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Politics: War Is (Not) Over

In case you're too wrapped up in the Tiger Woods distraction, President Obama spoke to our future military leaders last night about committing 30,000 more troops and tens of billions of dollars to the wars in Afghanistan and Pakistan.  I honestly couldn't disagree/disapprove more and suspect the president's timing for a 2011 withdrawal is politically motivated to make him appear 'anti-war' just in time for the 2012 elections.  Personally, I'd like to see our nation's precious resources be used to protect us from bigger threats like disease, homelessness, and hunger.   What do you think?

"War Is Peace…"

 

"War is peace, freedom is slavery, ignorance is strength." - George Orwell, 1984. 

It was announced today that President Obama would be receiving The Nobel Peace Prize.  While I support our president and still have 'hope' that 'change will come', I couldn't disagree more with the Nobel people's selection.  I think it's great that the president has made some moves towards peace through diplomacy instead of using the failed tactics of the previous administration.  However, he has yet to establish any tangible, time tested results.  Someone else should've won this year!     

Some other thoughts on the matter:

As long as the President's military and blood-for-hire mercenaries continue to wage war in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, I wouldn't consider President Barack Obama deserving of the Nobel Peace Prize. 

As long as he continues to 'look ahead' and let the people who started these wars and commit war crimes get away with it, I wouldn't consider President Barack Obama deserving of the Nobel Peace Prize. 

As long as Guantanamo remains open for business, I wouldn't consider President Barack Obama deserving of the Nobel Peace Prize.

As long as the US continues to operate nearly 1000 military bases in over 60 countries around the world (7 new ones just opened in Columbia), I wouldn't consider President Barack Obama deserving of the Nobel Peace Prize.

Not this year. 

Politics: Here Come The Basterds?

I'm really excited for Quentin Tarantino’s new movie Inglourious Basterds.  If you haven't heard about it yet, the movie is basically all about killing Nazis. I'm generally non-violent by nature, but I can't help getting excited about getting to watch Nazis die at the hands of QT.  Is that wrong?

Ok…so why am I writing about a movie when I'm the political blogger here at FILTER?  The reason is because I can’t stop thinking about yesterday when an 88 year-old Nazi wannabe named James von Brunn chose to bring a gun into the Holocaust Museum in our nation’s capitol and killed a security guard. 

Like Dr. Tiller’s murderer a couple weeks earlier, this guy is by definition a terrorist.  He’s being charged with murder, but it’s not clear if he’ll be getting similar treatment as his Muslim counterparts.  

Ever since George W. Bush declared war on terror, I seriously hoped he’d put an end to domestic terrorists like the KKK and neo-Nazis.  No surprise, he didn’t do a damn thing that I noticed.  If the US wants to get serious about fighting terror, perhaps president Obama should start with cleaning his own house.  Shut down these organizations, declare them illegal and handle their members the same as he would with any other terrorist groups.  After all, we don’t allow Al Qaeda to organize and march in our streets.

Maybe we need some modern day Basterds here to take these people out (figuratively of course)?   What do you think??

 

 

 

Politics: NYC Terror Bust Today!

Just hours before the mainstream media hyped “duel” between President Obama and Dick Cheney, the FBI and NYPD wrapped up a nearly year long investigation of four American terror suspects rounding them up charging them with planning to bomb Jewish synagogues and shooting down US warplanes in the Bronx.

The back-to-back Obama and Cheney speeches today on national security are airing now and I can’t help but wonder why the authorities chose today (of all days) to move in on these men.  After all, today is ‘duel’ day and up until the early morning hours, Obama had yet to take down a terror suspect in the US.  Couldn’t they have moved in sooner?  It seems to me like the timing is politically motivated.

I’m sure Dick Cheney will likely have to tweak his speech now that this talking point against Obama is null.  Still, if these people in NY posed a credible threat, I’m glad they’re no longer on the street.  Let’s hope they receive fair and just treatment under the Obama justice system.  

Politics: Torture Debate

As most of people know, there has been lots of debate about torture in the news lately.  I’d like to hear what FILTER readers think about the whole mess!  It seems that there are so many arguments both supporting and opposing sides.

-Should the US and its allies be engaging in torture?  

-Should we prosecute those who ordered/okayed torture and give them the same treatment as those ‘bad apples’ who we later found out  were ‘just following orders’?  

-Should we as a society give war crimes “a pass” as suggested by some politicians and pundits in the media?  

-Should Obama continue to block the photos that are due for release this month?  

Please share your thoughts in the comment section!

 

Politics: Where Is Osama Bin Laden?

MIT has published a study by two UCLA professors Thomas W. Gillespie and John A. Agnew who believe they have a good idea where Osama Bin Laden might be hiding out.  Over a decade has passed since Bin Laden was added to the FBI's Most Wanted List for his role in the Kenya and Tanzania embassy bombings and now his hiding spot might have been discovered using the same methods that researchers use to find endangered species.  Taking into account Bin Laden’s need for: electricity to power dialysis and communicate, extra rooms for bodyguards, and ceilings to accommodate his 6’ 4” height, Gillespie and Agnew believe they’ve narrowed the possibilities down to a few locations. If Bin Laden is found, will these guys get the $50 Million reward?  

With regards to finding Bin Laden, others have expressed different ideas:  

George W. Bush said, "I truly am not that concerned about him" when speaking to the press on March 13, 2002.

On October 7, 2008, presidential candidate John McCain said, "I'll get Osama Bin Laden my friends, I'll get him.  I know how to get him.  I'll get him no matter what and I know how to do it."  I wonder if he's shared this secret plan with President Obama yet.

With less than a week before being sworn in as president, Barack Obama had the following to say, “My preference obviously would be to capture him or kill him, but if we have so tightened the noose that he’s in a cave somewhere and can’t even communicate with his operatives then we will meet our goal of protecting America.”  

Well, Obama has just vowed to send 17,000 more troops to Afghanistan. Let's hope these men and women aren't wasting any more time over there.

Last year, Morgan Spurlock, director of “Super Size Me” made a whole movie based on the subject titled, “Where in the World is Osama Bin Laden?”  Did anyone see this?  I didn’t, but can guess Spurlock wasn’t able to find O.B.L. himself.

Politics: Are You Stimulated?

Wall Street certainly isn't feeling 'stimulated' today as the Dow Jones closed at 7888.88 or (-381.99)

There's been a lot of chatter regarding the economy and it is getting a little confusing.  Personally, I try to pay little attention to cable news 'speculation' while focusing on what's being said by those who are actually involved in what is happening.  That being said, let's take a look at President Obama's press conference from last night.  I've included the full video below.  Some highlights of the stimulus plan include:

* Increasing unemployment benefits and continuing healthcare coverage for unemployed.

* $2500 to people struggling to pay back student loans.  

* $1000 to families struggling to make ends meet.

* Money to rebuild roads, bridges, schools, and other infrastructure.

* Money to fund alternative energy like wind and solar.

* Modernizing healthcare so nurses can finally read doctors' handwriting.

From Iran to A-Rod, the president was asked about a variety of subjects after his statement on the economy. When asked about the 'truth commission' proposed by Senator Patrick Leahy, President Obama didn't seem very interested in looking into past Bush administration abuses. He did say something along the lines of nobody is above the law blah blah blah, but also said, "my general orientation is to say let's get it right moving forward."  I can't help but get the feeling that Bush officials, no matter what crime they might have committed, will never face justice.  

Well, even if the president isn't interested in looking into the past for crimes, the brave Sheriff of Richland County, South Carolina took 8 dangerous pot smokers off the streets based on months old photos with Michael Phelps. Perhaps the Olympic star will offer his own brand of 'bailout' for his jailed buds?  

Watch the full Obama press conference here:

Politics: Did Obama Bomb Pakistan??...and Other News

According to today's reports, the US is suspected of launching two missile attacks earlier today in areas of north western Pakistan killing 18 people.  It is not known whether or not the dead were Taliban, Al Qaeda, or even people with hostile feelings/intents towards the US.  Obama's press secretary Robert Gibbs is choosing to remain mum on the issue saying, "I'm not going to discuss that matter".  Regardless of intent, if the US has in fact launched this attack, it wouldn't be much of a departure from Bush's policy of 'shoot first, ask questions later'.  

Also in today's news, we have learned that President Obama has signed the order to close Guantanamo Bay Prison....in a year.  This decision has already garnered him some criticism amongst some of his biggest supporters many who believe the prison should be closed right away and without delay.  Basically, there are 240 people who are being held there.  Some have been locked away for many years without charges or evidence against them to substantiate their captivity. 

President Obama has also ordered the closing of secret CIA prisons. This actually raises a few questions.  How do we Americans know ALL the prisons will be shut down if they're "secret"?  Will the locations of these prisons be revealed publicly?  

On the subject of torture, President Obama signed an order restricting US personnel to interrogation methods provided in the Army Field Manual. What about rendition flights?  Will those stop too?  How about outsourcing torture to countries like Syria and Egypt like Bill Clinton did?  Will we ever know who is being held by the CIA and why?  

Does President Obama know of ALL the 'secret prisons' and torture practices around the world enough to make sure his orders have been followed thoroughly?  Doubtful.  From John F. Kennedy's experience with the Bay of Pigs to Ronald Reagan's experience with Iran-Contra, we've witnessed the CIA appearing to be operating in a world outside the full knowledge of the president.  This is also called 'plausible deniability' meaning that the president is purposely kept in the dark and able to deny knowledge and responsibility for possible illegal actions. However, the extent of a president's knowledge on certain events cannot be fully verified.  

Weird Obama Merch

Now that the 44th President has taken his seat in the Oval Office, let’s take a look at some of the irreverent, inspired and just plain opportunistic merchandise Obama has inspired:

Obama Chia: Available in either “Determined” or “Happy” poses.

I’ve got a fever and the only prescription is more Obama Cowbell.

Why yes, this is an Obama Coffee Table, thanks for noticing!

Hope On A Rope. Change on a chain sold separately.

Any wacky tacky crap we missed? Post 'em in the comments.

Politics: President Barack H. Obama (day 1)

Isn't it great that we no longer have to say "President-elect" any more?  I'm beyond words to think that the 8 long years of Bush's disastrous reign is finally over.  Good riddance!  

Today marks an historic moment around the world.  Many of us around the world are no doubt filled with hope and pride as we look ahead to the near future led by the first African American President of the US.   Although, his message of hope and change continues, President Obama, didn't sugar coat things in his inaugural address. He laid out his plan for this ‘new era of responsibility’ and vowed to meet the many challenges that lay before all of us.  

History buffs can watch some past inauguration speeches here.  Interestingly, JFK's speech has been whittled down to a mere 4 minutes and I'm having a tough time finding the entire thing.  I've also included this link for those of you who'd like to read the speeches from every US President since George Washington.