NSA Noise But No Changes
Isn’t it telling that despite the clamor when NSA practices were “uncovered”…our Congressional leaders most likely will take little or no action?
That says to me, one more time, the Press was looking for something to fill “airtime”. Or – although it seemed like a good Obama “gotcha” as it surfaced, when they dug for the dirt, they finally figured out Obama inherited this mess from George W and the neo-cons.
Perhaps they also found that Obama himself has been uncomfortable with the practice – just like he said; but his advisors (mixed Repo/Demo) had not been able to offer acceptable alternatives that balance safety and privacy in a better way.
So it looks to me like the Press and Snowden created a lot of “noise”, but those responsible in our Congress have not yet been able to find their way out of a mess they allowed to happen.
This may just become the story to trump another uncomfortable one in our past when as we went to war with Japan in WW11, we rounded up the Japanese – Americans on the west coast and sent them to US concentration camps – at the same time we were going off to fight Hitler justified partly by German concentration camps for the Jews.
When will we learn as a country not to be quite so self-righteous? Often gray is the right solution; not black or white.
Laying Down the Conservative Law
In the midst of the debate on economic recovery, has the legislature once again been maneuvered into a “gotcha” by that darn Obama?
Think about it. The House has done little but plot against this administration. But fractious divisions within the Republican Party may have just gone one step too far.
Trying to overturn Healthcare which was passed into law by Congress and the Administration, the House is now backed into a corner. So they’ve laid down the Conservative Law.
- Unless Healthcare is repealed (not gonna happen) they will deny support for financing the government beginning October 1.
- They will not increase borrowing limit in mid-October.
- This means Government Shutdown.
We shall see what happens, but I am betting on Obama. Monday, while the world watched the tragedy at the Navel Yard unfold, Obama did what he is so good at doing…he quietly made his case.
Oh yes, you can argue that he should have postponed the speech in view of the crisis unfolding at the Naval Yard and I admit, it seemed a bit incongruous ; but as the audience waited for him to appear, cameras continued to pan the briefing room and it was full of waiting reporters…so I guess they were part of the” problem”, weren’t they? If Obama is being criticized for bad judgment, what about the waiting audience- pencils poised to capture the “scoop”?
First, he reminded the American Public that this “crew” tried this in 2011; the result was a slow down in economic recovery…just as the predicted.
He then quickly outlined what his administration has done since 2008…it’s an impressive list for a man who some continue to call a do-nothing president.
Next, he pointed out that the 2011 threats from these folks included the rationale that they had to be listened to because of our deficits (conveniently, as usual, overlooking George W and the Neo –con actions that created that crisis). Unfortunately for the Conservatives, deficits did not increase as they predicted, but instead, they declined, as the Democrats knew they would….thus, leaving “egg on their conservative faces” so to speak.
Fast forward to 2013. The naysayers needed a switch in tactics to cover up how wrong they were. But as they looked around for a new hook, what did they pick? Healthcare!
- Yes, the bill that was sponsored by the Obama Administration
- Yes, the bill that was passed in the House
- Yes, the bill that was passed in the Senate
- Yes, the law the conservative Supreme Court ruled Constitutional.
- Yes, the same law these folks have tried to repeal over 40 times.
Three branches of government just like outlined in our Constitution have disagreed with the conservative nutcases; attempts to repeal the law have failed over 40 times.
We all know the bluster of these folks won’t work but I bet this quote from the President will be found for generations in our history book:
“I cannot remember a time when one faction of one party promises economic chaos if it can’t get 100 percent of what it wants.”
Sets them up pretty well for the idiots they are, “dontcha think”?!!
Fracking Update
“Industry” study indicated gas leaks from fracking sites fewer than thought.
As I read the headline, I thought- great; we are learning more; maybe I am wrong to take such as firm anti-fracking stance.
Not so fast, Cheryl! The study was done by the University of Texas (they certainly were picked because they are a “neutral” party, aren’t they?) along with nine GAS PRODUCERS! The group responding to the study with doubt was a Washington-based environmental group. (Lobbyists, perhaps?)
So with opposite parties most likely representing extremes on either side of the issue…who should concerned citizens believe?
How do we get a NEUTRAL assessment instead of this craziness?
created by CEK 