"A Setback in Paris"---and Understanding the Mind of Obama--

If ever there was a reason to doubt the President's word that terrorism is on the run,

the Paris attack was a brutal wake up call, but Mr. Obama, never one to concede power or admit defeat,  called it a "setback". There is something to be said for downplaying terrorism, but this scourge of our times, is not going away---it is metastasizing , gaining power, and coming our way. We watched in horror as once again,  a major city was struck, not by an army, but a  handful of eight men, armed with guns ,bombs, and suicide vests , willing to die for their cause---the destruction of Western civilization.  Sounds like a David and Goliath fairy tale , but to  deny that, is to miss-calculate their mission, their numerous, devastating  deeds , and their relentless march.

 Events tumbled out of Paris like a tsunami of terror, wave after wave.  One hundred and twenty nine people killed randomly, and many more injured or maimed.  Suddenly the world seemed dark and dangerous---when and how would this all end?  There were many who said it's just the beginning, and  the start of World War 111. Hyperbole or reality? Stunningly,  the President once again made mellow statements of sympathy for the victims, but was  not willing to call the perpetrators by their religious name.  It makes little sense to simply call them extreme radicals.  Extreme--- based on what?  A Jihad--- for what reason? Terrorism---simply for terror's sake?   No, ask any terrorist, and he'll tell you--his religion, as he sees it, gives him complete reason to fight, justification to kill, and an honor and duty to die.  This kind of no home base enemy cannot be fought by the same rules of engagement---they are 30,000 strong, well financed, scattered all over the globe,  don't care if they die fighting,  and will keep coming until either we stop them cold---or they may well  achieve their goal of world domination.

That's the deal---incredible as it may seem, and so the question agonizingly remains:  How will we respond?  With talk of coalitions, containment, and a long, road of slow, steady reaction? Or will it be boots on the ground, bombs in the air, collateral damage, and the total wipeout of this enemy? Dare we, as some suggest,  take the high road of compassion and invite them to sit with us and discuss their grievances?   Show them by example that our way is better and more sustainable? Unfortunately,  nice talk isn't their style, and there is no "better" in the minds of these Jihadists---only their way.  The  real choices seem---either suffer the terrible price of a winning, no holds barred war, or hope that terrorism burns itself out, by its sheer evil.  Perhaps, but to gamble on the latter, is to risk the eventual takeover of the middle east, and beyond. They call it a caliphate---we call it a dangerous
religious monarchy, with brutal practices against women and children, and no love for America.



Add to this cauldron of events,  the President's plan to accept 10,000 Syrian refugees into the United States.  Given that there is no originating  data base from which to vet or check backgrounds on these people, the risk imposed to the country is no small matter.  But once again, Obama rages against those who try to stop him,  hurling insults and mockery at his detractors,--- and plunges forward, not even willing to consider a pause and congressional legislation that would curb and slow the process of assimilation, so that we might feel a little protected from enemy infiltration.


Fully understanding the mind and core values of Obama has never been an easy task, and the current crisis has made even some of his ardent supporters scratch their heads in bewilderment.  To ascribe  his attitude in foreign affairs to an ideology of American non-exceptionalism is one way to make sense of it. Another rationale for his laid back style, is  that his world views are so deeply ingrained, that he is unable to come to grips with the failure of leading from behind, and that the evolvement of ISIL from "JV" has been hard to swallow, completely messing with his previous dialogue of the defeat of terrorism. and grossly interrupting his ultimate plans of transforming this country,  All of the above may be true, but it has also been suggested that this president is simply out of his depth, even delusional, incapable of great decision, or is is too arrogant to admit that he needs help.  He refuses to change course, even as we face one of the most perilous points in our history, and his policies so far have failed. He prefers to focus and lecture us on the dangers of Islamaphobia, as though we don't have the sophistication to intellectually separate those who wish us harm, from those who do not. It is insulting and condescending for him to presume and offer only that  diatribe as a response to our sincere and well founded fears. And it is absolutely incomprehensible for a president of the United States to turn a deaf ear to our concerns for our safety. That is constitutionally his first priority, his ultimate compass---and he seems woefully in direct dis-obeyance, out of touch, and devoid of appropriate dialogue , ---save global warning, the denigrating of all Republican presidential candidates, and the protection of the Muslim people from his imagined backlash.  Listen up, Mr. President, we get it--A. Global warming is an important issue,  and we are dealing with it, B. It is not nice or presidential to bad mouth the other side all the time, and C. Islamaphobia is dead wrong, not who we are, and most of us know it---but there's a war going on, and you need to do something about it. Talk to us, reassure us of your course of action, name the enemy for what it is, Radical Islamic Terrorists---and go get them. That's who we are---
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The very controversial Donald Trump said, "Either we have a country, or we don't", in advocating the
 tightening of our loose borders.  Mr. Trump may not have the total package to win the presidency, but those words ring true--- either we have a country worth fighting for, or we don't.  Either we take the threats seriously to take us down, or we don't.  Because what happened in Paris will  look and feel no different here.  But how many strikes can the world take, before the walls of order and security  come tumbling down , and we are left with loss of lives, confidence, a possible ruined economy, massive change of lifestyle,--- and an enemy laughing at our presumption of their ineffectiveness and our unwillingness to fight back hard. Paris wasn't a "setback", Mr. Obama---it was a giant step forward, and headed west.
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As this blog is going to print, two Russian fighter planes have been shot down over Turkey, complicating our coalition efforts.  Americans have been advised to be especially vigilant with their travels abroad. But  Obama has just issued a statement to steady our nerves, saying there is no credible intelligence threat to the United States at this time. Thank you for that,  Mr. President---very sweet thought---but are you sure?

In the meantime, just in case, and as a first line of defense,  the United States department of Homeland Security has advised, "If you see something, say something"---how paranoid sounding,  and how very sad that we have come to this---yet hope floats, as we celebrate one of our most meaningful holidays of freedom and gratitude,  hard fought and won by sheer determination and courage.  God bless the USA---especially those who defend her.

The Republican Debate Smackdown and the Search for a President---

If you missed it, you missed politics at its best and worst---the last Republican presidential debate, hosted, or should we say, toasted by CNBC, a totally Liberal cable station, ---showed the viewers what unabashed,  biased and partisan journalism looks  like, and it wasn't pretty. Touted as being a debate about the economy,  it was anything but, and dripped with pure, unadulterated contempt from the first question "What is your greatest weakness?"  Undauntingly, the questions got worse and more insulting as the debate wore on.   Until finally, Ted Cruz, stopped the panel's
take -down frenzy , by repeating verbatim their bullying remarks, and  roundly chastising them,. He drew a line in the sand for future debates, and one by one, many of the other candidates stood up to fight together against what has been so obvious for so long---the Liberal media's one sided unfairness toward the Republican party, particularly transparent in the last few debates.  More like a lion's den vs. the gladiators, than an honest search for the nominee's qualifications and opinions,  and even the audience was booing their disapproval.  What a disservice to the American people, but what a long over due reveal of how far we've drifted from objective reportage by a media who claims to be the third rail of Democracy. They have become a joke,  and  a serious betrayal  to a country who depends on them to help us make our most important decision.

So, now what---who's left on the roster of would be, wanna be Republican presidents? We still have  Donald Trump, Dr. Ben Carson, Marco Rubio, Carly Fiorina, Jeb Bush, and Ted Cruz among others who are not making a big enough splash to mention.  But let's get real---anyone of the above have great presence, good credentials, and agree or not, their intellectual depth would outshine any one of the Democrat candidates, save Mrs. Clinton, who came loaded for bear in the one and only Democrat debate.  But while she may have wowed 'em,  it wasn't that hard to do, when one considers her party's competitors, who were dull, uninteresting, and without any hint of presidential qualification---except, admitted socialist, Bernie Sanders.  Sanders may be refreshing, quaint,  and even a fave among some progressives, but he doesn't have the weight to bring home a nomination.  We may be flirting with socialism in this country, even courting it, but we're not ready to tie the knot just yet.  Bernie's not the one, not this time.  Some even think he may have been put up to the job of running by the powers that be,  just to make the the Democrats' race for presidential nominee look more like a---race, and just a touch more--democratic. After all, they wouldn't want their party to think they have no choice but to vote for Hillary---that it's her turn,---her's because she's a her?  No, because power and money speak like God  in the world of politics, and especially in the world of Clinton-esque influence.  Despite the very disturbing mis-handling of the Benghazi attack, and the unscrupulous, law breaking email arrangement while she was Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton,  has managed to rise above it all,  shrugging and laughing it all off,  and will undoubtedly be the Democrat's nominee.  Incredible, but true.


By all that is logical, it is time for the pendulum to swing back to at least to the middle of the political spectrum.  This country, by all accounts is in huge trouble. Our economy is limping through the slowest  recession recovery since World War 11. Unemployment may be  down, but not when compared with the number of people who have given up, and dropped out of the  work force--- (16 million increase in 10 years).  Poverty is up--- (Six million more people since Obama took office).  and so is the number of food stamp recipients---(Up 70% ).  We are not exactly winning the war on terrorism,  but a man by the name of Putin, is showing us how in Syria, and telling us to get out of his way.  Obama's reserved approach to Syria,  Iraq, and Afghanistan have not proven to work, as we witness the unraveling of the Middle East and large swaths of it taken over by ISIS. By nearly every measure, we are not better off than when Obama took office.  Yes, he inherited a mess, but has done little to make it better, using his power instead, to take advantage of our weakened state to instigate bigger government, increasing our national debt to over 18 million; stifling regulations, rail roading through a half baked national healthcare act,  making a devil's nuclear deal with Iran,  and enacting crippling energy laws and taxes. Many laws were passed without congressional approval, and certainly without the peoples' consent or consideration. We have witnessed a near despotic takeover of our government , and it is time to take it back.

And so, the race that will determine our future continues.  If you missed last week's debate, you
have another chance tonight,  Nov. 10th ,when another Republican debate will take place
on the Fox business channel.  The Republican nominees will have to prove their worthiness amid
back lash accusations of whining and desiring only soft ball treatment.  President Obama, in his inimitable, partisan style, has mocked them for not being able to handle the inappropriate questions of the last debate. They handled it pretty good, Mr. President----by finally refusing to take scorn disguised as a public service. Perhaps you should take a  lesson from them---sometimes you gotta fight back, draw lines that mean something, and stand up---not down.

At present, Donald Trump and Dr. Ben Carson are the Republican front runners,   ---it's still too early to call. but the growing popularity of these two non-politicians is reason enough to believe that there is something large going on in the back roads of much of America 's mindset,  which cannot be denied ---they are done with superficiality, and will not be duped by subjective reporting, witch hunts, or fooled by those who promise much, but deliver little.  They are turning the pollsters upside down, lauding those politicians who speak frankly,  and sticking it to the media-----as if to say, stop with  the slanting, and the spinning---we will no longer buy it. Whether the voters will vote for the refreshing, but risky outliers or in the end throw their hopes to  a more traditional, experienced candidate is the big question. But isn't it time for this country to call out those who would muddy the clear water of facts, with their own prejudices, ideologies, and agendas?  Good on you, Ted Cruz---it was about time.

Tune in to these debates, folks!  It can get ugly, boring, and tedious, but it's our
democracy at work.  This is how we choose our next leader----and as close as we can get
to  interviewing him or her.  It's our job---so be there! You may be watching another
smackdown,  or the ascending of your next president, ---or Hillary's last laugh.  She does that so well.