Archive for January, 2009
The Mistake That Would Ruin Barack Obama’s Presidency–UPDATED
Tuesday, January 27th, 2009Bailouts won’t break Obama–even horrible, pork-laden, bloated, tax-payer beating bailouts. A bleak, miserable, suffering depression wouldn’t sink Obama. Paying women for their embryos, creating human-monkey hybrids and sending them to Mars to start a new society wouldn’t sink Obama. No, people expect a little crazy, a lot of fat, and government salvation during economic difficulty from Democrats.
There is one weak spot, though. If America were to be hit with another terrorist attack, especially after Obama appears weak or makes decisions that weaken America’s defense, President Barack Obama’s star will sink faster than the Titanic.
Right now, the president is making bold declarations like crafting a law that will ban space weapons. This is laughable. First, everyone knows that countries like China and Russia will not abide by any space ban. Second, Obama looks weak. There are a couple ways, besides nuclear and conventional warfare and now, terrorism, to destroy societies. Space, microbial, and technological warfare are the new, exciting ways to kill. Ignoring that people will use these ways whether America does or not, is folly. Does Obama want to disarm an America at war?
While few people want to think about it, the fact is that the Twin Towers going down is seared into the American consciousness. It is the fear that not be named these days, but it’s still there, nonetheless. Americans might have disliked President Bush for a variety of reasons, but few would argue that he wasn’t doing everything in his power to protect American. And most would acknowledge that defense is the first, most important job of the President.
If Obama goofs around with Guantanamo, talks of Space weapons bans, cuts military funding while Iranian ships are being found to have huge weapons caches going to…terrorists, revises wire-tapping standards of foreigners to gather intelligence, sanctimoniously decries rather benign forms of coercion that would save lives, makes his first interview to Arab TV and then America is hit by a terrorist attack, his Presidency will be over. He will ride out his years in office in shame.
The Left would defend Obama’s “humane” policies and be proud of a President who respected civil liberties, but Americans generally would heap the man in scorn. President Bush managed to keep Americans safe for years after 9/11. It wasn’t because we weren’t attacked again or because terrorist weren’t trying to do harm, because they were. It’s because President Bush woke up every day single-minded of purpose: to protect and defend.
If Americans perceive that Obama isn’t infused with the same passion and clarity of vision, if they believe that Obama is weak, and then America is attacked and lives are lost, Obama’s presidency will go down in flames literal and figurative. As Obama knows, perception is everything. It’s what got him elected. It could also undo him.
UPDATE:
Ed Morrissey calls Obama “naive” and this is why:
Unlike some others, I didn’t mind Obama’s decision to grant al-Arabiya this honor. Obama has a great deal of popularity in the Muslim world, and that can be a great asset to the US if used properly. Obama could have taken the opportunity to explain some hard truths while extending the hand of friendship. Instead, he took the opportunity to pander.
I agree. People won’t mind Obama reaching out, if he comes from strength. Appeasing language and a mushy stance, though, will all come back to haunt him should it become clear that the terrorists didn’t take him seriously enough.
Cross-posted at Right Wing News
A Sincere Note Of Thanks To Blago
Monday, January 26th, 2009
Dear Rod,
After the last couple tough weeks, I figure you need some encouragement. You aren’t being recognized enough for the challenging road you’ve taken. Today, I’d like to warmly thank you.
Republican political scandals were so boring. Oh there was the little toe-tapping adventure and some pastor no-one knows got freaky with a gay prostitute, but really, Republicans just don’t know how to do scandal like Democrats. Republicans resign in ignominy. Democrats…..linger.
So, today, I’d like to thank you for your staying power. You are a model of endurance and self-absorption and in a league all your own. The perfect Democratic role model. Charles Rangel, William Jefferson, John Edwards, Eliot Spitzer, Chris Dodd, Barney Frank, Jack Murtha (past and present), even Bill Clinton can’t hold a scandalicious candle to you. You, fine sir, are the best of the best. Well, you’re up there with Ted Kennedy at least.
Hats off to you, Blago! And many thanks for not being bullied by the Chicago mob, the machine and the seedy politicians who made you. That takes some serious internal fortitude. And for that, you’ve earned my respect. Plus, and all, every time you open your mouth you are a better advertisement for Democratic policy than any rational Republican could be. Truly, I can’t thank you enough.
May you be successful in your quest–to save your hide by bringing down every slithering snake who helped you get you where you are today. Best wishes and good luck!
Sincerely,
An adoring fan
P.S. You were awesome on The View! I thought this analysis was particularly insightful:
You might think that the spectacle of Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s impeachment and media self-justification tour could not get more surreal. But that would underestimate The View, which began its sitdown with Blago, hands clasped, being interrogated by Barbara Walters’s giant head on a flat-screen monitor. (Walters was beamed in from L.A., where she traveled for a taping.)
It was like the Wizard of Oz lecturing a deferential but unrepentent munchkin. And, unsurprisingly, it just got weirder from there.
Don’t stop, ’til you’re vindicated, Blago! You don’t deserve the treatment you’ve received. You’re wronged and oppressed. If no one will speak for you, at least you’ll speak for yourself.
10 e 20
Monday, January 26th, 2009Twitter & Digg Lingo
It’s a new language (H/T to Twitter buddy @EATerrell)
YouTube
Monday, January 26th, 2009Judas Priest Shreds
Metalheads will love this video. Via Twitter bud @mdrache
Lifenet
Monday, January 26th, 2009Funding Abortions Stimulates The Economy?
All sorts of stimulating funding in the Dem’s bill.
Slate
Monday, January 26th, 2009How To Ruin The Car Industry
And Obama cloaks his intentions in states rights.
Nancy Pelosi’s Ovarian Obsession
Monday, January 26th, 2009Honestly, I haven’t paid one lick of attention to the dingbat Nancy Pelosi and her birth control ideas. When my mom sends me an email screeching about it, though, I pay attention. That means Nancy’s nonsense has hit the mainstream. Via Drudge, here’s what San Fran Nan said:
STEPHANOPOULOS: Hundreds of millions of dollars to expand family planning services. How is that stimulus?
PELOSI: Well, the family planning services reduce cost. They reduce cost. The states are in terrible fiscal budget crises now and part of what we do for children’s health, education and some of those elements are to help the states meet their financial needs. One of those – one of the initiatives you mentioned, the contraception, will reduce costs to the states and to the federal government.
STEPHANOPOULOS: So no apologies for that?
PELOSI: No apologies. No. we have to deal with the consequences of the downturn in our economy.
Yes, it’s outrageous. Yes, it’s stupid. But hello, voters, that’s the kind of legislation that gets drummed up when Democrats control everything–stupid and outrageous.
And it’s just the beginning. Next, we’ll be hearing about the Democrats one-child policy. Well, we all have to make sacrifices, right? The economy needs to be saved, right? Less people, better world.
I suggest two things: holding the Republicans feet to the fire to fight every stupid piece of law created and keeping a sense of humor. Like I said on Twitter this weekend, it’s nice to be clear about our mission for once: gum up the works at every opportunity. And then, come up with sensible alternatives and sound like the grown-ups on TV. People have forgotten how crazy Democrats truly are when they’re in power. It’s only taken a week to remind everyone.
Cross-posted at RightWingNews
The Financial “Crisis” Produces An Unwelcome Shift In Power
Monday, January 26th, 2009The Davos summit is going on–you know the place where self-important celebs fly in on their private jets and lecture the little people about incandescent light bulbs. In past years, the important people had the luxury of talking about such silliness. Now, the economic situation is serious and the maneuvering at this summit has huge implications for you and me.
Here’s what’s happening via the International Herald Tribune:
Politicians, not corporate titans, are poised to be the big draw this year, echoing the broader power shift away from the free market as one government after another tries to prop up its sinking economy.
This time, the prototype of the jet-setting “Davos Man” may well be Gordon Brown, the dour British prime minister, who spent last week staving off another round of bank failures in London.
And with much of the financial system in Britain and the United States edging toward a possible government takeover, the 2009 agenda at Davos, “Shaping the Post-Crisis World,” seems to have concentrated minds on the here-and-now more than past themes like climate change and globalization.
“The pendulum has swung and power has moved back to governments,” said Klaus Schwab, the German-born economics professor who founded the World Economic Forum in 1971 and has been its impresario ever since. “This is the biggest economic crisis since Davos began.”
I have written before both here and for Pajama’s Media that global warming and dealing with climate change is a luxury. That is, when everything is going relatively well, those in power need to create a crisis of some sort in order to feel useful. Climate Change is an indulgence both financially and emotionally. It distracts from real, existential issues before us–like the Iranians sending a ship full of bombs to Hamas on inauguration day.
So banks teeter on collapse! Debt is at unprecedented levels! The government wants to help! The sky is falling! Only problem is that the millions they want to spend to get us out of the mess is not going to help. The stimulus package will stimulate nothing besides funding leftist groups like Acorn that Obama intends to pay off.
But really, this panic is about seizing control. While the U.S. isn’t bankrupt, it does need to right the ship. Not that Congress or the unions or even bailed out banks (this link will get your blood boiling) are acting like any change is necessary.
Essentially, the government wants to take tax payer dollars and give it to companies who have been irresponsible. And businesses have lost any sense of pride and are lining up with hands out. But more than that, the ones getting pay-offs are the ones who have bought influence before. So money is being taken from those who have little influence and given to those who do.
There has been a shift in power, alright. Since money equals power, power is now concentrated in the hands of government. Individuals and businesses with little in the way of influence get nothing. Big companies who can afford to buy favor grovel before their new masters. You and I sit on the sidelines, helplessly.
Obama is turning out to be different alright. He’s even more consumed with consolidating power and wielding it to make the little guy submit. But that’s okay, right? He’s a Democrat and a liberal so he’s only doing what is necessary.
Cross-posted at RightWingNews.com
