Day after day, week after week now, we see the vile Hamas terrorist supporters acting out in public, screaming, cursing, threatening, blocking, harassing, burning flags, pushing, prodding, and violently attacking others (i.e., Zionists and Jews). In any normal situation, the police would be there protecting the innocent, stopping the harassment, and arresting the violent agitators. But these days, what do we see? The police seem to be doing virtually nothing to stop them.
April 7, 2024
The Canary in the Antisemitic Coal Mine
Day after day, week after week now, we see the vile Hamas terrorist supporters acting out in public, screaming, cursing, threatening, blocking, harassing, burning flags, pushing, prodding, and violently attacking others (i.e., Zionists and Jews). In any normal situation, the police would be there protecting the innocent, stopping the harassment, and arresting the violent agitators. But these days, what do we see? The police seem to be doing virtually nothing to stop them.
February 4, 2024
It Comes Down to Leadership
While surely all decent, patriotic American people want to see the United States continue as a beacon of freedom and leadership in the world, the problems this country is facing both internally and externally are wearing down our ability to cope with them. From our economy to our border and national security, from our universities to our urban centers, from radical wokeism to vile protests overcome with hate, racism, and violence, our nation is threatened perhaps like never before.
While there are many factors that contribute to our national success, certainly if we are going to be able to confront the challenges we face both at home and abroad, we must have strong and courageous leadership. Not only to unite us but also to evoke our very best, we need leadership that commands respect from both left and right, with a mighty and passionate vision that moves us not only to farseeing human progress but equally to moral righteousness. With this, we can instill pride in both who we are and where we are going and not be in fear of what’s threatening our streets or our shores anymore.
(AI generated Image via Craiyon)It Comes Down to Leadership
October 4, 2023
May 1, 2022
The Real Unthinkable Option
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
The Real Unthinkable Option
April 4, 2022
Sickened By Russian Atrocities!
- Where is the United Nations?
- Where is the UN Human Rights Council?
- Where is the International Criminal Court?
- Where is NATO?
- Where is Human Rights Watch?
- Where is Amnesty International?
Sickened By Russian Atrocities!
March 12, 2022
Is This The Coming of Gog and Magog?
(Source Photo: MFA of Ukraine, https://twitter.com/MFA_Ukraine/status/1501810212755451905/photo/2)
Is This The Coming of Gog and Magog?
February 25, 2022
World Is Worse Today
With China up next to invade Taiwan.
With Iran and North Korea just waiting for their chances at evil.
With provocations, escalations, and threats of nuclear weapons.
The world is much worse today.
Peace is shattered.
There is no telling when or how this will all end.
(Credit Photo; Andy Blumenthal)
World Is Worse Today
January 8, 2020
Ballistic Missile Attack A Sham
- The Iranians needed to make a show that they were getting revenge on the United States to appease their radical terrorist base for the killing of arch terrorist, General Soleimani.
- President Trump had already threatened 52 Iranian sites if they retaliated.
- Iran choose a very limited response hitting 2 military bases in Iraq --10 missiles striking one base, 1 missile striking another, and 4 missiles (26%) that failed!
- There were no American causalities!
- Iran immediately stated that the country had taken "and concluded proportionate measures" -- they are not looking for further escalation!
Ballistic Missile Attack A Sham
December 20, 2016
Just Cut It Out
- Cyber attacking the U.S. democratic election, invasion of Crimea, and encroaching on NATO with nuclear capable missiles...just cut it out!
- Vast destruction of Aleppo including hospitals, schools, and markets, killings, refugees, and humanitarian crisis, and the dangerous use of chemical weapons on civilians...just cut it out!
- China stealing our drone and militarizing the South China Sea...just cut it out!
- North Korea testing advanced nukes and ballistic missiles capable of reaching Europe and America and threatening to use them...just cut it out!
- Iran taking our sailors captive, humiliating them, buzzing our warships, and violating the nuclear arms deal...just cut it out!
- Abandoning our friends and allies and befriending our enemies sworn to kill us and not even being able to say the words, "Radical Islamist"...just cut it out!
- Spiraling divisiveness, rioting in our inner cities, and cycles of racial and police violence...just cut it out!
- An unsustainable Obamacare with double digit rising rates and decreasing insurance choices (many localities with only 1)...just cut it out!
- Doubling of the U.S. national debt by another $10 trillion and enacting regulations that are strangling business...just cut it out!
- Endless ISIS and other terrorist attacks (yesterday on Berlin, Zurich, Turkey and more) and calls it "workplace violence" or a traffic accident...just cut it out!
Anyone who says that now "We're feeling what not having hope feels like," truly must be referring to where we come from and not where we are going.
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Just Cut It Out
December 17, 2016
Returning The US Drone
However, it is wrong that their military stole a US drone in international waters.
Bullying and theft is a violation of the rule of law and a challenge to America on the international stage.
So far, our leadership from behind approach has again done virtually nothing, except like a child, ask for it back (after they have already taken whatever they wanted from it).
Moreover, this is not the first time China has captured our assets and people--less than 6 years ago, they collided into one of our EP-3E surveillance aircraft and captured, interrogated , and held the crew for 11 days!
And hence our planes and ships keep getting buzzed, our citizens captured and humiliated, our assets confiscated illegally, and our secret intellectual property unabashedly hacked and copied.
Moreover, we are seeing a resurgent Russia in Georgia, Ukraine and Syria; a militarized China expanding and weaponizing the South China Sea, a belligerent North Korea with ever further reaching ballistic nukes, and an Iran that violates their nuclear deal at will and now runs amuck with military operations from Iraq to Syria, Lebanon, Yemen, and more.
Oh, and surely let's not forget ISIS and the global wave of Islamic terrorism that is unabated from Paris to Orlando.
Despite our outspending the next leading 8 nations combined on the military, we continue to be the laughing stock internationally with world leaders calling our Presidents everything from the devil to an SOB.
No one would dare do this with Putin's Russia!
Why? Because they know the ridiculous price they would pay.
We have long since passed the time when we should've stopped the whining, begging, and acting the victim, and instead start to do something real to defend ourselves and once again establish a no-nonsense deterrent, rather than a joke of red lines and hollow threats.
Our Commander-in-chief, instead of laying blame at the doorstep of Congress or world leaders doing the wrongdoing, should start to act his position.
Perhaps, just perhaps, it's a single phone call to whoever has our drone that says something like, "You have exactly 2 hours to return the drone unharmed or the ship that was responsible for stealing it will pay the consequences--and the clock starts ticking now!"
The funny-sad thing is that bullies don't stop bullying until you stand up to them once and for all.
A real Commander In Chief protects his nation and his people and doesn't let them be victimized in a endless cycle of violence and shame...and he does it before something really bad can happen. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Returning The US Drone
November 27, 2016
Escalating Iranian Threat To World Peace
Iran is spreading it's caliphate ambitions across the Middle from Iran to Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Yemen and more.
As the #1 world sponsor of terrorism and abuser of human rights, there is reason to be concerned and afraid of Iran's intentions and actions.
The ISIS terror and caliphate may end up paling in comparison to the threat of a dangerous fundamentalist Iran with emerging nukes, ballistic missiles, and a fearsome spreading caliphate of their own.
Now Iran conveniently claims that radiological material, Iridium, was stolen, and where it ends up exploding no one yet knows, but we can guess the likely targets.
What wonderful plausible deniability for a suitcase WMD bomb horrifically placed and detonated by Iran, themselves.
As Israel is burning, Aleppo is being flattened, Mosul fighting is raging street by street, and terrorists are plotting ever greater strikes into our heartlands, we are sitting here dumb and dumber.
Please G-d, he will restore peace to our lands and people.
May He grant our leaders the wisdom to act as necessary, with due speed and agility to defeat our enemies whether ISIS or Iran and not be fooled by agreements not worth the ridiculous paper they are written on.
(Source Video: Andy Blumenthal)
Escalating Iranian Threat To World Peace
October 4, 2016
Are We Leading The World To The Brink
- Russia is raining bombs on Syria, massing on the border of Ukraine, threatening the Balkans, and holding massive nuclear drills, while talks break off with the U.S.
- China is militarizing in the South China Sea, creating anti-access/area denial (A2/AD), and threatening freedom of navigation and armed conflict.
- Iran continues to swarm U.S. ships, take U.S. hostages, tightens their grip over the Middle East, sponsors terrorism as #1 in the world, builds more reactors and advances their nuclear strategy and threats to the West.
- North Korea is building and testing bigger nukes, firing multiple medium-range missiles as well as long-range ballistic missiles, including from submarines, and threatens nuclear strikes on South Korea and the U.S.
In 1991, at the end of the Cold War and with nuclear disarmament initiatives underway, the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists rated us at 17 minutes to midnight (the best it's ever been) on the famous Doomsday Clock that represents the countdown to global disaster.
However by 2007, right before this administration, with far greater concerns of a nuclear terrorist attack, we were down to just 5 minutes to midnight.
And now in 2016, we are at a mere 3 minutes to midnight, and "the probability of global catastrophe is very high," as "world leaders had failed to act!"
Moreover, with the current slate of candidates for Presidency both receiving negative ratings of about 60% from registered voters, there is obviously great consternation by the people of the U.S. as well as the rest of the world on the direction we are going in or lack thereof.
Again today, flailing on the leadership front in Syria, almost 6 years into the war there, we are again "considering tougher options" after the "red lines" were eviscerated, plan B never went anywhere, and we acknowledged that "we have no good options" there, while Russia is bringing in the big guns!
In dangerous world situations, the wrong action by leadership can spark an escalation and lead to negative consequences, but no action, displaying uncertainty and weakness, or attempting a losing appeasement strategy can lead to an even more emboldened enemy and then the Doomsday Clock can strike midnight and we can all pretty much just say one last goodnight. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Are We Leading The World To The Brink
October 2, 2016
U.S. Shuts Eyes To Syria and Ukraine
Incredibly, there are 500,000 killed (including 50,000 children) and another 2,000,000 wounded in the fighting already
Also, there are 6,000,000 internally displaced and another 4,800,000 refugees outside Syria causing a humanitarian crisis and destabilizing the region.
Dictator Bashar Al Assad and most importantly, Russia seem unstoppable.
Russia does not play by the West's rules--they make the rules!
While we threaten to cut off diplomatic talks, Russia continues the heaviest bombing of the war with 1,900 bombs on Aleppo in the last week alone.
The UN cries foul with empty threats of war crimes on the atrocities being committed, but again no one is willing to stop Russia.
Moreover, Russia brings in yet more advanced weaponry and warns the U.S. not to try to stop them in Syria (sound familiar to the 2014 blitzkrieg in Crimea/Ukraine?).
Again, we are unwilling to stop the bombardment of almost 300,000 civilians in Aleppo with aid convoys, hospitals, schools, and bakeries all grotesquely now being fair game.
Last week, I watched 60 Minutes on CBS about our nuclear bomber fleet, and the rising threat of nuclear war with Russia.
What was particularly scary is that U.S. military strategists are now concerned that the U.S. is "sociologically weaker" than our opponents.
In particular, they worry that as Russia continues to threaten first use of nukes to meet their strategic aims with "an evolved willingness to employ nuclear weapons in the course of a conflict," they are counting on the U.S. to back down from any engagement or retaliation, because we would be so afraid of escalating with Russia, let alone using first.
In other words, Russia does not consider the U.S. nuclear deterrent to be credible anymore--we are viewed as chicken and pushovers and Russia could simply "shock the Western powers into de-escalating."
First Ukraine and now Syria, what country is safe from the "Great Bear"--will the Balkans be next or perhaps somewhere even more deadly to a broken NATO and a farce of a UN. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
U.S. Shuts Eyes To Syria and Ukraine
September 29, 2016
USA Surrendering The Internet
We are recklessly giving up control of the Internet, specifically of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), which oversees the Domain Names Servers (including all the DNS root zones like .com, .net, .gov, etc.) that handle all the addressing of our Internet traffic.
Despite repeated cautions from many in industry, academia, and government not to do this, we are moving ahead anyway with tomorrow being the transition date!
Why would we give away anything, let alone control over the awesome technological power of the Internet that we depend on in some way for virtually every activity we do these days?
Aside from non-explanations of "fulfilling historic promises" to cede control (i.e surrender the Internet out of fear that other countries will challenge us and set up their own alternate DNS's) and nonsensical talk of "protecting Internet freedom" by giving it away to authoritarian regimes and despots--there seems to be no REAL reason to do this drastic action that weakens our country and puts our technology, commerce, critical infrastructure, and national security at risk!
Rather than defend the Internet that the USA invented (specifically DARPA), here we go again in fear and weakness going in the wrong direction--surrendering and giving up control of the web.
If you love the Internet and recognize how important this asset is to us, then like an FCC Commissioner said this week, you should be worried about what the h*ck we are doing to the freedom (vice censorship) of the Internet and to ourselves . ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
USA Surrendering The Internet
September 21, 2016
Heads Down, Pants Down
And that's exactly what's happening to the reputation of the U.S. here and abroad.
Domestically, another 3 terror attacks just over the weekend in New York , New Jersey, and Minnesota.
While overseas, a humanitarian aid convey is attacked in Syria destroying 18 trucks and killing 20 people, and this after being coordinated with Russia, in advance.
And despite our touting our own horn of achievements at the UN yesterday, in the Wall Street Journal today, the former prime minister of Denmark and secretary-general of NATO is crying out on behalf of the world and imploring the U.S. to once again lead in the world, stating:
"We desperately need a U.S. president who is able to lead the free world and counter autocrats...right now, the [global] village is burning...we need a policeman to restore order; we need a firefighter to put out the flames."
He goes on as to the consequences of the apparent reluctance to lead:
- "Middle East is torn by war"
- "Libya has collapsed and become a breeding ground for terrorists"
- "Resurgent Russia has brutally attacked and grabbed land by force from Ukraine"
- "China is flexing its muscles against its neighbors"
- "Rogue state of North Korea is threatening nuclear attack"
Oh, and I think he forget this one, but another WSJ piece captured it:
- "One year after Iran deal, Iran's right's violations and aggression continue [unabated]"
But aside from fighting terrorism and despots in the world, even when it comes to fighting for critical civil rights, there is weakness and disillusionment (today from Jason Riley in the Journal):
"By almost any traditional metric,--home-ownership, median incomes, labor participation, poverty--blacks are worse off today than they were at the start of Mr. Obama's first term."
This country cannot lead with it's head down and it's hands tied!
It's way past time to pick our heads up high and buckle our belts and get back in the ring to fight with belief and determination for what is right for us and the world. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Heads Down, Pants Down
September 16, 2016
State Of U.S. Relationships
Here is the current state of a sampling of U.S. relationships with other countries around the world.
As the "superpower" and as a people who strongly value freedom, democracy, and human rights, as well as a people mainly of faith, we have the obligation to do good in this world.
Also, we recognize our imperative to maintain strength and promote peace, prosperity, and betterment for all mankind.
We have some enormous challenges ahead, and we had better be up to it.
There is a lot riding on this! ;-)
(All opinions my own)
(Source Graphic: Andy Blumenthal)
State Of U.S. Relationships
September 8, 2016
Best Diplomacy Shirt
But never-the-less, to me, this wins for best diplomacy shirt.
"Respect All
Fear None"In dealing with others at home and abroad, we must respect everyone.
And this is not just paying lip service to others while really giving a tacit nod to derision and divisiveness.
Rather we need to have genuine respect for all people, cultures, religions, freedom and human rights.
At the same time, we must fear no one.
We need to carry a big stick, as my grandfather used to say.
That along with plenty of carrots (but used strategically and not wastefully) to positively influence the good in others.
The point is that disengagement, appeasement, and weakness benefits no one.
Rather, it encourages violence, destruction, and refugees, and global disorder.
It's time to stop fearing and running, and to make a firm stand for good and meaningful things that we really believe in.
We are not the police of the world, but we are smart, and good, and powerful, and will project and use that power wisely to ensure that good prevails over evil, always. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Best Diplomacy Shirt
September 7, 2016
Shooting Blanks
Just this last week...
1) China: "To diminish the US," our President is forced to disembark from the underbelly of Air Force One, because they wouldn't give him mobile stairs, let alone a red carpet welcome, while they continue the illegal buildout in the South China Sea threatening freedom of navigation of the seas.
2) Russia: Russia stares down our President and ignores 17 U.S. overtures to end the more than 5-year civil war in Syria that has cost over 400,000 lives, made 5 million refugees, and over 8 million more displaced, and let's not even talk about Ukraine.
3) Iran: For the second time in as many weeks, Iran has sent numerous speedboats to harass U.S. Navy ships in international waters in the Persian Gulf, and this after it was just disclosed that we sent 2 more plane loads of cash to Iran--3 in total for $1.7 billion to "leverage" another hostage release by Iran--and after we chased them on a deal to remove sanctions on their dangerous nuclear WMD development.
4) North Korea: 3 more midrange ballistic missiles were fired from North Korea toward the Sea of Japan in a continuing escalation of hostilities there on top of prior long-range and submarine-based missile launches further threatening the U.S.
5) Laos: Even in the traditionally friendly country of Laos, the President is snubbed by terrible name-calling and insults and is forced to cancel his meeting with their leader.
6) Trade pacts: Whether your looking east or west, both the Transatlantic Trade Deal (TTIP) and the Transpacific Partnership (TPP) are dead, while Brexit is a fait accompli, the setback to the world economy, trust, and collaboration is tangible.
7) Terrorism: The "U.N. warns of growing Islamic terrorist threats" as more than 500 have been murdered in the last 6 months alone from Belgium to the U.S., and the threat growing from a more decentralized worldwide terrorist apparatus, as well as the potential employment of weapons of mass destruction.
Whether with regards to other world powers or global alliances, our standing in world affairs in troubling at best and seriously threatened at worst.
As long as we are shooting blanks of blue stardust, we will continue to lose credibility, respect, and the ability to effect positive change and influence in an increasingly dangerous world. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Shooting Blanks
August 22, 2016
Antisocial Social Club
Pink hat.
Big round white sunglasses.
And a shirt that says:
"Antisocial Social Club"
Truly, if he was anymore antagonistic to the norms of society, he'd probably be unloading an AK47 into an unsuspecting innocent crowd somewhere.
Okay, maybe that's a little extreme, then again not really in this day and age of global terrorism where beheadings, suicide bombers, burning and stoning people alive, and child abductions and sex slaves are now the norms in certain outrageous societies.
And if those are the norms in certain places, what in the world would be considered antisocial behavior there???
So a pink hat, big sunglasses, and an antisocial t-shirt in free America--that ain't nothing anymore.
Antisocial with a big "Anti" now means death and apocalyptic destruction and global disorder.
As to our weak politicians who can't can stomach calling a mass phenomenon of psychotic antisocial personality disorder, antisocial--well you can judge what's wrong with them for yourself.
Why does it matter?
It matters only to those of you who have a moral compass to live by and who care about what normal even is--too bad our political elite are missing the substance of this. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Antisocial Social Club
August 21, 2016
Why Are We So Unconfident?
"We are strong!
We are positive!
We will survive!"
Does someone who says these things sound like they really believe it or far more likely, it is that they need to tell themselves these things, because they are really not feeling so confident after all?
What's the unfortunate message behind these words?
- We spend $610 billion on defense--more than the next 8 super nations combined--yet somehow we feel vulnerable and weak, especially with terrorism and a resurgent Russia and China.
- We are so fortunate to live in freedom, democracy, seeming prosperity, and have everything to be positive and thankful about--yet 80% are dissatisfied and think we are heading in the wrong direction.
- We are the world's superpower of nations--with wealth, armaments, a seat on the UN security council, and more than 800 bases around 80 countries in the world--"more than any other people, nation, or empire in history," yet most Americans think we're faring poorly and that their children will be worse off than themselves!
How can so much security result in so much insecurity?
The answer should be obvious.
When people don't believe in the wisdom of their leaders, then no matter what they have or spend or where they are coming from, they are at risk of losing it all.
Poor leadership means corruption, fraud, waste, abuse, and absolute bad decision-making for this nation.
We don't believe we are strong, because we see other nations spending less on their defense, yet getting more in terms of security for the people.
People don't feel positive, because they don't see good decisions being made, progress toward a better future, and confidence in the future being shaped.
Questions about our very survival are surfacing because:
- We have seen millions of jobs disappear to our competitors overseas
- Our national debt balloon to near catastrophic levels (and with no tangible benefit to average Joe citizen as everything from our education system to our roads and bridges are falling apart)
- Bankruptcy to the critical entitlement pillars of Social Security and Medicare are being regularly forewarned.
- Corrupt politicians who are supposed to be looking after us and effectively governing us are instead doing terrible wrongs, yet they are endlessly allowed to be above the law.
- There is non-stop global terrorism and a reluctance to even call it what it is let alone truly fight to win.
- We face out of control proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and yet remove sanction and release hundreds of billions of dollar to the largest state sponsor of terrorism and human rights abuses.
- Open hostility to the U.S. is present as nations are doing what they want whether it terms of nuclear and ballistic missile development and testing in Iran and North Korea, using chemical weapons on civilians in Syria, annexing Crimea, buzzing U.S. planes and ships and conducting cyber war by Russia, and orchestrating a vast military build up in the South China Sea--and all without meaningful consequences.
So everyone repeat after me:
"We are strong!
We are positive!
We will survive!"
If you say it enough, you may actually start to believe it.
Then again, if you start listening to your true inner feelings, you may start to see the vast political gimmickry being played out on you. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Why Are We So Unconfident?