On occasion, I consolidate comments I’d attempted to post in response to articles appearing recently on Yahoo News. I share my comments with you here hoping to reach an audience immune from Yahoo’s periodic attempts to block or censor. My posts are written as if I actually were the US President. As is my usual custom, if I open with a quoted item, that’s from the article itself.
I hope you enjoy all 33 of these mini-essays.
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ONE:
I remember being surprised, back in 2007, that not one word from an ex-girl friend managed to grace the tabloids. I was also surprised that not one single first-person account had emerged from Obama’s days as a community organizer. Also, nothing from childhood/young-adult days. Then I became convinced that the media were falling in line to avoid embarrassing the anointed one. That conclusion became obvious due to the kid-gloves treatment (“No hard questions allowed”) he was receiving. I’d still like to know – who anointed him?
Steven Searle for US President in 2012
“Who, indeed?”
TWO:
[In response to an article about the US government spying on its own citizens…]
There’s a reason why I “sign” my posts with my real name – and not just some Yahoo handle. I don’t care if the govt knows what I say, for I know this much: They won’t know what to do with it. A friend once warned me not to be too sure, that perhaps I might get “disappeared” some day. I told him, “That would be their mistake.”
Steven Searle for US President in 2012
“The sentiment behind ‘though I walk through the Valley of the Shadow of Death’ has absolutely nothing on Karmic Retribution.”
THREE:
“The Europeanization of Obama is a Republican attempt…” Oh well, at least the Pubbers stopped their campaign of Kenyanization. If you want an idea of what makes Romney tick, picture this: An SNL skit showing Crispen Glover as Romney (interesting resemblance that could be pulled off), with his own hair packed tightly under a Romney-style wig. The skit shows an interviewer asking, “Mr. Romney, how do you respond to people who think you’re a bit of a stiff?” Crispen looks perplexed, not understanding the question. “Ah, what do you do to let your hair down?” Then Crispen, a broad smile crossing his face, removes his Romney hairpiece and lets his own long, flowing locks come tumbling down.
Steven Searle for US President in 2012
“This caricaturizes Romney as someone who would answer such a question literally.”
FOUR:
Behind closed doors, these South American countries’ leaders are laughing at us. “YOU want OUR help? Maybe we ought to ask for China’s help against the US.” As for South America taking over for us in Afghanistan, why should they? We stuck our nose for far too long where it never belonged. And now we want others to become mercenaries for us? How far down we have come that such sentiments are even thought, let alone uttered.
Steven Searle for US President in 2012
“A bit of advice from me to my brothers south of the border: Don’t get sucked into Panetta’s nonsense.”
FIVE:
All of this sleight-of-hand is just part of a plan to foist Rahm Emanuel on us as a 2016 presidential candidate. Rahm is a sick, evil man – with influential backing. Stay tuned.
Steven Searle for US President in 2012
“After 4 more years of Obama and 8 years of Rahm, Israel won’t have to worry about the Palestinians any longer.”
SIX:
There is only one sure-fire way to believe [North Korea’s] threats. If the Supreme Greater-than-God Leader himself, Kim Ding Dang Dong, were to publicly declare: “I swear upon my father’s, and grandfather’s names that my kingdom shall destroy South Korea,” then would be the time to worry. Given how much elite North Koreans enforce worship of elite ancestors, that would indeed be a noteworthy declaration. Anything else, especially “unauthored” public service announcements, are not to be taken seriously by any stretch.
Steven Searle for US President in 2012
“Or maybe Kim wants a war which would vastly reduce his population and solve his too-many-mouths-to-feed problem.”
SEVEN:
[In response to an article entitled: “Israel legalizes West Bank settler outposts”…]
It’s pretty obvious to me what’s going on here. Netanyahu is listening to an extraterrestrial voice telling him to do this. And this voice is from the same entity that brought down the walls of Jericho in ancient times. And, no, that voice was not (and is not now) the voice of God. Quite the opposite, actually.
Steven Searle for US President in 2012
“So much sin to commit, so little time.”
EIGHT:
[In response to an article entitled: “Obama says Afghanistan deal in one where ‘war ends and a new chapter begins’”…]
So, Obama “signed a long-term partnership agreement” with Afghanistan, did he? Hmm…that sounds like a treaty to me. Is POTUS going to bother to obtain Senate approval for this treaty, as called for in the US Constitution? Will he seek senatorial input (read: “advice”) on its contents (which he has not yet done), or is this a done deal? Article II, Section 2 reads: “[The President] shall have power, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, to make treaties, provided two thirds of the Senators present concur…” Or maybe Obama will tap into the always-ready pool of White House lapdog lawyers (the kind who write opinions saying “waterboarding isn’t torture”) to rule that the Senate doesn’t have to be consulted in this case.
“A new chapter begins” = “peace with honor” = more lies.
Steven Searle for US President in 2012
“We have absolutely nothing to be proud of concerning our imperialistic venture in Afghanistan. What we surrendered in terms of our freedoms and dignity wasn’t worth what we ‘gained.’”
NINE:
[In response to Rick Santorum’s tepid endorsement of Romney…]
This is exactly the kind of rigid dogmatism that assured Money[R]’s nomination in the first place. There was a critical point when either Santorum or Gingrich could have withdrawn, thrown support to the only conservative left standing, and given Mitt a much harder run for his money. But, no. Santy and Knute each had his own vision of grandeur that prevented him from dropping out. But maybe CONservatives-in-name-only aren’t very good at sacrificing for the cause.
Steven Searle for US President in 2012
“The only Conservative I truly admired died a long time ago – and, no, that wasn’t Ronald Reagan (sock puppet), it was Barry Goldwater.”
TEN:
“…it is time to focus on nation-building here at home…” Obama’s going to find we’re about as good at nation-building here as we’ve been in Iraq and Afghanistan. He’ll find that good intentions aren’t enough – we need systemic change, up to and including a new US constitution, for that to happen. The least we’ll need is the wholesale replacement of Dems/Pubs in Congress (and in the presidency) with unaffiliated independents. Nothing less will do. But I suppose we’ll learn that the hard way – much as we did in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Steven Searle for US President in 2012
“This wouldn’t hurt so much if I knew we had good men at the top – but we don’t. We have only weasels and self-promoters at the helm. God help us, or at least give us a decent burial.”
ELEVEN:
T.E. Lawrence did indeed say [“…the Arabs…[will be] a little people, a silly people - - greedy, barbarous and cruel.”] However, this is just another example of the pot calling the kettle “black.” The Brits themselves could very well wear that description given their long-duration reign of terror.
Steven Searle for US President in 2012
“And they still have a queen…fancy that!”
TWELVE:
I would have a lot more confidence in Egypt’s ruling military junta if the leading generals had committed one particular self-sacrificing act when Mubarak was ousted – namely, resign en masse. This would have been one way-cool joint communiqué: “To prevent even the appearance of conflict of interest or attachment to the status quo, we hereby immediately tender our resignations. Long live the revolution. Power to the Egyptian people.”
Steven Searle for US President in 2012
“And if a similar scenario unfolds here in the US, I hope our Joint Chiefs of Staff turn out to be as self-sacrificing.”
THIRTEEN:
[My reply to Tamash…]
I’m not so sure about generals being “one big family.” Like any other hierarchy, there’s bound to be some element of jealousy – especially against those who have been entrenched at the top for decades. Replacing that old blood would have been a nice token gesture to the people that the military would not seek to become dominant. But it would be only a token.
I question your assertion that Egypt’s constitution bars non-military from becoming president. My research indicates that is not a factor.
As for the Muslim Brotherhood, the US is not in a position to oppose them – unless that position is indirect by means of our funding of Egypt’s military. As for preferring the military or the Islamists – I don’t trust military since they seem too worldly and tainted by corruption. I say, give the Islamists a chance.
Steven Searle for US President in 2012
“A thousand years will not serve to remove the guilt of the US in its assisted suppression of the Brotherhood, and other acts of state-sponsored terror.”
FOURTEEN:
[Another reply to Tamash…]
I do prefer the Islamists to the secularists [in Egypt], for I think the Islamists have earned the right to govern. You (and others) might fear the rise of an intolerant theocracy. That could very well happen, but I happen to have a great deal of faith in the faith and goodness of the Egyptian people. Theirs is an ancient culture with a strong sense of identity – and also of right and wrong. So I believe the people will prevail. And yet, it could still happen that evil men wrapped in clerical robes could come to power. For that matter, even though the US is somewhat of a democracy, that could happen here. As for democracy in general, I don’t think it’s the best form of government. I believe in enlightened monarchy, as do my fellow Buddhists and the Jews of Biblical times, and (surprise?) even Muslims (in the form of a Caliphate).
Steven Searle for US President in 2012
“I do not fear Muslims, I embrace them and welcome their contributions.”
FIFTEEN:
Back in the day, we wanted someone who could at least act presidential. Voila! We got an actor – a grade B one at that – in Ronald Reagan. Maybe our new zeitgeist calls for someone who can “[embark] on [a] new political balancing act.” Some people would call that “flip-flopping.” Who knows? Maybe that’s exactly what we need.
Steven Searle for US President in 2012
“Karmically speaking, we always get what we deserve – whether we understand or not the whys and wherefores.”
SIXTEEN:
If Chris Christie actually ends up getting elected as VP, he’s going to find out how profoundly he isn’t loved. But…that’s exactly why he’ll never get elected…the lovelessness is already there.
Steven Searle for US President in 2012
“Quickly, everybody – how many want your state to be like NJ?”
SEVENTEEN:
[In response to an article about a US Army nurse who was killed was skyping with his wife…]
You may very well “… [entrust] the military with…finding out what happened…” However, don’t count on them sharing that information with you. You know…national security imperatives and all that rot.
Steven Searle for US President in 2012
“Being immersed in a dishonorable situation does little to bring out the honorable in men.”
EIGHTEEN:
[In response to Leon Panetta’s concerns about certain recent incidents making the US military look bad…]
“… public relations setbacks showed ‘… a lack of leadership,’ [Panetta] said.” Hey, DICK, these weren’t “public relations setbacks,” they were inexcusable acts by professionals. BTW, that “lack of leadership” part must apply to you, most of all. You are in charge, right?
Steven Searle for US President in 2012
“Panetta would rather play the blame game than take responsibility for cleaning up his act.”
NINETEEN:
Mark,
I’ve blogged on this extensively, after concluding that by mindlessly adhering to our current Law of the Land we will hasten our national demise. Change is overdue, and I’m far from alone in my conclusions. You too might change your mind if you google: Cross-Sectional Representation Steven Searle. After reviewing my alternative model, you’ll readily see how woefully inadequate our current document is.
Steven Searle for US President in 2012
“Of course, I have also blogged on how we’ve managed to ignore our Constitution while pretending to honor it.”
TWENTY:
[In response to an American who dropped out of society, gladly has no money, and lives in a cave…]
Suelo is the most dangerous man in this country. If his minimalist lifestyle catches on with even 10% of our citizens, our lifestyle as we know it would cease to exist for the other 90%. And, of course, out the window would go our dreams of empire. We are addicted to an ever-expanding economic growth model. Mere sustainability isn’t enough. No doubt about it, the CIA must definitely be interested in this man.
I would be honored if Suelo were to endorse my candidacy for the US presidency.
Steven Searle for US President in 2012
“Suelo realizes that the only possible outcome of our addiction to cancerous growth is – cancer.”
TWENTY-ONE:
[In response to an article entitled: “Why couldn’t Marissa Alexander stand her ground in Florida?” This concerns a woman found guilty of firing a shot into her ceiling while trying to frighten her abusive husband away. Even though the husband admits she wasn’t aiming at him, this verdict carries a mandatory minimum 20-year sentence.]
The jury should have taken the law in its own hands. They should have intentionally ruled “not guilty,” thereby taking the 20-year sentence option away from the judge. I know that’s not what juries are supposed to do. But when the law doesn’t do what it’s supposed to do, what other way is there? I speak in the interests of justice, since apparently the law doesn’t. Note to members of future juries: If you think of doing what I’m suggesting, do NOT share that with the other members of the jury. They might denounce you before the judge, who will be more than happy to slap you with a contempt of court citation – or worse. In the name of justice, of course.
Steven Searle for US President in 2012
“As a member of a jury, you have your greatest opportunity to make your vote count. Lord knows, it doesn’t count for much else anymore.”
TWENTY-TWO:
I thought possession was nine-tenths of the law. Sharon Jones possessed the [winning lottery] ticket, therefore she possessed the right to claim the money. This judge (Hughes) sounds like an activist judge to me – or maybe he’s the product of a bad law school – or inbreeding. A more proper judicial decision would look something like this: Jones gets to keep the $1M and Duncan gets to sue the manufacturer of the faulty ticket scanner [that said, “This ticket is not a winner”] that caused her to toss the ticket [in the trash].
Steven Searle for US President in 2012
“This isn’t rocket science, Your ‘Honor.’”
TWENTY-THREE:
“But with Kony still around, there are wide ranging fears that the LRA will be able to rebuild.” Let’s get one thing straight: There are no such fears, and saying so is only for the consumption of a gullible public. Kony’s brand of Christian doomsday can’t possibly catch on, even at the grassroots level. And that grassroots hates him for his atrocities.
There are at most 300 of Kony’s fighters operating in an area the size of California. There are more hard-core gangbangers in Los Angeles than that. And yet, you don’t see three international armies bearing down in LA – not even our own US army is involved there.
The only reason we’re there is to ingratiate ourselves with local African military to make sure they see things our way. And to buy our military hardware – you know the old song: “It’s about jobs, jobs, jobs.” [Much as we tried doing in South America – which caught on to our game a long time ago.] We’re so paranoid, we no longer worry about Communists hiding under our beds, but instead we worry about a handful of renegades without any backing whatsoever hiding in the bush thousands of miles from our shores. Are we freaking insane?
I understand the campaign against Kony enjoys bipartisan support. Of course it does and that should scare all of us to death. Both the Dems & Pubbers want to undermine African sovereignty for their own greedy purposes.
Steven Searle for US President in 2012
“We have to stop playing the role of the Mighty White Man who insists on poking his nose around for noble purposes because we believe the Black Man can’t manage his own affairs.”
TWENTY-FOUR:
“We were trained to kill – forced to kill [as part of Kony’s LRA guerilla army] – otherwise we’d be killed ourselves” – as claimed by a guy who was “forced” to fight for the guerillas for two years. Two years? Most assuredly, he could have turned his weapon on his captors within a two year span. But, no, he decides to keep on taking innocents lives. Of one thing you can be sure: This man was NOT forced.
Steven Searle for US President in 2012
“I smell a rat in this anti-Kony propaganda scam – lots of them, actually, including the one in the White House who is trying to capitalize on this boogeyman.”
TWENTY-FIVE:
[In response to an article entitled: “Wrongly convicted Colorado man set free after 16 years”…]
“They threw me into a dark hole with just a pinhole of light” …Oh, that’s right…we don’t do torture in the United States.
The real problem was the jury. If, as the article claims, “The original DNA analysis had already excluded him…”, then what could the jury have hung him with? It’s simple. The jury system is often a perfect example of We-the-Sheeple at our worst. The default assumption of jurors, even before they’re cowed by the prosecutor and judge – often working like a tag-team of wrestlers – is: “He wouldn’t be on trial if he wasn’t guilty because the cops are always right.”
Steven Searle for US President in 2012
“Before the CONservatives get their panties all in a knot because of what I said, think about how you’d feel if this happened to you.”
TWENTY-SIX:
“I hereby endorse for president, Mitt Romney – even though he’s still the worst Republican in the country to run against Obama” – Rick Sans-Scrotum.
“…making sure the folks in the 11 states that voted for [Rick]…have a voice in the Romney campaign.” Why should they have any voice in the Romney campaign, since they had lent their bleating voices to Rick’s campaign? They voted and their man lost – therefore, they get nothing. They will either man up and vote for Romney or they will end up enabling Obama’s reelection. It doesn’t get any simpler than that. Who does Santy think he is to even pretend he can negotiate with Mitt? I would exclaim, “The balls of the man” – but that’s not what the word “Sans-Scrotum” implies at all.
Steven Searle for US President in 2012
“Rick, go away, just go away…write a book if you want or hit the lecture circuit but, please, your clown show is over, so go away.”
TWENTY-SEVEN:
[In response to comedian Jimmy Kimmel’s remark, after seeing a ballroom filled with politicians, journalists and Hollywood celebrities: “Everything that is wrong with America is here tonight.”]
I would have to disagree with Kimmel, who oversimplified with that remark. By the way, oversimplification has a lot more to do with what’s wrong with America than those Kimmel cited. More accurate is this: “Everything that is wrong with America lies in the attitudes and blind support of We-the-People that allow these politicians, journalists and celebrities so much power in our lives.”
Steven Searle for US President in 2012
“My version isn’t very sexy, but it rings a lot truer than Kimmel’s.”
TWENTY-EIGHT:
[In response to CT who wrote: “How did ‘Hope and change’ turn into neverending ‘Blame and Shame’…sorry but it’s disgusting and I won’t be fooled again.]
CT, I will answer your question, ask one of my own, and give you an option to consider:
ANSWER: Personally, I don’t think Obama was sincere with “Hope and Change.” But it was obvious pretty early on that the GOP targeted, rather gleefully and openly at times, Mr. Obama as a “one term president.” Against that backdrop, the GOP doesn’t deserve the presidency.
QUESTION: As to your claim – “I won’t be fooled again” – what are you going to do about it?
OPTION: Since both parties dominate our lives and have immunized themselves against change from within, there is only one way We-the-People can force change: Make a determination to always, without exception, vote against the incumbent. Even if there’s an officeholder you love, vote against him because he’s the incumbent. If his opponent wins, that means he’ll be the new incumbent – so…vote against him as well.
Steven Searle for US President in 2012
“The only reason our representatives are unresponsive to us is, they have job security – safe in the knowledge that incumbents have such huge, built-in advantages. Take that away and you’ll start seeing real change you can believe in.”
TWENTY-NINE:
There are a lot of fools on Yahoo bleating, “Once you join the military, you no longer have First Amendment rights.” Let’s start with the pertinent section of that amendment: “Congress shall make no law…abridging the freedom of speech…”
We don’t have a right to yell “fire” in a crowded theater – unless, of course, there’s really a fire. And the reason for that lies with the Ninth Amendment: “The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.” In essence? This is a case of rights in conflict – the right of free speech and the right (though not enumerated) that people have to be protected against malicious mischief (from the guy who yells “fire”).
How does that apply to the military? Again the Ninth, under the doctrine of “reasonable expectation.” We the People have a reasonable expectation that our military will be well trained and that proper disciple will be imposed. However, the soldier has a “reasonable expectation” (since soldiers are also citizens) that his discipline will not be learned by being forced into acts in violation of common decency. For instance, he can say, “I refuse to kill a slave purchased abroad by my government solely for the purpose of getting the feel of what it’s like to kill somebody.”
As for the soldier’s right to free speech? He has a “reasonable expectation” that not all of that right is forfeited. Suppose his wife were to say, “In the privacy of our bedroom, my husband said bad things about our president.” Should he be punished? Suppose he should say to some of his peers, “This war is unconstitutional and I can prove this by logical argument.” I maintain that, in the name of the oath he swore (to defend the Constitution), he has a right to speak and thereby persuade his fellow troops to honor their oaths and not support that war.
Steven Searle for US President in 2012
“A soldier doesn’t forfeit all rights of free speech – for without a certain minimum, how could he keep his oath?”
THIRTY:
Military can be used to suppress freedom of speech – if the brass or CINC would so order.
Military can be used to suppress democracy and enforce marital law – if CINC decides that’s necessary.
Tell me, who protects us from our protectors?
Steven Searle for US President in 2012
“Military are expected to open fire on US citizens if so ordered. Does anybody doubt this?”
THIRTY-ONE:
[In response to an article about a leader of a small sect in India that mandates female genital mutilation as an article of faith…]
“…takes an oath of allegiance to the leader…” I thought only Allah was worthy of an oath.
“…even if the practice is a crime against humanity.” The UN should declare female genital mutilation to be a crime against humanity, and put out arrest warrants against these so-called religious leaders.
Steven Searle for US President in 2012
“Why don’t they call it what it is: female castration?”
THIRTY-TWO:
[This was my attempted response to Grandma who wrote: “Castration is removal of the gonads. Female gonads are internal…the ovaries.” Grandma was responding to my post immediately above. I say “this was my attempted response” because Yahoo News censored, therefore it was never posted.]
Grandma, You should have looked a little deeper. According to definition 3 of thefreedictionary.com, to castrate means, “to deprive of virility or spirit; emasculate.” Same source, definition 2 of emasculate: “to deprive of vigor, effectiveness, etc.” So my use of the word “castration” was definitely in the ball park. It’s a pity you decided to restrict yourself to a medical dictionary sense, though perhaps you’d have been happier had I said “amputation” instead of “castration.” These women are feeling real pain, so a little sympathy from you might not be too much to ask. Think you can manage that much?
Steven Searle for US President in 2012
“Too many posters on Yahoo too lazy to look stuff up. Just saying.”
THIRTY-THREE:
[In response to Barack Obama asking, “What’s the difference between a hockey mom and a pit bull? A pit bull is delicious.]
And how many soccer moms has Obama eaten that would allow him to reach such a conclusion?
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Steven Searle for US President in 2012
Founder of The Independent Contractors’ Party
“One US President said, ‘The business of America is business.’ I would replace that with, “The business of America – and of every nation – should be the pursuit of justice.”
