And Back In Yemen

Was it really just four months ago that Obama was explaining (to bipartisan derision) that his new operation against ISIS would be modeled on our Big Success in Yemen?

Well, the government of Yemen has fallen and the country is splintered:

SANA, Yemen — The American-backed government of Yemen abruptly collapsed Thursday night, leaving the country leaderless as it is convulsed by an increasingly powerful force of pro-Iran rebels and a resurgent Qaeda.

The resignation of the president, prime minister and cabinet took American officials by surprise and heightened the risks that Yemen, the Arab world’s poorest country, would become even more of a breeding ground for Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, which has claimed responsibility for audacious anti-Western attacks — including the deadly assault on Charlie Hebdo in Paris this month.

...

Charles Schmitz, an analyst with the Middle East Institute and an expert on the Houthis, said that of all Yemen’s many political crises, Thursday’s was among the worst yet.

“We’re looking at the de facto partitioning of the country and we’re heading into a long negotiating process but we could also be heading toward war,” he said.

Deep in the Silver Lining Briefing Book is the news that an Iranian backed rebel group hates the US but hates Al Qaeda even more, so Obama's got that going for him.

Although the Houthis, who are believed to be financed by Iran, are strongly anti-American, they are even stronger opponents of Al Qaeda. The Houthis are dominated by a Shiite Muslim sect, the Zaydis, while Al Qaeda is rabidly anti-Shiite.

While the Houthis now control the capital, Sana, and many parts of northern Yemen, Al Qaeda has been strongest in Sunni tribal areas in Yemen, and has used Sunni anger at the swift rise of the Houthis as an effective recruiting tool — particularly in oil-rich areas of eastern and southern Yemen.

So mark up your scorecards - we are counting in Iran to carry the fight in Iraq against ISIS as well as the fight against Al Qaeda in Yemen, even as we pretend to talk tough on ongoing sanctions (and we all deal with $50 oil). Great - the enemy of my enemy is my other enemy.

COMING SOON: I see John Kerry starring in 'The Bad, The Worse and the Stupid'.

Comments

[Strawman Cometh]

Geez, hang in Steph

[Janet - healthy and jolly as a joker!]

Thanks for that link, jimmyk.

[Stephanie De Nile is a river in Progtopia]

Vasovagal, Jimmyk. They are looking into that but doubt it is as the episode also has sudden irregular heartbeats for a few seconds.

My daughter has something called stretch syncopy that is a vasovagal type condition, but she has low bp. She was advised to ADD salt to her diet which caused the school to freak when she brought her own salt shaker when she was in HS.

Anyways...sports related - is Federer over the hill? He got smacked around pretty badly by Seppi who was 0-10 against him previously.

[Danube on iPad]

About five years ago I went to the cardiologist and told him I frequently got lightheaded upon standing up, and often had to find something to hold on to for a few moments until it passed. One time I blacked out and fell to the floor, seriously bruising some ribs. He said you've got postural hypotension. I said what's that? He said that's where you get dizzy when you stand up. I said that's what I just told you.

So there you have it.

[Eric in Boise]

Feel better, Steph.

[Buckeye]

Hang in there Stephanie, they will figure this out.

[Janet - healthy and jolly as a joker!]

Here's a link to Bolton with Kelly - http://www.independentsentinel.com/guess-what-left-ambassador-bolton-speechless/

[Eric in Boise]

Heh, Danube. At least he didn't say "Then don't stand up."

[Stephanie De Nile is a river in Progtopia]

I'm afraid I'm gonna be in the same boat, DoT.

I'm now to keep a diary - record food, bp and symptoms and run by for full blood screening Monday with a f/up appt Feb 5. Back to "practicing" medicine.

[narciso]

she ran out of tree questions:

http://newsbusters.org/blogs/scott-whitlock/2015/01/23/youtube-or-abc-internet-stars-question-same-barbara-walters

[Threadkiller]

Stephanie, I have been out of sorts lately and I have not seen your posts. My first thought:

http://www.everydayhealth.com/news/how-heart-ablation-changed-patients-life/

My wife would very much like a recap of what has been going on.

[clarice]

Stephanie, I am sure this is scary business and I hope they get a handle on it soon and that it turns out not to be serious. In the meantime, play it for what it's worth--you know breakfast in bed, etc. Use it or lose it.

[narciso]

sorry to hear that steph,

[Stephanie De Nile is a river in Progtopia]

Lol Clarice. I am. Hubs did the housecleaning today and then took me out to dinner.

TK email me at stephaniegaatl at Yahoo.com and I can give you the skinny.

[narciso]

when you think about it, how different in kind, were those three bloggers and the Spew,

[Threadkiller]

Sent

[Miss Marple]

Jack!

I am trying to catch up (been gone all day) and what do I see? Mike (argh) Pence!

Yeah, well, back when the Arab spring was starting I got into it with Stephen Hayes on Twitter. I pointed out that the whole thing reminded me of the Iranian uprising in the late 70's and I thought it would turn out the same way, as the Muslim Brotherhood was the force behind it.

Of course, he insisted it was all democracy-loving students. So I asked him how he knew this. He said "credible media sources in Cairo."

I asked him, "Who? Anderson Cooper? HA!"

He should have listened to me. He would now be considered a foreign affairs expert. So his prediction about Pence might be as accurate as his of the Arab Spring being a democracy movement.

[BB Key]

peas in a pod Gozell and Obmurr

[Threadkiller]

Just curious, how many jomers believe the NFL does not know exactly what went on?

Maybe the footballs got the pressure let out of them on a Ray Rice elevator decompression chamber.

[Another bob]

Damn, the piece LUN is good.

I'm looking for a word I disagree with and haven't found one yet.

[Miss Marple]

To further aggravate me this evening, I just got an email that the Alumni Association of Indiana University (my alma mater) is giving a "Distinguished Alumni" award to

MARIE HARF!!!!!!!

[Strawman Cometh]

TK, we're often amused, me and the mouse in my pocket, but you're phoning it in here.

[Strawman Cometh]

Holy crap, MM, as a Boilermaker, I must have the honor of escorting you to this....whatev

[narciso]

really that's pure Vizzini

[Threadkiller]

Pocket mice never laugh.

[narciso]

who's the braintrust here:

http://libertyunyielding.com/2015/01/23/john-kerry-claims-islam-utterly-rejects-violence-boko-haram-begs-differ/

[Threadkiller]

It is still a serious question. Is it possible in anyone's mind that the NFL has not solved the mystery?

[Strawman Cometh]

It is not a mystery.

[jimmyk on iPhone]

Steph, I wouldn't say Roger's over the hill, but I doubt he has another major in him. He can still go far in the tournaments, but he's vulnerable to running into someone hot when he's a bit off his best, and unlike the old days not be able to dig himself out. I'll bet he'll get to the quarters or semis at least I'm the rest of the majors.

Seppi's winning shot was amazing.

[narciso]

goodell night football has proved itself capable of furthering liberal pieties, while managing to obscure real malfeasance,

[narciso]

well it could be they are trying to cut down on fools:

http://www.frontpagemag.com/2015/dgreenfield/non-muslims-biden-and-prince-charles-barred-from-saudi-kings-funeral/#.VMLGO2upvho.facebook

[Strawman Cometh]

Everyone, both players, the crowd and the announcers were amazed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHdmp8eLPp4

[Miss Marple]

Another bob,

That is an excellent article, and I don't find anything to disagree with, either.

We have a doctor here in Indianapolis who is much like the A. of his article. He has started a group to reform Islam and to draw western Muslims to his type of worship, which seems to be similar to the Algerian-descent man described.

The hardest part, he says, is that Obama is not willing to help, instead placating the radicals.

Also, the discussion of Putin at the end is, I think, exactly right.

[clarice]

another bob, that is an interesting essay.

[Miss Marple]

This popped up on another site without a link, but I am posting it here because it might be important:

The Times Of Israel is reporting that a team of negotiators led by White House adviser Valerie Jarrett has been conducting secret talks with Iran about it’s nuclear weapons program for the past year.

The report states the deal submitted in Geneva earlier this month was a direct result of these secret year-long negotiations between teams headed by Jarrett and Iran’s Ali Akbar Salehi. That deal was ultimately rejected when France and Israel raised strong objections, and talks are expected to resume this Wednesday.

The White House was very quick to issue a categorical denial of the report. According to White House spokesperson Bernadette Meehan, “Those rumors are absolutely, 100 percent false.”

If this report is found to be accurate despite the administration’s fast denial, the fact that Jarrett is leading the U.S. negotiating team on Iran’s nuclear weapons program is very troubling. She does not appear to have any foreign policy experience or history of being involved in such high level negotiations of this nature.

[Miss Marple]

I am heading to bed.

Nytol.

[Buckeye]

Lurch reminds me of the Students for a Democratic Society wackjob I heard ranting from the steps of the admin building during the riots.

40+ years and not a fucking bit brighter. Seems almost inconceivable this worthless piece of shit has the helm at State.

I honestly think deep down he and Zero are both just fine with a nuke capable Iran, and at the rate things are going that is exactly what we are going to get.

Hope Bibi stirs up some serious

[Buckeye]

serious shit.

[Stephanie De Nile is a river in Progtopia]

Back atcha TK.

[Threadkiller]

Isn't Jarrett Iranian?

[Threadkiller]

Got it.

[narciso]

she was born in Iran, while her father was practicing medicine there,

[Strawman Cometh]

So she is still POTUS eligible?

[Stephanie De Nile is a river in Progtopia]

Yep, TK she is. I'm beyond impeachment and am fully into the sweet meteor of death for DC (sorry Clarice etal). It's the only way to be sure.

[rich@gmu]

born there of American parents ...

iirc rumors have been leaked for the last few years that Jarrett has been Obama's pointwoman in "secret" negotiations with iran.

troubling article another bob ...

[Threadkiller]

A Squandered Opportunity

January 21, 2015 2:20 PM

Congressman McClintock delivered the following remarks on the House floor regarding the State of the Union Address:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwKSYoTkq7w

http://mcclintock.house.gov/2015/01/a-squandered-opportunity.shtml

[narciso]

any reason for concern here:

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/2015/01/23/gop-strategist-david-polyansky-joins-team-scott-walker/22201093/

[Buckeye]

Flash mob in the student union tonight. Urban leading Carmen Ohio. National Championship celebration in the Shoe tomorrow morning. If the weather is good just might go.

[Eric in Boise]

iirc rumors have been leaked for the last few years that Jarrett has been Obama's pointwoman in "secret" negotiations with iran.

After reading MM's 10:38, I went over to the Israel Times site. I didn't find a current article with those points, but I did a site search on keyword "Jarrett" and found a November 2012 link alleging that very thing.

So it looks like like that meme has been around for at least a few years. And I would bet my next three mortgage payments that it was true then, and continues to be true.

Getting a bit late. Have to help our son move tomorrow.

Nytol.

[Stephanie De Nile is a river in Progtopia]

Ernie Banks has died.

[Buckeye]

My dad took me to see him play when I was a kid, probably 60 or 61.

Seemed like a big deal at the time, driving from Ohio to Chicago. I think it was all state highways then, no Interstates or maybe just starting to be constructed. Took forever.

[henry]

Back home from GUSPALOOZA, lots of fun with Gus Jr. sitting in on a couple songs.

Don't know the Iowa guy Walker signed up, but the article had him on team Huckster last time as well as working for Bachman and Ernst.

[Danube on iPad]

RIP Ernie. Let's play two!

[Stephanie]

The last word on deflategate:

Lindsay Berra:

Gramp on #deflategate: "If you're going to cheat, it's better if you don't get caught." #Yankees #Patriots #ThisIsTrue
12:23 PM - 23 Jan 2015

via twitter.

[Danube on iPad]

"how many jomers believe the NFL does not know exactly what went on?"

I believe they don't at this point, and there's a good chance they never will. Which is not to say that they don't have very strong suspicions, as do I, about things they will never be able to prove. But until they track down and interview Loretta Fuddy, it's clear that we are all entitled to suspect the very worst. Fuddy: there's the key.

Nytol.

[Stephanie]

Biden's still headed to SA even as they said infidels aren't allowed at the funeral.

I wonder if Ray Stephens is along for a song...

[Porchlight]

It's unlikely he deflated anything but the Colts. You want to find out who had control and then who might have let the air out, if, in fact, that is what happened.

Then, and only then, come the questions of who and why.

Yes, I am aware that Brady wasn't actually huddled on the sidelines with a ball bag and a needle; neither was Hillary on the ground in Benghazi directing traffic. The metaphor stands.

[Porchlight]

Or simile, rather.

Stephanie, sorry to hear of your troubles. I hope they figure it out soon.

Jane, you're right about Yemen. I admit that ballgate is a distraction for me. So much dismal news; might as well enjoy watching some libs squirm.

[Porchlight]

henry, what was GUSPALOOZA? Sorry to be out of the loop.

[Jane on Ipad]

The ValJar/Iran story has been out there for so long, I assumed it was fact years ago.

[anonamom]

Steph, whoever is taking care of you needs to take you to ground zero---off all your meds, let them get out of your system. You did say you were on six different drugs for your BP, didn't you?
And are you on stuff for the migraines as well? Have they had you wear the BP and HR recording device for a month yet? I've missed quite a bit here lately.

I don't know how anybody can treat hypertenision in isolation from the headaches you and PD describe---the pain has got to trigger a BP response.

I know I sound like a broken record here, but if I were you, I would read up on those histamine-releasing foods, and go on an elimination diet avoiding them, and add stuff in slowly, to see if it's a chicken-or-egg thing---are the migraines leading to increased BP, or is increased BP leading to migraines?

A couple things to read about--carcinoid tumors, effects of insomnia on BP, magnesium deficiency--to see if any fit.

And, tragically, until you get a diagnosis--my rec is no booze. It's no good for insomnia, may be playing a role in your headaches, and certainly isn't clarifying anything. Plus if you are already having periods of lightheadedness, you do not need to have any kind of cerebellar impairment on top of that--God knows you don't want to break a hip.

PS--GOOD NEWS that you've got clean coronaries!

[DrJ]

Ernie Banks? What a great ballplayer and man.

I grew up in an area that was mixed between Cubs and Tigers fans. WGN had an enormous transmitter, and it covered our area, even in the pre-cable era. They broadcasted all of the Cubs games, and their Cubs announcers were outstanding: Jack Brickhouse and (Hall of Famer) Lou Boudreau. They were as good as the Tigers' announcers Ernie Harwell, George Kell and Al Kaline (the latter two also Hall of Famers).

Each season Banks would make am upbeat prediction for the Cubs' coming season. The only one I remember is "Cubbies by plenty in 1970." All had that sort of rhyme.

So I'll remember Banks with a trademark Brickhouse line: "back, back, back -- Hey-Hey!!"

RIP Ernie.

[Jack is Back (on his iPad)]

Terrible news about Ernie Banks. Saw him play many games against the Reds in Crosley Field back in the day.

Wonderful news about Slo Joe being banned from Abdullah's funeral. He can commiserate with Charlie over a cuppa tea in Riyadh.

[Miss Marple]

Good morning!

Who all went to the funeral from other countries? Were Biden and Charles the only ones who weren't Muslim? For example, didn't Merkel and Hollande send someone?

My question is whetther Biden and Charles were barred because they were infidels, or because they represent the US and Great Britain (remember, Cameron is on Obama's side with regards to the negotiations and not passing sanctions in Congress.) The Saudis might be leaning more towards Bibi's line of thinking, being as how they are so close to Iran.

And, did Putin send someone?

[Miss Marple]

Saw this morning on Twitter that now Biden is NOT going and that Obama will stop by to pay his respects on his way back from India. I will put up a link if I find one.

[Miss Marple]

Here it is:

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/obama-seeks-leverage-ties-indias-modi-visit-28446575

[anonamom]

Just heard that on NPR too.
Nobody could go to Paris, but no problem stopping in SA, hmmm?

[Jack is Back!]

ananomom,

Saud wasn't a Joooooo.

[Janet - healthy and jolly as a joker!]

"...mordantly Tweets: “Hello ‪#‎France‬: POTUS trip to ‪#‎Saudi‬ suggests WH figured out how to make quick trips to foreign capitals.”"

http://pjmedia.com/richardfernandez/2015/01/24/theres-a-great-future-in-plastics/

[henry]

Porch, Gus invited me to a basement jam & beer session with his band mates. The Gus all caps title does fit, they do play loud. ;)

[Miss Marple]

Look at this, from the ABC story:

.

"White House spokesman Josh Earnest said the president and first lady Michelle Obama would travel to Riyadh on Tuesday and meet with new Saudi King Salman bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud. Vice President Joe Biden was to lead a U.S. delegation, but Earnest said the White House changed plans after determining that Biden's trip coincided with Obama's departure from India. Biden will remain in Washington."

Earnest makes it sound like it took some high level calculations to "determine" that the times coincided. Couldn't they just look at a calender, or better yet, just think "Hey, it's Tuesday, and we are leaving on Tuesday."

[Buckeye]

MM Been thinking about Bibi's upcoming visit and think you are right that the WH will likely do whatever they can to disrupt it.

Bibi's message to Zero is that he has no expectation that he will get any help from the US under the current administration should shooting start. Also that it is a bad idea to call him chickenshit.

Bibi's message to Iran is that if we have to fight without the US in the short term we will, but we will continue to press our case with the American people, who could change that calculus in a heartbeat.

This is a big, loud "Go fuck yourself" from Bibi to Zero.

Love watching the WH tantrum. Certainly not dignified or Presidential, and expect Zero will expose more of his petty nature.

[Jack is Back!]

Byron York: 12 Keys to the GOP Presidential race right now.

http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/12-keys-to-the-gop-presidential-race/article/2559208

[Jack is Back!]

In Re: Odrama's change of plans to visit Riyahd.

If you believe (as I do) that the Saudi's are on the side of Israel when it comes to Iran, I wonder if King Salman may take advantage of Odrama's visit to remind him that he needs to listen to Bibi and the American public rather than his Iranian Ferret advisor?

The Saudis and Emirates are not happy about how we are handling Iran but are on the same page as Israel. The enemy of my enemy.....

[Say 'Cheese'.]

I hope Salman makes him hold hands for the photographers.

[Threadkiller]

Obama hopes so too.

[Stephanie De Nile is a river in Progtopia]

Anonamom, one med at a time for bp, but eight different ones over the course of the last year.
Currently on hydralazine for bp and rizatriptan for migraines (as needed on the rizatriptan). NOT on six meds at one time.

[Old Lurker]

LUN

OK, anybody who is hooked on medieval warfighting should watch the video I found on Lucianne regarding Bows & Arrows. Ghengis Khan and his kids come to mind. And British archers. And the rest of our ancestors.

[Jane]

So if Obama gets into the funeral does that mean Obama is a Muslim.

I swear this administration decides what to do based on twitter. What an embarrassment!

[henry]

OL, note to self: do not mess with Lars.

[Captain Hate]

RIP to Ernie Banks. It was impossible to not like him even though he was a Cub.

[Captain Hate]

So if Obama gets into the funeral does that mean Obama is a Muslim.

Probably; I'll get TK on it.

[Threadkiller]

Obama is a Muslim.

[boatbuilder]

Anotherbob--that was an excellent and thought-provoking piece. I couldn't find anything to disagree with other than possibly nitpicking the statement that there is no tyranny worse than cultural tyranny (paraphrase). Communist tyranny isn't really cultural, and it is pretty damn horrific. But his description of the WEIRD world-view is spot-on. I think all of us who live in these WEIRD times would agree 100%.

[boatbuilder]

Porchlight--As an unregenerate Patriots apologist and fanboy I have to concede your point that Brady is a liberal of the Hollywood Jet-Set Matt Damon variety (although a lot quieter) and Kraft regularly hosts people like Lurch in his private skybox. I am not entirely sure about Belichek since I don't think he pays attention to anything besides football, but he did go to Wesleyan.

It should be noted in Brady's favor, however, that in his press conference he said "This isn't ISIS," not "ISIL." Had he said "ISIL" I would be joining the mob calling for him to be suspended and stripped of his MVP awards.

[Soylent Red]

I said that's what I just told you.
Doctor! It hurts when I do this...

That's why they call it "practicing medicine." Because they haven't got it down yet.

Cecil:

Re your above comment, perhaps now, somewhat, they have third rate air defense, but the Russians sold them some good stuff all through the 00's to counter the Israeli Air Force, and there is still a lot of it (perhaps degraded) in and around major government targets in the cities. As for ISIS, there is some reason to believe that they may have captured, or acquired otherwise, better things than SA-7s.

I have no investment in arguing the subject at all, but here's an interesting take and another take.

[Old Lurker]

New Thread

[Cecil Turner]

Re your above comment, perhaps now, somewhat, they have third rate air defense . . .

More importantly, they're not really shooting (probably because we're not attacking the areas they cover, and they really don't want to start something they can't finish). And yes, ISIS has access to more advanced missiles and is getting better. But the bottom line is that it has been an unsophisticated threat, and the ability of the A-10s to operate in that threat (so far) does not prove they are survivable on a modern battlefield.

Besides, we're talking about the next generation here, and there's simply no place for a plane that can't operate in a hand-held missile environment. And the A-10 can't (nor can any other strafing platform). And this is from a guy who loves strafing . . . and if I do say so myself, looks good doing it: