Politics/Intel
Why Are We Still Building Roads?
Via ABC's Nightline, this video of another great example of why it is long past time for the US to leave Afghanistan:
Shouldn't the Afghans by this point be able to provide their own security to those building roads? How can anyone from this or the prior administration look those families in the eye and say 'building these few miles of road was worth the life of your son (or daughter)"
A Pathetic Endorsement
The NH Union Leader endorsed Newt Gingrich in the Republic presidential primary today. Our issue is not so much that they select one candidate over another - but we do have problems when they make statements like this to justify their selection:Readers of the Union Leader and Sunday News know that we don't back candidates based on popularity polls or big-shot backers. We look for conservatives of courage and conviction who are independent-minded, grounded in their core beliefs about this nation and its people, and best equipped for the job.
Courage and conviction? Newt? Are they serious? Next to Romney there is no candidate who has flipped-flopped more on the issues and there is certainly none who is more tainted by scandal (House, FNM/FRE). Gingrich has shown anything but strong convictions on key conservative issues - just look at his public dissing of the Ryan plan last spring as the most recent egregious example. And if sitting down to do an advert with Nancy Pelosi on climate change is courageous, thanks, we'll pass.
Which leads us to another statement in their editorial endorsement:
We don't have to agree with them on every issue. We would rather back someone with whom we may sometimes disagree than one who tells us what he thinks we want to hear.
Really? You couldn't find one other candidate who you may have disagreed with on one issue, who may have told you something you did not want to hear and had both courage and rock solid conservative convictions?
Eisenhower
Tonight the Republicans will stage another one of their weekly presidential primary debates. The topic is national security. I wonder how many of them have bothered to listen to the entirety of Eisenhower's farewell address? Or that take seriously his warning about the "military/industrial complex?" Below is the entire video. If you wish, the first 4:30 can be skipped over. I do recommend watching through the end as he makes some very important points on the role of government which are still relevant today.Cain: Is This Really Your Guy?
We fully admit no love of Hermain Cain. His 9-9-9 plan is a joke (and not just in your town Flavor Flav!) He has shown ignorance on a number of promiment foreign policy issues, mocked countries we have relied on for assistance in the Afghan campaign, is dreadful on civil liberties and generally seen Michelle Bachman's gaffs and raised her. That said, he's probably ok to have a couple beers with. But honestly, the comments about China's nuclear program (or lack thereof?) the past week are by far the most discrediting. Elect this man at your own risk!Comment starts at 40s
So with that hoof in mouth, Cain followed up with this gem:
Comment starts at 1m24s
China's last nuclear test was in July, 1996. Sorry Herman, you can only "misspeak" so many times before you use up all your mulligans.
