Two Down, Many To Go

Emerging from their meeting with Obama on Syria House Republicn leaders John Boehner and Eric Cantor showed that, if nothing else, this is not their first rodeo and they do not intend to be cast as rodeo clowns. Their subtle ploy - smile, back Obama, and let him do the heavy lifting. Here is Cantor:

"I intend to vote to provide the President of the United States the option to use military force in Syria. While the authorizing language will likely change, the underlying reality will not. America has a compelling national security interest to prevent and respond to the use of weapons of mass destruction, especially by a terrorist state such as Syria, and to prevent further instability in a region of vital interest to the United States.

“Understanding that there are differing opinions on both sides of the aisle, it is up to President Obama to make the case to Congress and to the American people that this is the right course of action, and I hope he is successful in that endeavor.

Left unsaid - "Thank you and good luck, Mr. President. Most of the House Republicans have their contact information posted on their websites and I am sure they will be eager to hear from you."

I have the strong impression that neither Boehner nor Cantor will be twisting Republican arms, or even dialing their phones, to make this authoriztion happen. And to whether Team Obama can rustle up some Republican votes, let alone corral Nancy Pelosi's grandson, time will tell.

But publicly they are all smiles and support, so who can blame them if the votes aren't there?

ASK THOSE FOR WHOM THE SHOE FITS: Nancy Pelosi seems to be suggesting that the typical anti-war lib is having the same reaction as a five-year old. Condescending, yes? Or is she prepping herself for an appearance on "Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader"? Left unasked - where is Amy Carter when the Dems need her?

MORE THAN A FEELING... Here is Politico, a bit later in the day:

On Syria, House GOP won’t follow their leaders

By JONATHAN ALLEN and JAKE SHERMAN | 9/3/13 6:26 PM EDT

The whip count on Syria has become like the war itself: No one in Washington wants to own it alone.

While most top congressional leaders have vowed to back President Barack Obama in seeking authority to launch missile strikes, there’s little evidence that they can — or even want to — help him round up the rank-and file-Republicans he’ll need to win a vote in the House.

Speaker John Boehner’s spokesman said that he “expects the White House to provide answers to members’ questions and take the lead on any whipping effort.” Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), whose aides and allies run the whip process, isn’t yet in favor of Obama’s request for military authority in Syria.

I don't think Obama could lead a bunch of thirsty sailors into a bar on the 4th of July, so I don't have much confidence in his ability to whip the House Republicans. But it gives his team a chance to learn a lot of new names!

And Boehner and Reid have already promised a vote so the "Hastert rule" under which the Speaker won't bring a bill to the floor without the approvbal of a majority of the Republican caucus won't be in effect.

AND ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE AISLE:

Van Hollen — a key member of the Dem leadership who is also respected by Congressional liberals —...

declined to say whether he thought a majority of House Dems would support Obama’s request in the end. “I don’t know the answer to that,” he said. “This is a matter of conscience, and each member must make up his or her own mind. This is not an issue that will be whipped by the Democratic leadership, so the president will have to make his case to members of Congress individually.”

Comments

[Jane-sun - the squaw]

I like the way you put it TM. Meanwhile this hearing makes me want to throw my shoe at the TV.

[Clarice]

That's exactly how I see it, TM.

[Charlie (Colorado)]

Luckily I'm writing a piece on how we've lost track of the objective while coping with the alligators, so I'm not watching the hearing, but within a couple of minutes of Obama saying he wasn't going to pull the trigger, I was saying he didn't want to be in a position where he'd have to take responsibility for anything that happened.

The question now is whether the media are sufficiently disgusted that they will no longer carry Obama's water.

[Jane-sun - the squaw]

I just want someone to say that Obama is not trustworthy based on the last 5 years so they can't support this.

[Charlie (Colorado)]

I just want someone to say that Obama is not trustworthy based on the last 5 years so they can't support this.

Obama is not trustworthy based on the last 5 years so I can't support this.

Don't say I never did nuthin for ya.

[JIB]

Charlie,

As Chuck Knox once said: "those who live in hope, die in shit".

Look, outside of Israel's vulnerability to a WMD armed Syria and an emboldened Iran all bolstered by Macho-Man Vlad Putin there is no compelling reason to do what Obama wants to do. And isn't that the problem our allies and near allies are having - no clear objective.

Its the Nancy Pelosi approach - we have to do something, anything in order to see what the outcome will be. Not good enough. Not for me, not for the Brits, not for our Euro friends (even Hollande is out of it), not even for Turkey (who has already been a front).

Plus, if he used WMD on his own people, isn't this something for the World Court or the ICC? Of course, that opens up another kettle of fish for us if we decide to go that route.

[Jane-sun - the squaw]

Barbara Boxer has become a war monger. WOW

[NK(tryin')]

Thanks TomM for explaiing what Boehner/Cantor are actually saying and doing. This will be a 'conscience' vote for Repubs, so the overwhelming majority will slam Obummer in debate (just like the JOMer commenters want) and vote no, the rest will vote yes or present to a restrictive Resolution DRAFTED BY SENATE DEMs. The target of Boehner/Cantor are vulnerable Senate Dems. My guess, this dies in the Senate when Repub 'Hawks' and Obamaniac senators vote NO because it is too restrictive on Obummer. Boxer and menedez will scream RACIIIIST becausue the resolution humiliates Obummer in a way no White POTUS ever was.

[JIB]

"“Secretary Kerry, the American people say no to war. Ban Ki Moon says no to war, the Pope says no to war. We don’t want another war,” Medea Benjamin of Code Pink yelled at the hearing after Kerry was finishing his remarks. “The first time I testified before this committee, when I was 27 years old, I had very similar feelings to that protester,” Kerry said."

Does Kerry really want to open up the can of worms of his testimony to Congress when he was a 27 year old up and coming coward? Lets bring back the Swifties:)

[GMax]

Dont you wish she counseled with her wise grandson before she foisted this nightmare of a health care law on us?

Are you smarter than a 5th grader, Nancy?

[Jim Rhoads f/k/a vnjagvet]

Cross-posted from that last thread in answer to a question from Old Lurker about my wife's condition:

Thanks for asking, OL. My dear wife is much better than she was last week. I brought her home from the hospital Sunday night, to continue her IV antibiotic regimen at home. We received her meds and IV paraphernalia, and began home treatment yesterday after suitable training from the home nursing service, with your humble servant attending her every need. Ironically, she is a retired nurse who has seen me through my many maladies, so the tables are now turned. Lawyers leave something to be desired as nurses, but I am feeling my way along under her very capable supervision.

[anonamom]

I agree with TM--Boehner will release the R's to "vote their conscience" on this disaster.
I just emailed my Rep---hope everybody else does too.

[Another Bob]

I'm afraid I'm not seeing the wheels within wheels here.

If this is what Boehner/Cantor are up to, why vote yes? Do they really want King Barry to have this option?

[Clarice]

Glad to hear she's improving, Jim.

And. now a reminder of the bizarre cultism that swept this dope into office:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtGrp5MbzAI

Shout it out kiddos!

[jimmyk]

The question now is whether the media are sufficiently disgusted that they will no longer carry Obama's water.

Not a chance. The media are still fully in Barry's camp, and while they may complain a bit, they will find a way to let him escape responsibility. Kind of like the way Hillary might have complained a bit about Bill's philandering, but found him too useful to give up.

[(A) nuther Bub]

I'm afraid I'm not seeing the wheels within wheels here.

Too clever by half, I fear.

[Old Lurker test]

...and cross posting my reply to Jim: That is great news, Jim. That was a close call.

[Jane-sun - the squaw]

That is great news Jim. I bet you are more than happy to return the favor.

"Does Kerry really want to open up the can of worms of his testimony to Congress when he was a 27 year old up and coming coward?"

I want to hear about "J"engis Khan.

[Jane-sun - the squaw]

Boehner's office sent out a message saying the house can vote anyway they want without consequences from the leadership according to Byron York.

[NK(tryin')]

jimmyK@4:18 is of course correct. The Media and the Left/Dems (Boxer Pelosi Reid etc) will ignore Obummer's incompetence and run to support him. He is "of the narrative" hence he must be supported.. no matter how humiliating for the media types.

[NK(tryin')]

Jim-- great to hear the good news about the Mrs. Godspeed.

[Gus.]

If the Republicans had any balls, (and they don't), they would vote PRESENT.

[lyle]

I think preznit jive-ass WANTS a no vote. Just so he can dump on them...again.

[Danube on iPad]

"Of course, that opens up another kettle of fish for us if we decide to go that route."

One thing I don't get is why "we" have to do anything to get tthe ICC to act. Where does, say, the U.N. Secretary General fit in, and what has he said. (Far be it from me to suggest that the U.N. is useless.)

I took a nap, and so am watching the hearing on delay. Kerry just finished his opening remarks. He presented a powerful and compelling case for action to destroy the Assad regime in order that the "moderates" can prevail. But no one is proposing to do that.

[Appalled on IPhone]

To me, the dynamics of this look like the TARP vote back in 2008. Wonder if Pelosi realizes that she has been plopped in the same place as she put the GOP back then. Wonder what revenge she will take out of Obama's hide for having landed her there unnecessarily.

[pagar-----]

Jim, We're glad to hear that your wife is recovering.

[chemman]

"He presented a powerful and compelling case for action to destroy the Assad regime in order that the "moderates" can prevail."

Danube of Thought I realize you put it in quotes but I'm not seeing any moderates that can prevail in Syria. Our current options are 99% dog poop and 100% dog poop. Under those circumstances let them clean up after themselves.

[Jim Rhoads f/k/a vnjagvet]

I had the same reaction when I heard him live, DOT:

J F@@@ing Kerry is making a good case for going to war against Assad, using many of the same points the Bush administration made leading up to Iraq.

Of course then he asks for "limited strikes" to "deter" Assad from using and "degrade" his ability to use chemical weapons.

The obvious disconnect thus far has not been explained.

And to the best of my knowledge it still hasn't in the past 90 minutes.

[pinkman]

Walter Pincus illustrates how 2013 is different from 2003..

“Based on the administration’s four-page assessment released Friday, the U.S. intelligence community has “intercepted communications involving a senior official intimately familiar with the offensive who confirmed that chemical weapons were used by the regime on Aug. 21 and was concerned with the U.N. inspectors obtaining evidence.”.

It is time to produce those intercepts. Who was that senior official? Of course that would show sources and methods, but at this late date who in the Syrian military does not recognize the U.S. capability to intercept its communications? The Obama administration’s problem will be that many probably won’t believe the legitimacy of the intercepts.

The assessment also reports that “on the afternoon of August 21, we have intelligence that Syrian chemical weapons personnel were directed to cease operations.” That again may involve intercepts, or it may come from human intelligence. It needs more explanation and some sort of proof, even if it means losing a source.”

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/fine-print-time-to-show-and-tell-on-syria/2013/09/02/dcd71a90-124f-11e3-bdf6-e4fc677d94a1_story.html

[Ranger]

The latest greatest strategic thinking from our government:

John Kerry, just thinking out loud: I can’t rule out boots on the ground if Syria implodes

http://hotair.com/archives/2013/09/03/john-kerry-just-thinking-out-loud-i-cant-rule-out-boots-on-the-ground-if-syria-implodes/

Who in congress is ready to sign up for that?

[pinkman]

No boots on the ground, eh? What if we issue sandals for desert travels?

http://www.globalresearch.ca/massive-naval-deployment-us-and-allied-warships-deployed-to-syrian-coastline-before-the-august-21-chemical-weapons-attack/5347766

[dublindave]

"But publicly they are all smiles and support, so who can blame them if the votes aren't there"

But aren't they your leaders? Aren't they supposed to be somewhat influential? No? They're not influential. Didn't think so.

There are a number of house Republicans who will follow Boehner no matter what. Combine them with Pelosi's Democrats and we've just moved closer to authorization.

[matt]

The problem is that once approval is given they will do and say any old thing to rationalize their actions. It's the camel's nose strategy.

Even now they are saying one thing and planning to do another. It is pathetic. Regime change? How? How do a few cruise missiles or air strikes accomplish that?

Kerry wants the "boots on the ground" option now. In Syria. Where all the Iranians are and the Hezbollah are a part of the mix. And the Russians were said to deliver their latest AAA technology just a month or two ago.

All of this to back up Obama's threat and save his global credibility, which is already shot anyway. How many kids will die this time to cover their political asses?

[jimmyk]

The obvious disconnect thus far has not been explained.

The explanation is that they have no clue as to how to assist the "moderates," or perhaps even to identify them, so they are opting to try to fine-tune Assad's behavior by a little Cary Grant-style slap on the face.

[pinkman]

Polling on Iraq was twice the positives in this bruha. Considering that the People oppose, Congress members should prepare for their own impeachment should they contravene the will of the People.

[Janet]

What is a "moderate"? What are their beliefs? Do they not believe the Q'u'rr''an?
How can McCain pick out who is a moderate & who isn't?

[dublindave]

Kerry destroying Rand Paul

[Jeff Dobbs]

Forget moderates vs Islamists.

Drop leaflets with Obama's image on it. Anyone who picks it up and keeps it, lives. Anyone who steps on it, picks it up and wrinkles it or, heaven forfend, spits on it, gets droned. Anyone who picks up multiple copies and starts distributing them to passersby, gets US citizenship and a piece of the Pigford settlement.

[pinkman]

Kerry vs Rand was a nothing burger. Kerry is what, a functioning idiot? Trainable mentally retarded?

[Threadkiller]

Ex-congressman Allah West would like the Pigford part.

[Danube on iPad]

I used the term "moderates" because Kerry was using it.

Boxer was priceless. In ticking off the various military actions she had supported and opposed, she must have assumed we wouldn't notice that the former were undertaken by Democratci presidents, the latter by Republicans.

She capped it off by saying she would approach this issue as she had all the others: "with an independent mind."

[Ranger]

Kerry Asks for Ground Troops Authorization, Then Takes It Back

http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/357505/kerry-asks-ground-troops-authorization-then-takes-it-back-andrew-johnson

In one of his fleetest flip-flops ever, John Kerry today told a Senate committee that the administration would not want any prohibition on the use of ground troops in a congressional resolution on Syria, before reversing himself minutes later and saying such a measure would be fine.

The best of the best of the best.

[Jeff Dobbs]

More from the WH Situation Room:

(you saw it here first)

[narciso]

Great news, JimRh, so they are going to present even more cryptic evidence, if at all for this rodeo, because of their stellar track record,

[maryrose]

These hearings are a joke.Hagel looks totally out of his element. McCain is throwing up softballs for his dear friend"John and Senator Johnson is being scolded by Kerry for hinting that this delay will cause Assad to hide the weapons and the sarin. Obama is trying to cover his -ss. and deflect the blame if this latest venture goes belly up. Anything else is just theater.

[pinkman]

Cock your lawyers hat, Danube and tell us what countermeasures are available (please don't say primary) should Congress vote Yes.

[maryrose]

What questions did Rand pose to Kerry? His dad Ron Paul is against intervention.

[NK(tryin')]

"The best of the best of the best.... SIR"

Give it a rest DD, the Senate will tie itself up in knots micromanaging the 'resolution'-- all 100 senators think foreign policy is a raft on the Potomac and each one of them calls themselves Captain. Even if a resolution passes, Obummer has to actually-- you know-- do something good with it. He doesn't even know WHAT he wants to do much less HOW to get it done. He would lose big by winning that vote. he's check mated himself -- all by himself.

[pinkman]

Ah Ha!

Kerry says

"We can't provide data to you from the intercept, because of it's classified nature"

I smell a lot of bullshit.

[Thomas Collins]

Re whether Congress should authorize, I'm still in the "yes" camp. And I don't think there should be any restrictions. It is bad enough that we will have Sun Tzu Obama to deal with the Iranian nuke program (I'm thinking that time will run out on the attempts to undercut Iran's nuclear program without direct attacks before Obama leaves office). But like it or not, that's the one we have until January of 2017. And if Congress fiddles and diddles too much on this, Imam Khameini will be watching.

I realize that the biggest fiddler and diddler is Obama. But I think all Congress can do by extending the fiddling and diddling is make things worse.

[Janet]

I want McCain & Kerry to tell us what "moderate" means.
McCain: Shouting 'Allahu Akhbar!' Same as Christians Shouting 'Thank God!'

http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Peace/2013/09/03/McCain-allahu-akhbar

except it means allah is greater.

[Ignatz]

--Kerry Asks for Ground Troops Authorization, Then Takes It Back--

Somebody once said something that would be really apropos here, but I can't think of who it was or what he said; seems like it was around the 2004 election.

[sbwaters]

JimR., after a while you become practiced at IVing through ports, butit makes for an interesting couple of days.

May the time pass to where the happy times return and this is just a distant memory.

[Ignatz]

--Shouting 'Allahu Akhbar!' Same as Christians Shouting 'Thank God!'--

Except the latter is often said by a Christian making it to safe ground just before a pack of lunatics toting scimitars and shouting the former catches him.

[Danube on iPad]

WaPo:

"Americans widely oppose launching missile strikes against the Syrian government for its alleged use of chemical weapons, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll that finds little appetite for military action across the country despite a growing drumbeat in Washington. Nearly six in 10 oppose missile strikes in light of the U.S. government’s determination that Syria used chemical weapons against its own people. Democrats and Republicans alike oppose strikes by double digit margins, and there is deep opposition among every political and demographic group in the survey. Political independents are among the most clearly opposed, with 66 percent saying they are against military action."

[Ranger]

I had posted a link to one of these in the previous Syria thread, but this is a good wrap up:

Two new polls: Heavy public opposition to U.S. strikes in Syria

http://hotair.com/archives/2013/09/03/two-new-polls-heavy-public-opposition-to-u-s-strikes-in-syria/

Looks like a hard sell.

[narciso]

Shirley they can't be serious;

[Danube on iPad]

I don't think I understand your question, Pinkman. I don't think there is any way to stop the president from launching a strike, no matter how the congress votes.

[*Bill in AZ*]

hit 5:58PM:
gonna have to narcisolate you (and RickB) until my busted ribs heal - sheesh!

[pinkman]

AUMF again. Even before that he had 60 days before going to Congress. I was just wishin and hoping.

[Account Deleted]

TC,

The correct next move is for Putin to announce that he has spoken with Assad and Assad is willing to allow UN inspectors in to witness the destruction of all chem/bio weapons.

Assad loses nothing by doing so as long as he believes Putin's assurance that Russia stands ready to make good all losses.

BOzo can claim victory all he wants but Assad can continue the methodical destruction of the Cannibals and Putin retains his client.

[Account Deleted]

TC,

The correct next move is for Putin to announce that he has spoken with Assad and Assad is willing to allow UN inspectors in to witness the destruction of all chem/bio weapons.

Assad loses nothing by doing so as long as he believes Putin's assurance that Russia stands ready to make good all losses.

BOzo can claim victory all he wants but Assad can continue the methodical destruction of the Cannibals and Putin retains his client.

[Ignatz]

The Yosemite fire is essentially out, though there will be mopping up for some time. It is unlikely to spread beyond its present boundaries except in the far eastern area where it will be allowed to burn itself out toward the bare granite of the High Sierras.

Approximate final tally = 236,000 acres = 369 square miles.

[Jane-sun - the squaw]

Rand Paul destroyed Kerry. It was wonderful to watch. Kerry couldn't even look at him.

[Extraneus]

Why do we need intercepts? One dead body will do. Until there's a verified autopsy conducted by a believable coroner (which, sadly, counts out any Americans), showing sarin or some other chemical agent that could plausibly be used to kill 1400 innocent people, I'm dubious.

Btw, I say that knowing that it's almost unthinkable that Democrats would lie about WMDs after their history of lying about lying about WMDs over the past decade. Yet, the fact that they're liars has be taken into account.

[matt]

It's about context, Iggy! One can shout God Is Great all day long if one should so desire, but it is when one of them wields his rusty scimitar over the head of a journalist or just before detonating a suicide vest that one must reconsider this exclamation, especially in the light the fact that an act of unjust killing or suicide is haram in the Koran of Mohammed the most wise, the most just, the most inexplicable.

[Jim Miller]

Ignatz - What's your take on the suggestion that marijuana growers were responsible for the Yosemite fire?

[DrJ]

In other news,

Eastman Kodak emerged from bankruptcy on Tuesday as a much trimmer company, focusing on high-speed digital printing and other commercial products.
...
Revenue is expected to total $2.7 billion this year. Kodak reported that it lost $1.38 billion in 2012. In its most recent quarterly earnings report, the second quarter of 2013, it sustained a loss of $208 million.

When I was there annual sales were about $20 billion per year. I wish them good luck, and I think they will need it.

[narciso]

This is why I use the nic of the presidential advisor in Red October;

http://www.itar-tass.com/en/c32/863141.html

[NK(tryin')]

Honestly-- Rand Paul and Kerry debating? I have no interest in these buffoons. As RickB suggests, Putin will come up with some device to secure his national interests in Syria, and have someone else pay for it. I abhor his tyrannies, but Putin is a REAL man, who acts. doesn't BS. he makes our leaders look pathetic by comparison.

[Jim Miller]

Jim Rhoads - I hope that your wife continues to improve.

And she may appreciate this thought: In "Doc" Smith's "Triplanetary", a nurse knows that a badly injured man is getting better when he starts to complain, and demand more food.

[Extraneus]

John Bolton on Syrian resolution: “I would vote no”

But I think the administration will win, I think the White House candy store is open, I think the ideal job to have today is to be a Democratic member of Congress. ‘What do you need for your district or state?’ … The White House is going to do whatever it takes to get a majority.

[narciso]

well we were lucky not to have a direct confronration with Russia, until now

http://hotair.com/archives/2013/09/03/john-kerry-just-thinking-out-loud-i-cant-rule-out-boots-on-the-ground-if-syria-implodes/

[NK(tryin')]

The "Minsk", she seems to have a rather large radar signature... shame if something happened while she transited the Bosphorus.

[pinkman]

"Putin is a REAL man, who acts. doesn't BS. he makes our leaders look pathetic by comparison"

I dunno. What has he done but blow? He's got a dog-collar too and Russia, like China is focused on their economy first.

[BB Key]

Why was Theresaaa at the hearing ? Is it a shot across Hillary's 2016 bow or a war on plastic surgery

[Threadkiller]

Speaking of buffoons:

http://legalinsurrection.com/2013/09/natural-born-citizens-marco-rubio-bobby-jindal-ted-cruz//#more

Why does Jacobson go there?

[Danube on iPad]

George Will:

"Obama’s sanctimony about his moral superiority to a Congress he considers insignificant has matched his hypocrisy regarding his diametrically opposed senatorial and presidential understandings of the proper modalities regarding uses of military force. Now he asks from the Congress he disdains an authorization he considers superfluous. By asking, however reluctantly, he begins the urgent task of lancing the boil of executive presumption. Surely he understands the perils of being denied an authorization he has sought, and then treating the denial as irrelevant."

[Extraneus]

Wasn't that guy who wanted to set up the Ground Zero Mosque one of those "moderates?"

[matt]

I am wondering if this is Obama's "look squirrel" moment on Benghazi and the IRS and FBI scandals.....

[daisy]

Well, BB Key, Mendendez--the prostitute hiring senator and head of the committee--says it was because the hearing was momentous, and he also welcomed her back looking so well. I, personally, thought she looked beyond bored and a little drunk or else on pain killers.

[narciso]

Yes, this is far from a slam dunk;

http://hotair.com/archives/2013/09/03/top-house-dem-if-congress-opposes-syria-intervention-obama-must-stand-down/

[Account Deleted]

"thought she looked beyond bored and a little drunk or else on pain killers."

Have some pity. After all, she's married to John Kerry. She should be allowed a morphine drip, at minimum.

[Ignatz]

--Ignatz - What's your take on the suggestion that marijuana growers were responsible for the Yosemite fire?--

Lightning has apparently been ruled out so it wouldn't surprise me, Jim.
I've happened upon several remains of plantations including a dude's skull and where this fire started was a perfect spot for one. It was also very unlikely anyone would just be hiking in that God forsaken spot, especially prior to any hunting seasons being open.

If it was a Mexican cartel operation they should have some deep pockets. Now if I could just figure out how to collect without becoming fertilizer for one of their groves.

[NK(tryin')]

Vlad understands just the few important numbers, to wit-- Nat gas-- Gazprom scratches the ground for a few pennies and sells the stuff to the Euros for $3+/BTU;
Crude-- his cronies scratch the ground for $10+/Barrel and sell it for $100/barrel. These-- and his personal swiss account #s-- are the only important numbers to Vlad. And takes very good care of them.

[NK(tryin')]

"...and a little drunk or else on pain killers."

she was on BOTH!!!

[narciso]

Volodya has been more about tactics then strategy, taking out that Chechen leader in Doha, breaking the siege of Nord Ost with gas id necessary, collateral damage be damned, it's that subtle hand of Russian
tactics we've seen frm Berlin to Grozny,

[Ignatz]

Here's a video I hadn't seen before about fifteen minutes after the fire started on Aug 17. You can see what a nightmare it started in; two brush and scrub oak covered 2500 foot deep canyons side by side.

[Ignatz]

--Volodya has been more about tactics then strategy...-

Is there an effective strategy against a world becoming awash in oil and gas and a population trying to shrink and disappear up its own backside in the next fifty years?

[Janet]

I am wondering if this is Obama's "look squirrel" moment on Benghazi and the IRS and FBI scandals.....

Me too.

Wasn't that guy who wanted to set up the Ground Zero Mosque one of those "moderates?"

Yeah. What the hell is a "moderate"? I want a clear definition so that everyone who uses the word means the exact same thing.
Maybe it means they won't eat your liver after they kill you...moderate.

[Jane-sun - the squaw]

Hmmm - bad timing:

Book: Clinton's State told Benghazi was a 'terrorist attack' minutes after it began

http://washingtonexaminer.com/clintons-state-told-benghazi-was-a-terrorist-attack-minutes-after-it-began/article/2535081

[Jane-sun - the squaw]

The current talking point is Congress has to pass something to save future presidents.

I don't buy it.

[Account Deleted]

"sells the stuff to the Euros for $3+/BTU"

Try $12.60

That's why the stabilization pact regarding Egypt with KSA is very important, as is the Israeli agreement. Putin is better thought of as Don Vladimir rather than as Luca Brazzi. Definitely a gangster but not a button man.

[maryrose]

Jim Rhoades:
Glad to hear your wife is at home and improving.
I also wondered why Teraysuh was at the hearing.
Worst dem to have to listen to has got to be Durbin. Someone has to defeat him in his next election. He is a sanctimonious fool.Bammy didn't tell his top leaders in Congress that he changed his mind. Durbin heard it on tv. They must secretly detest Obama and his arrogant ways.

[Gmax]

I don't think Obama could lead a bunch of thirsty sailors into a bar on the 4th of July,

Thanks TM you reminded me how one of the titans of commercial real estate Kenneth Leventhal used to say with true disgust " That guy could not sell @ss on a troop ship."

[maryrose]

Jane: We all knew it was a terrorist attack from the very beginning. That reason alone should disqualify from being a presidential candidate. Hopefully the dems will see it as her bridge too far. If she does run and gets the nomination-she loses,because of this and and her "What difference does it make/" comment.

[maryrose]

should disqualify Hillary

[narciso]

I think we did have a thread about the Space Merchants, which was a slightly less crazy take on things, then Phillip K Dick,
one of Pohl's bete noires was about corporate executives in politics, well we had the Senator and Governor from Vampire bank, god help us, we have an oily conman of Air Yax remedies against Sky Dragon sightings, running in VA, Grayson is some millionaire scammer of some kind,

[Jane-sun - the squaw]

Nothing will disqualify Hillary - she's a woman which is almost as cool in liberalville as being a black. That's the only qualification that will matter.

[Jane-sun - the squaw]

Hey Hit, Powerline has your pix up.