Pre-Natal Redline

(Image by Eric Allie)

After leaving the mudslide area in WA State, Obama toured several Asian nations that are still considered allies--so far.  One of the purposes of this Pacific Jaunt was to reassure jittery allies that we've got their back if China decides to "go all Crimea" on any of them.

But Our Dear Leader is a politician and a leftist one at that.  So of course he had to add this bit o' newspeak:  "The treaty between the U.S. and Japan preceded my birth, so obviously this isn't the red line I'm drawing..."

(Possible translation:  "I'd love to side with my communist brethren behind the Great Wall on this one, but hey, my hands are tied").

Comrade Karla felt Obama was telling Japan--you're on your own.

A a short discussion then ensued:

That is a fatlly flawed article - how does our NATO obligations cover the Senkakus?!?

I am less irked at POTUS's statement -- he made it clear that we consider the Senkakus covered by our umbrella over Japan.  That's remarkably forthright in laying down a red line (OK, maybe a poor choice of words for this goombah).  I agree that the ultimate DIPLOMATIC resolution is none of our business and we have no dog in the fight, but to say we consider an attack on the Senkakus an attack on Japan is pretty strong for this diplo-loser president

Part of me thinks he’s trying to be as incoherent as possible so that later any “interpretation” desired can be put on past statements.

Yes -- he's a little gun shy at the term "red line" given his past stupidity.  And, I agree -- it's pretty weaselly and chicken-sh** to say "it's not my deal but I guess I'm stuck with it."

Meanwhile, the AP points out that while the U.S. is drawing down, China's splurging.

Maybe my wargaming buddies and I should be playing the new--and eerily timely--game Breaking the Chains: War in the South China Sea.

Well, no matter what the next several years bring, I'm sure the Obama acolytes will be too busy devoting themselves to the Dear Leader Library to care about what happens half-a-world away.

(Image by Glenn McCoy)

I'm sure the section the Tea Party, Republicans, and Conservatives will be chock-full of books.

Empty Rhetoric and Dissappearance of Will

(Image by Bob Gorrell)

Yesterday, Obama visited the site of last month's landslide.  He spoke words of praise and comfort to everyone affected by, or involved in, the disaster.

But otherwise, Our Dear Leader's words, like "...you can keep your doctor. Period..." leave much to be desired.  So much so, that a couple of commentators have referred to Obama as "The Asterisk President."

And it's not Obama's lies that's getting noticed, especially by adversary nations.  It's the  disappearance of America's will to confront foes abroad.  As Miss Glick points out, this abdication of our world-wide responsibilities isn't limited to leftist politicians, but has also influencing the conservative rank & file.

Washington Landslide Update #8: Presidential Visit

Earlier today, Obama visited Oso and talked with families, victims and first responders.

The Washington State Emergency Operations Center (OEC) is still activated at Phase-III (full activation).

Last I heard, we've recovered all but one missing person. 

This is the longest activation most of us have been involved in.  One of my older coworkers remembers only one other activation being longer--the 9/11 attack.

Recontaining Russia

(Image by Michael Ramirez)

Apparently, the White House is gearing-up for a "Cold War Lite" against Putin's Russia.

(Image by Bob Gorrell)

Comrade Karla wondered if the "grown up" faction in the White House is trying to assert itself.

This may be true, but I also think there's a certain amount of "Jilted Lover Syndrome" involved.

(Image by Michael Ramirez)

Happy Easter!

Tardy "Abandon Ship" Order

(Image from FOX News)

Yesterday, tragedy struck South Korea when The Sewol,  a ferry carrying 475 people, 325 of them high school students, capsized and sank. 

(Image from Naples News)

It's now being reported that the abandon ship order was given too late.



 

 

It's sad--and eerie--that a similar delay in getting passengers to safety occurred 102 years and two days ago.

 

Silence About Stabbing Spree

(Image from USA Today)

A week ago, 16 year old Alex Hribal went on a stabbing spree in his high school near Pittsburgh, PA. 

Fortunately none of his fellow students were killed during his rampage.  I was on duty at the time and I noticed that media coverage wasn't overwhelming--like it would have been if a gun

I didn't write about this incident back then, because I'm a "one-man station."  The "buzz-worthy" story of the day was Kathleen Sebelius' resignation.  Also, not all the facts were in at the time, and I wanted to see how this story unfolded.

But since then--silence.

Earlier today, Our Dear Leader gave a speech at another high school within 30 miles of where their fellow students were knifed and said--nothing.

Apparently, crimes committed with edged weapons--which have been around far longer than firearms--doesn't fit the gun controllers' narrative.

Carjacking--Russian Style

(Image by Gary Varvel)

While many leftists within the Ramparts of Civilization worry about ruffling the feathers of illegal immigrants, gays, Muslims and feminists; the real (maybe-not-so) former commies in Russia continue to stoke the fires of revolt in the Ukraine.

Their latest stunt:  Carjacking Ukrainian armored personnel carriers (APCs). 
Message traffic with my friends was somewhat chaotic this morning as this story unfolded and, as to be expected, there were conflicting reports.

And while Russian troops play a LARP (Live Action Role Playing)-version of Grand Theft Auto, Our Dear Leader has "...vowed repeatedly to enact biting sanctions against Russia's vital economic sectors..."

Meanwhile, closer to the action both sides have been "flexing their muscles" and the Ukrainians managed to take back an airport--for now. 

Austin Bay provides an analytical summary and calls-out the actions of Russian provocateurs.

The Common Theme in "Debates"

(Image by Chip Bok)

The past couple of weeks, I've posted a few stories about attempts to stifle the dissenting opinions among those of us who aren't part of the Great Leftist Collective. 

 

Mark Steyn spells out why this is so dangerous--even for leftists--in his latest article, The Slow Death of Free Speech. 

 

He also posted an intro on his webpage with a humorous image of "The Spectator's" front cover. 

Standoff in the Silver State

(Image by Glenn McCoy)

This past weekend a family of cattle ranchers fended off a band of rustlers from Bureaustan.

I've known for years that the federal government owned just about everything in Nevada outside the city limits of Reno and Las Vegas.  I've never been concerned about this until now.  It looks like the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is following a similar template the National Park Service used during the government shutdown.

While The Diplomad feels this is "all England's fault," I'm just as concerned as Mark Steyn is over the idea that every federal agency seems to have SWAT-equipped paramilitary troops.

The situation doesn't appear to be over either. At least not according to DC city-slicker Harry Reid.

52% Say Taxes Too High

(Image by Steve Breen)

According to the latest Gallup Poll:  52% of Americans think taxes are too high.

I'm surprised this number isn't higher, especially after the on-going IRS "phony scandal"

The concluding line of the article strikes a chord with every taxpayer:  ...all groups seem to recognize the IRS isn't underfunded, either.

Talk about an understatement of bipartisanship. 

(Image by Gary Varvel)