Gonna Walk

Obama sounds forth the trumpet that will ever blow retreat:

WASHINGTON — President Obama plans to announce Wednesday evening that he will order the withdrawal of 10,000 American troops from Afghanistan this year, and another 20,000 troops, the remainder of the 2009 “surge,” by the end of next summer, according to administration officials and diplomats briefed on the decision. These troop reductions are both deeper and faster than the recommendations made by Mr. Obama’s military commanders, and they reflect mounting political and economic pressures at home, as the president faces relentless budget pressures and an increasingly restive Congress and American public.

He will address the nation at 8 PM Eastern time.  The suspense mounts as we wonder - will he declare that he is withdrawing troops faster than recommended by the Pentagon because conditions in Afghanistan have improved so dramatically?  And will he manage a straight face if he says that?  (I envision more laughter/applause confusion.)

The Times suggests that Joe Biden, who never supported the Afghanistan surge, is finally carrying the day:

In announcing the withdrawals, which represent about 30 percent of current American troop strength in the country, Mr. Obama will fulfill a pledge he made in December 2009. At that time, he coupled the deployment of 30,000 additional troops with a promise to begin winding down America’s engagement by the middle of this year. Still, the speed and scope of this plan is striking.

It amounts to a broad rethinking of the military’s troop-intensive counterinsurgency strategy that Mr. Obama adopted 18 months ago after a painstaking review. Officials have indicated that the administration now plans to place more emphasis on focused counterterrorism operations of the kind that killed Osama bin Laden — which the president is expected to cite as Exhibit A for a substantial American drawdown.

Biden's notion, described in detail in Woodward's "Obama's Wars", is that the Taliban and Al Qaeda were allies of convenience rather than ideological partners back in the 90's.  Unlike Al Qaeda, the Taliban has no global aspirations or inclination to inflict terror on the US.  Back in 2001 they offered safe haven to Al Qaeda, so we overthrew their government, and here we are.  But Al Qaeda is now operaing out of the tribal areas of Pakistan on the Afghanborder, not to mention Yemen and Somalia.  So, Biden argued, rather than trying to turn Afghanistan into Luxembourg, we should focus on deterring Al Qaeda from migrating back into Afghanistan.

The Times reviews Obama's Afghanistan strategy here.

Comments

[Jim Rhoads a/k/a vnjagvet]

Soylent as usual makes a brilliant observation:

We could fix Afghanistan if we could admit that centralized government isn't the solution, and that sometime people have to solve problems in ways that might offend the New York-DC-Chicago axis of academia. We have absolutely the wrong guy in the White House for that particular epiphany.

The Articles of Confederation wouldn't look so bad in Afghanistan. But of course states rights are an anathema to the gang in charge.

[Neo]

Fiscal responsibility ??

* Democrats call for new stimulus
WASHINGTON, June 22 (Reuters) – Democratic leaders called on Wednesday for new spending and tax cuts to boost the sluggish U.S. economy, setting up a fresh hurdle for bipartisan efforts to head off a government debt default this summer.

All I can say is … Dude ! … these guys really belief in that never waste a crisis, even went it’s a debt crisis.

[Danube of Thought]

"...called on Wednesday for new spending and tax cuts..."

Could those be...tax cuts for THE RICH?

[Ranger]

Instapundit responding to Politico's take:

“NATION-BUILDING HERE AT HOME?” Well, coming after two years of nation-wrecking, it would be a nice change. Though I’m afraid Obama will do for America what he’s done for Afghanistan — massive corruption and no rule of law. Come to think of it, maybe it was the other way around . . . .

[Melinda Romanoff]

Hit-

Chanticleer is the word you need.

And you all are just ringing up the fee per post for someone , from all the noise you are all making.

[Janet]

Centralcal linked to this great comment about Jose Antonio Vargas on the other thread. He is the illegal immigrant WaPo reporter.
Did he have a fake SSN?...Did the WaPo do the normal withholding from his paycheck?
My son just had to show his passport (or birth certificate) for a summer soccer camp job...did Jose have to do that? If a citizen of the Philippines doesn't have to obey our laws, then why do I have to? Why can Jose & Aunt Zeituni break our laws?

This huge mess of a federal government can't even enforce our existing laws. I don't know what we're gonna do...

[Sue]

It would be funny if they deported him. Fat chance, but I know I would laugh if it happened.

[MayBee]

I wonder if Vargas has a US passport.
My husband is meeting at this very moment with a new/future employee for whom the whole company is jumping through hoops to get his work visa/green card sponsorship switched.

I imagine the WaPo would have done something similar for its star employee, had he asked.

[narciso]

So, an interesting detail, almost out of Narea's novel, an AQ operative, Abu Tayeb, invested 20 million in the markets, and
lost more than half of it, on bad trades.

[Pofarmer]

"Above all, we are a nation whose strength abroad has been anchored in opportunity for our citizens at home"

That just looks like overfocused gibberish to me.

"Over the last decade, we have spent a trillion dollars on war, at a time of rising debt and hard economic times."

Notwithstanding, our deficit will be 1.5 TIMES that this year.

"Now, we must invest in America's greatest resource -- our people."

Because the govt can predict the future.

"We must unleash innovation that creates new jobs and industry, while living within our means."

The best and the brightest will be working on cold fusion, while ya'll will just be cold.

"We must rebuild our infrastructure and find new and clean sources of energy."

MORE GOVT PROGRAMS. Awesome. Who could have seen that coming from Barry?

"And most of all, after a decade of passionate debate, we must recapture the common purpose that we shared at the beginning of this time of war."

Get Jamie Gorelick, we're sticking our heads back up our asses, but, TSA will check for us and keep us safe.

" For our nation draws strength from our differences, and when our union is strong no hill is too steep and no
horizon is beyond our reach."

Might actually be a decent sentence.

"America, it is time to focus on nation building here at home."

More socialism! Soak the rich! yaaaay!

[MayBee]

Here's the other thing: People who do what Vargas's mother did ruin opportunity for other people from his country. I had a friend who wanted to get a tourist Visa to the US. She was from the Philippines. She had to list all her land holdings and business interests and family in the Philippines-- just to prove that she would likely go back there.
All of this for a tourist visa so she could come visit us.
She was declined.

[Pofarmer]

"This huge mess of a federal government can't even enforce our existing laws. I don't know what we're gonna do..."

They CAN enforce them, Janet. They just choose when and where to do it. Which is-dangerous.

[Pofarmer]

You gotta be friggin kidding me.

" But a Marine spokesman shed more light on the mugging, suggesting that the Marines turned the other cheek to avoid violence.

“Marines have been given rules of engagement not to engage in any violence except to protect their lives,” said Marine Spokeswoman, Capt Kate Vanden Bossche.

When asked if the Marines have essentially been told to hand over their wallets in St. Louis, rather than fight to protect their property, Vanden Bossche said: “If some one is in such dire need that they need to rob someone, I don’t think that’s a fight Marines need to get into.”

A Marine press release on the attack indicates how the fight ended: ”After a brief altercation, the parties were separated with the help of the third Marine and police were contacted. The Marines relinquished their wallets and both assailants fled the scene.”"

LUN

[Ranger]

Via Instapundit:

Private emails detail Obama admin involvement in cutting non-union worker pensions post-GM bailout

A taste:

Borst replied that GM had not “begun conversations with the UAW pending hearing back from you and the PBGC. We can begin that dialogue but our reading of the benefit guarantee is clear that it’s for the benefit of the retirees and not the PBGC. The UAW may not be available to us this week as GM is in the summer shutdown.”

Feldman responded by reminding Borst the steps required to eliminate Delphi’s pension plans.

“Keep in mind we need the PBGC’s help to terminate this plan so we will have to deal with the PBGC,” wrote Feldman. “If you think there is a way to cause its unilateral termination (outside of Delphi going down an 1113 process) let me know.”

So, we have the US government activly orchistrating the elimination of 20,000 workers' retirement plans. Not really a surprise, given that lots of the bond holders that got screwed in the initial bail out were pension funds.

[daveinboca]

Winkin', Blinken & Nod[ding] are the three sources Biden employs to get military advice. Our country has a cretin Veep & the left wails about Sarah ceaselessly. Sounds like the end of days is near...

[Danube of Thought]

Honk if Jon Huntsman makes your skin crawl.

Eeeeewwwww.

[Janet]

Then there is this from New Zeal -
"In a front page story about a major FBI terrorism investigation, The Washington Post has reported that the targets include “Chicagoans who crossed paths with Obama when he was a young state senator and some who have been active in labor unions that supported his political rise.” "

What a mess.

[narciso]

Winkin and Nodding, Rhodes and McDonough, perhaps, the troubadours of the Middle East
revolution,

[Danube of Thought]

I'm serious. Don't do this, Jon. You make a lot of people's skin crawl. Americans don't elect people who do that to the presidency. There's something...off about you.

Good lord, man--get out! While there's still time, get out!

Eeeeewwwww...

[MarkO]

One word: Uruguay.

[Jim Rhoads a/k/a vnjagvet]

That GM pension story is sickening.

[Dave (in MA)]

According to WBZ radio in Boston, Whitey Bulger was captured in California.

[MayBee]

Isn't that crazy, Dave(in MA)? In Santa Monica.

[MayBee]

And yes, Jim Rhoads. That GM pension story is sickening and deserves a loooooooot of attention.

[Jim,MtnViewCA,USA]

Speaking of Pakistan becoming unfriendly with our supply lines...there was a post a week or 2 back, Michael Yon perhaps? in which a memo (from Gen Petraeus?) challenged officers and troops to cut back on power usage.
I'm a bit unsettled by that article...even though I don't recall any details.

[daddy]

Big local News today.

Cook Inlet petroleum lease sale thrills officials.

Way many more bids than normal or than expected came in today for drilling in the Cook Inlet surrounding Anchorage. There were 110 bids this year, compared to 37 las year and only 5 in 2009.

This is encouraging and shows we still have Oil folks interested in drilling in Cook Inlet and not completely forestalled by taxes and regulation and the EPA etc.

We will see what comes of it, but obviously they think the oil is there and that they can make a buck off it. It also seems the Governor's recent push to decrease State Taxes on the Oil Companies was an enticing factor.

Anyhow, we will see, but this is decent news up here for the "Drill baby Drill" crowd, which definitely includes me.

[Janet]

A Happy Birthday 'Shout Out' today to MoodyBlu!!!

[pagar]

Gonna Walk:

http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2011/06/geert-wilders-verdict-not-guilty-all-counts-eureka.html

"The Islamic supremacist 'plaintiffs' --------- they say they will consider taking their case to the European Court of Human Rights. Ah yes, take it to the anti-humans under the guise of human rights."

"Gonna Walk" becomes Not Gonna Ride gor Jews!

http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2011/06/-wnd-exclusive-the-unfriendly-skies-delta-adopts-saudi-no-jew-fly-policy-read-more-delta-adopts-saud.html

An American company has a NO JEW FLY policy? Amazing!

[narciso]

Well Pagar, at least CAIR lost it's tax exempt status, unfortunately it has not been
classified as an accessory to terrorism, as the status of at least three board members
would indicate.

I recall how in the late 90s, they put some
CANF directors in the docket, based on the
writings of Castro sympathizer Ann Marie
Bardach, they sought the same thing with the Posada witch trial in El Paso. They struck out twice, but that doesn't deter
them from trying to appease the overseers
of the plantation that the Castro brothers
have made.

[Extraneus]

What's the point? How many Jews are planning to fly from New York to Jeddah?

[centralcal]

Good morning.

Dittos, DoT - ewwwww to Huntsman. Who exactly does he think his constituents are? Obama voters? Well, earth to Huntsman, they ARE OBAMA VOTERS, idiot.

MayBee: about Vargas and passports. In his oh, so sad story, while in school a planned trip out of the country for his whole class was cancelled because he couldn't get a passport. Poor widdle baby, the teacher was so sympathetic she changed the trip to something stateside.

[narciso]

Huntsman's not going anywhere, unlike the coyote, he doesn't realize he's already
over the cliff. TPaw seems to be having
some traction problems, with his campaign.

[Pere Ubu.]

Hey, what's allegiance and citizenship when some would prefer those concepts get charred, then tossed on the heap?
=============

[It's always Bill, Bill.]

C'mon, Obama sends him to China, working for Hillary, and he comes back as a Republican contender? Er, uh, Republican pretender?

What poor deluded friend thought up this screenplay?
================

[DebinNC]

Ralph Alter has an amusing piece at AT..."More B.O. Than Anyone Can Stand". He dubs Romney and Huntsman the "Latter Day Republicans" for their views, not their religion.

[centralcal]

What poor deluded friend thought up this screenplay?

Axelrod?

[narciso]

I guess the closest parallel is Henry Cabot Lodge, who was sent to Vietnam as a scapegoat, and then having failed in that
capacity, believed he was called home to
participate in New Hampshire, turned out to be mirage, induced from eating bad fish I think. Of course, his staff included the mediocrities, Holbrooke, Lake, and one rather exceptional figure, Negroponte.

[Old Lurker]

"MayBee: about Vargas and passports"

Don't know nuthin about that one, but I do know that Mrs. OL and I used to frequent a great bar in SF across from which was a particular art gallery. After a sufficient number of G&T's she would let me visit the gallery to buy the latest estate released print of Vargas pinup gals from the 40's. When our daughters were born my "collection" was banished to my Man Cave.

Couple years back when MayBee told JOM about the paintings in her house, I always imagined my Vargas girls.

(Sorry YL, TMI I know.)

[Janet]

More on the Washington Post reporter Jose Antonio Vargas.

from the linked WaPo story at Newsbusters -
"Given the subject — a reporter’s dishonesty about his personal life — The Post subjected Vargas’s story to an unusual degree of scrutiny. One red flag popped up during weeks of checking: Vargas hadn’t disclosed that he had replaced his expired Oregon driver’s license with a new one issued by Washington state (the license had enabled Vargas to pass airport security and to travel to distant work assignments). Vargas later conceded that he had withheld the information on the advice of his attorney."
An illegal liar...perfect bona fides for a journalist. Hmmmm...was he a JournOlister?

[centralcal]

Yeah, OL, that Vargas did great work - I think even women (secretly anyway) liked his artistry.

[centralcal]

Interesting, isn't it Janet? Wonder how he got that Washington state license he doesn't want to talk about?

[Janet]

Wonderful video of Ann McElhinney defining a CINO. Conservative in name only.

[Melinda Romanoff]

Obama releases 30 million barrels from the SPR.

They are getting desperate.

[Melinda Romanoff]

I know the IEA did a coordinated ramp up in production to off set Libya's lost flow.

60 mill by the IEA over the next few months.

Still looking for the WH stmt....

[narciso]

Before the peak of hurricane season, when we might really need it, who was it that didn't understand economics again,

[RichatUF]

Anything to take the focus off the "unexpected" rise in new claims.

[RichatUF]

A thumb in the eye of the Saudi's? Hummm...30 million (a million a day) vs. a 12 million/day headline capacity...why do I get the feeling that the Obama Administration didn't pull out a calculator when they cooked this scheme up.

[pagar]

"what's the point" Big fuss every time some airline tells a group of Muslims they can't fly somewhere. But Jews, who cares?
Or they change Jews to Christians, and again who will complain about that.

Even ex congressman Weiner will be prohibited from using his frequent flier miles to visit his Mother in Law.

[narciso]

That is ironic, considering one of his few
good points was an strong opponent of the Sauds, and if you believe that. . .

[pagar]

Janet, thanks for your 11:43 PM Link.

Some key points from that link:

"It may also be the case that the FBI never investigated Abedin’s background."

As the FBI does not vet presidential candidates for national security purposes, we know there would have been no FBI investigation into Obama’s own background, associations, loyalty, and overall fitness for office. The FBI only probes those being considered for some federal positions under the president. They should have therefore investigated Panetta. But there is no indication that he was ever properly vetted. Now he is confirmed as Secretary of Defense because conservative Republican Senators were apparently afraid of being accused of McCarthyism for questioning his past associations."

Every one of the groups being investigated by the FBI probably knew that Presidential candidates are not vetted for national security purposes. Meanwhile, I suggest that a poll of ordinary American citizen voters would find a majority of them think that Presidential candidates have been vetted by the FBI.

[RichatUF]

DOE statement. Leaves out the stuff with the Saudi's.

[Extraneus]

Wonder how he got that Washington state license he doesn't want to talk about?

Did he vote in the last election?

I know that pols are routinely beaten over the head with that during campaigns - if they hadn't voted, etc. - so it must be public information somewhere.

[Melinda Romanoff]

1 mo. T-bill goes neg. yield, 3 month at 0%

[Jane (sit on the couch or save your country)]

Happy B-day Moody Blu!

BGates wins the prize (again) for the name of the century: TREE PARTY it is.

I'm going to be on WTAG radio Sat AM with other tea party leaders to talk about it.

[Clarice]

Happy Birthday, Moody Blu.

[Melinda Romanoff]

Cantor walks out on Biden-led budget talks. They are hung up on taxes, which only Boehner and Obama can resolve.

Staring contest coming...

[Janet]

Did he vote in the last election?

Great question, Extraneus.

[centralcal]

Happy Birthday Moody Blu! How is the visit with the Wolverine going, Clarice. Yeah, I saw you were a bit frazzled, but what a wonderful way to be frazzled!

[pagar]

Happy Birthday, Moody Blu.

[narciso]

Happy birthday, MoodyBlu

[MayBee]

HB, MB!

[Ignatz]

--HB, MB!

Posted by: MayBee--

Very sly.

[Melinda Romanoff]

Happy birthday, MoodyBlu!

[RichatUF]

Happy Birthday MoodyBlu.

[Chubby]

((BGates wins the prize (again) for the name of the century: TREE PARTY it is.))

yay! 3 cheers for Bgates!!!!!!! I agree it was the name of the century.

[glasater]

Why is Obama taking oil out the SOR for release on the market at this time?
I'm thinking it is a shot across Bernanke's bow to show this administration knows how to "play" the economy.

[Melinda Romanoff]

glasater-

The total release, with the IEA, was 60 million barrels, or 17 hours of global oil use.

IMO, it's a crass attempt to artificially drive down crude prices, either as a distraction to the now collapsed Biden-led budget negotiations, or his own polling.

Either work for me.

[daddy]

Huntsman

"Obama sends him to China, working for Hillary, and he comes back as a Republican contender?"

With those rock solid credentials he could give David Rodham Gergen a run for his money for the CNN Conservative Talking Head Chair at the round table.

[Extraneus]

Hey, maybe that's his angle.

[glasater]

Melinda-was looking for additional bad intentions...thanks.