US CENTCOM Latest News Feed

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Gates: Iran's nuke program a threat to Middle East

Posted: 08 Feb 2010 06:00 AM PST

I feel no particular urge to "accentuate the positive" in memory of a coward, crook, and traitor that defamed those who succeeded him in uniform and dishonored them and the institutions they serve and which he was duty bound to preserve, protect, and defend.  But neither am I happy that he's assumed room temperature.  I'd have much preferred that the mouthy old bastard have been frog-marched out of the House chamber in orange jumpsuit and handcuffs, the better to spend a long, long retirement behind bars where he's belonged for the past thirty years.

But you have to admit, there was some karma in the circumstances of his expiration:

The 77-year-old Democrat underwent scheduled laparoscopic surgery to remove his gallbladder at Bethesda Naval Hospital last Thursday but then, after his release, sought care at the Virginia Hospital Center over the weekend.

The congressman’s spokesman declined to say Tuesday what led him to be hospitalized again. But responding to questions Wednesday, he said that Murtha was in stable condition. Two persons said it appeared Murtha’s intestine had been cut inadvertently during the gall bladder removal.

The gold-plated health care plan that he and his fellow-travelers would have denied all of us is what killed him - and took Crazy Nancy's 218th BarryCare vote with him in the ol' hearse.

'Tis a pity that Murtha's passing was so unexpected - otherwise he might have attempted a meaningful act of atonement, like leaving his House seat at the Capitol will-call window for Bill Russell to pick up.  Not that it won't fall into our waiting hands along with the rest of the forest of low-hanging Donk fruit a pregnant nine months from now.

And this time, it wouldn't be BarryCare:

Still, those moves don’t easily lend themselves to a campaign mailer or political rhetoric. Even key parts of the economic stimulus package, such as tax credits and unemployment assistance, don’t pack the populist punch of health care or labor law reform.

“Saving jobs is invisible,” said Nelson Lichtenstein, a labor historian at the University of California, Santa Barbara. “You need an accomplishment that is clear. No matter what unions try to do, their members and the friends of their members will be demobilized.

“That’s why something like health care is so important. People will say, ‘What have you done for me?’ And the answer is, ‘Nothing or not much.’ ”

On labor law, Bill Samuel, the AFL-CIO’s legislative director, said the union would try to enlist moderate Republicans but acknowledged the difficulty of achieving a bipartisan bill. He said the federation might consider “other tactics,” meaning the card-check legislation or key parts of it could be placed into a larger jobs bill this year.

Ensign Ed understandably wonders why the Dems didn't utilize this tactic with Hogzilla I a year ago.  The answer seems self-evident to me, though: They didn't think they had to.  After 2008, just as after the 1992 election, Democrats believed that politics was finally over, the public had once and for all come to their senses and embraced the extreme Left, and America would henceforth and forever become the United Soviet Socialist States of Obamerika.  They believed all that arrogant, hubristic, galloping triumphalist hype about conservatism and the GOP being "dead" and the country becoming a de facto one-party state.  Since they now had eternity to rule without opposition, they felt free to finally throw aside the last of their camouflage and govern as the neoBolsheviks they really are.  And absolute, unchallengable rulers don't have to sneak agenda items past the scrutiny of an electorate that had voted itself into irrelevancy.

Now, of course, after Virginia and New Jersey and Massachusetts and the mother of all storms that's coming this November, it's a little late to try to stuff that bengal-tiger-sized cat back into the bag.  So the Donk Politburo is rediscovering the appeal of skulking, and what better strawman to hide card check behind than Hogzilla II?

Or at least, what better AVAILABLE strawman.  Given that this year's "jobs bill" is last year's "stimulus" down to the last fiscal DNA strand, as well as the markedly different political landscape, aaaaaaand Senator 41, the filibuster hurdle in the Upper Chamber is alive and well, even if Dirty Harry doesn't try to hide the card check ball under his jersey.

I'd also be on the lookout for them to try the same tactic with BarryCare, and to not really give a rat's ass whether the bill to which it gets attached is "related" or not.  Like, say, Afghanistan war funding.  What other way would there be at this stage of the game to fracture the GOP?

I want to remind you of the scariest words in Washington - House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. If that name still causes you to squirm, get angry and grind your teeth, then keep reading.

Like you, I’m tired of waking up every day to see Nancy Pelosi and her cronies work to fulfill the agenda of Barack Obama without regard for how it chips away at our national sovereignty, undermines our national economy and mortgages our children’s future. As a father, I’m worried about how their actions will impact my daughter, your children and future generations of Americans.

My concerns for our nation's welfare are not strictly based on my affiliation with the Republican Party, but as a father, small business owner and patriotic American. I'm concerned that we continue to lose our rights and liberties daily as Washington politicians, led by Speaker Pelosi, want to force us to submit to socialism.

I'm a proud American who wants our nation to succeed in the vision of our Founding Fathers and refuses to see it continue down this wayward course of a death spiral.

That's why I'm running for Congress against Nancy Pelosi.

You may think that a campaign of this nature is a lofty, unrealistic goal, but I believe that during these difficult economic times, the people of California's 8th Congressional District deserve a Congressman who will represent their interests and that of America. In fact, I'm so confident that I can win this race for several reasons, that I've seeded the campaign with my hard-earned savings before I asked anyone for a dollar.

Just a few weeks ago, Nancy Pelosi was quoted in the venerable, inside-the-beltway newspaper, The Hill, stating, "I'm in campaign mode."

Well, I can't imagine why any Member of Congress, let alone the Speaker of the House would feel the need to boast about being in campaign mode, unless we were giving her a reason to worry.  I think the people of the 8th District are starting to feel like the rest of my campaign team and America—it's time for Nancy to RETIRE!

After all, millions of patriotic Americans have refused to remain quite while Pelosi's Congress files bill after bill seeking to strip us of our individual liberties.  Fortunately, there are still some of us who know what individual liberty, limited government, and the free markets mean to the success of this great Republic.

That's why I need your help to ensure we get this message out to tens of thousands of voters in this district as well as to the millions of liberty-loving Americans who want Nancy Pelosi to retire. Will you please contribute to the fund to retire Nancy Pelosi by supporting my campaign TODAY?

Every day, millions of Americas are now waking up to these realities and are ready to join us in taking back OUR government.  It starts by removing those in power who are more concerned with their stranglehold on power, than their oath to OUR Constitution.

While the dollar has weakened over 35%, destroying our nation's purchasing power and savings, Pelosi and her cronies were seeking ways through Pelosicare and other initiatives, to tax my daughter and future generations of Americans into lifelong debt.

The Federal government spends relentlessly, starting with Pelosi's rides on private Gulftstream jets and fresh flowers for her office, while Americans starved, unemployment now exceeds 10% and law-abiding citizens went without proper medical care.

We continue to send troops in harm's way, in a muddled, unconstitutional nation-building morass, with no end in sight.  Simultaneously, Pelosi takes lead from President Obama, and the European NGO's in attempt to commit our wealth, unconstitutionally, to a tax scheme for the World Bank and IMF.

Nancy Pelosi rams health care "reform" legislation down our throats that will only worsen a problem and increase healthcare rationing, with a projection of costs that grows exponentially  on a daily basis.  The problem was first, CAUSED by the government, and will NEVER be solved by the government.

In spite of all of the bad news, I see signs of hope.

Activism and peaceful protests against all of the Federal government's shenanigans are increasing. We must use this energy to beat back Nancy Pelosi and force her into retirement..

My lifelong experiences in life, international business, and civic involvement have prepared me to go to Washington and unwind that mess.  I've already spent time meeting with international businessman, leaders and understand the global impact we have on other nations.

Our campaign to retire Nancy Pelosi is a personal one.

After all, the welfare of my daughter, your children and grandchildren are at stake. We cannot allow Barack Obama, Nancy Pelosi and their Democratic machine to strip us of our individual liberties while they continue to increase our national debt and jeopardize our national security.

The repercussions are unimaginable!

Our campaign is breaking new ground daily. We've already received endorsements that reflect the uniting force of liberty, as well as demonstrate our ability to win.

That's right – I said win.

So please join the campaign and help in any way you can. Please follow this link to make a generous contribution of $25, $50, $100, $250 or any amount you can afford to give.  The federal maximum contribution is $2400 per person, but any amount is appreciated.

Remember, the money we raise won't match Pelosi's war chest or the support she'll receive from PACs and K Street lobbyists, but I know your support comes with the energy of liberty-loving Americans who are ready to take back control of the Congress.

Together we can retire Nancy Pelosi this coming November! Thank you.

Yours in liberty,

John Dennis

Candidate for Congress
California's 8th Congressional District

P.S.This is your moment to decide the very future of this country and our national sovereignty!  Pelosi will have a coalition of unions, pharmaceutical companies and other special interest groups funding her campaign in an effort to keep her where they need her—in the Speaker's Chair.  That's why I need your immediate support TODAY. Please follow this link to make your contribution of $25, $50, $100 or $250 right away.  Thank you.

You may also mail your contributions to:

John Dennis for Congress
1592 Union Street
San Francisco, CA 94123

Was Audi trying to be satirical, or were they attempting to be obsequiously solicitous?

 

 

The comments were closely split.  All I know is, it doesn't look like much of a leap.

Washington Prowler Obama's Miranda Madness By The Prowler A Senate Intelligence Committee staffer says that in recent updates to the committee, and in briefing individual Senators, national security and national intelligence officials have indicated that they have gained "no actionable intelligence" from interviews with the so-called "Christmas Day" or "underwear bomber," Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab. This, after White House officials had told reporters that Abdulmutallab was cooperating with law enforcement and national intelligence officials, and that the information was helpful. Continue Reading » Sign the Petition Stop Plea Bargaining With Terrorists! Less than an hour into the FBI's interrogation of Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab – the Nigerian al Qaeda operative who attempted to blow up a plane over Detroit on Christmas Day – the U.S. Justice Department intervened from Washington and instructed agents to read Abdulmutallab his Miranda rights. Intelligence officials have indicated that subsequent interrogations have resulted in "no actionable intelligence." The American Spectator and its readers are calling on President Obama to stop prioritizing spin over security and try Mr. Abdulmutallab under a military tribunal. Learn more. Sign the Petition Related Headlines Special Report Mirandized Security Risks By Ben Lerner Gregory Craig resigned for all the wrong reasons. President Obama should instead ask Janet Napolitano, John Brennan, Eric Holder, and Dennis Blair to resign. Washington Prowler Abdulmutallab and the Obama Mindset By The Prowler Shifting blame won't cut it, Mr. President. The Terror Spectator Anti-Anti-Terrorism By Robert Stacy McCain For liberals, politics trumps American safety. Washington Prowler The Politics of Incompetence By The Prowler Obama White House scrambles to spin itself out of post-Flight 253 fallout.

Did Sarah Palin Kill the Tea Party Movement? W. James Antle, III Super Saints and Manning's Legacy Philip Klein "Snowmageddon" Vs. "Overwhelming Scientific Evidence" Kevin Mooney Obama's Health Care Summit Shtick Philip Klein Daily Must-Reads Brian O'Connell GOP Beats Dems on Most Issues Doug Bandow A compilation of The American Spectator's hilarious monthly column, 'The Continuing Crisis,' as chronicled for four decades by founder and editor-in-chief, R. Emmett Tyrrell, Jr. Buy Now Imagine a Prophetess in 1776 Doug Bandow Reid Files Cloture on Controversial Obama Labor Nominee Philip Klein DC Snowpocalypse On Video Matthew Vadum The Bill Belichick Show W. James Antle, III Planned Parenthood in Damage Control Mode David N. Bass Socialism in America Joseph Lawler

National Center for Policy Analysis Daily Policy Digest Monday, February 8, 2010

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Yes, I want to support Daily Policy Digest and contribute today! Taxes PHOENIX FOOD TAX INCREASE A SIGN OF FAILURE The average cost for all Phoenix city employees is $100,000, including all benefits. This about double the compensation for the average private-sector employee in the Phoenix-Mesa area, according to Phoenix City Councilman Sal DiCiccio... GOLDWATER INSTITUTE/ARIZONA REPUBLIC Health Issues A DISASTROUS DECISION Doctors, hospitals and patients in Illinois will almost certainly face new risks, as a result of the Illinois Supreme Court's decision to overturn a law capping damages on pain-and-suffering in medical malpractice trials, say observers... CHICAGO TRIBUNE/WALL STREET JOURNAL State and Local Issues HOW GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS INCREASE HOME PRICES Government officials add around 17 percent to the price of a typical home in Washington state, according to conservative estimates by industry sources... WASHINGTON POLICY CENTER Economic Issues GREAT TRAIN ROBBERY: MINNESOTA RAIL LINE ROLLS OVER TAXPAYERS It is time to stop robbing the taxpayer to pay for more trains, says Phil Krinkie, president of the Taxpayers League of Minnesota... HEARTLAND INSTITUTE Health Issues THE MYTH OF AN "OBESITY TSUNAMI" The nanny state's infatuation with an obesity epidemic that does not exist is a searing indictment of this particular public health crusade, say Patrick Basham and John Luik, co-authors, with Gio Gori, of "Diet Nation: Exposing the Obesity Crusade"... CATO INSTITUTE Economic Issues BIG SENDERS Money that migrants send home to their native countries has started to tell a story about the global economy's realignment, according to economists J. Humberto Lopez, Dilip Ratha and Sanket Mohapatra... FOREIGN POLICY

US CENTCOM Press Releases

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Gen. Petraeus statement on recent attacks in Iraq Posted: 06 Feb 2010 03:30 PM PST General David Petraeus, U.S. Central Command commander, statement today on the recent attacks in Iraq on Shi'a pilgrims.

The Reisters went to the field originally through Christar to teach missionary kids.  In 2009 They moved to a new ministry, and are now involved in language study, preparing to be involved in church-planting and evangelism.  At the beginning of 2009 they moved to Yanai City, Japan, where they hope to continue building relationships with neighbors and sharing the Gospel.