Let's see, what is the controversy for this week? We all know the drill. The late Friday afternoon media drop of the week. Oh, yeah, the release of Bowe Bergdahl in exchange for five notorious, high ranking members of the Taliban. YEY! No man left behind! The only US POW has now been freed. Oh, but the WH just didn't have time to let Congress know as is their obligation. Oops, they're sorry, but it was crucial. [God, I'm tired of this stuff and we have 2 1/2 more years of this crap.]
Right on cue, Susan Rice, someone we can always count on to tell the truth, hit the weekend pundit shows with the usual blah-blah and the "accusing the Republicans of making this political" has begun. At the same time Obama took to Air Force One and left the country just in time for the "narrative" to get muddled in "It's the Republican's fault" accusations. I hear that Obama was caught off guard with the negative response. He was expecting "euphoria", but all he got was a lead balloon crashing on the WH lawn. Even Diane Feinstein is upset. Once again we see the WH leadership playbook in action. Oh, and the big parade in Bengdahl's hometown has been cancelled.
Frankly, I don't really care much about Bengdahl's release. I tend to believe his own writings and all of his platoon mates who have come forward to say he deserted to go "walk-a-bout". I mean, this is a volunteer military, so it's not like he was forced to be there in the first place. He volunteered. He deserted his post. And no matter what the military decides to do in the way of a court marshal, all Obama has to do is pardon him. What I do care about is that five very dangerous people who even Diane Feinstein refused to release in an exchange for four years now, are now free to move about the world freely. Oh, yeah, Obama promised that part to the deal was that these five men would be monitored and that the Qataris would keep them under close scrutiny. Oops, well, Qatar has already released them to move about their country unmonitored and...oops, didn't Obama say we would would be monitoring their whereabouts. Well, no, we won't. Their families have already been flown to their side and I predict that they will be back in the bosom of the Taliban within the next few weeks, just as soon as all the hullabaloo dies down.
Why do we even bother. I had a friend who voted for Obama twice say to me how angry she is about all of this. When I informed her that Obama did this without informing Congress which is his obligation, she responded that Bush never informed Congress about going into into Afghanistan or Iraq. Uh, say what? I love her dearly, but you can imagine my response. Oh, yeah, isn't "blame Bush" part of the liberal program?
Oh, did you hear that the VA is stonewalling any investigation? Yeah, we are at Stage 7 of my 10 Stages to Leadership list. I wonder how long Bengdahl will have to wait for his appointment with the VA?
Anyway, I'm done. Any thoughts?
P.S. Remember a few weeks ago when I alluded that I was having to pay 247% more for my employee provide health insurance coverage? Yes, I am truly thrilled about Obamacare. Well, now I learned this week that, as of June 1, I only "technically" have health insurance, but no one can actually "verify" that I am covered. Yeah, my new insurance company is "backlogged" in assigning policies, so I won't actually be covered for the next "few weeks". I just hope that in the next "few weeks" I don't need any life-saving emergency procedures. My family may have to resort to my life insurance coverage to pay for it. I feel so much better about Obamacare now. Yeah, it is so working...
Right on cue, Susan Rice, someone we can always count on to tell the truth, hit the weekend pundit shows with the usual blah-blah and the "accusing the Republicans of making this political" has begun. At the same time Obama took to Air Force One and left the country just in time for the "narrative" to get muddled in "It's the Republican's fault" accusations. I hear that Obama was caught off guard with the negative response. He was expecting "euphoria", but all he got was a lead balloon crashing on the WH lawn. Even Diane Feinstein is upset. Once again we see the WH leadership playbook in action. Oh, and the big parade in Bengdahl's hometown has been cancelled.
Frankly, I don't really care much about Bengdahl's release. I tend to believe his own writings and all of his platoon mates who have come forward to say he deserted to go "walk-a-bout". I mean, this is a volunteer military, so it's not like he was forced to be there in the first place. He volunteered. He deserted his post. And no matter what the military decides to do in the way of a court marshal, all Obama has to do is pardon him. What I do care about is that five very dangerous people who even Diane Feinstein refused to release in an exchange for four years now, are now free to move about the world freely. Oh, yeah, Obama promised that part to the deal was that these five men would be monitored and that the Qataris would keep them under close scrutiny. Oops, well, Qatar has already released them to move about their country unmonitored and...oops, didn't Obama say we would would be monitoring their whereabouts. Well, no, we won't. Their families have already been flown to their side and I predict that they will be back in the bosom of the Taliban within the next few weeks, just as soon as all the hullabaloo dies down.
Why do we even bother. I had a friend who voted for Obama twice say to me how angry she is about all of this. When I informed her that Obama did this without informing Congress which is his obligation, she responded that Bush never informed Congress about going into into Afghanistan or Iraq. Uh, say what? I love her dearly, but you can imagine my response. Oh, yeah, isn't "blame Bush" part of the liberal program?
Oh, did you hear that the VA is stonewalling any investigation? Yeah, we are at Stage 7 of my 10 Stages to Leadership list. I wonder how long Bengdahl will have to wait for his appointment with the VA?
Anyway, I'm done. Any thoughts?
P.S. Remember a few weeks ago when I alluded that I was having to pay 247% more for my employee provide health insurance coverage? Yes, I am truly thrilled about Obamacare. Well, now I learned this week that, as of June 1, I only "technically" have health insurance, but no one can actually "verify" that I am covered. Yeah, my new insurance company is "backlogged" in assigning policies, so I won't actually be covered for the next "few weeks". I just hope that in the next "few weeks" I don't need any life-saving emergency procedures. My family may have to resort to my life insurance coverage to pay for it. I feel so much better about Obamacare now. Yeah, it is so working...
"she responded that Bush never informed Congress about going into into Afghanistan or Iraq."
ReplyDeleteHuh? What?
"Authorization for Use of Military Force Against the Terrorists
Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002
Also, all the President has to do is inform the leaders of Congress within 48hrs of his action.
ReplyDelete------------------------------------------------------------
SEC. 4. (a) In the absence of a declaration of war, in any case in which United States Armed Forces are introduced--
(1) into hostilities or into situations where imminent involvement in hostilities is clearly indicated by the circumstances;
(2) into the territory, airspace or waters of a foreign nation, while equipped for combat, except for deployments which relate solely to supply, replacement, repair, or training of such forces; or
(3) in numbers which substantially enlarge United States Armed Forces equipped for combat already located in a foreign nation; the president shall submit within 48 hours to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and to the President pro tempore of the Senate a report, in writing, setting forth--
(A) the circumstances necessitating the introduction of United States Armed Forces;
(B) the constitutional and legislative authority under which such introduction took place; and
(C) the estimated scope and duration of the hostilities or involvement.
(b) The President shall provide such other information as the Congress may request in the fulfillment of its constitutional responsibilities with respect to committing the Nation to war and to the use of United States Armed Forces abroad
(c) Whenever United States Armed Forces are introduced into hostilities or into any situation described in subsection (a) of this section, the President shall, so long as such armed forces continue to be engaged in such hostilities or situation, report to the Congress periodically on the status of such hostilities or situation as well as on the scope and duration of such hostilities or situation, but in no event shall he report to the Congress less often than once every six months.
------------------------------------------------------------
There are plenty of legit criticisms of Bush's handling of the War on Terror and the War in Iraq but this is not one of them!
If you want the War Powers Resolution, that lists the requirements the President must meet, here it is at the Avalon Project. Bush met the requirements.: LINK
So basically, in 2001 for Afghanistan, Bush had to send reports to Hastert (R) and Byrd (D) and in 2003 for Iraq, Hastert and Stevens (R). He had already gotten Congressional authorizations on the use of force so those reports were all that were needed.
ReplyDeleteAlso, during the 2008 Democratic primary fights Obama attacked Hillary for voting "Yay" on the Iraq Resolution. So much for "not informed".
Bowe Bergdahl should have stayed in Afghanistan where after his desertion and possible treason, he probably has more friends.
ReplyDeleteIts hilarious that Obama thought that trading five Taliban leaders for this guy would benefit him politically. Trades for hostages (even those who aren't hated) don't solve headaches for American presidents, they cause them.
I don't know Bev. Maybe POTUS has been spending too much time dreaming about "Yonce" or what it would be like to actually have a golf game, but these gaffes are truly puzzling.
ReplyDeleteI just don't get this 5-for-1 deal. Seems pretty generous.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I read some op-ed claiming that Obama had to turn the five over because the only way for the war to truly end is if all the POWs are returned. I'm pretty sure that doesn't square against anything ever before in the history of warfare, but maybe somebody can correct me if I'm wrong.
sounds like some sort of baseball trade for Pete's sake.
ReplyDeleteOh, dear, now the WH minions are floating the term "swiftboating" to describe Bengdahl's platoon mates who are coming forward. Wow, let's demean the real soldiers so that the deserter can get his props. Obama has managed to make me ashamed to be an American.
ReplyDeleteBtw, I have to be away for the next few hours, but will get back to everyone this afternoon....sorry.
tryanmax, That's usually how it works. The Israelis routinely trade 100-1.
ReplyDeleteBev, I find the whole thing amazing. Obama really botched this and his friends in the MSM and even the Democrats up for election are ripping him a new a-hole because of it. He seems genuinely shocked that everyone is attacking him over this. Ha ha.
ReplyDeleteBev, Demeaning real soldiers is a reflex for his highness.
ReplyDelete>>sounds like some sort of baseball trade for Pete's sake. >>
ReplyDeleteTrue, true, true, but this one makes even the Jim Fregosi for Nolan Ryan deal look like the Mets didn't get the shortest end of the straw.
EricP - So would that ultimately make the Texas Rangers the Taliban in this scenario?
ReplyDeleteAstros these days, but methinks Nolan could still beat the shit out of the Talban Five with one arm tied behind his back.
ReplyDeleteWow, Brandon Friedman, Obama administration Deputy Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs at HUD , has been floating the idea on Twitter that all of Bengdahl's platoon mates who are speaking out are probably "psychopaths" and he left because he just had to get away from them. just, wow...
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI was at a Veteran's Representative Conference all week and I can tell you from listening to 50 vet reps, not a single one of them, white, black, male, female etc were in favor of this trade..none of them. This is a disgrace and it ranks right up there with Jimmy Carter pardoning those draft dodgers and deserters from the Vietnam War.
ReplyDeleteCritch - At least the Vietnam deserters and draft dodgers were being drafted against their will. This guy volunteered. I know that there is only a scintilla of difference to real veteran, but I think he's much worse. Next stop will be claims of "Stockholm Syndrome"...and the rest of his platoon and I am sure any veteran who disagrees will be branded "swift-boaters" and psychopaths.
ReplyDeleteBev,
ReplyDeleteThe guy who implied his fellow soldiers were "psychopaths" has since apologized.
Also, even Chris Matthews called the White House out on their "swift boating" analogy.
Kit - Oh, well, that makes it okay then. Btw, was it one of those "I am sorry that you were offended by what I said" apologies or did he just delete his tweets (of which there were many) with a big "Oopsie, Sorry 'bout that! My bad!". As an employee who derives his paycheck off the backs of US taxpaying citizens (many of the who are veterans) of the US Federal taxpayer-fueled government he should be fired for opening his big trap period. Oh, yeah, we don't fire anyone who is paid by the government. It's not allowed by their union.
ReplyDeleteBev,
ReplyDeleteI never said it made it ok. I said it to point out that the White House is not controlling the narrative.
A released Taliban commanders says that the deal Obama cut with him gives him immunity from arrest for a year and that he plans to go back to Afghanistan and kill Americans. Also a different Taliban guy said they are now more likely to kidnap Americans.
ReplyDeleteI don't think the kidnapping thing will be a problem for soldiers. Taking someone alive and holding them prison for a long period of time is very manpower intensive.
Tourists and people who work for NGOs are more likely to be victims. Speaking of tourist kidnapping victims, an America woman named Caitlan Cole and her baby (which she had while a captive) and her husband are still in the custody of the Taliban (assuming they'll still breathing). Be interesting to see what if anything Obama does for them.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/06/05/caitlan-coleman-joshua-boyle-afghanistan_n_5454456.html
Kit - I know you didn't mean that it was "okay", however of this we disagree. I very much think that the WH is controlling the narrative. Not so much directly saying "go out and make stupid comments to muddle the issue", but by example. It is their well-established playbook to denigrate any and all who may disagree or question this administration. And when caught, they feign innocence and claim the mess is not of THEIR making, but is the vitriolic politicking of their "enemies". And it is done with such regularity, you can almost plan your vacations around it.
ReplyDeleteDon't get me wrong. The vitriolic politicking crowd plays right along with the same regularity. But this time I really think the WH and their proxies have jumped the shark at least until this afternoon at 4:45pm (ET) when the next media drop will occur...
Also, Hillary has stated that she kept Obama from attacking Palin for being a woman.
ReplyDeleteI remember when Dick Morris was confidently telling Rush Limbaugh that Palin would deliver white woman disappointed by Hillary's defeat to the GOP. I didn't and don't see any overlap between their support bases.
http://www.mediaite.com/tv/hillary-refused-to-support-obamas-attack-on-palin-just-for-being-a-woman/
So Anthony, does it really say that the WH promised that this member of the Taliban could not be taken back into custody for a year no strings attached? Has Obama actually been a practicing lawyer because he really doesn't seem like he understands the art of "negotiation". There must be a caveat like "if you leave Qatar we will drone the crap out of you and all of your descendants in perpetuity" would have been a better deal.
ReplyDeleteOh, please, Anthony, Clinton will say anything so that she justify her "everyone is a vast right-wing conspiratorial sexist" coming election strategy. If she really was concerned she should have spoken up the bagillion times that conservative female candidates have been attacked for just being women. She is one of the leaders of her party.
ReplyDeleteI am obviously in a cranky mood. ;-)
ReplyDeleteAnthony, I doubt this will change anything frankly. They already kidnap anyone they can. That's a third world terrorist thing.
ReplyDeleteInterestingly, I'm seeing a lot of people talking about this marine who is being held in Mexico under despicable conditions and people asking why Obama won't work to free him. That's a story people should start following.
Cranky Bev, A promise from Obama isn't worth jack. And frankly, I would have shoved tracking devices up these guy's a-holes, followed them to their lairs, and blown them to hell.
ReplyDeleteI hope our military had these 5 Taliban unconscious at some point and inserted RFID tags in them. It would be nice if we find them outside of Qatar and WHACK! them with a laser guided bomb..
ReplyDelete"Interestingly, I'm seeing a lot of people talking about this marine who is being held in Mexico under despicable conditions and people asking why Obama won't work to free him. That's a story people should start following."
ReplyDeleteThat case is kind of strange. But it should be looked into.
Bev,
ReplyDeleteSarcasm is hard to detect over the internet, but I mocking Clinton's claim that she was going out of her way to defend Palin back when she was part of the Obama administration.
So now, lost in the muddle...Obama is making deals with Hamas...
ReplyDelete