How does a President Forget the Recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor? – Reason #82

Posted on August 25, 2012 by ourfree50

Only 73 Days Remaining!

Medal of Honor Recipient Forgotten

On June 23, 2011, speaking to members of the U.S. Army’s 10^th Mountain Division at Fort Drum, New York, President Obama – Commander-in-Chief of the nation’s armed forces – reminded the soldiers that:

“…First time I saw 10th Mountain Division, you guys were in southern Iraq. When I went back to visit Afghanistan, you guys were the first ones there. I had the great honor of seeing some of you because a comrade of yours, Jared Monti, was the first person who I was able to award the Medal of Honor to, who actually came back and wasn’t receiving it posthumously.”^{^[i]}

This could have been a fine moment for a President remembering an American hero….except for one flaw in his speech. President Obama presented Staff Sergeant Jared Monti’s Medal of Honor, posthumously, to his parents at a White House ceremony conducted on September 17, 2009.^{^[ii]} Sgt. Monti was killed in action on June 21, 2006.^{^[iii]}

These should be moments indelibly etched on the mind of a caring person – let alone a caring President…unless, of course, they don’t care.

[i] President Barack Obama, (June 23, 2011), White House.gov Speeches & Remarks, Remarks of the President to Soldiers of the 10th Mountain Division in Fort Drum, New York retrieved November 15, 2011 from http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/06/23/remarks-president-soldiers-10th-mountain-division-fort-drum-new-york

[ii] Ibid

[iii] United States Army, (2011), Medal of Honor Official Citation for actions of Staff Sergeant Jared C. Monti, Operation Enduring Freedom, retrieved November 15, 2011, from http://www.army.mil/medalofhonor/monti/citation.html

General Obama? – Reason # 78

Posted on August 21, 2012 by ourfree50

Only 77 Days Remaining!

Obama Claims Personal Credit for Military’s Strategic Review

On January 5, 2011, President Obama conducted a Press Conference at the Pentagon, to announce the results of a Defense Strategic Review. He claimed that the results would guide a budget reduction to be announced in the “coming weeks.” Before he departed and turned the conference over to Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta and Army General Martin Dempsey, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), he seemed desperate to ensure he received a large share of the credit.

“So I’m going to let Leon [Panetta – Secretary of Defense] and Marty [General Dempsey] go into the details. But I just want to say that this effort reflects the guidance that I personally gave throughout this process.”^{^[i]}

That should certainly reassure every American – particularly those with family members serving in the military. What level of arrogance allows a man who never served in the military, who railed against the Iraq war, who voted against the surge in Iraq and whose total life experience consists of campus life, drug use, community organizing, agitating and political campaigning, to sit in the company of America’s finest flag officers – all of whom are combat veterans – and suggest that their successful development of a Defense Strategic Review is a reflection of “the guidance that I personally gave throughout the process”?

[i] President Barack Obama, (Jan. 5, 2012), White House web-site, Remarks by the President on the Defense Strategic Review, retrieved January 6, 2012 from http://www.whitehouse.gov/photos-and-video/video/2012/01/05/president-obama-speaks-defense-strategic-review#transcript

Does Obama Trust Russians more than Congress? – Reason #77

Posted on August 21, 2012 by ourfree50

Only 78 Days Remaining!

Obama: Ready to Share with Russians – Not Congress

According to the Washington Times, “President Obama signaled Congress during the week of Jan 2, 2012, that he was prepared to share U.S. missile defense secrets with Russia.” This revelation was consistent with information previously published, indicating that Obama was “planning to provide Moscow with Standard Missile-3 (SM3) data.” Such data sharing could, according to security officials, allow the Russians to counter our defensive missiles. ^{^[i]}

As this argument wages, Obama signed into law, the National Defense Authorization Act of 2012 (NDAA), on December 31, 2011. The NDAA, in part, restricts the ability of the President to share classified ballistic missile defense information with Russia without reporting to Congress 60 days in advance, the specific information to be shared. While Obama signed the law, he indicated in his signing statement, that he would interpret its provisions in a manner that gives him maximum “flexibility” (remember that word and his open mic moment with Dimitri Medvedev). With regard to one section of the law, Obama said:

“…While my Administration intends to keep the Congress fully informed of the status of U.S. efforts to cooperate with the Russian Federation on ballistic missile defense, my Administration will also interpret and implement section 1244 in a manner that does not interfere with the President’s constitutional authority to conduct foreign affairs and avoids the undue disclosure of sensitive diplomatic communications. Other sections pose similar problems. Sections 1231, 1240, 1241, and 1242 could be read to require the disclosure of sensitive diplomatic communications and national security secrets.”^{^[ii]}

The President seems to be saying that his right to share national security secrets with a foreign power should not be subjected to restrictions that would cause him to disclose to our own Congress, sensitive diplomatic communications, or the same national security secrets. In other words, classified national security documents warrant less protection than diplomatic communications with a foreign government. Revealing our secrets to a foreign power – according to this line of thinking – is less threatening than releasing them to members of Congress.

[i] Bill Gertz (Jan. 4, 2012), Washington Times web-site, Inside the Ring, Pentagon Shifts East, retrieved January 5, 2012 from http://p.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/jan/4/inside-the-ring-215329133/?page=all#pagebreak

[ii] President Barack Obama (December 31, 2011), White House web-site, Statements & Releases, Statement by the President on H.R. 1540, retrieved January 5, 2012 from http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/12/31/statement-president-hr-1540

Obama – Defense Cuts a Fiscal Strategy, or Core Belief? – Reason #76

Posted on August 19, 2012 by ourfree50

Only 79 Days Remaining!

Defense: Strategy Based Budget or Budget Based Strategy?

Speaking at a press conference on June 29, 2011, President Obama said he was ready to cut more than $400 billion from the Defense budget.

“…We’ve identified what defense cuts are possible…”

“…I, as Commander-in-Chief, have to have difficult conversations with the Pentagon saying, you know what, there’s fat here; we’re going to have to trim it out. And Bob Gates has already done a good job identifying $400 billion in cuts, but we’re going to do more. And I promise you the preference of the Pentagon would not [be] to cut any more, because they feel like they’ve already given.”^{^[i]}

On July 31, 2011, the White House released a Fact Sheet on the debt limit increase, reflecting an agreement to reduce the base Defense budget by $350 billion and to tie a potential cut of $500 billion more to the failure of a bipartisan, bicameral Congressional Committee to reduce the federal deficit by $1.5 trillion.^{^[ii]}

Press Secretary Jay Carney conducted a Press Briefing on January 3, 2012, in which he indicated that:

“…I think it’s important to point out that the cuts in defense spending that we’ve discussed around which the defense strategic review is being written about now were agreed to on a broadly bipartisan basis — roughly $489 billion over 10 years.

“And the important part of this process is that the strategy come first and the reductions come — are driven by the strategy.”^{^[iii]} (Emphasis)

Two days later, on January 5, 2012, the President conducted his own Press Conference at which he repeated Carney’s claim that:

“…spending over the coming decade — because the size and the structure of our military and defense budgets – have to be driven by a strategy, not the other way around.”^{^[iv]}

He went on to double down, saying that the resulting Defense budget would be announced in the coming weeks. These statements may sound logical and they would be, if they were believable. The budget should always be driven by the strategy and the strategy driven by the threat and projections of future threats.

But the administration’s statements are not believable. They are an absurdity and a contradiction on their face. The Administration announced a possible $400 billion in Defense cuts in June, 2011 and an actual $350 billion cut from the Defense base budget in July, 2011. Five months later, Carney briefs that they are writing a “Defense Strategic Review” around a bipartisan agreement to reduce Defense spending by $489 billion and then both Carney and the President, without so much as a red face, tell us that Defense cuts will be “…driven by strategy, not the other way around.”

Where is the inquiring mainstream media? The Administration tossed them a ground ball and still made a homerun! If this was a true strategic review, why wasn’t it done earlier as we prepared to leave Iraq? Why wasn’t it accomplished (or was it) as we prepared for the surge in Afghanistan? What would have happened if the “Strategic Review” reflected increased threats to the U.S.? Would Obama have increased the Defense budget?

[i] President Barack Obama, (June 29, 2011), White House web-site, Speeches & Remarks, Press Conference by the President, retrieved January 6, 2012 from http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/06/29/press-conference-president

[ii] White House Fact Sheet (July 31, 2011) White House web-site, Statements & Releases, Fact Sheet: Bipartisan Debt Deal: A Win for the Economy and Budget Discipline, retrieved January 6, 2012 from http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/07/31/fact-sheet-bipartisan-debt-deal-win-economy-and-budget-discipline

[iii] Jay Carney (Jan. 3, 2012), White House web-site, Press Briefings, Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jay Carney, 1/3/2012, retrieved January 6, 2012, from http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/01/03/press-briefing-press-secretary-jay-carney-132012

[iv] President Barack Obama, (Jan. 5, 2012), White House web-site, Remarks by the President on the Defense Strategic Review, retrieved January 6, 2012 from http://www.whitehouse.gov/photos-and-video/video/2012/01/05/president-obama-speaks-defense-strategic-review#transcript

Obama: “I will Negotiate with Russia…” – Reason #75

Posted on August 18, 2012 by ourfree50

Only 80 Days Remaining!

Obama to Slow Development of Combat Systems

Obama has sometimes proven as good as his word. While on the campaign trail in 2007, he shared a few of his Presidential plans for the national defense. While some may sound normal and prudent, a few of these plans could easily be construed as short sighted, naïve – even treasonous. Worst of all, some of his aims remain unknown. What was he promising when he was caught with an open mic, telling Russian President Dimitri Medvedev that the would have more flexibility after the election? What was he planning when he asked for recommendations on the reduction of our nuclear arsenal? Here’s what he told us in 2007. Was anybody listening?

“I’m the only major candidate who opposed this war from the beginning. And as President, I will end it. Second, I will cut tens of billions of dollars in wasteful spending. I will cut investments in unproven missile defense systems. I will not weaponize space. I will slow our development of future combat systems and I will institute an independent defense priorities board to ensure the Quadrennial Defense Review is not used to justify unnecessary spending. Third, I will set a goal of a world without nuclear weapons. To seek that goal, I will not develop new nuclear weapons. I will seek a global ban on the production of fissile material and I will negotiate with Russia to take our ICBMs off hair trigger alert and to achieve deep cuts in our nuclear arsenals.”^{^[i]} (Emphasis added)

Recall Obama’s decision to scrap our missile shield system in Eastern Europe,^{^[ii]} his later intention of sharing classified missile defense system specs with the Russians^{^[iii]} and his change of focus in the space program.^{^[iv]}In noting Obama’s plan to “slow our development of future combat systems,” I couldn’t help being reminded also, of the words of the late Albert E. DuBois, a good friend and a 1940 graduate of the FBI National Academy. Mr. DuBois once told me of a NAZI methodology of slowing U.S. war production. The example he gave was the infiltration of fifth columnists to work in ancillary factories, such as those manufacturing ball bearings for use in military aircraft. These workers were trained to slow production and, when possible, to shut down operations by causing labor strife. Since the ball bearings were such a minor part of aircraft production, the link between these slowdowns and the war effort was often successfully hidden.

In retrospect however, there is nothing clandestine about Obama’s plan. He simply and arrogantly announces his plan – calls it “Transparency” – mesmerizes the mainstream media and continues to “Fundamentally Transform” our country.

[i] Senator Barack Obama (October, 2007) in a recorded message to the liberal group Caucus 4 Priorities, quoted in Andrew Walden (June 10, 2008), American Thinker Blog, Obama’s War, retrieved January 10, 2012 from http://www.americanthinker.com/2008/06/obamas_war.html

[ii] MSNBC (Sep 17, 2009), MSNBC web-site, Obama scraps Bush-era Europe missile shield, retrieved January 10, 2012 from http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32889934/ns/politics-white_house/t/obama-scraps-bush-era-europe-missile-shield/

[iii] Bill Gertz (Jan. 4, 2012), Washington Times web-site, Inside the Ring, Pentagon Shifts East, retrieved January 5, 2012 from http://p.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/jan/4/inside-the-ring-215329133/?page=all#pagebreak

[iv] Gene Cernan, (Dec. 30, 2011), Fox Nation web-site, Interview with Megyn Kelly, Last American to Walk on Moon Tears Obama Apart Over Weak U.S. Space Program, retrieved December 31, 2011 from http://nation.foxnews.com/president-obama/2011/12/30/last-american-walk-moon-tears-obama-apart-over-weak-us-space-program

Obama and his Constant Struggle for the Low Ground! – Reason #73

Posted on August 16, 2012 by ourfree50

Only 82 Days Remaining!

When Convictions and Campaigns Conflict

During his 2010 State of the Union Address, President Obama startled America when he directed his displeasure directly at the black robed figures respectfully congregated a few yards in front of him and representing the Supreme Court of the United States and the third branch of government – the Judiciary. Showing his ire, Obama placed the Justices on a “Hot seat” from which they were neither invited nor expected to respond:

“With all due deference to separation of powers, last week the Supreme Court reversed a century of law that I believe will open the floodgates for special interests –- including foreign corporations –- to spend without limit in our elections. (Applause.) I don’t think American elections should be bankrolled by America’s most powerful interests, or worse, by foreign entities. (Applause.) They should be decided by the American people. And I’d urge Democrats and Republicans to pass a bill that helps to correct some of these problems.”

Obama was addressing the issue of the so-called “Super PACs.” Later, at a 2010 Campaign rally in Philadelphia, Obama added to and clarified his State of the Union remarks, pronouncing:

“Now that’s not just a threat to Democrats, that’s a threat to our democracy.”^{^[i]}

Here was obviously a man of conviction. Recall that in a 2007 campaign rally, candidate Obama excoriated John Edwards for saying he was against 527s (PACs), but, then having such a group, headed by his former campaign manager, purchase $750,000 in television time. Obama righteously went on to say at that time:

“So, you can’t say yesterday, you don’t believe in them and today, you have ¾ of a million dollars being spent for you. You can’t just talk the talk. The easiest thing in the world is to talk about change during an election time. Everybody talks about change during election time. You’ve got to look at how do they act when it’s not convenient – when it’s hard…”^{^[ii]}

Still apparently protecting Democracy and standing on his convictions – even in hard times – oops! It seems a funny thing happened on the way to the 2012 election…Obama’s Campaign Manager – Jim Messina – stated in February, 2012, that:

“With so much at stake, we can’t allow for two sets of rules. Democrats can’t be unilaterally disarmed.”^{^[iii]}

Unilateral disarmament in this administration, is apparently restricted to nuclear warheads and national defense – not for campaigns. And with that, the Super PACs were alive and well in the Obama campaign. Apparently, there was more at stake than walking the talk – more at stake than Democracy. Apparently, President Obama’s principled stand is largely contingent upon his re-election prospects.

What a surprise.

[i] President Barack Obama, quoted in My Fox Orlando web-site, (Feb. 7, 2012), Team Obama Wants Super PAC Spending… So Obama Can Stop Super PAC Spending; Romney Attacks Elevate, retrieved February 7, 2012 from http://www.myfoxorlando.com/dpp/news/Team-Obama-Wants-Super-PAC-Spending-So-Obama-Can-Stop-Super-PAC-Spending-Romney-Attacks-Elevate-Santorum_67703630

[ii] FoxNation, (Feb. 9, 2012), video provided by TheRightScoop.com, Right Scoop: Obama Will Do and Say Anything to Get Reelected, retrieved February 9, 2012 from http://nation.foxnews.com/president-obama/2012/02/09/right-scoop-obama-will-do-and-say-anything-get-reelected

[iii] Jim Messina, quoted in My Fox Orlando web-site, (Feb. 7, 2012), Team Obama Wants Super PAC Spending… So Obama Can Stop Super PAC Spending; Romney Attacks Elevate, retrieved February 7, 2012 from http://www.myfoxorlando.com/dpp/news/Team-Obama-Wants-Super-PAC-Spending-So-Obama-Can-Stop-Super-PAC-Spending-Romney-Attacks-Elevate-Santorum_67703630

Congress Now Optional? – Reason #69

Posted on August 12, 2012 by ourfree50

Only 86 Days Remaining!

Obama Sees Congress as Optional

According to a recent New York Times article by Peter Baker, the President has now signed into law, a bill that gives him the right to immediately appoint scores of presidential appointees without Senate confirmation. While many would agree that this bipartisan bill further erodes our system of checks and balances, few should be surprised. We might even argue that the new law merely gives legitimacy to a practice already implemented by Obama – a practice exemplified by his appointment of Richard Cordray.

While Obama seems to have manufactured a “Recess Appointment” scenario in order to appoint Richard Cordray as the first Director of the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the problem appears much worse than a single abusive action to avoid Senate Confirmation hearings on one appointee. Indeed, in an interview with Rob Quirk, of KOAA, Colorado Springs, Colorado, the President commented easily on what has become his increasingly familiar position:

“Well, what we’re going to have to do is continue to make progress on the economy over the next several months. And where Congress is not willing to act, we’re going to go ahead and do it ourselves. But it would be nice if we could get a little bit of help from Capitol Hill.”^{^[i]}

While this may seem very action oriented, it also provides a clear distinction between the prerogatives of a President and the prerogatives of a Monarch. If every President had the prerogative to decide when and why to circumvent congressional authority, our Democracy would soon be a historical footnote. A vote for Obama in 2012 will take us one step closer to that day.

[i] President Barack Obama, (2011), Real Clear Politics web-site, Obama: “Where Congress Is Not Willing To Act, We’re Going To Go Ahead And Do It Ourselves”, retrieved January 7, 2012 from http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2011/12/14/obama_where_congress_is_not_willing_to_act_were_going_to_go_ahead_and_do_it_ourselves.html

Obama – Promises to Disregard Law – Reason #68

Posted on August 11, 2012 by ourfree50

Only 87 Days Remaining!

Obama – Promises to Disregard Law

During his campaign for the Presidency in 2008, then Senator Obama was asked by a member of the audience: “When Congress offers you a bill, do you promise not to use Presidential Signage to get your way?” His one word answer was “Yes.” His follow-up explanation however, drove the point home, that this was an unconstitutional and reprehensible act for any President. In his own words:

“We’ve got a government designed by the Founders so that there would be checks and balances. You don’t want a President that’s too powerful, or a Congress that’s too powerful, or Courts that are too powerful. Everybody’s got their own role. Congress’ job is to pass legislation. The President can veto it, or he can sign it. But, what George Bush has been trying to do as part of his effort to accumulate more power in the Presidency, he’s been saying ‘Well, I can basically change what Congress passed, by attaching a letter saying I don’t agree with this part, or I don’t agree with that part. I’m going to choose to interpret it this way, or that way.’ That’s not part of his power. But, this is part of the whole theory of George Bush – that he can make laws as he’s going along. I disagree with that. I taught the Constitution for ten years. I believe in the Constitution and I will obey the Constitution of the United States. We’re not going to use signing statements as a way of doing an end run around Congress. All right?”^{^[i]}

Very strong language indeed for a President who boasts an ability and intention to go around Congress, and who noted in signing into law the National Defense Authorization Act, that he disagreed with 14 sections of the bill, saying:

“…should any application of these provisions conflict with my constitutional authorities, I will treat the provisions as non-binding.”^{^[ii]}

In still another of the 19 signing statements issued by President Obama thru the end of 2011, Obama blocked the defunding of four of his “Czar” positions, stating that:

“Legislative efforts that significantly impede the President’s ability to exercise his supervisory and coordinating authorities or to obtain the views of the appropriate senior advisers violate the separation of powers by undermining the President’s ability to exercise his constitutional responsibilities and take care that the laws be faithfully executed. Therefore, the executive branch will construe section 2262 not to abrogate these Presidential prerogatives.”^{^[iii]}

Which of the campaign promises Obama makes in the run-up to the 2012 Presidential election will be as solid as his assurances against “Signing Statements”? Which other Constitutional principles will he defend with equal respect and passion?

[i] Senator Barack Obama, (2008), Doug Powers (Oct. 28, 2011), Michelle Malkin web-site, Charles Rangel: Obama Working Around Congress is Okay Because of the Gridlock, video in article posted by “brianamburgey”, Obama on Presidential Signing Statements, retrieved January 6, 2012, from http://michellemalkin.com/2011/10/28/charles-rangel-gridlock/

[ii] President Barack Obama, (Dec. 31, 2011) White House web-site, Statements & Releases, Statement by the President on H.R. 1540, retrieved January 6, 2012 from http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/12/31/statement-president-hr-1540

[iii] President Barack Obama, (April 15, 2011), White House web-site, Statements & Releases, Statement by the President on H.R. 1473, retrieved January 6, 2012 from http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/04/15/statement-president-hr-1473

Obama Denies He’s a King – Disregards Congress – Reason #67

Posted on August 10, 2012 by ourfree50

Only 88 Days Remaining!

In early June, 2010, in a dramatic moment during the Gulf oil spill operations, Obama made the unexpected admission that his powers were “not limitless.”^{^[i]} A few months later, in October, 2010, he told radio personality Eddie “Piolin” Sotelo, that:

“…I am president, I am not king. I can’t do these things just by myself. We have a system of government that requires the Congress to work with the executive branch to make it happen.” ^{^[ii]}

A few nights later he told supporters at a Democratic Dinner that Healthcare Reform took time, because this is:

“…not a monarchy we live in. This is a democracy.”^{^[iii]}

On February 22, 2012, back with Univision’s Los Angeles based Sotelo show, Obama again lamented the powerlessness of his Presidency under Constitutional restraints, saying:

“Piolin, I would only have broken my promise [on comprehensive immigration reform] if I hadn’t tried. But ultimately, I’m one man. You know, we live in a democracy. We don’t live in a monarchy. I’m not the king. I’m the president. And so, I can only implement those laws that are passed through Congress.”^{^[iv]}

All of this, of course, is his “Go To” rhetoric when explaining away his failure to achieve bipartisan consensus and legislation. Still, it’s interesting that he seems so consistently focused on monarchies and kingships, because while he claims we’re not a monarchy and that he’s not a king, he seems to have no problem playing the role.

At a Las Vegas campaign event on Oct. 24, 2011, President Obama told his audience that:

“…I’ve told my administration to keep looking every single day for actions we can take without Congress.”^{^[v]}

On Oct. 26, 2011, at still another campaign opportunity at the University of Colorado, President Obama declared:

“We can’t wait for Congress to do its job. So where they won’t act, I will.

“…And I’ve told my administration we’re going to look every single day to figure out what we can do without Congress.”^{^[vi]}

On Nov. 2, 2011, in a speech at Georgetown Waterfront Park, Obama told prospective 2012 voters:

“We can’t wait for Congress to do its job. If they won’t act, I will.”^{^[vii]}

On January 4, 2012, during a speech at Shaker Heights High School in Shaker Heights, Ohio, President Obama told a large Democrat audience:

“When Congress refuses to act, and as a result, hurts our economy and puts our people at risk, then I have an obligation as President to do what I can without them.”^{^[viii]}

On Feb. 21, 2012, Obama said:

“Now, whenever Congress refuses to act, Joe [Biden] and I, we’re going to act.”^{^[ix]}

On Feb. 23, 2012, at another campaign event at the University of Miami, President Obama again stated – and both unbelievably and hypocritically, given the subject of energy independence – that:

“With or without this Congress, I will continue to do whatever I can to develop every source of American energy so our future isn’t controlled by events on the other side of the world.”^{^[x]}

Yet, in his restrictions on drilling and his disapproval of a much needed pipeline, he all but guarantees the control of our future by “events on the other side of the world.”

Meanwhile, President Obama had no problem bypassing the U.S. Senate and using the pretext of “recess appointments” to install Richard Cordray as head of his new Financial Protection Bureau, or to appoint three new members to the National Labor Relations Board.^{^[xi]}

He had no problem taking the country to war against Libya without Congressional approval^{^[xii]} – and his Communication Director warns us that our problems require:

“‘bold, bipartisan action in Congress’ but that Mr. Obama ‘believes we cannot wait, so he will act where they won’t.’”^{^[xiii]}

Let’s see…Democracy…Constitution…eliminating the role of congress…Might this be the equivalent of a Monarchy?

Perhaps he does think himself a king.

[i] Sunlen Miller, (June 11, 2010), ABC News.com Political Punch by Jake Tapper, Obama: “I Can’t Suck it up with a Straw”, retrieved September 29, 2010 from http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2010/06/obama-i-cant-suck-it-up-with-a-straw-.html

[ii] President Barack Obama, (Oct. 26, 2010), FoxNews web-site, quoting President from his interview with Eddie “Piolin” Sotelo, Obama: “I am not King,” retrieved February 25, 2012 from http://nation.foxnews.com/president-obama/2010/10/25/obama-i-am-not-king

[iii] President Barack Obama, (Oct. 26, 2010), White House web-site, Speeches & Remarks, Remarks by the President at a DCCC Dinner, retrieved February 25, 2012 from http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2010/10/26/remarks-president-a-dccc-dinner

[iv] President Barack Obama (Feb. 22, 2012), transcript from Univision interview on Eddie “Piolin” Sotelo radio show, provided by FoxNation web-site (Feb. 24, 2012), President Obama: ‘My Presidency Is Not Over. I’ve Got Another Five Years’, retrieved February 25, 2012 from http://nation.foxnews.com/president-obama/2012/02/23/president-obama-my-presidency-not-over-i-ve-got-another-five-years

[v] President Barack Obama (Oct. 24, 2011), White House web-site, Speeches & Remarks, Remarks by the President on the Economy and Housing, retrieved February 26, 2012 from http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/10/24/remarks-president-economy-and-housing

[vi] President Barack Obama, (Oct. 26, 2011), White House web-site, Speeches & Remarks, Remarks by the President on College Affordability, retrieved February 26, 2012 from http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/10/26/remarks-president-college-affordability

[vii] President Barack Obama, (Nov. 2, 2011), White House web-site, Speeches & Remarks, Remarks by the President Urging Congress to Pass the Infrastructure Piece of the American Jobs Act, retrieved February 26, 2012 from http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/11/02/remarks-president-urging-congress-pass-infrastructure-piece-american-job

[viii] President Barack Obama, (Jan. 4, 2012), White House web-site blog, President Obama Discusses Richard Cordray in Shaker Heights, retrieved February 26, 2012 from http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2012/01/04/president-obama-discusses-richard-cordray-shaker-heights

[ix] President Barack Obama, (Feb. 21, 2012), White House web-site, Remarks by the President on the Payroll Tax Cut, retrieved February 26, 2012 from http://www.whitehouse.gov/photos-and-video/video/2012/02/21/president-obama-payroll-tax-cut-extension#transcript

[x] President Barack Obama, (Feb. 23, 2012), White House web-site, Speeches & Remarks, Remarks by the President on Energy, retrieved February 26, 2012 from http://www.whitehouse.gov/photos-and-video/video/2012/02/23/president-obama-university-miami#transcript

[xi] Dave Clarke and Matt Spetalnick, (Jan. 4, 2012), Reuters web-site, Obama Defies Republicans with Consumer Agency Pick, retrieved February 26, 2012 from http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/01/04/us-financial-regulation-cordray-idUSTRE80312J20120104

[xii] President Barack Obama, (Mar. 21, 2011), White House web-site, Presidential Memoranda, Letter from the President regarding the commencement of operations in Libya, retrieved February 26, 2012 from http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/03/21/letter-president-regarding-commencement-operations-libya

Did Obama Describe an American Gestapo? – Reason #66

Posted on August 9, 2012 by ourfree50

Only 89 Days Remaining!

Did Obama Describe an American Gestapo?

On July 2, 2008, during a rally in Colorado Springs, then Senator Obama made one of the most startling statements ever heard from a Presidential candidate. Obama told the American public:

“We cannot continue to rely only on our military in order to achieve the national security objectives that we’ve set. We’ve got to have a Civilian National Security Force that’s just as powerful – just as strong – just as well funded.”^{^[i]}

FactCheck.org soundly ridiculed Rep. Paul Broun (R-GA), after Broun responded to Obama’s comment, saying “It may sound a bit crazy and off base, but the thing is, he’s [Obama’s] the one who proposed this national security force. … That’s exactly what Hitler did in Nazi Germany and it’s exactly what the Soviet Union did.”^{^[ii]}

How does any person, news, or other organization of any kind justify ridiculing anyone questioning such a bizarre announcement from a sitting Senator and would-be President of the United States? The ridiculing of Rep. Broun was no less dangerous than the Obama statement itself.

[i] Brooks Jackson, (November 11, 2008), FactCheck.org website, Is Obama planning a Gestapo-like “civilian national security force”? retrieved February 17, 2011 from http://www.factcheck.org/askfactcheck/is_obama_planning_a_gestapo-like_civilian_national.html

[ii] Brooks Jackson, (November 11, 2008), FactCheck.org website, Is Obama planning a Gestapo-like “civilian national security force”? retrieved February 17, 2011 from http://www.factcheck.org/askfactcheck/is_obama_planning_a_gestapo-like_civilian_national.html

Only 73 Days Remaining!

Medal of Honor Recipient Forgotten

Only 77 Days Remaining!

Obama Claims Personal Credit for Military’s Strategic Review

“So I’m going to let Leon [Panetta – Secretary of Defense] and Marty [General Dempsey] go into the details. But I just want to say that this effort reflects the guidance that I personally gave throughout this process.” [i]

Only 78 Days Remaining!

Obama: Ready to Share with Russians – Not Congress

Only 79 Days Remaining!

Defense: Strategy Based Budget or Budget Based Strategy?

“…We’ve identified what defense cuts are possible…”

“…I think it’s important to point out that the cuts in defense spending that we’ve discussed around which the defense strategic review is being written about now were agreed to on a broadly bipartisan basis — roughly $489 billion over 10 years.

“And the important part of this process is that the strategy come first and the reductions come — are driven by the strategy.”[iii] (Emphasis)

“…spending over the coming decade — because the size and the structure of our military and defense budgets – have to be driven by a strategy, not the other way around.”[iv]

Only 80 Days Remaining!

Obama to Slow Development of Combat Systems

Only 82 Days Remaining!

When Convictions and Campaigns Conflict

“Now that’s not just a threat to Democrats, that’s a threat to our democracy.”[i]

“With so much at stake, we can’t allow for two sets of rules. Democrats can’t be unilaterally disarmed.” [iii]

Only 86 Days Remaining!

Obama Sees Congress as Optional

“Well, what we’re going to have to do is continue to make progress on the economy over the next several months. And where Congress is not willing to act, we’re going to go ahead and do it ourselves. But it would be nice if we could get a little bit of help from Capitol Hill.”[i]

Only 87 Days Remaining!

Obama – Promises to Disregard Law

“…should any application of these provisions conflict with my constitutional authorities, I will treat the provisions as non-binding.”[ii]

Only 88 Days Remaining!

“…I am president, I am not king. I can’t do these things just by myself. We have a system of government that requires the Congress to work with the executive branch to make it happen.” [ii]

“…not a monarchy we live in. This is a democracy.”[iii]

“…I’ve told my administration to keep looking every single day for actions we can take without Congress.”[v]

“We can’t wait for Congress to do its job. So where they won’t act, I will.

“…And I’ve told my administration we’re going to look every single day to figure out what we can do without Congress.”[vi]

“We can’t wait for Congress to do its job. If they won’t act, I will.”[vii]

“When Congress refuses to act, and as a result, hurts our economy and puts our people at risk, then I have an obligation as President to do what I can without them.”[viii]

“Now, whenever Congress refuses to act, Joe [Biden] and I, we’re going to act.”[ix]

“With or without this Congress, I will continue to do whatever I can to develop every source of American energy so our future isn’t controlled by events on the other side of the world.”[x]

“‘bold, bipartisan action in Congress’ but that Mr. Obama ‘believes we cannot wait, so he will act where they won’t.’”[xiii]