Prestige and Power in Statecraft

"History teaches us that nations must always respond vigorously to an enemy’s challenge, a lesson the U.S. should remember in Syria."

Bruce S. Thornton ...."Hitler’s generals trembled at all three moves, as they did not believe the Wehrmacht was ready to take on two powerful enemies like England and France as it would in 1939. But the British and the French had the perception that Hitler’s military was that strong, and that perception became a force multiplier. But perception is a two-edged sword. All France’s and England’s military might did not impress Hitler, because he did not believe that they had the will to use it. Here we see the truth of Napoleon’s dictum that “morale is to the physical as three to one.” No amount of material power can compensate for the accurate perception that a state has weak morale and is unwilling to fight. And even if false, that perception can invite aggression."....

 

Saudi Cleric Lauds Hitler For “Barbecuing” The Jews…

Weasel Zippers

 

 

"Adolf Hitler had a blessed way of burning you, oh rotting nation.
He would rain bombs upon your land from planes and from gas jets, spreading a red mist over the frozen Volga River.
"How many times have I read, in delight and relief, what he did to you on those tremendous days.
"If I were allowed to pray for a non-Muslim, I would have prayed for the soul of the Nazi leader, who barbecued you and the Jews through and through with gasoline."  Saudi cleric Muhammad Al-Farraj

No Answers from Reid Why Private Parks Ordered Closed During Shutdown

Big Government  "However, Reid told Breitbart News he was unaware of the hundreds of privately funded parks, some of which are non-profits, that were shut down by order of the federal government as a result of the political conflict in Washington."

Harry Reid’s Bad Week
The Senate majority leader hasn’t looked like much of a leader at all.
"Ironically, given all his knocks on Boehner’s leadership, Reid’s behavior is unbecoming of a politician of his stature, Republicans argue, and is actively undermining the ability of the two sides to come to an agreement. They also doubt his non-negotiation strategy will improve his reputation at all.   Andrew Stiles

Move over, empty chair; New design for Obama Monument revealed  "While an empty chair was the perfect metaphor for President Obama’s first term in office, it doesn’t really capture what might be the greatest accomplishment of his second. Would it be too much to add an empty chair behind the Barrycade?"

 

Lists of illogical, unnecessary, and shockingly spiteful moves our government is making in the name of essential and non-essential.

Government by temper tantrum

We the People lists 25

3. Furloughed Military Chaplains Not Allowed to Work for Free – Furloughed military chaplains willing to celebrate Mass and baptisms for free have been told they will be punished for doing so.

Top 10 insane moments of Obama-Reid shutdown   "One National Park Service Employee was brave enough to come out and report that federal workers who haven’t been furloughed have received orders from above to make the shutdown as painful as possible for the American people. He said, “We’ve been told to make life as difficult for people as we can. It’s disgusting.” The shutdown has gone past difficult and is approaching ridiculous."

Rep. Gohmert Once Asked If Obama Would Put A Drapery Over Mt. Rushmore; You Probably Thought That Was A Joke   "As the good folks over at Breitbart have pointed out, this is government by temper tantrum. Barack Obama is a spoiled child holding his breath until he gets his way. You don’t want to play by his rules? Fine, he’ll take his toy trucks and go on home.

Obama shuts down Amber Alert Missing Children Website- keeps his federally funded golf course open

"Obama once again shows where his priorities are.

"If you go to www.amberalert.gov - the Amber Alert website for missing children, this is what you get:"

Video: ‘President Petulant’ 

Obama open to name change for Washington Redskins

AP  "President Barack Obama says he would "think about changing" the Washington Redskins' name if he owned the football team as he waded into the controversy involving a word many consider offensive to Native Americans.

Obama, in an interview with The Associated Press, said team names such as the Redskins offend "a sizable group of people." He said that while fans get attached to the names, nostalgia may not be a good enough reason to keep them in place."....

 

Obama's Spite Fences.

First remember: Park Rangers Ordered to ‘Make Life Difficult’ During Shutdown Those would be the National Park Service of Obama's Rangers and never forget that.

“It’s a cheap way to deal with the situation,” an angry Park Service ranger in Washington says of the harassment. “We’ve been told to make life as difficult for people as we can. It’s disgusting.”

Blame whomever you will for this issue, but know that it was Obama who ordered these sites blocked!

Police Remove Vietnam War Veterans at Memorial Wall   "After one group of veterans went around the barricade, "the park ranger told them the wall was closed," NBC's Mark Seagraves reported. "Later another group of vets showed up and moved the barricades. At that point, the memorial filled with vets and tourists. That's when police came and moved everyone out."
....
"It takes more manpower and costs the government more money to close down an outdoor wall than to let people walk past it and pay their respects.
The Obama administration has been very selective in devoting resources to shutting down memorials." This vindictive president and his administration.

Iwo Jima Memorial Closed, Barricades Erected (Update: Vets Break Through) 

"The stop is a popular destination for veterans and tourists alike, and, in my observation, is usually completely unmanned and unguarded. But, for some reason, it's closed to the public during this federal government shutdown."

Memorial circus outrages visitors  “I think it’s trashy politics if a politician is coming down to get publicity at a memorial that they have closed. I’m talking about both sides,” said Colonel Al Appling..."
Sure, blame both sides, but remember it is Obama who ordered these to be shut down. 

Feds Try to Close the OCEAN Because of Shutdown  "The Park Service will also have rangers on duty to police the ban... of access to an ocean. The government will probably use more personnel and spend more resources to attempt to close the ocean, than it would in its normal course of business."
All above via Drudge

For Political Impact Only   "The nameless bureaucrats that make anonymous decisions affecting our lives decided that open air walk through malls must now be enclosed and sealed.  It takes more money and effort to close an open park or mall than to leave it open.  I guess we shouldn't be surprised.  The optics of the yellow tape around the WWII memorial screams "the Republicans did this".....at first.  Then the analysis turns to the idiocy of the exercise and the bogus intent."
....
James Piereson refers to "punitive liberalism" where in the Punitive Liberals feel that the purpose of national policy is "to punish the nation for its crimes rather than to build a stronger America and a brighter future for all."  One massive reparation for all those "harmed" by our nation

Making Life Difficult   "The Democrats are claiming the Republicans are holding the nations "hostage." But is seems the mean- spirited hostility to the public is coming from the Obama administration."

Unclear and Present Danger? Obama’s Actions over WWII Memorial Tips His Handful of Sad Jokers   “ 'Public lands” DO NOT belong to the Federal Government, they belong to “the public.” As such, the Federal Government has NO authority to keep “the people” from access to land which belongs to “the people.” The government can only stop the upkeep and maintenance of the property. It CANNOT block public access to public lands, at least “constitutionally.' ”

DEVELOPING… National Park Service Blocks Roads To Keep Drivers From Viewing Mount Rushmore

Diana West @diana_west_

UNBELIEVABLE: NPS blocks lane to prevent viewers from stopping on the side of the road to view Mt Rushmore!
The National Park Service is run by Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar who sits at the table with Barack Obama during cabinet meetings. Here is where the President can give him instructions on what to do with American's access to national parks and memorials, including telling him not to spend money on blocking visitor access. Or, being Obama, this is likely where he told Salazar to make things as difficult for Americans as possible.
Somehow I picture laughter around the cabinet table as Salazar told Obama he even put cones in the road so people cannot even stop to look at Mt. Rushmore.
"Attaboy, Ken! I can't wait to blame this on the Republicans!"
How vindictive of this petulant, spiteful, juvenile president.
The Tunnel Dweller

Here is the Facebook page of Sec. of the Interior Ken Salazar 

Did House Democrats Find Way To Get A Vote On A Clean Budget Resolution And End The Shutdown?

Forbes   "With anywhere between eighteen and two dozen Republicans in the House indicating that they are prepared to vote for a ‘clean’ continuing resolution that would re-open government without language doing harm to Obamacare, House Democrats have been scrambling to find a way to get to such a vote despite Speaker John Boehner’s unwillingness to let it happen.

"They may have done it."

R.I.P. G.O.P.-House Debt Ceiling Proposal Could Bring The Final Curtain Down On The Republican Party   "The party may soon be over…that is the Republican Party.
"Looking to find a way out of the government shutdown box the House Republicans have built for themselves, a plan is emerging that would keep the government open in exchange for delaying the real showdown until the debt ceiling debate—or as I now like to call it, “D-Day”— takes center stage."

Al Qaeda Building Main Base in Syria. Do you miss George Bush yet?

Washington Free Beacon   "Al Qaeda is constructing its main regional base in areas of Syria where Bashar al-Assad’s regime has lost control, according to Mosaic magazine.

"The group will export terrorism and radical Islam throughout the region and then to the West, according to a report from an Israeli security research institute.

The report identified the Al Nusra Front as Al Qaeda’s official arm in Syria; they added that the organization is quickly entrenching itself in the north and east of Syria, where the Assad regime’s rule has collapsed. […]

Qaeda in Syria wants to dominate Iraq, Turkey border zones    "Jihadists have even sought to justify the strategy on Internet forums by accusing Western-backed groups, including Ahfad al-Rasul and the Northern Storm brigade, of acting like the US-funded "Sahwa" who fought Al-Qaeda in Iraq."

From the Syria debacle, Iran has learned that our threats are empty and posturing as a “moderate” works.

Victor Davis Hanson

 

When — not if — is the only mystery about an Iranian nuclear bomb.

All the warning signs are there.

‘Game Changers’

"In 2008, presidential candidate Barack Obama on two occasions went out of his way to warn the Iranians that the development of a nuclear weapon “would be a game-changing situation, not just in the Middle East, but around the world.” Obama later added, “It is unacceptable for Iran to possess a nuclear weapon; it would be a game changer.”
"Strong language. And Obama twice this year again used “game changer” in reference to Syrian dictator Bashar Assad, warning him not to dare use chemical weapons."

The conclusion that Hanson expects evil rulers of the world to draw from Obama and liberals running this nation:

...But what is new is the Syrian model, which has excited the Iranians as never before. “Game changer” threats are now seen as empty. Posturing as a “moderate” works. Sugary op-eds in American papers beguile the public. And Vladimir Putin is always ready to come to the rescue.

UN Appoints Iran to Nuclear Disarmament Security Committee “Placing a patron state of Syria on this committee as the U.N. begins disarmament of Syria’s chemical weapons is a further blow to the credibility of the United Nations,” Rogers added.

Krauthammer wants to know, "Who shut down Yellowstone?"

Charles Krauthammer  "President Obama indignantly insists that GOP attempts to abolish or amend Obama­care are unseemly because it is “settled” law, having passed both houses of Congress, obtained his signature and passed muster with the Supreme Court.
"Yes, settledness makes for a strong argument — except from a president whose administration has unilaterally changed Obama­care five times after its passage, including, most brazenly, a year-long suspension of the employer mandate.
"Article I of the Constitution grants the legislative power entirely to Congress."....

Yes, the Constitution may have written our form of government in "letters of stone", but all that is trumped by the wisdom or ignorance of those who support our president and congress. That is why me must not only fear this president, but those who put people like him into office.
May we never again hear the phrase, "I trust the wisdom of the American people". Fifty percent of the electorate is an irredeemable idiot .

No, Krauthammer says, do NOT blame the TEA Party:

"The most ubiquitous conventional wisdom is that the ultimate cause of these troubles is out-of-control tea party anarchists.
"But is this really where the causal chain ends? The tea party was created by Obama’s first-term overreach, most specifically Obama­care. Today’s frantic fight against it is the echoing result of the way it was originally enacted."

Obama Ascends: The Crowning of the Whopper King

Conservative Daily News  "Hear Ye, Hear Ye! It is proclaimed, now and forever, that Barack Hussein Obama is…the King of the Whopper. Norvell Rose explains why there is absolutely no denying upon whose head the dubious crown sits."

Liberty News TV

Lest you think the site producing this video is from a right-wing site, check their mission statement here.

Mr. President, You Can End the Government Shutdown

Heritage  "President Obama has made it clear he “will not negotiate” when it comes to ending the government shutdown.
"At last check, the nation’s capital wasn’t run by one branch of government, or even one political party. But President Obama is so intent on protecting his unpopular, unworkable, and unfair health care law that he’d prefer to keep the government closed.
"Mr. President, here’s a five-point plan to end the government shutdown—using some of your favorite phrases."....More.

The American people need a leader, not a lecturer.