Obama's Legal Argument

That Obama is actively fighting the numerous lawsuits brought against him is clearer as statements from his legal defense are emerging. Obama’s lawyer responded to a lawsuit filed by a retired Colonel in the USAF.

Compare Electoral Vote Tally: Obama v. Bush

If you watch the live coverage, at 1:03 Cheney reads the vote tally. He is then required to provide any Representatives a chance to object at this time according to Title 3, Chapter 1, Section 15 which states, "Upon such reading of any such certificate of paper, the President of the Senate shall call for objections, if any."

At 1:09 someone in the lower left of the screen raises his hand during the applause and is ignored.

I think it is unclear. The gesture to me appears to be an `Amen' like gesture with his hands.

What is more clear is the obfuscatory act of Pelosi. Cheney tried to check to see if there were objections, at which point Pelosi interrupted, by starting to clap and prevented Congressmen and Senators from making any objections. As some videologists have studied the tape, some have thought the objector to be John Linder of GA.

In any case, protocol was not followed.

On the other hand, after the Gore v. Bush election, protesters were allowed to register their objection. You can view the objections clearly and proper procedure was followed.

U.S. Military to Take Oath of Allegiance to Obama, Not the Constitution

The term Hitler oath refers to the oaths of allegiance sworn by German Wehrmacht officers and soldiers as well as civil servants during the Third Reich between the years 1934 and 1945. The oath pledged personal loyalty to the person of Adolf Hitler in place of loyalty to the constitution.

This was the Service oath for soldiers of the armed forces.

Diensteid der Soldaten der Wehrmacht

Ich schwöre bei Gott diesen heiligen Eid, daß ich dem Führer des Deutschen Reiches und Volkes Adolf Hitler, dem Oberbefehlshaber der Wehrmacht, unbedingten Gehorsam leisten und als tapferer Soldat bereit sein will, jederzeit für diesen Eid mein Leben einzusetzen.

The translation of the German is:

I swear by God this sacred oath that I shall render unconditional obedience to Adolf Hitler, the Führer of the German Reich and people, supreme commander of the armed forces, and that I shall at all times be ready, as a brave soldier, to give my life for this oath.

What kind of country would breed this type of fanaticism? Only Germany? Think again.

There are reports that Secretary of Defense Robert Gates has received orders from the White House that all branches of the armed forces may break with a centuries-old tradition.

A spokesman for General James Cartwright, the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, states that the Obama Administration wants to have soldiers and officers pledge a loyalty oath directly to the office of the President, and no longer to the Constitution.

In a circular distributed by White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, the rationale for the change was made more clear.

"The President feels that the military has been too indoctrinated by the old harbingers of hate: nationalism, racism, and classism. By removing an oath to the American society, the soldiers are less likely to commit atrocities like those at Abu Ghraib."

The time frame for the changes are unknown. However, it is more likely that the changes will be made around the July 4th holiday, in order to dampen any potential backlash. The difference in the oath will actually only be slight. The main differences will be the new phrasing. It is expected that the oath to the Constitution will be entirely phased out within two years.

Hamas Killing Criminals: Singers at a Wedding

This footage shows Hamas firing on a wedding party, killing guests, and beating the groom to death. Their crime was singing.

Allahu Akhbar.

Judge Denies Regime

Judge James Pohl, an Army colonel and military Judge, appears to be the first official who has denied the new regime a request. Obama requested a suspension of hearings at Guantanamo.

The lives of seventeen U.S. sailors who were killed in the attack on the USS Cole may be considered more important than the Obama administration's request to delay proceedings for 120 days. This particular detainee was accused of planning the October 2000 attack on the USS Cole warship, an al-Qaeda strike that killed not only 17 service members but it injured 50 others. The decision throws into some disarray the administration's efforts to buy time to review individual detainee cases as part of its plan to close the U.S. military prison at the Guantanamo naval base in Cuba.

The Pentagon may now be forced to temporarily withdraw the charges against Abd al Rahim al-Nashiri, a Saudi citizen of Yemeni descent.

The families of those sailors have waited for nine years for a bit of justice so I would hope the good judge would prevail against the Administration's appeasement.

Surprising Statistics on Military Deaths Under Presidents

A surprising set of statistics, released by the Congressional Research Service verify two important facts: 1) more than double the military deaths occurred during the Clinton administration than the Bush presidency; 2) more military deaths occurred to those of European descent than African-Americans, Asians, or Hispanics.

The annual fatalities, by any cause, of military members while actively serving in the armed forces from 1980 through 2007:

1980 2,392 (Carter)
1981 2,380 (Reagan)
1984 1,999 (Reagan)
1988 1,819 (Reagan)
1989 1,636 (George H W)
1990 1,508 (George H W)
1991 1,787 (George H W)
1992 1,293 (George H W)
1993 1,213 (Clinton)
1994 1,075 (Clinton)
1995 2,465 (Clinton)
1996 2,318 (Clinton)
1997 817 (Clinton)
1998 2,252 (Clinton)
1999 1,984 (Clinton)
2000 1,983 (Clinton)
2001 890 (George W)
2002 1,007 (George W)
2003 1,410 (George W)
2004 1,887 (George W)
2005 919 (George W)
2006 920 (George W)
2007 899 (George W)

Clinton years (1993-2000): 14,107 deaths
George W years (2001-2007): 7,932 deaths

The figures indicate the loss from the two latest Middle East conflicts are less than the loss of military personnel during Clinton's presidency when America wasn't even involved in a war--unless you include Bosnia and Mogadishu, Somalia. Perhaps even more surprising is that in 1980, during the Carter presidency, there were 2,392 US military fatalities which is quite a bit more than any comparable Bush year.

The media and politicians are selectively producing "facts" that support their agenda. Carter is viewed as a peace maker while the image of Bush was that of a war monger. It is not true.

European descent 69.12 percent
Hispanic 12.50 percent
Black 12.30 percent
Asian 3.70 percent
Native American 1.00 percent
Other 2.60 percent

Many members of the media lead us to believe the military death ratio is off balanced compared to the distribution by race in America. Here are the fatalities by race over the past three years in Iraqi Freedom:

European descent 74.31 percent
Hispanic 10.74 percent
Black 9.67 percent
Asian 1.81 percent
Native American 1.09 percent
Other 0.33 percent

Muslim in the CIA: Women Caught in Adultery

The CIA's station chief at its sensitive post in Algeria, who is a Muslim, is under investigation by the U.S. Justice Department for allegedly raping at least two Muslim women who claim he laced their drinks with a knock-out drug.

What will not be considered in an American context is that the chief, even if the allegations are proven, may not be violating Sharia, local law and custom. The women may be guilty of adultery despite his actions.

Obama in Arabic Islamic Pocket

In November, Senior Obama Mideast adviser Dennis Ross flatly denied that Obama supported the "Arab Peace Initiative." Now, however, in his recent interview with Arab television, his first formal interview as president, Obama hailed the Saudi initiative:

"Well, here's what I think is important. Look at the proposal that was put forth by King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia. ... I might not agree with every aspect of the proposal, but it took great courage to put forward something that is as significant as that. I think that there are ideas across the region of how we might pursue peace. I do think that it is impossible for us to think only in terms of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and not think in terms of what's happening with Syria or Iran or Lebanon or Afghanistan and Pakistan."

Obama supports the King of Islamic Saudi Arabia.

It was not long ago that the refrain `No blood for oil' was directed against Bush because he was perceived to be exceptionally close to the Saudis. Now, Obama is in the Arabian pocket.

No American leader has taken the time to show how American interests are served or that Americans are any better off or safer because of the proposal. American interests are of apparently secondary consideration.

Which President is the Darling of the Media?

In a famous incident that made Bush a laughing stock of the media, he once tried to open a locked door.
On the other hand, a similar incident occurred to Obama; he tried to access the White House via a window. Someone should tell Obama the difference between a window and a door. I am confident that this gaffe will not be on an upcoming skit of SNL.

Laissez Faire Putin

You have to appreciate the irony of Putin's comments while speaking today at Davos. The Prime Minister warned against state intervention during the international economic crisis, a "perfect storm." Here the leader of the recently described un-free world is advocating laissez faire policies while the leader of free world promotes more control and state ownership. If only Americans would heed the Soviet world's lessons and history.

Iran Ups Ante: Obama Should Withdraw and Apologize

Iran accepted Obama's initial offer of an apology for advocating American interests previously. Now President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad wants a withdrawal of U.S. troops from the region and an apology for past "crimes" against Tehran. Ahmadinejad was responding to Obama's offer to extend a hand of peace if Iran "unclenched its fist."

Obama's Booty Call

Still buried on page 147 of the Stimulus bill, or should I call it the stimulation bill, is the stimulation for prevention of sexually transmitted diseases.

I realize it sounds like a joke that someone is making up but unfortunately that is not the case. The bill includes $335 million for sexually transmitted disease education and prevention programs at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

In the past, the CDC has used STD education funding for programs that many Members of Congress find objectionable and arguably unrelated to a mission of economic stimulus. The events were called 'Booty Call' and 'Great Sex' put on by an organization that received $698,000 in government funds.

Not All Young People Are Drinking the Kool Aid

Once you are about to lose hope that all young people are falling into the abyss of political hope a person comes along to dispel that notion.

Some people are black and right.

Obama: First 100 Minutes

Years ago like most kids I enjoyed the offbeat political humor of Mad magazine. I am pleased to see recently that they are still up to their usual antics.

Obama Stimulus Boondoggle

The stimulus boondoggle is about to be voted on. Helpfully, Freedom Works has a list of facts that narrow down the unwieldy bill. Their focus narrows down the boondoggle in simpler terms that can be grasped more easily. For example, the

"bill will cost each and every household $6,700 in additional debt, paid for by our children and grandchildren.

The bill provides enough spending – $825 billion – to give every man, woman, and child in America $2,700. $825 billion is enough to give every person in Ohio $72,000.

$825 billion is enough to give every person living in poverty in the United States $22,000."

The summary points make it clear that if Congress really wanted to help the American people, it would be better to simply hand out money on a street corner.

Most of the bill is pork for pet projects thus it is more likely that Obamacrats are looking for Republican intervention. If that scenario transpires, they can take credit for a cleaner bill and add how bi-partisan they are acting.

Obama Friends Knew Him as Barry Soetoro at Occidental

Eric Moore, a college associate of Obama at Occidental College, is interviewed where he relates that, at the time, he was known as Barry. His name change from Barry Soetoro to Obama occurred somewhere during this time.

The significance of this is that Barry was using his Indonesian name, and of course, his Indonesian passport.

The Occidental website, in reporting the news of Soetoro being elected president, stated: "It was at Occidental where he stopped being called `Barry' and became Barack Obama, Newsweek pointed out in its account of Obama’s formative years that featured his black-and-white freshman photo on the cover."

Two other friends from Occidental, Tom Moyes and Ken Sulzer, remember him as Barry. Sulzer, when he first realized it was Obama, called Moyes to state: "That’s Barry, man,’” says Sulzer, mistakenly thinking Barry was simply a nickname Obama went by during his youth. It was no mistake apparently because he was Barry Soetoro at the time named after his step-father.

His mother and adopted dad got divorced in August of 1980. As he entered Occidental in 1979 he used his Indonesian name, and most likely his Indonesian citizenship and passport, then immediately after his mom's divorce he desired to revert back to his birth name of Barack Obama.

Bill: The $6 Million Speaker

Financial documents filed by newly confirmed Secretary of State Clinton show that Bill earned nearly $6 million in speaking fees last year, nearly all of it from foreign companies.

The Associated Press indicate that $5 million of the former president's reported $5.7 million in 2008 honoraria came from foreign sources. They included Kuwait's National Bank, a Hong Kong-based company, and other firms and groups in Canada, Germany, India, Malaysia, Mexico, and Portugal.

Read The Stimulus (If You Dare): It Is Scary

Yes, it is massive and bulky but with the Obama administration as tight-lipped and secretive as it is, you have to get the information yourself from wherever you can. Fortunately, other sources and organizations have stepped into the breach and accurate information about the stimulus package is available. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has released their analysis of the House version of the stimulus bill (H.R. 1). The taxpayer's groups that sponsor more information on the Bill note:

"Most striking is that in total, the CBO estimates that less than 21% of the funds would be spent in 2009. Apparently, it is a huge crisis which requires swift action to pass a massive spending bill--but there seems to be no hurry at all to actually get the money into the American economy anytime soon."

Obama Placates the Muslim World

The transcript of Obama placating the Muslim world is revealing.

And my job is to communicate to the American people that the Muslim world is filled with extraordinary people who simply want to live their lives and see their children live better lives. My job to the Muslim world is to communicate that the Americans are not your enemy. We sometimes make mistakes. We have not been perfect. But if you look at the track record, as you say, America was not born as a colonial power, and that the same respect and partnership that America had with the Muslim world as recently as 20 or 30 years ago, there's no reason why we can't restore that. And that I think is going to be an important task.

Muslims are extraordinary and simply want to live better. Americans make mistakes.

He stated: "extremist organizations - whether Muslim or any other faith in the past - that will use faith as a justification for violence." He points out the importance of language, which is true, but labeling terrorism as an extreme position is misleading. This is an old trap of language that incorrectly labels your enemy and thus misunderstands what you are faced with. The common mistake that Obama is falling for is in mistaking that these Muslims are simply misunderstood and when all is said and done they would really rather live like Americans. In describing AQ, Obama stated that the group offers nothing to suggest that: "a child in the Muslim world is getting a better education because of them, or has better health care because of them."

When has AQ sought better education or health care for Muslims? These are American domestic issues and concerns. AQ has no desire to be American.

He is wrong. The AQ types are living the Islamic life that they prefer and are energized by their religion to act, and kill, as they see fit.

This is an odd interview to provide in any case. During the election campaign, any mention of Obama's Muslim heritage, culturally, was taboo. Now, on the other hand, he is explicitly recognizing its importance in his life.

Now, my job is to communicate the fact that the United States has a stake in the well-being of the Muslim world, that the language we use has to be a language of respect. I have Muslim members of my family. I have lived in Muslim countries.

America has a mission to Islam according to Obama.

If an investigative reporter had an opportunity to pursue his premise, and followed up with pointed questions about when, for how long, and in what Muslim countries (note the plural) he has lived, it would prove revealing. I hope that he continues to be interviewed by Arab TV.

Obama First Formal TV: Arabic Cable

Obama sat for his first formal TV interview with Arabic cable TV network Al-Arabiya.