On Iraq

Kirsten Powers: Iraq crisis not Obama's fault    ... "As horrible as Hussein was, he ran a secular government by Middle Eastern standards. Since the U.S. invasion, Iraq has become more theocratic. More than half a million Christians have fled the country in fear for their lives. Now we have the specter of a radical theocracy governed by sharia law wherever ISIS gains control. These are exactly the kind of fanatics the Iraq War proponents promised to eradicate. Instead, the war has spawned a new and reportedly even more barbaric enemy

set on establishing a global caliphate." ...

Perhaps Ms. Powers should take note of the Elliott Abrams article: The Man Who Broke the Middle East  "The Middle East that Obama inherited in 2009 was largely at peace, for the surge in Iraq had beaten down the al Qaeda-linked groups. U.S. relations with traditional allies in the Gulf, Jordan, Israel and Egypt were very good. Iran was contained, its Revolutionary Guard forces at home. Today, terrorism has metastasized in Syria and Iraq, Jordan is at risk, the humanitarian toll is staggering, terrorist groups are growing fast and relations with U.S. allies are strained."  Full article here.  Via Lucianne

Caroline Glick

 

Blackfive: Elephant in the Room- Obama fiddles, Iraq burns   "There are no easy answers to Iraq. But that doesn't make it any less painful to watch as a war we won, goes from a peace we threw away to a regional conflagration."

 As Sunni Jihadists Plunder Iraq, Shi'ite Cleric Warns US to Stay Out

Foreign policy analyst Argus Hamilton gives this assessment:

President Obama signaled Thursday that the United States wants the Iraq parliament to get rid of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. You know how it is. Nouri al-Maliki's mistress tape recorded him asking her not to invite any black guys to the fall of Baghdad, and now he must go.

Caroline Glick of Israel asks: And what is at stake for America – other than national pride –if Iraq falls?  ..."In March 2001, when the Taliban blew up the Bamiyan Buddha statues in Afghanistan, the world condemned the act. But no one realized that the same destruction would be brought to the US six months later when al-Qaida destroyed the World Trade Center and attacked the Pentagon.

...

"The September 11 attacks were the blowback from the US doing nothing to contain the Taliban and al-Qaida."

Classified Documents re Bowe Bergdahl Capture (Compliments Bradley 'Chelsea' Manning)

Michael Yon  Page one of eight shown. Open the pdf link at the site for the full document.

Full pdf document

 

Is this the future of medical care? "Woman in 'selfie' stroke video."

Althouse    "Quick-thinking Stacey Yepes from Canada films herself on her phone whilst suffering a mini-stroke, after being told by doctors she was stressed."

Woman in 'selfie' stroke video

Toronto Star Is this a vision of the future? (Pick the most likely option.)
	Yes, you'll need to put out a viral video to convince doctors your problem is not all in your head.
	Yes, everyone will be displaying their medical symptoms in selfies.
	No, this is just one misdiagnosis, in Canada, and it was soon remedied.
	No, most people will be ashamed to display their body malfunctioning to the world.*

* Like here?

Letter to AARP explains a couple's reasons for not renewing their memberships.

Snopes calls this correctly attributed   This reproduced letter "from a couple of former members of the AARP (American Association of Retired Persons) explaining to A. Barry Rand, that organization's Chief Executive Officer, their reasons for declining to renew their memberships, circulated on the Internet in September 2009 (why do these things always show up so long after the fact?) with a tag line attributing it to "Walt & Cyndy" of "Miller Farms Equine Transport," located in Cheraw, South Carolina.

"Cyndy confirmed for us that she did write and send the letter to AARP: " ...

This lady has a remarkable command of the English language as evidenced by the letter quoted below; the cartoons are added by yours truly:

Dear Mr. Rand,
     Recently you sent us a letter encouraging us to renew our lapsed membership in AARP by the requested date.
      I know it is not what you were looking for, but this is the most honest response I can give you. Our gap in coverage is merely a microscopic symptom of the real problem, a deepening lack of faith.
     While we have proudly maintained our membership for several years and have long admired the AARP goal and principles, regrettably we can no longer endorse its abdication of our values. Your letter specifically stated that we can count on AARP to speak up for our rights, yet the voice we hear is not ours. Your offer of being kept up to date on important issues through DIVIDED WE FAIL, presents neither an impartial view we have come to embrace. We do believe that when 2 parties agree all the time on everything presented to them, one is probably not necessary. But, when the opinions and long term goals are diametrically opposed, the divorce is imminent. This is the philosophy which spawned our 200 years of government.
     Once upon a time we looked forward to being part of the senior demographic. We also looked to AARP to provide certain benefits and give our voice a power we could not possibly hope to achieve on our own. AARP gave us a sense of belonging which we no longer enjoy.  
           The Socialist politics practiced by the Obama administration and empowered by AARP serves only to raise the blood pressure my medical insurance strives to contain. Clearly a conflict of interest there!

       We do not understand the AARP posture, feel greatly betrayed by the guiding forces that we expected to map out our senior years and leave your ranks with a great sense of regret. We mitigate that disappointment with the relief of knowing we are not contributing to the problem any more by renewing our membership. There are other organizations which offer discounts without threatening our way of life or offending our sensibilities.

      This presidential administration scares the living daylights out of us. Not just for our selves, but for our proud and bloodstained heritage. Even more importantly for our children and grandchildren.
     Washington has rendered Soylent Green a prophetic cautionary tale rather than a nonfiction scare tactic. I have never in my life endorsed any militant or radical groups, but now I find myself listening to them. I don’t have to agree with them to appreciate the fear which spawned their existence. Their borderline insanity presents little more than a balance to the voice of the Socialist mindset in power. Perhaps I became American by a great stroke of luck in some cosmic uterine lottery, but in my adulthood I CHOOSE to embrace it and nurture the freedoms it represents as well as the responsibilities it requires.
       Your website generously offers the opportunity to receive all communication in Spanish. ARE YOU KIDDING???? Someone has broken into our ‘house’ invaded our home without our invitation or consent.
     This president has insisted we keep the perpetrator in comfort and learn the perp language sp we can communicate our reluctant welcome to them.

I DON'T choose to welcome them.
I DON'T choose to support them.
I DON'T choose to educate them.
I DON'T choose to medicate them, pay for their food or clothing.

    American home invaders get arrested. Please explain to me why foreign lawbreakers can enjoy privileges on American soil that Americans do not get? Why do some immigrants have to ‘play the game’ to be welcomed and others just have to break and enter to be welcomed?
     We travel for a living. Walt hauls horses all over this great country averaging over 10,000 miles a month when he is out there. He meets more people than a politician on caffeine overdose. Of all the many good folks he enjoyed on this last 10,000 miles this trip yielded only ONE supporter of this current administration. One of us is out of touch with mainstream America. Since our poll is conducted without funding, I have more faith in it than one which is power driven. We have decided to forward this to everyone on our mailing list, and will encourage them to do the same. With several hundred in my address book, I have every faith that the eventual exponential factor will make a credible statement to you.

I am disappointed as hell
I am scared as hell
I am MAD as hell, and I’m NOT gonna take it anymore!

 

Walt & Cyndy Miller,
Miller Farms Equine Transport
Hat tip to Paul Van Alstine.

 

Government promotes the General Welfare of this nation

http://terrellaftermath.com/

Will Hillary’s Rape Victim Be Heard?

Jonathan S. Tobin   ... " the revelations about Clinton’s successful defense of a rapist that she later laughingly admitted on tape to be guilty uncovered by our former COMMENTARY colleague Alana Goodman in the Washington Free Beacon are the sort of thing that would destroy any Republican."
...
"As the latest Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll demonstrated, the key to continued Democratic electoral success is maintaining their dominance among female voters by relentlessly hyping the fake Republican “war on women.” And there is no more potent element for that crucial tactic than the use of the word rape. Yet while the media was quick to use stray stupid remarks by Republican senatorial candidates to brand the GOP as a party that was insensitive to victims of sexual violence, revelations about Hillary Clinton’s role in abusing a real victim of rape continues to be ignored by much of the mainstream media."

Related: Bill Clinton's New Old "Bimbo Eruption"     .. "But it does matter and here's why: If Hillary Clinton runs for President (and God forbid, wins), Bill Clinton would become the First Gentleman of the United States. There is, of course, the fact that he lied under oath in a legal proceeding -- an offense for which other, humbler Americans have gone to jail, and one that resulted in the suspension of his law license. There is also the more intangible issue of the lack of honor and loyalty to his wife of the former President, and the unseemliness of rewarding predatory behavior like this and this and this (and the determined ignorance of his wife) with another four or eight years in taxpayer-subsidized high-end housing." ...

CNN found that Hillary Clinton is the most admired woman in America. Women admire her because she's strong and successful. Men admire her because she allows her husband to cheat and get away with it. == Jay Leno

This Hillary cartoon made the Daily Kos so mad that they printed it before they smeared it.
I suggest they loved it as a great gag so printed it, then smeared it with some righteous, liberal faux indignation. They get to use the cartoon and still polish their "nice people" cred.

AMERICA: Imagine the world without her

Marion DS Dreyfus

"I highly recommend the new Dinesh D'Souza salvo at truth, optimism and the melioration of the endless lies proffered by the leftatariat who preach in the nation's wholly-owned radicalized college campii (my version of the plural form -- don't bother with Webster's or Wiktionary).

He goes into the 5 basic lies of America's birth promoted and promulgated by Saul Alinsky, author of  Reveille for Radicals (as well as its more famous successor, Rules for Radicals), the socialist sleaze who was a mentor to Hillary, as well as the guiding muck/light for the current occupant of the Oval Office. Alinsky does not emerge as a nice person, nor a person a patriot could ever follow."
... Full article.

The Cassandra Times

WW1 - The Definitive Collection

British Pathe'  "August 2014 marks one hundred years since the start of World War One. To commemorate this landmark occasion, British Pathé have launched this definitive collection of WW1 films.

"British Pathé holds one of the finest and most comprehensive First World War archives in the world.

"If you are unable to find what you are looking for, you can explore the entire archive using the search bar at the top of this page."

One sample of many: Verdun

Some of the images ;
 ... "French soldiers cross field. Map showing French Army's advance. Shots of another mess; with mangled equipment; rubble; etc. on hillside. French soldiers carry material through well-fortified trench; past entrances to dugouts with sandbags stacked around wooden frames. Soldier filling jugs of water from puddle in shell crater; he and another carry them away. Shots of bombs exploding. Gun barrel sticks out of its hiding place; fires several times. A few men walking. CU man looking through binoculars. More explosions and guns. Shot from hill; looking downward. French soldiers walking down hill inside trench; while a group of German prisoners walk up the hill towards camera. Next; a few French soldiers join several comrades sitting up on a rocky ridge; just below the top (where they could not be seen from other side). "

Thug Playing The Knockout Game Gets Shot Twice By Victim

The PCMD Gazette

"A game called “Point-em-out, Knock-em-out” has made its way to Lansing, and it’s exactly how it sounds. The game consists of someone being randomly targeted, then attacked.

"It’s a game that has been growing with popularity on the internet, with teenagers filming themselves punching unsuspecting victims. Lansing had its first case of the game brought to light this summer, but it’s possible that it has been happening under the radar for months.

"On February 26th a man waiting for his six-year-old daughter to be dropped off from school, had no idea he would be the city’s first reported victim.

“ 'I saw the van circle twice, and the second time three kids came out. I didn’t suspect anything. I hadn’t any enemies, or any reason to believe they would be looking to do anything to me.”

Hat tip to Dan Terry at Texas Tea Party Patriots PAC

Where Obama Is Right; Obama’s decision to reengage in Iraq signals that America is serious about preventing Iraq’s collapse.

Tom Rogan

We remember the specter of sectarian violence — al-Qaeda’s attacks on mosques and pilgrims, militias that carried out campaigns of intimidation and campaigns of assassination. And in the face of ancient divisions, you stood firm to help those Iraqis who put their faith in the future.

— President Obama, announcing the last withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq, December 14, 2011

 

"When he spoke those words nearly three years ago, Obama thought the war was finally over. Accordingly, yesterday’s announcement might have been the most difficult of his presidency: a speech he never wanted to give." ...

 

Necessary because....
 

Toppling tyrants is ineffective in the long term without years of unpopular occupation.

..."Whichever bad choice the Obama administration prefers, it should at least level with the American people. Every postwar occupation in our history has dealt with unappreciative and unstable allies such as Maliki — from difficult South Korean strongmen of the 1950s and 1960s to Hamid Karzai in Afghanistan. Pulling completely out of a mostly quiet Iraq just because we had to work with unsavory characters made no sense." ...  Victor Davis Hanson

It's Obama's fault!  Recent events are a result of Obama’s indifference to the war.

...While the gains in Iraq were indeed impressive, Biden — and the entire Obama administration — was dead wrong for two reasons: First, the accomplishment was never this administration’s. Second, what he called their greatest accomplishment is now their spectacular failure. In the end, President Obama removed the two key ingredients needed for such an achievement: commitment and resolve. ...

 

No! It's Maliki's fault! Obama Stops Bragging About Withdrawal from Iraq    
"Why isn't the president proud of keeping his campaign promise?"  

 During his Thursday press conference on the Iraq crisis, the president was asked whether he regretted his decision not to leave a residual force there. He replied: “Well, keep in mind that wasn’t a decision made by me. That was a decision made by the Iraqi government.”

 

Herman Cain Urges Uninformed Voters To Stay Home: ‘Stupid People Are Ruining America!’

Weasel Zippers     "Getting a voters ID is complicated."

“ 'I’ve even heard people say, ‘Well, I don’t vote because I don’t know what’s going on,” he continued. “And I say ‘Good!’ Stupid people are ruining America, and I’m glad some of them stay home!”

 

"The audience laughed and applauded while Cain continued. “The solution is real simple folks,” he asserted. “Those of us that are informed have got to out-vote the stupid people!' ”

 

So you don't like the Republican candidate, just vote to cancel some Democrat's vote! 
Three Million Republicans did not vote in the last election, meaning four million votes for Obama went uncancelled. Democrats are not the only ones with low-information voters. TD

Update from Charles Fregeau on Facebook:

Advocates of splitting California into six states gathering signatures

LA Times

Molly Kelley, 62, of Klamath River, holds up a State of Jefferson flag as she folds it inside the

Klamath River Community Hall in California.

"The idea is the brainchild of Timothy Draper, a venture capitalist from Menlo Park – or as he hopes to some day call it, the state of Silicon Valley.  Draper has sunk $2 million into signature gathering for the proposal.

 He maintains it will break bureaucratic deadlock in Sacramento (proposed state of North California) and attract more business.

" 'California has become the worst managed state in the country," he told The Times this spring. "It just is too big and too ungovernable."

"Draper, a political independent, needs about 808,000 signatures by July 18 to get the measure on the ballot in two years. He has said he has support from the Oregon border (proposed state of Jefferson) to San Diego (South California), but the plan has been given almost no chance of success by some experts and ridiculed by Democrats and Republicans alike."