US President’s weekly Yahoo! News updates

[NOTE: No, I am not really the US President. However, by acting the way I think he should act and saying the things I think he should say, perhaps that could change.]

Once per week, I share comments I’d posted to articles appearing on Yahoo News. These were posted between May 22 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:

“I wish Jeb Bush had a different last name. He’d be fantastic,” said Henry Barbour...

Not so fast...Maybe being a Bush is an asset. Obama followed in Bush's footsteps to such a profound degree, he basically rehabilitated the name. I even wrote a blog about Obama adding Dubya's head (that is, a sculpted version thereof) to Mount Rushmore. Blogging can be such fun!

Steven Searle for US President in 2012

"Wouldn't it be amazing if Obama, who magically took away much of Dubya's stigma, lost the election to Jeb...for precisely that reason!?"

TWO:

[This was my response to an article about a search warrant executed in the California home of a 91-year-old woman who sold suicide kits.]

“...but said he could not comment on the contents of the warrant..." Could not or would not? Sounds like the feds were acting way beyond the bounds of what the warrant authorized. Unless they found a judge who gave them a blank check (not supposed to do that).

“…and spent the next 10 hours packing up ‘boxes and boxes and boxes’ of stuff and leaving a mess.”  If these invaders can spend 10 hours executing a blank-check warrant, they can spend an hour, under the strict guidance of the homeowner, to clean up. What’s wrong with people? Doesn't Obama's terrorist squad have anything better to do? Remember, people, you're paying for this.

Steven Searle for US President in 2012

“(sigh) This is just another instance of the feds trying to make an example out of someone.”

THREE:

"...reconsider the deadline for the sake of the country's security."

No extension of deadline will enhance Iraq's security. Only pulling out those troops will give the better chance of long-term success. But...we don't anticipate long-term very well.

Five years ago, I predicted that the "real" War in Iraq will begin once our troops were significantly drawn down. Reassertion: We should never have gone there in the first place, and should have left way before now. But Obama won the election and decided to maintain the Bush Doctrine. Fool! And fool on us for going for the Change rap.

Steven Searle for US President in 2012

"The more things 'Change,' the more they remain the same."

FOUR [I wish some reporter would actually ask this question.]

Reporter to Romney after he announces prez run: "Mr. Romney, if you're elected, will you take the oath of office with your hand on the Bible or on the Book of Mormon [which, as an article of faith, you claim to be superior to the Bible]?"

Steven Searle for US President in 2012

"This is not a 'religious test' question, it's a question of consistency of values. FYI, were I to be sworn in, my hand will be on the Lotus Sutra. Nothing less will do. [I don't have a problem with such questions.]"

FIVE [On the proposed introduction of NATO helicopters in Libya]:

Well, looks like we're trying to pick a winner in Libya. Be careful what you ask for. As soon as an RPG brings down one of those choppers, the din of cheering from the EU will turn to stone silence. Even worse? If one of those choppers has to land due to mechanical problems and the locals decide to take the crew, skin them alive, and post that on the internet.

Steven Searle for US President in 2012

"These kinds of decisions make me wonder about the effects of inbreeding among the leadership."

SIX:

“The 12,000 police officers securing the seaside town of Deauville…spent most of their time checking entry badges.”

If those 12,000 officers are tied down to petty duty in Deauville, that means there are security gaps where those officers would normally otherwise be. French authorities worried about Islamic militants have just made it that much easier for militants to attack the unguarded places.

The basic principle of judo: When facing a bigger, stronger opponent, just look for the places where he’s vulnerable (that is, where his forces are absent). It doesn’t get any simpler than that. No wonder these guys can’t take out Gadhaffi.

Steven Searle for US President in 2012

“The most telling part of this story is that the police found it necessary to take away the [Buddhist] monk’s banner. What on earth are these people afraid of?”

SEVEN:

Let’s get one thing straight: The people of these Middle Eastern nations aren’t necessarily clamoring for democracy. What they oppose are their crushing autocratic regimes, and lack of opportunity to live decent lives. They would accept a benevolent king if one could be found. Problem is: Corruption and cronyism. Which are problems found everywhere the world over – even in democracies.

Steven Searle for US President in 2012

“As a Buddhist, I don’t support democracy simply because it can’t work (all pretensions to the contrary); I support either a benevolent kingship (example: rule by Jesus) or a pure democracy – without the thwarting mechanisms we find near and dear (like the filibuster, for example).”

EIGHT [My reply to another blogger’s observations]:

What do you mean "as long as?" Even if all of these negatives you cite magically disappeared, Israel still would not allow for an independent Palestinian nation to arise. The Zionists within Israel are too strong and they think they're entitled (by God, no less) to keep permanent possession of all of the West Bank. And a lot more than that, truth be told, but that's another story.

Steven Searle for US President in 2012

"When God told the Israelites He was 'giving' them that land, he was only testing them. And they've failed that test miserably."

NINE:

“[Huntsman] must strike a balance between emphasizing the fiscally conservative policies likely to attract GOP primary voters and explaining others certain to repel them.”

“Explaining” will turn out to be quite easy. All Huntsman will have to do is simply tell the GOP base the facts of life, “You can’t nominate the dream candidate who adheres to all of your positions with any hope he’d actually win the presidency. Those things that repel you might attract votes from those who otherwise wouldn’t vote for me. That’s how elections are won.”

If elected, though, I’m afraid we’ll all find out much sooner than later what Huntsman himself must already know: “What I did as governor for the state of Utah cannot be replicated as President of the United States.”

Steven Searle for US President in 2012

“No matter who the GOP nominates, Obama’s going to be reelected – so that’s that. And the GOP knows this, which is why they’re really aiming for election 2016.”

TEN:

“Canada will back Israel whatever the cost."

Hey, wait a minute, I thought that was the job our leaders foisted on us.

Steven Searle for US President in 2012

"I guess everybody missed the part PM Harper mumbled under his breath. Here's the full quote, 'Canada will back Israel whatever the cost to the ideals of human decency, honor, and fair play."

ELEVEN:

"We are not trying to physically target individuals in Gaddafi's inner circle on whom he relies but we are certainly sending them increasingly loud messages," British Defense Secretary Liam Fox said in a statement.

The UN mandate was for a no-fly zone and to protect civilians. How do bunker-buster bombs protect civilians? Where in the mandate does it say Britain gets to send them "increasingly loud messages?" Sounds rather indiscriminate to me.

Steven Searle for US President in 2012
"Without the rule of law, we are no better than terrorists."

TWELVE:

Consider these two statements side-by-side:

“NATO spokesman Maj. Tim James … didn't confirm the airstrike and provided no details about it...” [and]

“President Karzai blamed “American troops for airstrikes that killed the 14…”

Looks like NATO doesn’t have to bother to confirm that strike because Karzai already did so. Isn’t coordination among allies a wonder to behold? Although…it seems a lack of coordination caused those 14 deaths in the first place.

Steven Searle for US President in 2012

“If I’d been elected instead of Obama, we’d have been out of Afghanistan long ago and those 14 wouldn’t have died. Now that’s a change I can believe in!”

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

Steven Searle for US President in 2012

Founder of The Independent Contractors’ Party

“I amazed that even someone as low down on the social totem pole as I can read the heavily censored/controlled news issued by an outlet such as Yahoo, and can still punch holes in their mainstreamed propagandized narrative.”

Contract me a bpa_cinc@yahoo.com

Palestinian Possibilities

I will address the following topics in today’s blog post:

·       Stopping missile attacks against Israel

·       Who is Been-Jammin’ Knittin’-Yahoo? [Think: Yosemite Sam]

·       Selected comments regarding Obama’s May 22, 2011 speech to AIPAC

·       Selected comments regarding Netanyahu’s May 24, 2011 speech to the US Congress

·       Suggestions and observations concerning Israeli/Palestinian prospects for peace

·       US divestment of investments in Israel, including a ban on the purchase of Israeli War Bonds

·       My campaign commercial featuring an overly-compliant US Congress

Stopping missile attacks against Israel

There is a practical, nuts-and-bolts way to stop missile attacks against Israel – at least the ones coming from the Palestinians. But first, I offer something I tried to post on Yahoo News yesterday, which was censored (oh, well):

QUOTE:

"[Knittin' Yahoo's] rejection of a return to what he called the "indefensible" borders that Israel had before the 1967 Mideast war."

Wait a minute. "Indefensible," you say? Those borders had proved more than defensible during that particular war. What's different now? Israel is only stronger, not to mention having 200 nukes (okay, I'll mention it...I hope the PM isn't going to be a Nuke Denier).

Steven Searle for US President in 2012

"How does our Congress give this walking/talking Fascist Major Obstacle to Peace 12 standing ovations? What a bunch of k*ss a**es!"

:UNQUOTE.

What the Prime Minister is really asking for are impenetrable borders – even though he had used the word defensible. No nation on earth has absolutely inviolable borders, so he might as well stop asking for the impossible.

Even if Netanyahu got his way – his heart’s desire – that is, total annexation of the West Bank and Gaza City with Palestinians somehow magically disappearing…even under those conditions, Israel’s borders would still be “indefensible.” If Israel maintains its current course, fueled by its current attitude, this is what it can look forward to:

·       Some state or non-state actor is going to figure out how to get at Israel – with either missiles, germs, hack attack or something totally unanticipated at this present time. Bottom line? If any person or entity thinks it can treat the whole world as if it’s a mortal enemy over a long enough period of time, that will become a self-fulfilling prophecy.

·       Concerning missiles: Technology – especially guidance systems – are only going to get better. So far, Israel’s been lucky that rockets fired by Hamas almost never hit their targets. Because of lack of a guidance mechanism or only having one that’s primitive! But that could change…if Israel decides it wants to be stubborn and try to keep the Palestinian issue in a permanent state of non-resolution.

As promised – here’s how I propose to stop terrorist rocket attacks:

The United States should take the aid money it gives to Israel and Egypt (given since 1976), and instead give it to the Palestinian man & woman on the street – that is, to the ordinary Palestinian citizen. My figures are rough, but you’ll get the general idea: The amount in question is $5 billion which, divided evenly among all Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza (about 4 million people) works out to an annual stipend of $1,250 for each man, woman, and child – annually.

Even better – arrange for a number of contributors in addition to (or even instead of) the United States: Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and even (eventually) Iraq come to mind. The idea of Muslim taking care of Muslim has a nice ring to it, which would (ironically) help Israel finally resolve this long standing dispute.

However, there should be one condition: The bounty stops if the rocket attacks resume. Each Palestinian would stand to lose an awful lot in that event, so they would vigorously self-police.

Selected comments regarding

Obama’s May 22, 2011 speech to AIPAC

In my usual fashion, I will quote from Obama’s speech, and follow with my own comments:

QUOTE: No vote at the United Nations will ever create an independent Palestinian state.

COMMENT: Why not? After all, Israel came into existence due to the machinations of the UN. Israel might not always be able to count on the US to use its Security Council veto power to thwart such a UN move. As Israel knows all too well – changes in administration can produce changes in policy. Translation? The US might get so sick of Israeli intransigence that it will throw its support behind any UN move to create a Palestinian state.

QUOTE: Moreover, we know that peace demands a partner –- which is why I said that Israel cannot be expected to negotiate with Palestinians who do not recognize its right to exist.

COMMENT: There will always be some Palestinians who will never recognize this right, so I hope Obama isn’t hoping for unanimity on this count. Besides, there are Jews who do not recognize Palestine’s right to exist, simply because they think God gave all of that land to the Jewish tribe. Should Palestine shun negotiations with any of them – or just continue plotting and scheming long enough until they hit on a plan or unique combination of circumstances that will deal Israel a mighty blow? As they say, every dog has its day.

QUOTE: I said that the United States believes that negotiations should result in two states, with permanent Palestinian borders with Israel, Jordan, and Egypt, and permanent Israeli borders with Palestine.  The borders of Israel and Palestine should be based on the 1967 lines with mutually agreed swaps -- (applause) -- so that secure and recognized borders are established for both states. The Palestinian people must have the right to govern themselves, and reach their potential, in a sovereign and contiguous state.

COMMENT: Obama got into a bit of trouble with that bit about starting negotiations “based on the 1967 lines.” Some thought he was urging an Israeli withdrawal behind those lines. However, Obama later pointed out that he had added the condition about “mutually agreed land swaps.” I’m confused, though, about how “mutually agreeable” any land swaps can be, since Israel holds all the cards.

But the thorniest issue would involve Palestine as a “contiguous state.” One way that might happen (my suggestion): The Gaza strip should be ceded to Israel, and all Israeli settlements in the West Bank should be ceded to Palestine. Also, Israel should give up any notion of holding onto the West Bank of the Jordan River. An army can’t be maintained there unless access is allowed through Palestine – which would be a violation of its sovereignty.

Also, Jerusalem should become an international city under the jurisdiction of the UN – with its headquarters relocated there.

Perhaps (again my suggestion) that $1,250 stipend could also be offered to Palestinians who are citizens of and living in Israel – if they would leave Israel and relocate to the newly-independent state of Palestine. Of course, this implies that Palestinians would give up the Right of Return (to Israel), but they weren’t about to get that anyway.

QUOTE: As for security, every state has the right to self-defense, and Israel must be able to defend itself –- by itself -– against any threat.

COMMENT: Defend itself “by itself – against any threat?” That’s simply not possible. Oh, nations can try to defend themselves but not even we are always 100% successful – the 9/11 attacks and Pearl Harbor come to mind. If the US couldn’t do it, how could anyone else?

The best way for Israel to guarantee its security is to find a way to make friends, and one way to do that would be if it helped the Palestinians prosper. And, as I mentioned above, the stipend I’m proposing for each Palestinian, courtesy of the US Treasury, would help. But I’m hoping Israel somehow manages to assist in this enterprise, possibly in terms of joint enterprises.

Selected comments regarding

Netanyahu’s May 24, 2011 speech to Congress

In my usual fashion, I will quote from Netanyahu’s speech, and follow with my own comments:

QUOTE: So it’s therefore vital, absolutely vital, that a Palestinian state be fully demilitarized.

COMMENT: Frankly, it would be great if Palestine spared itself the expense of maintaining an armed force. And it might well decide to do just that – for now. But what about the future? Will a duly-elected leader decide his country has to join the ranks of the militarized? If so, does that mean Israel starts throwing bombs? Bottom line: There’s no way to guarantee permanent disarmament, even on condition of the US promising to continue stipend payments (described above) in perpetuity. [Maybe Congress might pull the plug on that or Palestine might acquire a real enemy it feels needs discouraging.]


QUOTE: And it’s vital, absolutely vital, that Israel maintain a long-term military presence along the Jordan River.

COMMENT: Why? “Absolutely vital,” you say? Does Netanyahu hope that will be a front line of defense against waves of Jordanian tanks crossing the river on make-shift bridges? If he thinks Israel might be invaded through Palestine, maybe Palestine should be militarized after all. Anyway, maintaining an Israeli army on the west of the Jordan River wouldn’t be necessary in the face of Jordanian hostilities. Aerial surveillance will detect any massing of the king’s forces which can be promptly dealt with by the IDF.

          At this point, I have to say, “If Netanyahu is afraid of the Jordanians, I wonder how many other enemies he thinks he has hiding under his bed?” The Jordanians? No offense but, are you kidding?

          The real reason Netanyahu insists on this “absolutely vital” (though nonsensical) provision is to set up yet another discouraging roadblock for Palestinian negotiators. For the PM doesn’t really care to negotiate at all and will set up any obstacles he can imagine. That is the sad truth of the matter.

Question: Who is Been-Jammin’ Knittin’-Yahoo?

Answer: Benjamin Netanyahu

Before I talk about B-J K-Y, I’ll tell you upfront: I not only dislike the Prime Minister, I detest him since I think he’s a pathologically violent man. Now, you might ask: “If you really feel that way, but end up (somehow) being elected US President, won’t your first face-to-face with him be a bit awkward?”

Answer: He and I will never meet face-to-face. For one thing, I will instruct the State Department to reject any request for the PM to even enter the United States. And I’m certainly not going to Israel any time soon. Since I will have voided our diplomatic recognition of Israel, Knittin’-Yahoo and I won’t have any reason to speak. So we won’t. And that’s that.

As to the meaning of the joke name:

First, I refer you to a YouTube clip of a famous cartoon character known as Yosemite Sam – an angry little man quick to engage in violence: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOUhGcsHqDM

That’s how I see the Prime Minister, who is really just an old war dog with no sense of how to create a lasting peace – with justice for all.

To break down my name for him:

Been-Jammin’ – two possible meanings here: (1) As in “been jamming” up the peace process (obfuscating and gumming up the works) every chance he gets; (2) as in “been jamming” in the sense of musicians having a jam session*; (3) as in “been jammin’” this stick up yo butt for so long, you don’t even notice it.

*  More on the “jam session” meaning: A “jam session” is often between musicians who do not usually play together and just play off one another for the fun of it, especially without any preconceived ideas as to outcome [sounds like the peace process]. It might refer to musicians filling the stage (that is, jamming to capacity) - as often an open jam session would result in a lot of participants – for better or worse [again, sounds like the peace process].

Knittin’ – I have this vision of a mercurial, excitable Yosemite Sam-type PM animatedly “knitting” his eyebrows as he angrily denounces enemies and allies alike.

Yahoo – A Yahoo is either a member of a race of brutes in Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels, who have all the vices of and the form of (but aren’t necessarily) humans, or a yahoo is a boorish, crass, or stupid person. [No, I won’t call the PM “stupid” – except in the ways of peace – for all and not just members of his tribe.]

US divestment of investments in Israel,

including a ban on the purchase of Israeli War Bonds

I call them “Israeli War Bonds” even though the purpose of their sale is to raise cash for peaceful development. However, any money Israel raises for peace serves to free up money which can be spent to maintain its status as a permanently armed camp. I am tired of our politicians bleating about how much we support Israel and will do so forever under all circumstances. Our leaders proudly say, “Nobody tells Israel what to do.”

          Fine…I will be the last person to try to boss Israel around. But I think we can exert influence on their thinking. They certainly believe they can influence ours! And it’s looking more and more like we’ll have to use that influence in the name of tough love. In this post, I’m only offering a range of options, not all of which we have to engage at once. But I don’t much like the status quo. I don’t approve of sharing our highest level military technology, our annual multi-billion dollar cash giveaway, or swearing our eternal allegiance to Israel’s security.

          As far as I’m concerned, all nations are equally deserving of our respect and treatment, until they give us reason to think otherwise. And we don’t serve ourselves or anyone else well by singling out “special” relationships. Israel will rise and fall on its merits (as will we all, countries and individuals alike) due to the nature of its karma. And no one should expect any more or less than what their karma dictates. If they don’t like where they think that might lead them, then it’s time to make the amends necessary to change that karma.

My campaign commercials

I’ve posted scripted scenarios on this blog regarding commercials, in support of my presidential campaign, I hope might end up on YouTube. Add this concept to that pile:

I would love to see a spot showing a live clip of our fawning Congressmen giving Netanyahu twelve standing ovations. But the speaker would be the Yosemite Sam cartoon character mentioned above, spouting the PM’s rhetoric in Sam’s voice. Sam could even draw his 6-shooter and fire some emphasizing shots into the ceiling as he harangues our leaders.

I’m hard-put to figure out why the PM was invited to address our Congress in the first place. I read the text of his speech and saw nothing there requiring the physical presence of our representatives. Don’t they have more pressing business than to gather to hear a prepared text? Or maybe they had to be there or AIPAC would “note” their absence and start working against their reelection.

My campaign slogan would work well in such a commercial:

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

As the camera pans the faces of our fawning Congressmen (12 standing ovations, indeed!), a voiceover could point out: “Been-Jammin’ Knittin’-Yahoo obviously has the undivided attention of our elected leadership. Question: When will We-the-People get that kind of attention? Answer: We won’t – unless we get rid of the Dem/Pubs who insist on business as usual – like giving Israel everything it wants. We need independents who will give us everything we want.”

This might be a little over the top but here goes: As those Congressmen are applauding the PM, computer-generated images of trolls in yarmulkes could be seen circulating among that audience, stuffing dollar bills into their pockets. That’s not much of exaggeration of our current political reality.

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

Steven Searle for US President in 2012

Founder of The Independent Contractors’ Party

“Peace is possible, but not at the hands of the usual suspects – and not without independent Congressmen watching out for our interests.”

Contact me at bpa_cinc@yahoo.com

Part VII – Presidential candidate’s Yahoo News posts

Once again, I share comments I’d posted to articles appearing on Yahoo News. These were posted between May 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:

“Netanyahu has also said he would want to keep Israeli forces in the valley that divides the West Bank from Jordan even after any establishment of a Palestinian state.”

Oh, no you don’t. That valley is occupied territory. What part of “It’s a violation of international law to hold onto occupied territory” don’t you understand? Actually, what “Yahu” has in mind is to maintain ownership of “Israeli access only” roads passing thru Palestine, connecting Israel to the valley. Otherwise, those troops would be isolated.

But there is the larger question of Israeli security which Yahu routinely overlooks: How is it that a country based on a faith which includes a provision to “love the stranger as you would yourself” hasn’t managed to cultivate one single friend (in over 60 years!) among all the sovereign states in that area? They do not have even one friend. Now, ask yourself Yahu, “Why is that?”

Steven Searle for US President in 2012

“The biggest problem facing Yahu is, he is not really a Jew – he is a Zionist tribalist from the Me-Me-Me school. That’s a problem in this interconnected world.”

TWO:

Why did the ANC sell out the South African black man’s revolution? Much of the blame has to be laid at the feet of Nelson Mandela himself. There is a truism among counterinsurgency experts: If you want to fight against insurgents, be prepared for the possibility they might win by (somehow) compromising their leaders.

I considered this possibility: That during Mandela’s 27 years of imprisonment, he had been recorded, as part of a set-up, having sex with a male prisoner. That way, once freed and in a position to lead the new country, he would always be on a leash by his blackmailers. 27 years is a long time to be locked up and a man does get lonely. Not to mention, his jailers worked with the CIA and those boys have lots of tricks up their sleeves.

That was one possibility that crossed my mind; the other, that he just wasn’t a very competent or enlightened leader. The same man who fights for freedom is not always the same man wise enough to reap its benefits for his people.

Steven Searle for US President in 2012

“The true story of the post-revolutionary decline of South Africa will not come out for decades.”

THREE:

Wouldn’t it be absolutely amazing if Dominique Strauss-Kahn’s accuser has a male relative currently fighting with Gaddafi’s army against – among others – the French? Or if she had lost a loved one in that war?

Another thing: If Dominique had emerged naked from the shower, saw this woman and - overcome with lust – tried to chase her down on the spot, wasn’t he at all worried that the maid might not have entered his suite alone? Or that she might have left the door open and started screaming for help?

There’s too much here that doesn’t make sense, including this: Given his high profile, I’m amazed that heaven and earth aren’t being moved to expedite resolution of his case. Why is he being left twisting slowly in the wind? And Geithner saying Dominique “is obviously not in a position to run” the agency? Why state the obvious and come off sounding like an insensitive dick? I hope we are paying Geithner for more than just any fool’s ability to state the obvious.

Why didn’t Dominique take any special precautions against being set up (like never allowing himself to be alone), even though he’d speculated about that possibility?

Steven Searle for US President in 2012

“The longer I live, the stranger to world seems to me.”

FOUR:

“Washington agreed to help the Saudis develop nuclear energy for use in medicine, industry and power generation” – Get down! Nukes for the Saudis? What else, man? Who’s going to believe the Saudis need reactors for “power generation?” Power generation? In the land of underground oceans of oil? Oh, please, stop. Really, I mean it, stop now.

“…the U.S. turned over a highly sophisticated air operations center it had built in the desert south of Riyadh” … Uh huh, and did we make them pay for all that equipment?

So the US is going to help the Saudis create a missile “defense” system. I hope Barack Obama asked Israel if that would be okay. For if he didn’t, and Israel decides the Saudis might teeter into radicalism, look for Star of David jets to level that system. And too bad if there are any US casualties due to our “technicians” manning that system. Israel knows Barack would understand.

Why do the Saudis need us to help them build an elite force? With their money, they can afford to purchase a wide variety of military expertise from many sources. If they rely exclusively on us, they will end up screwing themselves. Or maybe something more diabolical is at work. We might have whispered, “Let us in to build your force or else we won’t intervene when the sh*t hits the fan and you’ll end up like Mubarak.” Pretty persuasive, yes?
Besides, why couldn’t the Saudi monarchy count on its own religious fanatics to protect the Holy Land? Or maybe the king has doubts about them?

Steven Searle for US President in 2012

“If elected US president, I would move to boycott the importation of Saudi oil. You say, our prices would skyrocket? I think you’ll be amazed to see quite the opposite.”

FIVE:

I've lived in Chicago all my life and have never watched the Oprah [Winfrey] show all the way through, not even once. The few times I checked out parts, I couldn't believe how bad she was. And people go gaga over this? Go figure.

Steven Searle for US President in 2012

"The only reason people like Oprah soar to the heights is because too many of us don't know how high up is."

SIX:

“Liu is the type of nominee they want for a lifetime appointment on the federal bench.”

Everybody(!) makes this mistake: Federal judges are not given a “lifetime appointment.” The Constitution says these judges “…shall hold their offices during good behaviour…”

This allows for an innovation I’m introducing in the upcoming campaign. If I have a chance to appoint a federal court judge, I will insist (as a condition of my nomination) that he publicly sign a written contract. This will stipulate:

- he can serve for only five years after which he must resign;

- if he doesn't resign, he acknowledges (in this contract) that that will be rightly construed as bad behaviour thereby opening him up to impeachment;

– when he resigns, he could be eligible for renomination.

This is my innovation and it is entirely constitutional.

Steven Searle for US President in 2012

“Judicial arrogance stems, in part, from this whole silly notion of the guaranteed lifetime appointment.”

SEVEN:

[Someone named “Roger” commented on the immediately preceding post, but (obviously) didn’t read it very carefully.]

Roger, you wrote, “But barring impeachment, there is no mechanism to remove them from office.” And you are absolutely right…as far as you go.

My intention is to have a potential nominee publicly declare and accept (in advance, in the language of a contract he signs) the notion that bad (therefore, impeachable) “behaviour” includes a failure to resign when his 5-year term is up. Remember: He can only serve as long as he maintains “good behaviour.” If he doesn’t want to sign such a contract, I would not nominate him for the bench. If he does sign it, he’s giving his word – his sacred oath – that he’ll resign after no more than 5 years of service. Violation of such must surely count as an impeachable offense in anybody’s book. Sorry, I can’t make my position any plainer than that.

Steven Searle for US President in 2012

“If you’re going to open your reply to me with “You, sir, are a moron,” you’re placing yourself in the company of too many who can’t do the thinking-outside-the-box necessary to save this country. Too bad for you. Worse for this country.”

EIGHT:

“…though Obama left room for adjustments reached through negotiations.”

What “adjustments?” Those West Bank settlements are in Occupied Territory. They must be vacated or submit themselves to Palestinian law. This is not negotiable. (sigh) Why is it that when Obama tries to sound tough, he weenies out?

Now, looking forward to the next president in 2013 (hopefully, me), I will tell Israel (though not in quite these words, but close enough), “Look, you’ve dicked around with this long enough. Either I see an independent, unoccupied Palestine within 6 months, or I void US diplomatic recognition of Israel and recognize Palestine instead. And I will ask that new entity to invite a token number of US troops on their soil, which includes current Jewish settlements, for joint military training exercises.”

Steven Searle for US President in 2012

“Do you think that will get Netanyahu’s attention?”

NINE:

“…warning a withdrawal from the West Bank would leave Israel vulnerable to attack…” So Netanyahu is basically confirming the world’s worst kept secret: “We will never leave the West Bank. Annexation will be only a matter of time.”

Bibi has 200 land-based nukes and three nuke-powered subs, and says he can't defend his borders? Say what?

Steven Searle for US President in 2012

“I rather suspect Bibi will give Obama quite the spanking when they have their one-on-one.”

TEN:

Dear Equalizer [who rather lamely replied to the immediately preceding post],

Please, let’s not play the “even if he did have nukes” game. If you think he doesn’t, then you’re the only one on the planet that gullible.

As for setting them off at the border, who says he has to? Israel’s army and air force are resilient and coordinated enough to handle any enemy incursions without nukes. However, the small ones can be tactical and small and launched at concentrations of enemy forces well outside Israel’s borders. And launching those within Israel's borders wouldn't prove long-term problematic as their yields are relatively low.

The larger nukes are meant for strategic targets well outside of Israel. As any Islamic statesman knows, if Israel ever truly had its back up against the wall, two targets are sure: The Aswan High Dam and Mecca.

Those subs are not tactical but strategic weapons and there’s always at least one in the Indian Ocean.

Steven Searle for US President in 2012

“If Bibi is saying his borders will become indefensible, he’s lying. But that won’t be for the first time.”

ELEVEN:

"It is disrespectful of Israel for America to dictate negotiating terms to our ally," Romney said…

And Israel respects the US by spying on us as a matter of routine national policy? Jonathan Pollard, once Israel’s leading spy, is still serving his life sentence for espionage in spite of Israel’s campaign to free him. And what Pollard did was far worse than anything WikiLeaks has done.

Steven Searle for US President in 2012

“Israel an ally? With friends like that, you don’t need… Romney, get a clue.”

TWELVE:

The F-35’s tremendous price tag will be one more nail in our coffin. A nail we ourselves are feverishly trying to pound into place. That’s quite a trick, actually – to drive nails into a coffin as we occupy it. Oh, well, we’re capable of a lot of contortions – especially in matters of finance and truth-telling. Somewhere, Osama bin Laden must be smiling, especially since the F-35 isn’t terribly efficient at fighting terrorism.

Steven Searle for US President in 2012

“It’s not too late to stop our self-inflicted madness; vote for me in 2012.”

THIRTEEN:

But Mick [who replied to the immediately preceding post], that's the problem - our pathological need to "stay ahead of the pack." For the most part, that's fear-driven, and that's not a good place for a great nation to be coming from. If you're looking for tek advances and spinoffs therefrom, we could do ourselves and the rest of the world a huge favor by directly investing in major, cutting-edge NON-weapons technology.

Steven Searle for US President in 2012

"There are a lot of great, unfunded ideas out there languishing, simply because our weapons industry is sucking away too much talent and too many dollars. When will we stop being so afraid?"

FOURTEEN:

"[Obama] undermined the sensitive and delicate negotiations for Middle East peace..." Oh, you mean those negotiations that never go anywhere? Those negotiations in which Netanyahu's side gives nothing except "yada yada yada?"

Steven Searle for US President in 2012

"No more yada-yada, let's see some results...like NOW!"

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

Steven Searle for US President in 2012

Founder of The Independent Contractors’ Party

“I’ve come to enjoy posting on Yahoo, but I wish Yahoo would get its act together software-wise.

Contact me at bpa_cinc@yahoo.com