of Thailand is backed and supported by the King whose supporters are called the Yellow Shirts. Since Thursday, the Red Shirts have been staging protests against the government and the Yellow Shirts and are being paid to protest by Thaksin. In fact, a lot of the protestors are not even from Bangkok, but are from small villages outside of Bangkok. They are being lured by small amounts of cash from Thaksin into the city for the sole purpose of causing disturbances.

Before the last two days, the protests were relatively peaceful. Since then, they have become violent. Today, two people were killed and many more injured. The Red Shirts are promising violence until a new government can be democratically elected. The current government is fighting back. Unfortunately, this is only going to get worse. Hopefully, it will not break out into a full on civil war.

Is this where the entire world is heading right now? Are we headed towards mass violence in many more places? Based upon the current state of the world economy, this is entirely possible. In times of economic turmoil, people tend to get more violent as their pockets get emptier.

On another front, today President Obama, displaying some guts, ordered the US Armed Forces to take down the pirates off the coast of Somalia and saved the US Captain of the vessel they boarded last week. Three of the pirates were killed and one was taken into custody. Piracy off the African coast has increased dramatically in the last few years. Again, is this a sign of the current economic situation?

Last week at the G20 meeting, President Obama tried to coerce the leaders of the major economic powers to follow his lead and to spend billions of dollars in additional economic stimulus packages in order to solve this deepening economic crisis. Of course, while he was doing this, he was apologizing to the world for being an American and for American “arrogance”. The liberals in this country seem to think that apologizing is more effective than other types of foreign policy. Of course, none of this kowtowing succeeded and Obama came out of the G20 summit with nothing at all. In fact, other than the UK, most of the leaders, just rebuked his policies. Among them, is the leader of the small Czech Republic. Of course, we are now weaker on the world stage because of his trip.

As you all know from my prior columns, North Korea tested a long range missile last week and is continuing with its nuclear ambitions. Iran is also continuing its nuclear development programs. So much so, that Israel has told President Obama, “Either you take care of (Iran) or we will.”

Amongst all this turmoil, is now the correct time to lower the defense budget by twenty percent? That’s right, twenty percent! With Obama’s record budget passed by Congress last week you would think that military spending would increase as well. But, no! President Obama has decided to disarm at a time when we are in the midst of two wars, Iraq and Afghanistan; when North Korea and Iran are threatening to join the list of nuclear countries; when Pakistan could fall any day to Islamic extremism; and, at a time when any local squirmish could turn into an international incident (Thailand and elsewhere).

Don’t you think that common sense would dictate that military spending should increase? Should some of this economic stimulus go into the military industrial complex? That would create hundreds, if not thousands, of jobs. Not the piddly few that the current stimulus plan is going to create.

Maybe, the cuts in the military budget will also increase the unemployment rate? One of the cuts to military spending that already went into effect is the elimination of re-enlistment bonuses. This is unprecedented. I guess President Obama has decided that it is more beneficial to the national defense to have a newly untrained military rather than an experienced fighting force. And, isn’t this counterproductive as well? Doesn’t it cost more to train a new soldier than to re-enlist an older one? Also, couldn’t the older one end up on unemployment when he/she chooses not to reenlist because it is not worth risking your life for people that do not appreciate it?

Last week I attended a Republican luncheon and was appalled at the comments being made about the attitudes towards military personnel that come from the liberal elite. Liberals actually believe it is shameful to a parent to have a child enlist. If I had a child, I would be proud that he/she was willing to risk his/her life for this country. At times, I am ashamed of myself for not doing that when I could have. But, to have a Liberal tell a parent, “Are you all right with that?” when they tell their liberal friend that their son has joined the military is a disgrace.

It is my opinion that we are on the wrong track on foreign affairs and the military. But, I am sure that you are all beginning to think that I am a broken record in this sense. We should not be apologizing for being American. We should be proud of what we do. We would not be policing the world or helping every problem in the world if some other country would take that responsibility away from us.

And, in these times of economic and worldwide political turmoil, we should not be lowering the defense budget.

I received this anecdote from a reader in Missouri. I think it is very apropos for this current era of big government and socialism:

Catching Wild Pigs

A chemistry professor in a large college had some exchange students in the class. One day while the class was in the lab the Professor noticed one young man (exchange student) who kept rubbing his back, and stretching as if his back hurt.
The professor asked the young man what was the matter. The student told him he had a bullet lodged in his back. He had been shot while fighting communists in his native country who were trying to overthrow his country's government and install a new communist government. In the midst of his story he looked at the professor and asked a strange question. He asked, "Do you know how to catch wild pigs?"
The professor thought it was a joke and asked for the punch line. The young man said this was no joke. 'You catch wild pigs by finding a suitable place in the woods and putting corn on the ground. The pigs find it and begin to come everyday to eat the free corn. When they are used to coming every day, you put a fence up on one side of the place where they are used to coming. When they get used to the fence, they begin to eat the corn again and you put up another side of the fence. They get used to that and start to eat again. You continue until you have all four sides of the fence up with a gate in the last side. The pigs, who are used to the free corn, start to come through the gate to eat; you slam the gate on them and catch the whole herd. Suddenly the wild pigs have lost their freedom. They run around and around inside the fence, but they are caught. Soon they go back to eating the free corn. They are so used to it that they have forgotten how to forage in the woods for themselves, so they accept their captivity.
The young man then told the professor that is exactly what he sees happening to America. The government keeps pushing us toward socialism and keeps spreading the free corn out in the form of programs such as supplemental income, tax credit for unearned income, tobacco subsidies, dairy subsidies, payments not to plant crops (CRP), welfare, medicine, drugs, etc. While we continually lose our freedoms -- just a little at a time. One should always remember: There is no such thing as a free lunch! Also, a politician will never provide a service for you cheaper than you can do it yourself. Also, if you see that all of this wonderful government 'help' is a problem confronting the future of democracy in America; you might want to send this on to your friends. Keep your eyes on the newly elected politicians who are about to slam the gate on America.
"A government big enough to give you everything you want, is big enough to take away everything you have." Thomas Jefferson

You should all read a column published on April 10, 2009 by Jack Hunter entitled “States Rights and the Left.” It is an interesting insight into the current state of US Economic Policy and creates and interesting analogy between the current political climate and that of the pre-Civil War period. It was sent to me by Robert Spaeth, a reader from Scottsdale, Arizona. You can find it at: http://www.campaignforliberty.com/article.php?view=44.

In closing I would like to add that I pray vehemently for the civil violence in Bangkok to end. The Thai people have always been a peaceful people. I have many friends there and I don’t want to worry about their health or well being. Until, next time!

©2009 by Frank T. DeMartini. Permission to copy excerpts will be freely granted upon request.