Summer Falls Down (AGAIN!)

This commentary was originally posted on August 29, 2013. It is just a reminder of the significance of this day on so many levels. The change of seasons, weather and sports, the history and the reasons for the day, and why it is cherished by us as Americans are highlighted. And remember, it is time to close the pool!!

Enjoy!

Thursday, August 29, 2013

Summer Falls Down

Wow! Where did the summer go!?! It seems like only yesterday many of us opened our pools, dragged out the grills, planned the summer vacation. And now, it's time to pack it all away.

Yes, Friends, it's Labor Day weekend, the last unofficial hurrah to summer. I know the climatological end won't come for another three weeks, but soon, the kids will be well back to school, the days and nights will feel more brisk, and the NFL and NCAA will be dominating our sports.

Trees will begin their spectacular annual displays of color and we will be drinking apple cider, alcoholic or not, for the special taste of autumn. We will be decorating our homes with fall foliage, taking weekend jaunts to the country to pick pumpkins and cooking squash or baking pumpkin pie.

But, why is Labor Day, really? Well, in 1882, depending on the story you accept as true, either Matthew Maguire of the CLU or Peter McGuire of the AFL proposed the holiday to celebrate union workers' contributions to the American society. By 1894, after the tragedies of the Pullman Strike, President Grover Cleveland signed legislation making the first Monday in September a Federal holiday.

Other days were considered, as well, including International Workers Day and May Day, but were decided against due to the nascent communist, socialist and anarchist movements of the time associating with these dates.

So, folks, it's time to stop wearing the seersucker suits and the white pants and dresses. After Monday, you will not be the fashionista you are today, if you defy acceptable fashion sense by continuing to do so. Remember to set the TV this Saturday for college football and next Thursday for the start of the march to the Super Bowl.

And I'll take a mug of pumpkin ale with a slice of the pumpkin pie, thanks!

Posted by Frank McHale at 5:58 AM

Originally posted in www.frankmchalesviews.blogspot.com 8/29/2013

The Continuing Saga of a Modern Family Feud

It is funny about good news and bad news. On Sunday, it was believed that Artie T was going to purchase New England's Market Basket, a privately-held, family-owned and operated supermarket chain.

In fact, I wrote about this in my commentary Resistance Is Futile where I discussed the possibility that there would be a good result from all the angst the customers and employees encountered since Artie T was terminated by his cousin, Arthur S  Demoulas, and the board controlled by him. Now, the good feelings from Sunday are fast evaporating.

In Wednesday's late online edition of the Boston Herald, reports were circulating that if a deal wasn't reach by this weekend, sixty-one of the seventy-one stores would be closed forever. That means all those employees would be terminated.

In addition, an employee who works in the Main Office of the chain has brought a labor complaint to the NLRB, yes the same entity that was illegally packed by the President because the Senate was out to lunch, because the replacement Co-CEOs or their minions may have violated her right to picket and/or strike alongside store employees.

Bad news to worse.

But, in actuality, the worst is yet to come. Since the chain has not been able to raise cash by selling products, their vendors and suppliers have not been paid on past due bills. Net 15 and Net 30 payments are long past and soon Net 60 bills will be overdue, too.

So, shutting down some stores, and selling the property will raise some needed cash for the short term. But, long-term solutions are not forthcoming. At least, not by the intransigence of probably the dumbest businessman in Massachusetts. Arthur S needs to swallow his pride NOW and take the sure thing on the table. Soon enough Artie T will have his fill of his cousin's stupidity.

Hey, Arthur S! There is $1.5 BILLION on the table!!  No one else is giving you that much to go away!!! Why not pick up that cash before Artie T decides you had enough time to act like a jerk?

Oh, and by the way. The customers of your store will not forgive you in any event for what you have done to disrupt their lives and their pocketbooks. There is no love lost anymore by them towards you.

Finally, Arthur S, if Market Basket is forced to file for bankruptcy protection, it will NEVER reopen. Anyone with half a brain can see that.

Apparently, Sir, you are proving you have no brain at all.

***********   U P D A T E     U P D A T E     U P D A T E  ****************

In a stunning late night announcement, the Artie T team has completed its buyout of ALL shares of Market Basket held by Arthur S and his people. Thus ends one of the longest-running Family Feuds in Massachusetts and the US which began back in 1990 and culminated with the events which began over two months ago, when Artie T was fired by his cousin and the Board.

Ultimately, the $1.5 BILLION deal proves two things: The Business of America is Small Business and MONEY TALKS AND NOBODY WALKS.  

Innocence vs the Media, Barry and ISIS

It was reported in Tuesday's late online edition of USA Today that there is an unidentified 26 year old American woman who is being held by ISIS since last August. She was captured in Syria as she was doing God's work.

Ironic, isn't it?

ISIS is demanding six million dollars for her release, along with the release of neuroscientist Aaifa Siddiqqi who was found guilty of plotting to kill several American leaders in 2010. They believe they will get what they want, based on Barry and his goons' actions related to the Bergdahl case. You remember, dont you? Money and five high ranking terrorists for an American traitor. On Memorial Day week.

And if Barry doesn't comply? Well, this innocent woman who was doing humanitarian work in Syria will die.  ISIS has proven they have no conscience, no fear of the United States when they saw there was no consequence for beheading James Foley.

Oh, and no fear of God's wrath, either.

They are evil incarnate, looking to destroy everyone they touch for the sake of their warped goals. Even al-Qaeda and the Nusra Front have distanced themselves from these barbarians.

Siddiqqi's family is also traumatized by the fear that this woman will die if he isn't exchanged by the American government. They certainly don't want her blood on their family name.

Yet, nothing has been done by our government to try to extricate her from the grip of these evil, satanic, heartless, cruel and, quite frankly, disgraceful examples of the lowest form of inhumanity. Why is that, Barry?  You can't admit you are wrong, that it is all about your message, that terrorism is worse because of you.

This woman has done nothing to deserve the fate which awaits her, the same as James Foley, and potentially the same fate which awaits Steven Sotloff.  Because Barry has abandoned Americans all across the world, not only in Iraq,  but in Iran with Pastor Saeed Abedini rotting in an Iranian jail, and Sgt Andrew Tahmooressi, who is still in a Mexican prison, tied to a bed, day in and day out.

And our media? Where is the outrage Scott Pelley, and Brian Williams, and Diane Sawyer? Where is YOUR moral compass, like Cronkite and Chancellor and Reasoner? You have your heads up your asses like Barry does. How is THAT view, THAT comparison?

It is on ALL YOUR HANDS if this woman dies because you gave Barry another pass. You should be calling for HIS head. Instead, it just might be the head of this innocent woman.

None of you can wash your hands of her demolition. You will all be guilty.

You can all rot in Hell, along with ISIS. And Barry will bring the cake. 

Resistance Is Futile

Over the last month, I have been following a story which has not been reported outside of New England. In addition, I wrote about it, when I first read about it, on July 26 called Power To the People, Right On! , where I discussed the support of workers of the family-owned supermarket chain Market Basket for ousted CEO Arthur T Demoulas by the  board members who supported his cousin, Arthur S Demoulas.

Artie T, as he is affectionately known by his employees and customers, has taken a professional, measured and  respectful position during this difficult time for the company, whereas his cousin has acted like a petulant buffoon, putting dollars over the needs of both customers and employees. After he fired his cousin in June, Arthur S appointed two puppets to act as Co-CEOs to run the day-to-day operations of the company.

That certainly hasn't worked out too well, now has it? 

During this time, the NON-UNION workers have set up picket lines to support Artie T, customers have driven by to stand with the "striking" workers, giving them food, water and encouragement, truck drivers have refused to make deliveries, the reporters have given honest reports and the Governors of Massachusetts and New Hampshire have used their power and influence of position and office to insert themselves and interfere with the running of a private enterprise.  

On this last point, I was initially annoyed. But in fact, they didn't take sides; instead they tried to exercise reason where none existed.  Both sides were intransigent and only the employees and customers have suffered.

Meanwhile, as had been reported in  several prior articles,  as well as Sunday's WCVB online article, Artie T has again offered to buy the company in order to resolve this as quickly as possible. At the time this is written, there are unconfirmed reports that the deal is done.

At a minimum, once Artie T buys out the other family members, he should fire the existing board and appoint intelligent,  smart business people who will offer guidance and steadiness to the company while it regains and rebuilds its reputation in the communities it serves. Then, he and the new board needs to categorize its business model to develop a sustainable business plan for the future. Part of that plan should include the definition of the employee role for future operations.

Once this all has put into place, consideration to take the company public should be explored, with preference given to employees and the current management. That will prove to be a "poison pill" against a hostile takeover by Arthur S and his team.

Good Luck and congratulations to Artie T, his loyal employees and to the customers for standing up for what is right. Your devotion and unselfishness should be admired all those who understand that supporting small business is the true American way of American business.

Artie T and his loyal team proved to those who opposed them that "resistance is futile".

Where Is Jimmy Carter When We Need Him?

"We will be vigilant and we will be relentless." So said Barry Soetoro Hussein Obama, closet Muslim, as he waved his finger at the savage, inhuman, barbaric band of murders known as ISIS or The Islamic State. Just like Benghazi.

Are they shaking in their boots? No, they aren't. No one is afraid when Barry speaks because he has made the United States a eunuch, a capon. Think what that means, folks.

Because he has systematically destroyed our reputation as the "policeman of the world", even thugs like ISIS has no fear when he talks. They know, as much as the Russians, the Chinese and the Mexicans do, that he talks the talk but won't walk the walk. They are not afraid.

They murdered a decent man to make a point, so Barry changed out of his golf clothes and put on a jacket to "look Presidential." But he didn't act Presidential. Nor did he speak Presidential.  He had a lot of nonsense to say without offering a solution. Nor will he.

Therefore, James Foley will have died in vain.

ISIS holds another journalist hostage and has threatened, no, PROMISED, to kill him, too. Steven Sotloff is now the next journalist to be killed, probably in the next few days, and Barry has essentially shrugged his shoulders. This man will be beheaded and a video will be released to prove they don’t threaten: unlike Barry, they mean what they say.

His advisors may say that he can be Presidential anywhere in the country because the White House travels with him and he has everything he needs at his disposal. But a real advisor, one who isn't a "Yes Man", would have the guts, the cujones to tell him that it is about optics.  David Cameron understood this and cut short his vacation to return to 10 Downing Street.

Barry needs to take the same action. He needs to cut his vacation short NOW so that his countrymen can see he is taking this seriously. Too bad if he can't play golf or ride his bike. That is not why he was elected. He needs to lead... FROM THE WHITE HOUSE!

Barry, you have had enough vacations for a while. You wanted to be the President. Now, act like one.

If ANY American thinks I am wrong, all I can say is look at history and see what FDR, JFK or Ronald Reagan did in times of crises. They certainly did not go on or stay on vacation when a crisis occurred.  They were at the White House, taking on the leadership role they were elected to.

Barry, if you don't want to take on this responsibility anymore, why don't you do both yourself and all of us a favor and resign. Joe Biden may not be the smartest man in the country, but he is a patriot. He also understands the optics.

Even Jimmy Carter, considered by many to be the worst President we had before you came along, understood that vacations were not possible during the Iran Hostage Crisis. But, not you. No, you had to play a round of golf while ISIS carried out their promise.

You need to leave now because you really don't have the balls to be President. And Steven Sotloff will be beheaded because of YOU.

ISIS has promised, not threatened this. What will you say then?

The Humor of Obamacare

I was thinking about Obamacare this weekend and I remembered a somewhat humorous video I saw back in the spring. It obviously is a satire or parody of everything Barry promised in order to get people to like it and enroll.

Soon Open Enrollment will begin anew for 2015. The employer mandate waiver for 2014 will expire on December 31 and employers will be required to implement the rules on January 1, 2015.

What do you think will happen on that day?

Unless, of course, Unconstitutional Barry decides to decree another waiver to the employer mandate. Do you think he will?  As a former Alaska Governor is fond of saying: U betcha!

What follows is a video which I believe is pulled from Valkerie. Subtitles are added as though this is the translation from the German dialogue. Read them. You, too, will discover an irony.

Hitler finds out he can't keep his doctor under Obamacare - Safeshare.TV 

If Hitler is disappointed in Obama's actions, you can be sure Obamacare is horrible.

Oh, and by the way, "Good Luck" with the upcoming 2015 Open Enrollment Period, beginning October 1. Just remember all the fun so many of us had last October.

I pray for the best of health for all of us. With such a wonderful benefit Barry and his stooges (apologies to Moe, Larry and Curley, and their loyal fans) gave us, we can't afford to get sick.

Happy enrollment, everyone!

How Does the Arab Spring Look Now?

The brutality that is ISIS has revealed itself in so many ways. Over the last week, ISIS has killed hundreds of Yazidi men while taking hundreds of women and children hostage.

It was reported by CNN on Wednesday night that 130 US "assessors" camped out to evaluate the situation on Mount Sinjar north of Mosul in northern Iraq. They were to determine over that 24 hour period how many Christians, Yazidis and Kurds are stranded on the mountain.

But this is not even the crux of the disaster. The issue at hand is that we and the world had an opportunity to prevent this from happening in late 2010, all of 2011 and most of 2012 during the so-called Arab Spring. Many, including me, recognized it for what it was: an opportunity for Islamists, under the guise of overthrowing Islamic dictatorships, to seize control of the media to spin their narrative of gaining their liberty and freedom from the yokes of suppression.

Obviously, our media and our government, led by Barry and the leaders of both parties, bought the lie hook, line and sinker. Since that time, bin Laden was killed, Egypt overthrew two governments,  Libya overthrew Khaddafi and  became a terrorist haven, Syria has been involved in a civil war where 170 THOUSAND people have died, the US, withdrew, uhh, abandoned Iraq, where ISIS has established a mini-caliphate and finally, US Ambassador Chris Stevens and four members of his security detail were assassinated on the 11th anniversary of the worst attack on the United States since Pearl Harbor on 09/11/2012.

Yet, Barry and his stooges all continue to insist the world is a better place since the US has drawn down its presence in the Middle East, that ISIS is a ragtag group of farmers and shopkeepers just an annoyance to the (failing) Iraqi government,  which caused its problems by its lack of inclusiveness.

Really? I guess it must be true because Barry said so, and of course, he wouldn't lie to the American people for political reasons, would he?

Except for this. ISIS and its affiliates are committing barbaric, savage, inhuman, and evil acts of torture equal to or worse than any done by Hitler and the Nazis, Saddam and his thugs, Milosevic and his. They have raped, beaten, beheaded and crucified women and children, as well as men, for not submitting to ISIS' will.

And Barry and the gang? Well, vacations from the world's problems are priorities, of course.  They have all worked so hard making the world a better place for humanity, haven't they? In fact, Barry and his former SecState, Madame Hillary, attended a function at Vernon Jordan's home for a job well-done.

I guess the ostrich-like act works well. Too bad Iraq and the entire Middle East are infernos. Maybe Barry needs a real wakeup call, like watching the entire Iraqi government be assassinated by ISIS under his watch.

But wait! In his warped thinking, they would deserve it. And it would be George Bush's fault for not negotiating a SOFA before he left, even though there were three years to go after he left to get it done.

I just hope we don't soon see American soldiers hanging on those crosses. Will the media give Barry a pass then? I pray not!

So much for the freaking Arab Spring.

Summit of Martha's Vineyard

I know I have said this before. Sometimes, when I am struggling to find a subject to comment on, a Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn friend may mention a topic which perks my ears and my interest. I had been struggling in my research to write something of import, not related to war. At least war with guns and bombs.

Voila! My friend Kim, from Massachusetts, sent me a tweet about a visit happening at Vernon Jordan's home on Wednesday, the 13^th, on Martha's Vineyard. Guess who is meeting?

It was reported in Tuesday's online Washington Post that Hillary and Barry will be meeting for the first time since she left the administration and wrote her apology book, Hard Choices. She is there for a book signing.

Wait! People are buying that book? Or, is she giving them away to justify the huge advance she received but are now taking up valuable space at the publisher's warehouse?

Anyway, it was reported in that same Washington Post edition  that Hillary criticized Barry and his foreign policy in an interview with The Atlantic.

Uhmmm... wasn't she Secretary of State? Isn't that the Chief Diplomat, the Front Man (or Woman) for a President's foreign policy agenda? She spent four years travelling the world explaining, promoting and favorably presenting Barry's agenda, didn't she?

Or did we pay for her to go on vacation and charge us five times the going rate as she traveled "one million miles" to see all the heads of state and sightsee at our expense? I wonder.

Anyway, that WILL be a tense meeting, won't it? There is no love lost between the Clintons and the Obamas. Bill, as much as he tries to hide his disdain for Barry, grinf×*ks him at every opportunity.  And Barry is either too stupid to see it or too intimidated by Clinton to stand his ground.

As for Hillary and Barry, that won't be a pretty meeting. I hope Vernon will have secured all the valuables before they show. I am sure there will be fireworks.

She has spent the better part of the last almost two years trying to distance herself from the policies for which she was responsible. Unless there is a total news blackout, I am sure we will find out what was discussed. Or, perhaps after the meeting, both these sycophants will come out and issue a joint communiqué in front of mikes and media, to lie as they might and say how WONDERFUL everything is between them.

Soon enough, the truth will come out and we will learn they hate each other more after they meet than they did before. And everything will be right as rain in the Clinton/Obama world.

Then, pizza and beer will be served to show us peasants that even the hoi polloi can be regular folk in the Vineyard. And the dance continues.

Iraq's Latest Potential Disaster

There is something about Middle East leaders who are "democratically" elected by the people who have faith in the Constitution which created that elected office. The leaders, when the time comes for them to leave, don't want to. Instead, in each case, except in Israel, they will hold onto that power, making the position a quasi-dictatorship.

Over this past weekend, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki was replaced by the President of Iraq via a permissible move allowed by Iraq's Constitution, which al-Maliki swore to uphold. Shades of Hamid Karzai in Afghanistan?

It was reported in the Monday afternoon online edition of the New York Times that al-Maliki refused to relinquish the post and has threatened a "coup d'etat" by stealing the military away from the Iraqi government to use for his own purposes. If this is true, we now have two serious problems in Iraq: ISIS beheading, crucifying and otherwise mutilating non-Muslims who do not capitulate to their demands, and a rogue, illegal, and now unconstitutional usurper of the Iraqi Constitutional process.

This action by the now potentially outlaw al-Maliki has complicated an already desperate situation in the most dangerous country in the Middle East. Bad enough that at a minimum the United States has involved itself in a country that Barry swore he would not put boots on the ground to overtake the butchers of ISIS; now he has to contend with a renegade who seems to have the loyalty of the Shi'ite-dominated military.

So, in response to the recent  developments in Iraq, Barry is in high level, tense meetings with the ice cream man, the playground director of bike rides and the starter in charge of tee times, all to make certain the long-awaited family vacation goes on as planned without some unnecessary, inconvenient blip from a pissant country like Iraq. After all, every family is entitled to the two-week vacation with pay, and no calls from the office, right?

Actually, Barry called the new leader, Haider al-Abadi, to congratulate him, even though al-Maliki has complicated the process by refusing to leave. Mr. Abadi, a member of al-Maliki's Shi'ite Islamist Dawa Party, has thirty days under the Constitution in which “to form a government that offers meaningful positions to Iraq’s main minority factions, Sunnis and Kurds. During that time, Mr. Maliki will remain as a caretaker leader, and as commander in chief of Iraq’s security forces.”

Therein lies the dilemma for Iraq. The country is in turmoil north and west of Baghdad with the ISIS atrocities. Add to this the possibility al-Maliki doesn't leave. What then?

Does Barry forgo his moral responsibility to help Iraq secure its government and its national identity by turning his back on an ally? If he does, who steps in to secure the country? Iran?

The United States has, during Barry's time as President, has lost a huge amount of trust in that part of the world. If the Iraqi government falls because al-Maliki completed a coup, or if ISIS continues to tear apart the very fabric of this ancient land to establish a system far worse than Hitler ever conceived in Germany, or if Iran steps in to secure Iraq for itself,  the US is doomed in the court of world opinion for its lack of moral equivalence to ever be trusted as an ally again.

That, friends, would be Barry's legacy: that under his (lack of) leadership, the world lost its knight in shining armor, its guardian angel, its last best hope for mankind.  Because he didn't want to put boots on the ground when boots were necessary to help an ally in its time of distress. Americans will have died in vain and Iraq would be but a footnote in world history.

Vanilla or chocolate chip cookie dough on that cone?

Ceasefires, Vacations and Empire-Building

So. Another 72-hour ceasefire. Anyone believe that? No? Neither do I.

It was reported on Sunday afternoon on Fox News, CNN and other media that once again, Hamas and Israel are going to cease hostilities for humanitarian purposes. Translate that to re-arm.

Egypt, the new and improved, non-Muslim Brotherhood Egypt, has tried to show itself as a moderating and fair neighbor in the region, attempting for the umpteenth time to broker a lasting peace between its long-time friend, Israel and Hamas. Since the Camp David Accords were negotiated in 1978, Israel and Egypt have lived side by side peacefully, able to resolve difference at the negotiating table rather than on the battlefield.

Their relationship has been a model of peace and harmony for other countries to try and achieve. Jordan has also generally followed Egypt in this effort.

It is amazing that Mahmoud Abbas allows Hamas to determine for the Palestinians their future, rather than following the example set forth by his two closest Arab/Muslim neighbors. You would think he would be smart enough to get that.

Instead, he allows the Iranians to influence the governance of his country through Hamas' relationship with the Islamic Theocracy, much like Bashir Assad has done with Syria and Nouri al-Maliki has done in Iraq. I have written about this before in my commentary of June 12 called The Iraqi-Afghani-Iranian Empire Connection where I discuss the Iranian Theocracy's goal to establish a new Persian Empire. The Hamas role is critical in this endeavor.

The world and the United States have to recognize Israel's critical role in the region as the last best stop to prevent Iran, through its client Hamas, from achieving regional superiority from Pakistan to the Mediterranean, from Russia to the Indian Ocean, from the Black Sea to the ends of the Arabian Peninsula. It is coming friends, and soon it won't be stopped.

Presently, Israel with its military superiority and nuclear capability strikes a bit of fear in the Mullahs living in Teheran. But if Israel is wiped out of existence, and Iran develops its nuclear weapons capability to completion, who else will stop Iran from its plan? Pakistan? Other than its weapons aimed at its rival, India, Pakistan will not strike fear in Teheran. Instead, Pakistan will ally itself to Iran.

So, this latest ceasefire has been agreed to by Hamas so that weapons can be received from Iran to continue this exercise. By Wednesday, the battle, no, the war, will begin anew. Rockets aren't weapons of a battle, folks. They ARE weapons of war.

And the ISIS role in Iraq? This is happening so that Iran can rescue Iraq at the 11th hour with troops which will never leave. ISIS WILL heal to Iran's rule. Count on it.

Ceasefire? Truce? If you believe that, then you are wearing rose-colored Obama glasses, the ones that Barry wears. Oh, where is the ice cream and the bike path?

We are on vacation; didn't the world get the memo?

The Empty Barrel With No Moral Compass

Blah blah blah. There is an old expression I learned so many years ago: Empty barrels make the most noise.

On Saturday morning, Barry proved that statement to be true far better than anyone had ever done before. There is a wildfire burning in Iraq, which requires a massive US response to put it out, and he falls back on his dumb talking points that Iraqis have to put it out.

I used to think Joe Biden was the "dumbest man in the White House", but Barry has captured that title. No doubt about it.

There are many reports in various media which claim that ISIS, the "benevolent and just" Islamic terrorist entity which is swarming all over the country, is crucifying people for not caving in to their brand of religion, and beheading children in front of their parents for the same reasons.

I am sure ALLAH doesn’t think these are good things being done in his name. These people blaspheme their God by the statements they have made and the actions they have taken. I have many friends who profess Islam.  This is not their faith.

But I digress.

During the short confab he had with the Washington Press Corps, he managed to blame the Iraqi government, the United Nations and George Bush for the ongoing collapse of Iraq, while somehow absolving himself. St Barry the Good, I guess. He was asked somewhat challenging questions by his former friends  in the media and actually droned on about something else while not answering the questions at all.

When asked about stepping up the air strikes to more of an air campaign, he began to lecture the questioner about why he would not do it. For no good reason. And then meandered into another bogus talking point.

I guess his vacation to Martha's Vineyard is more pressing on him than trying to save Christians and other religious minorities in Iraq. Ice cream cones and bike rides await.

This man is a disgrace to the Office of President of the United States.  Great men have held this Office and made what were perceived to be difficult and/or unpopular decisions: FDR, Truman, JFK, Reagan, both Bushes. Even Carter tried to stand up for what he knew was right. And, Barry's alleged favorite President, Abraham Lincoln,  made choices which were unpopular, so much so, there was a civil war fought over them.

I hope that someday when Barry meets his maker, he won't stand there and try to blame the "other guy" for the fact that he allowed evil, barbaric savages kill their fellow man in God's name when he had the power to totally stop it from happening. If he does, if there is a Hell, I hope he burns there for all eternity alongside those he allowed and enabled to commit these atrocities.

The man has no moral compass, none.

Politics IS Local - Outside the United States

All politics are local.  That has been the mantra for every President forever. Even for this President.  EXCEPT....

The recent NBC/WSJ Poll revealed that President Obama has a 60% DISAPPROVAL rating on his handling of our foreign policy.  There are so many examples of wrongheadedness in his lack of decision-making until the problem at hand blows up in his face. Then, he scurries like a chicken without a head. 

And he procrastinates over each issue as if he is giving deep thought. Instead, he is hoping it will go away. But it doesn’t; none of them do.

I wrote a commentary on Thursday for publication on Friday morning on how this President mulled over whether to address the ongoing nightmare in Iraq.  The following is from the unpublished commentary called "The Advantage of Mulling":

"President Barry Indecisive Hussein Obama is mulling over whether to drop food and supplies  to a remote region of Iraq to assist a group of Iraqis known as Yazidis, an ancient religious minority considered Apostates by ISIS, that "benevolent" Islamic terrorist group out to destroy Iraq's Shi'ite-led government."

There is more but he finally finished mulling and made a halfhearted decision to drop supplies and food via air drop. He also ordered an airstrike on an ISIS stronghold. But it really isn't enough.

He has telegraphed his intent to the terrorists that he would not be revving up to involve the United States in another military entry into Iraq. No boots on the ground. This is the same strategy he implemented in 2011 in Libya. Look how that has worked out.

How has his Israeli/Hamas policy worked out? Or Ukraine? Or even Afghanistan?

Yes, all politics are local. But it appears they are local in all the hotspots in the world. Like Israel, and Libya, and Iraq, and Ukraine.  Not in the United States.

A couple of more comments about the President's mulling from "The Advantage of Mulling":

"While he is mulling, he has found time to golf, fund-raise, campaign against the Congress, joke about his birthday and prepare for his two-week vacation, where he can golf, fund-raise and campaign against the Congress. And mull some more on what to do about the nightmare in Iraq.

By the time he is finished mulling, maybe ISIS will have made the decision for him. Iraq will be no more and it will be George Bush's fault. Why? Because Bush started it by getting rid of Saddam Hussein.

Yes, another benefit to Barry the Muller for his indecisiveness. See how mulling does to make all things right in Obama-world?"

Sadly, the world is burning and this guy doesn't want to see it until it is too late. We need to be vigilant because Barry has proven he isn't. I fear for humanity because soon enough some disaster will occur from which we may not recover.

This isn't over, my friends. ISIS understands Politics IS Local. They are counting on it.

Too bad Barry doesn't. 

Back in the USSR - 2014 Style

Sometimes I wonder.  In the modern world of trying to punish the punisher, on Wednesday, as reported in the late edition of USA Today  our good pal Vlad retaliated against the United States, the European Union, Canada and Japan by prohibiting the import of American and Canadian grain, and European and Japanese produce into Russia, soon to be known as the Eurasian Union if Vlad gets his way.

Why would he do this?

Well, for starters, he is petulant. He is annoyed that sanctions have been placed against him for his activities against Ukraine. This country is the prize, the breadbasket of Europe, and his Empire, if he is successful.  

In the process, as the old Communist he really is, he forgot the basic premise of Economics 101, you know the one... to keep prices low, the supply must outweigh the demand for a product. Good old Supply and Demand. Oops... he blew that question on the final.

So the result of his petulance and disgust with the West, the G-7 countries, is higher prices for a loaf of bread and an apple. He is going to win a lot of fans with that action, so much so, memories of the glory days of Brezhnev, Krushchev and Stalin will be rushing forth in the collective minds of his subjects.

 

It is the old "cut off my nose to spite my face" reaction.

Forget about us, or the other "affected" countries.  The lack of a Russian Market for American or the West's produce will not have a great deal of impact to our farmers' livelihood. There are always other markets which will buy our quality of food.

No, sadly, the Russian people will suffer, first with higher prices for basic needs, and then with bread lines, lines for toilet paper, and fruit, and cars, and so much more. Then, because the food becomes more expensive,  people can't buy it; which forces the market to close; which then forces the proprietor to lay off his workers; which forces the worker to sacrifice buying other products; which actions affect additional companies;  and on it goes.

All because Vlad is mad about the sanctions.

So, finally, who suffers in this scenario? Americans?  Canadians?  Germans? None of these people. Nor the Japanese or the French or the Brits. And who can Vlad turn to? The North Koreans? The Chinese? No again.

But the Russian people will suffer, much like they did in 1983, 1965, 1952, 1939 and 1918. They will long for the return of Gorbachev and Yeltsin. But they will be stuck with Vlad.  And he won't be budging.

It is just another day in paradise, The Worker's Paradise. 2014 style.