It's Opposites Attract Thing

Dear America,

 so we left off trying to decipher which side was picked...

you know,
in Egypt.

Given last night's pre-season Monday Night Football game on ESPN -- it didn't really matter the side, win or lose.  It was pre-season no less and no more.  Half the time the star players aren't even on the field; where's the fun in that?

Having said that, however, ESPN did pick a side; it was during half-time; did you catch it?  Oh, it happened so nonchalantly, so innocently, hiding in the shadows of a birthday celebration for Jon Gruden (turning 50!) -- if you popped into the kitchen for another brewski, you may have missed it altogether.   Gruden's sidekick, Mike Tirico, handed him a mock, large scale, AARP card on national TV.   Just like that!

Mike, mike, mike, mike, mike didn't even offer Gruden a fair and balanced alternative to the uber-liberal, obamacare tooting, hidden agenda oozing, piece of bureaucratic AA-BS worthy of retirement itself.  Did AARP pay for that plug, or what?  Inquiring minds wanna know.

Oh whatever.
Let old Gthing -- in the fifty-something, something category, herself -- give you another way to go:  AMAC.  It's the Association of Mature American Citizens (over 50) and offers a patriotic, conservative alternative route to take...think of it more like running a reverse, if you must; or perhaps, a quarterback sneak, right up the middle; maybe even a sweep worthy of a tweet for moving your feet to defeat the other side.  Whatever play gets you through the day.

But needless to say -- I stopped watching the game right then and there.  It was only pre-season; who really cares, right?

Like yesterday (give or take), we are continuing on a theme -- it's all about the picking of sides today...

And let's get another thing absolutely clear!

It was just a kiss -- not a kiss kiss, okay?

Speaking of the Russian lipstick lesbian kiss seen 'round the world -- smoooooch.  Care of French24 news online, as featured on Drudge over the last couple of days, the two who lip locked were just happy!  IT WAS NOT TAKING A SIDE, okay!  HOW DARE YOU SAY THAT!...we are both happily married...not having any relationship...it's insulting, what you --  in the media -- are saying...

Okay.

Now it may be true, girls; you know -- that whole happily married thing, and all.  But let's face it -- you two were making a statement in support of a side.   Given the impossibility, in your country, to speak freely about gay relations clear of penalty or punishment -- a relay sneaky peak of resistance, behind enemy lines, raised the rainbow flag without coming out and saying a word.  It's done and done.  Boom.  Of course you aren't making a statement; the statement not making a statement refutes any semblance of a statement.   At the end of the day, it was truly a marvel of defiance and beauty and wits.

And now to Obama --

Are you -- are you halting aid, or what?
And more important -- is this picking a side, or not?

If you are -- you know, NOT aiding and abetting the Egyptian Military who overthrew President Morsi, representative of the Muslim Brotherhood, in a coup -- then does that mean you are essentially supporting the Brotherhood?

So says someone, somewhere within the administration, according to The Daily Beast, but care of Fox News (did you catch that; that was like a double reverse on the fly):

The decision was we're going to avoid saying it was a coup, but to stay on the safe side of the law, we are going to act as if the designation has been made for now. By not announcing the decision, it gives the administration the flexibility to reverse it.

Oh I get it now.

Remember now, like our Director of National Intelligence, James Clapper, once said -- back in 2011:

"The term 'Muslim Brotherhood'...is an umbrella term for a variety of movements, in the case of Egypt, a very heterogeneous group, largely secular, which has eschewed violence and has decried Al Qaeda as a perversion of Islam," Clapper said. "They have pursued social ends, a betterment of the political order in Egypt, et cetera.....In other countries, there are also chapters or franchises of the Muslim Brotherhood, but there is no overarching agenda, particularly in pursuit of violence, at least internationally."

And thank you, Politico, for the help down memory lane -- because not every thing can be five cents or come from Fox News, right?    (For the complete Politico post, go here).

But back to Clapper.  The Brotherhood is simply about the pursuit of happiness for social ends, for the betterment of the whole, while it's a rather "heterogeneous group, largely secular," too; "there are also chapters or franchises of the Muslim Brotherhood" all over the place; and there is no "overarching agenda" and no more a concern than the golden arches of MickeyD's.  And to that end -- the Brotherhood has "eschewed violence" in every way.   Yay team!

If we are no longer sending aid to the Egyptian military, we are choosing to support the other side -- which, lo and behold, is the Muslim Brotherhood.  Oh what to do, what to do.  The art of war, and the art of picking a side without saying a word.

Welcome to that sweet spot between a rock and a hard place.

Not to worry; the thing is -- me thinks the side will be picking for us (again).  

Oh, the Obama Doctrine; it just loves leading from behind, doesn't it now?  [And like the Egyptian PM, Hazem el-Beblawi, said to ABC , responding to the rumors of aid-gate  -- "ah, it would be a bad sign...ah you know, humans, ah, you can survive...ah...don't forget, we had Russian military support for decades...ah...]  Indeed.

Oh to be back at the place when we really have a choice.  

It's gonna sound tres cliché, much like everything I say -- but our defense could sure use a rest; just where, oh where, is the offense when we need it?

Make it a Good Day, G

It's Just a Girl's Deconstruction of Chaos Thing

Dear America,

so welcome back.

welcome to a new day -- or is it?

Just link the last blog with this blog, and vow to never break the chain.

Via Fox News, just yesterday:

"I know it's tempting

inside of Egypt

to blame the United States

or the West

or some other outside actor

for what's gone wrong.

We've been blamed by

supporters of Morsi.

We've been blamed by

the other side

as if we are supporters of Morsi --

That kind of approach

will do nothing

to help Egyptians

 achieve the future

that they deserve." 

President Obama

 

 

Acknowledging the "incoherent" policy under this administration -- the mixed messages, the playing to both sides, the contrived presidential pause to pose a few measured remarks on the chaos in Egypt even in the midst of his seasonal, highly elitist, retreat (escaping the pressures of commanding over the  "ordinary people," of course)     --  even the president admits he's a textbook case.

 

 

Just notice how he makes it about us even while he says it's all about them, the Egyptians.

But the truth of the matter is, we are still sending billions of dollars in aid to Egypt  --  and for what?  To who? How is this money, provided by the American taxpayer, being used or, perhaps more appropriately, abused?

From a place called Defense One -- under the post written by Stephanie Gaskell, The Pentagon Has Lost Its Leverage With Egypt, Now What?:

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has been on the phone with his Egyptian counterpart, Gen. Abdul Fattah al-Sissi, almost every day since the July 3 military ouster of President Mohamed Morsi. And every day he has urged the Egyptian defense minister to find a peaceful resolution to the political turmoil. He’s called al-Sissi at least 15 times since the military booted Morsi from power, a Pentagon official told Defense One.

By all accounts, al-Sissi had agreed. Just last week, Hagel hung up the phone with Cairo and was reassured that the Egyptian military wanted a peaceful transition. "Minister Al-Sisi underscored his commitment to peaceful resolution of the ongoing protests, and thanked Secretary Hagel for U.S. support,” the Pentagon said, in a description of the Aug. 5 phone call.

This is a peaceful resolution, a peaceful transition, a peaceful Egypt?

And isn't all of this something --  considering the highly suspect, and extraordinary premature, liberal elitist response in wishing the president's vision for hope and change would be hastily masterminded, translated, and manufactured out of thin air, simply by virtue of awarding a Nobel Peace Prize before he even completed his first year of office.  Oh the hopes! -- "for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples" -- to come true!

We jinxed it.

From BBC News, US credibility 'in tatters' Over Egypt Crisis...

Since the ouster of Hosni Mubarak in 2011, the US has struggled to strike a balance between support for the tenuous progress towards democracy and protection of its national security interests.

Is the goal really to strike a balance?  Seriously?
How about we try standing on principle with regards to international and national security interests?

How about we just try being consistent?  We meddled and intervened with Hosni Mubarak...we didn't leave it for the people of Egypt to decide way back when... we kinda set this scenario up, didn't we?  didn't we?

By the way, if you so choose to link into that BBC post -- a photo showing President Obama with an Ayatollah beard attached is embedded about half way down, with the caption "President Obama has faced criticism from both sides in the Egypt crisis."   I wonder if the NAACP, or the Justice Department, will investigate it as a hate crime (pick a side)?   [And while we're at it -- snaps to Michelle Malkin here and here.]

The BBC post ends with nothing but emphasis upon international policy meeting clarity :

"I think it's time for the United States to recognise that what we have here is the restoration of a military dictatorship in Cairo," said Tamara Wittes from the Brookings Institution, and a former State Department official working on Middle East democracy issues during the first Obama administration.

"That means that the United States needs to call these events what they are - under American law it needs to suspend assistance to the Egyptian government because this was a military coup and it is a military regime."

No gray area there:  "under American law it needs to suspend assistance to the Egyptian government because this was a military coup and it is a military regime."   Besides -- as  Mr. President "America cannot determine the future of Egypt" Obama and Mr. Press Secretary "this is up for the Egyptians to answer" Carney have outright said -- the Egyptians can handle things all on their own.

Maybe, just maybe, we need to leave it alone.

Indeed.
Which reminds me of this great nations first intentions when it comes to international relations, encapsulating the ideals of our founding fathers who magnificently recognized that this day would come.

From my favorite book in the whole wide world, The 5000 Year Leap, by W.Cleon Skousen -- quoting Washington:

Observe good faith and justice toward all nations.  Cultivate peace and harmony with all.  Religion and morality enjoin this conduct; and can it be that good policy does not equally enjoin it?  It will be worthy of a free, enlightened, and, at no distant period, a great nation to give to mankind the magnanimous and too novel example of a people always guided by an exalted justice and benevolence.

In the execution of such a plan nothing is more essential than the permanent, inveterate antipathies against particular nations and passionate attachments for others should be excluded, and that in place of them just and amicable feelings toward all should be cultivated.  The nation which indulges toward another an habitual hatred or an habitual fondness is in some degree a slave.  It is a slave to its animosity or to its affection, either of which is sufficient to lead it astray from its duty and its interest.

At the close of the chapter, Avoid Entangling Alliances, Skousen poses this:

Looking back, one cannot help wondering how much happier, more peaceful, and more prosperous the world would be if the United States had been following a policy of "separatism" as the world's great peacemaker instead of "internationalism" as the world's great policeman.

Something to ponder, isn't it...

In any event, what the times require is to stand on principle -- even if we must go back 238 years to find it.

But then there's this --
and now returning to the "Incoherent" Obama policy post from Fox News (yes, back to where we began the day) --  which positions John Bolton, the former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations under W, for argument support:

Bolton said the wisest thing for the president to do would be to not say much at all. He claimed that the reality for the U.S. is that the best option is for the Egyptian military to stay in control, "ugly as it may be." The Muslim Brotherhood, he said, is an "armed militia" and not a political party.

Indeed.  "Ugly as it may be" -- there is that; with a bloody Nile to prove it.

But Oh "to not say much at all."
What are the chances?

Make it a Good Day, G

It's the Re-Establishment of a Traitor-In-Chief Thing

Dear America,

here's a definition for you this morning:
 

"A person who betrays his country, 

a cause, or a trust; 

especially, one who has committed treason."

Traitor.

But since you brought it up, let's go to Treason...

"Violation of allegiance 

toward one's sovereign or country; 

especially, the betrayal 

of one's own country 

by waging war against it 

or by consciously 

and purposely 

acting to aid its enemies."

oh my.

In this day of the life -- in a week focused madly, deeply, on the re-establishment everyday life -- we come to a screeching about face; no more missy nice girl; no more wishing for world peace or flippantly calling for the moving of the fiscal cliff, all in good fun.  Nope.  All that comes to an end.

Old G thing doesn't have much time today; and come to think of it, neither does the US of A.

So upon this happy hump day, we take a look at the Re-Establishment of the Traitor-In-Chief.

Too strong, I hear you say?

I beg to differ; besides, it couldn't be any worse than being directly associated with the party who wants to "put y'all back in chains,"  could it Joe Biden?   Because surely, this kind of rhetoric is simply inflammatory in every way.  The actions of a presidency over the last four years is subject to opinion, of course; and in my humble experience, watching this administration's every move (the moves seen and unseen), his actions call into question his allegiance to country, cause, and the people's trust time and time again. 

We could first look at this by going broad -- as in the decision simply not to defend DOMA.  It is a law, by the way.  And yet, this president just decides for himself, nope, we're not gonna do that.  After making it quite clear while campaigning in 2008 he was a man and candidate who believed we define marriage as between one man and one woman (for political expediency), he changed his mind (again, for political expediency) and playing the American people like a fiddle.  [oooh,  make that a sax -- sure don't want you to rush to judgment, thinking it's delivering some kind of racial bias or "code"].   traitor.

Widening the scope,  we could go to his "all of the above" energy policy -- and realize he's working us there, too.  Energy independence?  How on earth can we do that when he refuses to let the black gold flow -- moratoriums,  kills drills in the East or West,  with Keystone, still undecided.
And then there is coal.    traitor.

We expect the president to, at the very least, say what he means and mean what he says.  
How hard is that?
To be a man of your word, is all we ask, Mr. President.  Tell us the truth; tell us what YOU will do, not what sounds good with no intention of going there whatsoever..


Here's another one, going bigger and broader:  Obamacare.

It's a tax to all Americans, Mr. President.  What happened to the "no new taxes for the middle class" aka those who you adore so very much?    traitor.

Let's go more fine tuned and look at the policy of "no man left behind."  
The Benghazi breakdown of that policy began with telling the American people a flat out lie; promoted aggressively five days later on Sunday morning news shows up and down the dial through the administration's mouthpiece, UN Ambassador Susan Rice.    You knew, she knew, Intel knew -- everything Ms. Rice noted "as fact" was not "fact."  What cause, who's trust, which country.... are you protecting with these actions, Mr. President?       traitor.

How can we trust any of you within this administration ever again?

How about this guy for president next time around -- surely we could figure out a way to doctor a birth certificate by then...
What... too extreme? 
Too much birther-baiting for one blog? 
Perhaps.  I'll take it back.  But really now --understand the contrasts between a HARPER and OBAMA by reading GELLER, here.

Traitors, dictators and dogs.  oh my.

And since we've been talking about falling off the man-made fiscal cliff [just what happens when global warming and global cooling meets in the abyss made in the middle] -- how about the candidate who claimed he would go "line by line" and clean up the fraud, waste, overspending, duplicate departments, and simply get rid of it from day one.  Yeah, that would be an Obamanism, too.

Instead, he has grown the yearly deficit to 1.3 trillion dollars -- added six trillion to our national debt -- and hasn't come close to taking the line by line agenda to task.  liar liar pants on fire.     traitor.

Let's go back four years to his speech in Egypt , June 4, 2009:

"As the Holy Koran tells us, "Be conscious of God and speak always the truth."  (Applause.)  That is what I will try to do today -- to speak the truth as best I can, humbled by the task before us, and firm in my belief that the interests we share as human beings are far more powerful than the forces that drive us apart.

...And since our founding, American Muslims have enriched the United States.  They have fought in our wars, they have served in our government, they have stood for civil rights, they have started businesses, they have taught at our universities, they've excelled in our sports arenas, they've won Nobel Prizes, built our tallest building, and lit the Olympic Torch.  And when the first Muslim American was recently elected to Congress, he took the oath to defend our Constitution using the same Holy Koran that one of our Founding Fathers -- Thomas Jefferson -- kept in his personal library.  (Applause.)

[getting personal]  So I have known Islam on three continents before coming to the region where it was first revealed.  That experience guides my conviction that partnership between America and Islam must be based on what Islam is, not what it isn't.  And I consider it part of my responsibility as President of the United States to fight against negative stereotypes of Islam wherever they appear. (Applause.)

...The dream of opportunity for all people has not come true for everyone in America, but its promise exists for all who come to our shores -- and that includes nearly 7 million American Muslims in our country today who, by the way, enjoy incomes and educational levels that are higher than the American average.  (Applause.)   [What a strange thing to say...or is it just me?]

continue reading what G is skipping, here.    But here's more:

"...That does not lessen my commitment, however, to governments that reflect the will of the people.  Each nation gives life to this principle in its own way, grounded in the traditions of its own people.  America does not presume to know what is best for everyone, just as we would not presume to pick the outcome of a peaceful election.  But I do have an unyielding belief that all people yearn for certain things:  the ability to speak your mind and have a say in how you are governed; confidence in the rule of law and the equal administration of justice; government that is transparent and doesn't steal from the people; the freedom to live as you choose.  These are not just American ideas; they are human rights.  And that is why we will support them everywhere.  (Applause.)

This last point is important because there are some who advocate for democracy only when they're out of power; once in power, they are ruthless in suppressing the rights of others.  (Applause.)  [Really now...where oh where has a thing like that ever happened?]   So no matter where it takes hold, government of the people and by the people sets a single standard for all who would hold power:  You must maintain your power through consent, not coercion; you must respect the rights of minorities, and participate with a spirit of tolerance and compromise; you must place the interests of your people and the legitimate workings of the political process above your party.  Without these ingredients, elections alone do not make true democracy."

nice touch there at the end, no?

Now, think of Egypt today.  Think of Israel and Palestine, today.   Think of Libya, today.  Think of how America interfered in the democratic process in Egypt, in Libya, but more important, when we stopped (interfering).  And worse, put the last four years all together, and think of what he said in Cairo and what he's done in America.  

Rule of Law, Mr. President?  what about this.....Oh let me just grant sweeping amnesty to the children of illegal immigrants, that's a good start.  I can do that without congress.    traitor.

And sure, I am bouncing all over the place -- but I can do that in a free country, at least until the end of the day....


In Cairo, circa 2009, the president goes on to say, "Islam has a proud tradition of tolerance."

Is that what we are watching today, tolerance?

Why isn't this administration standing up to the new dictator in Egypt, Morsi, and pounding the democratic gavel pleading for him to listen to the will of his own people?   Is this what democracy looks like?  America allowed the Muslim Brotherhood to take over the control of Egypt --  move over Mubarek, make room for Morsi.   Was this action aiding an enemy, as follow through for promises made to the people of Egypt, the community of Islam, dating all the way back to June 2009? 

with a motto like this:

"Allah is our objective; 

the Quran is our law, 

the Prophet is our leader; 

Jihad is our way; 

and death for the sake of Allah 

is the highest of our aspirations"

Are we aiding and abetting Israel's enemy?  Are we aiding and abetting Hamas, in Palestine?   Like the enemy of my friend is my friend...that's so twisted.  In light of who's in charge (as dictator-in-chief),  isn't it treasonous to send 1.5 billion dollars to Egypt every year?  traitor.

Oh and speaking of treasonous -- what about sharing our sovereignty like sharing our spit with the United Nations, now set to call the shots on our right to bear arms?  Update here.     traitor.

So with the re-election of President Obama we come to a stunning conclusion:  we realize we have re-established a traitor-in-chief.  Duly noting, the purely subjective prerogative that it is.

Make it a Good Day, G

It's a Lacking of Proficiency and Substance and Real Strength Thing

Dear America,

September 11, 2012

The Embassy of the United States in Cairo condemns the continuing efforts by misguided individuals to hurt the religious feelings of Muslims – as we condemn efforts to offend believers of all religions. Today, the 11th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States, Americans are honoring our patriots and those who serve our nation as the fitting response to the enemies of democracy. Respect for religious beliefs is a cornerstone of American democracy. We firmly reject the actions by those who abuse the universal right of free speech to hurt the religious beliefs of others.

oh really?  we're sorry for the bad behavior of a few bad seeds, please don't do anything rash.  We apologize for a couple of Americans -- and "firmly reject the actions by those WHO ABUSE the UNIVERSAL right of FREE SPEECH to hurt the religious beliefs of others?"

Not that it makes it anymore right, but THESE PEOPLE are speaking on American soil where free speech is still king. There is no reason for this apology whatsoever.

"In Washington, state department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said the US was working with Egyptian authorities to try to restore order. [before anything really bad happened]

Almost all the staff had left before the embassy was breached, a US official said. Only a few staff members were still inside, as embassy security had sent most staff home early after learning of the upcoming protest. The situation is still fluid, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he wasn't authorized to speak publicly on the matter."  for more, go here.

...so... just to bring you all up to speed --  the official apology by our administration, specifically via the web pages of the US. Embassy in Cairo, extended to the region's Islamic majority, occurred AFTER the State Department caught wind of the growing "discontent" and made our people clear out [following the release of an unsanctioned video widely assumed to be produced by that creepy  preacher down in Florida ...BUT it wasn't him; he was only publicizing it; it was a guy named Sam who made it -- go here for more]  BUT the apology came BEFORE the invasion of the U.S. Embassy in Cairo.  The apology was intended to curb the crazy.  And as we all know now, the Angry-Arab-Birds-of-Hope-Springs-Eternal flew and spewed anyway.

But later in the day, the administration "disavowed" our own embassy's apology, clarifying:

"Some have sought to justify this vicious behavior as a response to inflammatory material posted on the Internet.  The United States deplores any intentional effort to denigrate the religious beliefs of others.  Our commitment to religious tolerance goes back to the very beginning of our nation.  But let me be clear:  There is never any justification for violent acts of this kind."   Hillary Clinton

I'm sorry, but where is the president on this one? [it's not about Romney]

During the course of the day, we had the US Embassy in Cairo invaded, taking our American flag down and raising the Al Queda flag; our US Ambassador in Libya and THREE American Consulate workers die in Benghazi, at the US Embassy in Libya; while the administration turns down a request by Benjamin Netanyahu for a meeting with Obama, when in the country for the gathering at the United Nations come the end of September.

The world has changed as we know it, as political correctness dictates foreign policy in the Obama Administration:  Remember this:

"The term Muslim Brotherhood is an umbrella term for a variety of movements. In the case of Egypt, a very heterogeneous group, largely secular, which has eschewed violence and has decried al-Qaeda as a perversion of Islam."   DNI James Clapper

"Umbrella term" -- from the day he said this, America's response has been entirely wrong about the Muslim Brotherhood, the Arab Spring, the caliphate, Egypt, Libya, Syria, Iran...

Oh yes...and continuing our drone thread fly-over from yesterday -- the world has changed as we know it.

And where is the President?  [it's not about Romney]

Where is his immediate and unequivocal condemnation of these acts across the Middle East?  [it's not about Romney]

Where is our leader?  [it's not about Romney]

Oh right -- getting picked up over the shoulder of a pizza guy somewhere in the midwest; he's campaigning.

Where is our leader?  He should be speaking up and joining forces with his buddy in Chicago, Rahm -- telling 25,000 teachers to go back to work on behalf of the much needed education of the 400,000 students within the Chicago School System [as stellar a school system as it sounds --  80% of 8th graders lack proficiency in math, with "79%" lacking proficiency in reading -- curious as to why they just didn't round that one up...what ever].  The big hulla-balloo-list is mainly over teacher proficiency:

"...Chicago plans to use for evaluating public school teachers in which student improvement on standardized tests will count for 40 percent of a teacher’s evaluation. Until now, the evaluations of Chicago public school teachers have been based on what a Chicago Sun Times editorial called a 'meaningless checklist'."  cnsnews.com

"With an average annual salary of $76,000, Chicago teachers are among the highest-paid in the nation, according to the National Council on Teacher Quality."  for more on the itty bitty gritty details, go here.

$76,000? 
are you kidding me?
and the majority of the kids still can't read or do basic math?

Forget the strike, every single one of them should be fired.  Hey, UN-employed, or UNDER-employed, teachers around the nation -- have I got a plan for you...I dare you to cross the picket line -- and I dare Rahm to hire you. But ain't that just a pipe dream out of the sixties.

But make no mistake: CHICAGO IS DOING SOMETHING WRONG THERE; perhaps it is something fraudulent, maybe even criminal, or what's the word the Left loves to throw around...right...maybe there's a felony or two involved.

But here's the real kicker -- and I quote --

“This is our Arab Spring… 

This is not just confined to Chicago.”

I kid you not -- go here for full story

And don't you just love G Thing going full circle; and I'm not even finished!

Just where, oh where, is our leader?  why so peace and quiet?  [it's not about Romney]

If from your acceptance speech of just last week be true -- you spoke so highly of a good education, our all-hallowed teacher's UNIONS, as well as the value of a good education being "the gateway to the middle class" -- then just where is your outrage for what is happening in your own hometown?   Everybody has to do their fair share -- and do the hard work, as you so often say.  Is a mere 20% proficiency in the Three R's a good effort, one that should be rewarded in any way?

America, we are not in Kansas anymore.   

This is brand new territory -- 

from a perspective totally unfamiliar to any of us.

Our American flag was taken down and replaced with an Al Queda flag; we lost four of our own, in Benghazi; we turned down Israel for a sit down; we have Al Sharpton getting word from a foot soldier in Chicago, that this is their "Arab Spring"  -- and this president of ours doesn't say a word?

[be willing to bet that tomorrow another embassy gets attacked just because the teacher's union in Chicago is calling it an "Arab Spring" without the proper clearances from the Islamic upper crust -- isn't the misuse of such terminology inflammatory in and of itself?]

oh and this is fascinating -- "Barack Obama has had trouble finding time to meet with his jobs council, the White House press corps and now we’re finding out, attend his daily intelligence meetings, too. As campaigner in chief, he really does have ‘too much on his plate..."  More stats from Townhall.com, and quoting Marc Thiessen:

"The Government Accountability Institute examined President Obama’s schedule from the day he took office until mid-June 2012, to see how often he attended his Presidential Daily Brief (PDB) — the meeting at which he is briefed on the most critical intelligence threats to the country. During his first 1,225 days in office, Obama attended his PDB just 536 times —or 43.8 percent of the time. During 2011 and the first half of 2012, his attendance became even less frequent — falling to just over 38 percent. By contrast, Obama’s predecessor, George W. Bush almost never missed his daily intelligence meeting."

 It's funny -- the Obama administration said, there is simply no time in the calendar to meet with Netanyahu at the end of the month.  Really?  Is that the best you got?  And especially at a time in history when Israel is about to be attacked from three sides?

While it wouldn't surprise me one bit, if the words of a president and vice president and John Kerry from just last week's round of speeches at the DNC -- weren't actually responsible for stoking the fire as seen yesterday -- as if being another September 11th wasn't enough.

What point did they all drive home?  c'mon now.... I've been repeating it for days...... 

Osama bin Laden is dead 

and GM is alive!    

yup.  that outta do it.

Remember now --  immediately following the take down of bin Laden -- the word from the top was "no spiking the football."    gosh I love football, but that is totally irrelevant in this moment.

Was last week not spiking the football?  It was shouted from the podium; it was posted on placards all over the arena; the entire audience cheered and stood in glory of the accomplishment.  naaaah  i don't see no stinkin spikin' football.

The world has changed as we know it.

But I'm pretty sure the place our president needs to be right about now is at the White House, taking care of the hot-spots around the globe and at home; dousing the flare ups and calming the region(s) as the "peace keeper" he is supposed to be -- as his Nobel Peace Prize declares him to be, disregarding the fact that that was a wee bit premature, now wasn't it?  wasn't it?

We are still at war with evil ....all over the place...as this presidency continues to breed a campaign and lead this country by radicalized tactics and policies, only creating division and hate  where there was none, here at home.

To the outside world, our president has decided to lead by our weaknesses and apologies first, versus come at our enemies from a position of strength, authority and conviction.   Why would anyone be afraid of us?

Today, we are all talk, we lack substance, and dare I say, LACK PROFICIENCY even -- and the problem: 'they' [pick one] know it.

Make it a Good Day, G 

-- But Wait -- 

-- there's more -- 

This Just In

"Make no mistake. Justice will be done,"

President Obama -- in  the Rose Garden

about half hour after my post

and before a crowd of reporters

and Mitt:
you need to have your people prepare remarks
only AFTER you have the whole story;
the apology made by the US Embassy in Cairo
was released BEFORE the violence.
[Not that it makes the apology any more appropriate;
 while your response, and your heart, are clearly in the right place]
but I beg you --watch your step --
THE LEFT will pounce and misrepresent 
everything you say. 
NEVERMIND what I just said:
GO FOR IT!  

OMGoodness OMGoodness

FLASH UPDATE: 10:52 Pacific Daylight

and I just turned on Rush, for a little rush --

and another caller led RUSH to one of my 

earlier conclusions--

It IS Obama's fault.  The Speeches at the DNC

SPIKED the FOOTBALL too much.

Rush quickly noted --

the protesters in Egypt were chanting

"we're all Osama now"

THIS is why the embassy knew they had to find 

another reason for the season, 'spring', 

bursting at the seams...before the violence actually occurred.
THIS IS OBAMA'S WAR.
This administration, the embassy, 
now fully conjoined at the hip with the media, 
had to punt with a false narrative to hide the truth!

It's About One Point Three B's to Nowhere Thing

Dear America,

"Peace, Commerce, and Honest Friendship 

with All Nations -- 

Entangling Alliances with None." 

Thomas Jefferson

that was then, this is now.

so you will be happy to know, the yellow crime tape has been sliced, diced, and removed --

just take Hillary's word for it -- there is no need for alarm any longer.  Egypt is on the right path now; the democratic process is fully underway as we speak.

We have been talking about "secret deals" this week.  Anyone recall the days leading up to Mubarek's fall from grace (if he ever had any)?   Our State Department was in there, having secret sit downs with Mubarek and his entire crew.  We nudged.  We interfered.  We shoved.  We meddled.  Call it what you will, but deals were made way back when solidifying days like this:

"As the U.S. State Department prepares to waive democracy requirements and release as much as $1.3 billion in aid to Egypt, a new Gallup poll shows that the majority of Egyptians would rather cozy up to countries like Iran and Turkey than embrace the United States.

Congress passed legislation in 2011 that tied funding in Egypt to progress on democracy and human rights issues. The law, however, also included a waiver provision that allows the state department to overlook the requirement if it is necessary for 'national security interests'.”

Read more: http://dailycaller.com/2012/03/28/state-dept-memo-excuses-islamist-egyptian-govt-clears-path-for-1-3-billion-in-aid/#ixzz1qQF8umQe

Just how secret?  And just who are the players involved?  No need to go any further than one of Hillary's left hand women:  Huma Abedin

[linking Huma with policy based on six degrees of separation, we get down to two rather quickly...]

[why do you think the democrats didn't rush right in to save Anthony Weiner's sorry a$$....purely rhetorical]

As we have previously mentioned here, Egyptians may have been wooing Americans to visit -- as tourists -- but make no mistake,  they don't want you to stay and take up residence  [for they do not likey-likey the US of A at all] We wheeled and deal-ed with Mubarek for so long -- overlooking a number of transgressions -- that even when we wanted to... DO the RIGHT thing...the Egyptians had lost all faith in us.

[of course, there is wide debate on what Doing the Right Thing looks like...both here and abroad...]

The thing is, only 28% of Egyptians view strong relations with the United States as a good thing. They would rather, as the Daily Caller article points out, "cozy up" to Turkey or Iran.

As predicted over a year ago, the Muslim Brotherhood is running the "democratic process" in Egypt.  And more important, they are not our friend.

AND the United States is giving them 1.3 BILLION dollars to bolster up their military to ensure the peace?

Is this what "peace" and "democracy" looks like?

And here's what the region really thinks about the 1.3 B's...
is the U.S. choosing stability over democracy yet again?

[but then again -- define democracy first, aljazeera...oooh snap]

and let's separate this 1.3 billion from the various miscellaneous funding sources also available, like through USAID funds; an article from the Washington Times (August 2010) illustrates how this has been working out for us:

"Americans also may be surprised to learn that the United States has been an active participant in mosque construction projects overseas. In April, U.S. Ambassador to Tanzania Alfonso E. Lenhardt helped cut the ribbon at the 12th-century Kizimkazi Mosque, which was refurbished with assistance from the United States under a program to preserve culturally significant buildings. The U.S. government also helped save the Amr Ebn El Aas Mosque in Cairo, which dates back to 642. The mosque’s namesake was the Muslim conqueror of Christian Egypt, who built the structure on the site where he had pitched his tent before doing battle with the country’s Byzantine rulers. For those who think the Ground Zero Mosque is an example of “Muslim triumphalism” glorifying conquest, the Amr Ebn El Aas Mosque is an example of such a monument - and one paid for with U.S. taxpayer funds.

The mosques being rebuilt by the United States are used for religious worship, which raises important First Amendment questions. U.S. taxpayer money should not be used to preserve and promote Islam, even abroad. In July 2009, the Office of the Inspector General published an audit of U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) faith-based and community initiatives that examined whether government funds were being used for religious activities. The auditors found that while USAID was funding some religious activities, officials were “uncertain of whether such uses of Agency funding violate Agency regulations or the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment to the Constitution” when balanced against foreign-policy objectives.

For example, our government rebuilt the Al Shuhada Mosque in Fallujah, Iraq, expecting such benefits as “stimulating the economy, enhancing a sense of pride in the community, reducing opposition to international relief organizations operating in Fallujah, and reducing incentives among young men to participate in violence or insurgent groups.” But Section 205.1(d) of title 22 of the Code of Federal Regulations prohibits USAID funds from being used for the rehabilitation of structures to the extent that those structures are used for “inherently religious activities.” It is impossible to separate religion from a mosque; any such projects will necessarily support Islam.

[and my apologies for the long read here...I intended to nip and tuck this section to smithereens, but just couldn't do it...choosing whole context over chopped up talking points...now let's move on...]

Sure, this community building via mosque reconstruction is kinda old news.   But just where are the atheists fighting this one?

Certainly, if they take issue with a simple cross on federal land, just imagine how cross they must be building mosques with American tax dollars in a foreign country, of all people, places, and things.  Separation of church and state -- mosque and state -- across the pond, anyone?

Or does this just fit naturally into the anti-American narrative, marching against western colonialism any which way but loose, and thus, paving the way for a new, new world?

oh, but let's re-wind for just a quick sec:

"expecting such benefits as 'stimulating the economy, enhancing a sense of pride in the community, reducing opposition to international relief organizations operating in Fallujah, and reducing incentives among young men to participate in violence or insurgent groups.'"

that is priceless, isn't it? Was it worth it...rebuilding that mosque in Fallujah...did it enhance a sense of pride, reduce opposition to foreign aid, promote able bodied young men to flee from a life of gang violence...did it make them 'like us' on facebook...?

The Middle East is a different breed altogether; complicated relations between the radicals and the moderates, between sunni's and shia's, Muslims and Christians, East and West, stifle any true democratic process (according to American standards, that is) from ever gaining a foothold.

It's a crime scene, with yellow tape run amuck (still).

This action by the State Department isn't just some slip of the tongue misdemeanor caught on a live mic; it's a felony against our national security -- compromising OUR peace, OUR democracy, OUR future, and immediately becoming a direct threat to Israel -- while all accomplished with OUR money, the people's money, hardly in secret and hardly a best interest at heart.

Aljazeera knows exactly how this 1.3 B's gets played out in Benefits.
But make no mistake, our "security" is not one of them.
....it's more like 1.3 B's to nowhere.

BBBBBut what do I know; I'm just a girl.

Make it a Good Day, G

It's a That was Then, This is Now Thing

Dear America,

what a difference a day makes, huh?

it was shocking news, late last year, when the Obama Administration classified the murders at Fort Hood as just another case of workplace violence.   Thirteen people died -- with three times more wounded -- while all the rest of America was left stunned by the brutal attack -- at the hands of a doctor, an Army psychiatrist of all things, someone who actually studied the mind - body connection, and should clearly know better.

Especially in light of the truth :  It was a methodical, violent, radical, extremist action against our own troops, no less -- on American soil --  in the name of Allah.

In other words -- not even close to the average, random, boiling-over-point manifestation at the hands of  a disgruntled worker.

That was then; this is now.

Now we could sense the tides changing with the Afghanistan attack upon sixteen civilians, including women and children; we knew what was coming; they [this administration, if not the entire world] intend to throw the book at him -- and then it just rolls into  'it's high time'  -- with high hopes to hang him high at high noon (high tide optional).


Now -- if there is ever a case of workplace violence -- this might be the one.   hello.


Bringing to light the obvious issues leading up to the horrible, unthinkable actions of a soldier in pain:

the previous brain injury -- the post traumatic stress -- the four deployments to the middle east -- the marital distress -- the personal economic worries -- the cost of active duty in a war zone -- alcohol (rumored) -- sleep deprivation -- pure insanity

the army officer showed signs of trouble and the army did not respond appropriately, if at all; the army could have done better to protect the Afghan community -- and the soldier from himself.

[just as the army could have done better in seeing the Nadal Hassan rampage coming...cuz there were plenty of signs there....but then, we would be falling backwards to rehash that, there's no need and no time to re-litigate that again]

oh, but the army is responding now.  Staff Sgt. Robert Bales has the whole world standing at attention now.

Bales was, is, a broken soldier.  And yes, consequences should come.
Hassan went rogue on purpose -- in the name of Allah, actually; it was a terrorist attack by a homegrown terrorist.  Workplace violence?  Only one proves true.  And it was the one done in a remote part of the southern province of Kandahar.

oh my.

you know, this wasn't even where I wanted to go today at all.

but make no mistake -- I intended to go down memory lane, alright -- just not rounding Fort Hood and stopping there for as long as I did.

My morning really got going with the April 2010 issue of Bon Appetit  [I have a real problem throwing out my food mags].  Only by accident, when flipping through the pages in search of the cover recipe [salmon with sweet chili glaze, sugar snap peas, and greens] did something crazy catch my eye:  "Egypt - where it all begins --  'the river fed my soul' ".... Which is ironic, really, considering the blend of sketchy illustration in various sand tones is hardly something that would stop you dead in your tracks and go oh wow.   so hey --  so what if it's two years later, right?

so circling around again to how we started this day...  'what a difference a day makes'.

Just think of how mornings begin in Egypt these days -- in the immediate days following the fall of Mubarek, we have seen more death, more religious persecution, less stability, less tolerance, more extremism than the days under him.  Just six months ago -- less than a year after the end of Mubarek's rule -- we watched workplace violence, in a no place like home kind of vein, amplified; clashes by Egyptians on Egyptians is now common place.

[Oh, not to worry -- go ahead and book your trip today; I'm sure everything will be cool.  Go to www.egypt.travel and let the egyptians help you with the itty bitty nitty gritty details.]

I feel like I am really running on today...but I'm not apologizing for it one bit...

But here's the thing -- this ad -- this sultry little sales pitch to come booze cruise the Nile away -- uses a fascinating typeface to spell out   e   g  y  p  t.   The "t" is twisted into something reminiscent of a palm frond, looking quite religious -- almost like a Christian cross, jumping off the page, calling to you.   See for yourself.  Go here to bear witness of the official logo.

[fascinating, isn't it?  -- two years ago, Egypt's advertising to boost tourism was based upon appealing to our Christian roots back to the homeland of sorts  -- our religious, peaceful, Moses loving roots. AND now look at them!   ah but that was then; this is now.]

[Almost reminds you of our administration, of how quickly they took a step back post-Mubarek -- you know, to allow for the everyday common-man egyptian to painstakingly go through the proper "democratic" course, and making it sound like the Muslim Brotherhood is our friend and we have nothing to fear but fear itself... ah but that was then; this is now... Coptic churches -- attencion -- heads up....] 

Alexis de Tocqueville made the following observation, once upon a time in a day in the life in America:

"Religion in America takes no direct part in the government of society, but it must be regarded as the first of their political institutions...I do not know whether all Americans have a sincere faith in their religion -- for who can search the human heart?  but I am certain that they hold it to be indispensable to the maintenance of republican institutions.  This opinion is not peculiar to a class of citizens or to a party, but it belongs to the whole nation and to every rank of society."  from The 5000 Year Leap

ah but that was then; this is now.
5000 years is a leap through many, many days.

The kind of religious liberty this country was made, gave us security in ways we have learned to totally take for granted today.  If nothing else, it was the kind of religious liberty that gave good reason to trust our fellow man to do the right thing (because more often then not, we did).

Even without fully knowing what is in the human heart, there was a spiritual connection to something greater than ourselves that grounded all of us, collectively.   The guiding of society to live by principles and values through a system of government elevating the consequences of cause and effect, good vs. evil, duties and privileges, rights and responsibilities simply became the way, and the only way.

Only now, look at us -- evolving into the every day untethered to our religious liberty at all.

Make it a Good Day, G 

and speaking of traveling...

how about Malia traveling to Mexico for Spring Break?  
this is an interesting website, just discovered today -- Death by 1000 Papercuts


but what up?  after issuing travel warnings, you send your daughter???  [just questioning the wisdom of both parents....don't hate]
next question -- with 25 secret service and a dozen friends, how much is this costing us?
what everrr...(say it like a teeny-bopper it's more fun)

Dear America,

Happy St. Valentine's Day xx


So, now that the "worst part" is over, now that democracy can have it's day in Egypt, Leon Panetta is going to get right on it -- you know, organizing a Task Force (of 35), to try to figure out...just what the "triggers" may be, to cause events (like in Tahrir Square) to take place, to take shape, to just explode and burst upon the square like that, right out of the blue.

Which is weird;  if events such as the uprising in Tahrir Square are good for democracy, what exactly needs to be figured out?  Isn't it just another day in a freedom loving town square, ripe with enthusiasm, honest debate, of sound principles and mind, simply organizing in order to form a more perfect union? What could be so bad?

But it's just odd really, for just by the sound of it alone -- Task Force (of 35) -- aren't we way beyond that?

Could have sworn we were beyond that, considering we started brand spankin' new arms of authority and security levels to prevent another 9/11 from happening, to protect Americans, to venture off into foreign lands figuring out just what triggers remain alive and well and ready to get us (Americans) all over the place --

We started the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (in 2005) just for this purpose, no?  And thanks to people like James Clapper, we know that one is on top of things...

And what about the United States Department of Homeland Security, formed in 2003?  Isn't this sort of thing right up their alley, too?

I find myself dazed and confused wondering just how many departments and directors do we really need -- but more than that -- and I am addressing Leon directly here -- exactly what will a task force (of 35) do that these guys, mentioned above, should already be doing?  If this isn't already being seriously redundant, just another bureaucratic layer, doesn't all of this just provide us with another loving spoonful of just how much our federal government is broken?

A Task Force (of 35)?  seriously?  Keeping it real, we're not simply talking about product development here, if you know what I mean -- and again, what's the worry? If what has happened in Tahrir doesn't stay in Tahrir, isn't that a good thing?   you know, for the sake of democracy, and freedom and liberty for all...

A Task Force (of 35) doesn't seem to be lining up with the reality on the ground, something seems off the mark, or is it just me?  Why do we need to understand the conditions that created the uprising at all?  It's all good in the hood, for brotherhood, unless we misunderstood...

And gotta love Joe (Biden) jumping out on Friday with his mating call for reform (slinging his arrow towards Mahmoud Ahmadinejad) --

"Let your people march, 

let your people speak,

release your people from jail, 

let your people have a voice..."

Where was all this love when the Iranians were actually in the streets, in what, 2009?

Throwing in a sidenote: Do we dare wonder if  there is a task force looking into the newly appointed atomic chief over there, in Tehran, just yesterday?  talk about something not quite right...they just keep building and balking at any thought, let alone serious consideration, of holding nuclear weaponry capability, and the intent to use it...


Whatever.

Perhaps it is just a chemistry thing, or something; maybe Leon is feeling a wee bit off, needing to take some time to look into things a little deeper, hoping to justify feeling more secure moving forward in relationship to the new world order, which seems to be changing by the minute, it's a wonder anyone can keep up.

But what happened in the streets of Cairo, make no mistake, was a peaceful, non-violent, protest and should be commended as the president pointed out -- "for very few moments...history takes place...people in Egypt have spoken...never be the same."

Even though, at the start (Jan 25-26),  riot police responded in the first couple of days, firing tear gas and rubber bullets to clear the square -- according to accounts, six people died in the first two days; the Muslim Brotherhood stepped in by January 27th, calling upon it's supporters to join the protest, the next day the government arrested some of these guys, turned off the internet, and called in the army.  All in all, media was attacked, roughly 300 people were killed over the course of two weeks, and it all ended with the military staging a coup to take Mubarak down, and out, for all we know, flying him off to the riviera for long overdue vacation, drop kicking him with a staunch warning never to show his face again. 

and today, sweet charity, peace at last in Tahrir Square, more or less; what's not to love?

So, in review:


Egypt will never be the same.
One more American Ally is in limbo.
Israel's future is in question.
America's future is "ours to win"
even though we've got plenty of doubts --
but rest assured,
a task force is on it already.


Thank God we have a day filled with chocolate and sweet nothings to cling to for the moment -- so to all my friends and frenemies, kiss kiss.

Make it a Good Day, G


And with regard to the biggest news of the morning, only Obama could unveil his 2012 budget 1.1 trillion dollars short  -- you would think he would start with it balanced, considering the 1.6 TRILLION dollar deficit for this year alone, and the 14 Trillion in national debt! 

Our president is proposing a 3.73 TRILLION dollar budget, with revenue of only 2.6 Trillion; going into another year of trillion dollar deficits.   Are you kidding me?   Between the Chosen One and the rest of us -- we don't need no stinkin' task force to tell us, one of us is utterly clueless; and it ain't us.  

Very few moments... in history...come with such clarity...thanks to your agenda...this gawd awful budget... and the fumbling of this administration... our love and devotion wanes...rest assured, as you ponder all the reasons why, my long lost love lost -- it's not you, it's me (even though we both know it's all you, just little ole G hasn't got the heart to tell you)...fair thee well, my dear.


ABC Poison Arrow playing on Dear America..."who broke my heart, you did, you did"... cupid is just a click away.

Dear America,

Evolution...


when we think of evolution, we gain a sense of something changing, growing, expanding, doing away with characteristics which no longer serve the greater purpose, allowing for new methods of operation to kick in, constantly tweaking the system basically, to arrive at a bigger, better, stronger -- leaner, meaner, wiser -- end result.

This is what inspired the 2008 elections -- the very idea of something truly wonderful to swoop in and change everything, for anything would be better than what we have.

We succumbed to the fundamental transformation like camels to a desert oasis and drank it up.


So this marks the day the evolution of the western world changes forever; we shall see, soon enough, just what kind of unintended consequences come our way; we shall see, soon enough, just exactly what these hundreds of thousands of "young people" in the streets of Cairo are all about.


But make no mistake, February 11, 2011  -- oooh, look at that, 02-11-2011, there has to be something in that numerology somewhere -- marks the day of fundamental transformation in Egypt; who knew, that when we voted in Obama, his vision for hope and change would spill over into the Middle East so rapidly.  Who knew, that when he was speaking before a Muslim Brotherhood audience just two years ago, the organizing of a regime change, a complete overthrow of the Egyptian government, would become a complete reality so soon...no, that is true, it is hardly complete now is it...

And to think, who knew, that with the natural evolution of Facebook, it would make way for a system of Foreign Policy by Social Network; and might I add, a little more tweaking with this method is needed.

What was it El Baradei tweeted mid-afternoon yesterday?  "Egypt will explode. Army must save the country now."

the new buzz words seem to be centered on 'revolution'  'anti-government' 'social justice' 'universal rights' 'democracy'  -- as if Egypt is responding to the rise of the secular, when in the vernacular, we are really bearing witness to something entirely different.  Our idea of democracy -- by definition and by evolution -- is on opposite ends of the spectrum.

Islamic Sharia Law is synonymous with democracy only in reference to when the people are allowed to vote, in fair and open election.  The people of Egypt could just as easily elect El Baradei into office, the chosen one when it comes to the Muslim Brotherhood, as anyone else.  He is the one, right now, who stands out, connected, speaking up as a leader, organized and fully supported by the most radicalized Islamic faction in the area -- the same group currently outlawed for being responsible for the killing Anwar Sadat, among others, and shunned by the Mubarak regime for the last thirty years; but the organization never really went away, and, as nature would have it, they were given plenty of time to mature, adapt... further evolve.

For the last eighteen days, our administration has done everything within it's power, and even everything that goes above and beyond, to take Mubarak down; they have sent envoys for a sit down, they have publicly denounced the leadership -- calling for Mubarak to do the right thing, to listen to the young people, and step down; they have orchestrated an entire storyline that, for all intents and purposes, was contrived and manufactured to suit the means to an end.

It may have begun as a natural, organic uprising, but it most certainly morphed into chaos, making way for a rendition lost in translation,  applying this administration's answer to everything -- clinging to soundbites of universal values and rights, organizing the streets of change, even if on the other side of the world --  all the while, never letting a crisis go to waste.

This is huge.

One thing that crossed my mind, in the last 24 hours specifically, is the number of people we have in power to protect us -- lead us -- interpret world events such as this, to ensure our safety.  In this day and age, our government has evolved into a pyramid of all kinds of levels of protections; question is, are we safer for it?  Are they actually working in sync, to the extent all the entities need to be?  Are they understanding of the history of the world, to the level we need them to be?  Are they continuing to ask all the right questions, even uncomfortable ones, respective of all the political and economical and international ramifications?

Clearly, the leader of all, is our president -- but after that, we have layers and layers of academia and military and economic powers, people in place to interpret the world and how it affects the United States: starting with the upper echelon and our Secretary of State, Secretary of Defense, Directors of the CIA and FBI...we have a Homeland Security Secretary, a National Intelligence Director, with full bureaucracies built up underneath; there are ombudsmen and ambassadors, a hierarchy of intelligence officers and secret service -- and yet, what did Napolitano just admit:  "The terrorist threat to the homeland is in many ways at its most heightened state since 9/11,." while addressing Peter King in Congressional Hearings on Wednesday.


More troubling, comes from the mouth of our National Intelligence Director, James Clapper, only yesterday, when asked to define the threat of the Muslim Brotherhood:

"[ahh]...it's an umbrella term... for a variety of movements...for what is happening in Egypt, it is a very heterogeneous group, largely secular, which has eschewed violence and has decried Al-Queda as a perversion of Islam...they have pursued social ends, betterment of political order...there is no over-arching agenda in Egypt, etc."

This statement required immediate follow up from a DNI spokesman. enough said.

So here we are, experiencing a new era of Foreign Policy by Facebook, with plenty of pinheads in power offering up consolation by denial, at a time when the "threat to the homeland is...at its most heightened state since 9/11" -- do you feel good?

Have we evolved leaner, meaner, wiser in battling against the forces, adapting to the fluidity of the new world order and those who wish to do America, the entire western culture actually, only harm?

If this daily diary of an American girl does anything, may it impress upon us to accelerate our own evolution -- may we welcome a new democratic Egypt with an open heart, if that, in fact, remains to be the wave of change rising into power as we speak; for the way things sit right now, we are stuck in a vortex swirling what we know and what we don't know all around us, and it's running wild at the moment; we can only hope and pray that we are watching the west win one -- if not, we got no hope, leaving us on a wing and a prayer.

anyone catch the story about mandatory Arabic classes being administered in a school district in Texas?

Apparently, not too long ago, our Department of Education, issued a grant to offer mandatory Arabic language and culture classes within the Mansfield School District.  According to our Department of Education, they have designated the Arabic language as the "language of the future." (and you thought it was Chinese...lol)  Yes.  That would be here, in America. Is there something they know and we don't know going on here?

David Horowitz, founder of the David Horowitz Freedom Center, has quite a few thoughts on the matter, as brought to light in the article linked above; but if you go to his website,  you will find a whole 'nother world view as to what is happening today in Egypt. and I double down dare you to go.

So, it remains to be seen if the democracy brewing in Egypt is on behalf of the western definition, or Middle Eastern; remember, Islam does not separate church and state, no where, no how, never.  By definition, an Islamic Government cannot be "secular" (hello? earth to Clapper...sure hope you have your retirement plan secure)

Sharia Law is Sharia Law -- stoning is really stoning -- adultery is still adultery, and punishable by execution -- and beheading is still beheading --  as the desert heat and beat goes on.

Our leaders (nearly all of them) are either being fooled, big time -- OR, they know exactly what they are doing, double time -- OR, they simply do not know what the unknown brings at this present time. And to that end, how poignant the debut of Rumsfled's new memoir, Known and Unknown -- how weird is that?

oh what a day in the neighborhood, no?

Make it a Good Day, G

let us pray for the world -- affirming this hopey-changey thing happening in Egypt spins our way. play your music today ...desert rose...sting....and just pray with me today.

Dear America,

You know that sinking feeling when you think you have already said too much?

That should be what is crossing the minds of our state department officials -- scratch that, make it the entire Obama Administration.

There are so many different takes on what is happening in Egypt -- even within Egypt! It's as if all the stories, and various factions, are competing with one another for attention, talking over one another, saying that's not true, this is...interrupting each other...clamoring to have the floor...holding all calls...and on and on and on.

One of the 'faces of change' shall we say, includes a group called the "April 6 Youth Movement" -- linking to it's Wikipedia page for a quickie review there for you.  Just another 'social justice' group -- part of the louder forces building up and bellowing out of Egypt -- adamantly insisting for immediate departure of Mubarak and  having no intention of leaving Tahir Square anytime soon.

They feel quite certain another group, the Council of the Wise, along with it's perspective and involvement, are not representative of the growing democratic reform making way for a revolution in front of the entire world...read this from The Daily News Egypt.

Of course, we have already been discussing for days the activity and hidden agenda of a group called the Muslim Brotherhood, who are wishing and hoping and praying to Allah for a quick replacement of Mubarak with their guy, El Baradei.

But again, as a refresher for you, we are dealing with a society with a different definition of democracy than either you or me, aren't we; the majority of the population still condone stoning, execution for adultery, cutting the hand off the thief, execution for leaving the Muslim faith, and so on and so on.  They are comfortable with a leader, even if that means a dictator; at ease with a military rule, if that means stability and the empty promise of more than $2/day.


But I can't help myself this morning, wondering, just what in God's name is going on inside the minds of our "wise men and women" who are leading US right now?

And certainly, fresh from having watched the interview with Donald Rumsfeld and Hannity last night, just what are the "Known and the Unknown" [title of Rumsfeld's new memoir]  conditions of this complicated international predicament?

Paraphrasing something he said, Rumsfeld reminds us that 'there are extremists who wish to harm the United States, and harm Americans...to impose a caliphate.'

Now people, from both left and right, have criticized Glenn Beck, for making such an early call on this kind of provocative line of thinking, Chris Matthews called it simply 'looney-toons'; but here we have, the former Secretary of Defense (twice over and spanning, what? 35 years of experience!) speaking of the chaos in Egypt in plain, simple language that quickly defines exactly what it is, and in no uncertain terms -- for the region's history, including the radical Islamic movements making waves in Tahir Square right now, among other places, make it so...hello?   this idea is not far fetched, based on fear, as if formulated from the minds of some kind of feverish fanatic as many cool heads would have us believe...
 
This isn't 'crazy talk' -- it's what it is.  It is a religious dictate, prescribed by Imams and Shahs, going so far back in time we might as well say, the year 632 A.D, or around the time or the day, the music died.

I loved the part when Rumsfeld described the workings of 'academia minds' in government -- being able to talk things over in small groups, hold meetings, resolving nothing more than perhaps what to order in for lunch; it sounded like there were moments within the Bush Administration best characterized as frustration, for in a time of war, time does not stand still -- there is no luxury to discuss things ad infinitum, for things have to be decided -- choices must be made -- as if some options actually come with expiration dates.

that is a man who understands war -- and who understands the Middle East -- in ways we only wish the Obama Administration knew for real.

More startling are the number of things the press, and people reporting on the eight years of the Bush Administration, got things entirely wrong.  To say un^%#ingbelieveable doesn't even cut it.

For the truth is, the known and the unknown intersect on the fly, as conditions on the ground and in the air are far more fluid than solid as things change, rapidly, and are constantly in flux; things get mixed up with the 'what we know we don't know' with 'what we don't know we don't know' along with what we know we need to know right now.

While here we are, in the midst of wide spread overtures made in recent days, showing some of the western world is making total about changes in regions across Europe, and the United Kingdom, bidding P.C. politics adieu; while here in America, we are left with an administration, who like Rumsfeld respectfully chastised, can't even call the war on terror, and the actual perpetrators of the radicalized Islamic extremists, for what it really is; we, in America, are so careful not to call it what it is, so as to protect the feelings of moderate Muslims everywhere...we turn a blind's eye by way of political correctness, allowing the radical Islamic enterprises to actually set up shop right here in America.

Newsflash: radical Islam truly believes that what they are doing is what God (Allah) really wants under the fundamentalist teachings of Jihad -- the caliphate is what they want, have always wanted, while they have been 'patiently' waiting on the ground  for just the right conditions to bring it about -- and now, it's happening, looking almost effortlessly.  And the Obama Administration doesn't even seem all that concerned -- speaking on behalf of the Muslim Brotherhood in the interview before the Super Bowl, our president remarked, 'oh, they're such a small faction...' -- nearly brushing it off like a fly on his jacket.

If I were in charge of the world, I mean, America -- I would close every Islamic Organization's door tied to the Muslim Brotherhood, the April 6 Youth Movement, along with any and all groups who speak of "social justice" for Islamic growth and expansion like it is just another union setting up for the common man and the common good,  as in workers of the world unite (and they are easily found) -- those include, but are not limited to, the following: Islamic Supreme Council of America, Islamic Assembly of North America, Muslim Students Association, Islamic Society of North America, and perhaps, adding anyone associated with the radicalized "Nation of Islam" might just quickly bring the list to a close (for the moment).

FOR THIS IS THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, not divided by special interests, religious factions, color, creed,  either in song or in spirit or on parade down fifth avenue.  We are one nation under God, indivisible; and when you come here to live, to make a residence and build a life, here in America, KNOW this:  you are no longer who you think you are -- you are now one of US -- and we are marshall.  And if you should not want to become one of US, then you should just know  you should not come,  it's as easy as that.

Moving forward, a good place to start, endeavoring to find solid, democratically forthright, Muslim American relations, an organization that is in America's best interests, is Brigitte Gabriel's Act for America -- along with any other group associated, of course,  as organizations they recognize and deem as one of us -- Act for America easily separates good and evil, locking in with only the ones without a hidden agenda against the western culture, democracy in general, and capitalists in particular.

For, according to all that we KNOW about the radicalized versions of the Islamic faith, the one's who preach violence against Zion, the one's who hail actions of suicide bombers, the one's who truly hate the western world and everything it is about, the one's who wish to do harm to the free market, free enterprise, free religion, free speech and to the ever-so-popular growing happy free people living in a free society  -- in a word, America  -- that is enough to kill us, for it goes against everything a follower of radical Islam is about.

And they will not stop --  until they reach the age of another CALIPHATE  -- all over the globe.

These people do not recognize, let alone respect, the UNIVERSAL values of the western culture, Mr. President -- not in one, teeny, tiny bit.

This is not UNKNOWN; this is not what we think we need to know but don't know yet.

This is what we KNOW; this is what we know to be true and undeniable -- as clear as black and white.

True Democratic Egyptian forces on the ground have had their platform ambushed by the radicalized Islamic extremists --  and it would seem, by all accounts up until five minutes ago, that nobody, within 100 feet of the White House, has a clue; clarity, normally found between the ears of learned men and women in high places, is markedly surfacing, at an inexplicable rate, as an unknown factor.

Let us only hope we come to know a whole lot more by tomorrow, if not before the end of the day.

Might I suggest, a little brainstorming...sometimes beginning the discussion posing a question like, 'what's the worst thing that could happen?' might be just kind of jumping board needed.

Whether jumping into a pool of rather mediocre resolve through board room chit chat, making a list of things to do for tomorrow and the like -- or taking a real leap of faith with rock solid decision making, in the best interests of western culture everywhere... you know, if for no other reason, than to promote the best chances of achieving a democratic global governance, you can dig that, right?...offering something like free and fair elections for everyone at half the price, on behalf of social justice everywhere -- you would be into that, right?...no matter; the discussion making an honest to goodness decision on the things we know and don't know is real and absolute and can no longer be avoided.

This is what you are being entrusted by the American people to do  -- not Muslims, not Jews, not Christians, not Mormons, not Atheists -- but as a unified front of Americans, on behalf of what we know for ourselves to be true and valued in this country, as well as, all over the rest of the free world.

Remembering something our dear President Obama has said on many occasions, in varied context, going something like this:

'STATUS QUO 

is unsustainable

-- for this we do know -- 

it is simply 

no longer an option

at or on

the table...

let me be clear,

it is neither at,

or on,

the table 

at this time.'

or something like that

...hmmm...a turkey club sounds good today.

Make it a Good Day, G

Dear America,

“If they bring a knife to the fight, we bring a gun.”

that was June 2008, coming into his own while in the final months leading up to the election, the election that would fundamentally transform America.

He was talking, in no uncertain terms, just how deep his drive, how committed to the process he was -- reciting a line out of the Untouchables gave it just the right amount of verve, his point couldn't be made any other way.

I feel quite certain that what is unraveling in Egypt began has a simple, grassroots, run of the mill, peasants in the streets demand for justice.  No one is questioning that.

But who are they really?

Hillary, and half of Washington, seems to think they are just like 'us;' just like you and me -- people who only dream for equality, freedom of assembly,  freedom of speech, and any other democratic "pillar" that comes to mind -- "pillars" of western society she would have us believe -- a democracy just like ours. 


Hate to break it to you, Hill, but you have American arrogance showing, not American compassion.  How Americans define and live within democratic society is not the same thing -- matter of fact, if we can be honest here, it is a far cry from apples to apples, reed to reed, fig to fig.

And really, I can't tell anymore...its all in layers now, with clashes upon clashes; who are the bad guys and who are the good guys, if any; have you seen the pictures... they are all throwing rocks, they are all bringing knives, they are all blowing up things -- who's to say the crowd of thugs, of either side, haven't been penetrated by the real bad guys, the Muslim Brotherhood by now? (following their own handbook of Rule for Radicals, translated into Arabic twenty years ago)

Facts are facts, it went from "peaceful protest" to a fireball overnight.

But here we are, deep within the melee of information overload, and I am finding myself overwhelmed by the sudden impact of a question now penetrating my gut; now completing my week, looking at What We Buy and Why, how do we decide what we buy as bona fide -- based on sound principles, believed to be truth -- and what is not? Is the narrative that pronounced and self-explanatory nobody asks any real questions anymore?  Are we really the sheep just following the herd all the way to the slaughter house? Just because it's on ABC, we don't wonder about XYZ, let alone el-em-en-oh-pee?


Who are they really?  these Egyptians in the streets...what do they like, what do they want, and are they really just like us?

Caroline B. Glick, for the Jewish World Review, gives us a hint (make that, slaps us with a two-by-four):

According to a Pew opinion survey of Egyptians from June 2010, 59 percent said they back Islamists. Only 27% said they back modernizers. Half of Egyptians support Hamas. Thirty percent support Hizbullah and 20% support al Qaida. Moreover, 95% of them would welcome Islamic influence over their politics. When this preference is translated into actual government policy, it is clear that the Islam they support is the al Qaida Salafist version.

Eighty two percent of Egyptians support executing adulterers by stoning, 77% support whipping and cutting the hands off thieves. 84% support executing any Muslim who changes his religion.

and there's more!

What has most confounded Israeli officials and commentators alike has not been the strength of the anti-regime protests, but the American response to them. Outside the far Left, commentators from all major newspapers, radio and television stations have variously characterized the US response to events in Egypt as irrational, irresponsible, catastrophic, stupid, blind, treacherous, and terrifying.

The question most Israelis are asking is why are the Americans behaving so destructively? Why are President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton charting a course that will necessarily lead to the transformation of Egypt into the first Salafist Islamic theocracy? And why are conservative commentators and Republican politicians urging them to be even more outspoken in their support for the rioters in the streets?

Does the US not understand what will happen in the region as a result of its actions? Does the US really fail to understand what will happen to its strategic interests in the Middle East if the Muslim Brotherhood either forms the next regime or is the power behind the throne of the next regime in Cairo? 

so, let us wonder, why is it okay to meddle now, in Egypt, when it wasn't so cool, to meddle, in Iran?


so, why is it cool to force our ways, the western ways, now -- for the freedom of these people, at this time?

but scarier, is realizing that our own president, our secretary of state, and half, if not two-thirds, of Washington are apparently looking through rose colored glasses of democracy seeming to think they are doing nothing wrong  here -- and clearly, totally unaware of who these people are and just what "these youth" really really want.

What is truly crazy town, is watching our government make this grave error, bringing a knife to Mubarak's side while strongly suggesting he step down (now)...while Mubarak just hunkers down with his big guns...saying something to the effect, 'I can't go now, surely there will be chaos...'

And popping in the very same vein -- in the very same way the radicals have been taught never to let a crisis go to waste -- the Muslim Brotherhood begins to simply blend in and find their way; it's all just a means to an end, just a means to an end, whatever happens now, will only push our agenda to the top of the list, paving the way for a new savior to save the people of Egypt -- yes, even Islamic Extremists...

remember, 84% believe in executing Muslims who change their religion...82% love, love, love execution by stoning to adulterers...and funny, only 27% back 'modernizers' (ah, that would be the democratic factions).

We've seen sudden uprisings occur overnight even here -- recalling the buses of union members and Hispanic coalitions being planted on the streets of Arizona immediately following the immigration legislation -- further back we found 'transplants' from unions and left wing agitators showing up at townhall meetings, trying to disguise themselves as Tea Party people and then creating a raucous, bringing actually guns, manipulating the truth, if you will, without batting an eye. These tactics are as old as d'Nile....badump ba.


And we don't think there isn't anything weird going on when Code Pink has set up headquarters in Cairo, under the protection of Hamas???
 yeah, that's a good one.

I'm not buying what the mainstream media is dishing out; I am questioning all authority at this point, and god help the next time I get pulled over for rolling through a stop sign...not that I ever do.... :)

But Hillary seems to think the Egyptians want our kind of democracy.  huh.  interesting.
wonder if she has done any research on that?
you know who she should talk to is Caroline B.Glick -- or at the very least, read what she has to say to those of you  "Clueless in Washington."

It's just weird, for even as I found myself uncharacteristically listening to her every word, when Hillary said:

"We condemn in the strongest terms attacks on reporters covering the ongoing situation in Egypt. This is a violation of international norms that guarantee freedom of the press and is unacceptable under any circumstances. We also condemn in the strongest terms attacks on peaceful demonstrators, human rights activists, foreigners, and diplomats. Freedom of assembly, freedom of expression, and freedom of the press are pillars of an open and inclusive society. It is especially in times of crisis that governments must demonstrate their adherence to these universal values. There is a clear responsibility by the Egyptian Government, including the army, to protect those threatened and to hold accountable those responsible for these attacks. The Egyptian Government must demonstrate its willingness to ensure journalists' ability to report on these events to the people of Egypt and to the world.

"Vice President Suleiman spoke today about the need for free and fair presidential elections. That is essential. And I urge the government and a broad and credible representation of Egypt's opposition, civil society, and political factions to begin immediately serious negotiations on a peaceful and orderly transition. The Egyptian people expect a meaningful process that yields concrete changes."

Yesss, it was just yesterday... late afternoon...the sun was high and the birdies were singing...when I found myself,  my mouth aghast... it was all happening so fast...suddenly, I went crashing to the floor; when she got to the point in bold, large print, made large enough to poke your eye out, all I could do was fall over, making a scramble for my weapon of choice, my remote.

"Universal Values", she says -- huh, I laugh in the face of danger hahaha; Hillary, believe its best for you put your can of pepper spray back in your purse, you have lost control of the entire situation, nothing can help you now, except perhaps a serious graveling to the next dictator.

And final question for the day, just why is our president trying so hard to convince us he is all Christian all the time?  Why now?  And if he truly doesn't care what people think, the people's perceptions, why did he go down that road while speaking at the National Prayer Breakfast?

He didn't have to, he could have talked about all kinds of personal testimony of choice to a crowd there simply to hear him speak, certainly hanging upon his every word -- and yet -- as the people in his inner circle put it,  he was "up all night" making sure he got this one right.  (i.e. it must have been really hard to act like, and talk like, the way that he was expected to -- it would seem, by how difficult it was to find the words, finding the organic nature of his very own beliefs took awhile)

SO WHAT if only 34% totally think he is a Christian -- so what if the other 18% believe he leans Muslim, while the another 43% have not a clue -- so what?   (Just look at the odds against Jesus for a moment)

But you, are president of the United States of America, for Pete's sake.  Are you worried -- is that it?  That when we look back, examining your presidency, evaluating with a fine tooth comb at the things you said and done, that we will look upon this detail, hindsight being what it will be, will be, asking ourselves how could we have just let this happen ...like the innocent bystanders of a crime...wondering where oh where our common sense had gone...oh where oh where can she be...

Back to a quick click on Glick:

MOREOVER, SINCE the paradigm claims that the non-Western world's grievances towards the West are legitimate, Obama's Middle East policy is based on the view that the best way to impact the Arab world is by joining its campaign against Israel. This was the central theme of Obama's speech before an audience dominated by Muslim Brotherhood members in Cairo in June 2009.

Like the pro-democracy paradigm, the anti-colonialist paradigm is narcissistic. Whereas Western democracy champions believe that all people are born with the same Western liberal democratic values, post-colonialists believe that non-Westerners are nothing more than victims of the West. They are not responsible for any of their own pathologies because they are not actors. Only Westerners (and Israelis) are actors. Non-Westerners are objects. And like all objects, they cannot be held responsible for anything they do because they are wholly controlled by forces beyond their control.

Anti-colonialists by definition must always support the most anti-Western forces as "authentic." In light of Mubarak's 30-year alliance with the US, it makes sense that Obama's instincts would place the US president on the side of the protesters.

y'see, Hillary, as Secretary of State, I am stunned that you don't know this stuff -- because if you did, I strongly believe you would be acting differently (and the same goes for our president too)  

I mean, the more I look at everything, who's to say the president is just trying to create the very conditions that adversely affect the ability to ship oil through the Suez Canal -- I mean, really, surely we would be faced with a crisis then, and have no other choice, and it wouldn't appear to be Obama's doing whatsoever;  no longer would Cap & Trade, or new EPA regulations, be required -- couple that with his moratoriums and brand new oil and gas regulations and penalties,  we would be forced to change rather quickly, making way for an overnight transformation on what energy we use...and how we live our daily life.

...wouldn't that just speed things up for America...I do believe my head is about to explode...

Suddenly, I have Glenn Beck echoing in my brain:  "Question with BOLDNESS" or is it really Jefferson?  Ah no matter, who really cares, right,  it's just plain good.

SO here's my final newsflash on the day, going out to all you westerners out there -- fear not, but may I suggest we watch our back.

Make it a Good Day, G

Thank you to Brigitte Gabriel, president of Act for America, championing educating Americans, everyday, about the mingling of cultures and creeds of Islam and the Western World.  It was through her efforts I found the article highlighting the "Clueless in Washington."  And of course, to Caroline Glick, for your ability to stealthy define and explain the unimaginable position we, the western world, now face.  Bless you both for what you do.