Obama Backs Bush on Iran

EFPs, EFP cones and other materials seized in a 28 October raid. The cache was found in Iraq after Iran exported the materials to attack Coalition troops. Graphic source: Multinational Division Baghdad.

Ali Larijani, Iran's parliament speaker, has criticized President-elect Obama for saying that Iran's development of a nuclear weapon is unacceptable.

The comments came after Obama was briefed by American intelligence and contradicts what he said during his campaign for the presidency.

During the campaign, Obama stated: "I mean, think about it. Iran, Cuba, Venezuela, these countries are tiny compared to the Soviet Union. They don’t pose a serious threat to us the way the Soviet Union posed a threat to us," (Obama’s remarks in Pendelton, Oregon, on 18 May 2008).

Now, I guess the Iranian nuclear threat is of genuine importance, and he may mean "us," as in the U.S. and Israel. The U.S. should back Israel to the hilt as Bush has in the stalled Middle East Peace process

Larijani views Obama's present view along the same lines as Bush's, because he object to "the repetition of objections to Iran's nuclear program, which will be taking a step in the wrong direction."

Obama also said he would help mount an international effort to prevent it from happening.

Larijani was speaking two days after Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad congratulated Obama, the first time an Iranian leader has offered such wishes to a U.S. president-elect since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

"Change" Is Not

As noted consistently, Obama says little about his plans, he notes that it is top priority to implement a "fiscal stimulus" package but he does not relate who or what it is for. Is this code for I will be bailing out more friends on Wall Street or my contributors?

Who knows?

But, as puzzling as that comment might be, another statement is even more troubling.

Hussein said: "state and municipal governments [are] facing devastating budget cuts and tax increases." Governments do not face tax increases; government levies taxes. Does the President-elect understand how taxes work? The people are taxed, not the government. I can only suppose, since there are no details, that Obama intends to funnel money to increase government. This is not a fiscally wise move in budget-challenged times.

Obama is clear that change is not forthcoming; he stated that he intends to "strengthen our economy in the long term."

Not much will change for the American people apparently.

Then, of course, there is the pure fluff: "We have taken some major action to date." Really? Such as? One has to wonder: is an acceptance speech "action," is a first news conference, "action." We don't know but maybe the Obama's kids getting a puppy was the major action. We really don't know what that action reference means.

He stated: "we will need further action." Yes, we will.

The message is clear: "And I have said before and I will repeat again: It is not going to be quick, and it is not going to be easy for us to dig ourselves out of the hole that we are in."

Change is not coming, so much for the "change" campaign.

Obama to Respond by 1 December

The U. S. Supreme Court has set dates in which Barack Obama, the DNC and all co-Defendants are to respond to the Writ of Philadelphia area attorney Philip Berg, which is on or before December 1, 2008. Berg remarked today, “I look forward to receiving Defendant Obama's response to the Writ and am hopeful the U. S. Supreme Court will review Berg v. Obama. I believe Mr. Obama is not a constitutionally-qualified natural-born citizen and is ineligible to assume the office of President of the United States.”

More to follow.

China Hacks House

China, mercenaries for hire, or some foreign entities hacked the White House. This revelation comes after earlier pronouncements that most likely the Chinese had already hacked into Obama's and McCain's campaign computer networks. Previously, there is evidence that Congress was hacked as well.

Out of the Box: Obama Insults

The first chance he got at his initial news conference Hussein put his foot in his mouth by stating: "I didn't want to get into a Nancy Reagan thing about, you know, doing any seances." Nancy, wife of President Ronald Reagan, was mocked in 1988 when the former chief of staff Donald Regan revealed in a book that the First Lady had consulted an astrologer to determine the president's schedule. President Reagan died in 2004 at 93.

But other first ladies, such as former First Lady, Hillary, have reportedly used spiritual advisers. Hussein did not mention Hillary in his insult.

Obama Owes Favors

Candidate Obama declined public financing for the first time since the system's creation and went on to amass a nearly two-to-one monetary advantage over McCain; likewise, congressional races went to the candidate spending the most money by a 93% rate in the House of Representatives and 94% of Senate races. To obviate contribution limits, organizations bundle together many individual contributions.

The biggest contributors include:

University of California $909,283

Goldman Sachs $874,207

Goldman Sachs is one of Wall Street’s most prestigious investment banks. Like others in the securities industry, it advises and invests in nearly every industry affected by federal legislation. The firm closely monitors issues including economic policy, trade and nearly all legislation that governs the financial sector. It has been a major proponent of privatizing Social Security as well as legislation that would essentially deregulate the investment banking/securities industry. In August 2002, following months of corporate scandals, congressional investigators launched a probe into whether stock analysts at Goldman Sachs issued biased investment advice in order to protect corporate clients. The firm tends to give most of its money to Democrats. For example, in 2008 Democrats received funding 73% of the time, Republicans, 27%. Goldman Sachs' former chief executive, Jon Corzine, served in the U.S. Senate as a Democrat from New Jersey. He's now the state's governor.

Harvard University $717,230

Microsoft Corp. $714,108

Microsoft Corp is the world’s top computer software company. It is also one of the biggest campaign contributors in Washington—an astounding fact when you consider that Microsoft is a relatively new player on the political scene. Prior to 1998, the company and its employees gave virtually nothing in terms of political contributions. But when the Justice Department launched an antitrust investigation into the company’s marketing of its popular Windows software, things changed. The company opened a Washington lobbying office, founded a political action committee and soon became one of the most generous political givers in the country. The move eventually galvanized an entire industry, as computer and Internet companies quickly moved to emulate Microsoft’s political savvy.

Google Inc. $701,099

JPMorgan Chase & Co. $581,460

JP Morgan Chase & Co is one of the nation’s leading financial services firms, offering commercial and consumer banking and credit services, securities brokering and financial consulting. Through its subsidiary Chase Bank, the company is one of the top consumer credit card issuers in the country. As expected, the firm has lobbied heavily on legislation that would affect the nation’s financial industry, including bankruptcy reform and banking deregulation. In 2002, federal investigators launched a probe into the firm’s relationship with former energy giant Enron. Prior to the energy firm’s collapse, JP Morgan Chase had been one of the company’s biggest financial backers.

Citigroup Inc. $581,216

Citigroup is the world’s second largest financial services firm, with $1 trillion in assets. One of the company’s subsidiaries is brokerage firm Salomon Smith Barney, which has been plagued with lawsuits and government investigations into its financing of bankrupt Enron and ailing WorldCom. In 1998, Citigroup’s lobbying helped repeal a federal law that prevented banks from getting into other businesses, allowing the company to acquire an insurance firm. Citigroup continues to lobby on a number of issues, including financial privacy, bankruptcy reform and terrorism reinsurance.

National Amusements Inc. $543,859

Time Warner $508,148

America Online and Time Warner merged in 2001 to create one of the largest media companies in the world. The new colossus owns dozens of subsidiaries, including online services, print and broadcast news organizations, cable television companies, movie studios, music companies and publishing houses. Time Warner also owns the Atlanta Braves baseball team, as well as basketball and hockey teams. With so many business interests, the company lobbies on a number of different issues, but right now its biggest concern is over the rules governing television ownership. The company wants the government to relax the rules prohibiting cable television stations from also owning broadcast stations in the same market.

Sidley Austin LLP $492,445

Stanford University $481,199

Skadden, Arps et al $473,424

Wilmerhale Llp $466,679

UBS AG $454,795

Latham & Watkins $426,924

Columbia University $426,516

Morgan Stanley $425,102

Morgan Stanley is one of the world’s top investment banks, offering its clients everything from stock portfolio management to credit services. Like others in the securities industry, it invests in and advises virtually every industry affected by federal legislation. The company, which splits its contributions evenly between Democrats and Republicans, has been a major proponent of privatizing Social Security. Morgan Stanley also has lobbied in favor of proposals to deregulate the securities industry, so that investment firms can further extend their reach into financial services.

IBM Corp $415,196

University of Chicago $414,555

US Government $400,819

Data was accumulated by Opensecrets.org.

OpenSecrets.org is your nonpartisan guide to money’s influence on U.S. elections and public policy. Whether you’re a voter, journalist, activist, student or interested citizen, use our free site to shine light on your government. Count cash and make change.

Cf. http://www.opensecrets.org/index.php

Al-Baghdadi Will Live in the White House: Christians Should Embrace Islam

Islamist forum, Al-Hesbah, posted an audio message by the Emir of Al-Qaeda's "Islamic State of Iraq" (ISI) Abu 'Omar Al-Baghdadi to "the New Rulers of the White House and Their Allies in Other Christian Countries," "...The Warriors of Jihad Hope that, in the Distant Future, They Will Dwell Under the Roofs of the White House." Al-Baghdadi called on the "new rulers of the White House and their allies in other Christian countries" to "embrace Islam," and explained that "[Christians] are the closest religion [to Islam] from among [all world] nations."

President Elect Barry Soetoro's School Record: Indonesian Citizen, Religion, Islam

A copy of Barry Soetoro's--President-elect Obama--school record as an Indonesian citizen also lists his religion as Islam.

President-Elect as Third Term Bush

Rahm Emanuel usually receives attention for his aggressive, pit bull style of politics but I am interested in his biographical details. As we envision if the President-elect will provide something other than the third term of Bush I have to wonder about Emanuel.

I would not expect many differences between the President-elect and Bush since they are closely associated with Israel. Emanuel's father for example, is a Jerusalem-born former member of the Irgun (Irgun Zeva'i Le'ummi), a military Nationalist group treated as a terrorist organization during British rule. His father emigrated to the United States from Israel and Emanuel volunteered as a civilian volunteer in the Israel Defense Forces during the 1991 Gulf War, serving in one of Israel's northern bases, rust-proofing brakes.

I could not imagine the President-elect differing much from Bush on the unqualified support for Israel which places Americans at greater risk.

Lieberman Advised Not to Speak His Mind

Senator Lieberman is in hot water with the Democrats for having expressed himself. Of the President-elect, he said, "Sen. Barack Obama is a gifted and eloquent young man who I think can do great things for our country in the years ahead, but, my friends, eloquence is no substitute for a record, not in these tough times for America."

Obama adviser Robert Gibbs responded sharply by stating that "Joe Lieberman ought to be ashamed of himself for some of the things he said tonight, not as a Democrat but as an American."

This is an odd condemnation from a party source that should prize free speech. Why shouldn't a Senator be able to state his position? It is not anti-American to evaluate a politician. Lieberman rankles nerves, and does not always toe the party line, his independence makes him an effective spokesperson for many Americans.

Note on Holland, Rubicon

This delightful romp through one of history's most fascinating periods is well-written and engrossing. Holland expresses himself clearly and surveys the important personages and momentous occasion of the Republic's downfall.

France Whines, Then Profits from Warfare

Now that the updated Iraqi plans in regard to their purchase of 516 military aircraft, from the United States and France, has been released, its interesting to note how quickly France got involved in the bargain. Once one of most vociferous voices denouncing the U.S. quickly is there to benefit from war munitions.

I think we should always bear in mind that France is out for France and France alone. They have no moral credibility objecting to U.S. plans.

The aircraft would be delivered to Iraq from 2011 to 2015; the first order is for 108 combat aircraft from the US and France, and is to be delivered in 2011.

Surge Objective

"The overall objective is to establish a unified, democratic federal Iraq that can govern itself, defend itself, and sustain itself, and is an ally in the War on Terror. The surge would provide the time and conditions conducive to reconciliation among political and ethnic factions."

The objective of the surge is clearly stated and has been achieved. The prospect of having an ally against Islamofascists in the Middle East would be a godsend. As much as a certain contingent of Americans were either duped by the mainstream media, or wished for an American defeat, it did not happen. The Iraqis are well on their way, making guarded progress as always, to standing up for themselves.

War Time Transition

The current presidential transition is the first during wartime since 1968, when President Lyndon Johnson handed over administration to President Richard Nixon during the Vietnam War.

The top military officers appointed by Bush will remain. Admiral Mullen, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has at least one more year on his term in office.

The top U.S. military officer with direct responsibility for Iraq and Afghanistan, will also remain. The chief of U.S. Central Command, General David Petraeus, who is acknowledged with turning around the war in Iraq during the last year and a half.

It is unclear if U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates will remain but he has publicly stated he is not interested.

Iraqi Air Force Off the Ground

Along with the latest developments in Iraqi military plans, the Iraqi Air Force is expanding, but it will not be ready until sometime during stage three (2016-2020) of the Iraqi Security Force development plan.

Iraqi Security Forces Order of Battle: November 2008 Update

The transition has moved along a bit faster than expected; the details are encouraging.

Both Candidates Hacked

Isn't it great? Not only do we have enough problems with securing our borders but according to a story that Newsweek broke officials at the FBI and the White House told both the Obama and McCain campaigns that they believed a foreign entity or organization compromised their computer systems. Obama technical experts speculated that the hackers were Russian or Chinese or perhaps this is just wishful thinking on the Obama camp's part. They may see, as some of their foreign policy advisers seem to suggest, that China and Russia are our real enemies, not those folks in the Middle East after all.

Obama-Elect Defense Spending About the Same for Bush's Third Term

U.S. defense companies, helped by a 70% increase in military spending since Bush's budget since 2000, may see the trend continue under President-Elect Barack Obama, although the financial crisis is squeezing the federal budget.

U.S. defense spending rose 72 percent to $671.7 billion for fiscal 2008 from $381.3 billion in 2000, after adjusting for inflation and including spending for the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

The new Democratic administration faces decisions on $125 billion in major weapons programs:

the purchase of additional Lockheed Martin F-22 fighter jets and Boeing Co.’s C-17 transports;

the replacement of Air Force refueling tankers and combat search and rescue helicopters;

the acquisition of a new satellite communication system;

and, a decision to curtail buying the Navy’s DDG-1000 Zumwalt class destroyer, and buy more older DDG-51 type destroyers.

“When a new president is inaugurated, these circumstances that we are talking about now are not likely to change all that much,” Lockheed Chief Executive Officer Robert Stevens stated.

The expected rate will be approximately the same, 4% of the GDP, as defense spending has been. Likewise, the Pentagon also plans to increase the Army’s troop strength by 65,000 and the Marine Corps’ by 27,000 by 2013, adding to the military budget. Obama supports the troop-strength increase. “I don’t see defense spending declining in the first years of the Obama administration,” stated Richard Danzig, Obama’s defense adviser and former Navy secretary.

“The long-term fiscal challenges confronting the United States, linked to rising health-care costs and the aging of the U.S. population, all seem to support the conclusion that the base defense budget is likely to stay relatively flat in real terms,” not counting war costs, Steve Kosiak, a defense budget analyst at the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments, a Washington policy group, stated in a report last month.

War is often good for business and the American economy needs a kick, jobs depend on it.

No Rest for Omar

Spain's Interior Ministry has rejected an asylum request from Omar, son of Osama bin Laden. The ministry determined that he did not "meet the conditions necessary for entering Spain."

Obama Lowers American Expectations

"The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even one term."

Amidst the rhetoric, the celebration, and the flourish of the phrasing, Obama can always look back and say, `I told you so.' He is lowering American expectations; he stated it in his acceptance speech. Most people will miss this key point in the joy that they feel tonight but he said it loud and clear. Obama is planning to take eight years to accomplish his plans on the scale of an FDR.

Given the seriousness of the issues confronting the next President I wonder if it is realistic to expect much at all.

Roosevelt had four months to come up with programs to address the Great Depression before he took office in 1933; Obama gets just 2 1/2 months to put a government in place.

Unemployment is at 6.1% and predicted to rise as high as 7.5% next year; worried consumers have curtailed borrowing and spending; home foreclosures are common; Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security face huge financial overdrafts; government debt is at its highest point in American history, debts are owed to Japan, China, and Middle Eastern banks flush with cash; and, 152,000 U.S. troops are in Iraq more than five years after the initial action, while an additional 32,000 are in Afghanistan in the sixth year of the war against Islamofascism.

Obama will be pulled politically from the left and from the right. He will face demands for a quicker pullout from Iraq, if he does so, the security issues remain, the sacrifices made by our military will be in vain, and Americans will be no safer, enemies of the U.S. will see this withdrawal as a huge victory as they have proclaimed in the past, and another military return, following this Iraq War, as the Coalition had to return after the First Persian Gulf War may be necessary.

From the acceptance speech, Obama reached for high aspirations, but he is really tempering Americans for lowering their expectations.

Obama certainly has not outlined how he will deal with the recession; its in his lap now.

A huge electoral victory is not change, nor does it indicate success.

LBJ won with 61% of the vote in 1964: an overwhelming Presidential victory. He enacted his Great Society programs in his first two years but his administration essentially folded with as he described it, "That damn war," the escalation of the Vietnam War.

Currently, Obama has offered few specifics on how he would govern.

The economy can certainly provide a powerful motivator. It certainly worked for Hitler.

If I recall my history correctly though, things didn't work out too well then.