The Quintessential American?

American Renaissance - American Thinker, Article by: William Sullivan

The message is expressed well by William Sullivan in his article on the American Thinker. Use the link above.

But I couldn't start the day without passing it on, especially on THIS blog. The truth is I find no irony in the fact that a man from across the globe, who settles in America to build a life with dignity makes remarks such as this:

"I teach my children, and that's what I feel myself.  This is the ideal micro-world in the entire world. I respect this country, I love this country. This country, which gives chance to everybody else to be treated as a human being. And to just be human being. And feel yourself human being.  That is what I feel about this country." - Ruslan Tsarni

This man cherishes freedom, and I suspect (for I do not know) that at some point in his life, he did not have the right to "just be human being". This man is Ruslan Tsarni, uncle of the Boston Bombers, and he goes on to say that his nephews are/were "losers", but more importantly that they were driven most acutely by... envy. Where have we heard this word recently? Class Warfare? Class Envy?

He says that his nephews were envious of those who could "settle themselves", and I add, those who could find their own peace. Freedom, such as you find in the United States, allows people to express themselves in ways that you personally do not agree with, but yet your own path is also open to you. But when you are discontented and searching, taking from others their right to life, liberty and happiness is the greatest evil you can commit in this land. Shared misery is not the answer.

So I offer that we advance the American Renaissance, with insight from a man, Ruslan Tsarni, who knows what it means because he has experienced the alternative.

What is the real story here?

"These strategic sourcing contracts help leverage the purchasing power of DHS to efficiently procure equipment and supplies at significantly lower costs,"
- DHS legislative affairs official

Through multiple acquisition contracts the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is poised to buy 1.6 billion rounds of ammunition over the next 5 years, according to the article linked to above. The quote comes from a DHS representative in response to questions from Rep. Tim Huelskamp about the large purchase requisitions. And frankly, all things considered, it sounds plausible... or just plausible enough. What else are they going to say? After all, all those government agents and associated armed DHS affiliates don't enter on duty fully trained and competent with firearms; nor do they maintain proficiency after one qualification session on the range. So lots of rounds for training makes sense, and it is a big homeland; lots of land to cover. Right?

So what else are they going to say? Perhaps:
"DHS studies suggest that there is a 30% likelihood that in the next 3 years there will be an all out uprising of the populous across several key areas in the U.S. due to increasingly high dissatisfaction of the people with the policies of this White House and its administration with respect to rights guaranteed in the Constitution, and given our current state of readiness, and the percentages we presented with, it behooves the Department to prepare for this potential crisis in order to quell any insurrection with all necessary force, as an uprising will be considerably violent due to the large number of armed citizens, many with multiple firearms in their possession."

Nope.  Can't say that. Although, can anyone deny that this work of fiction written above, is not also plausible; that someone was tasked to conduct such a study? Considering that DHS has already put into record reports that suggest that "Right-Wing Extremists" are a brand of terrorists that the U.S. government must watch, it puts the last paragraph into a new scary context, does it not?

But what is the real story here? Putting pieces together from across the internet and telling a story, conspiratorial in nature or more benign, is all well and good. But what is real is that there is a large portion of the population is that ever more distrustful of the government, and the stories getting pieced together are becoming more and more plausible. Any student of history will acknowledge parallels from one era to another. No! Must acknowledge, for it is one of the most valuable lessons from examining the past. The real story here is that there is growing fear and mistrust, and it may be intangible now, with people looking around for pieces with which to make truth, but when plausible becomes "beyond a reasonable doubt' hopefully the citizenry will have prepared for danger, and not just DHS.

By the way, DHS is ranked as one of the worst government agencies to work for according to the non-profit, Partnership for Public Service. So not only are they buying loads of ammunition, they are also disgruntled. Tell me THAT'S not a recipe for disaster.

Common Sense

"I'm going to talk a little bit about what's logical and what's common sense today, because we don't hear a lot of that."  - Doctor Ben Carson

At the 2013 Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) Dr. Ben Carson, indeed spoke about common sense. Every American who believes they live their own lives with any modicum of common sense should use the link above. They should take the time and watch all 23 minutes and 46 seconds of Ben Caron's speech. Yes, my fellow countrymen, it is that simple.

And considering this great and talented man, Dr. Carson, who seems to be hinting at entering politics, my first reaction is to say "no." After watching his presentation, and knowing the influence he has made on countless lives, both in medicine, and in his efforts in education, my reaction is to shield him from the pathetic state of American politics.


But this is not someone who shies away from challenge and adversity. In fact this is exactly the type of person who should rise and speak for us, because he is the embodiment of the American spirit of exceptionalism. He is one of us, the people.

Enemy at the Gates

US to deploy more ground-based missile interceptors as North Korea steps up threats. NBC News

I've always wondered what America would be like if we truly bordered a hostile nation... or two. What if the entire region we also called home, shouted for our destruction? Israel knows what that is like. Whether you love them, hate them, or are indifferent to this tiny nation (physically) and its people, I think we can only guess about their motivations and actions unless we have also experienced a constant enemy at the gates.

Some will argue that we are already under assault, as Mexico is the gateway to America, minus getting a glimpse of Lady Liberty in New York Harbor from the ship you boarded in your homeland. Reconquista per the National Council of La Raza is certainly hotly debated, and for the record, denied by the NCLR. But this still doesn't rise to the bellicose environment that Israel exists in.

But perhaps North Korea is bringing it home for our time. Most of us remember the Cold War stand off with the USSR. But an entire generation does not remember. So hearing the threats and watching missile shields increase is alarming, in the same way nuclear proliferation was in the 80's. The difference is, the USSR for the most part was a rational nation. We stood on equal ground as super power nations and the concept of MAD, mutually assured destruction, was a viable and peaceful part of the approach that ultimately worked. The operative word here, however is rational.

North Korea and Iran are not rational. North Korea touting the party religion, and Iran drinking the Islamic Revolutionary party punch, mixed with nuclear capability is a cocktail for disaster. Sure, from all appearances both of these nations are infants in nuclear technology... for now. But despite this, more missiles were deployed to Alaska. In fact, it seems President George W. Bush ordered this additional installation in his final term in office. President Obama ordered them cancelled, then reversed his decision. So someone, is telling the President some hard truths about the world.

Appeasing irrational people is impossible. Every turning of the cheek emboldens our enemy. Letting our technological innovations slip into enemy hands will eventually catch up to us. Peace can be obtained through strength. And most importantly, someone told President Obama that no matter how much people seem to like you, one nuclear bomb detonated on American soil, would undo all the success he has had making us the equal of other nations in the world. The result being the entire world is vulnerable from a weakened United States.

I suppose I should applaud this defensive action, and give credit to the President, but it still feels hollow. I can only imagine how Israeli citizens feel with a rapidly advancing Iranian nuclear threat on their doorstep. And though the U.S. may not have an enemy at the gates, I can't help but think it might be better if we did.

No More Austerity - Already?

"Thorny issues that Athens still needs to address include shrinking the number of jobs in the public sector, speed up privatisation plans and recapitalise four of its main banks."
France 24

For at least 3 years now, Greece has been the go-to example of a failed nation-state due to a laundry list of egregious national mismanagement practices; a bloated government sector and over the top and unsustainable pensioner plans to name a few. They have become the ultimate warning sign to other nations, for example, say the U.S. But I digress. (And it doesn't mater because, unlike your own household, the U.S. has an infinite amount of (borrowed) money. Proof.)

Back to Greece. Apparently Greece PM Antonis Samaras, says enough is enough. No more austerity. Yet at the end of March 2.8 Billion euros will be sent to the failed nation by its "bail-out" creditors. So "thorny issues" is putting it lightly. The generous creditors, the European Union, the European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund, should be sending a strong message here, that it was not an overnight mishap, perhaps with a bottle of wine, that led you into ruin, and the road to recovery will not mean a few weeks of everyone bringing lunch from home. The message should be: since we are funding your recovery, you do not get to say when austerity ends. And you will not complain at the first sign of pain.

So as much as Greece has been a sign of failed governing practices, so to can it be the petri dish for experimenting with recovery. And as you can read in the quote taken from the article above, it seems that the clear prescription for Greece are the opposite of what our own country is doing. Everyone else can see it but us.

Alarm Bells!

 "I wanted to sound an alarm bell from coast to coast."
- Rand Paul

In his filibuster on Wednesday March 6, 2013 Sen. Rand Paul stated: "I will speak until I can no longer speak." He stood that day to oppose the nomination of Jim Brennan's nomination to the CIA. But his remarks focused on new policies that allow for the use of drone strikes on American citizens without due process. Rand Paul wanted clarification on these policies. In the link below you can read in Rand Paul's own words the remarkable events that transpired and the elected officials who came to his side in support, to include the "twitter-verse." But the most remarkable events transpired the next day.

Senators John McCain, and Lindsey Graham in reserve, took to the media to impugn the efforts of Rand Paul and his supporters, saying at best, it was a waste of time, that the discussion of drone use without due diligence is ridiculous, and at the worst, calling them school yard names; "wackos" I believe is the term he is quoted as saying. I, like everyone else has, will present the platitudes to Sen. McCain. He is a veteran of unique distinction due to his truly horrific experiences in Asia; something I will never diminish and will always hold as the ultimate in perseverance and bravery. But, could it be that, this formative experience of Sen. McCain's all those years ago, is the same thing that deafens him to the alarm bells of Sen. Rand Paul and his supporters?

When you have truly looked death in the face, and pondered your own demise at the hands of your  enemy, what exactly raises any alarm in your mind? I wonder if Sen. McCain thinks in his mind, when he listens to the travails of anyone, "I've seen worse and this is not it." I question what events might need to play out to bring him to his feet and sound the alarm. I believe it is complacency. As an "old dog" in Congress, this is business as usual; the Game of Thrones (for the lovers of the George R.R. Martin tales). But to fresh and youthful eyes, this is (one of) the dangers of our time. And Sen. Rand Paul is sounding the alarm, lest we wander too far from what our founding documents intended for the citizens of the United States.

There is nothing ridiculous, wasteful or "wacko" about debate, prior to enacting law, or committing persons to positions of control. It is true our Judicial Branch checks and balances our national actions through interpretation of the law, but that is no reason to write vague, incomplete, secretive (we-must-pass-it-to-find-out-what-is-in-it) laws. Sen. Rand Paul not only questioned the administration and the status quo, he started a new dynamic in our Congress. He may be a freshman, but Sen. McCain and other seasoned officials owe the incoming Congressman the respect of individual thought and action. And in my humble opinion, Sen. Paul sounded the alarm on drone strikes, yes. Well and good, but he inadvertently sounded the alarm on "old dogs" left in office too long.

In Rand Paul's Words