LAST STRAW: Coward in Chief has controversial announcements made by his minions while he is conveniently out of country

One pattern in Obama's presidency continues with the Coward in Chief's latest overseas trip. Those that wonder why Obama would schedule so many non-urgent trips when the economy is in such a mess, need only look at what happens when he is gone. This trip alone has featured the announcement from AG Holder that the 9-11 Terrorists are going to be tried in civilian court in NYC; Guantanamo detainees may be moved to Illinois; plans for Amnesty will pushed through congress early next year; and now we know the Coward in Chief has scrapped all options for winning the war in Afghanistan and is asking for more exit strategies, further delaying making any decisions about sending more troops.

LAST STRAW: How Low Will 'O' Go?

I understand that very low bows in Japan are a traditional sign of great respect and deference to a superior. However, the US also has a tradition, custom and laws exempting ANY American , especially our president, from bowing to anyone.

Obama violated protocol. American presidents do not bow before foreign dignitaries, whether they are princes, kings, or emperors. No Americans of any station are required to bow to royalty. It is one of the pillars of American exceptionalism that our country rejected traditional caste divisions. Article I Section 9 of the Constitution forbids titles of nobility and stipulates that no officeholder or government employee may "accept of any present, emolument, office, or title, of any kind whatever, from any king, prince, or foreign state" without the consent of Congress.

Judith Martin wrote in her Miss Manners column in 2001 that bowing "is not an ordinary bit of foreign etiquette one might adopt out of courtesy when traveling. ... Americans do not properly bow to any royalty. We show respect for other countries' leaders the same way we do to our own."

Modern Japanese do not expect a deep bow from Americans as they would from another Japanese, and what makes it even more mind-boggling that Obama would make such a glaring error is the furor he created when he bowed to the Saudi King. Barry seems to have a very low learning curve when it comes to presidential protocol and governing.

The New York Times made no mention at all of Obama's submissive posture, which is odd since the paper used to consider such a gaffe "unthinkable." Here is Doug Jehl in 1994 on Bill Clinton's near bow to Emperor Akihito:

"It wasn't a bow, exactly. But Mr. Clinton came close. He inclined his head and shoulders forward, he pressed his hands together. It lasted no longer than a snapshot, but the image on the South Lawn was indelible: an obsequent President, and the Emperor of Japan.

Canadians still bow to England's Queen; so do Australians. Americans shake hands. If not to stand eye-to-eye with royalty, what else were 1776 and all that about? But Mr. Clinton, alas, is not the only one since George Washington who has seemed not quite to know what to make of monarchs."

LAST STAW: Obama brings the 9-11 Terrorists to NYC for Trial

This is beyond beyond idealistic naivety... beyond stupid... beyond outrageous... it is INSANE! I don't throw the word treason around as easily as some people, and I am not positive it fits the legal description, but...

TREASON - This word imports a betraying, treachery, or breach of allegiance.

The Constitution of the United States, Art. III, defines treason against the United States to consist only in levying war against them, or in adhering to their enemies, giving them aid or comfort. This offense is punished with death. By the same article of the Constitution, no person shall be convicted of treason, unless on the testimony of two witnesses to the same overt act, or on confession in open court.

Giving these terrorists months and probably years a worldwide, front-page stage to continue their attacks upon the United States of America could be construed as giving the enemy aid. And that is just the start of what is so wrong-headed with this decision... it is an open invitation for terrorists to hit NYC again... there is the millions or billions this will cost... the damage it will do to our intelligence agencies is incalculable. And it is all being done for petty, small-minded, self-serving reasons.

Do we even have to point out that this is yet another example of Obama's cowardliness. Have you noticed how many times he leaves it to his minions to make announcements about decisions he knows are going to be unpopular. He avoids the issue if possible and addresses it only if forced to or after the furor has died down.

And even then, he often claims he was not involved. Remember the decision to open up the investigation of possible violations of law by CIA agents that he had previously said he was not going to do? He blamed that on Holder and said he, as president, did not want to interfere in legal affairs. How about the Pay Czar cutting CEO salaries? Notice that the announcement was made on a Friday and while Obama was conveniently out of the country?

I don't include more links and info here like I normally do, because one does not need to back-up, link or justify this opinion. All it takes is common sense to know how wrong it is to try terrorists in civilian court.

The Retreat From Reason and Reality-Part One

Don't jump to conclusions. He was crazy! It was vicarious Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder! It was 'Pre-Traumatic' Stress Disorder! It was alienation and discrimination from fellow soldiers! It might be part of a tiny fringe of radical extremism! It doesn't represent Islam!

The lame stream media, the president and even the Army was quick to spread the spin and attempt to define the debate before the bodies of the 13 murdered at Fort Hood were even cold.

The truth is that Hasan is an American-born Muslim with strong beliefs that Islamic Jihad against the United States is not only understandable, but inevitable and acceptable. His views were well-known by colleagues who would not file a formal complaint for fear of being labeled as anti-Muslim, a career killer. The unofficial heads-up that was given to superiors resulted in non-action, for fear of being perceived as intolerant of the religious beliefs of Muslims.

The refusal to face reality and respond with reasonable action has resulted in an Unintended (albeit foreseeable) Consequence of Political Correctness.

One might think that the slaughter of 13 and wounding of 29 Americans on our homeland, on a military base no less, might be enough to shake loose the entrenched idiocy of Political Correctness. But that was not to be. The immediate reaction of We The People was outrage that once again the homeland had been attacked and our people killed because Muslim terrorists want us dead. The Misguided Marginal Media, Team Obama and the Army officials immediate reaction was to control and contain any suggestions that it was a terrorist act by a radical Islamic Muslim.

Massacre by a radical Muslim + Political Correctness = Attack by a disturbed individual.

 Think about it: An officer in the US Army has frequent arguments, many heated, with various fellow officers in recent years. He ranted about the stupidity and immorality of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. He gave a Power Point presentation* to other doctors in 2007 where he lectured on Islam, suicide bombers and threats the military could encounter from Muslims conflicted about fighting wars in Muslim countries, instead of the medical topic he was suppose to give. This same officer lives a very spartan life. Although he earns over $100,000 annually, nothing in his life style accounts for how he spent the money.

Then this officer buys a gun nicknamed 'Cop-Killer' and then in the days before the shooting gives away his belongings... even his frozen veggies. He told his neighbor he was going "to do good work for God." He then goes to the Army base carrying two weapons, with extra magazines and enters a processing area at Fort Hood. After acting like he was there to help soldiers being deployed, he jumps upon a table and yells "Allahu Akbar" (God is Great)

Imagine if a fundamentalist Christian soldier had shot up a room full of unarmed Muslims while shouting “Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior.” Imagine that he had a fascination with Old Testament stories of how God smote His enemies. Perhaps his pastor used rhetoric calling for a crusade to rid the land of non-Christians. Imagine there were indications that he had corresponded with and met with a cult that killing the heretics was a mission from God.

The chattering classes who are currently trying so hard to minimize the religious aspects surrounding Hasan would all be scrambling and screaming that Evangelical Christianity (egged on by right-wing wackos like Glenn Beck and Rush Limbaugh) was inherently violent and then demand something be done to rein in this hateful theology.

There can and should be a rational debate (and eventually a decision) on whether Hasan committed an act of terrorism or treason but this insane retreat from reason and reality can no longer be tolerated or accepted.

In the years since 9/11, the Voice of Reason has issued many warnings that Political Correctness was going to get Americans killed. Contrary to common belief, this is not the first homeland attack against Americans by Muslims. This attack is the one that, in number and circumstance, is so dramatic it can't be ignored or covered with PC.

NOTE: Many in the media are now starting to point fingers toward the Army and why it did not remove Hasan from military service. We have to bear in mind that hindsight really is 20/20. My mom use to tell me that when you point your finger at someone else you have four fingers pointing back at you. The Bible says to take the plank out of your own eye before worrying about the splinter in your brother's.

Now imagine what the media would have said about the Army if they had kicked Hasan out. It would probably go something like... Here's this upstanding American citizen volunteering to serve his country who is being picked on by the very people he serves. All he's doing is exercising the free speech and freedom of religion rights that we all hold so dear... And how many articles would have been written about Muslims being profiled and discriminated against in the Army?

Of course a full investigation should be conducted and let the chips fall where they may. It could result in an overhaul of the US intelligence community as a Houston Chronicle article points out. We can only hope that the overhaul will be done to protect US citizens and not propagate even more of the Political Correctness so favored by Team Obama.

Click on MORE INFO and LINKS for links to Attacks on America during October; Examples of the Retreat from Reason and Reality concerning the Ft Hood Massacre; Examples of past Warnings about the dangers of Political Correctness and other articles, essays and posts discussing the PC brouhaha surrounding the shooting.

Part II of The Retreat of Reason and Reality will look at the definitions, origins and intentions of Political Correctness. In the meantime, I will leave you with this definition that is out on the blogs, "Political Correctness is a doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical liberal minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end.”

* POWER POINT PRESENTATION
Maj. Hasan, was supposed to discuss a medical topic during gave a presentation to senior Army doctors in June 2007. Instead, he lectured on Islam, suicide bombers and threats the military could encounter from Muslims conflicted about fighting wars in Muslim countries.

LAST STRAW: Yet another Empty Suit Summit

Obama announced that he will hold a Jobs Summit in December. He said the White House forum will gather CEOs, small business owners, economists, financial experts and representatives from labor unions and nonprofit groups "to talk about how we can work together to create jobs and get this economy moving again."

"We all know that there are limits to what government can and should do, even during such difficult times. But we have an obligation to consider every additional, responsible step that we can take to encourage and accelerate job creation in this country," he said.

He added that the forum is intended to prevent making "any ill-considered decisions -- even with the best intentions -- particularly at a time when our resources are so limited. But it's just as important that we are open to any demonstrably good idea to supplement the steps we've already taken to put America back to work."

(FOX NEWS: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/11/12/obama-hold-jobs-summit-december/)

This is my interpretation of what Obama was really thinking when he decided to have another summit.

It is clear from the polls and Fox News that those tea-bagging right-wing Nazi's are so wrapped up in their stupid little lives that they will never understand my magnificent plans for transforming America. Maybe, I could appoint a Jobs Czar. It might get those wee-wee'd up extremists off my back about the czars. Nah, too risky.

Hmmmm... Now what bone could I throw these rabid dogs that will keep them quiet long enough to get health care passed? Hmmm... I got it! Oh, Barry you even impress me. They are so worried about their unimportant, little, dead-end jobs I will make them think that I am really concerned and trying to do something about creating jobs. National Job Fair? Doesn't sound grand enough. Has to be something simple enough for the yokels to understand but important sounding so they will believe that I really am doing something.

Summit... that's the ticket, we haven't had a summit in at least a couple of weeks. Yeah, we'll have us a Job Summit. I can do the  slow, serious, deliberation thing again... I won't have to do anything stupid and boring like help out small business or (shudders) lower taxes. Plus it will also shore up the Afghanistan stall ruse. And by the time they start suspecting that nothing is going to get done, the health care bill will be passed.

Oh, O... O... My genius just amazes even me... I can use the Job Summit to buy health care votes from certain Senators by letting them have their pet projects disguised as job creation programs. It's win, win... I get health care, the Senators get their pork and the deluded dolts can go back to docilely having their tea parties at their kitchen tables instead of the townhalls.

Hey Guys, We're going to have a Job Summit. Have the screenwriter put together a speech that will convince the rubes that I really care.

An empty suit is defined as an ineffectual executive or politician who is not effectively performing the job for which they were elected.

While that description definitely applies to Obama, there’s an old Texas saying that also reminds me of Obama “All hat and no cattle.” That describes a person that is all talk and no substance or action.

Originally used in reference to cowboy wannabes. People who wore the hats, but had no experience on the ranch -- thus, all hat and no cattle. Similar to talking the talk without walking the walk (which was originally used in reference to wannabe gunslingers).

CIC OBAMA compared to CIC BUSH

My previous post got me to thinking about how CIC Bush respected the troops in comparison to CIC Obama. Here's a video that compares Bush talking to the Marines and Obama talking to the Marines.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIHz5tevLAw

This version of the same speech shows more of O's departure, after shaking hands with the brass he does indeed walk right past the soldiers without so much as a nod and smoozes with the suits.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7ZYVbO4HmM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6epBwrGNhs

 See another comparison at Of Cabbages and Kings.

Other comparisons can't be done with pictures or videos. For example, we got pictures of Obama saluting the fallen warriors at Dover AFB, but not Bush. Not because Bush never went like the moonbats claim, but because Bush didn't take the media with him. We could show some comparison pictures of the presidents visiting wounded warriors but we can't because Obama has been way too busy with date nights, Olympic bids, golf, campaign speeches, fundraisers, etc, to squeeze it into his schedule

LAST STRAW: Obama gives a Shout Out and some remarks to the Native American gathering before speaking about the shooting at Fort Hood.

I was watching the news for Obama's comments on the shooting at Fort Hood and was stunned when he did a Shout Out and made some remarks to the Native Indian conference before mentioning the shooting. I questioned my reaction, wondering if it was just because I dislike Obama he sounded like he felt inconvenienced because he couldn't make the broader remarks he had planned. Check out the video for yourself.

Barack Obama Gives Odd "Shout-Out" Before He Comments on Massacre

VIDEO NOTE: In his initial televised remarks following the devastating American tragedy, Barack Obama first addresses White House conference attendees -- even giving one a chummy "shout-out" -- before finally turning his attention towards the horrific mass killing at the Ft. Hood Army base in Texas.

While waiting for my sweetie to get home from work, I visited some discussion boards, just to feel a connection with others that were also upset over what happened to our soldiers on our homeland. It turns out that others got the same feeling from Obama's remarks that I did.

Obama’s Pet-Goat Moment?
by Linda Chavez

“We still don’t know what was behind the killings at Ft. Hood this afternoon, in which 11 soldiers and the killer died, but President Obama’s rushed press conference was surprising in its flippancy nonetheless. Before he got to the issue on everyone’s mind — namely the deaths of Americans in uniform — the president gave a “shout-out” to government bureaucrats gathered for a previously scheduled conference at the Interior Department, complete with appreciative chuckles. He treated the event like a pep rally rather than a tragic occasion with a wider audience than those gathered in the room. I wonder how many media outlets will compare Obama’s performance to President Bush’s “Pet Goat” moment on 9/11. I won’t hold my breath.”

Obama Fort Hood Tragedy - shame on you Obama
“During the Presidential address on Nov. 5, 2009, President Obama gave a shout out to his friend, and continued talking about his Native American meeting instead of addressing the nation in the tragedy that took place at Fort Hood. He was more concern about his image then the status of our service men and women, and how worried their families were. At 5 pm we needed a leader, not a politician. Obama, shame on you! You failed to lead when we needed you to.”

This next comment addresses what many of us are thinking whether we are saying it out loud or not.

President Obama called the shootings “tragic” and “a horrific outburst of violence.” (CNN)
“The horror and atrocity mass murders that occurred today at Fort Hood were not a “tragedy”; a car crash is a tragedy, the Titanic disaster is a tragedy, the lost Dickinson University students is a tragedy. More accurately, the result of this attack of cruel murder and treason was a tragedy, a tragedy for the victims and their families and for the entire country. The tragedy was a result of jihad. Jihad is Islamic warfare against the unbelievers.

The country is in mourning this evening because a traitor murdered his former comrades specifically because of his Islamic beliefs. There is no other explanation for this horror. The jihadist officer killed non-believers because that is what Allah and Mohammed command.  Jihad is an obligation for every adherent of this ideology; there is no option. Jihad is the finest thing any adherent of Islam can do. It is the epitome of Islamism. We must accept the truth of Islam -that it is hostile and violent- and protect ourselves, our culture and country (and our friends) from this menace that is Islamic supremacism and jihad against us all.”

LAST STRAW: Obama uses our Fallen Warriors for Photo Op

Obama took the White House Press Pool with him to Dover Air Force Base for a photo-op with slain troops as their plane arrived. Obama had not previously attended the return of any soldiers since he lifted the 18-year ban against press coverage. Nor had he met personally with any of the families.

Obama arrived at Dover AFB around 12:30 AM and met briefly with the families of the fallen soldiers. Typically about 2/3rds of the families give permission for the media to record the event, but of the 18 fallen warriors only one family gave Obama permission for their loved one to be used for the photo op.

When some objections were voiced concerning Obama using the fallen warriors for a photo op, many from the left do what they typically do, bring up some Bush Argument. Some of of them have said that Bush never went to pay his respects to the fallen. I have even heard accusations that Bush didn't personally sign the letters of condolence sent out by the White House.

Facts are so inconvenient for the left. President Bush sent a handwritten letter to the family of each and every soldier lost to the war on terror. Bush just didn't trumpet it and pat himself on the back telling the world what a great guy he was and the media would not have printed it, even if he had. 'W' also spent much time visiting wounded soldiers. Some of the visits were publicized to encourage support and funding for various programs that benefit wounded warriors and other visits were totally private with no media and no publicity. Much of what President Bush did became public knowledge only because the soldiers, families or staff have told the story.

George W. Bush routinely reached out to the families that had loved ones killed in action. They would often receive a call from the White House and were brought to locations where the President was visiting on other business so they could meet with him. There was no fanfare, no media. The families were briefed before the President’s arrival so they would know what to expect and told that “the President is on a tight schedule and while he wants to spend time with each of you, he needs to leave at ‘X’ time…”

President Bush would come into the room, make a few short remarks and then meet with each family. In every instance he would talk to individual family members about anything they wanted to talk about, he never rushed them and he stayed until the families suggested he should talk to someone else. There was always a White House photographer present to take pictures that were made available only to the families. Repeat, ONLY the families. The press was NEVER present. There was NEVER a public announcement from the White House that the President was meeting with the families of the fallen. Their privacy, and their loss was always respected.

SOURCES:

Liz Cheney Speaks On Dover AFB Photo-Op

WA TIMES

As the nation slept, President Obama received home the bodies of 18 U.S. military and law enforcement personnel killed Monday in Afghanistan

In adherence to family wishes, a small group of reporters was permitted to watch just one of the transfers, that of Sgt. Dale R. Griffin of Terre Haute, Ind., who died Monday along with seven other U.S. soldiers and an Afghan interpreter when their armored vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb in the Arghandab River Valley in southeast Afghanistan.

The president's trip to Dover is his first since he lifted the 18-year-old ban on press coverage of the arrival of dead U.S. service men and women at Dover, where all U.S. casualties are processed before being returned to their families.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Obama goes to Dover to honor fallen soldiers
After landing, the president, wearing a dark topcoat, got into a motorcade to a base chapel, where he met privately with families of the fallen Americans. He had arrived on the base at 12:34 a.m. Thursday and was expected to be back at the White House before dawn.

The Pentagon this year lifted its 18-year ban on media covering the return of U.S. service members killed in action if family permission is provided. With Obama in attendance, the media were to witness the transfer of one fallen soldier.

AP NEWSWIRE

An 18-year ban on coverage of Dover homecomings, dating to the 1991 Gulf War and strengthened by former President George W. Bush, was relaxed this year under Obama's watch. Now, families get to decide whether cameras can document the return. Nearly two-thirds have said yes to the media and even more to coverage by Pentagon cameras. In this case, the return of only one of the 18 was open to the media.

AP RAW FOOTAGE

Click on READ MORE for more background info and links.