Who Gets Credit for the Killing of Bin Laden?

“Obama killed Bin Laden.” Oye... I understand that this is the easy answer being parroted by many on the left (including in the lamestream media), mainly because the real answer won’t help him get re-elected (none of this will likely help at all – history has shown events like this most often have ZERO lasting positive effect*). I'll explain this very delicately, because if/when Obama is HONEST about his time in office (this typically occurs once a president is out of office), he will admit to the following;


A) Osama bin Laden was killed by a member of Navy SEAL Team Six (AKA: DEVGRU), and NOBODY ELSE. YES, this was under order of the president (more on this later), but Obama DID NOT make the kill, and gets no credit for it (nor should he take any – and I don’t believe he has, per se). As I have said MANY TIMES since the news broke: This is not any person’s victory, and any politician who tries to claim it for themselves or someone else other than the 9-11 victims and their families SHOULD BE PUBLICLY FLOGGED. This is not a victory for the American people. This is also not a military victory. They secured it, TO BE SURE, but it belongs only to the victims and their families. PERIOD.

B) Many in the media are saying things like; “OBAMA gave the order.”, “It happened on his watch.”, etc… These are nice soundbytes, but not much else. I have never been a big fan of either, for reasons which will be explained further throughout this. I will say, concerning “It happened on his watch.”: This is easily one of the dumbest phrases used in modern political reporting. It is only used by folks in a manner which is pleasing to them. They say things like , “9-11 happened on Bush’s watch.”, while ignoring all of the Bin Laden/Al-Qaeda attacks that occurred under Clinton (who had opportunities to get Bin Laden, but didn’t – another fact ignored by the media) AND while refusing to say that the Ft. Hood/Times Square/Detroit runway, etc. incidents happened “on Obama’s watch.” (Hell, they not so quietly were initially HOPING it was a “tea partier” or some militia yokel in each instance). Here is a link to an old post about the Ft. Hood incident (http://politicalrealitywithpubliusx.blogspot.com/2009/11/when-does-buck-not-stop-in-oval-office.html), if you’d care to see more on why this is typically a very unfair statement most often made by folks who have NO CLUE as to what REALLY goes on in daily governmental affairs. When people use phrases like this, they basically prove that they don’t believe that political correctness nor decorum should be two-way streets.

C) Many have tried to say that Obama made a very tough decision here in “giving the order”, even eluding that there were other options. Most former presidents understand, and often admit (usually when they are leaving or have actually left the office), that in situations like this; THERE IS ONLY ONE DECISION. Bush (43) has said, in certain situations, the presidents’ hands are in reality tied by circumstance. The president takes in all the available intel, hopes it’s accurate (mainly because it’s almost always coming from multiple sources, sometimes FOREIGN), and then gives the okay. The reality is; this was the only option. To NOT go for the acquisition or kill would have been a death knell for 2012 had it become public knowledge. To just bomb the compound and HOPE the intel was accurate and that we got him SOMEWHERE in the rubble? Another disaster, both domestically AND internationally (could it have been seen as an act of war, even if we think we found his remains – assuming we’d be allowed to look?). Obama really had no choice but to trust his advisors, hope the intel was good, and then play the waiting game.

D) Finally, the policies which made all of this possible, are not Obama’s to claim. They aren’t even available for Bush (43) to claim.  Although, many were tweaked and/or better implemented during his tenure – a fact necessitated by the changing world after 9-11. Almost all were put in place by previous administrations (Clinton, Bush (41), Reagan, etc…). These are actually policies which CANDIDATE Obama LOATHED, but the reality of the daily operations could not be ignored once he got into office. Actually, I’m waiting for far-left crazies like Dennis Kucinich (Democratic rep. from Ohio who is considering a move to WASHINGTON STATE to try and save his job…) to try and charge Obama with murder, etc. over this… These are policies like, but not limited to;

a. The prison at Guantanamo Bay, and the intel that was gathered there.

b. “Enhanced Interrogation Techniques” like WATERBOARDING. Much of this intel was apparently gleaned from Khalid Sheikh Mohammed.

c. Extraordinary Rendition

*A few modern examples of why this type of event usually has a very short term bump… Just after Desert Storm (about 18 months before the 1992 elections, Bush (41) had an approval rating of over 80%. A number almost unthinkable modernly. He got his BUTT WHIPPED by Clinton. Also, Bush (43) was riding a sky-high wave of gung-ho Americanism following our response to 9-11 and the capture of Saddam Hussein in December of 2003. The latter occurred less than a year before the 2004 elections. Bush BARELY won, although more comfortably than he did in 2000.

Thus, Obama gets no credit.  And, if history is any guide, he should close this chapter out QUICKLY and focus on what will actually help/hurt him in 2012: THE ECONOMY.

When Does "The Buck" NOT Stop in The Oval Office? Can We Have Some TRUTH?

     I know I'm going to catch a lot of grief from ALL sides for this one.  But understand that I have made a vow to "hold to the truth", no matter what it may be and whether or not I like it.  So, if a politician(s) deserves praise; I will give it.  If they deserve scolding; my tongue will be sharp and merciless.  If understanding is appropriate; they shall have it from me.  I will always strive to be honest and will not allow "party" and partisanship to cloud reality.

     I have been saying for quite some time now, I believe that often there is entirely too much credit cast upon a presidential administration as well as FAR too much blame.  I believe that this has been true in EVERY presidency.  Are there times when the person who sits at The Resolute Desk deserves a good lashing?  Absolutely.  Are there times when their hands are tied in a certain situation, or where wheels were set in motion LONG before their time which they are relatively helpless to stop?  Of course.  Now, and this is only my opinion, but it seems to me that a more appropriate target in most instances would probably be those who sit on The Hill.  After all, in most instances, Congress are the ones who set policy, pass law, and are responsible for all manner of things in this country from a legal standpoint and therefore I feel should bear the brunt of the failings of those policies.  Even our Constitution would seem to agree with me as Congress is given first priority and listed in Article ONE.  They were FIRST.

     This is not to say that a president cannot be CONNECTED to the successes/failings and such of Congress.  Often times, their agendas are the same.  One cannot operate without the other.  When a president sets an agenda, and Congress works with him (or vice versa) to see that it is fulfilled, both should share equal claim to the future successes and/or failures of that agenda.

     I say all of this because once again this morning I heard a certain phrase concerning the president uttered by a pundit.  This phrase ALWAYS grates on me, and in most instances I feel that it is sorely misplaced.  I am talking about: "It happened on his watch."

     It seems to me that about half the time that this phrase is used, it is entirely misplaced.  We have heard it for years from those on the left concerning the attacks of September 11th, 2001: "It happened on Bush's watch."  They say this as though Bush ALONE could have stopped it.  Were their failures in the intelligence agencies during his LESS THAN 8 MONTHS in office which could have been avoided?  Of course.  Where there massive failures and missed opportunities under the previous administration which led to the circumstances under which all those Americans died?  Absolutely.  So why, other than partisanship, do certain pundits and politicians look only to blame Bush (who, to his and the government's immense credit, kept us safe for the rest of his time in office)?  Probably because it's easier to get the fickle populous to fixate on one specific target rather than on the failings of a large swath of government, or government as a whole.

     But this phrase was uttered this morning in reference to President Obama concerning the shooting at Ft. Hood last week.  Now, to be honest, I am NOT a fan of President Obama.  But to say that this was somehow HIS fault?!?

     Are there items which a president can indeed be blamed in this way, that is to say; "It happened on his watch."?  That, the buck does indeed stop on that desk?  Of course...

Severe expansion of government entitlements (Obama AND Bush)?  Yep.

Massive new spending with no clear way to pay for it (Obama AND the Democrat-led Congress)?  Affirmative.

10.2 % Unemployment despite a Stimulus Bill which PROMISED to keep that number MUCH LOWER?  Oh, definitely.

     But, I am not surprised that pundits and media types would do something like this.  Many of them have been ignoring facts about this event for days now.  Honest truth is; there were many witnesses who heard him shout "ALLAHU AKBAR!!!" before he started to fire.  But that is being dismissed as just those witnesses IMAGINATIONS...  Really?!?  He was OBVIOUSLY a radical Muslim, but if you say that certain news folk and commentators will shout you down as intolerant and a fear-monger.  I am not saying that he is connected to Al Qaeda or the Taliban or any other group (although evidence does seem to suggest that he is connected to the Imam of 3 of the 9/11 hijackers), but this was OBVIOUSLY an act of terrorism.  So, there you have it folks; the first terrorist attack on American soil since 9/11/2001.  And somehow this is solely President Obama's fault?  No...

     This was the shooters' fault.  This was the Army's fault.  This was the fault of politicians, of a government, and of a society that has become overly sensitive and far too politically correct.

     With each passing day, we learn more details which suggest that this COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED.  There were definitely warning signs.  But political correctness forced the blinders BACK ON.  Whose fault is that?  At whose feet does the blame rest?  Every single person in this country who has stood idly by and allowed the virus of political correctness to cloud our judgement.  Every single person in this country who has been ACTIVE in furthering the spread of political correctness.  That DOES include Obama, but it's not ONLY his fault.

     There are indeed times when "The Buck Stops..." squarely at that desk and its occupant.  But we MUST know the difference between a systemic failure, which this was, and the failure of one indivudual or a very small group.

     Again, I am not an Obama fan.  But he is being incorrectly blamed just as Bush was and I must be fair.

After another hiatus... Now Available on Townhall!!!

I really hate when I have to say this, but...  IT'S BEEN A WHILE.  My wife and I have been VERY busy lately with preparations to have a little one come into our lives (due date is 12/9/2009).  But it's looking like I will be able to start writing again, which is a great thing because I'm hoping to use my abilities in terms of a career.  But, we shall see what transpires of that...

So, the news;

1) I've changed the title of my blog.  It is now known as The Publius Report.
2) As always, my posts will be found here (WHERE YOU ALREADY ARE!).  But, they will also now be available at Townhall.com.  Just follow the link below;

The Publius Report - Townhall Version

3) You can follow me on TWITTER (where I will post links to my blogs when I have a new article, etc.) by following THIS link below;

Follow PubliusX on TWITTER!!!

That's about it for now.  Keep checking back regularly for new updates and opinions.

God Bless,
Mike

We've Been Here Before (A Call to Continuance)

I know, it's been a while since I've been on here. Been busy getting ready for a baby (YAY!!!), and I "semi-blog" on an almost constant basis on Twitter ( http://twitter.com/publiusx ).

Tomorrow, 9/12/09, I will be speaking at a Tea Party/Constitution Celebration at The Duck Pond in Temecula, CA. Below you will find a transcript of the speech/address I will be giving at 1210PM. ENJOY!!!

We've Been Here Before (A Call to Continuance)

My name is Mike Palmer. I am a recent college graduate who studied Political Science and Pre-Law. Like many of my fellow recent graduates, I’m still trying to find gainful employment post-commencement. I am 31 years of age, my wife is a 3rd grade teacher, and she and I are expecting our first child this winter. Full disclosure; I am an Evangelical. I am a Conservative. But I’m not exactly a “normal” Conservative. I LOVE soccer, which is more of an international sport. But, I digress.

They think that we are stupid.

They think that we are confused.

They think that we are gullibly loyal.

But, let’s be honest here. If history can teach us anything, have we EVER given them reason to think otherwise?

We’ve been here before. Yet somehow they still sit in their seats of power, looking down upon the populous with a laugh in their hearts and a scolding tone in their voices.

We’ve been here before. Why should they worry THIS TIME? Why should they think that THIS TIME, will somehow be ANY different? After all, it seems that much of the citizenry of this nation have forgotten warnings from those like Thomas Jefferson;

“Every government degenerates when trusted to the rulers of the people alone. The PEOPLE THEMSELVES are its only repositories.”

Every so often, “We The People” get to this point. “We The People” have had enough. “We The People” begin to rail against that which has injured and infuriated us.

But, like clockwork, those whom we are angry at change their stripes JUST IN TIME for the next round of elections. They remind us of all the “good” things they’ve done for us and for our communities. And, historically speaking, we forget.

Our former angst always seems to be replaced with the same tired complacency.

We’ve been here before. THEY’VE SEEN THIS BEFORE. As such, they are not worried.

Should they be?

For approximately 100 years a progressively revolutionary agenda has in many ways succeeded in moving this great REPUBLIC toward a democracy of pure mob rule.

Those who seek this end, placate the people with various “earmarks”, and “hand-outs” and “programs”.

They also seek to distract the people with “issues” which have the desired effect of driving a wedge amongst the citizenry resulting in relatively meaningless arguments, A.K.A. “debates”, thus taking the focus off of how those in power are seeking to “Fundamentally change/remake The United States of America.”

And now, with the media (that so-called “4^th Branch of Government”) operating as a biased referee as opposed to a public advocate, the powers-that-be in Washington, D.C. feel as though their post is secure and that their agenda of creating a mobocracy with contented voters in gerrymandered districts is basically invincible.

We’ve been here before. And those who founded this republic knew all to well from the lessons of WORLD HISTORY the potential dangers associated with the system that we have sat idly by and allowed those in power to create over the past century.

Today, we celebrate that grand old document which they ratified in 1787: The Constitution. Honestly though, we should be celebrating this DAILY. But it seems that many have forgotten what “The Father of the Constitution”, James Madison warned;

“[D]emocracies have ever been spectacles of TURBULENCE and CONTENTION; have ever been found to be incompatible with personal security, or the rights of property; and have in general, been as short in their lives as they have been in their violent deaths.”

But, there were many other warnings about the dangers of pure democracy from other founders. John Adams said things like;

“Remember, democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself.”

And

“A mob is no less a mob though they are with you.”

The system which these progressives and revolutionaries have created relies heavily upon a populous which continuously and predictably return to a content and complacent state of being.

With this kind of populous, they think that they can implement any myriad of things. Included in this would be certain revenue creating structures which seek not only to create a “cradle to grave” society, but also seek to implement behavioral modification by increasing taxes, fees and premiums on those things considered by some bureaucrats to be undesirable or unhealthy. One example of THAT would be Senator Baucus’ “Soda Tax” idea. They also seek to become more “global” and hope to have the Senate ratify things like the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. Now, I’ve studied this convention EXTENSIVELY, and there are absolutely some good things to be found within. This would include protocols which outlaw the use of minors in military operations as well as outlawing all manner of child exploitation (such as child prostitution). But this treaty would also not only in many ways have the effect of usurping the supreme law of this land, our Constitution, but would also have the following effects;

It would become illegal for a nation to spend more on national defense than it does on child welfare. Wait a minute… Isn’t national defense “general welfare”?

Nationwide, parents would no longer legally be able to administer ANY spankings.

Under the UNCRC, homeschooling would become completely illegal.

Parents would in no way be permitted to determine the FAMILY RELIGION, but instead would only be permitted to “give advice”.

“The best interests of the child” would give the government the ability to override ANY and EVERY decision made by ANY and EVERY parent should a government worker disagree with the decision in question.

As such, a “child’s right to be heard” would allow the child to seek governmental review of any parental decision with which the child disagrees.

Every child would gain a legally enforceable “right to leisure”.

Parents would in no way be allowed to opt their children out of sexual education.

Children would obtain the right to reproductive health information and services. This would include abortions, without a requirement of parental consent or even parental knowledge. But then the parent COULD receive a BILL for the procedure.

Under no circumstances would anything about Christianity be permitted to be taught in schools, but there is (not surprisingly) no mention of any other religion being shown this hostility.

These things are already being enforced in the over 100 U.N. member nations which have ratified the UNCRC.

But eventually, a system built on majoritarianism and the Ponzi-schemes of social programs with over $100 TRILLION in unfunded liabilities (not to mention an ever expanding and progressing tax code), MUST have a day of reckoning.

That day can either be met head on, or simply ignored and permitted to be continually postponed.

We’ve been here before. We KNOW what needs to be done. The damage of democracy MUST be reversed. Our republic MUST be restored.

There IS a process for meeting this goal. But we are still only at Step 1; (and that is) RECOGNIZING THE PROBLEM AND UNDERSTANDING OUR ROLE IN ALLOWING IT TO FESTER TO THIS POINT.

Thomas Jefferson may indeed be “The Father of the Democratic Party”. Interestingly, his party which would eventually become known as the Democratic Party was known in his time as the Democratic-Republicans or the Jeffersonian Republicans. Personally, I believe that Jefferson probably would be a Libertarian today, IF ANYTHING. Both of our current major parties simply would have been too authoritarian to have garnered much, if any, political support back then. But Thomas Jefferson, a man who at one point in his life looked upon the French Revolution with REVERANCE, knew better than to believe that only certain people (or, “elites”) could legitimately run things. He said;

“Hear no more of trust in men, but rather bind them from mischief with the chains of the Constitution.”

Those whom have injured and infuriated us, DO NOT respect those chains. They scoff at the founding principle of this idea that power originally emanates from God, of God then sending that power to us (the people), and that we then LOAN those powers to whomever “We The People” select to do the work of “We The People”. Not of, “We The Elites”. Not of, “We The Representatives”. Not of, “We The Powerful Lobby”. “WE THE PEOPLE”.

WE’VE BEEN HERE BEFORE. But this time, I IMPLORE YOU, DO NOT TIRE. DO NOT become complacent. Stay active. Stay involved. READ. LEARN. Learn about the evils of the mob rule inherent of pure democracy, of progressivism, of revolution and revolutionaries. Learn who your representatives at ALL levels of government REALLY are. If they don’t work for YOU, elect someone who will.

Pay no attention to party. Pay attention to their words and actions. Pay attention to their principles. Make THIS TIME different. When they change their stripes, and you know they will just in time for the next election season (which is just around the corner), DON’T BUY INTO IT. DO NOT GET COMPLACENT. Stay active. Stay involved.

A peaceful counter-revolution is and has been brewing. But we must not tire. The future of our republic, of our children, of our soon to be born children, and of our LIBERTY WILL NOT WAIT.

It must be NOW OR NEVER.

Like those in Philadelphia in 1776, we must pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor in this endeavor. Otherwise, we’ll be back here yet again, wondering, “How in the world did we get all of these people again?!?”

The great experiment of the American republic, a constitutional republic begun centuries ago, HAS NOT FAILED. It’s not even FAILING. It IS being abandoned. Some of our fellow citizens seem to be willing to sit by and allow that to happen.

Will we become complacent again? Or will we heed the warning of Benjamin Franklin all those years ago when he was asked;

“What form of government have you given us this day, Dr. Franklin?”

His response?

“A REPUBLIC! If you can keep it…”

Stand for your republic! Do not allow us to once again have to say, “We’ve been here before.”! Do not leave this charge to future generations! WE are here NOW! Take back your republic THIS TIME!

Cash for Clunkers = Environazi Appeasement

By now, most of us know about "Cash for Clunkers" (officially known as C.A.R.S.) and how more funds have been "required" as the original $1 billion alloted ran out in only FOUR DAYS. Wow, our benevolent government could only run a used car business for only 4 days before approaching bankruptcy? Hmm... We've been told by those in power that this was all about helping Americans. Really?

Now comes word out of Washington, D.C. that an amendment to this extension (the amendment was authored by Sen. Tom Coburn of Oklahoma) which would have allowed dealers to DONATE these vehicles to charities and STRUGGLING AMERICAN FAMILIES rather than DESTROY the vehicles has been defeated along mostly party lines.

The truth shines though. This is only about pushing an environmental agenda and getting "greener" cars on the roads. If C.A.R.S. was REALLY about helping people, this amendment would have passed 100-0! STOP LYING TO US!!!

It is begun... Political Reality THE SHOW (CLICK HERE)

Head on over to PodBean by clicking the title of this blog entry!

-PubliusX

Political Reality... THE RADIO SHOW!

COMING SOON!!!

Via ubroadcast.com, I will soon be live with my own political radio show.  The setup is currently ongoing (getting the proper equipment, etc...), but hopefully this will be another step in political opinion-making becoming my career.  I feel that I have a gift and a calling to spread my knowledge in any way possible.  We shall see where this takes us...

Radio Show Name: Political Reality with PubliusX

Day(s) and Time(s) of Usual Broadcast(s): TBA

Format: Topical Conservative Talk Radio from an Evangelical Christian viewpoint...

Check back often for further details!!!

-PubliusX