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Iran, Uranium and Flimflam Florio

Posted by halthouse1 on Wednesday, October 28, 2009 6:23:01 AM
From The Political Commentator Keep Giving Iran More Time, The Only Result Will Be More Time Lost
As could have been expected and predicted, Iran, given and apparently accepting the structure of a deal by the United Nations to ship its enriched uranium to France and Russia, is once again making a mockery out of the international community. This past Friday they missed the deadline to respond to the draft proposal drawn up by the IAEA, and today was quoted by a news source as saying that while they agree in principle to the framework, they want very "important" changes made to it. Iran says that they will let the world know what the changes are within 48 hours. Like a parent who gives warning after warning and threat after threat to the disobedient child, Iran puts little if any credence in the resolve of the countries involved to actually back up any tough rhetoric with substantive action. As the perfect example, this was what the Foreign Minster of France had to say regarding these new stall tactics: "We have been waiting for light at the end of the tunnel for almost three years. We will wait until we decide that enough is enough and that the process is exhausted," ... "One day it will be too late." That is a very open ended statement, and one which would lead anyone reading, particularly the leaders of Iran, to think that there is time plenty of time for more games and deceptions. The only action, unfortunately, that will hold any weight is that of military action.  Anything else is merely a killer of time leading up to the inevitable, all the while Iran goes on about it's merry way. Sanctions and diplomacy are merely a way of giving this country more time to do what it is that it wants to do. For starters, as articulated by its leader, Iran would like to blow Israel out of existence.  The enablers around the world, posing as leaders, need to take a stand.
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D-Day plus 65: Never Forget!

Posted by halthouse1 on Saturday, June 06, 2009 10:56:24 AM
The Political and Financial Markets Commentator (http://politicsandfinance.blogspot.com)
 

Saturday, June 6, 2009

D-Day plus 65: Never Forget!

Sixty Five Years Later, We Honor and Remember

From the hell on the beaches at Normandy and beyond on June 6, 1944, the beginning of the end of the Third Reich commenced. Had the invasion not succeeded, the fate and future of Europe and the world beyond would have been in great jeopardy.

D-Day by Zak McConnell

Watching the ceremony from Normandy today, listening to the spoken words and viewing the row upon row of heroes in their eternal resting places, imagining the horror faced by the soldiers that the picture above can't even begin to describe, seeing the beach and the waves today that were churning in heavy seas that day and the cliffs that hid German artillery and snipers, I can only thank these men who faced what I will most likely never face, and who acted with a level of bravery and courage that I can only hope that I would be able to match under the same circumstances.

As the years go by and fewer and fewer men and women remain who took part in D-Day, the liberation of France, of Europe and in the defeat of the Japanese, those who saved the world from madmen and regimes bent on world control and destruction, Thank You and God bless.

D-Day Cemetery Sphere: Related Content
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Pakistan, the Taliban and Islamabad: Is Anyone Out There?

Posted by halthouse1 on Friday, April 24, 2009 7:04:22 AM
The Political and Financial Markets Commentator (http://politicsandfinance.blogspot.com/2009/04/pakistan-taliban-and-islamabad-is.html), Mike Haltman
 

Friday, April 24, 2009

Pakistan, the Taliban and Islamabad: Is Anyone Out There?

Beating a Dead Horse

If I am getting tired of talking about the same thing, then people must be getting tired about reading about the same thing. This situation was once a dangerous thought, then a dangerous development, and now it is seemingly an extremely dangerous reality.

Slowly but surely, as discussed in this blog ad infinitum, the Taliban is moving towards Islamabad and a de facto takeover of the government of Pakistan. Much like Hitler was appeased by France, the UK and the Soviet Union in the 1930's when he was allowed to take Czechoslovakia, the Taliban has been appeased but does not seem satisfied by what they were given either.

What will be the result if there is a full takeover of Pakistan by the Taliban, and more importantly the weapons that Pakistan controls. The world, as the saying goes, will be up a very brown creek without a paddle. There have been questions all along regarding the current government of Pakistan in terms of it's allegiances, and that is who we are counting on to put down this dangerous, dangerous situation.

What are the world leaders saying:

- After Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton told lawmakers in Washington on Wednesday that the Pakistani government was "basically abdicating to the Taliban and the extremists," Islamabad has seen a flurry of diplomatic activity.

Huh? Any thoughts on how to diffuse the situation Madame Secretary, or do we just go with the flow on this one?

- German Chancellor Angela Merkel called Prime Minister Gillani to express her concern. And Western diplomats met with Pakistani lawmakers throughout the day to assess the government's likely response to the threat.

Really? Is that making anyone feel better?

- This is what the Taliban had to say:

"Taliban fighters from the nearby Swat Valley have infiltrated the area in recent days, emboldened by a government-sanctioned peace deal allowing them to enforce Sharia, or Islamic law, in the valley, a onetime tourist paradise.

Prime Minister Yusaf Raza Gillani told reporters in Islamabad on Thursday that the government would see to it that the peace agreement isn't violated. "The government will not allow anyone to challenge the government," he said in a statement.

But in Buner, the Taliban remained largely in control despite the stepped-up paramilitary presence.

"We will not leave the area," a Taliban commander, Mufti Bashir, told local journalists.

Map locates the Buner region

Since entering Buner from Swat, the Taliban has reportedly set up checkpoints, begun patrolling roads and ordered barbershops to stop shaving beards, which are favored by Islamic militants. The moves have prompted some residents to flee..." (LA Times)

President Obama, I don't want to be an alarmist here, but what are the plans besides calling the Prime Minister and voicing our concern, or going to United Nations demanding this to stop.

This is the Taliban that does not answer to any international voice, and if this development that could turn disastrous for us all is not stopped and stopped now, your health care plan and the rest of your socialist agenda could be rendered moot. Sphere: Related Content
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Somali Pirates Go American Because They Think They Can!

Posted by halthouse1 on Thursday, April 09, 2009 6:00:00 AM
From The Political and Financial Markets Commentator at http://politicsandfinance.blogspot.com
 

Thursday, April 9, 2009

Somali Pirates Go American Because They Think They Can!

An American Flagged Cargo Ship Is Attacked By Somali Pirates

I am going to try and not turn this discussion into a commentary on the world's perception of the strength and resolve of the United States under the Obama administration. Okay, I tried and then I tried again, but I just couldn't do it. The fact of the matter is that other country's or even pirates would typically think long and hard before attacking an American flagged vessel. And then not do it. Why? The real and frightening potential for swift and harsh action.

Armed Somali pilots who are seizing ships in the Gulf of Aden. Dozens of vessels have been attacked over the last several months prompting US/NATO involvement in the region.

The fact is that every action typically has some reaction. The Somali pirates must have thought about it, discussed it among themselves and come to the determination that there was really not that much to fear. They, like others, seem to have figured out that President Obama is a great speaker (most of the time particularly in front of a teleprompter), but that his bark seems to worse than his bite.

If we look at recent events such as the blatant disregard of the warnings to North Korea not to test fire a missile, at the same time President Obama was overseas on a meet and greet tour specifically discussing nuclear disarmament, a fear of any retribution obviously did not exist.

Not to pick on any of our allies, but let's use France as an example of a country that would be considered a likely choice to give in to terrorists quickly and easily. The United States would now appear to be viewed in the same way.

I would like to take this opportunity to say to President Obama that he needs to observe what is going on around him and take it all in. Nobody is saying that establishing a stronger, more friendly relationship with our allies is not a good thing. Having more open communications with them is great as well.

But at the end of the day, when push comes to shove and military force has to be used, who will be the leader if not the only participant. That would be the United States.

My suggestion therefore is not to be afraid to be tough and firm because you don't want to be called another George Bush or of possibly angering our allies. You need at the very least to create the perception and belief that you are a man of your word and are willing to back up what you say with action. Not a provocateur, but strong.

You are not in office to make friends. You are in office to protect the American people and advance our interests and if in the process you improve our relations around the world then that would be a bonus.

Remember that there is a fine line between being a good ally and becoming weak and vulnerable. Observe the actions of those that would like to do us harm, and as much as the Democrats ridicule the last 8 years, consider the fact that we have been terror free. Do not give in to the temptation to use the United Nations as our voice, guide and decision maker.
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Israel: The Subject Of Another Biased U.N. Resolution

Posted by halthouse1 on Saturday, January 17, 2009 9:52:43 AM
Reprinted from The Political and Financial Markets Commentator at http://politicsandfinance.blogspot.com
 

Saturday, January 10, 2009

Israel: The Subject Of Another Biased U.N. Resolution

 United Nations Security Council Resolution 1860

“Reaffirming the right of all States in the region to live in peace within secure and internationally recognized borders,

“5. Condemns all violence and hostilities directed against civilians and all acts of terrorism"

These are just two of the points in the resolution, and to read it in this context it sounds as if it is very high in purpose and intention. The problem, as with all of the work that comes out of the United Nations, is that it is completely, 100% skewed against Israel and completely, 100% pro-Palestinian.

Pain and Suffering Of The Palestinian People

First and foremost, the pain and suffering being endured by the innocent civilians of Gaza is a tragedy, plain and simple. No one believes that more than Israel who is a provider of humanitarian aid to these civilians.

The problem with the U.N. and most governments and media outlets around the world, beyond the blatant ant-Israeli bias, is that no one is placing any of the blame for the need to invade Gaza where it belongs. Squarely on the head of Hamas. There is absolutely no consideration given to the barrage of missile attacks that Israel lives under, and the number of years it has been going on with no real level of retaliation by the Israelis'.

Trying To Find The U.N. Resolution Pertaining To The Missile Firings on Israel

Can't find it I guess because there isn't one!

All of the horror and indignation pointed at Israel for defending itself has been no where to be found over the past 7 years as a reported 6000 missiles have been fired indiscriminately into Israel.

First with short range missiles, and now with a longer range missile capability that Hamas is getting from someplace and someone. No thought is given by Hamas as to who might be at the other end when they are fired, unless the thought is to kill as many innocents as possible.

United Nations, where is your Resolution on this one? Would it get the same 14 votes in favor if it were ever drafted?

Now apparently Hamas has a complex series of tunnels through which these missiles and weapons are brought into Gaza.

Apparently they have no problem storing these weapons in civilian neighborhoods, schools and anywhere else the collateral damage will be the greatest!

This is the goal for Hamas. Damn the casualties of its' own people. To them it is all a public relations war and let the civilian casualties be damned.

As I have said previously, take the names and identities out of the equation and then determine if ABC Land (aka Israel) has the right to defend its' sovereign borders against an enemy that fires missiles at its' citizens with no provocation other than a hatred that has been in existence for a very long time.

I defy any other country on earth, including the 14 on the Security Council who voted for Resolution 1860, to put themselves in the position of Israel and say that their method of dealing with these attacks on its' citizens would simply turn the other cheek and let the U.N. handle things (except maybe France. Sorry France).

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