Breaking Silence, Refusing To Adjust: The US Army Attempts To Censor The Baptists

 It's not unexpected, really.

The Army has decided that evangelical Christians are a potential terrorist threat, and has focused its efforts on keeping us safe from the likes of the folks who go to Sunday School at First Baptist Church of anywhere-south-of-the-Ohio-River. Hotbeds of hatred and insurrection like Abingdon, Virginia, or Paducah Kentucky, or Enid, Oklahoma.

Damn, OS feels safer already!!

Now, a self-proclaimed Muslim Jihadi Army officer can walk into a crowded room of unarmed servicemen and women at Fort Hood, cry the 'God Is Great' warcry and begin murdering those innocent people, and that is not a terrorist act! This man has never been sent to court-martial, and likely never will be during the Obama administration.

But, those Baptist! They, by golly are a threat!! Just ask Homeland Security!

('But, but, but...weren't those Boston Bombers wannabe jihadis?' Hush-yo-mouf!! They just poor misguided souls, dat's all, let's not go dissin' nooooobodies Muslim faith, now!)

Of course, it was not long before the Army's attempt to block the site was discovered, and the word spread. Rapidly. Loudly.

Then the serious backtracking began:

The Dept. of Defense confirmed to Fox News late Wednesday that the SBC website had been blocked — but not intentionally. “The Department of Defense is not intentionally blocking access to this site, said Lt. Col. Damien Pickart. “We are working diligently to investigate what might be causing access issues for some of our service members and to correct the situation as quickly as possible.”

Translation being: Damn!! We got caught!! Of course it was deliberate, since it's impossible to 'unintentionally' block a website, but we'll just lie about that bit, and hope people don't pick up on it.
Back to the drawing board--we'll have to find more subtle ways to pressure the Evangelicals. Them and their inconvenient consciences and beliefs that there is a moral Almighty to whom they have to give account.

What puzzles OS is: So much of the military is drawn from small towns, from church-going families, many of whom have a long tradition of military service stretching back generations. From what portions of society do they now intend to recruit for military service? Will blind obedience and physical prowess be the qualities most prized? Does this not sound troubling, and familiar, this military untied from a moral tradition, and trained to swear fealty to a charismatic leader? This is the direction that we seem to be going, and it always takes a nation over the cliff.

It is disturbing, but symptomatic of a more pervasive attitude found in the upper reaches of leadership in government and academia.

Mr. Obama's remark about rural Pennsylvanians clinging to guns and religion is the coin of the realm in his crowd. But let's put their shared consensus another way: Somehow it became a conventional view in contemporary American politics that it is non-urban conservatives who in every case have to accommodate their beliefs to a national culture created by people who live somewhere else. "They" must adjust on abortion, guns, school prayer, sexual mores and all the rest of it. Liberals, meanwhile, not only feel no need to concede anything but use the commanding heights of the press and academia to define anyone who dissents from their ever-evolving national culture as a political fringe obsessed with people, one might say, who aren't like them.

OS does not have much to say, except: The horrors of twentieth-century Europe, the millions upon millions slaughtered, the other millions who perished of disease and starvation, the millions more displaced by war, the wholesale leveling of beautiful cities; all this was made possible by compliant populations who were persuaded to 'adjust' to a New Order, a 'modern' view of life, unshackled by outmoded religion and ethics.

We cannot afford to, and dare not 'adjust'. To simply withdraw from society, as OS sees some do, into one's own angry and heavily armed enclave, is a form of capitulation. To respond with violence instead of words and votes invites massive blood-letting--recall The War Between The States, and imagine it re-fought with modern arms. This is not an option.

We have to remain engaged, and firmly, quietly, as kindly as we can, one home at a time, one neighborhood at a time, one church at a time, one town or county at a time, one vote at a time, one state at a time--inform one and all that we will not be 'adjusting'.

A Silence Broken, Because It is Time To Speak About Willful Ignorance

OS took a break a few weeks ago, concluding that he had tired of tossing words onto the foam, and sensing so little resulting from them. He had run out of things to say, really. Better, perhaps, to focus on matters closer to home, and calm down a bit. 

A week ago, when the first images of the terrorist attack in Boston appeared, OS tuned into ABC, only to hear the 'journalist' on duty opine that this surely must be the work of right-wing militia crazy-types, since after all it was near the date Adolf Hitler's burthday, and the Oklahoma City bombing, and after all the real threat to the nation are all those crazy people who oppose the Progressive agenda, etc etc etc...

OS heard the news of the two bombs placed some 100 yards apart, and blurted out: It's Madrid all over again, it's an Al Qaeda technique, pure and simple.

Then we were treated to The Manhunt. The identities of the two young monsters planted amongst us, their life stories, their images, their brutality. OS wondered how long it would take for the apologists for Islam to begin singing their tune about these exemplary young men, what was it about life in America that just so alienated that they felt compelled to express themselves in this manner...

It did not take long...and it will continue, have no doubt.

Mark Steyn's pithy essay, 'Ain't Nobody Here But Us Chechens' addresses it all.

These mooks were known to the FBI, to INS, to the vast array of drones who spend our money, disrupt our travel, monitor our internet usage, purchase enough guns and ammo to outfit a separate army, and simultaneously leave our borders open to a flood of illegal immigrants and bless the immigration of persons from the world's most dangerous regions to live amongst us. Any suggestion that this is not safe or sane is met with cries of 'Racism'!! 'Bigotry'!!, and the script is read that the real danger to the country are middle-class folks who work their tails off and refuse to vote for Obama.

This approach helped get those innocent people killed last Monday, to the murder of that young campus policeman, to firefights on the streets of Boston, to Heaven-only-knows how much cash burned to track them down, and the shutdown of one of our biggest cities.

So, it's time to say it: OS thinks there is something seriously twisted about Islam as it is practiced in the 21st century.

The local mosque is not the same as the local Methodist chapel.

The local imam is not the same sort of guy as the local Presbyterian minister. He is a different cat altogether, and he likely does not wish us well.

We have the right to defend ourselves. And we expect those we pay to defend us to concentrate their efforts upon the real and obvious threats, like radicalized Chechens, not disgruntled Baptists.

The time for willful ignorance is over. Despite what Massah Obama sez, Al-Qaeda is not on the run.
They may have just been biding their time, waiting for this convenient fool to be re-elected. Things turned awfully quiet after the Benghazi debacle, which, had it been properly reported, might have spelled the end of the Obama presidency.

So, do we take the law into our own hands, burn down mosques, harass the Muslims among us?
Absolutely not. No, no, no, no, no. This is the road to anarchy, chaos, and random bloodletting. No.

But we do get to speak up, and elect people to office from county sheriff on up who will not engage in willful ignorance. And we do get to finally find our voice, and call out the apologists and their allies in our government, and name for what they are: Enablers of the bombers who would blow up small children at public events in the name of a false and murderous religion.

Welcome To The World Of 'Wag The Dog': The Tale Of The Digitally Rendered Drone

OS had the joy of seeing a broadcast of the wickedly funny movie 'Wag The Dog' last week. Dustin Hoffman is simply brilliant as the Hollywood producer hired to save a US President's political career (a thinly disguised reference to Bill Clinton) by staging an imaginary war, which of course was won by us, the Good Guys. 

The movie has always been a favorite, but oddly comforting in its way, because after all, it's fiction.

Right?

Fast forward about fifteen years, and we have this insightful bit from The Atlantic, recounting how the iconic image of a drone firing a missile that we see everywhere is actually a piece of fiction, rendered by a clever designer in digital domain, in complete innocence.

The article is a good read. There is no skulduggery attached, no conspiracy here, nothing of that sort.

But just like 'Wag The Dog', it is an object lesson: We so often see what we think we see. We glance, come to a conclusion about what we have viewed, and move on along to the next item of business in our day.  We are all pressed for time, and can end up making momentous decisions in just moments, based upon what may or may not be accurate information.

In a world saturated with images and sounds, with little bits of news and info here and there, it is very easy to get 'snookered'. There are people (not the graphic designer Mr. Hahn) with malice in their hearts who know this fact, and make use of it. The deceptively edited audio of recording of the 911 call of George Zimmerman that figures so heavily in the Travon Martin tragedy is one small example.

A warning is wrapped in every Object Lesson: Be aware, be prudent, this could very easily happen to you. Why is this person or organization attempting to push or pull you in one direction or another?

Is what you are looking at/hearing/being told, actually true?

The Great Cyprus Haircut: Going After Depositers To 'Save The System'

Reuters carries a polite account of what is about to happen to the citizenry:

In a radical departure from previous aid packages, euro zone finance ministers want Cyprus savers to forfeit a portion of their deposits in return for a 10 billion euro ($13 billion) bailout for the island, which has been financially crippled by its exposure to neighboring Greece.

The decision, announced on Saturday morning, stunned Cypriots and caused a run on cash points, most of which were depleted within hours. Electronic transfers were stopped.

The originally proposed levies on deposits are 9.9 percent for those exceeding 100,000 euros and 6.7 percent on anything below that.


Say what? The proposal is to keep the stockholders and bondholders of the banks and sovereign debt 
intact by administering a haircut to small depositors. This will not go over well...

To be noted: As always, news like this is announced after the end of business hours on Friday. And Monday is a bank holiday. If you live on Cyprus and have a bank account there, well, it sucks to be you.  Of course, if you were among those privy to the news ahead of time, there was plenty of time to get out of Dodge, get your funds tucked away in Switzerland, and wait for things to come unwound around you while you have a wad of cash in your pocket. Distressed people end up selling distressed assets for a couple of dimes on the dollar. In that case, it's sweet to be you.

Of course, all those folks in places like Greece, Spain, Italy, France, Ireland, Protugal--they're watching this like a hawk. They know if the central bankers get away with this, they're next.

Therefore, short-term, OS expects the T-bill to go to a negative rate of interest, as people will actually pay Uncle Sam a fee to hold their cash for them.

The US stock market will get a new influx of hot money, as those who can get their money out will park it there as well.

Gold and silver will move a leg up, and...

there will be unrest on a lot of high streets in a lot of towns all over Europe.

Chin-straps on.

Wayne LaPierre at CPAC: And They Call Us Crazy?

OS sez...

Take twenty minutes, and listen to this man speak.

Then, if you haven't joined NRA, spend the $35 or so, and do it. It will take you about five minutes online.

After that, if you live in an enlightened state, take the mandated safety classes (it will take about 8 hours one day), and obtain a carry permit. You're not required to carry, obviously, but each permit completed sends a clear message to your state government and Members of Congress. They may be stupid, but they all can count.

Have a great weekend.

Up All Night, Waiting For Himself To Simply Answer A Simple Question

Does the President assert the right to arbitrarily take the life of a US citizen on US soil who poses no immediate threat to life and limb?

The answer from Massah Obama's White House has been a thunderous silence...

Until such time as that question is answered, Rand Paul and company are in filibuster mod

Time to stand with Rand, everybody. This could get interesting...

Hugo Chavez Becoming Accustomed To The Smell Of Sulfur: US Democrat Leaders Affectionately Eulogize Him

Historical moments are so revealing!


Hugo Chavez, by any reasonable measure a despot, died of cancer today.

The US Democrat leadership, who truly admire him, and hope to emulate his record, spent their day eulogizing him:

Jimmy Carter (always a favorite of OS) intoned:

“President Chávez will be remembered for his bold assertion of autonomy and independence for Latin American governments and for his formidable communication skills and personal connection with supporters in his country and abroad to whom he gave hope and empowerment,” Carter said. “We hope that as Venezuelans mourn the passing of President Chávez and recall his positive legacies — especially the gains made for the poor and vulnerable — the political leaders will move the country forward by building a new consensus that ensures equal opportunities for all Venezuelans to participate in every aspect of national life.”

Jose Serrano, 15th District of New York, recalls with pride how Chavez bought him off:

“I met President Chavez in 2005 when he came to my district at my invitation,” said Congressman Serrano. “His focus on the issues faced by the poor and disenfranchised in his country made him a truly revolutionary leader in the history of Latin America. He understood that after 400 years on the outside of the established power structure looking in, it was time that the poor had a chance at seeing their problems and issues addressed. His core belief was in the dignity and common humanity of all people in Venezuela and in the world.

“When he visited, President Chavez offered a new type of program to the people of the Bronx. He had harnessed the power of his nation’s oil resources and was using their profits—through Citgo—to enact social spending programs. Now he offered people in the Bronx that were struggling economically the same deal. He would provide home heating oil at a huge discount, provided the savings were reinvested in programs that benefited the underserved and underprivileged. I am proud to report that we have benefited from that program ever since, with millions invested in our community through this program and through a grant program he set up.

Why, isn't that sweet? Such compadres in the quest to advance the Welfare State...makes one wonder what percentage of those funds found their way into Rep. Serrano's campaigns and life? It is, after all, Latin American dictatorship politics, north-of-the-border.

For a close-up-and-personal look at life in Venezuela under Chavez, OS recommends you read through The Devil's Excrement, an English-language blog written by a Venezuelan engineer. 

As for Chavez...he passed from this world to the next, shocked to discover there is a next world, and an Almighty, that Perdition is hot, and Eternity lasts forever. He'll have plenty of time to adjust to that odor of sulfur...

The Trashing Of Bob Woodward Continues...

There's an old lawyer's proverb:

Iffn' yu ain't got the facts, pound the law.

Iffn' yu ain't got the law, pound the facts.

Iffn' yu ain't got neither, pound the table.

Looks like the Obama White House is engaging in some serious table-punding, via surrogates.

Quote of the day:

There are people waiting for Woodward to die so they can dish stuff on him that they’re too afraid to say now.

But, hey--No one's threatening Woodward...no-siree...

The White House, Under Gino And Vito's Management: Bob Woodward First Threatened, Now The Campaign To Discredit Begins

Oh, of course not, sez David Axlerod, the consigliere at the gang's hideout the Oval Office. Why we neeeever meant to THREATEN Mr. Woodward, just because he pointed out that we are bare-faced lying about crucial matters. Oh, no, never...

Woodward has a long career dealing with creeps in politics, including Richard Nixon's CREEP (Committee to Re-Elect the President), so he's definitely been threatened before. He knows it when he sees it.

He says he was threatened, and since his reportage is known for its accuracy, we do best to believe it.

From CNN on February 27:

Veteran journalist Bob Woodward says he was threatened by a senior Obama administration official following his reporting on the White House's handling of the forced federal spending cuts set to take effect on Friday. "They're not happy at all," he said on CNN's "The Situation Room," adding that an e-mail from a senior administration official - who he would not name - communicated a message which caused him great concern.

"It was said very clearly, you will regret doing this," he said Wednesday.

According to a Democrat aware of the situation, it was Gene Sperling, director of the National Economic Council, who sent the email Woodward cited.

Woodward and Sperling have known one another for decades, dating back to the time Sperling served as a top economic adviser in various posts during the Clinton administration. Former Obama adviser David Axelrod, however, tweeted Thursday that the e-mails were "cordial." 

This is like Gino and Vito paying a 'cordial' visit to the local butcher or baker in a Chicago neighborhood, cordially reminding him he needs to pay local fire insurance premiums, and local security guard service. After all, there are arsonists out there, and his three children attending these schools and that parish, playing on those soccer teams, playing with their friends in those other schools...why someone could target them, you know. All nice and 'cordial'-like.

These people make Haldemann, Erlichmann, The Plumbers, John Mitchell and Spiro Agnew look like rank amateurs.

Since Woodward 'outed' the threat, the tactic has changed: David Pflouffe, (2008 Obama Campaign Manager. White House Senior Advisor) is tweeting such gems as:

Watching Woodward last 2 days is like imagining my idol Mike Schmidt facing live pitching again. Perfection gained once is rarely repeated.

In other words, we can't threaten him and get away with it, so let's just create the impression that he's senile, over-the-hill, not credible. Pflouffe's book is entitled The Audacity to Win, which is chillingly apropo. Truth be damned, people's lives be damned. Just win, every battle, every time. That's the only rule in life.

The sainted Mrs. OS saw the report on TV about Woodward's experience, and said, 'All those things you've been telling me about those people are right. It's all about power, once they get there.'

Thank you, Mr. Woodward, for telling the simple truth about these creeps. 

It's up to the rest of us to to protect him; to push back, firmly, gently, politely, non-violently, every day. Otherwise, in short order, we will find ourselves living in a land like Argentina, once a gem of civilization, where journalists and citizens who dare tell the truth disappear in the dead of night. 

 

 

Bob Woodward Tells The Tale: The Sequester Fiasco Is An Obama Creation, And Himself Is A Bald-faced Liar About It

Can't make this stuff up, ya'll....

Massah Obama has got Hisself one ginormous problem: He's been grandstanding about how dem Wascawy Wepubwikans iz gunna' throw all those poor police, firefighters, Department of Defense, air traffic controllers and NEA teachers under the bus on March 1st, because they created and insisted upon a budget sequester to take place if no agreement could be reached on spending reductions.

He lined up all those police and firefighters and proclaimed how they would be put out on the streets if the Wascawy Wepubwikans didn't give him yet one more tax increase. Dem and their horrible cruel sequester, cutting three whole percent from discretionary spending--eighty-five billion dollars.

Oh, the humanity!!

Turns out, it's all a lie, and Bob Woodward, he-who-brought-down-Richard-Nixon, has called Obama on it.

The finger-pointing began during the third presidential debate last fall, on Oct. 22, when President Obama blamed Congress. “The sequester is not something that I’ve proposed,” Obama said. “It is something that Congress has proposed.”

The White House chief of staff at the time, Jack Lew, who had been budget director during the negotiations that set up the sequester in 2011, backed up the president two days later.
“There was an insistence on the part of Republicans in Congress for there to be some automatic trigger,” Lew said while campaigning in Florida. It “was very much rooted in the Republican congressional insistence that there be an automatic measure.”

The president and Lew had this wrong. My extensive reporting for my book “The Price of Politics” shows that the automatic spending cuts were initiated by the White House and were the brainchild of Lew and White House congressional relations chief Rob Nabors — probably the foremost experts on budget issues in the senior ranks of the federal government.

Woodward is the soul of credibility, an American living legend. He has made his career reporting events truthfully, and is not Obama's loyal hack, as so many of his colleagues have proven to be.

Massah Obama has got Hisself one ginormous problem!

The Sequester will occur. The House Republicans have let the Senate know that they will not lift a finger until the Senate votes on a budget, for the first time since Massah Obama took office.

There will be disruptions, engineered of course to create maximum pain, and these have already been planned carefully for the greatest political effect--the plan being to create chaos and tar the Republicans.

Not even the Washington Post, the Democrats personal handmaiden, is buying it.

It will not take too long for the disruptions to be laid at the feet of Himself, 'cuz he is, after all, The President of the United States. He spent his adult life working to get this job, and now, perhaps for the first time, he will be forced to actually manage his way out of the mess he's created.

Should be interesting to watch.