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Title: Is Obama a Republican?
Source:
townhall.com
URL Source: http://townhall.com/columnists/Stev ... 10/01/14/is_obama_a_republican
Published: Jan 14, 2010
Author: Steve Chapman
Post Date: 2010-01-14 07:50:36 by Eric Stratton
Keywords: None
Views: 327
Comments: 34
Is Obama a Republican? Anyone who was hoping the current administration would bring a modest downsizing of the nation’s defense establishment and global military role has to be feeling like Bernard Madoff’s investors. Escalation is underway in Afghanistan, the Army is expanding, and the Pentagon is on the all-you-can-eat diet. The American political system is set up to persuade citizens that they must choose between starkly different policies. In reality, campaigns are mostly a showy exercise in what Sigmund Freud called the “narcissism of small differences.” When it comes to defense, history suggests that the two major parties offer a choice on the order of McDonald’s and Burger King. Anyone looking back 50 years from now at objective indicators would have trouble identifying a meaningful difference between the current president and the last one. For that matter, it’s easy to assume that when President Obama began addressing national security policy, he accidentally picked up John McCain’s platform instead of his own. Critics suspect Obama is a closet Muslim. But maybe his real secret is that he’s a closet Republican. The administration and its opponents both make much of its plan to withdraw all U.S. combat forces from Iraq by this summer and to pull the rest out by 2012. What both prefer to forget is that the previous president agreed to the same timetable. Obama’s policy on the war he once opposed is not similar to Bush’s: It is identical. Afghanistan? Dick Cheney faults the president for allegedly failing to “talk about how we win,” as if Obama were doing far less than the Bush administration. In fact, Obama has agreed to more than triple the U.S. troop presence in a war that his predecessor only talked about winning. McCain called for a “surge” in Afghanistan like the one in Iraq. Obama has given it to him. Republicans nonetheless entertain the fantasy that at heart Obama is a pacifist, bent on gutting our military might and naively trusting the good faith of our adversaries. Bush White House adviser Karl Rove recently complained that under this administration, “defense spending is being flattened: Between 2009 and 2010, military outlays will rise 3.6 percent while nondefense discretionary spending climbs 12 percent.” Read that again: Rove believes that when defense spending rises 3.6 percent, it’s not really rising. Why? Because the rest of the budget is growing faster. By that logic, if I gained 10 pounds over the holidays but Rove gained 20, I’d need to have my pants taken in. As it is, the United States spends more on defense than all the other countries on Earth combined. Yet we persist in thinking of ourselves as endangered by foreign countries that are military pipsqueaks. Obama shares this view. He thinks the only problem with the American military is there isn’t enough of it. He’s expanding the size of both the Army and the Marine Corps. That’s right: After we begin leaving Iraq, the biggest military undertaking in two decades, we won’t need a smaller force. We’ll need a bigger one. Sean Hannity accuses the president of “cutting back on defense,” but he must be holding his chart upside down. The basic Pentagon budget (excluding money for the Iraq and Afghanistan wars) is scheduled to go up every year. Over the next five years, defense spending, adjusted for inflation, would be higher than it was in the last five years, when Fox News commentators did not complain about inadequate funding. That’s not counting the increases requested by Defense Secretary Robert Gates to provide an additional boost of nearly $60 billion over those five years. What all this suggests is that Iraq and Afghanistan have taught us nothing about the folly of invading other countries and trying to turn them into modern democracies. The essential theme of the administration’s national security policy is reflexive continuity. Why else would we need a bigger military except to do more of the same? So we are stuck with the consensus that has ruled Washington for decades -- the expensive, aggressive policy that has inflated the federal budget and bogged us down in two unsuccessful wars while furnishing an endless, priceless recruiting message for Islamic terrorists. Too bad. None of this would have happened if Barack Obama had been elected.
Steve Chapman
Thursday, January 14, 2010
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#1. To: All (#0)
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The relationship between morality and liberty is a linear one.
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The relationship between morality and liberty is a linear one.
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The relationship between morality and liberty is a linear one.
Ya got that right ! And he's an arrogant idiot to boot.
Doing what's right isn't always easy but it's always right.
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The relationship between morality and liberty is a linear one.
First few paragraphs here of a retrospective that hammers all the bad guys at work in 2009. Everybody from Ahmedinejad to Mugabe to Kim Jong Il gets hammered. Gaza is not worthy of mentioned in this catalogue of hot spots. Bio | E-mail | Blog | Recent columns Topics Punishment Crimes Corruption See more topics » XWestern Africa Murder Human Rights Watch Democracy Parliament Robert Mugabe Steve Chapman Raul Castro National Government Cuba Dmitry Medvedev Honduras Justice System Berlin Wall's Fall (1989) Barack Obama Heads of State Election Day Corporate Crime Government Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Prisons Adolf Hitler Hamid Karzai United Nations Human Rights Kim Jong Il Justice and Rights Civil Rights Steve Chapman December 27, 2009 E-mail Print Share Text Size This year marked the 20th anniversary of the blossoming of democracy around the world, stimulated in part by the fall of the Berlin Wall on Nov. 9, 1989. Far from producing much new growth, however, 2009 brought to mind an old folk song: Where have all the flowers gone? Not to China, which had an anniversary of its own -- the 20th since Chinese students occupied Tiananmen Square in an inspiring call for democracy and liberty, only to be crushed by the army. Looking back, Beijing shows no remorse. In fact, Human Rights Watch said in May that it "continues to victimize survivors, victims' families and others who challenge the official version of events." On June 4, Tiananmen Square was occupied again -- by battalions of police. Liu Xiaobo, the chief author of a manifesto calling for democracy and human rights, was sentenced to 11 years for "incitement to subvert state power." A human rights lawyer was shot to death, along with a student journalist, in broad daylight on a Moscow street. After his government passed a law making it a crime to equate Josef Stalin with Adolf Hitler, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev urged the creation of museums documenting his crimes. A grandson of the dictator filed a libel suit against a newspaper that called Stalin a "bloodthirsty cannibal," but he lost. . . . www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/chi- oped1227chapmandec27,0,2785009.column
Enter the world of Empire and interventionism. The US simply can't keep it's nose out of other nation's business, cost and blood shed be damned.
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The relationship between morality and liberty is a linear one.
Is it possible for you to cut him a little slack???? At least dont make the dumb shill sit in the corner on a three legged stool. I ignore ALL the talking motor mouths on radio and TV, I do not trust a damned one of them.
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The relationship between morality and liberty is a linear one.
Damn. You are harsh today. I stopped watching TV years ago and refuse to listen to "establishment propaganda artists".
Once you connect the dots, Obama very likely has been a CIA agent since college days. You don't "come out of nowhere" to be President. This is the third term of G.W. Bush.
“I would give no thought of what the world might say of me, if I could only transmit to posterity the reputation of an honest man.” - Sam Houston
hahahahaha! i love that.
You betcha! Speaking of Empire, have you given any thought to the tragedy in Haiti? Not that compassion isn't needed but I get the sickening feeling that it will be the mission of the US taxpayer to rebuild that nation, while allowing certain states (look out Florida) to absorb refugees. All those vacant foreclosed homes in FL, AZ and CA....I think they're about to become occupied.
And G.W. Bush wasn't much different than Clinton, and Clinton from #41. The American foreign policy agenda is fixed in stone regardless of who sits in the WH.
"brand Obama"
How about the 6th term of G HW Bush ? 8th term of Ronald Reagan ?
And G.W. Bush wasn't much different than Clinton, and Clinton from #41. The American foreign policy agenda is fixed in stone regardless of who sits in the WH. That pic is great! I especially live the little Greenspan in the rear, right :P
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The relationship between morality and liberty is a linear one.
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The relationship between morality and liberty is a linear one.
Whatever else he may be he is first and foremost a communist who was born in Kenya. Not eligible to be president.
Liberty is not a means to a higher political end. It is itself the highest political end. deleted
The relationship between morality and liberty is a linear one.
Ya got that right ! And he's an arrogant idiot to boot. It has been my observation that arrogance and mediocre intelligence seem to go "hand-in-hand". If anything I think I despise Vannity more than Rush, Rump Ranger, Limpaw. I've listened to him on the radio a few times and the one word that first comes to mind is nausea.
"One of the least understood strategies of the world revolution now moving rapidly toward its goal is the use of mind control as a major means of obtaining the consent of the people who will be subjects of the New World Order." K.M. Heaton, The National Educator
You read my mind. I was thinking the same damn thing yesterday minus the part about the vacant homes/immigration. Well, sure. You have to remember that we are constantly on the receiving end of Psychiatrically devised mind and perception control programs. One of them is to fracture the culture and reduce our resistance to a totalitarian take-over. By continuing to bring in the flood of legal and illegal immigrants it destabilizes the society through differences in language and culture. It creates incompatible sub-groups which fight with each other and not against our common enemy. Notice also the preference for cultures that are violent, speak a different language, and have a tradition of strong man rule. Haitians are perfect for the job - If I recall correctly they speak French (or a mixture of French and English), have a different culture, and are used to strong-man rule. Perfect for the job of destabilizing the culture - along with the Mexicanos. Both are being played for suckers and don't even get it. Why else do you think the Rockefucker Foundation supports La Raza - it's not because the bigoted S.O.B.'s like Mexicans. They don't - they are bigots and control freaks. The Mexicanos are just a useful tool - to be "eliminated" at some future date.
"One of the least understood strategies of the world revolution now moving rapidly toward its goal is the use of mind control as a major means of obtaining the consent of the people who will be subjects of the New World Order." K.M. Heaton, The National Educator
Meant to include you on that last post.
"One of the least understood strategies of the world revolution now moving rapidly toward its goal is the use of mind control as a major means of obtaining the consent of the people who will be subjects of the New World Order." K.M. Heaton, The National Educator
Is there any doubt that the foreign policy of the AmeriKan Empire is driven by bipolar, schizophrenics? On one hand, we invade nations on a whim killing people and breaking building with the most advanced weapon systems. Then, when a natural catastrophic event happens, we kick it up into "rebuild and feed mode." Location of events and the color of the victims plays into our response. If this happened in Iceland (their economy recently collapsed), Obama would have put out a perfunctory press release expressing sympathy and then retreat back under his desk.
Hi Eric I've been away and just catching up, but belated thanks for another fine posting.
Turning and turning in the widening gyre The falcon cannot hear the falconer; Things fall apart; the center cannot hold; Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world, The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere The ceremony of innocence is drowned; The best lack all conviction, while the worst Are full of passionate intensity. .... Yeats
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The relationship between morality and liberty is a directly proportional one.
Democrats are not, and have never been, the 'party of peace'. Nor Republicans of course, but until Vietnam the Reps could somewhat truthfully claim the 'party of peace and prosperity' as their working motto (look it up, 1950's). As if Dems are against war. Puh-leeez. Modern republicans are, of course, progressives so that most endorse war is no surprise, given their Trotsky character.
MapQuest really needs to start their directions on #5. Pretty sure I know how to get out of my neighborhood.
ninja edit
_________________________________________________________________________ Jerry Doyle used to be on WBAP here in DFW, his knowledge and experience in finance/investing is impressive, more-so than all the other talking-heads combined.
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The relationship between morality and liberty is a directly proportional one.
#2. To: Original_Intent, Lod, Jethro Tull, christine, packrat1145, mel_living, X-15, TwentyTwelve, Refinersfire, SonOfLiberty, palo verde, Buzzard, TommyTheMadArtist, Flintlock, phantom patriot, Prefrontal Vortex, noone222, Esso, AllTheKings'HorsesWontDoIt, (#0)
#3. To: farmfriend, Rotara, wudidiz, F.A. Hayek Fan, Horse, bluegrass, IRTorqued, Give Me Liberty, Sam Houston, iconoclast, James Deffenbach, Ada, Cynicom, Dakmar, wbales, bluegrass, Itistoolate, PSUSA, randge, tom007, HOUNDDAWG, mininggold, (#0)
#4. To: Eric Stratton (#1)
Hammity's toughest decision on any given day is what color dunce cap to wear.
#5. To: noone222 (#4)
#6. To: Eric Stratton (#3)
Anyone know Chapman's neocon tendencies, or not?
In 2009, global freedom had few blooms Steve Chapman
#7. To: Eric Stratton (#0)
So we are stuck with the consensus that has ruled Washington for decades -- the expensive, aggressive policy that has inflated the federal budget and bogged us down in two unsuccessful wars while furnishing an endless, priceless recruiting message for Islamic terrorists
#8. To: Jethro Tull (#7)
#9. To: Eric Stratton (#1)
Hammity's toughest decision on any given day is what color dunce cap to wear.
#10. To: Cynicom (#9)
#11. To: Eric Stratton (#10)
He already is in the corner on a two-legged stool
#12. To: Eric Stratton (#0)
#13. To: Eric Stratton (#0)
For that matter, it’s easy to assume that when President Obama began addressing national security policy, he accidentally picked up John McCain’s platform instead of his own. Critics suspect Obama is a closet Muslim. But maybe his real secret is that he’s a closet Republican.
#14. To: Eric Stratton (#8)
#15. To: Sam Houston (#12)
This is the third term of G.W. Bush.
#16. To: christine (#13)
#17. To: randge (#16)
#18. To: Sam Houston (#12)
"If you love wealth more than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, depart from us in peace. We ask not your counsel nor your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you. May your chains rest lightly upon you and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen.”—Samuel Adams 
#19. To: Jethro Tull, Sam Houston, all (#15)
This is the third term of G.W. Bush.
"The trouble with people is not that they don't know but that they know so much that ain't so." ~ Josh Billings
#20. To: wudidiz (#19)
#21. To: Cynicom (#11)
#22. To: Sam Houston (#12)
#23. To: Eric Stratton (#0)
Is Obama a Republican?
Lord Acton
#24. To: Jethro Tull (#14)
#25. To: noone222 (#4)
Hammity's toughest decision on any given day is what color dunce cap to wear.
#26. To: Eric Stratton, noone222, christine, Rotara, TwentyTwelve, wudidiz, all (#24)
Speaking of Empire, have you given any thought to the tragedy in Haiti? Not that compassion isn't needed but I get the sickening feeling that it will be the mission of the US taxpayer to rebuild that nation, while allowing certain states (look out Florida) to absorb refugees. All those vacant foreclosed homes in FL, AZ and CA....I think they're about to become occupied.
#27. To: Jethro Tull, all (#26)
#28. To: Original_Intent, all (#26)
#29. To: Eric Stratton (#0)
#30. To: iconoclast (#29)
#31. To: Eric Stratton (#2)
#32. To: Jethro Tull (#15)
And G.W. Bush wasn't much different than Clinton, and Clinton from #41. The American foreign policy agenda is fixed in *Israel* regardless of who sits in the WH.
"This man is Jesus,” shouted one man, spilling his Guinness as Barack Obama began his inaugural address. “When will he come to Kenya to save us?”
-Schweizerische Schuetzenzeitung (Swiss Shooting Federation) April, 1941
#33. To: Eric Stratton (#10)
I must say, Jim Sumter's spot on and Jerry Doyle seems to be pretty good.
"This man is Jesus,” shouted one man, spilling his Guinness as Barack Obama began his inaugural address. “When will he come to Kenya to save us?”
-Schweizerische Schuetzenzeitung (Swiss Shooting Federation) April, 1941
#34. To: SonOfLiberty (#31)
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