Thursday, January 9, 2014

"Read all about it!"

I know you're dying to talk about  Robert Gates' new book......

FIRE AWAY!!!    I have my own opinions which might surprise you............will try to chime in some time soon...but you go first!

By the way, did you know that when a student gets accepted to the Naval Academy at Annapolis, a lieutenant comes in full uniform and presents the student with a welcoming certificate?   I saw one Wednesday and it made me cry.  The students in the classrooms around were cheering, and our (very liberal) College Counselor, after all had died down, said "And it's FREE!"   I chimed in with "Oh, no it ISN'T, the government does pay!"   heh heh
Funnily enough, the kids roared with my remark!   Maybe they got it?  naaaaaaaaaaa

Z
(oh, and happy birthday to meeeeeeeeeeeeeee :-))

60 comments:

Ed Bonderenka said...

Happy Birthday Z!

Constitutional Insurgent said...

I think the book will be a mixed bag for me. He clearly recieved a substantial advance from the publishers, to have it released prior to the end of this Administration. He nailed the assessment of Biden - except for one occasion. Biden was the only dissenting voice [as I recall] on the efficacy of surging troops in AFG,when al Qaeda exists in force everywhere else but AFG.

Other than that, it's merely fodder for the cable talk shows. Because, you know, we don't have enough of that....

-FJ the Dangerous and Extreme MAGA Jew said...

Happy B.D.! :)

Constitutional Insurgent said...

Ah crap, I missed that......Happy Birthday Z!

Rita said...

Happy Birthday Z. I hope you have big plans to celebrate.

Rottweiler said...

In his new book, Robert Gates confirms conversations between himself and Barack Obama in which the president admitted to him that he opposed the "surge" strategy simply for political purposes.

In other words, he was willing to let Americans die horrible deaths and not attempt to win the war in order to score political points for his own selfish advantage.

Absolutely, positively disgusting. And this is the selfish, arrogant, self-absorbed sociopath that the Dumbocrats/Progressive-nutcase’s worship and defend here on these blogs.



There was a time once in the history of this nation when traitors were not only frowned upon with disapproval and disgraced.
Gates tells that Barack Obama admitted to him that he opposed the "surge" strategy simply for political purposes. In other words, he was willing to let Americans die horrible deaths and not attempt to win the war in order to score political points for his own selfish advantage.
Absolutely, positively disgusting. And this is the selfish, arrogant, self-absorbed sociopath that the Dumbocrats/Progressive-nutcase’s worship and defend .
But in today's, climate they get elected as president and put on a pedestal, or even worse metaphorically put on Mt. Rushmore.
And with the way things are today, unfortunately when the clock gets close to midnight on 2016 and Captain Queeg’s AKA Obama’s presidency is finally over, if he doesn’t decide to TAKE a third term like all Dictators do, even someone like the Butcher of Benghazi could very well be the next one to be passed the baton.
Take a deep breath, you can almost smell the Communism!

Constitutional Insurgent said...

"Gates tells that Barack Obama admitted to him that he opposed the "surge" strategy simply for political purposes."

I thought that was HRC?

The Way I See It. said...

Right Constitutional Insurgent, and Hillary Clinton as well....
I'm sick to death of this sociopath and his idiotic, asinine, harebrained President and his side kick’s Joe Biden, and even more so Valerie Jarrett who is the Worst Adviser to the President ever, (Advising the President on how best to destroy America) who for some insane reason some how hold the reigns of power and don't have a clue what they are doing. Valerie Jarrett Is The Worst White House Aide for the Worst President Ever!
And Joe Biden is a complete embarrassment to this country.
Just think about who Obama’s advisers have been through the past few years, Valerie Jarrett the worst adviser ever, she tells Obama what to say, think, or do. Van Jones, Jerimiah Wright, Janet Napolatano, and of course, Bill Ayers

Emily said...

Our troops are still dying there today not "were" but "ARE". This little effeminate narcissist inept President we have has no honor, no understanding,respect, of the military, no belief in protecting the country and could care less about the causalities in Afghanistan.
It's disgusting! PERIOD.

And those who voted for Obama are no different.

Hildergarde Hammhocker said...

Don’t you just live those Progressives COWARDS who monitor their blogs comments? “Comment moderation has been enabled. All comments must be approved by the blog author.”

Only Cowards Censor their Blog Readers! What good does it do us? If we censor comments that directly prevents the spread of ideas. Problems are never solved, minds are never made up, and our ability to gain intelligence dies.

Aren’t hearing those very ideas, even when controversial or opposite your own, important? Those very ideas force you to defend your own, becoming more sure of yourself, or force you to realize your previous opinion was wrong. So why not allow all comments?

Ducky's here said...

It seems to be getting attention primarily for slamming a relatively minor figure like Biden for being "wrong" on foreign policy matters consistently.

Now it may be true but I wonder if he takes on the CIA if we wants to highlight foreign policy errors. He can start by pointing out when they have ever been correct.

Linda said...

I just heard about the book yesterday, and probably won't read it. I'm reading Tom Clancy's last book, before he was 'murdered'. (I don't know if that happened, but his death was strange!)

Happy, happy birthday! May your day be fun-filled, fantastic, and blessed! Have some ice cream! Wish I could enjoy some with you!

Constitutional Insurgent said...

Ducky - "It seems to be getting attention primarily for slamming a relatively minor figure like Biden for being "wrong" on foreign policy matters consistently."

I think you raise a fair point. The political gossip factor is overtaking the larger questions of our occupations of Iraq and AFG, versus fighting the entity who actually attacked us.

Always On Watch said...

Happy birthday, Z!

For nearly a week now, I've been too sick to blog -- or to do anything else, including going to work. I've never been this sick in my entire life!

Thank God for my blog partner Sam who has been typing his fingers off to post at Always On Watch!

Always On Watch said...

Is the White House in damage-control mode because of Gates's book?

Divine Theatre said...

Happy Birthday, beautiful soul!
Do something kind for yourself!

I have not been in blogland lately. I have so much catching up to do!
My birthday was a few weeks ago. I hope yours is as wonderful as mine was!

xo

Andie

skudrunner said...

39 is a great year, have a Happy

The MSM will ignore what was critical about obama and obiden in this book and spend their time roasting Christie because some staff member was stupid enough to email about bridge lane closing.

Mustang said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Z!

Z said...

THanks for the birthday wishes.
How did you KNOW? :-) heh heh

CI...I think a lot of what Gates says is much more than fodder, but it certainly is THAT. We all know politicians do things for political purposes, but this is a step further and echoes what we know of Obama on a lot of subjects.
I didn't hear that his advance was so it'd be published prior to the Administration's end?? Do you have a link?

I've never been a big fan of his for some reason and I have mixed feelings about the book.

And I don't think a 40 year senator and Vice Pres of the US is a minor figure! He's just a STUPID figure, Biden.

Always, I'm so sorry you're so sick! yes, the WH is in damage control. It's almost cute to watch Carney dig out of it.

Thanks, everybody; this birthday's a quiet one for a change...but stepdaughter arrives today from her 18 month sailing trip. that should be interesting!

Mustang said...

My opinion.

Constitutional Insurgent said...

Mustang - Well stated at your site. The pertinent question being perennially obfuscated is exactly as you captured it:

"I also wonder, and this is the question that remains unanswered now for going on 10 years: where is the U. S. National Interest in invading Iraq; where is the U. S. National interest in invading Afghanistan? I have never heard anyone tell me what that interest is, or how it justifies the cost in our most precious resources."

Z said...

I'm listening a little to the Christie press conference...whatEVER he says, I am SO wishing that, at the end, he'd look at the audience, take a deep breath, and add..

"and are you KIDDING ME? You're talking senate hearings on THIS when we have F&F, Benghazi, NSA, "you can keep your insurance," "vote for it THEN you'll know what's in it," etc etc...and all the other lies in this president's administration? ARE YOU KIDDDDDING MEEEEEEEEEEE?"

really

Z said...

The reason for Iraq was always said to get Saddam and hopefully free US of the threats that come from that area if AQ is able to grow and flourish.

Which it is now.

I'm not sure I ever bought that reasoning, but it was there.

Constitutional Insurgent said...

Z, they're covering the Christie presser becuase the news media business model is infotainment and sensationalism.

Louis H. said...

Joyeux anniversaire Mme Z

Impertinent said...

Z:


Heureux, joyeux anniversaire mon cher ami!

Impertinent said...

In less than 24 hours, the big three networks have devoted 17 times more coverage to a traffic scandal involving Chris Christie than they've allowed in the last six months to Barack Obama's Internal Revenue Service controversy.

Since the story broke on Wednesday that aides to the New Jersey governor punished a local mayor's lack of endorsement with a massive traffic jam, ABC, CBS and NBC have responded with 34 minutes and 28 seconds of coverage. Since July 1, these same networks managed a scant two minutes and eight seconds for the IRS targeting of Tea Party groups.

Ducky's here said...

I don't know why the right is so upset about Christie's stupidity.

This could seriously hurt his candidacy and grease the skids for Ted Cruz, the people's choice.

Yes, that's Hillary smiling.

JonBerg said...

"that's Hillary smiling"

At least Christie is forthright and remorseful unlike the "smiling" crone in a pants suit: "what difference does it make". How could anyone in his/her right mind even think of electing her President? Never mind she has probably already contracted for several million "HILLARY PHONES"- yep thatl do it! That's the mentality it takes.

Constitutional Insurgent said...

JB - "At least Christie is forthright and remorseful unlike the "smiling" crone in a pants suit: "what difference does it make".

I'm not really a Christie fan [for 2A reasons], and I truly got tired of hearing him run his yap today......but it would have been worth it in spades to hear him simply say "what difference does it make" and walk away from the mic.

JonBerg said...

CI,

I'm not a big Christie fan either. I was, simply, comparing and contrasting him to someone who has: no rectitude, no ethics, no compassion and no other redeeming qualities, whatsoever; as well as to identify the likely level of voters where she will garner the most support!

Constitutional Insurgent said...

JB, understood. your statement merely raised a great *ahem* "teaching moment" akin to what Liberals like to use.

He's still the ONLY GOP contender that I would have hoped to be be blunt. I get it that he could very well have not known about the e-mail.....but it could have been parlayed into some political capitol.

Ed Bonderenka said...

In reply to CI regarding Afghanistan, let me repost a comment I made at Mustang's:
“…where is the U. S. National interest in invading Afghanistan?”
The country that harbored the Taliban?
Saddam had it coming. We could have overlooked his attempt at assasination of our president, or his attempts at WMD, but overlook the nation that harbored the architects of 9/11?
What am I missing here?

Liberalmann said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Constitutional Insurgent said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Constitutional Insurgent said...

Ed - "The country that harbored the Taliban?"

The Quetta Shura Taliban pose [and posed] no national security risk to the US. 9/11 was planned more in Hamburg than in Kabul; and we have violated every tenet of our own counter-insurgency doctrine in AFG.

Likewise for Saddam. We removed a somewhat controllable tyrant who tolerated religious freedom, and replaced him who a pro-Iranian regime who decidedly does not.

Ed Bonderenka said...

Perhaps I was not clear enough.
Afghanistan was controlled by the Taliban who harbored AQ.
Someone had to pay.
We weren't going to invade Germany.
AQ as a force was located and harbored in Afghanistan.
Saddam attempted murdering a US president.
I guess that should go unpunished.

Anonymous said...

Z of GEEEEZ:

Imp; so true about the amount of coverage of Christie.
DO you know Yahoo Homepage headlined the Gates book for ONE DAY and the headline's gone?
ANY Republican problem is there for DAYS AND DAYS..the smallest 'scandal', I swear.

CI, I'm with you on Christie and I WISH he'd said something like I said above in a comment or your "BIG DEAL....what's the BIG DEAL? I'm outta here.."

Also, folks; I have another question:
NOBODY ASKED WHY THOSE OFFRAMPS WERE CLOSED? REALLY? NOBODY SAID 'HEY, LET'S LOOK INTO THIS' AT THE TIME? really? WEIRD. if it was so unusual and such a pain in the patoot to have those onramps/offramps shut, then why wasn't there an investigation? It was 3 DAYS, wasn't it?

Constitutional Insurgent said...

Ed - "Perhaps I was not clear enough.
Afghanistan was controlled by the Taliban who harbored AQ."

No, I'm with you on enacting justice and vengeance on the Taliban. Where I may diverge is the near-perpetual occupation and nation-building experiment in AFG, and the complete distraction of invading Iraq before we were anywhere close to eradicating al Qaeda.

There are far more effective ways to punish a nation-state than the bloodletting our Brothers and drain on our treasury.

Constitutional Insurgent said...

Z - I would opine that the Yahoo news page is really no better than the Enquirer, and should not be taken as a serious news portal.

Ed Bonderenka said...

On that wea agree. Both comments :)

Impertinent said...

@Ducky:

"slamming a relatively minor figure like Biden.."


Relax duck...he's a damn idiot and you know it...and he's just as much an idiot as Agnew, Quale, Ford or Rockefeller was in their time. Biden is an embarrassment for God's sake. And no sacred cow. OK?

Impertinent said...

@Ducky:

"This could seriously hurt his candidacy,,,"


It looks like a plus to me. Let him ask that pant suit the same question...can you fess up and admit you lied?

Impertinent said...

"to hear him simply say "what difference does it make"..."


And I think he has the balls to do it too.

Waylon said...

I don't have any great desire to read the book. I've never been a great fan of Robert Gates.

However I have noticed one issue that seems to be dragged out to denigrate Gates for his disputes with Biden. The issue predates the Obama administration and involves Mikhail Gorbachev and his 'glasnost' initiative. The major MSM are weighing in asserting that Gates was dead wrong in his suspicions and warnings to Western leaders, especially Reagan, about the real intent of Gorbachev's glasnost initiative.

This is a quotation directly from the horse's mouth, Mikhail Gorbachev:

" “Gentlemen, comrades, do not be concerned about all you hear about glasnost and perestroika and democracy in the coming years. These are primarily for outward consumption. There will be no significant change in the Soviet Union, other than for cosmetic purposes. Our aim is to disarm the Americans and let them fall asleep.”

That seems to have worked charmingly. It got Mr. Gorbachev installed into some pretty fancy San Francisco digs—The Presidio. Likely a direct cost to the American taxpayer.

Happy Birthday to YOU, Z!

Impertinent said...

@Z:

" I am SO wishing that, at the end, he'd look at the audience, take a deep breath, and add.."

Not so long as that little prick in the WH can hold back FEMA funds for over a year for people in Jersey still trying to recover...and in some parts of Staten Island they're still living in gov't hotels.

Impertinent said...

@Z:


"NOBODY ASKED WHY THOSE OFFRAMPS WERE CLOSED?.."

Z...that would mean independent thinking and going against the powers of NE dictators. they know better than to demand their constitutional rights in a state that has long denied them to the population....and a society that put's limits on how much soda you can drink. Thoroughly fascist and corrupt.

They just follow orders...period.

Impertinent said...

"no better than the Enquirer.."


Except that the Enquirer gets it right most of the times. Yahoo? Not unless it fits with their anti US, freedom views.

Waylon said...

I came across this article written in the Canada Free Press from November 2006 that shows there's way more beneath the surface of the attacks on Gates for his book and curiously why the big guns in the media are weighing in heavily on the issue of Gates being very wrong about Mikhail Gorbachev.

It involves the likes of Nancy Pelosi and having her hands all over the San Fransisco real estate market and her assistance in obtaining the prestigious lodgings of the Presidio for Gorbachev.

" In a speech entitled “From Swords to Plowshares, delivered in the House of Representatives on June 4, 1992, Pelosi cheered the arrival of Gorbachev to the Presidio as a tenant.

“The National Park Service is actively seeking ideas for programs and tenants at this spectacular site. Last month, former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev visited the presidio to propose that the Gorbachev Foundation/use be located at the Presidio when the army leaves. In his words, “it is wonderful and symbolic that a military base is being converted for use by the people'.

“As the cold war ends,” Pelosi continued, “it is, indeed, fitting that this army garrison--one of the oldest in the United States--will be transformed to a monument to peace, environmental preservation and recreation as a global park.”

Less than a year after Pelosi's fawning words, Gorbachev and his American pre-funded $3.5-million Gorbachev Foundation moved into new a white, shingled bayfront house at the historic Presidio overlooking the Golden Bridge.

Next, avowed Communist Gorbachev brought his State of the Art Forum to the Presidio.

Co-chairs of the forum include pretend Republican James Baker 111. Baker served in the Reagan Administration as Treasury Secretary.

The politically avant-garde poo-pooh detractors who point out that Gorbachev has never renounced communism.

In 1989, Gorbachev told the Politburo: “Gentlemen, comrades, do not be concerned about all you hear about glasnost and perestroika and democracy in the coming years. These are primarily for outward consumption. There will be no significant change within the Soviet Union, other than for cosmetic purposes. Our aim is to disarm the Americans and let them fall asleep.”

http://www.canadafreepress.com/2006/ans-cover-news111506.htm

Impertinent said...

Christy should have blamed some video. Thus far, it has worked for Cankles.

Kid said...

Z, I tried to get dennis rodman to come and sing for your Birthday but he said he had 'very compricated and detaired prans' and couldn't make it.

Impertinent said...

@Kid:


You actually understood the ignorant POS without an interpreter? That mush mouth drunken ass hat?

Impertinent said...

Rodman makes rearend Al look like a high school graduate...

Kid said...

IMP, christie had zero chance even without this latest.

Well, rodman was being quoted by the worf britzer of N Korea, so I was fortunate to not have to try to understand the audio.

Impertinent said...

@Kid:


Doesn't matter much...even if the clown was sober....we'd never understand him anyway. Ebonics and no vowels, ya know?

Kid said...

IMP, true. Remember when they put Magic Johnson in as a commentator once?

Mustang said...

This is great

Z said...

Mustang, that is one of THE funniest videos EVER............he is SO GOOD!
Thanks!

xx

Jen said...

Happy Birthday my friend!! Xoxo

Liberalmann said...

Gates was a Bush cronie who along with the rest of his administration did absolutely everything wrong and without much thought.