Good Wednesday Morning!
1. Question – Iran & nukes – Done deal or not? I think the President just smiles sometimes.
2. Thought – Congress is now debating the Vienna agreement on Iran’s nuclear-weapons program, but we already know the outcome. A bipartisan House majority has or will shortly reject the deal, as will the Senate if it can overcome a Democratic filibuster. If the two houses act in sync, and if a resolution of disapproval reaches President Obama’s desk, he will veto it. Congress will not muster the constitutionally required two-thirds majority to override.
The grim reality, therefore, is that Obama will prevail. His Iran agreement will be implemented, with grave risks for the Middle East (ME) and the world, despite majorities in Congress and most public opinion polls rejecting it. Accordingly, opponents must immediately begin laying the foundations to abrogate the deal immediately upon the next president’s inauguration. (Scuttling a done deal on Iran by John Bolton from Pittsburgh Tribune Review, September 13, 2015)
AND – from me: So here we go…another ‘debate’ between leaders who desire to be the POTUS. Isn’t it strange that America has allowed the media to have such an impact on candidates for the presidency? I remember in the ‘ol days,’ and the hype before the Frazier and Ali or Foreman fights. How America couldn’t wait to see someone beat another. Competition at its best! Throw in all the rhetoric before the fight and we were just thrilled with anticipation. When I watch FOX and CNN and hear their talking heads speaking about today’s debate – it saddens me. We seem to be so enthused at putting another man or woman down from the same party. (“Who’s going to have the #1 sound-bite?”) I prefer FOX, but they are all the same. These talking heads are just too thrilled about the duel coming up between potential leaders of the free world. It is not entertainment we are talking about for crying out loud. The world’s pretty messed up. The U.S. is too. And this position of the POTUS seems to have taken on a Hollywood entertainment venue, without respect for what it is really about, and our kids are watching and Rome is crumbling.
AND: Yesterday was a weird day for me…I doubt I’ll ever feel 100% on 9/11 ever again. My kids will; but I doubt I will. 13 yrs ago I learned of a high school friend whose birthday is 9/11. This is my one bright spot on that day, I send an email wishing her a happy birthday.
Watched a couple 9/11 specials last night. I still shed a tear when I think of the twin towers falling, the heroes of flight 93, and the pentagon. I will always wonder if we could have done more.
We’ve had two POTUS in office since 2001 and each took an almost opposite stance in opposing this Islamic movement. Bush choose war; 0 choose withdrawal–almost isolationism. If success is measured as the retreat of the Islamic movement, neither has worked. War seemed to have slowed the progress; but left unchecked, the Islamic movement grows at a more rapid pace. The Arab Spring only seemed to have resulted in the advance of militant Islam across northern Africa.
A fair question is What’s the Plan? It appears the US is willing to let the ME sort out its own issues. For the most part, we are empowering Iran and thus must be content with the concept of Iran being the ME bully in the short term. Likewise, we must also be content with the concept of several ME nations gaining nuclear capabilities. The Iran deal will do one thing and do it well–it will secure the future of nuclear proliferation in the region. In the absence of any tangible world leadership, this outcome is certain.
But simultaneous to this growth in nuclear weaponry will be the exodus of people from the ME. Christians, Jews and Muslims will leave the region by the droves. Immediate destinations will be, in essence, anywhere and everywhere. But make no mistake, the final destination will be the United States. For while our current world image may be tarnished, we are still the brightest image of Freedom and Equality for the world. How will be deal with the mass migration that is eminently upon us?
I am not a strong advocate for diversity. I readily admit that diversity and equal opportunity (culturally) has its place, but Performance still matters. If we are to forego Performance for the sake of diversity then we must be willing to accept Average rather than Excellence. You do not build strong organizations or strong nations on the back of Average.
So, What is the Plan? What is being communicated from the Oval Office? From Congress? From our Judicial branch? Who exactly is looking out for you and your family’s best interest? What do you envision and desire your children’s future to look like? If you can answer these questions then perhaps you can understand the importance of an election and an educated vote.
“Q: And if the current situation is allowed to continue? A: The very definition of tyranny, according to Madison, is the accumulation of all power in one hand.” (Matthew Spaulding)
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