By talking about his sacred deadlines and by broaching the subject of negotiation with the Taliban, Obama appeared weak. This is a President for whom re-election is the central concern. Compare Obama's lack of resolve on Afghanistan with Bush's resolve on Iraq. Obama/Biden were wrong when it came to the end game in Iraq and Bush was right. At that critical moment, Obama's judgement was found wanting. Now, as President, Obama's Afghanistan policy has been and continues to be inherently linked to domestic US politics. You don't win a war by taking opinion polls at home.
So.. while it is making little news in DC, it appears that Bush had far more to do with capturing Bin Laden than he has been given credit for. And this whole story is also vintage Pelosi. As a former Director of the CIA National Clandestine Service (the human spy element), Jose Rodriguez isn't another blow hard. He is a former high ranking intelligence officer who was at the very center of CIA operations. His insights are extraordinarily valuable for a true historical accounting of US intelligence operations since 9/11.
McCain slams Obama re-Bin Laden (I disagree with him on Syria statement though)
Arizona's new immigration law.. which is being reviewed by the Supreme Court at the moment, is an interesting piece of legislation. Regardless of the issue of Federal v State supremacy (the Supreme Court can answer this), the main contention surrounding the law is in its intent towards identifying and removing illegal immigrants from the US. Essentially, the law requires that if law enforcement officers have a 'reasonable suspicion' that a lawfully stopped person is in the US illegally, they must ascertain that individual's immigration status. At first glance this requirement seems troubling.. while most of us would agree that illegal immigration is not acceptable, the nature of this law raises the spectre that Hispanic Americans will be challenged on the sole basis of their ethnicity. However, ultimately this is an unfounded fear. There is clear constitutional precedence to show that an 'ethnicity' based stop would not be defensible or lawful. Under Federal law, 'reasonable suspicion' must be vested in an officer's articulation of specific facts that lead him/her to a suspicion of criminal activity. For example.. on a hot day, a man wearing sunglasses and a sweater walks into a bank with his hands in his pockets. Conversely, the color of a man or woman's skin would not constitute any satisfaction of this requirement. If there was any suggestion that the color was the primary factor, the officer would face civil rights violation questions.
So...... to avoid being targeted unlawfully under the law, any Arizonan could simply answer the questions of an officer in relation to that officer's investigation of the incident that lead to the original stop (for example running a stop sign etc)... and if the officer then decided without any 'reasonable suspicion' to try and find out the stopped citizen's immigration status, that citizen should just repeatedly ask for permission to leave. Unless the officer had articulable facts to justify his new 'immigration status' investigation, the citizen would almost certainly be allowed to leave. Unlike under English law, in the framework of US constitutional law, a hunch or a gut feeling does not constitute 'reasonable suspicion'. Arizona's new law cannot alter those rights.
No American should ever be burdened under law because of their ethnicity.
The new Obama campaign ad claiming that Romney wouldn't have taken out Bin Laden is a complete joke. It would be pretty funny if it weren't so disappointing. It represents a damning indictment of a President willing to put politics before the national unity that could have been found (and held) from such a great moment for America.
Three other observations stand out to me.
1) Clinton's involvement in the ad is pretty stupid/stunning. This is the President who allowed Bin Laden to escape justice on a number of different occasions.
2) After Operation Neptune Spear, Obama claimed that the Bin Laden death was an opportunity to unify America. Like so many of his statements I took him at face value. Now we see Obama placing politics first. It is truly, truly sad. And truly hypocritical from the man who said he would change Washington for the better.
3) McCain or Romney would have taken out Bin Laden. Obviously.
4) Clinton's snide remark that 'one thing George Bush said that was right' is another example of the Obama Administration's disgusting attitude towards the former President. GW Bush has been an exemplary gentleman in all his interactions/conduct towards Obama. Shame the 'hope and change' candidate doesn't reciprocate.
Obama disappoints me a lot these days.
My attempted comment below the campaign video (Obama Campaign may screen it out) - This is so disappointing Mr. President. After the killing of the Al Qa'ida leader, you claimed hope that Bin Laden's death was an opportunity for unity in America.. and now you throw that sentiment 180' on its head. So much for the candidate who would change Washington for the better.
The US re-deployment of around 9,000 Marines from Okinawa is the result of long negotiations with the Japanese Govt. Amazing how at this moment 67 years ago, the US Military was fighting to capture the island during the Pacific war. My grandfather who served with the 6th Marine Division, was involved in that action.
On the Christopher Tappin bail news, I welcome it. There was little point in holding him in a prison while he awaits trial. He has surrendered his passport so the flight risk is low. However, as I have argued before, I still believe that his extradition was appropriate. It is important that at this point, everyone understands he has not done anything wrong.. innocence until proven guilty.
General dissatisfaction with Obama's policies on health care, the economy and spending/debt levels mean that a considerable constituency of the voting public hold either negative or poor-neutral attitudes towards the President's policy agenda. While many Americans (myself included) hold positive personal opinions towards the President - believing him to be a well intentioned, honorable man, Romney shares these traits.
In this regard, it is my view that Romney's policies - adopting the Ryan plan for debt reduction, a more simple non-deductible tax code with lowered rates etc will attract popular support when compared to Obama's policies/plans. Romney will however have to articulate a more honest approach to issues like health care, closing tax loopholes, where he actually stands on Iran etc, if he is to appear as genuine. If Romney does not act in a genuine fashion, Obama will be able to successfully portray him as a man divorced from the concerns of middle and low income Americans. Such a characterization will lose Romney the election.
A final point is in terms of the issue of popular charisma. While Romney does not possess the natural 'celebrity' style charisma of Obama, he will appeal to the many voters looking for a candidate who exudes the confidence and intellect of a CEO style leader. This is an especially important dynamic in the current environment of ongoing economic difficulties.
IN the end, American society is a center right society. If Romney appeals to his best traits (moderate, intellectual conservatism), he will be able to present a compelling case as to why he should be elected. I believe that this is a case that he will win. However, if Romney appeals to the hard right elements of the Republican party, especially Palinesque anti-intellectuals, Obama will win re-election.
Romney's primary victories last night were not surprising - Mitt Romney has been the Republican nominee for President since Santorum dropped out. However, Romney's victory speech did illustrate a new narrative on the part of his campaign. Instead of a focus on securing the Republican nomination as previous speeches have entailed, Romney used his speech to focus on the President's abysmal economic record. The point.... Romney knows he is the nominee.. from now until November he will argue to Americans why he believes would do a better job as President. Contrary to the opinion of some, I believe that Romney will come across well to independent/moderate voters (the key constituency for the election). While Romney might not have the natural charisma of Obama's celebrity style, he comes across as an intelligent, calm and driven man who is passionate about his country. For this reason and for Obama's terrible record, I believe Romney will defeat the President in November.
I don't believe that the staff of Urban Outfitters had any anti-Semitic intent, but they really need to read some history books. It is astonishing that a public company worth over $1 billion could be so incompetent. Does no one in the URBN supply chain- from design to production to management read any books or ever watch the history channel?? This shirt is truly stunning in its level of stupidity. Maybe we need to look at our history curriculum for not having taught the holocaust effectively? Regardless, URBN stocks are probably not a great bet now... The company should pull this shirt asap.
(Left Photo - Urban Outfitters t-shirt) (Right Photo - Nazi enforced Star of David patch)
