US President’s weekly Yahoo News updates

Once per week, I consolidate comments I’d posted to recent articles appearing on Yahoo News. I share my views, written as if I actually were the US President. [I’m working on that.] The following were posted between June 18 and today, though appear below in no particular order. As is my usual custom, if I open with a quoted item, that’s from the article itself.

I hope you enjoy all 18 of these mini-essays/comments.

Posted on Yahoo! News

ONE:

Lagarde?  Carstens? There are easily 1,000 people in this world who are as qualified (or more) than these two [to lead the IMF]. How did they manage to bubble up to the top? I disagree with Lagarde - this process has been far from transparent.

Steven Searle for US President in 2012

"I hope Carstens isn't one of the Chicago Boys, philosophically speaking."

TWO:

[Hillary Clinton] asked, "Are you on Gadhafi's side, or are you on the side on the aspirations of the Libyan people and the international coalition that has been bringing them support?"

If Clinton had dared to ask such a question in my presence, I would have said: “I am on the side of due process and the constitution, Madam Secretary. And as far as the ‘international coalition’ is concerned, the EU (which is really what we’re talking about) was and still is more than capable of conducting this operation without any of our support. And if our President thought the EU not up to the task, that would be the proper subject for a forensic audit by Congress. Any questions about any of this, so far?”

Steven Searle for US President in 2012

“As you can well imagine, I’m not the kind of person the DC establishment would embrace.”

THREE:

[Yahoo News article’s title: “Short debt limit hike possible” – according to US Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell]

"'And we'll be back having the same discussion again in the fall,' McConnell said."

Ah, ha...McConnell blinked first. And when fall rolls around, he'll blink again...

"This time for sure, folks, for real and for true - we'll raise the ceiling for just a few more months. And if we don't get those cuts, we'll hold our breath till we turn blue...and then give the Democrats another few months." Hey, Mac, do you happen to know what a War of Attrition is?

Steven Searle for US President in 2012
"And it's one, two, three, what are we fightin' for?"

FOUR:

"This would 'snatch defeat from the jaws of victory,' Kerry said on the Senate floor.”

Hey, John, isn't that what the administration was saying about our involvement in Vietnam - about the time you turned against that war?

Steven Searle for US President in 2012
"John Kerry, military interventionist - who woulda thunk it?"

FIVE:

The prosecutor must be sweating bullets by now. This case wasn't quite the slam dunk he led us to believe. If [ex-guv Blagojevich] walks, I can't wait to see the expression on Chicago Tribune "journalist" John Kass's face. Not to worry, he'll find something cute to say - on that you can rely. I still say, even though the guv was ham-handed and too obvious in his approach, he didn't do anything illegal and nothing any of those other elected bastards haven't tried by subtler means.

Steven Searle for US President in 2012
"We're running out of time - 'cute' won't cut it any more."

SIX:

"By the end of 2014, when all U.S. troops are scheduled to leave Afghanistan..."

And by the end of 2015, the Taliban will have taken over (yes, it will happen that quickly) and Karzai will have fled to Switzerland (or to Camp David?). Mission accomplished.

Steven Searle for US President in 2012

"Of course, by the end of 2014, Obama won't have to worry about reelection...and that of course is precisely the point."

SEVEN:

According to D [a fellow Yahoo News poster]: “This is one …[child molesting doctor] who's not going to live very long in prison no matter WHERE they put him. He's a dead man walking.” Others gleefully post stuff like “I hope he suffers at the hands of his fellow inmates.”

(sigh) I’ve read comments like these many times before. Why should any of us hope that prisoners do for us what our lawfully appointed guardians do not? We want prisoners to do our bidding for us, is that it?

Nothing we could do to this man could possibly satisfy a certain basic blood lust for revenge. The Bible says: “Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.” A lot of Bible thumpers don’t feel that way, I’m sad to report.

I, as a Buddhist, claim, “Karmic retribution covers all bases but not necessarily in this lifetime; try – force yourselves if you have to – to have a little compassion for this man.” I know, I know…some of you will say, “But what about the kids and the families?” Of course…for them too, but the greatest benefit for the compassionate occurs when we direct it toward those we detest.

Steven Searle for US President in 2012

“I guess too many of us aren’t very consistent with our beliefs after all.”

EIGHT:

“You have no idea who I am.”

David [Letterman, late night TV comedian], I’ve known about you for decades and care less now than I did back then…which was “not at all.”

Steven Searle for US President in 2012

“I have no idea why people fanatically follow this moron.”

NINE:

[Comment: Someone posting as “K-Wee” took exception to my comment above, about David Letterman. You might wonder why I would bother dealing with David Letterman at all, since I’m a candidate for US president. Quite simple, actually. I maintain that US culture is in decline (a decline I’m campaigning to reverse), a point proven every night by Letterman himself. He is no small reason for our continued downward slide. Yes, I believe in naming names.]

Dear K-Wee,

[You wrote]: “so we can put down [sic] ignorants with delusions of grandeur.”

Is that why “we” watch Letterman? I’m sure David has other thoughts when he goes on the air night after night. Like…to entertain and to make us laugh. If David himself read your reason for watching, he’d laugh…at you.

Oh, BTW, I think you meant to write “One who couldn’t ‘care less’…” [Instead of “could care less.”] Nice try, though.

As for “and has ‘no idea,’” I’ve got quite a few actually, which would dwarf those of the other candidates. You might, if you can stop being cute long enough, want to google: Steven Searle US President 2012.

NOTE: The word I had used, which Yahoo decided to render as @#$%, was “moron”…for the record.

Steven Searle for US President in 2012
“I say what I mean and I mean what I say.”

TEN:

QUOTE: The House was scheduled to vote Friday [6/24] on…a bill to cut off funds for U.S. military attacks [in Libya]. The bill would make an exception for search and rescue efforts, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, aerial refueling and operational planning to continue the NATO effort. :UNQUOTE.

"The bill would make an exception for...to continue the NATO [which is really the USA’s] effort." Then what's the point? We'd still be waging war against Libya, though “only” in a support capacity.

Sounds to me like we're becoming victims of a Robotic Warfare Mentality." That results in/from two things: sending up drones (or, in the future, sending in actual robots!) which are controlled from afar and the robotic (that is, kneejerk) way we propel our way into conflicts. Isn’t it sad that our public would be more supportive of war if we could send in robots instead of flesh-and-blood troops? I guess the only thing which would hold us back then would be $$$$$ considerations.”

Steven Searle for US President in 2012

“Be it directly or indirectly or by means of robots or ground troops, we cannot escape our moral responsibility for waging war – even if we could (ever) really do it on the cheap.”

ELEVEN:

 “…Petraeus said at his nomination hearing to become the next CIA director.”

Why is Petraeus saying anything about Obama’s Afghan drawdown – at a CIA confirmation hearing? He should have said, “Gentlemen, I follow orders. I do not offer my opinion on the conduct of our wars unless my Commander in Chief asks for one – and that opinion is and will remain for his ears only.”

I still don't understand how these military guys (Obama's subordinates and, presumed, confidants) get to spout off in public. Talk about giving “aid and comfort to the enemy” – yeah, I just said that!

Steven Searle for US President in 2012

“For a guy who’s about to become our spy chief, Petraeus seems to have a problem knowing when to keep his big mouth shut.”

TWELVE:

[Spoken by Obama, regarding our Libyan adventure]:  “When innocents are being slaughtered and global security endangered..."

Innocents being slaughtered? If that's our standard, why did [Bill] Clinton sit on his hands during the Rwandan crisis [yeah, he knew what was going on]? What about innocents in Syria...now? Global security endangered? How, pray tell?

Steven Searle for US President in 2012

"I guess it's true after all: If outrageous lies are spoken with gravitas in front of a national audience with bells, whistles, pomp, and circumstance, we can indeed fool all of the people all of the time."

THIRTEEN:

[This concerns a new electric car about to be unveiled by Tesla Motors.]

The Model S (the “S” stands for static) has yet another feature which will help if you run out of “gas” in the middle of nowhere. In the trunk is a piece of carpet which you are supposed to put on the ground. Then scuff your feet rapidly after inserting your finger into the cigarette lighter. The static charge thereby transmitted will be enough to get the car to a convenient charging station.

Steven Searle for US President in 2012

“Nikola Tesla must be spinning in his grave about now.”

FOURTEEN:

"...we are passing down to the next generation a country that is...less compassionate…"

Hmm...is Jon [Huntsman] about to resurrect the Compassionate Conservative? Is the RNC asking him, behind closed doors, "What do you mean this country is *!@??& 'less compassionate?' That won't go over with the Base too well.”

“For once we could have a president who actually knows the world.” - Per CNN, those words appeared on Jon's website. Is Jon comparing himself to every US president? Tom Jefferson? FDR? Reagan?

Steven Searle for US President in 2012

“(sigh) Looks like Jon is another candidate I’ll quite easily pick apart. Can’t wait for him to detail his platform.”

FIFTEEN:

One of these days, it's going to occur to some political gumshoe to track down some of those 23 foster kids [Michelle] Bachmann claims to have raised. Some of them might have "blurts" of their own to share with the world.

Steven Searle for US President in 2012

"By the way, she didn't 'raise' [at least not from birth - the way most people understand the word 'raise'] any of them, since she'd only had her foster care license for 7.5 years. Typical exaggerating politician."

SIXTEEN:

"[Tunisia’s former president] did not leave his post as president of the republic..."

He didn't? Then why did he wait so long to set the record straight? Oh, well, we now all stand corrected, Mr. President. So why don't you fly back to Tunisia and start giving presidential orders once again. I'm sure your people would love to have you back.

Steven Searle for US President in 2012

"I thought since Ben Ali made this 'pilgrimage' to Saudi Arabia, he might have gotten religion. Guess not."

SEVENTEEN:

“Israelis say…Pollard's punishment…harsh, given that he gave information to a friendly nation.”

Israel is not a friendly nation. They have no love of any other but their fellow tribesmen. In some countries, Pollard would have been shot for what he did. Now, all that being said, if I’m elected President in 2012, I would set Pollard free. If Netanyahu reads this paragraph, he’ll have reason to love and hate me. Que sera, sera.

Steven Searle for US President in 2012

“Jews were once mercilessly oppressed – agreed! Now in Israel they’ve become the oppressor for much the same reason an abused child later becomes a child molester. Both need help.”

EIGHTEEN:

[NOTE: Someone calling himself “Cloclo” decided to compare our debacle in Vietnam with our liberal lawlessness in Libya.]

Dear Cloclo,

Okay, here we go, point by point:

“[Libya and Vietnam are] different countries”….obviously…(Man, you really got me on that one!)

“different type of intervention”…Right you are: This time, we didn’t even bother with the faux legal nicety of a Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, thereby leaving Congress out of the loop.

“different context”…We had less (that is to say, no) reason for attacking Libya than we had in attacking Vietnam: We’re not trying to prevent a small country from being swallowed by a large one; this isn’t part of some global war like the Cold War between two super powers; we’re not attacking “the terrorists” (in fact, we may well be helping them by overthrowing Gadhafi); we weren’t attacked (as was alleged in the Tonkin Gulf); and none of our vital national interests were threatened.

“also our mentalities evolve [sic] harder to sell a war”…harder to sell a war? Not really – can you imagine (a Democratic*) Congress failing to fund our Libyan forces when asked by a Democratic president? And as people, we’re still too willing to go along with the program. Why? Because we ARE programmed and have forgotten how to rein in our leaders.

As you can see, Cloclo, I’ve thought this out rather carefully and would have to disagree when you characterized me as one who “would just lump all problems as ‘war’ or ‘no war.’” I appreciate differences which is why I can come right out and say our involvement in Libya was based on phony reasons (humanitarian concerns) and was wrong, wrong, wrong from the start.

I hope you turn out to be one of those people of at least average intel “who learn from history.” Libya and Vietnam aren’t the same – true enough. However, [US Senator, former dove] Kerry came out against Vietnam and should have come out against our Libyan adventure since that was even more wrong than our fling in Vietnam.

CORRECTION: “(a Democratic*) Congress…Of course the Congress is not Democratic – the GOP being in control of the House. However, as you will come to see, as far as Libya is concerned, we might as well have “a Democratic Congress.”

Steven Searle for US President in 2012

“If you’re going to convince me of anything, try to flesh out your arguments a bit more.”

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Steven Searle for US President in 2012

Founder of The Independent Contractors’ Party

Post script: Earlier today, I was standing within 50 feet of Rahm Emanuel. He was in Chicago’s Pride Parade – formerly known as the Gay Pride Parade. I myself, though only an observer this time, had marched in this parade a few years ago with some of my fellow Buddhists to show my support for GLBT community. As you well know from this blog, I have issues with Rahm. However, I must tip my hat to him for participating in this event by walking – not riding in a car. I saw him near the end of the parade route. He looked tired from trudging those few miles, and the back of his shirt was wet with perspiration.

Contact me at bpa_cinc@yahoo.com

Part V - Presidential candidate's Yahoo News postings

Once again, I share comments I’d posted to articles appearing on Yahoo News. These were posted between April 18 and today, though appear below in no particular order. As is my usual custom, if I open with a quoted item, that’s from the article itself.

Posted on Yahoo! News

ONE:

"[The Afghan military officer who killed 9 Americans] was under economic pressures and recently he sold his house. He was not in a normal frame of mind because of these pressures," said the brother…

Economic pressures? Was he a heroin addict who got cut off because he couldn’t keep his part of the bargain? And what kind of bargain might that have been?

Do economic pressures rank up there with combat stress? What causes a decorated veteran who had suffered bodily several times during his career to kill his comrades-in-arms? Or had he been converted to the Taliban cause, in spite of his brother’s denials? That would be gravely alarming since he, unlike a raw recruit, should be the last person to go ballistic. If he could turn against his military oath, anybody could.

Or was he such a patriot he couldn’t stand what the scourge of drug abuse was doing to his country (there was none of that when the Taliban ruled)? Maybe some of those Americans he killed were engaged in that trade.

Steven Searle for US President in 2012

“With so many questions, this will not be investigated but will be thoroughly covered up.”

TWO:

There is no Chinese Communist Party – there is only the Party of I’ve-got-mine-so-screw-you. Also known as the Neo-Mandarins. If the Neo-Mandies are so afraid of Christians, then they must be terrified of their own shadows. Believe me, a Christian is not a thing to be feared – only to be laughed at or debunked.

This deep-seated fear is the kind of thing that squelches creativity, which is why Chinese nationalism will fail. Simply because the ruling class refuses to utilize its greatest resource – the genius of its own considerable people. However, since I oppose all national sovereignties, I consider this to be a good thing. I only hope that when implosion occurs, there won’t be any outwardly-flying shrapnel. Same goes for our implosion as well.

Steven Searle for US President in 2012

“In spite of media black out to the contrary, we really are in the midst of a divide-and-conquer, winner-take-all class war.”

THREE:

This mind-boggling escape [of nearly 500 Taliban prisoners] will prove to be the pivotal event in this conflict. After this war eventually ends and the US and NATO find a way to pull out “with honor,” the history books will show this escape as the nail in the coffin. How ironic would that be – that it won’t end up being a pitched battle between equally determined forces or anything else equally bloody or spectacular?

If you think about what this escape implies, you’ll realize we have no allies among the Afghans. We have lost the battle for their hearts and souls.

Steven Searle for US President in 2012

“When the Taliban eventually win, they won't give Karzai and his cronies time to escape to Switzerland. They’ll hang them from the highest tree.”

FOUR:

Abbas called on … Washington to pressure Israel to restart negotiations, saying that "if Israel shows a serious willingness to negotiate…”

The Israeli government is practical and therefore won’t negotiate but instead will continue to grab as much land and move in as many settlers as possible.

My suggestions: (1) The US should void diplomatic recognition of Israel; (2) The US should unilaterally grant diplomatic recognition to Palestine (including all of the West Bank settlements illegally occupied by Israel); (3) Invite the Palestinian Authority to invite a token US military force for joint military exercises on its land; (4) Permanently eliminate the $3B per year in welfare payments (each) the US makes to Israel and Egypt.

I don’t think the Zionists could easily ignore these kinds of overtures. Under Obama, you will not see any change for the Palestinians – and that was the game plan from day one.

Steven Searle for US President in 2012

“As your next President, I can (on my own authority) implement items 1 thru 3 above. In fact, I will be obligated, under the terms of my written contract, to do so.”

FIVE:

Suppose Gaddafi tries an end-run around our "protecting civilians" excuse. Suppose he issues this declaration:

"We will stop shelling Misrata for one week. And we will guarantee safe passage and relocation to any and all civilians in that city. After one week, though, we will level the city to the ground."

What could the Western opportunists (I mean, "powers") do? Anyone left in Misrata would be presumed to be rebels (not civilians) and therefore would be legitimate military targets. [NOTE: I'm pretty good at reducing the excuses of petty bureaucrats to rubble.]

Steven Searle for US President in 2012
"Did anyone actually buy into that 'protecting civilians" line of bull?"

SIX:

Robert Gates is one of those poor souls who tried so hard all his life to ingratiate himself with the “real” rulers of this country. He desperately wanted to not only be accepted and trusted by these people, but to be loved by them. He will tell any kind of lie he thinks the Illuminati want us to hear. He would even launch us into nuclear war if they told him to “do it.” But the sad truth is – they laugh at poor Robert behind his back and (on occasion) even right in his face. But Robert just sucks it up – because he thinks that will make them love him or at least pretend to. And at this late stage in his life, Robert will be satisfied with feigned affection.

Steven Searle for US President in 2012

“You guess it – I don’t think much of Robert Gates, but even I think more of him than he thinks of himself, truth be told.”

SEVEN:

"It concluded that the evidence was insufficient to substantiate a violation of any applicable legal or ethics"

I don't remember hearing McChrystal crying foul at the time. "Mr. President, I didn't say those things" - those words never crossed his lips. It may well be that the "evidence was insufficient" to hang a general. But there are guys who were sent to Gitmo based on far flimsier evidence. Equal justice for all? Oh, that's right...the Gitmo guys aren't US citizens...nor are they generals.

Steven Searle for US President in 2012

"What gives? The general is gone, no report is going to bring him back, and, no, this army report doesn't clear him of wrongdoing...it merely says the 'evidence was insufficient.' Why waste taxpayer dollars to generate a report that's basically meaningless?"

EIGHT:

Suppose Trump is richer than Romney. So what? Some of the world’s greatest leaders weren’t rich at all. Besides, it’s entirely possible that Mitt has hidden financial resources that would put Trump to shame. I’m talking about the kind of network contacts that a secretive Mormon, descended from an apostle, might have access to. You see, Donald, it’s not what you know or even how much you have that matters – it’s who you know.

Besides, why should anyone believe that it’s going to take a businessman to get this country back on its feet? Trump has been awfully good at looking out for number one – hence his wealth – but that doesn’t necessarily mean he’d even care to look out for anybody else.

Steven Searle for US President in 2012

“Trump as a leader couldn’t hold a candle to my personal hero in terms of sheer ability – Joan of Arc.”

NINE:

In "honor" of Trump's hair, I hereby dub him the candidate of the "Whig" Party.

Steven Searle for US President in 2012

"I wonder if Trump will put his campaign promises in the form of a written contract, as I've done. Contracts are the lifeblood of the business world, so perhaps in this he'll follow my lead."

TEN:

It doesn't matter if Trump wants to blow smoke. Nor does it matter who the GOP picks, and they know it. Obama's going to win again, so all the GOP can do it try to position itself for 2016. Even though I know Obama's going to win, I will do my best to oppose him with my own candidacy. And with the novelty of the written political contract.

All of my campaign promises are in writing. If I violate any of them, I lose my office (that stipulation is in the contract). That's change you can believe in. Actually, you don't even have to believe in it – it’s all in writing. If my innovation catches on, with other candidates starting to offer their own contracts, I will have won in a far more important way.

Steven Searle for US President in 2012

“One of my written promises: I will not sign any bill into law the increases the debt limit.”

ELEVEN:

"So is a conservative tide sweeping the nation?"

Not really – most people are either resigned or confused. It’s not that conservatives are gaining, it’s that the “other side” is losing ground. GOP gains don’t constitute a vote of confidence, since most of this new support is really a vote against the other side. As long as we’re polarized into thinking libs vs. cons, Dems vs. Pubs, us vs. everybody else, we won’t think clearly enough to arrive at practical solutions. Those are the ones not driven by ideology or triumphalism.

We won’t get any fresh thinking in govt until we get fresh (that is, independent) legislators. Until we throw every last Dem & Pub out of office, we’ll always end up being ping-ponged by party-driven agendas.

Steven Searle for US President in 2012

“The answers are out there. But the current crop of elected officials (Dems & Pubs) are loyal only to what will increase their chances for reelection.”

TWELVE:

Dear Obama Supporters: Here, I'll spell it out for you: He lied to you, and he's cynically counting on your support "knowing" you won't vote for his GOP opponent.

Now I'll remind you of the roots of your idealism: You grew up in an era of cynical and lying politicians, and you got sick of it. Isn't that exactly what Obama has become? What to do? Dump Obama. He didn't "compromise" anything. All of his moves, from day 1, were well thought out and intended. He's always been far more bipartisan than you dare imagine.

The only answer is to oust all the Dem/Pubs from all offices and vote for independents. Wake up...there is no other way. BTW, did I mention I'm an independent running against Obama Inc in 2012?

Steven Searle for US President in 2012

"Join the New American Revolution: Declare your independence by voting for independents."

THIRTEEN:

“As she spoke, eight other soldiers from countries including Iran, Haiti, Australia and Bangladesh celebrated and showed friends and family their new citizenship papers…”

How sad that we’re selling our citizenship to the brown people of the world who will, as US citizens in the US army, be paid to make war against, well, other brown people of the world. I hope the cynics who developed this option are prepared for the possibility that some of these new “citizens” may well turn out to be members of sleeper cells. Great! Just what we need. Enemy agents imbedded among our troops. There’s a certain poetic justice in that, don’t you think?

More to my way of thinking: Grant citizenship to those who will become members of a far more necessary army – an army of peace and goodwill. Not much popular demand for that kind of army I’m afraid. Too bad.

Steven Searle for US President in 2012
“Keep in mind: You get what you pay for.”

FOURTEEN:

@ Vince

16 minutes ago, you wrote, "Regardless what you believe about freedom of information, stealing classified data [for example, Wikileaks] is just wrong."

Hmm...suppose a do-gooder stumbled upon classified info that proved Dubya was behind the 9/11 downing of the Twin Towers. Would you still say, "...stealing classified data is just wrong?" That's where we run into trouble, assuming we aren't supposed to think but instead just blindly follow certain rules since doing otherwise would be "just wrong." What good are our freedoms if we don't exercise our judgment?

Steven Searle for US President in 2012
"I'm sorry to report that we have so many thoughtless citizens out there."

FIFTEEN:

“at least 5 dead” should not be used in the same sentence as “Syria uses army to crush uprising.”

When the current president’s father crushed the insurgency in Hama in 1982, that (mostly civilian) death toll was between 20K and 40K. Now that’s a proper use of the word “crush.” [Of course, that was in the days before the GWOT.]

So at least one Syrian rebel is asking for foreign intervention. How would he feel if Israeli warplanes took out a couple of dozen of Assad’s tanks? Would rebels cheer the Star of David flying overhead or would that unify the nation against a common “enemy.” The very best way to send a message to established orders (like Assad’s) would be to immediately cut off the $3B each in military aid we give annually to Israel and Egypt – the ripple effect from that would be enormous and wouldn’t involve any American boots on the ground.

Steven Searle for US President in 2012

“Sometimes, to cause a reaction in one place, it’s necessary to act in another (though remote) place.”

SIXTEEN:

(sigh) And there are still fools out there who believe in the Big Bang. Unbelievable.

The biggest problem with our ability to create theory (and that's exactly what we do, create theory) is the limitation imposed by our point of observation. Which is, for all intents and purposes, one single solitary point, since earth can't be much more than that, relatively speaking. Since all science starts with, and is confirmed by, observation, and all we have is one point of reference, our science has a truly fatal limitation to overcome.

If things that need to be observed don’t happen to cross our field of observation, or are too distorted or faint to register, then those things can’t ever figure into our theories. So we evade that limitation by assuming that all that is important enough to be seen actually is seen. Or, put another way, what’s way out there isn’t any different than what we can readily observe. That’s a huge assumption. But I encourage science to proceed in its quest, since that should keep scientists happy enough until they stumble upon the insights to be obtained from Buddhist practice.

Steven Searle for US President in 2012
“Science is a good thing but not the only thing – or even the most important thing.”

SEVENTEEN:

There's a saying - "Every dog has his day." Right now, Assad's private army is riding pretty high and mighty. But one day you'll read a small blurb on page 38 of your daily news rag - "Explosion rips army barracks in Damascus - scores killed." A lot of people won't see the cause and effect relationship though, since their grip on events doesn't extend very far back.

Such tit-for-tat is typical when the head of state personally controls the military. I was never clear on why anybody thought that was such a great idea. But even in the US, the emphasis in the military is to follow orders. I know, I know…it’s supposed to be to follow all “lawful” orders. But that “lawful” part was always just an afterthought, which doesn’t get much emphasis in basic training. Come to think of it, that “lawful” part doesn’t get the emphasis it deserves in our civilian lives as well. Let's work on that before we even dream of telling the Syrians how to live their lives.

Steven Searle for US President in 2012
“As for Syria, there’s really nothing the US can or should do – except hope for the best.”

EIGHTEEN:

Trump is keen on Obama giving proof (“let him show his records”) but not so keen on revealing his sources (“I heard he was a terrible student”). At least Obama seems to present himself intelligently – which is a far cry from Dubya’s public persona. And yet, Bush II was a mediocre student at best, who still managed to pick up an MBA from Harvard (though maybe that says more about Harvard and the decline of American scholarship than it does about Bush).

As far as Obama’s records are concerned – as any university students knows, transcripts of grades can only be shown with the student’s permission. And if that student doesn’t choose to reveal his records, that’s his business and he’s breaking no law or social norm by so withholding. Same goes for Obama’s long-form birth certificate. There are morons out there who think “he must be hiding something” by not showing us this certificate. Fact is, that’s his choice and the law is on his side.

My personal philosophy in life: As long as someone isn’t breaking the law, his choices are his business and I won’t think any the less of him as a human being.
Trump is engaging in character assassination since he doesn’t really have any solutions to offer.

Steven Searle for US President in 2012
“I have a solution: Declare your independence by voting for independents.”

NINETEEN:

"Authorities have biometric data on each prisoner, which aids in their identification, the governor's office said."

Hmm...I wonder if these prisoners had been chipped.

Steven Searle for US President in 2012

"Those insiders who helped the prisoners escape must be supremely confident that, even if their identities become known, they won't suffer any consequences. And what does that say about our long-awaited 'light at the end of the tunnel'"?

TWENTY:

"The president, I know, has some issues to deal with here. He can solve this whole birth certificate issue pretty quickly," Graham said.

Actually, during the summer of 2009, the House of Representatives had already dealt with this issue – decisively. That’s when they passed a Resolution in honor of Hawaii’s 50th anniversary as a state. Included in that Resolution was this language: “Whereas the 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama, was born in Hawaii…” The final vote? Unanimous – 378 in favor, no nays, 55 did not vote (of which 35 were Democrats).

Nuff said, Reverend Graham, let’s get back to praying, shall we – or risk losing your tax exempt status for blatantly politicking?

Steven Searle for US President in 2012
“I’m sure Graham is a wonderful preacher – so he should stick to that.”

TWENTY-ONE:

I'm saddened that Obama decided to release his long-form birth cert. He had every right to keep this private document to himself. But why release it now? The issue was more divisive a year ago, but now Obama releases it so we can "move forward?" I doubt the president caved in to the a-holes who bleated, "If he ain't showin' it, he must have something to hide." You know them, the repeat-something-often-enough-and-people-start-to-think-it’s-true crowd.

Maybe, just maybe Obama got a little nervous about what Trump's investigators might find. Of course, one can always say, "Wouldn't the GOP have had its own team trying to dig up dirt?" Not really...when you consider they're pretty much on the same page. Ah, but the Trump Squad might not be part of the Plan. Loose cannon, anybody?

Steven Searle for US President in 2012

“I didn’t buy into the birther nonsense, but I often wondered why none of the rank-and-file whom the Prez worked with as community organizer stepped forward with any testimonials. Not one stepped forward. The silence was deafening.”

TWENTY-TWO

"If I had my druthers, I would rather be representing Berkshire in this matter than Sokol in a Delaware court."

Yeah, I rather expected something like that in such a corporate-beholden state. I wonder if it would be possible for Sokol to have his trial (if it comes to that) moved to another state or out of the country. Yeah, I know...sounds pretty terrible to suggest a fair trial in such a matter could not be obtained in a US court. But you know the old saying: Money doesn't talk in this country - it screams.

Steven Searle for US President in 2012
"We need to look at how these 'safe haven' states operate in terms of 'and freedom and justice for all.'"

TWENTY-THREE:

Once upon a time, we had investigative journalists who would have jumped at the chance to tell us: "What is the quality of life of the peoples of Syria? Are there economic reasons underlying the protests? Or are people chafing under a one-party system, having been inspired by the protests in other parts of the Islamic world?" It's true that specific information on the protests is hard to come by. But how hard can it be to give us a glimpse of how things are going for the Syrian man in the street?

Steven Searle for US President in 2012
"I guess we don't do journalism any more."

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Steven Searle for US President in 2012 Founder of The Independent Contractors’ Party

“Join the New American Revolution: Declare your independence by voting for independents.”

Contact me at bpa_cinc@yahoo.com