March 23, 2011

It's Not A Major Military Action?

In the opinion pages of the Washington Post Tuesday (here), Dana Milbank penned an article enchantingly titled: Obama’s Quick Trip From Tyrant to Weakling. Surprisingly, Milbank takes Mr. Obama to task (sort of), but of course, cannot resist taking a cheap shot at Mr. Bush, who at last check, has not been President for more than two years, a situation which is not expected to change. Milbank snarkily wrote:

“It was perilously close to George W. Bush’s My-Pet-Goat moment, when then-President Bush continued reading a storybook with children on Sept. 11, 2001, after he was told that the second World Trade Center tower had been hit. Bush later said he was trying to maintain calm; likewise, White House officials tell me the decision to proceed with the South America trip was made in part to convey that the Libya bombardment was not a major military action.”

Milbank’s thesis begins:

“After two years of being called a tyrant and a dictator, President Obama returns to Washington from a five-day overseas trip to find that he has become a weakling.

Would-be opponents such as Mitt Romney, Tim Pawlenty and Sarah Palin had been trying out this somewhat contradictory line of attack for more than a month, as Obama gave mixed signals about events in Egypt and Libya. But the “weak leader” charge gained traction over the weekend, as Obama chose to launch the attack on Gaddafi’s forces while on an excellent adventure in South America with his family.”

Posted by: MikeM at 12:19 PM | Comments (5) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

Quick Takes, March 23, 2011

ITEM: In the Is This Cool Or What? Department, comes news from the Daily Mail Online (here) about a gunfire locator miniaturized to fit on contemporary rifles. Using a version of sonar, it will allow troops to locate the firing positions of enemy soldiers within 1.3 seconds and return accurate fire on them. The device is currently being tested by the British in Afghanistan. Compact and lightweight, the device has the promise of giving troops a real edge in combat. Very cool indeed. Perhaps Mr. Obama might want to see about restoring the “special relationship” between America and England he has worked so hard and long to denigrate.

ITEM: From The Hill (here) comes the news that Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt) and other liberal Democrats have introduced a bill that would require a 2/3 majority in each house of Congress to pass any cuts to Social Security benefits. While Social Security is in real fiscal trouble, its problems are overshadowed by Medicare and Medicaid. But as always, it’s good to know that the Democrats are so serious about preventing our impending national bankruptcy and the collapse of the world’s economy that they’re willing to make it impossible to prevent our impending national bankruptcy and the collapse of the world’s economy. Wait a minute...I think I’m missing something here...

ITEM: From Sarah Palin Via Powerline (here) we learn that since Mr. Obama first took office, gas prices have increased 67% and continue to rise. During the same 26 month period of George W. Bush’s presidency, gas prices rose only 7%. Mr. Obama has said that if he gets his preferred polices, energy prices will “necessarily skyrocket.” He has also said that his only concern about skyrocketing gasoline prices is that he would prefer that they skyrocket more gradually. He has, of course, simultaneously all but shut down the production of new oil wells in America, and in the Gulf Coast, has issued only one drilling permit, and that for a well that was already nearly completed before the BP disaster. If a Manchurian Candidate had become president, how would his polices for the destruction of America differ from Mr. Obama’s? Discuss.

ITEM: And This Week’s Louis Renault Award Goes To: The Obama Administration (cue applause)! Fox News (here) reports that the Congressional Budget Office has examined Mr. Obama’s budget and his concluded that budget deficits until 2021 would be at least $2.3 trillion dollars more than the $7.2 trillion dollars the Obama budget projected. This disparity was due primarily to wildly optimistic economic assumptions on the part of the Obama Administration, and on at least some magical thinking. I’m shocked, shocked! But, oh what the heck? What’s two trillion or so among friends when you’re already throwing more than seven trillion down the rat hole? It’s all borrowed money anyway.

ITEM: Oh, so you’re calling me a rapist?! Sure, come on in, sit down, let’s negotiate in good faith! From Hot Air (here) come news of Vice President Joe--”The Sheriff”--Biden who recently compared Republicans who are trying to cut the federal budget to rapists. He also blamed them of creating the current deficit. Hmm. Wasn’t it Barack Obama who, in less than two years, has created the largest budget deficit in history, all by himself? And wasn’t it Barack Obama who, in his current budget, wants to increase that deficit to nearly $10 trillion dollars by 2021? If Mr. Biden and Mr. Obama get their way, the only people being raped will be taxpaying Americans. Joe Biden isn’t really the Vice President--is he?
It’s a parody, right?

ITEM: And in the “C’mon; This Has To Be A Parody, Right?” Department, comes Ed Morrissey from Hot Air (here) who informs us that Harry Reid has announced the most compelling reason for continuing to pour taxpayer dollars into the liberal sewer that is NPR yet, I mean, even more compelling than ensuring Nevada cowboy poetry (yeee-haw!) unto eternity. What could be more compelling than cowboy poetry? Why, ensuring that Harry Reid continues to be informed on the true origins of Alaskan dog-sled races! But wait, it gets better! Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-sort of--Alaska) wants continued NPR funding because of the “Mukluk Telegraph.” Accordingto Murkowski, NPR allows hunters to communicate that they returned to camp safely. It does? How would NPR go about that sort of thing, exactly? “And next on All Blubber Chewed, Bubba Jones and his hunting buddies are coming back to Anchorage from their annual Alaskan mosquito hunt...” Apparently NPR has a monopoly on all Alaskan radio frequencies. I know that Senator Reid is reality challenged, but now it seems that the frigid north has affected Senator Murkowski more than we realized.

ITEM: And in the “C’mon; This Really Has To Be A Parody, Right?” Department, against comes Ed Morrissey of Hot Air (here) who explains that many Congressional Democrats are grasping to understand why out of control spending that will--sooner rather than later--bankrupt the country, is so unpopular. They think they have the answer: It’s a failure of messaging! That’s right ladies and gentlemen, if only the Dems can trot out a few more Sesame Street puppets and get a bit more mileage out of sob stories about cowboy poetry and poor Harry Reid who might, in the future, be denied vital information on the origins of Alaskan dog-sled racing, why, they can convince everyone to march to their collective economic doom with smiles on their brainless faces! Read my messaging: WE DON’T HAVE THE MONEY! WE’RE BROKE! NO MONEY! NO...oh, never mind...

ITEM: Via Powerline (here) we learn that a recent Rasmussen survey revealed that only 20% of the public is willing to pay higher taxes to reduce the deficit, while 71% would not be willing. Interestingly, 83% believe that the size of the deficit is a result of politician’s unwillingness to cut spending rather than reluctant taxpayer’s unwillingness to part with more of their money. You know, it’s almost as if the American public suspects that if we give the fiscally handicapped in DC more tax revenue, they’ll just blow it on more boondoggles rather than paying down the debt and balancing the budget. If you think about it, you can almost believe it.

ITEM: From greenautoblog.com (here) comes news of a study by the American Public Transportation Association (I had no idea such a thing existed, you?) that surmises that when gasoline leaps to $5.00 per gallon, Americans will turn to public transportation in record numbers. They also suggest that said public transportation would be overwhelmed. Well, yeah. What they apparently do not realize is that most of America--you know, that part of America that is not actually a major city?-- has no public transportation. Some people really think that everyone lives in New York City, don’t they?

ITEM: In The Continuing Saga of the Religion of Peace Department: From Patrick Poole at The Tatler (here) comes the New York Times Magazine which ran a recent profile on a prominent “moderate” Muslim, one Yasir Qadhi, presenting him “as the new face of ‘moderate’ American Islam.” A Houston Imam, Qadhi would seem an odd choice to present as a moderate as he is an unapologetic Holocaust denier. Among his other moderate credentials are four of his former moderate students who have been arrested on moderate terror charges, including moderate underwear bomber Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab. Qadhi claims they must have misunderstood his message of moderation and peace. Uh, doesn’t the NYT have what they used to call “editors?” You know, people who would read something like this and say to the eager cub reporter trying to publish it something like “What the hell is wrong with you? This guy’s no moderate! If you can’t even get that fact right, what good are you! Get out of my office, you wet behind the ears whiner, and don’t come back until you have a factual story!” Ah, one can dream, can’t one?

ITEM: Anyone remember Barack Obama promising that he would make America loved and respected again throughout the world? Yeah. Not so much. For an across-the-pond perspective, read this article by Anna Pukas of the Express. Content Warning: You’ll have to ignore some of the left wing certitude, but the piece is all the more remarkable for it. You’ll see what I mean.

ITEM: And in the Man Up Department: Via Fox News (here), following the UN resolution to actually, you know, do something about Libya, military air strikes have begun. “Our planes are blocking the air attacks on the city [of Benghazi]” said French President Nicolas Sarkozy. French president?! French President. After weeks of dithering, weeks of allowing Qaddafi to murder thousands of his people, Mr. Obama has once again lived up to his reputation as a miracle worker: He has made the French look like the dominant, capable military power in the world. In the meantime, President Obama returned from his 5-day Latin America tour. His first diplomatic triumph of the trip was an announced press questioning opportunity that turned into a “we’ll talk at the media” opportunity when the Brazilians decided they didn’t want to take questions, yet more evidence of the transformative power of Obama international magic. There’s more, but it’s just too depressing.

ITEM: He said What?! From the invaluable Mark Steyn we learn of Mr. Obama’s comments at a gathering of major Dem. contributors last week in Washington. He was referencing his favorite topic: Himself. “As time passes, you start taking it for granted that a guy named Barack Hussein Obama is president of the United States. But we should never take it for granted. I hope that all of you still feel that sense of excitement and that sense of possibility.” Uh, I’m nearly--speechless. No, actually I’m not, which is a good thing as I’m the one writing this. I hereby offer a signed photograph of Barack Hussein Obama dropping a nickel in a piggy bank, payable as soon as I can get him to sign one (a photo, a nickel or a piggy bank), to anyone who can produce a more egregious example of entitlement, arrogance and narcissism. In this, at least, there is no question that our president leads the world.

ITEM: Cosmic Irony Department: From the bright and beautiful Michelle Malkin comes the news of the renaming of a Wilmington, Delaware train station on March 19. The station was renamed for VP Joe Biden in honor, apparently, of his gracing trains with his posterior in that vicinity over the years. The best part is that the Amtrack CEO who was officiating had a bit of a problem. The train on which he was to symbolically and historically arrive broke down, so he had to drive. And in the second bit of cosmic irony in a single item--we give you your money’s worth here--Mr. Biden admitted that he didn’t deserve the honor, but following in the footsteps of Mr. Obama who also said that he didn’t deserve a Nobel Peace Prize, accepted it anyway. Oh, and in the third bit of irony, the new station came in $5.3 million dollars over budget. And the fourth bit of irony? Guess who is responsible for seeing that all stimulus projects come in on budget and on time? Joe “The Sheriff,” “Mr. Gafftastic” Biden. Makes you proud to be an American, doesn’t it?

ITEM: And in the “Well, That Guy’s Career Is Over,” department, comes news of Rene Jaquez, the second ARF agent to go public with information about the ATF’s infamous operation “Fast and Furious.” During this botched operation, apparently sanctioned by the highest levels in the ATF, agents were ordered to allow thousands of guns to flow into mexico under threat of firing. Several of these weapons were used to kill Border Patrol agent Brian Terry in Arizona in December. Go here for additional information. The country is in the very best of hands.

ITEM: And in even more news from the Religion of Peace, Fox News (here) reports that “Palestinian militants” fired a rocket into southern Israel on March 20, this following a recent firing of about 50 mortar rounds into Israel. Several Israelis were wounded and Israel retaliated. Darned touchy those Israelis. After all, I’m sure those were peaceful mortar rounds and a peaceful rocket aimed only at establishing a sort of explosive yet peaceful dialogue and understanding.

ITEM: American Exceptionalism On Parade! From the Washington Examiner (here) comes Secretary of State Hillary Clinton commenting on the attack on Libya: “We did not lead this. We did not engage in unilateral actions in any way...” Hmm. So if it’s worth doing at all, if it’s the morally right thing to do, America can’t act unilaterally? Aren’t we supposed to be the good guys? Whatever happened to truth, justice and the American way? Golf, anyone?

ITEM: Let Them Eat iPads! To read a very satisfying account of an elite government economist getting his comeuppance from some of the little people, visit The Wall Street Journal Online here.

ITEM: Oh Goodie! Department: President Jimmy Carter is scheduled to visit North Korea to do--something or other. Its a virtual certainty that he’ll denigrate America and kowtow to the Nork’s lunatic leadership. Perhaps he’ll even negotiate a brilliant diplomatic breakthrough like so many others negotiated by Democrats, you know, something like we provide money, fuel and food that will prop up the regime for a few more years while they make meaningless promises that they simultaneously promise to break before the ink is dry on the agreement. It’s that kind of smart diplomacy that has made Mr. Carter what he is today. Mr. Obama is hot on his heels in the race to the bottom to surpass him. Go here for the full story, if you have the stomach for it.

ITEM: NEWSFLASH: Mr. Obama has recently announced his absolute support for the development and retrieval of the nation’s oil resources. Unfortunately, the nation happens to be Brazil. George Soros has a significant ownership stake in Petrobras, Brazil’s national oil company. I’m sure this is just a coincidence. In the meantime, Energy Secretary Salazar, speaking to unemployed oil field workers on the Gulf Coast, put his thumbs in his ears, stuck out his tongue and said: “PHHBBBBBT! OK, so I made that last part up, but you know he’d like to say it. It’s what he’s doing anyway.

ITEM: Have you always suspected that jihadist terrorists have been crossing our southern Border into America? They have indeed. At PJM, here is the proof. Nothing truly new for those who keep themselves well-informed, but oh deary dear. For serious people, there can be no doubt that Democrats can never again be allowed to be anywhere near national security. Or finances. Or domestic policy. Or foreign policy. Or (fill in favorite topic here).

ITEM: There Really Are Heroes! Department: Who’s tougher than Hideaki Akaiwa? Only Hideaki Akaiwa. To read about a man who is a genuine hero, go here.

And on that hopeful note for mankind, thanks for dropping by, and I’ll see you next Thursday!

Posted by: MikeM at 12:24 AM | Comments (4) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

March 22, 2011

So What Are We Doing In Libya Exactly?

So what are we doing in Libya, exactly? President Obama tells us that it’s his policy to removed Qaddafi from power, yet that it’s also US policy not to try to kill Qaddafi. Mr. Obama also tells us that these “policies” aren’t in the least contradictory. American military commanders, obviously uncomfortable, tell us that given the mission parameters and restraints imposed by our political non-leadership, it is entirely possible that they can and will successfully accomplish the mission they have been given, yet leave Qaddafi comfortably in power in Libya.

I’m tempted to ask whether this state of affairs is an Onion satire, or whether we have merely taken leave of our national senses. The saving grace is that, more and more, Mr. Obama has separated himself from America; he represents himself. That he has taken leave of his senses--to the extent that he ever had any in terms of foreign policy--can scarcely be denied.

The invaluable Caroline Glick, writing at Real Clear Politics (here) advances several convincing theories: (1) Mr. Obama has, as a fundamental understanding of American prestige and power, the unshakable belief that America is an evil, imperialistic power that is primarily responsible for all the trouble in the world. (2) Any nation aligned with America, any of our allies, must therefore be complicit in America’s evil. (3) The UN is the ultimate and only legitimate actor on the world stage and as such, a perfect vehicle to restrain and diminish American power and prestige.

To these theories, given credence not only by Mr. Obama’s words, but by his actions, I would add: (1) Mr. Obama has a real and abiding hatred for America and her people, a large percentage of whom he has called “enemies,” and insulted with implications of racism. (2) He has demonstrated reflexive support for communists and their allies around the world and in America. (3) He has a complete lack of respect for democracy and the Constitution, which he obviously regards as an anachronistic impediment to his socialistic goals. (4) He has a fundamental belief that America is a racist, evil society and is willing to implement racism in reverse as a means of settling the score. (5) As a man who is at odds with American ideals and democracy’s imperatives, and as a man with no interest in foreign policy, and with no experience, he has no core foreign policy principles except those that will be harmful to America. (6) He reflexively caters to, supports and boosts Muslim interests.

Ms. Glick asserts that America’s traditional interests in the Middle east have been: (1) Guaranteeing the free flow of low cost oil to America and the global market. (2) Supporting regional governments that will assist in the first goal at the expense of American enemies. (3) Suppressing jihadists and others hostile to America.

With these ideas in mind, what, exactly are we doing in Libya? If these theories are correct, and I suggest that they are, everything Mr. Obama has been doing since taking office is easily understood. A man with no core principles aligned with American interests would be expected to dither interminably when presented with foreign policy crises which he would consider an annoying distraction from his Socialistic remaking of American society. And so he has dithered interminably. Such a man would be expected to be anything but a leader, and so he has not lead. Such a man would be expected to seek the permission and the cover of the UN, and so he has. And in a nation with dramatically rising fuel costs, he would be expected to shut off domestic production and to pursue policies on the world stage that would further threaten affordable energy supplies, and so he has.

Do we know who these “rebels” in Libya are? No. Do we know their ultimate agenda? No. Can we be reasonably assured that if Qaddafi is deposed, that Libya will be friendly to America and her allies? No. Do we have any idea what will constitute victory in Libya? In fact, are our currently policies aimed at achieving anything there that might remotely resemble victory? No and no.

Under the right circumstances, when American vital interests are implicated, the expense of military action is not a concern. But under the present circumstances, where we are in real fiscal danger, where we are protecting no legitimate American interests, we continue to pour Tomahawk missiles into Libya at, arguably, a million dollars per bang.

By all means, read Ms. Glick’s article and ask, so what are we doing in Libya, exactly?

Posted by: MikeM at 12:03 PM | Comments (7) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

March 20, 2011

The Brave New World of Mr. Chu

The Obama Administration’s Novel Prize-winning physicist, Energy Secretary Dr. Stephen Chu appeared on Fox News Sunday (here) on March 20th and had a number of very disturbing--though completely unsurprising--things to say about energy development. But let’s go back in time to September, 2008, to an interview the Wall Street Journal (here) conducted with Mr. Chu. Also, go here to read an article with links to our past articles on the Chevy Volt.

“Somehow we have to figure out how to boost the price of gasoline to the levels in Europe,” Mr. Chu said.

Gasoline prices in Europe are currently about $10 per gallon ($200 to fill a 20 gallon fuel tank). Mr. Chu believes that artificially increasing gas prices will force Americans into smaller cars, public transportation and other situations more in line with the thinking of environmentalists. According to the WSJ:

Posted by: MikeM at 11:32 PM | Comments (15) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

March 19, 2011

Tomahawk Economics

Mr. Obama, after weeks of dithering that allowed Col. Qadaffi to slaughter untold numbers of his own countrymen, has responded to the recent UN resolution authorizing a no-fly zone over Libya by a tried and true Clintonian military strategy: Chucking 112 Tomahawk cruise missiles into Libya from ships off shore.

The Tomahawk is a subsonic, long range land attack missile programmed to strike specific targets with a high degree of accuracy. It commonly carries a 1000 pound conventional high explosive warhead and costs between $600 thousand dollars and $1 million dollars per shot (I’d bet on the higher number) It is used by our Navy and the British Navy and media reports indicate that both have fired Tomahawks on Libya.

This is a particularly interesting development completely in line with Mr. Obama’s past practice. Because he is unable to make timely decisions and is risk-averse, the primary thrust of Mr. Obama’s war on terror has been through Predator drone-fired Hellfire anti-tank missiles. Simultaneously our troops on the ground in Iraq, and particularly Afghanistan, are saddled with rules of engagement so restrictive that they have actually cost the lives of American soldiers. In addition, where a bullet or a few inexpensive bombs would do, Mr. Obama prefers much more expensive, higher tech applications of taxpayer dollars.

So while French pilots successfully attack Qadaffi’s ground forces inside Libya with relatively inexpensive munitions, our air assets are grounded and we lob less effective, far more expensive--and rare--hi-tech cruise missiles at military assets that can and should be destroyed by the application of relatively inexpensive JDAM equipped or laser guided bombs, weapons that can have substantially greater explosive capacity than the pricey Tomahawk. That ought to help balance the budget.

Oh well. At least we’re not looking like a second string, second rate military power struggling to keep pace with the French. Are we? I’m tempted to say that Mr. Obama is looking more Carteresque every day, but he’d have to man up considerably to reach even that abysmal standard.

Update, 03-20-11: Thanks to our readers for their pertinent points. Such issues are difficult, not least because we don't have the intelligence information those making command decisions hopefully have. That said, Tomahawks have their limitations. They're absolutely great against targets that are not capable of moving, or are very unlikely to move, but they are essentially fire and forget weapons. An F/A-18, say loaded with four bombs, is far more flexible. The pilot can make targeting decisions on site, and has the capability to destroy multiple targets with precision rather than one.

Indeed, the Tomahawk is a good weapon for taking out fixed missile and radar sites, though in the Persian Gulf War, that task was in part assigned to Apache helicopters (I know that option is likely unavailable here; just making the case for alternatives). An additional consideration is that if a Tomahawk lacks the explosive capacity to completely do the job, or if its intended target moved before the Tomahawk arrived, another strike, likely by manned aircraft, will be necessary to complete what could and should have been done in the first place. Manned strikes do expose our people to danger, but they understand and accept this.

We should never expose our people to unreasonable risks when there are viable alternatives, but the French are flying, apparently successfully. Are we less capable? My worry continues to be that Mr. Obama, because of his inability to make timely decisions, and his reluctance to use American force for any reason, is falling back on the tried and true Democrat dodge of using very expensive missiles when other, more effective and less expensive alternatives might do the job--militarily speaking--more effectively. Let's not even get into the argument about America's leadership in the world, at least not in this post.

Posted by: MikeM at 09:03 PM | Comments (16) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

1 I have to disagree on this one. According to press reports, the initial round of strikes was aimed at elements of the air defense system. This is exactly the sort of role where cruise missiles are most appropriate, since they allow strikes against SAM sites and radars without putting aircrew at risk. Tomahawks can, and have, been used inappropriately (for exhibit A, see the 1998 strikes launched by President Clinton). However, these strikes against Libya don't really fit in that category.

Posted by: Chris at March 19, 2011 10:27 PM (4AFdH)

2 I have to side with Chris on this one. SEAD (Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses) missions are an excellent fit for the Tomahawk - Difficult to detect, accurate, and no air crew at risk.

As to the relative expense, don't forget that JDAM that you're dropping requires POL, maintenance, parts, and RISK to deliver it and get home safely. There's more to the 'deal' than just the cost of the munition.

Further, we DO have Tomahawk equipped vessels in the area...we do NOT have any strike aircraft conveniently at hand. Especially none that can be part of a proper SEAD mission.

I ask you to consider what you'd be writing had Obama sent in an aircraft strike package and we'd lost say, an F/A-18 or two?

Ideally, we'd have followed up on the confusion and chaos caused by the Tomahawk strikes and finished of their AD network, but...

Orion

Posted by: Orion at March 19, 2011 11:28 PM (r12Li)

3 It is also useful to note that we aren't making any more Tomahawks. What we are using up are part of a strategic stockpile that is dwindling and not likely to be replaced under this administration.

There is no plan for replenishment.

Posted by: Professor Hale at March 20, 2011 01:12 AM (FJTpO)

4 I agree about the rarity factor... according to buddies of mine in the business, after the Reagan/Bush Cold War years General Dynamics and the other manufacturers of your basic "cruise missle" either sold off/disassembled/destroyed the 'hard machinerery' that was capable of producing the 'tech' of the missles themselves... From what I understand (from a Navy Commander who I worked with who's job it was at one point to be the 'button pusher' on a ship) is that each one (missle that is) as far as cost goes is actually exponential every time one is fired. As in if it cost $1 mil to initally make, (circa 1980) it's actually going to cost $5 mil to shoot and replace, and since they aren't being made, and the equipment to make them isn't around any more, it's now $10 mil per shot.

Another example: My padna's dad worked at NASA on the Space Shuttle. When they did the initial 'upgrade' in the early 90's of the Shuttle fleet, they (NASA) actually had to go on to Ebay to find some of the "hardware tech" b/c it was so 'obsolete' it was no longer commecially available on the shelf so to speak in order to keep the Space Shuttles flying!!!

In the long view, the seperation of civil/military control is a sound idea, but the the 'disconnect' of the current administration from the reality of "boots on the ground" is a grim scene, especially here in Baghdad right now, where I'm looking at being "Last Man Standing." Literally AND figuratively.

We should stay the hell away from Libya and worry about how thinly spread we are already, and save those Tomahawks for a REAL emergency (like saving MY a$$ if the Haj ever wake up here in Iraq, and realizing they outnumber us like 10,000 to 1 here... a potential "Alamo/Little Big Horn" situation here ya know?) If worse comes to worse, I really would prefer my tax dollars used to save my skin instead of a Libyans ya dig? Just sayin!!! Wish me luck over the next few months!

Posted by: Big Country at March 20, 2011 03:42 AM (Z8fIq)

5 Um, I think you might have some bad data there on the Tomahawk program. They just delivered the 2,000th Block IV Tomahawk in February of 2010, they're developing improved ASM capability for the Block-IV since May of 2009, and are developing the 'Tactical Tomahawk'...

Last time I knew, the lines in Tucson were still running (used to live there and have friend who worked there)

Orion

Posted by: Orion at March 20, 2011 06:07 AM (r12Li)

6 This is an aside from which weapons to use.The big issue here is that while ostensibly we are aiding the "rebels" in their quest for freedom or democracy, in reality we are clearing the stage for another Islamic theocracy that will certainly be less friendly to America than the idiot in power there now.

Posted by: -Bill at March 20, 2011 12:59 PM (322Ns)

7 The Tomahawk is still in production, but I have to admit that the first thought when I read 110 missiles (which, IIRC was more than we launched at Iraq in the start of the first air war) was "who has the contract to resupply those munitions and how much did they give Obama in 2008?"

Posted by: Phelps at March 20, 2011 02:08 PM (ACp4b)

8 I recall in 2003 the navy started a program to recycle nuke TLAMs into conventional ones because they couldn't afford to replace what they were using.

Posted by: Professor Hale at March 20, 2011 08:31 PM (FJTpO)

9 "We should never expose our people to unreasonable risks when there are viable alternatives, but the French are flying, apparently successfully."

Reportedly, B-2s, F-15s, F-16s, and Harriers were flying missions over Libya tonight.

Posted by: Chris at March 20, 2011 10:13 PM (4AFdH)

10 Dear Chris:

Thanks for the information, but that wasn't publicized until after I wrote the update. In fact, the only thing I've found on the topic is the suggestion that "stealth aircraft" had been used sometime in the last 24 or so hours. I'd be a bit surprised if Harriers were flying as they are generally used by our forces only as ground support and temporary air cover for Marines, and there are far more capable ground attack aircraft in our maritime arsenal. F-15s and F-16's flying air combat sorties might also be a bit unusual due to the great distances they'd have to travel from our nearest ground bases. They can certainly extend their range with tankers, but why do that so soon with F/A-18s already off the coast on carriers?

My point, written around the time of the initial Tomahawk strikes, was that we were not flying then and the French were, which as far as I know, remains factual. The issue remains which packages are appropriate for given targets and whether our military is being allowed to make military decisions unrestricted by timid political decision makers.

Posted by: mikemc at March 20, 2011 10:25 PM (CjO3x)

11 "Strikes from 26th MEU's AV-8B Harriers against Qadhafi's ground forces and air defenses commenced in the early morning hours joining an international effort to halt an offensive against the Libyan leader."
http://www.witn.com/home/headlines/Camp_Lejeune_Planes_Join_Military_Action_In_Libya_118322144.html

"Bombings mainly from American aircraft — including B-2 stealth bombers and F-15 and F-16 fighter-bombers — then targeted Libyan ground forces and air defenses, the U.S. military said."
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/af_libya

"My point, written around the time of the initial Tomahawk strikes, was that we were not flying then and the French were, which as far as I know, remains factual."

I think your point has been undermined by subsequent events.

Posted by: Chris at March 20, 2011 10:41 PM (4AFdH)

12 Dear Chris:

Thanks for the updated information, but my point was not that we'd never fly additional warplanes over Libya. I had little doubt, even as I wrote the initial post, that we eventually would, nor did I suggest otherwise.

Thanks again!

Posted by: mikemc at March 20, 2011 11:36 PM (CjO3x)

13 The POINT my friends is WHY? Iraq you remember was for oil (According to the lib/progs) it had NOTHING to do with Iraq's people trying to rid themselves of a tyrant... 12 years of a no fly zone didn't help... Now, gas prices are rising here, if Obama wants to get re-elected he has to get UNEMPLOYMENT down, and GAS PRICES can't be 3.50 or more. NOT YET. See after obama gets re-elected THEN and only then will gas prices "Skyrocket" because he only has those 4 years left.

Let's see, we bomb Libya under the guise of a "No fly zone?" Um since when did tanks and military bases fly? A NO FLY ZONE means NO flying attacks on the rebels. Also ask yourself WHY no help in Bahrain? in Saudi Arabia? or Yemen? Rebels are being killed in the streets there too?.. Mmm sounds odd to me.

Posted by: Robert at March 21, 2011 12:18 AM (IEh7K)

14 Tell me again why the US, EU, NATO, and the UN (ok, not the UN) are supporting Al Qaeda in their attempts to establish a Taliban style pan-continental state in Africa and the middle east?

Posted by: JTW at March 21, 2011 04:52 AM (jMRqb)

15 So does this make Obama, “Sarkozy’s poodle” ??
You know the world is upside down when a US president is led into war by a “Cheese Eating Surrender Monkey”

Posted by: Neo at March 21, 2011 01:12 PM (tvs2p)

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March 18, 2011

Bully For Obama?

Teddy Roosevelt’s favorite aphorism was arguably, “speak softly and carry a big stick.” He used the phrase to describe his bullying at the hands of NY state party bosses while he served as Governor. Adhering to that philosophy, he won that particular battle through courage and perseverance.

Comes now Barack Hussein Obama, teleprompter reader to the world, to deal with one of the most vital matters facing the republic and the international community: Bullying. That’s right, bullying. The President of the United States, facing crises in Libya, throughout the rest of the Arab world, Japan, North and South Korea, Iran, an economy speeding toward the edge of a bottomless abyss and an existential threat from Islamic lunatics lead by Iran, who seek the destruction of western civilization, and Mr. Obama devotes a recent address to the nation on bullying, a annoyance that has traditionally been handled on the local level, often with a retaliatory punch to the bully’s nose by a former victim.

Many members of the Clinton Administration--Janet Reno comes to mind--were often criticized for their inability to focus on issues on the national and world stages. They ran their agencies as though they were still responsible for local, or at the most, state-wide jurisdictions, leading to insane micro-management in domestic affairs, and absolute neglect of international issues. Mr. Obama threatens to make them look like omniscient titans on the world stage. Do visit here and here for additional information on this post.

Posted by: MikeM at 12:26 PM | Comments (5) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

Corruption at BATF-Greensboro

I just confirmed that the Greensboro, North Carolina office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (BATF) has decided to stall the investigation of a convicted felon linked to hundreds of weapons. They have evidence—enough to put the primary suspect and others in prison for a very long time—but have decided to stonewall the investigation.

Why?

Pursuing the prosecution will also likely reveal evidence that BATF auditors and agents have failed to do their jobs correctly and will force their termination.

You would think that BATF headquarters in Washington, DC would want an easy bust after the "Operation: Fast and Furious" gunrunning scandal left at least one U.S. Border Patrol agent and an unknown number of Mexican nationals murdered.

Instead, the BATF in the Carolinas seems far more intent on letting a convicted kidnapper with outstanding warrants for other crimes continue walking the streets, even though he is considered unstable, and likely to seek weapons again.

All to cover their own asses.

No matter who dies.

Posted by: Confederate Yankee at 12:24 PM | Comments (3) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

Diversity or Safety? Justice Dept. Orders Lower Standards for Police Exam

The good folks at Pajamas Media have been kind enough to publish my latest essay on the Obama/Holder Department of Justice. What are they up to now? Forcing Dayton, Ohio to drastically lower the passing grades on its police entrance exam because an insufficient number of people of the proper color passed the test with its normal, very low, passing standard.

Read about the latest Obama Administration outrage here. As Lilly Tomlin said, "no matter how cynical I get, I can't keep up."

Posted by: MikeM at 11:16 AM | Comments (2) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

March 17, 2011

The Volt That Wouldn't Die!

It may be worth your while to visit Patrick Michaels' relatively brief article on the Chevy Volt at Forbes (here), if for no other reason than to reinforce what you've already learned, and in much greater detail, on this scruffy little blog. You're ahead of the curve on this one!

Michaels reinforces the fact that the Volt makes no fiscal sense for GM or for potential driver/owners. One interesting bit is that a GM representative apparently told Michaels that cold would not effect a Volt's battery operating range. Apparently GM has discovered how to sidestep the laws of physics, so I'm anxiously awaiting the brand new, warp drive 2012 Volt, with optional transporter and replicator. I wonder how much of a tax credit that will wring from the Feds? And of course, you'll probably only get 1.5 light years on the battery before the warp drive kicks in. I'd definitely check the power reserves before trying to transport at warp though. It's not good to scatter your atoms all over the universe.

Michaels also makes an interesting point about GE preparing to buy many Volts from GM. GE President Jeffrey Imelt, you may remember from my past Volt posts, is now serving as an Obama economic advisor honcho. Could there be any collusion or conflict of interest in the head of GE buying up unsellable cars with heaters that don't work in order to shore up bull-goose looney Obama fiscal policies? Surely this would be impossible in the most transparent administration in history!

Actually, the Volt and everything and everyone remotely associated with it represent the very worst of feckless government meddling in the economy. Oh, and don't call me Shirley.

My previous posts on the Volt may be found here, here, here and here.

Posted by: MikeM at 01:42 PM | Comments (3) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

Quick Takes, March 17, 2011

ITEM: I’ll start this edition of Quick Takes with a sobering, but uplifting, story (here). Consider it a bit of penance for Mr. Obama’s serial insults of our British cousins. British Army Lance Cpl. Liam Tasker, and his bomb-sniffing dog, Theo, were inseparable--in life and in death. Don’t read this one unless you have Kleenex in hand, and be sure to pet your dog tonight.

ITEM: Mr. Obama has written an editorial promoting better background checks for gun purchasers (here). Several of his comments: “...my administration has not curtailed the rights of gun owners - it has expanded them, including allowing people to carry their guns in national parks and wildlife refuges.” And “I know that every time we try to talk about guns, it can reinforce stark divides. People shout at one another, which makes it impossible to listen.” He also repeatedly talks about “common sense” measures.

Hmm, he’s expanded gun rights? Like he’s expanded American oil production? Might want to chat with the folks on the Gulf Coast and Alaska about that one. “People shout at one another?” No, we keep calmly bringing up the Constitution and actual common sense; it’s the other side that does the shouting. And as to “common sense gun control” measures, we know what Mr. Obama and his side thinks those are. Visit my recent article on Mr. Obama’s gun control views--here--to see just how believable he is.

ITEM: I know that you’ve often asked yourself this question: What happens when a proton beam traveling at nearly the speed of light pierces your head? The answer may be found here. Yeoow!

ITEM: The Hell Has Frozen Over and Pigs Are Doing Barrel Rolls Overhead! Department: From Hot Air (here), Bill Clinton, speaking on a panel with George W. Bush, said that there are “ridiculous delays in permitting when our economy doesn’t need it.” That’s right, Bill Clinton believes that we ought to be drilling for oil and natural gas! Actually, it’s hardly surprising. Clinton was certainly a liberal, but more than willing to race to the center when necessary. And if Hillary decides to take another run at Mr. Obama, his comments make more and more sense. A frightening thought: Have things truly become so bad under Barack Obama that even Bill Clinton seems like a wise, elder statesman by comparison?

ITEM: Louis Renault Award of the Week: The Captain Louis Renault Award this week goes to ABC, CBS. MSNBC, NPR The New York Times, Washington Post, USA Today and the Los Angeles Times. We here at Confederate Yankee are shocked, shocked! that these news outlets have not, as of March 13, reported on the death threats made against Republicans in Wisconsin. Anyone depending on these “news” outlets would think the entire situation in Wisconsin was about oppressed workers fighting over crusts of bread denied them by the evil Governor of the state. Read the whole story here.

ITEM: Louis Renault Award II: At Jammie Wearing Fool (here), we learn that Geoffrey Eaton, Charlie Rangel’s Deputy Chief of Staff (a Congressman needs a Deputy Chief of Staff?!) had a rather bad day at the diner. Drunk and incensed that he couldn’t find his umbrella, he screamed obscenities at everyone in the restaurant where he was dining on March 10th. When a customer tried to calm him, he screamed “bleep you and mind your own bleeping business...you’re a disgrace to our race.” After fifteen minutes of trying to calm Eaton, the restaurant staff had to have him removed by the police. I’m shocked, shocked! that a race-baiting minion of a race-baiting, entitled congressman would behave this way!

ITEM: I know you’ve often asked yourself this question: Do redheads have a higher tolerance for pain? Find the shocking answer here. Double yeoow!

ITEM: Well, At Least He Has His Priorities Straight. With legislators in both parties wondering where in the world is Barack Obama on the budget, with the Arab world dissolving in conflict, with the deficit increasing with each passing day, Mr. Obama has chosen to swing dramatically into action! He has taped his NCAA picks to be revealed to an anxious and grateful public on March 16. Maybe it’s not such a bad thing for Mr. Obama to play so much golf after all; that way he can do less damage.

ITEM: Credit Where Credit Is Due, Department: At the Weekly Standard (here), Former Clinton Labor Secretary Robert Reich comments on the Wisconsin Democrats: “The absurdity of the Democrats’ outing was too much. They weren’t merely wrong on a procedural point. They were accusing Republicans of ‘making a mockery of democracy.’ operating like a ‘banana republic,’ and conducting a ‘coup d’etat.’ All the while, Democrats were hiding in another state trying to prevent a newly inaugurated senate from holding a vote on vital state business.’” Well, yeah...

ITEM: In the National Review Online (here) David French asks “Why Is It So Easy for Lila Rose and James O’Keffe?” His thesis is that organizations like NPR, ACORN and Planned Parenthood have never had any significant vetting, not from the news media, not from the government. Indeed. And that has bred an institutional arrogance that leads them to believe they are beyond reproach and rebuke. If they believe they’re with like-minded people, they have no fear of revealing their souls, and empty souls they are. Taxpayer dollars must not fund such folly, even if we have the money--and we don’t.

ITEM: “I’d rather be a really good one-term president than a mediocre two-term president.” Barack Obama, January 25, 2010. Isn’t it our civic duty to help Mr. Obama realize his dream? After all, he’s done so much to us...

ITEM: Former Speaker of the House (oh, it feels soooo good to write that!) Nancy Pelosi recently took to the House floor to proclaim that “Democrats have long fought for fiscal responsibility...” Uh...is that the same Democrats who have spent us into a pit so deep we may never climb out? The same Democrats who refused to pass a budget to hid their obscene spending binges? The same Democrats who think that cutting a few billion from a trillion-plus deficit is morally wrong? And isn’t Nancy Pelosi the same Speaker of the House who wasted millions commandeering military aircraft to fly her back and forth from San Francisco to DC despite the fact that she is independently wealthy? Thought so. It’s things like this that make me worry that irony may, in the near future, no longer be ironic enough. To get anyone’s attention, we may have to resort to super irony, perhaps even mega irony. And as long as we’re on that topic, Obama and the Dems are also quickly rendering a single exclamation mark insufficient. That’s super, mega, cosmic ironic!!!!!!!!

ITEM: Are you a brutal, repressive dictator? Are the peasants revolting (they certainly are, nyuk, nyuk!)? Is Barack Obama threatening to uphold universal human rights and to bear witness? Then you’d better read Rick Richman’s advice for dictators at Commentary (here).

ITEM: A Few Quick Thoughts On Energy: As Japanese nuclear plants continue to have “difficulties,” Mr. Obama has affirmed his commitment to building new nuclear plants, a commitment that has not yet resulted in the beginning of a single plant. Mr. Obama is, as always, trying to have it both ways. He can read his teleprompter to give lip service to nuclear energy all he likes, knowing that his bureaucrats will throw up an impenetrable wall of red tape to prevent the construction of a single plant. And even if a particularly determined utility was capable of surmounting such obstacles, Mr. Obama’s many environmentalist allies are certain to file lawsuit after lawsuit, but at a distance sufficient to provide Mr, Obama plausible deniability. And of course, federal bureaucrats will be watching any project like hawks, ready to revoke permits at the drop of a progressive hat. It’s win-win for Mr. Obama and his allies and lose-lose for America. As usual.

ITEM: Maybe America Has A Future After All...A recent Rasmussen poll (here) has revealed that only 3% of Americans think that an Ivy League education produces a better worker. A whopping 79% thinks otherwise. It’s good to see that Americans retain their essential common sense and practicality. You don’t suppose these poll results were influenced by the current occupant of the Oval Office and all of his various czars, sub czars, assistant deputy secretaries to the assistant deputy undersecretaries, etc., many of whom have Ivy League pedigrees, do you? Nah.

ITEM: We’re All About The New Civility: New Time magazine cover: “Wisconsin’s Governor Wins But Is He Still Dead Man Walker?” Oh dear. Wasn’t the lamestream media in a lather of late over the Gabrielle Giffords shooting? You know, the shooting by the rabid conservative, who turned out not to be a conservative, but plenty rabid? Weren’t we all supposed to avoid provocative language in discussing politicians? Apparently not so much, particularly if they’re republicans.

ITEM: So that’s The Cause of All the Economic Distress! Speaking at the National League of Cities Conference (here), First Lady Michelle Obama said: “You all know better than anyone that childhood obesity is already affecting your communities. It’s already weighing down your budgets. It’s already hampering economic growth.” And we all thought it had to do with lunatic federal economic policies, out of control entitlements and unrestrained spending on vital national programs like cowboy poetry. Who knew fixing it all was as easy as keeping Twinkies away from the kiddies? Those Obamas! What a shame there’s no Nobel Prize for sheer awesomeness.

ITEM: From the Associated Press (here): “Wholesale prices jumped last month by the most in nearly two years due to higher energy costs and the steepest rise in food prices in 36 years. Excluding those volatile categories, inflation was tame.” The AP also noted that “There was little sign of inflationary pressures outside of food and energy.” What good news! Outside of two of the three necessities of mere existence--food, housing and affordable energy--everything is great! As Dr. Pangloss used to say, we live in the best of all possible worlds. But wait a minute! Maybe you ought to read the next item...

ITEM: More Economic Good News: From Ed Morrissey at Hot Air (here), HUD has reported that housing starts for February dropped 22.5%, the lowest level in 27 years--that’s more than a quarter century, folks. But wait a minute! What about the Summer of Recovery? What about Mr. Obama who has “broken the back” of the recession? What about government statistics showing that unemployment is going down? Mark Twain said: “There are lies, damned lies and statistics.” Is it possible, just vaguely possible, that people who are under-employed or unemployed don’t buy new houses, and that if there is less demand, fewer new homes will be built? So it’s actually three for three for the Obama Administration! We’re number one! we’re number one!

ITEM: At a recent White House presser, Obama Administration press secretary Jay Carney fielded questions about the wisdom of Mr. Obama’s upcoming trip to Latin America in light of the rest of the world, you know, more or less, well, falling apart. Said Mr. Carney: “Obviously, the trip is on, and the president will be going to Latin America, and he's looking forward to having discussions with leaders in the region about our bilateral relationship.” Ah! So Mr. Obama will continue the strategy that has worked so well for the first two years of his administration: Talking. And when they’re done talking, they’ll talk about how the talking went, and about how to talk better in the future, about a new talk to the American people, and about how to set new deadlines for new, more forceful talking, and they’ll talk about talking about more talking about talking, and ...

ITEM: This Pretty Much Says It All: From Fox News via the excellent urgentagenda.com, we discover Mr. Obama’s priorities from his last weekend radio address: “Amid chaos around the world and on Capitol Hill, Obama’s Saturday radio address was devoted to Women’s History Month and a call to pass the Paycheck Fairness, Act, a proposal meant to address the income gap between men and women. Then, the president went golfing at Andrews Air Force Base [rimshot, and cue applause].”

ITEM: And in the continuing news from the religion of peace department, early on March 15th (here), the Israeli Navy boarded and seized a Liberian flagged German tanker loaded with peaceful Iranian weapons--such as peaceful mortar rounds, peaceful land to sea missiles, and other peaceful munitions--bound for Hamas in the Gaza strip, no doubt for completely peaceful purposes, such as peacefully murdering sleeping Israeli children. The weapons were recently transported through the Suez canal on peaceful Iranian war, er, peaceships. Newsflash: George Bush said that you’re either with us or you’re with the terrorists. Indeed. For a satiric and satisfying look at what Jihadists have to look forward to, visit this classic bit from the Onion (here).

ITEM: ObamaCare Isn’t A Government Takeover Of Health Care, Honest! Department: From CNS News via Hot Air (here) comes Representative John Conyers (D-Michigan), speaking at the National Press Club on March 14th. Conyers confirmed that ObamaCare has, from the start, been intended as a vehicle to establish absolute government control over health care. Said Conyers: “Well it’s a platform. I don’t think they flow smoothly but without it, if we didn’t have this then health care, universal health care would be an even more difficult legislative objective.” Whoda thunk it?

ITEM: I Knew It! Department: Visit here for an article that explains it all, everything you didn’t know you needed to know about the Age of Obama.

And on that informative and uplifting note, thanks for stopping by and I’ll see you next Thursday!!

Posted by: MikeM at 02:15 AM | Comments (9) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

1 Of course you know you will catch hell from your co-blogger over the redheads bit, right?

Posted by: Larry at March 17, 2011 11:31 PM (f4gk9)

2 Especially after her recent bout of "tolio".

Posted by: Marty at March 18, 2011 10:24 AM (as+G7)

3 Dear Larry and Marty:

On the contrary, I'm merely making her invincibility more widely known. She is truly a red-headed literary force of nature!

Posted by: mikemc at March 18, 2011 11:11 AM (CjO3x)

4 Redheads - people without souls? Then there are the dyslexic redheads that sold their soul to Santa.

You and Bob know you are in trouble right. :-)
You're just lucky I like you two guys so much. . the hair IS a warning label.

Posted by: brigid at March 18, 2011 02:13 PM (P7T7z)

5 And today I found out that those same scientists at the U of Edinborough mysteriously disappeared after publishing that report.

Forensics found a strand or two of long, fine copper red hair at the scene. Other than that, there were no other clues.

1) Don't tug on Superman's cape.
2) Don't spit into the wind
3) Don't speak ill of redheads.

Posted by: Tango Juiiet at March 18, 2011 06:08 PM (s0R0P)

6 Dear Tango Juliet:

I couldn't agree more. Wait--what's that noise? Oh no! It's her! It's....AARRGGGHHHHH!

Posted by: mikemc at March 18, 2011 07:36 PM (CjO3x)

7 (told you so)

Posted by: Larry at March 20, 2011 02:36 AM (f4gk9)

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March 16, 2011

Teaching and Sacrifice II

On February 20, I posted an article title “Teaching and Sacrifice” (here) about those Wisconsin teachers who had betrayed the sacred trust given them by the citizens of that state, preferring instead their own interests and the greater interests of the unions. The article garnered some interest in the blogosphere, and I was pleased because it illustrated at least some of the reasons why some Americans think so poorly of some who inhabit my chosen profession, and perhaps why they should think well of those who embody the highest values of teaching. When I wrote that article, I did not think that those teachers could have sunken lower, could have more completely betrayed their calling, duty and charges. I was wrong.

From Wisconsin Law Professor and blogger Ann Althouse (here) comes a March 14th post with video from the state Capitol building in Madison. According to Althouse, who also recently appeared on Megyn Kelly’s show on Fox, the people in the video in orange shirts emblazoned with “Proud To Be A Teacher,” are apparently teachers (she spoke with them). There are several other adults present who may be parents, but that’s not known with any certainty. The day the video was shot was, according to Althouse, a day that students and teachers were not in school. It is what the teachers are doing there that I find even more disturbing than abandoning the classroom or obtaining fake medical excuses to lie, to cover for their improper absence.

Posted by: MikeM at 10:49 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

March 15, 2011

Solemn Places of History

What is it about old places filled with the past that fascinate so? The landscape of the desert. The feel of machinery against our shoulder. The smell of oil and might on the breeze.

I had a chance to re-visit a resting place of old aircraft.

Posted by: Brigid at 11:06 PM | Comments (4) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

He's So Tired

In Mel Brooks’ classic Blazing Saddles, Madeline Kahn brilliantly plays saloon singer and lady of loose morals, Lily VonSchtupp, “The Teutonic Titwilllow.” One of her most arresting bits is a song titled “I’m So Tired,” where she complains about the inevitable and entirely foreseeable effects of her chosen profession, quite obviously the oldest profession.

Much less humorous is the President of the United States, Barack Obama, who, according to the New York Times on March 11 (here), “...has told people that it would be so much easier to be president of China. As one official put it, ‘No one is scrutinizing Hu Jintao’s words in Tahrir Square.’” No I imagine they’re not, not in a country where dissidents can be shot in the back of the head for such things and their families forced to pay for the cartridge.

Such longings for easier days and less complicated times are nothing new for Mr. Obama. His golf outings (more than 60 to date), command performance parties in the White House, and globe spanning vacations and “date nights” are the stuff of legend--at least in his own mind. But there are many previous indicators of Mr. Obama’s lack of preparation and fortitude, dating back to the beginning of his term in office. Several illustrative examples, by no means an exhaustive list, follow.

March 7, 2009: According to The Telegraph (here):

“Sources close to the White House say Mr. Obama and his staff have been ‘overwhelmed’ by the economic meltdown and have voiced concerns that the new president is not getting enough rest.”

The article was written following the first visit of British Prime Minister Gordon Brown to the White House, a visit that marked the beginning of Mr. Obama’s serial insults of the British.

“Allies of Mr. Obama say his weary appearance in the Oval Office with Mr. Brown illustrates the strain he is now under, and the president’s surprise at the sheer volume of business that crosses his desk. A well-connected Washington figure, who is close to members of Mr. Obama’s inner circle, expressed concern that Mr. Obama had failed so far to ‘even fake an interest in foreign policy.’”

A “Democratic Strategist” observed that:

“People say he looks more tired than they’re used to...He’s still calm, but there have been flashes of irritation when he thinks he’s being pushing to make a decision sooner than he wants to make it. He looks like he needs a cigarette.”

November 3, 2009: CBS News (here) observed:

“In the 12 months since his election a year ago tomorrow, President Obama has learned first hand it’s easier to run for president than to be president.”

Mr. Obama’s then press secretary, Robert Gibbs, weighed in:

“As one who gets to observe the president as a member of his inner circle, Gibbs says the job has proven to be harder and more exhausting than Mr. Obama expected.”

December 29, 2009: I Hate The Media (here) had this to say:

“After a sleepless, overnight flight to Oslo to accept the Nobel Peace Prize earlier this month, President Barack Obama made a not altogether surprising admission. He was tired.”

IHTM also made an interesting, helpful suggestion:

“Might we humbly offer a suggestion, Mr. President? If you’re really as tired as you say, take a nap every afternoon. Lay off the golf. And the photo shoots for all those magazine covers. And the appearance on all those TV shows. And the bowing to foreign dignitaries. Especially the bowing to foreign dignitaries.”

January 1, 2010: The Telegraph (here) weighed in on Mr. Obama’s appearance following his Hawaiian vacation:

“His care-free children Sasha and Malia were spotted smiling and playing with friends as they took to the water. But in sharp contrast, Mr Obama looked weary, as if the repeated interruptions to his family holiday had taken their toll.

He has had to address criticism over national security after it appeared that a lack of communication between government agencies allowed the Nigerian syringe bomber Umar Farouk Abdul Mutallab to attempt to blow up an airliner as it prepared to land in Detroit. He also faced the grim news that seven CIA operatives had been killed in a suicide bombing in Afghanistan.”

Posted by: MikeM at 10:51 PM | Comments (11) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

A Change of Speed

So, I turned 40 on Sunday.

I specifically didn't want a party, and so my wife kept it as low-key as you can make it without disappointing the kids (who see parties as a birthday must... especially the cake). It was, in most regards, just another day. But it wasn't. I'm not having the fabled "midlife crisis," but with everything else going on in the world, it has encouraged me to reflect upon what really matters, what doesn't, and a raft of opportunities that has opened up to me that I simply must seize while I may.

As a result, I will go ahead and predict that for the next little while, blogging will be a bit more sporadic in frequency and posts may be shorter as I concentrate on other things in my life. The up side of this is that I have wonderful co-bloggers that will continue to provide you with excellent, thoughtful commentary as the demands of their lives allow. Who knows... maybe my decreased posting will increase the quality of the blog. :-)

Thank you so much for following Confederate Yankee the last 6 1/2 years. We'll have many years ahead (I promise) but there are some things I simply must do while I can.

Posted by: Confederate Yankee at 09:47 AM | Comments (11) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

1 You have a lot of good fellow bloggers and followers. All of who will tell you how very important your family is. Do what is important - we'll keep the ship flying.

Posted by: North at March 15, 2011 09:54 AM (rz915)

2 Happy Birthday! Thank you so much for all the great work you (and your fellow writers) do on this site.

May the Lord bless and keep you and your family as you go through this time of reflection.

Posted by: Trudy at March 15, 2011 10:04 AM (dL99C)

3 Wishing you a very happy birthday, and thanks.

Posted by: arb at March 15, 2011 11:20 AM (vLVZJ)

4 Blogging is important--you do it well and we all appreciate your efforts.

However, life and family are even more important. Do what you have to do, and enjoy the journey.

Posted by: Stoutcat at March 15, 2011 02:13 PM (kKdtK)

5 Happy birthday brother. Welcome to the 40 and over club.

Remember, there will always be something to blog about. Family comes first!

Tarheel Repub Out!

Posted by: Tarheel Repub at March 15, 2011 02:53 PM (prDeJ)

6 40? Heh. You're still a puppy.

But it is a good idea to spend quality time with the family, especially the kids, while you can. They grow up fast and you don't get do-overs on that.

Posted by: Tully at March 15, 2011 05:59 PM (dhKXL)

7 Congrats on the big four-oh. Good luck with your other opportunities. Keep us posted on your progress.

Posted by: Junk Science Skeptic at March 16, 2011 12:59 AM (Fnr44)

8 welcome to the world of adults

Posted by: JTW at March 16, 2011 08:52 AM (jMRqb)

9 It isn't so bad and, sadly, is over a decade behind me. I hardly notice.
There is no such thing as time. It is only a perception to help keep us sane. There is only now and thus it always has been. Your entire life is NOW.

Posted by: Odins Acolyte at March 17, 2011 12:09 PM (7qwzH)

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March 13, 2011

The Automotive Story That Won't Die!

It’s the automotive saga that won’t die! See my most recent post on the Volt here. Chris DeMorro (here) writes about the Volt: “Without a doubt the biggest knock against the Volt isn’t its limited electric range or its so-so fuel efficiency, but the $41,000 price tag. Yet GM has the ability to make a cheaper Volt. So what’re they waiting for?”

DeMorro notes many of the issues I’ve raised in my several article on the Volt including the very pricey battery ($8000-$10,000--nobody knows for sure and GM isn’t telling) and the fact that “GM doesn’t make a dime off of every Volt they sell...” But DeMorro’s analysis of a smaller Volt with a smaller, less expensive battery produces a car that still costs about $32,000 with the federal tax credit, yet has an all-electric range of only 12-15 miles, as opposed to the Volt’s real world pricing of up to $65,000 and a range of only 25-40 miles.

Well who wouldn’t want a pseudo-electric car that was only a little less expensive than the Volt, yet has substantially less range? To DeMorro’s credit, he admits in an update that considering economic issues, “...a smaller battery might not actually make sense.” No kidding.

And at green.autoblog.com (here), they note that the Volt’s “More car than electric” advertising slogan has been conspicuously missing from recent Volt commercials. GM did respond to the autoblog folks with this comment:

“It’s More Car Than Electric” is still tagline for Volt. We did replace the tagline to announce the ‘Motor Trend Car of the Year’ and “North American Car of the Year.’ We also do not use the tagline when we are using Volt as more of a halo story for Chevrolet.”

And so GM continues to market a car that is too expensive to manufacture, too expensive to buy, is no significant improvement on contemporary vehicles and has expensive, unproven technology that has not caught up to the hype and never may. Other than that, it’s a brilliant new concept and will revolutionize the automobile industry in the same way that Mr. Obama policies have revolutionized the energy industry so as to cleverly, stratospherically raise gasoline prices. No wonder people call him the smartest man on the planet! And remember, “it’s more car than electric,” which is rather like saying “it’s more washing machine than coal.”

UPDATE: Rob over at PACNW Righty (here) has a story about a few charging stations being installed in the Puget Sound area--and their limitations. Nothing like a four to eight hour visit to a charging station to catch up on your reading or knitting!

Posted by: MikeM at 11:20 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

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