Maureen Dowd noted a million years ago that Hillary, with her paranoia and penchant for secrecy, has an unmatched ability to turn Not Much into Something Huge. And now Hillarity! is doing it again.
As a private citizen Hillary gave three speeches to Goldman Sachs at $225,000 a throw. She has given other similarly compensated speeches to financial industry gatherings and continues to raise huge sums from Wall Street financiers.
MSNBC and Bernie Sanders supporters think she ought to release transcripts of those speeches. According to the McClatchy News Service description of her standard speech contract, she has speech transcripts (sensible self-protection, so no one can misquote her later) and they are under her control to release.
So the hold-up is... who knows? But Hillary's position, as described to former lackey George Stephanopolous, is that the voters don't care, this is just a partisan smear, and anyway, everyone else should follow the same rules.
Even NY Times reporters are likely to get a whiff of cover-up with this absurd defense. For starters, Democratic voters obviously do care about the influence of Wall Street on our political process. MSNBC, which asked about the transcripts during the Thursday debate, is not Fox News.
As to the "everyone" who should also release their speeches, I think it is fair to say that her opponent, Bernie Sanders, has already released every speech he gave to Goldman Sachs for a $225,000 fee. Or any fee at all - as a Senator, the ethics rules don't let him make these big buck appearances. That rule applies to Senators Cruz and Rubio and similar rules probably cover Governors Kasich and Christie. Do we want to see transcripts from private citizens Bush, Carson and Fiorina? If they were running for the Democratic nomination that might make sense, and maybe it will become an issue in the general election but right now, Republicans don't seem too concerned about this ethical question regarding these prospective nominees.
Once again, Hillary's above-the-law attitude and contempt for the press (not to mention her Democratic voting base) is taking her down an unattractive and unnecessary road. And how this helps with her 'trustworthiness' problem is beyond me.
FOUR MORE YEARS: The only upside to the Clinton effort is that with Hillary as president we can look forward to four more years of this sort of Hillary bashing; over to VDH:
In ironic fashion, Hillary’s own vocabulary best describes her conduct. A “willing suspension of disbelief” most aptly sums up Hillary Clinton’s disastrous 2016 primary campaign, which so far seems more disastrous than her 2008 disastrous campaign.
This time around, she is again blowing a huge lead in the polls, but not to an inexperienced, charismatic young African-American trailblazer. Instead she is neck and neck with a white 74-year-old socialist from Vermont who wants to make college free and up taxes to a 90% rate.
"Willing suspension of disbelief"? Actually, her supporters are probably more in touch with the X-Files and "I want to believe".
Hillary's above-the-law attitude and contempt for the
presseveryone not named Hillary ClintonFixed that for you...
Posted by: James D | February 08, 2016 at 08:58 AM
All I can think of to say is "First!"
Sorry
Posted by: Jane | February 08, 2016 at 08:58 AM
I hope that this is only the first of six new threads today...
Posted by: Beasts of England | February 08, 2016 at 09:06 AM
Sheeesh and I wasn't.
Posted by: Jane | February 08, 2016 at 09:08 AM
I've had nothing good to say about him recently, but I wil admit that the Kevin Williamson article MM linked on the previous thread was spot-on:
http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/430898/hillary-talks-about-americans-theyre-peasants?target=author&tid=903320
I will note one thing, though. The reason there is so much anger among the conservative base is that it seems as though there are a lot of R's in Washington who view us exactly the same way that Hillary does.
Posted by: James D | February 08, 2016 at 09:08 AM
We'll see what a bunch of lackeys the press are when they don't follow up on these transcripts in the next "debate" in Milwaukee on Thursday. They'll probably spend all their time praising the trolley* instead.
* as imaginary as Hillary's credibility.
Posted by: henry | February 08, 2016 at 09:11 AM
Hillary has the speech transcripts stashed next to her Rose Law Firm files. She'll find them in a few years.
Posted by: Beasts of England | February 08, 2016 at 09:12 AM
Instead she is neck and neck with a white 74-year-old socialist from Vermont who wants to make college free and up taxes to a 90% rate.
again from this link - http://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/politics-government/election/article59010478.html
Let's look at all the university money going to a politician!
Just in this one article we find out:
University of Buffalo - $275,000
University of Connecticut - $250,000
University of Nevada at Las Vegas - $225,000
University of California at LA - $300,000
and this - "Former secretary routinely demanded a stenographer at paid speeches"
Who had to pay the stenographer?...the university?
Over a million dollars given to one politician...& then there is the cost of the venue set-up, paying a stenographer, probably security,...who pays for travel costs?,.... What a waste of money!!
I don't want to hear about high student loan debt & high tuition while universities are giving out millions to politicians.
Posted by: Janet | February 08, 2016 at 09:14 AM
Travel costs are paid for by the purchaser (university) and include a 16-seat private jet and 5-star hotel accommodations.
Think I'll buy me a football team.
Posted by: Beasts of England | February 08, 2016 at 09:19 AM
And no brown M&Ms.
Posted by: Beasts of England | February 08, 2016 at 09:24 AM
Vermin supreme Shkreli endorsed doc brown, because he's an idiot.
Posted by: narciso | February 08, 2016 at 09:33 AM
I remember the carpstorm the huntress was but through six years ago, by six gun lee, when she have a speech at some state university.
Posted by: narciso | February 08, 2016 at 09:37 AM
DOW is off 250 in seven minutes.
The dogs are rejecting the dogfood.
Posted by: Old Lurker | February 08, 2016 at 09:38 AM
has anyone seen Hilligula's actual speech contracts for perqs like travel by corp jet, Four Seasons hotel suites, sweet young girl attendants, and a shyte load of tequila?
Posted by: NK | February 08, 2016 at 09:40 AM
Went through, the point is like ericson, or baby brother ridham's favor bank, it all rings kaching for firms involved.
Posted by: narciso | February 08, 2016 at 09:40 AM
What makes anyone think there is anything of substance in any of those speeches? They didn't pay her to talk.
Posted by: Jack is Back! | February 08, 2016 at 09:40 AM
Hillary Clinton is the first candidate for President I am aware of who has become a multimillionaire directly as a result as her employment, and her husband's employment, as a public servant.
That alone should disqualify her, particularly among the Democrats.
Posted by: Appalled | February 08, 2016 at 09:43 AM
Bill called the Bernie Bros sexist and profane.
Hillary's crones insulted young women supporting Bernie.
I prays she implodes tomorrow. Does that make me a bad person?
Posted by: Marlene | February 08, 2016 at 09:45 AM
LBJ, Appalled.
Posted by: Old Lurker | February 08, 2016 at 09:46 AM
Not that there's anything wrong with that, NK.
Posted by: Beasts of England | February 08, 2016 at 09:46 AM
I prays,ha. I'll be praying more than once!
Posted by: Marlene | February 08, 2016 at 09:46 AM
Peasants? Peasants have it pretty good. We're serfs.
Posted by: Getting hot under the collar. | February 08, 2016 at 09:49 AM
This one doesn't mention the jet or hotel, but it does mention the $1,250 for a stenographer.
http://dailycaller.com/2014/07/16/university-contract-details-hillary-clinton-speech-demands/
Posted by: Beasts of England | February 08, 2016 at 09:49 AM
Ah yes lbj with his his string of radio stations and assorted business, but they went after Nixon with a vengeance.
You can just look across the pond and you see the contempt that Cameron's treats his constituents. Of they don't vote the rightbway, sores le delugee
Posted by: narciso | February 08, 2016 at 09:49 AM
Jet and presidential suite.
http://m.reviewjournal.com/news/las-vegas/high-fashion-expense-hillary-travel
Posted by: Beasts of England | February 08, 2016 at 09:51 AM
Narc, little dogs and cloth coats add up, you know.
Posted by: Old Lurker | February 08, 2016 at 09:51 AM
We need to start voting again! James dropped to 3rd place. All of the previous votes are wiped away!
...http://www.easypolls.net/poll.html?p=56b699cce4b0f33c4ec6e101
Posted by: Momto2 | February 08, 2016 at 09:53 AM
I want to see reports of how much Clinton Inc. collected for Haiti earthquake relief, how much never made it there, and how much of the little actual rebuilding in Haiti was contracted out to Clinton cronies.
Posted by: DebinNC | February 08, 2016 at 09:53 AM
Thanks for those links, BoE.
Posted by: Janet | February 08, 2016 at 09:56 AM
yes, the looted the place, more thoroughly then the privateers would have done,
the dems complained about some of ford's golf matches, vapors, and went to eleven, over reagan's
subsequent speeches by sony, but re razorback, they marvel,
they actually tried to put in jail, the san diego city manager over ITT's contribution to a republican convention, that never actually happened,
Posted by: narciso | February 08, 2016 at 09:58 AM
One more - with a facsimile of her demand for a Gulfstream 450 or larger jet.
Après moi...
http://www.businessinsider.com/hillary-clinton-demands-presidential-suite-for-speaking-engagements-2014-8
Posted by: Beasts of England | February 08, 2016 at 09:59 AM
What makes anyone think there is anything of substance in any of those speeches? They didn't pay her to talk.
Of course not. I'm sure that's why she doesn't want to release the transcripts. She didn't say anything damaging, because she didn't say anything other than vapid crap that would put an insomniac to sleep.
Posted by: James D | February 08, 2016 at 10:00 AM
On the CPM machine bending it-1 to 90. Forget waterboarding. This is torture.
Posted by: Jack is Back! | February 08, 2016 at 10:02 AM
sorry it was sixgun yee.
http://www.sodahead.com/united-states/sarah-palin-speaking-contract-rider-demands-first-class-travel-pre-screened-questions-bendable/question-964799/
Posted by: narciso | February 08, 2016 at 10:02 AM
they rummaged through the trash to get to that, but the dems all get perks from rezko, from deutsche bank who held the chapaqua property, Sutton's cottage in the emerald isle,
Posted by: narciso | February 08, 2016 at 10:07 AM
BoE's 9:49 - "As part of the contract, two event staffers will be dispatched three days in advance of the speech."
Who pays for flights & lodging?
Posted by: Janet | February 08, 2016 at 10:08 AM
take, flint where they are actually having the next debate, they make a decision to draw water from the flint river, and don't take the basic precautions to purify the water, and then they blame governor snyder, who does them the favor of falling on his sword, like that Alliance functionary in Serenity,
Posted by: narciso | February 08, 2016 at 10:11 AM
All this and Michael Moore is apparently in serious condition,suffering from pneumonia. Lucky nurses who have to bathe that tub of lard.
Posted by: clarice | February 08, 2016 at 10:13 AM
do the dems ever move on, is the pope argentine?
http://lasvegassun.com/news/2005/feb/28/hughes-bribe-of-nixon-alleged/
Posted by: narciso | February 08, 2016 at 10:14 AM
It is a scandal she is even running.
We have devolved down to a sort of 19th Century Russian aristocracy. Clinton-Obama-Clinton.
Who have we come to this. She will be worse than LBJ, Carter, her husband and Obama combined.
If she gets in it shows either that the political system is a complete and utter fraud, or that the Electorate in mentally incompetent. either way, it will be time to head for the hills.
Posted by: squaredance | February 08, 2016 at 10:15 AM
from BoE's 9:59 - "...included "a presidential suite" for her and "up to three (3) adjoining or contiguous single rooms" for her staff.
The Democratic presidential front-runner's "standard travel expenses" also included a chartered airplane, which should be "Gulfstream 450 or larger jet," according to the paper's information request concerning her UNLV appearance this October."
I don't want to hear about student debt anymore.
Universities need to be in the dock....not taxpayers.
Posted by: Janet | February 08, 2016 at 10:17 AM
Hillary has the speech transcripts stashed next to her Rose Law Firm files.
And the rest of her emails.
And no brown M&Ms.
This is a good enough story that it bears repeating:
I'd note, however, that the story changes; e.g., the rubberized flooring was worth $475K in that one, and $80K in the Snopes version. So I don't know how much credence to lend it. Still makes a good story.Posted by: Cecil Turner | February 08, 2016 at 10:18 AM
Forget waterboarding. This is torture.
Hey JiB, did they ever give you a straight answer on the infection? Is it MRSA?
Posted by: Cecil Turner | February 08, 2016 at 10:22 AM
the more one thinks about it, one would have been chumps to throw nixon under the bus, for some unsanctioned political surveilance, that what this watergate was about, some redirected campaign contribution, to satisfy the bruised ego of mark felt?
Posted by: narciso | February 08, 2016 at 10:28 AM
The final UMass Lowell tracking poll has Comrade over The Hill 56-40. On the GOP side, Trump gas 34, Rubio and Cruz both have 13, and Bush and Kasich both have 10.
Posted by: Thomas Collins | February 08, 2016 at 10:30 AM
can we trade her for Trump? she's a lot better looking... a lot: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/feb/07/frauke-petry-smiling-face-resurgent-right?CMP=twt_gu
Posted by: NK | February 08, 2016 at 10:32 AM
And speaking of appearance riders, when I was part-owner of a venue, we moved from a small space (~400 capacity) to a mid-sized one (~1,200). With the move came bigger acts and bigger demands.
The requests ranges from the sublime (The Alabama Shakes had no rider: "We're only 30 minutes away.") to the ridiculous. That would be Buckethead*. He demanded no personal interaction, whatsoever. When it was show time, they radioed his bus and they dropped him at the front door in his stage ensemble (coveralls, a 'Jason' mask, and a KFC bucket on his head). After the show, he received via the rider an 'articulated action figure'. Hillary is missing out!!
*Buckethead is famous in guitar circles as the premier shredder, and replaced Slash in Guns 'n Roses, until they decided he was too weird and kicked him out. Imagine that.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buckethead
Posted by: Beasts of England | February 08, 2016 at 10:33 AM
hard to find comps from four years ago
http://elections.huffingtonpost.com/pollster/2012-massachusetts-president-romney-vs-obama?gec
Posted by: narciso | February 08, 2016 at 10:35 AM
Combine the Hillary garbage and the Sanders mess ='s
"Despite a prestigious degree, however, Sanders failed to earn a living, even as an adult. It took him 40 years to collect his first steady paycheck - and it was a government check."
http://www.f169bbs.com/bbs/news/221544-read-bernie-sanders-list-of-accomplishments-before-becoming-a-politician-lol
Those backing Sanders are voting for a person who has never made a living except as a politician. This is INSANE.
Posted by: pagar a bacon, country ham and sausage supporter | February 08, 2016 at 10:43 AM
Beasts, I have 3 of his albums, the best of which is the one he did with Santana drummer Michael Shrieve and Mahavishnu bassist Jonas Helborg where he sticks to acoustic. He was on a triple bill we saw back in the 90s. His drummer "Pinchface" was funny as hell, and they were a lot more enjoyable than most of what I've heard on recordings.
Posted by: Dave (in MA) | February 08, 2016 at 10:46 AM
well he didn't deliver on his contract, he does seem to have some mean talent thugh,
Posted by: narciso | February 08, 2016 at 10:47 AM
Oooh, from annals of the vast left wing conspiracy, this is getting good:
Hey, it worked on the gamergaters, right? Pass the popcorn.Posted by: Cecil Turner | February 08, 2016 at 10:49 AM
pagar @ 10:43
For a lot of Sanders voters, the fact that he never made a living in the private sector is in itself a selling point for him.
Which, agreed, is INSANE.
Posted by: James D | February 08, 2016 at 10:50 AM
then this - http://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2016-02-08/this-top-clinton-donor-wants-1-million-gifts-like-his-outlawed
"His $1 million contribution to Priorities USA Action was one of the super-PAC’s biggest in the second half of last year. Schwartz, who also gave the Clinton Foundation between $1 million and $5 million, said he supports the former secretary of state’s White House run because she wants to improve infrastructure, cut unemployment and help Americans loaded down by student debt."
WHat??? Why doesn't he tell her to quit taking millions from Universities?
Posted by: Janet | February 08, 2016 at 10:51 AM
echos of McCarthy
Posted by: henry | February 08, 2016 at 10:51 AM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jvgfXhhTzo Buckethead, Hellborg, Shrieve
Posted by: Dave (in MA) | February 08, 2016 at 10:53 AM
this is why the superpac as secret weapon for our side is overrated,
Posted by: narciso | February 08, 2016 at 10:54 AM
some good stuff, is there a lyric track,
Posted by: narciso | February 08, 2016 at 10:57 AM
henry-- you beat me to it. Except, Clinton's BS is even thinner than Joe McCarthy's. McCarthy used innuendo and guilt by association to go after Lefties he actually named and who were in fact mostly Stalinist Commies. McCarthy and his supporters hated communist traitors and were up front about that (mcCarthy the buffoon damaged anti-communism in the USA for almost 3 decades.) In contrast, Bernie doesn't hate the female sex, he and his supporters hate the Clintons because of their grifting and lies. BJ just can't deal with that.
Posted by: NK | February 08, 2016 at 10:59 AM
From NK's link;
Umm, why is it the left refuses to say what everyone on the planet knows; namely that there is a fundamental difference between the agents of illegitimate tyrants shooting people trying to escape the tyranny as opposed to a democratic country attempting to stop an invasion by people illegally entering it?
I don't advocate shooting these people but a nation has a right to defend itself from invasion, whether the invaders are armed with rifles and tanks or a sick and destructive ideology which will alter the country as fundamentally as a conventional army.
Posted by: Ignatz Ratzkiwatzki | February 08, 2016 at 11:03 AM
dr. zaius is deeply offended,
http://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2016/02/jeb-bush-ive-got-monkey-brain-video/
Posted by: narciso | February 08, 2016 at 11:04 AM
No, it's all instrumental.
Posted by: Dave (in MA) | February 08, 2016 at 11:06 AM
IG-- remeber that 'report' is from the UK Guardian, a Stalin-Maoist point of view. I linked it because it had photos of the fetching Mrs. Petry.
Posted by: NK | February 08, 2016 at 11:07 AM
Random gripe, you'd think with all these advanced degrees around here people would be able to figure out how to work a parking garage and a restroom stall properly </rant>
Posted by: Dave (in MA) | February 08, 2016 at 11:08 AM
That Buckethead dude sounds like he ought to be the lead guitarist at the Napa State Mental Hospital.
Posted by: Ignatz Ratzkiwatzki | February 08, 2016 at 11:09 AM
what could go wrong:
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-02-08/geithner-gets-jpmorgan-credit-line-to-invest-with-warburg-pincus
of course, this is noted without comment,
Posted by: narciso | February 08, 2016 at 11:13 AM
well of course she is: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/07/opinion/sunday/sick-and-tired-of-god-bless-america.html
Posted by: NK | February 08, 2016 at 11:19 AM
I thought the BloomieBots did a pretty good job of mocking Geithner in that article.
Posted by: NK | February 08, 2016 at 11:19 AM
didn't see the comment section, so one is married to an alleged sexual predator, the other wrote of rape fantasies, in some brown envelope alt paper,
voters belong with buckethead,
Posted by: narciso | February 08, 2016 at 11:25 AM
Ignatz Ratzkywatzky | February 08, 2016 at 11:09 AM, there's a youtube of them covering the tune that the band was playing on the back porch in Sling Blade.
Posted by: Dave (in MA) | February 08, 2016 at 11:26 AM
corn is going into standup.
http://twitchy.com/2016/02/08/not-classy-mother-jones-david-corn-doesnt-like-how-trump-is-treating-reporters-like-him/
Posted by: narciso | February 08, 2016 at 11:28 AM
If the markets in EUtopia repeat today's performance tomorrow, all but Italy will have achieved classic bear market status. US markets are only about half way there but careful efforts by the Fed and Treasury officials will help us catch up rather quickly.
The world has never gone for a centrally planned roller coaster ride before. It's not boring but I wouldn't call it thrilling.
Posted by: Rick Ballard | February 08, 2016 at 11:35 AM
http://m.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/feb/7/pentagon-orders-commanders-to-prioritize-climate-c/
Will Ryan and McConnell stop him? Ever??
Posted by: Threadkiller | February 08, 2016 at 11:35 AM
I'm impressed, Dave!! I think he's invented a few of his own scales and his fingers are scary-long. That probably helps. lol
Posted by: Beasts of England | February 08, 2016 at 11:41 AM
More from the "you can't make this fraud stuff up file.
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/feb/7/pentagon-orders-commanders-to-prioritize-climate-c/
"Pentagon orders commanders to prioritize climate change in all military actions"
Beyond Insanity IMO!
"It says the military will not be able to maintain effectiveness unless the directive is followed. It orders the establishment of a new layer of bureaucracy — a wide array of “climate change boards, councils and working groups” to infuse climate change into “programs, plans and policies.”
Wonder how much this will add to the national debt and without 1$ of added protection for our Nation, IMO.
Posted by: pagar a bacon, country ham and sausage supporter | February 08, 2016 at 11:41 AM
http://althouse.blogspot.com/2016/02/the-worst-thing-about-rubios-repeated.html
Posted by: Threadkiller | February 08, 2016 at 11:44 AM
shirley, after foisting zaphod on us, they can't be serious,
Posted by: narciso | February 08, 2016 at 11:47 AM
That Althouse column dispels with the notion Althouse is a serious person...again.
Posted by: Ignatz Ratzkiwatzki | February 08, 2016 at 11:55 AM
TK
The Outhouse post is a real piece of work.
I will be the first to admit that my grammar and spelling leave a lot to be desired.
Last time I ever gave any thought to the difference between transitive and intransitive verbs was in grade school, and I probably flubbed the question on the test.
What this proves is 1)John Althouse Cohen is a pinhead, and 2)his mom is even a bigger pinhead.
Last thing I am going to worry about is the degree of command of the finer points of English grammar a candidate has.
I have even said nice things about Teh Donald, and he butchers it every time he opens his mouth.
Posted by: Buckeye | February 08, 2016 at 11:55 AM
The stupid clown (Outhouse) voted for a man who says WEE WEE'D up.
Posted by: Gus | February 08, 2016 at 12:00 PM
How do you refresh the 'easy polls' for James' book. I voted, but now I can't vote again (and I've closed the tab and then opened it again, also I've clicked on James' name -- don't know what else to do.)
Posted by: Joan | February 08, 2016 at 12:00 PM
McCain and McCain on "outnumbered". Vapid crap.
Posted by: Gus | February 08, 2016 at 12:01 PM
I don't read Althous unless it's linked here.
Dis she have a stand-alone comment about "corpse-men" or 57 states?
Has she ever wondered if Obama is dumb?
Posted by: Miss Marple | February 08, 2016 at 12:01 PM
Has Corn gotten around to the breach of security by Hillary yet?
Posted by: clarice | February 08, 2016 at 12:03 PM
that's crosssing the streams, there gus,
Posted by: narciso | February 08, 2016 at 12:03 PM
that's why I say standup comedy, clarice,
Posted by: narciso | February 08, 2016 at 12:04 PM
Althouse blog, Ha! Just read the second comment in response to her question "Is Rubio a little dumb?": (I think she said 'little', not going back to check.) :)
"Maybe, but not as dumb as the question."
Posted by: Joan | February 08, 2016 at 12:05 PM
Great link, Dave. And since you're a fan of esoteric music (and mentioned Sling Blade), Col. Bruce Hampton played our venue half a dozen times with ARU and the Codetalkers. Great guy! Would even do 'medulla oblongata' for us. lol
Posted by: Beasts of England | February 08, 2016 at 12:07 PM
I've voted for James over ten times, so as of now James is at 36% and the other guy is at 38%
Posted by: glasater | February 08, 2016 at 12:07 PM
Corn is not a "reporter"--he's a far left Dem operative with a press job.
Posted by: clarice | February 08, 2016 at 12:09 PM
can someone re-post the JamesD vote link, I'll attend to that at home tonight.
Posted by: NK | February 08, 2016 at 12:10 PM
I think the borgias weren't this cruel to their satraps,
http://blogs.wsj.com/law/2016/02/08/ferguson-weighs-costs-of-proposed-deal-with-justice-department/?mod=WSJBlog
Posted by: narciso | February 08, 2016 at 12:11 PM
Thanks for all the votes! I think there are going to be five weekly votes on all. So I'm thinking of it like the primary schedule.
Last week was iowa, and, like Ted Cruz, I cane in a close first.
This week is New Hampshire.
Next week, there's no official primary, so I guess the vote then (assumning I make it through) will be like a make-or-break debate.
The week after is Nevada.
And the final week of the poll, the winner take all week, will be like Super Tuesday for me.
Even for a $900 prize, this is ending up to be a lot of work!
Posted by: James D | February 08, 2016 at 12:12 PM
I don't think the American public has any idea how degraded and in the thrall of political correctness and legalese our military has become.
We can still destroy countries like Iraq etc easily, but the speed with which the Russians and Chinese are closing the technological gaps and have already exceeded the numerical ones has me seriously doubting our ability to win a major war.
We are entering a very difficult and dangerous period. The next president HAS to forget for the foreseeable future regional brush fires like IS etc. We must embark on a Reaganesque military expansion or we may very well find ourselves in a shooting war with one or both of those enemies; a war we might very well lose.
And we must return to a sustainable strategy of crushing our true enemies who pose a true threat to our nation in an overwhelming way. It must leave no doubt who won the war and make the nation safer than it was before and and we must not exhaust our treasury and our citizens either fighting wars which are not strictly necessary or trying to repair the nation we just destroyed.
It is enough its smoldering ruins be a lesson to other enemies.
If we don't we will find ourselves the exemplary smoldering ruin.
This precedes all other government responsibilities by a wide margin. Period.
If it doesn't we will bequeath to our children and our children's children [as the busy bodies like to put it] death, starvation and slavery.
We are not immune to the same fate of every other nation that has neglected this simple truth.
Si vis pacem, para bellum.
Posted by: Ignatz Ratzkiwatzki | February 08, 2016 at 12:12 PM
Hard to believe JOM lost some of its best and brightest to Outhouse's comment section.
Posted by: Threadkiller | February 08, 2016 at 12:13 PM
The fourth comment at Althouse nailed 'corpsemen' and 'intercontinental railroad'. Great minds.
Posted by: Beasts of England | February 08, 2016 at 12:13 PM
Since y'all are tirelessly voting for me, I'll post this link, too. It's to one of the paperback book giveaways I run every so often. Just click here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1WjLf9ZoywhwTJIRWiXtw-ea3wBDttYBaK8BieFTotSo/viewform?usp=send_form
And you'll be in with a random chance (gotta be fair here) to win a signed paperback of one of the books.
Posted by: James D | February 08, 2016 at 12:13 PM
perhaps there is not so much 'natural born citizen' discussion at Althouse?... what?
Posted by: NK | February 08, 2016 at 12:16 PM
yes, our expeditions in the levant and south asia, have been much like rome's experience in numidia, recalled by robert kaplan,
reagan focused on proxies, since his main focus was
deterring the soviets at the fulda gap, a breach of which would have quickly led to escalations,
Posted by: narciso | February 08, 2016 at 12:18 PM
Don't worry, NK, there is. They even have a designated birther.
Posted by: Beasts of England | February 08, 2016 at 12:18 PM