Just Don't Say "Boots On The Ground"

The US and allies will complete the burial of Hillary's plan for a bootless intervention in Libya sometime soon:

U.S. and Allies Weigh Military Action Against ISIS in Libya

By ERIC SCHMITT and HELENE COOPER  JAN. 22, 2016

WASHINGTON — Worried about a growing threat from the Islamic State in Libya, the United States and its allies are increasing reconnaissance flights and intelligence collecting there and preparing for possible airstrikes and commando raids, senior American policy makers, commanders and intelligence officials said this week.

While no decision has been finalized about when the United States and its allies will formally expand action in Libya against the Islamic State, also known as ISIS or ISIL, administration officials indicated that it might be very soon. A decision will probably come in “weeks” but “not hours,” Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr., the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said Friday.

“It’s fair to say that we’re looking to take decisive military action against ISIL in conjunction with the political process” in Libya, General Dunford said. “The president has made clear that we have the authority to use military force.”

Presumably Obama will want to coordinate this escalation with the Iowa / New Hampshire political calendar.

The article includes a reminder of the scope of the Mid East debacle:

“There is a concern about Libya,” Gen. Joseph L. Votel, the head of the military’s Special Operations Command, said at a conference in Washington this week. “It can’t all be about Iraq and Syria.”

And Iran. And Yemen. And whatever.

Libya could present the West with challenges equal to those an American-led coalition faces in fighting the Islamic State in Syria and Iraq. In those two countries, the Islamic State is hemmed in by a host of armed groups with international backing and is being pummeled by American, British and other allied airstrikes.

Right. Bombing a conventional government into submission rarely works. So what are the prospects for bombing a terrorist group holding the civilian population hostage?

Comments

[Threadkiller]

http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/gop-primaries/266807-trump-floats-lawsuit-over-cruzs-birthplace

[GUS]

I'm here, I'm here

[GUS]

Miss Marple. Good Greg Koch/Fender

[Threadkiller]

http://mobile.nytimes.com/blogs/krugman/2016/01/23/how-to-make-donald-trump-president/

[Threadkiller]

http://www.allenbwest.com/2016/01/after-muslim-influx-look-what-this-town-was-forced-to-do-with-pork/

[Miss Marple]

narciso,

Witchie-poo!

"H.R, Puffnstuff, Who's your friend when things get rough?"

Gad, my son and nephews watched that every Saturday!

Also, don't forget "Land of the Lost" with the Sleezstacks!

[Ignatz Ratzkiwatzki]

--now ABBA that was conjured up by dark magic--

Yep. The abomination of desolation.

Curiously, some of the group, before it was ABBA, wrote and recorded a song titled "Ljuva Sextital" which apparently has nothing to do with what it looks so much like it should.

[Porchlight]

I like the Spanish furniture.

[Ignatz Ratzkiwatzki]

Anyone here remember a cartoon called Huddles from the seventies?

All I can remember is the start of the theme song;
"There is a family down the street named Huddles,
The McCoys live right next door..."

[Ignatz Ratzkiwatzki]

From narc's Krugman link;

...Hillary Clinton’s numbers reflect her standing after more than two decades of constant character assassination...

How do you assassinate something that was stillborn several years before Edmund Hillary climbed Everest?
If it wasn't dead on arrival you can bet baby Hill strangled it in the crib.

[narciso]

no that was TK, I don't expose friends to an un rayshielded Krugman link,

[Ignatz Ratzkiwatzki]

There's nothing you can't find on the internet;
Where's Huddles?

[Ignatz Ratzkiwatzki]

Oops, correctemundo, narc.

[narciso]

a cartoon with Paul Lynde

http://pjmedia.com/instapundit/224770/

[Threadkiller]

I assume friends see "Krugman" in the address.

;-)

[GUS]

If Rodham was still born, Planned Death Hut would have sold her "lady parts" on E-bay.

[Miss Marple]

Jack,

Agreeing in prayer with TK for your knee.

Please get a second opinion. I am concerned about you.

[Miss Marple]

Heading to bed with a book.

Good night, everyone!

[Ignatz Ratzkiwatzki]

Only her character was DOA, Gus.

[daddy]

Miss M,

I didn't even know there was a Land of The Lost (with Sleestaks) prior to that Movie a couple years back:

Don't know how in the world I missed such quality TV watching?

[narciso]

yes, that was a horrible film, not as bad as Bewitched remake but close,

[Threadkiller]

Quite a pair of headlines.

http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2016/01/blizzard_wont_stop_guards_at_the_tomb_of_the_unknowns_from_doing_their_duty.html

http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2016/01/state_department_tells_judge_it_needs_an_extra_30_days_to_release_hillary_emails_because_of_snow.html

[Threadkiller]

Blizzard won't stop guards at the Tomb of the Unknowns from doing their duty

State Department tells judge it needs an extra 30 days to release Hillary emails because of snow

[narciso]

how about that, that they: would admit ithttp://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3413988/Why-Labour-REALLY-lost-Margaret-Beckett-whitewash-secret-party-report-reveals-Britain-voted-Tory-Ed-Miliband-disaster-just-couldn-t-trusted.html

[daddy]

yes, that was a horrible film

Narc,

(Full disclosure) I like Chaka and the dinosaur.

Holy moly, That TV Show had everything!

[Threadkiller]

Donald J. Trump ‏@realDonaldTrump

Word is that crying @GlennBeck left the GOP and doesn't have the right to vote in the Republican primary. Dumb as a rock.

[cheerleader]

I've been reading that at Beck and Cruz's event in Iowa today, Beck put Cruz through a mock ceremony of being sworn into presidency, so I guess they're pretty confident that Cruz will win the nomination.

[narciso]

yes, it's sad really, he had some insight, then he went nuts, and repudiated much of the last 5 years, he turned on the Huntress, hired a nasty 'comic' Brian Sack, and another fellow in his organization, Eddie Scarry

[cheerleader]

If Cruz had told Beck to get lost when he started hating on Palin, he'd likely have gotten her endorsement. Beck is saying if Cruz doesn't get the nom he's going to vote for the Bern.

[cheerleader]

I don't see what Cruz sees in him.

[GUS]

It's bizarre, Glenn Beck's EGO destroyed Glenn Beck's following and credibility. Beck's humour and folksy ways were fun and entertaining. I like Cruz a great deal, but, the taudry Beck/Cruz show, did NOTHING to put me solidly in Cruz' camp. Unfortunately, Rubio has done even LESS to get me to commit to him.
I think I'll vote SCOTT WALKER.

[Jim]

Question: What happens when obama or HIS generals set military stratedgy?

[Threadkiller]

GLENN BECK: I OFFICIALLY ENDORSE TED CRUZ TO BE THE FIRST HISPANIC AMERICAN PRESIDENT. THE FIRST FIRST-GENERATION AMERICAN PRESIDENT....

Nice of Glenn to pander to the persuadeable exit poll A-listers. Note to Glenn, race based politics is a turn off.

Also, and far more obvious, the country started off with a whole lotta "first generation" Presidents.

What a dope.

[GUS]

Tk. Bingo. Beck is trying like HELL to make HIMSELF relevant again. He's on the CUTTING EDGE of Constitutional REVIVAL!!!
He's a Cruz man! He's for HISPANDERICS. Hahahaahahahaha. Cruz is a 1st generation American!!! So am I. Does that equal another qualification to be President???
I have NO IDEA how rich Beck has become by The Blaze or any other mega-media bullshit, but I couldn't care less anyway. Beck ONCE had a lot to offer. Once upon a time Beck WAS on the cutting edge. He's not relevant and I don't care what he thinks. Worst of all, I don't care what COLOR, RELIGION, RACE or CREED you are. I care if you are a loyal American, I care if your POLITICAL POSITIONS are pro-America, and I really really care if you stop all the group think, BULLSHIT.

[Ignatz Ratzkiwatzki]

--Don't know how in the world I missed such quality TV watching? --

My younger sister and I watched it just to ridicule it.
Made Godzilla and Starman look believable.

[Ignatz Ratzkiwatzki]

What voters does Cruz think he is corralling with the only guy who cries more in public than John, Prince of Orange?

[GUS]

Ignatz, I am changing from DIRECTV to TIME WARNER CABLE, after 15 years.

Thoughts??

[Threadkiller]

What voters does Cruz think he is corralling with the only guy who cries more in public than John, Prince of Orange?

You're not going to believe the answer:

GLENN BECK: AT THE SAME TIME, AT THE SAME TIME, I WAS WITH AN IRISHMAN THIS WEEK. HE LIVES IN DUBLIN. HE LOVES THIS COUNTRY SO MUCH,

LOL

[daddy]

Well I listened to a short bit of Glenn Beck today on the Dog Walk. He was taking calls from angry callers, and he was responding to one Trump voting lady who was mighty angry at him, by aggressively asking of her in an incredulous, sarcastic tone, "Do you know what you're voting for?"

This from the guy who has told us he will vote for the Socialist Bernie Sanders.

Glenn Beck is as good at painting himself into corners as anyone I can recall. Pat Buchanan was pretty good at that but I think Beck takes the cake.

[GUS]

Lil' Johnny Weeping Cougar Boehnercamp, cried because he had PMS or SUMPTING.

Cruz seems to have some heart felt principles.

I hope.

[Ignatz Ratzkiwatzki]

All I can say is, any Cruz guy making fun of Trump with Palin aint too insightful.

[Threadkiller]

Please SOB the following comment.

Cruz realizes his eligibility problem is bad enough to cost him his Senate seat.

He probably associated himself with Glenn to suicide his campaign before the eventual court date.

[Ignatz Ratzkiwatzki]

--Ignatz, I am changing from DIRECTV to TIME WARNER CABLE, after 15 years.

Thoughts??--

Good luck?
I have Dish, never Direct TV, and the only cable in my area is some penny ante local monopoly, the owner of which bought a piece of property out from under me unscrupulously one time.
I can say authoritatively, don't get Volcano Cable. :)

[Ignatz Ratzkiwatzki]

--Please SOB the following comment.--

Jeez, I shoulda taken your advice, TK.

[GUS]

Ignatz, does TK own VOLCANO CABLE??

[cheerleader]

GUS Trump praised Walker today, while he trashed all the other candidates who have dropped out. He trashed them because they trashed him first, like Perry, who was so vile to him but smiling when he took campaign donations. In the past he called Walker the smartest one of the bunch for dropping out as soon as he saw the writing on the wall. He said that was good business sense.

[Threadkiller]

Not for the faint of heart.

Goodnight Ig and Gus.

:-)

[cheerleader]

Answer: they blab their plans all over the world.

[GUS]

Cheerleader, I KNOW SCOTT WALKER, and I wish he was still viable. Scott Walker lives his entire life on PRINCIPLE. Your wonderful response to me had done something that I did not anticipate. It made me see Trump a little more CRITICALLY. Trump like all people/politicians/foes wanting to win, take POT SHOTS and CHEAP SHOTS at their rivals. Trump is RUTHLESS. Trump is going to kick you in the balls, the only question is WHEN????
I realize the reality of that, but, Trump is CUT THROAT. Scott Walker threw in the towel, when it became obvious that he WOULD NOT WIN.

[GUS]

Good night TK!

[cheerleader]

Gus you can see Cruz's heartfelt principles here

Senator Ted Cruz vs Donald Trump - COMPARISON

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_y9HNJ8qFE

[Ignatz Ratzkiwatzki]

--Answer: they blab their plans all over the world.--

I didn't see a question so I'm guessing this is Jeopardy.
I'll go with "Who are Hillary Clinton and Sid Blumenthal?", Alex.

[cheerleader]

Question: What happens when obama or HIS generals set military stratedgy?

Jim 12:30

[GUS]

Yes Cheerleader. I see.

[GUS]

Ignatz, you and I and MOST intelligent peeps/Conservatives, COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND how FUCKING RANCID RODHAM and BLUMENTHAL are.
It's PAINFULLY OBVIOUS who RODHAM and BLUMENTHAL ARE!!!!

To us. The LEFT are disgusting piles of crap.

[cheerleader]

GUS I was sorry when Walker dropped out because I've always liked him and still do. He's a young guy and can try again. If you know him, I bet he's a fun guy be around. I've never been able to find warmth toward Cruz, I don't know why.

[GUS]

I've known Governor Walker since we were both children. He's a straight shooter. I think he will LEAVE politics/ elected politics soon. He's a good man.

[Ignatz Ratzkiwatzki]

I liked my question better.

[GUS]

God bless you Ignatz!!

[Ignatz Ratzkiwatzki]

Likewise Gus, and good night.

[DublinDaveForever]

"God bless you Ignatz" --Gus

Homo.

[Gentlejim]

I see the turd is back in the punch bowl.

[GUS]

Imagine a Conservative called the FUKWAD....HOMO.

[DublinDaveForever]

"Imagine a Conservative called the FUKWAD"

ZZZZzzzzzzzz

[daddy]

Interesting story in the local rag about the History of Efforts to Domesticate Moose: A brief history of domesticated moose in Alaska

I'm guessing you guys in New York and DC could probably do with a couple domesticated moose to haul your sleighs around town right now.

Story includes some interesting tales, such as the one about the early City fathers in Fairbanks lacking the Legal authority to prevent some guy's pet moose from hanging out in his saloon, so instead they banned the moose from walking on the city's sidewalks, thus accomplishing the same goal. Killjoys.

Also the link to the Russian Domesticated Moose is interesting in that it tells us that in the 1930's Stalin tried to create a Cavalry force out of moose but it didn't work out to well.

And as for why we don't try it in Anchorage any more---it's illegal under State Law to domesticate ungulates, and probably was a bit before Statehood.

That's a Bummer, as I think I'd look good behind one of these.

[pagar a bacon, ham and sausage supporter]

The snow does not stop Clarice from writing the best: http://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2016/01/a_soft_civil_war.html

Great article!

[daddy]

Wow, One hell of a strong earthquake just hit.Strongest I've ever felt in Alaska. Seemed to last about 20--30 seconds, with about 2 hugh shakers. Broke a bunch of glass in the kitchen but thankfully the alarm was not on or it'd be hollering.

Momma was sleeping upstairs where I am sure the jolts were magnified, and as I decided to get off the couch in the living room from TV watching, she dashed past me out to the garage with Fry at her heels.

[daddy]

First report says 6.4

An earthquake with magnitude 6.4 occurred near Pedro Bay, AK at 10:30:27.00 UTC on Jan 24, 2016 ...
8 mins ago – U.S. Geological Survey

[daddy]

Momma is sweating the next one as she's sure it's coming.

Here's another report: 6.4 magnitude earthquake 86 km from Anchor Point, Alaska, United States

Looks like the epicenter is across the sound from us and mu guess is about 130 miles as the crow flies.

[anonamom]

Earthquake is 7.1 per whatever my husband is reading on his iPad.

No tsunami.

Gee, without fracking....

[daddy]

Hi anonamom,

I see that ABC News is saying it was a 7.1, and my first paste is also updated to that number. The latest from the USGA also now says 7.1, updated from 6.8 a few minutes back, and I see a few aftershocks are coming in from the same location but just aren't being reported.

It sure felt like a 7.1 to me:)

About 15 minutes prior to the quake I had taken Fry out for about a 30 minute walk, and I recall how quiet and dark it was. Then after the quake hit, about 15 minutes later I took both dogs out again as they were both wide awake, and I counted 8 houses in the neighborhood with lights on that I know had been dark minutes before the quake. In the distance I could hear police sirens going of but they didn't come up to our cul-de-sac.

Haven't been upstairs yet but momma says all the books along 1 wall of our room had been tossed on the floor, and likewise in Z's room her books had been flung across to the opposite wall and some of her soccer trophy's are broken on the floor. Oh well. Nothing on the local news---only CNN and the snowstorm.

[daddy]

Comments at these 2 News stories show it was felt over a huge swath of the state---From Dutch Harbor to Fairbanks to Kotzebue. And from the comments seems like it's the strongest the locals have felt since the 1964 Good Friday 9.1 Quake.

1) Local News TV Station KTUU: 7.1 magnitude earthquake shakes Southcentral Alaska

2) ADN: Strong earthquake felt throughout Southcentral Alaska

I am interested in seeing if this effects the volcano's of Iliamna or Mt Augustine, since those 2 spewers are fairly close and all this tectonic stuff is tied together.

Well I'm tired now, so g'nite!

[maryrose]

daddy
Stay inside and put yourself near a wall that is not by the windows

[Michael (fpa Patriot4Freedom)]

daddy - Glad to hear that you and mrs. daddy are okay. Take care of yourselves.

[James D.]

Stay safe, daddy!

[James D.]

Great Pieces, Clarice, as always.

[Michael (fpa Patriot4Freedom)]

Clarice - Thanks for another great "Pieces."

Kudos for deftly navigating the minefield of Trump, Cruz, and the GOPe in the soft war of the election of 2016.

[jimmyk]

Here's a link to Clarice's Pieces:

http://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2016/01/a_soft_civil_war.html

[clarice]

Thanks! daddy, please take care--where else would we get so much great info as your posts? Wonder what else will be rumbling our West after your eathquake.

[jimmyk]

Oops, hadn't seen that pagar had already linked Pieces.

Charles Cooke shows that he can be a condescending a-hole:

Charles C. W. Cooke ‏@charlescwcooke Jan 22

Because I’m able to hold more than one thought simultaneously, I can oppose both charlatans and socialists.

[in response to]

Greta Van Susteren @greta
knowing Buckley's writings,I would think you would be more worried about a socialist / Sanders

[Tsunami comin'.]

Heh, 'Cool off passions'. Love ya, c.

[Jack is on his Back!]

Daddy,

All your engineered structures since the big one back in the 70's were designed and built to potential horizontal acceleration. All you need to do is see if that standard was exceeded this time. I doubt it but the vertical acceleration could have peaked at ground zero.

Restless night - sleep surfing between pain and nirvana. Go in at 9. Stronger IV antibiotic, persistent bug still present, but full, professional and friendly staff.

[Old Lurker]

Jack, have they named the bug for you yet?

[clarice]

Fingers crossed for you, KiB. I find that whatever part is aching suddenly becomes the most important in your whole body..in this case that knee you probably never gave much thought to before.

[Old Lurker]

Are we going to have to send Hank Med out to Jack's?

[Thank the reliable grid for Joe.]

One thing that intrigues me is how different the electoral landscape will be compared to more traditionally. No matter what permutation of Trump, Cruz, Clinton, or Sanders we end up with, if, there are going to be previously unseen crosscurrents of appeal.

I had several interesting combinations of these all set to fly from fingertips, and then a 7.1 Trigger Warning came up, Dawn.

[_peter]

daddy stay safe, jack feel better, Clarice great pieces, now out to shovel

[This too shall pass.]

Jack, it is terrible to be a patient that doctors find fascinating. Good luck and Godspeed.

[Contemplate that under the ether.]

Well, it's not 'that', but is it 'who' or 'whom'? Is 'patient' subject to 'be' or 'object' to 'find'. Not sure.

[DebinNC]

The Debs in GA are praying for Jack.

[Porchlight]

jimmyk, Cooke's piece in the NR speshul issue is that times ten.

daddy, glad you're okay. Sorry about your books.

[DebinNC]

Wonderful Piece, clarice! And somehow very reassuring.

[pagar a bacon, ham and sausage supporter]

Jimmyk, It is all good.
---------------------------------------
Speaking of good. How much better can it get.

http://www.weaselzippers.us/252615-danish-city-makes-pork-mandatory-on-municipal-menus-including-for-schools-and-daycare-centers/

We need to see more of this, IMO.

[Janet]

This Presidential race reminds me of the Virginia governor's race between Cuccinelli & McAuliffe, only on a bigger scale.

The Republican establishment tried to stop Cuccinelli. They resented all the new people involved in the political process.
...& when Cuccinelli won the nomination many of the old guard Republicans either worked against him or did nothing.

If Trump OR Cruz end up as our nominee & if they even win....will the Republicans in Congress just bash them all the time?

[Centralcal on iPad]

Just a wonderful read this morning, Clarice!

[Miss Marple]

Good morning, all!

Wow, 7.1!

One of my introductions to plate tectonics and seismology included films of the Anchorage earthquake of 1964. I vividly remember seeing a film of the harbor emptying and then a tsunami coming in.

Be careful, daddy!

[Porchlight]

Great Pieces, clarice.

Janet, yes. If Trump wins the nomination, as he seems poised to do, his biggest problem will be getting Republican votes. The votes of the people who told us to shut up and vote for Romney, it seems.

Purity tests are okay for them, I guess.

[Porchlight]

Some of the comments to clarice's Pieces are also good. One points out that NR is fighting the wrong war. This isn't a war for conservatism. It's a war for America. We can fight the conservatism part later, but only if we survive to do so.

In that sense, Trump may be like Grant, who was a coarse man and a great fighter, who famously couldn't be spared. He was also a bad president. But without his fighting, there would have been no country of which to be a poor president.

[Janet]

Back on topic...

What exactly IS our foreign policy? Does anyone know?
*support the Muslim Brotherhood
*support Iran
*randomly bomb some Islamic groups but not other Islamic groups
*say Islam is wonderful
*work to prohibit other religions from influencing citizens of Islamic countries