An Interview with Donald Gregg for Frontline on PBS
Donald Gregg was the U.S. Ambassador to S. Korea during the Clinton Administration and described the 1994 Taepodong missile test by North Korea as “the most dangerous time” in U.S./N.Korea relations.
Back during the Carter administration, we had a more ‘open’ relationship with N.Korea and the diplomatic effort was to bring N.Korea into the international community of well-meaning states. Even then, though, President (for life) Kim Jong Il was duplicitious. President Carter’s Ambassador said to Il, “We’re worried about your nuclear reactor at Yongbyon, obviously it could be used to manufacture weapons as well as power”. Il’s spokesman essentially said, “We’ll shut it down if you’ll build two light-water reactors and give us enough oil to compensate for the power we’ll use to do this”. This was the framework for the agreement the U.S. and N.Korea, or DPRK entered into in the 70’s. The next point of contention came in 1998 when DPRK again tested a ballistic missile, this time firing it across the bow of neighboring nation Japan. This really shook Japan up, since Il condemned anything seen as pro-American. Kim Jong Il dispatched an ambassador to the United States, Jo Myong Rok and his statement, “We two countries do not harbor hostile relations toward each other. We will work toward the improvement of relations", seemed like a useful statement.
When asked why we have failed to learn our lesson talking to them seriously and cooperating where possible, Gregg states,” I think two reasons. I think that Pres. Bush as he acquired a worldview as he ran for office, came into office with very hostile feeling toward four or five world leaders: Saddam Hussein, Kim Jong Il, Yassir Arafat, Fidel Castro and Hugo Chavez. He also had a very strong antipathy toward Clinton for some of the things Clinton had done while he was president, and for the fact that Clinton defeated his father in ’92. Colin Powell’s first statement on N. Korea was ‘we’re going to take up where the Clinton Administration left off’, but that statement did not stand. When Kim Dae Jung, DPRK's Ambassador to the U.N. pressed for an early meeting with newly sitting President Bush in Washington, Bush delayed the meeting, and a statement to the effect of “ I don’t trust Kim Jong Il, we’re going to have a policy review before we do anything”really put off the DPRK leadership. So there was just a real cutoff of the progress that had been made.”
This assertion is disturbing in several ways: That he didn’t like Clinton because he had defeated his father is silly, and I never bought into that one. That he had a pre-office negative opinions of those 5 leaders is far from outrageous. That we did not follow up on Powell/Gregg’s early work is most surely a mistake, but not to review policy when coming into office would be a mistake too. Gregg asserts that time passed and it ‘put off’ the DPRK, though, I cannot perceive this as our problem. Then Gregg says that since that agreement, Kim Jong Il thought we had “moved the goalpost”. I find that interesting to say the least.
Next post: Bush’s Doctrine and capitulation in the modern world of politics and diplomacy.
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
Back to Blogging/ American Foreign Policy: I'm a fan
It's been quite a while since I posted on this page, and I'm still inundated with day to day fodder, the scope of which can get me down at times. This is not one of those times, I'm happy to say. I have turned a corner and things sure look swell now, so I figured I'd post something.
One of the things I like to do is make notes on news that comes at me, so I'll remember my thoughts at that moment, and ,call me a sadist, but I cruise the liberal blogs and newspapers every so-often to keep abreast of the mindset and cause celeb' of my twisted counterparts.
One of the most left-leaning sites I've found is the Washington Post's Blog page, with several different writers. A story not long ago invoked some thoughts about our foreign policy with regards to North Korea, and since it's the WaPost, you know they are critical of President Bush and his policy record. I too, am critical of his foreign policy record, but unlike those rabid lefties, I do my own research and suffice to say, I know a thing or two about foreign policy, and what the United States expects from her international counterparts. Of course, it can be summed up in three words: "Our best interests".
With regards to North Korea and their nuclear ambitions, I have no problem with any state acquiring the ability to create power to live without having to pay an outside source. Just try living in the U.S. about now, and pay incredibly high power rates. My electric bill at the height of the summer A/C season was $480. Thats not as high as some, but trust me, it's way too much for this little house. If I could create my own power and kick my provider to the curb I would.
The problem is, we don't trust North Korea's leadership to leave their weapons systems undeveloped. Why should they? After all, as they say, what can they do when/if the U.S. attacks them? They don't have the Bomb! Never mind the fact that the U.S. has no interest, an opinion easily translated to our neighbors around the world, in invading North Korea or any other country. Having said that, if Kim Jong Il and Mahmoud Ahmadinijad were truly transparent and innocent in their nuclear ambitions, they would have nothing to fear. But the simple truth is, we, and our allies, and our un-declared allies fear rougue nations acquiring the ability to wage nuclear war. Already they wage cold war. Several conduct daily operations against us and our interests, and though the situation in Iraq is not where we wish it to be, our motives are sound. But it's become an almost impossible task, since the world's motives have become so murky.
North Korea's stance, in diplomatic circles, is one of need: they are broke. They are starving, yet they have a robust military and conventional weapons arsenal including submarines and missiles. They asked us, during former Secretary of State Madelaine Albright's visit under President Clinton for aid in feeding their poor. Inexplicably, we agreed to do this, and did not pressure them to come up to modern levels of public care. Somehow, our leaders then actually acted suprised and dismayed!
The U.S.'s stance is clear: Come correct with the people in your own borders, and we'll help. Stop spending so much on military hardware-there's no reason to fear an invasion from us- and we'll put our considerable resources towards giving you plentiful, cheap power.
Next post is my notes from a Frontline article I googled after reading a critical argument from a WaPost blogger about our NKorea, or DPRK foreign policy and why we won't talk to them.
One of the things I like to do is make notes on news that comes at me, so I'll remember my thoughts at that moment, and ,call me a sadist, but I cruise the liberal blogs and newspapers every so-often to keep abreast of the mindset and cause celeb' of my twisted counterparts.
One of the most left-leaning sites I've found is the Washington Post's Blog page, with several different writers. A story not long ago invoked some thoughts about our foreign policy with regards to North Korea, and since it's the WaPost, you know they are critical of President Bush and his policy record. I too, am critical of his foreign policy record, but unlike those rabid lefties, I do my own research and suffice to say, I know a thing or two about foreign policy, and what the United States expects from her international counterparts. Of course, it can be summed up in three words: "Our best interests".
With regards to North Korea and their nuclear ambitions, I have no problem with any state acquiring the ability to create power to live without having to pay an outside source. Just try living in the U.S. about now, and pay incredibly high power rates. My electric bill at the height of the summer A/C season was $480. Thats not as high as some, but trust me, it's way too much for this little house. If I could create my own power and kick my provider to the curb I would.
The problem is, we don't trust North Korea's leadership to leave their weapons systems undeveloped. Why should they? After all, as they say, what can they do when/if the U.S. attacks them? They don't have the Bomb! Never mind the fact that the U.S. has no interest, an opinion easily translated to our neighbors around the world, in invading North Korea or any other country. Having said that, if Kim Jong Il and Mahmoud Ahmadinijad were truly transparent and innocent in their nuclear ambitions, they would have nothing to fear. But the simple truth is, we, and our allies, and our un-declared allies fear rougue nations acquiring the ability to wage nuclear war. Already they wage cold war. Several conduct daily operations against us and our interests, and though the situation in Iraq is not where we wish it to be, our motives are sound. But it's become an almost impossible task, since the world's motives have become so murky.
North Korea's stance, in diplomatic circles, is one of need: they are broke. They are starving, yet they have a robust military and conventional weapons arsenal including submarines and missiles. They asked us, during former Secretary of State Madelaine Albright's visit under President Clinton for aid in feeding their poor. Inexplicably, we agreed to do this, and did not pressure them to come up to modern levels of public care. Somehow, our leaders then actually acted suprised and dismayed!
The U.S.'s stance is clear: Come correct with the people in your own borders, and we'll help. Stop spending so much on military hardware-there's no reason to fear an invasion from us- and we'll put our considerable resources towards giving you plentiful, cheap power.
Next post is my notes from a Frontline article I googled after reading a critical argument from a WaPost blogger about our NKorea, or DPRK foreign policy and why we won't talk to them.
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
As The World Races Towards Nuclear Armageddon...
Israel has declared War!
Israel has incurred well into Lebanon with attacks from land, sea, and air in an attempt to strike a severe blow against Hezbollah.
In the past few weeks, Israel and Prime Minister Ehud Olmert have called the Hezbollah's bluff and have pursued the guerilla cowards into the rat holes they've dug for themselves.
Newsflash!! U.S. says: Israel, have at em!
N. Korea Nuclear Threat has Large Footprint
The Pentagon announced today that it has in place an operational missle defense system and considers any launch from N. Korea as a “provocative act”.
11 missles in US ‘interceptor’ program: 9 at Ft.Greeley, Ak., 2 at Vandenberg in SoCal. while 2 Aegis warships patrol off the coast of N.Korea to give early warning.
N. Korea is apparently days away from being able to launch the Taepodong missle, a multi stage ballistic millile some experts say could reach U.S. targets, much less Asia and the S. Pacific.
Japan PM Koizumi says, “ …if they ignore our views and launch a missle, then the Japanese govt, consulting with the U.S., would have to respond harshly”.
Australia to N. Korea: any launch would bring “serious consequences”
Update:
N. Korea has subsequently launched that missile, 7, actually, and although none landed beyond the Sea of Japan, the Southeast Asia community and Japan in particular is exploring it's International options.
Mainichi Daily News
7-13
Japan govt to introduce satellite system for early warnings of missle launches, earthquakes
Fire and Disaster Management Agency to send faxes which will warn public substantially sooner; worries about public
Japanese Foreign Min Taro Aso asks French for help with UN resolution to sanction N. Korea.
Senior Japanese Official Yamasaki on attack-capacity: "Caution". Such an act “would be against Japan’s defense-only policy and amount to a serious violation of it’s pacifist constitution”.
Japan Times Online
7-13
South Korea blasts Tokyo for floating “pre-emptive attacks” issue, saying it revealed Japan’s “expansionist nature” as a former colonial power.
According to the government’s interpretation of the Constitution, Japan is allowed to use military force for self-defense only when attacked. Pre-emptive attacks are not allowed.
The Govt. has three criteria for invoking the right to strike a foreign missile base: An attack must be imminent, there are no other means of defense, and use of force should be limited to the minimum needed.
Under the Japanese-US security alliance, Japan is allowed to have only defensive weapons but can ask the US to use long range weapons for overseas strikes in emergencies, the Defense Agency said.
Ramzy Baroud’s article for Japan Times is the kind of trash we expect from Palestinian and Arab spin-weavers. He criticizes and brands coverage of the recent violence in Lebanon as ‘wholly racist’.
Baroud revives familiar themes in his article which takes the media’s coverage of the Palestinians’ self-imposed predicament as ‘utterly racist’.
Baroud’s first argument, that the kidnapping of the Israeli soldier is actually a ‘capture’ and an act of self-defense is the same argument all Palestinian gangs and thugs give to justify their brutal inhuman acts. ‘ It is in response to Israeli acts of aggression’, they say, and the line is strategically blurred to their advantage.
Israel, however, does not seem blinded and bound by fear of action. Far from it, they have incurred into Lebanese territory in search of Hezbollah fighters, as reported today.
Syria, in stunningly typical fashion, is voicing the loudest complaints and leveling the harshest criticism. Syria controls the interior government in Lebanon and regularly targets opposition politicians for assassination, including high profile newspaper editors and writers who publish anti-Islamic and ProLebanese/AntiSyria rhetoric.
The people of Lebanon have elected their own leaders after Syrian-backed terrorists killed their President Harriri in 2004. Yet, Syria continues to exert control over Lebanese affairs.
Once again, Israel is pressing it’s defense program, which is to aggressively persue terrorists and those who help them achieve operations against the civilian population. Israel shall no longer allow those who aid in their destruction to continue, regardless of the opinion of the outside world.
My guess is anti-Semite Mr. Baroud’s attempt at striking at the conscience of the Japanese population (along with other National newspapers to be sure), will not be successful, in as much as change the Israeli’s actions. I would rather it galvanize the world to reject violence as a way of life, and reject the destruction of a people, with any means possible, for as long as it takes, no matter what the price.
From the Tehran Times
July 17, 2006
Tehran: UN involvement may block agreement
Hamida-Reza Asefi, whose name is among the most difficult to type, much less pronounce, is the Foreign Ministry spokesman for the government of Iran. On Sunday Asefi stated (UN) negotiations would be blocked if Iran’s nuclear dossier is referred back to the Security Council.
The United States and its allies in the UN believe Iran has not and does not intend to comply with the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and is outside popular opinion regarding its pursuit of Uranium enrichment and Nuclear Infrastructure which could be used for weapons production as well as civilian energy.
In a reversal, Iran is apparently quite happy with the so-called ‘5+1’ proposal it sniffed at earlier this summer.
The Tehran Times quotes Asefi further, “All parties involved in Iran’s nuclear standoff must clarify whether they are willing to conduct long-term and strategic cooperation with each other”. Boy, does that sound like typical rhetoric.
The 5 Permanent members of the United Nations Security Council: The US, France, Russia, Great Britain and China, along with Germany have had enough of Iran’s stalling and obfuscation. They intend to refer Iran’s case to the Security Council for a vote on sanctions which could bear teeth to Iran’s economy and future bargaining power, although Saddam Hussain proved sanctions can be subverted and circumvented with the help of greedy, morally-bankrupt dogs of war, namely sitting members of Russian and French parliament.
Though they are far from the only government involved in arms sales, war-technology shipments and new-age improvements such as hardened infrastructure, global security and asset maneuvering, Russia has been duplicitous in it’s dealings with the United States and other nations. While soothing US fear’s that it’s not selling technology to rougue nation-states, we find that it had sold weapons to our battlefield enemy, and was selling it at the same time as Putin denied involvement. Imagine that.
Update:
Ahmadenijad is once again considering the package of incentives to return to the terms of the non-proliferation treaty. Hmmm, must be sizing up the opposition and sniffing the wind.
Much speculation has been swirling about the timing of a concerted multi-nation strike against rogue nuclear installations. Although those installations aren't "imminent threat", it would repay North Korea and Iran for aiding Hezbollah and destabilizing their prospective regions.
-Katykarter
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
GITMO and the Supreme Court/HAMAS Truce
"You can't have a final disposition about Guantánamo until the Supreme Court has ruled on the Hamdan case," said Tony Snow, the White House spokesman, referring to a pending decision on whether detainees at Guantánamo may be tried as war criminals before military commissions and whether they may challenge their detentions in federal courts.
Questions persist regarding the suicides inside the Guantanamo Bay, Cuba detention facility this week. The US Navy’s investigation will reveal if present regulations were followed adequately and if the regulations are in need of change.
Meeting with the media, General Bantz J. Craddock, Commander US Southern Command speculated at a Washington press conference today that the suicides may have been intended to influence the Supreme Court’s ruling.
At stake is the right of the President to wage war as he sees fit. If the combatants captured on the battlefield are allowed to challenge their detention in an American court, then they exercise the same rights afforded to you and I. This access to the courts was granted in 2003, in a court led by Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, who has subsequently retired and been replaced by a substantially more conservative judge.
With the three successful suicides this week at GITMO, pressure on American authorities to close the detention facility code named “Camp X-Ray” will elevate. If the President cannot press his case as lawful, he may be required to change the detention policy in some way.
If those currently being held are allowed to reinfiltrate the ranks of our enemy across the world, they may come full circle and create terror in your neighborhood.
Much is at stake in the ruling this Supreme Court will make as to the Gitmo detainees, as well as Jose Padilla and other’s accused under US anti-terrorism laws. The first decision will be the most important. Never before have enemy combatants been afforded the rights of the U.S. citizens he deemed fit to kill. Lets hope President Bush’s recent appointee to the country’s highest court will uphold our constitution.
6-13-06
HAMAS Calls Off Truce?
In an action far from comical, HAMAS, the 3-month old political leadership of the Palestinian State, decided to no longer abide by a peace agreement they claim to have largely held to. On Thursday, Israeli airstrikes hit their mark and a high-ranking member of Palestinian leadership and others were killed. With tensions stretched, Israel was reacting to Palestinian gunmen’s mortar fire into Israel with artillery barrages and airstrikes as losses on both sides mount.
Factions struggle for power in the Palestinian leadership, current Fatah president Mahmoud Abbas and HAMAS Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh both condemned Israel’s artillery attack on civilians on a beach on Friday- Israeli military commanders are investigating a possible mistake.
Crippling sanctions have Abbas at the bargaining table with the Israelis, but HAMAS is bent on nullifying any talks, pending language changes in the proposals. Many of the Palestinian people currently bear the day to day hardships of an elected government that can’t get a quorum to enact growth, and take strides to end the people’s suffering. There are many economic enticements that HAMAS hardliners seem to sniff at. Yet the people allow this to go on, ah, they’re still on the honeymoon!
6-9-06
The honeymoon’s over for HAMAS. Fatah loyalists, in reaction to HAMAS’s attack on Fatah headquarters, attacked several HAMAS political offices today and even shot out windows of the Palestinian Parliament building set it afire and attempted to let it burn, shooting at responding firefighters in Ramallah, the capital of the Palestinian Territories.
HAMAS opposes rival political opponent party Fatah's calls for talks with the Israelis, and official recognition of the state of Israel, a recognition HAMAS shuns.
The bullets and grenades haven’t yet stopped flying, but when they do, the propaganda on both sides will resume, politicians will argue, and although Israel, for now, can only stand aside and watch the Palestinian power struggle, it must gird itself for the possiblility of giving back many many square miles of territory it calls its own in the name of peace.
6-13-06
Questions persist regarding the suicides inside the Guantanamo Bay, Cuba detention facility this week. The US Navy’s investigation will reveal if present regulations were followed adequately and if the regulations are in need of change.
Meeting with the media, General Bantz J. Craddock, Commander US Southern Command speculated at a Washington press conference today that the suicides may have been intended to influence the Supreme Court’s ruling.
At stake is the right of the President to wage war as he sees fit. If the combatants captured on the battlefield are allowed to challenge their detention in an American court, then they exercise the same rights afforded to you and I. This access to the courts was granted in 2003, in a court led by Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, who has subsequently retired and been replaced by a substantially more conservative judge.
With the three successful suicides this week at GITMO, pressure on American authorities to close the detention facility code named “Camp X-Ray” will elevate. If the President cannot press his case as lawful, he may be required to change the detention policy in some way.
If those currently being held are allowed to reinfiltrate the ranks of our enemy across the world, they may come full circle and create terror in your neighborhood.
Much is at stake in the ruling this Supreme Court will make as to the Gitmo detainees, as well as Jose Padilla and other’s accused under US anti-terrorism laws. The first decision will be the most important. Never before have enemy combatants been afforded the rights of the U.S. citizens he deemed fit to kill. Lets hope President Bush’s recent appointee to the country’s highest court will uphold our constitution.
6-13-06
HAMAS Calls Off Truce?
In an action far from comical, HAMAS, the 3-month old political leadership of the Palestinian State, decided to no longer abide by a peace agreement they claim to have largely held to. On Thursday, Israeli airstrikes hit their mark and a high-ranking member of Palestinian leadership and others were killed. With tensions stretched, Israel was reacting to Palestinian gunmen’s mortar fire into Israel with artillery barrages and airstrikes as losses on both sides mount.
Factions struggle for power in the Palestinian leadership, current Fatah president Mahmoud Abbas and HAMAS Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh both condemned Israel’s artillery attack on civilians on a beach on Friday- Israeli military commanders are investigating a possible mistake.
Crippling sanctions have Abbas at the bargaining table with the Israelis, but HAMAS is bent on nullifying any talks, pending language changes in the proposals. Many of the Palestinian people currently bear the day to day hardships of an elected government that can’t get a quorum to enact growth, and take strides to end the people’s suffering. There are many economic enticements that HAMAS hardliners seem to sniff at. Yet the people allow this to go on, ah, they’re still on the honeymoon!
6-9-06
The honeymoon’s over for HAMAS. Fatah loyalists, in reaction to HAMAS’s attack on Fatah headquarters, attacked several HAMAS political offices today and even shot out windows of the Palestinian Parliament building set it afire and attempted to let it burn, shooting at responding firefighters in Ramallah, the capital of the Palestinian Territories.
HAMAS opposes rival political opponent party Fatah's calls for talks with the Israelis, and official recognition of the state of Israel, a recognition HAMAS shuns.
The bullets and grenades haven’t yet stopped flying, but when they do, the propaganda on both sides will resume, politicians will argue, and although Israel, for now, can only stand aside and watch the Palestinian power struggle, it must gird itself for the possiblility of giving back many many square miles of territory it calls its own in the name of peace.
6-13-06
Goodbye, Texas Hammer
Tom DeLay leaves the capitol rotunda for the last time as a lawmaker. He also left the floor of the House with a fiery speech most Democrats couldn't stomach but America needed to hear.
For full text of his Friday speech, click this link:
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/politics/3951854.html
Thursday, June 08, 2006
ZARQAWI KAPLOWI!
Mark this date! Al Qaeda leader in Iraq killed by airstrike.
Local Iraqi's responsible for intelligence that lead to terrorists' just desserts!
Glenn Beck, on Pat Gray's morning talk show (950 am from 5-9a.m. weekdays) said he wasn't a big Ann Coulter fan. Glenn's new t.v. talk show on CNN (the commie news network) might be the reason why. When asked, Pat said he likes Ann's attitude A LOT (I do too, by the way. Her book titles alone are enough for me to like her: How to talk to a liberal[if you have to], and her new book, The Godless liberals). When Pat asked the same question of him, Glenn backed away from Coulter.
"...she just lobs grenades at the left just for the sake of lobbing grenades: lets see who we can upset"
"well thats what the left does to us, shouldn't we do it back?", says Pat.
"No, Pat, because we're better than that"
Obviously, we know Glenn and we know the same things that bug Coulter and make it into her book are the same things that bug us all about the left, but a cozying-up-to Coulter on the heels of her controversial book debut may have been warned against.
I wonder what Glenn's view of Michael Savage is...hmmmm...
Thursday, May 18, 2006
Currents of Events
President George W. Bush, after some urging from the American people, and against the big money interests that lobby groups inside the beltway desire, announced on Monday his Comprehensive Immigration Reform in five steps.
As pundits predicted, he would throw a bone to the conservative base who insist on more secure borders and no amnesty. To my way of thinking, the people who most resist 'amnesty' are those working class legal immigrants who paid the price to be here, and who are disgusted that those who come here illegally speak up now for 'sanctuary'. Yet the Democrats think that it is their base. Legal immigrants think the mujados should be made to pay the high price that it is to come to this country, the price they had to pay. It is no price in comparison to what can be achieved once they're here, just don't shortcut the system.
Well, a proposal from The Senate for 370 miles of fence seems hopelessly inadequate. I know that urban areas will get the fences, but fences can be walked around. Plus increasing the current workforce of 6k border patrol to 12k and then to 18k in several years sounds good. Until you listen to Chris Simcox of The Minutemen Project who estimates 35k troops on both borders are needed. We're not just talking the southern border people, nor are we forgetting our ports.
Putting the Guard on the border is a good move, but they should be ready for live fire patrols and increase troop strength dramatically.
Handling Mexico with kid gloves has got to stop too. Speaking of human rights violations, more Americans are kidnapped in Nuevo Laredo by drug mafia than are taken in Baghdad. Mexico's government can only be seen as an entirely corrupt organization badly in need of house cleaning. Our government should be all over them, but will not due to trade issues, I'll guess. Political correctness and our "world image" also play into this foreign policy. I can't see our young men and women in-training being shot at due to a weak policy on the border. Unfortunately for the Guardsmen and women, they may only have labor tasks to look forward to, another colossal waste by politicians, that and administrative duties.
Unbelievably, the pundits were also right that he would have both sides angry, pleasing neither.
Finally, estimates of greater numbers of immigration applicants' approvals is mind boggling.
We should keep the current rates of immigration application approvals and not increase by gross amounts.
Let this economy recover...oh, I mean my economy, not the one in the papers and in the politicians minds.
And while we're solving the worlds problems, why not end entitlement programs?
As pundits predicted, he would throw a bone to the conservative base who insist on more secure borders and no amnesty. To my way of thinking, the people who most resist 'amnesty' are those working class legal immigrants who paid the price to be here, and who are disgusted that those who come here illegally speak up now for 'sanctuary'. Yet the Democrats think that it is their base. Legal immigrants think the mujados should be made to pay the high price that it is to come to this country, the price they had to pay. It is no price in comparison to what can be achieved once they're here, just don't shortcut the system.
Well, a proposal from The Senate for 370 miles of fence seems hopelessly inadequate. I know that urban areas will get the fences, but fences can be walked around. Plus increasing the current workforce of 6k border patrol to 12k and then to 18k in several years sounds good. Until you listen to Chris Simcox of The Minutemen Project who estimates 35k troops on both borders are needed. We're not just talking the southern border people, nor are we forgetting our ports.
Putting the Guard on the border is a good move, but they should be ready for live fire patrols and increase troop strength dramatically.
Handling Mexico with kid gloves has got to stop too. Speaking of human rights violations, more Americans are kidnapped in Nuevo Laredo by drug mafia than are taken in Baghdad. Mexico's government can only be seen as an entirely corrupt organization badly in need of house cleaning. Our government should be all over them, but will not due to trade issues, I'll guess. Political correctness and our "world image" also play into this foreign policy. I can't see our young men and women in-training being shot at due to a weak policy on the border. Unfortunately for the Guardsmen and women, they may only have labor tasks to look forward to, another colossal waste by politicians, that and administrative duties.
Unbelievably, the pundits were also right that he would have both sides angry, pleasing neither.
Finally, estimates of greater numbers of immigration applicants' approvals is mind boggling.
We should keep the current rates of immigration application approvals and not increase by gross amounts.
Let this economy recover...oh, I mean my economy, not the one in the papers and in the politicians minds.
And while we're solving the worlds problems, why not end entitlement programs?
Friday, May 05, 2006
Immigration ish reaches fevered pitch
Immigration is the topic of the week, and groups like La Raza and LULAC like to pit Americans against the mujados, while the public feels like it has been disserviced by the politicians.
I think it's fair to say that for the most part, the whole of an average American politicians day goes towards strategy to ensure their re-election!! It's pathetic. The more they percieve the public as apathetic and ignorant, the more they pander to whichever groups need attention at that moment. The squeaky wheel gets the grease.
With this immigration debate, it is the huge monster of government that wants to expand itself to encompass these "new" constituents. A government with so many budget clogging regulations and committies and study groups-whos' cost has skyrocketed along with everything else in our society- that in it's need to ensure it's collective survival, 'Big Government' funds itself first. To dare to suggest that we add millions more entitlement-seeking non-documented workers to the taxpayers' burden is unthinkable.
Most of the reason for this breaking point is the rise in everyday costs, most obvious, gasoline.
Gas prices are $3/gal here in Houston, the heart of refining country (or one of the largest), we have historically low prices. I know other parts of the country are much higher, $4 in California.
Why do Senators and Representatives and Congressmen constantly pander to an ignorant public? To offer a $100 rebate, even to me, seemed a poorly designed way to spend the taxes.
It's like the New Orleans-ites attitudes, the ones in the shelters: This is my chance to 'get mines'.
Apply for all kinds of assistance in everyone's name they can dream up, scam their way into our tax contributions, which never should have been sent for 'compensation', then spend it on lap dances, rock cocaine and motel rooms.
Pathetic and sad.
But we in the working class watch all of that go on and wonder, "Is it worth it to continue to try to do my best? Will it even be enough, after all the criminals get through with it, from the top to the bottom, and the criminals at the top are getting paid the most, will I even make a difference?"
My inclination has always been to regard the government with much trepidation, and just as little contact as is humanly possible. The less the government comes into my life, the better.
Waste by those in charge of the cash drawer should be reigned in, like 'pork-barrel' projects which reward people in that politician's district, and so many of the welfare programs and foreign aid cash-cows.
There are many websites that speak out about these issues, and several caught my eye over the weekend.
Loose Controls.blogspot.com
Liberty Post is conservative weblog w/ pertinant story links.
MinutemanHQ, and Minuteman News Sierra Times has many articles of interest.
Powerline Blog is a conservative blog.
Minuteman Update
James Gilchrist, founder of Minuteman Project is reportedly eyeing a presidentaial bid in 2008. In the world of American presidential politics, you have the contenders and the pretenders. The last pretender to contend was Ross Perot. Steve Forbes never achieved more than a cursory look by non-finance types. Gilchrist is undoubtedly floating a test balloon, we'll hear more in the future.
May 1 was the date for a Citizen appreciation day, coinciding with the "Day without Immigrants" day, and Minutemen gathered to begin construction of a modern security fence on the Texas/Mexico border. Initially, no government funding has been given, so private donations and use of private land have given the initiative-taking Minuteman the money to begin. Volunteers showed up for the groundbreaking ceremony and work has begun.
Check out Mark Andrew Dwyer's article, "Venom in the News" in Sierra Times.com, 050206.
I'm organizing a "Hold Your Politicians' Feet To The Fire" Day here in Houston for our lovely local politicians. Some like Mayor Bill White and Councilman Michael Berry are o.k.
Of course, we still have Sheila Jackson-Lee though...
(can you say 'hot foot'?)
On The Hook? Apparently, RI (D) Kennedy had a late night jaunt going home from the bar Wednesday night. Capitol Hill police found Kennedy wrecked into a barricade, and intoxicated. Latest word does NOT include an arrest report. Why is that? Did someone get a pass? He came on the air and admitted to having a problem, but did he get special treatment, treatment you and I couldn't hope to get?
Hit them where it hurts, in the ballot box.
-Ian
I think it's fair to say that for the most part, the whole of an average American politicians day goes towards strategy to ensure their re-election!! It's pathetic. The more they percieve the public as apathetic and ignorant, the more they pander to whichever groups need attention at that moment. The squeaky wheel gets the grease.
With this immigration debate, it is the huge monster of government that wants to expand itself to encompass these "new" constituents. A government with so many budget clogging regulations and committies and study groups-whos' cost has skyrocketed along with everything else in our society- that in it's need to ensure it's collective survival, 'Big Government' funds itself first. To dare to suggest that we add millions more entitlement-seeking non-documented workers to the taxpayers' burden is unthinkable.
Most of the reason for this breaking point is the rise in everyday costs, most obvious, gasoline.
Gas prices are $3/gal here in Houston, the heart of refining country (or one of the largest), we have historically low prices. I know other parts of the country are much higher, $4 in California.
Why do Senators and Representatives and Congressmen constantly pander to an ignorant public? To offer a $100 rebate, even to me, seemed a poorly designed way to spend the taxes.
It's like the New Orleans-ites attitudes, the ones in the shelters: This is my chance to 'get mines'.
Apply for all kinds of assistance in everyone's name they can dream up, scam their way into our tax contributions, which never should have been sent for 'compensation', then spend it on lap dances, rock cocaine and motel rooms.
Pathetic and sad.
But we in the working class watch all of that go on and wonder, "Is it worth it to continue to try to do my best? Will it even be enough, after all the criminals get through with it, from the top to the bottom, and the criminals at the top are getting paid the most, will I even make a difference?"
My inclination has always been to regard the government with much trepidation, and just as little contact as is humanly possible. The less the government comes into my life, the better.
Waste by those in charge of the cash drawer should be reigned in, like 'pork-barrel' projects which reward people in that politician's district, and so many of the welfare programs and foreign aid cash-cows.
There are many websites that speak out about these issues, and several caught my eye over the weekend.
Loose Controls.blogspot.com
Liberty Post is conservative weblog w/ pertinant story links.
MinutemanHQ, and Minuteman News Sierra Times has many articles of interest.
Powerline Blog is a conservative blog.
Minuteman Update
James Gilchrist, founder of Minuteman Project is reportedly eyeing a presidentaial bid in 2008. In the world of American presidential politics, you have the contenders and the pretenders. The last pretender to contend was Ross Perot. Steve Forbes never achieved more than a cursory look by non-finance types. Gilchrist is undoubtedly floating a test balloon, we'll hear more in the future.
May 1 was the date for a Citizen appreciation day, coinciding with the "Day without Immigrants" day, and Minutemen gathered to begin construction of a modern security fence on the Texas/Mexico border. Initially, no government funding has been given, so private donations and use of private land have given the initiative-taking Minuteman the money to begin. Volunteers showed up for the groundbreaking ceremony and work has begun.
Check out Mark Andrew Dwyer's article, "Venom in the News" in Sierra Times.com, 050206.
I'm organizing a "Hold Your Politicians' Feet To The Fire" Day here in Houston for our lovely local politicians. Some like Mayor Bill White and Councilman Michael Berry are o.k.
Of course, we still have Sheila Jackson-Lee though...
(can you say 'hot foot'?)
On The Hook? Apparently, RI (D) Kennedy had a late night jaunt going home from the bar Wednesday night. Capitol Hill police found Kennedy wrecked into a barricade, and intoxicated. Latest word does NOT include an arrest report. Why is that? Did someone get a pass? He came on the air and admitted to having a problem, but did he get special treatment, treatment you and I couldn't hope to get?
Hit them where it hurts, in the ballot box.
-Ian
Monday, April 17, 2006
Iran and A.Q.Khan's Nuclear Mission
Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad made a speech last week that brought the world's attention to a piqued state. Along with the standard message that Iran sought only peaceful nuclear capabilities, Ahmadinejad appearently began boasting about his country's ability to make not only reactor-enriched uranium, used for power plants, but on accelerated uranium processing, and a program that is progressing now that had been repeatedly asserted halted since the mid 1990's.
Ahmadinejad, the newly "elected" president of Iran was remarking to the press on a recent appearance at the site of military manuvers. Last week, during naval training operations in the Persian Gulf, Iran announced the successful launch of a new, stealth underwater missle. This week, the incindiary Iranian leader brought up the further enrichment of uranium, a capability Iran denied having, although disclosures about facility construction and secret shipments of precision centrifuge parts have I.A.E.A. inspectors suspicious.
International Atomic Energy Agency's Mohammed El Baradei will brief the U.N. Security council on April 28 in large part about a meeting El Baradei will have tomorrow in Vienna with an Iranian delegation. This meeting will attempt to determine for one, did Iran recieve a shipment of centrifuge parts from a Malaysian firm, parts that are needed to upgrade Iran's current stockpile of centrifuges needed to purify uranium. Already, a jailed associate of A.Q.Khan, the father of Middle East nuclear programs, has maintained Iran recieved much more in the way of actual centrifuges-not just plans- than they are admitting, a key in their ability to manufacture more of the advanced, P-2 centrifuges.
Khan, on the other hand, isn't saying much either. Abdul Qadeer Khan is a Pakistani scientist who brought Pakistan's nuclear-bomb ambitions to reality. Khan was made a hero for pulling Pakistan even with India in the two opposing countries' nuclear weapon's race in the '90's. Since that time, Khan has exported his program to several third-world, nuclear ambitious countries: Iran, North Korea and Libya. Libya has since opened up about it's nuclear program, and has begun to comply with the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, the United Nations treaty Iran and N. Korea stand in violation of. These countries argue, though, 'If you can have it, then so can I', in response to the U.S.'s role in forcing compliance with the treaty.
Khan is an admitted force in the nuclear advancements of these rougue nations. Technology to enrich Uranium to 'reactor' level is available, but since Khan succeeded in detonating a nuclear device, then passed that information on to those nations who wanted it, trepidation about nuclear weapons reached it's highest levels.
Khan is now back in Pakistan under "house arrest", and according to President Musharaf, can no longer educate others in the art of creating nuclear weapons.
But perhaps the damage is done. With Iran's latest statements, the U.S. and others are taking a hard look at Iran and what they've said and done in the past. Many times, statements made of capabilities are farfetched, yet other times, they have been understatements. Clearly, there is cause for alarm. Israel stands to fear the most, although the U.S., by it's nature, will continue to stand alongside her. The Iranian leader's message has been clear about Israel: That Iran will continue to seek Israel's destruction. It will continue to fund terrorist organizations, specifically HAMAS, Hezbollah and Islamic Jihad, the miscreant authors of another atrocity today in Tel Aviv.
At current estimates, Iran, if unchecked, could possess atomic bombs by 2010. If this revelation by Ahmadinejad is true, it would greatly accellerate that estimate.
In this war of religions, remember who fought on the side of life and liberty, and who fought on the side of death and destruction.
posted 5-5-06
by Ian
Ahmadinejad, the newly "elected" president of Iran was remarking to the press on a recent appearance at the site of military manuvers. Last week, during naval training operations in the Persian Gulf, Iran announced the successful launch of a new, stealth underwater missle. This week, the incindiary Iranian leader brought up the further enrichment of uranium, a capability Iran denied having, although disclosures about facility construction and secret shipments of precision centrifuge parts have I.A.E.A. inspectors suspicious.
International Atomic Energy Agency's Mohammed El Baradei will brief the U.N. Security council on April 28 in large part about a meeting El Baradei will have tomorrow in Vienna with an Iranian delegation. This meeting will attempt to determine for one, did Iran recieve a shipment of centrifuge parts from a Malaysian firm, parts that are needed to upgrade Iran's current stockpile of centrifuges needed to purify uranium. Already, a jailed associate of A.Q.Khan, the father of Middle East nuclear programs, has maintained Iran recieved much more in the way of actual centrifuges-not just plans- than they are admitting, a key in their ability to manufacture more of the advanced, P-2 centrifuges.
Khan, on the other hand, isn't saying much either. Abdul Qadeer Khan is a Pakistani scientist who brought Pakistan's nuclear-bomb ambitions to reality. Khan was made a hero for pulling Pakistan even with India in the two opposing countries' nuclear weapon's race in the '90's. Since that time, Khan has exported his program to several third-world, nuclear ambitious countries: Iran, North Korea and Libya. Libya has since opened up about it's nuclear program, and has begun to comply with the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, the United Nations treaty Iran and N. Korea stand in violation of. These countries argue, though, 'If you can have it, then so can I', in response to the U.S.'s role in forcing compliance with the treaty.
Khan is an admitted force in the nuclear advancements of these rougue nations. Technology to enrich Uranium to 'reactor' level is available, but since Khan succeeded in detonating a nuclear device, then passed that information on to those nations who wanted it, trepidation about nuclear weapons reached it's highest levels.
Khan is now back in Pakistan under "house arrest", and according to President Musharaf, can no longer educate others in the art of creating nuclear weapons.
But perhaps the damage is done. With Iran's latest statements, the U.S. and others are taking a hard look at Iran and what they've said and done in the past. Many times, statements made of capabilities are farfetched, yet other times, they have been understatements. Clearly, there is cause for alarm. Israel stands to fear the most, although the U.S., by it's nature, will continue to stand alongside her. The Iranian leader's message has been clear about Israel: That Iran will continue to seek Israel's destruction. It will continue to fund terrorist organizations, specifically HAMAS, Hezbollah and Islamic Jihad, the miscreant authors of another atrocity today in Tel Aviv.
At current estimates, Iran, if unchecked, could possess atomic bombs by 2010. If this revelation by Ahmadinejad is true, it would greatly accellerate that estimate.
In this war of religions, remember who fought on the side of life and liberty, and who fought on the side of death and destruction.
posted 5-5-06
by Ian
Saturday, April 15, 2006
Fact Finding Mission
Thanks for stopping by our site, I hope you'll visit us regularly for heads ups on mutual issues and support in your day to day operations: we share some basic ideals and experiences, we might have just named it for you or helped you to see the fact within the fiction.
I am Ian Carroll, creator and head n.i.c., but I rely heavily on John Griffin for ideas and input- frequently it's his ideas we manipulate and push forward, and it's both of our impatience for what we think has become a problem here in America: among other things, political correctness, entitlements and more and more Americans' "cooking the books", not just the "Enron"'s of the corporate world. Look for John's posts and feel free to read comments and leave one of your own.
Also visit other websites:
racingdiaries.blogspot.com
loosecontrols.blogspot.com
I am Ian Carroll, creator and head n.i.c., but I rely heavily on John Griffin for ideas and input- frequently it's his ideas we manipulate and push forward, and it's both of our impatience for what we think has become a problem here in America: among other things, political correctness, entitlements and more and more Americans' "cooking the books", not just the "Enron"'s of the corporate world. Look for John's posts and feel free to read comments and leave one of your own.
Also visit other websites:
racingdiaries.blogspot.com
loosecontrols.blogspot.com
Thursday, April 13, 2006
Public Announcement of Intent to Prosecute
We're here.
Don't fear.
Just mind your manners.
Thanks for hooking up with CivComp.
CivComp: Recently created but needed for so long, this resource will demonstrate the availability of citizents who are like minded in their loyalty to their country, and their distaste for most of the modern mindset.
Responsibility is key, caring is required.
And, oh yea, one way or another,
"your ass is gonna mind"
Don't fear.
Just mind your manners.
Thanks for hooking up with CivComp.
CivComp: Recently created but needed for so long, this resource will demonstrate the availability of citizents who are like minded in their loyalty to their country, and their distaste for most of the modern mindset.
Responsibility is key, caring is required.
And, oh yea, one way or another,
"your ass is gonna mind"
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