COLLECTIVE MADNESS


“Soft despotism is a term coined by Alexis de Tocqueville describing the state into which a country overrun by "a network of small complicated rules" might degrade. Soft despotism is different from despotism (also called 'hard despotism') in the sense that it is not obvious to the people."

Thursday, January 31, 2013

If former Senator Chuck Hagel, who will be heading to confirmation hearings on Thursday, is confirmed, he will become the first former enlisted soldier to lead the Pentagon. As a young man, he served as a sergeant, a noncommissioned officer with the infantry in Vietnam, earning two Purple Hearts and the coveted Combat Infantryman Badge.






59 comments:

  1. Truth hurts even if its the jews or those that support Israel that says it..

    ReplyDelete
  2. The RATE at which you post things that concern Israel and Jews is amazing.

    Israel is .2% of the world's population and yet that seems to be the only issue that concerns you (in a bash israel/jews way)

    No posts on Mali, the Congo, Sudan, Syria/Rebels, Russia's new involvement in the Middle East, QE infinity, Immigration, Gay marriage, States going bankrupt...

    ReplyDelete
  3. Israel to day has attacked Syria in an effort to drag the US into a war with Iran. Excuse me for noticing and objecting.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hardly,

      Israel today, in it's own interests stopped the transfer of sa17's to hezbollah

      How that concerns America? 6000 miles away? who knows.

      Obama was withdrawn our carriers, has excused 22 nations from sanctions with Iran and has not lifted a finger to stop Iran in Lebanon, Syria, the Sinai or anywhere else for that matter. Iran KNOWS Obama supports them hardly is concerned about being "dragged" into war.

      Delete
  4. Hagel will just do Barky's bidding.

    Iran will get its bomb, unless Israel intervenes.

    In which case, I think a truly great case can be made that they are defending the west.

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  5. Oops, it's gone again, my innocuous comment.

    Truly the hand of Almighty God is at work here.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hagel will be a good, bi-partisan choice. Obama reaching out to the GOP.

    Good. Deal, all around.

    As to Israel and abortion, Q. The reasoning is simple.

    The greatest threat to Israel, is Israelis.
    They kill far more of their own than the Islamoids ever have or proboly will.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. But rat's logic the greatest threat to most west nations is abortion.

      but at last check, abortion is legal, murder is not. Oh that's right, you have opinions that if you are not caught it's not really a crime...

      Delete
  7. Just about every intelligent open-minded commenter has left and what is left is span. If comments are not on topic or well thought out and of interest, the comments will be turned off on that post.

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  8. Comments that I think are repetive, boring and insulting will be removed.

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  9. It is not insulting to point out that it was not I, but JihadWatch that made the comment.

    I agree with - Thu Jan 31, 12:06:00 PM EST

    ReplyDelete
  10. Kudlow’s site was trashed by a few and he simply ended all comments.

    ReplyDelete
  11. BC the same.

    The question is who is really doing the trashing.

    In short, I feel that

    Obama is a disaster.
    Hillary has been a disaster.
    Kerry will be a disaster.
    Hagel will be a disaster.

    What to say, really.

    And I am going to see D. who is in a very bad way.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. What more to say, really.

      Opinions differ.

      Kerry is a decorated 'war hero' too and no one seems to feel that makes him qualified.

      Obama and Hillary are not, and many people think that doesn't make them unqualified.

      Delete
  12. DEFENSE NOMINEE: Iran 'elected, legitimate government'...

    Stumbles on 'containment'...

    'Hearing a disaster'...drudge


    Clicking on 'Hearing a disaster' the nearly unanimous opinion is Hagel comes over like a fool.

    Though it seems Iran has endorsed Hagel.

    D. was being discharged just as I showed up so I took him home. His opinion was, and he is a veteran, anybody who would work for that communist bastard must be a bastard, too.








    D. discharged.

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  13. I have no problem with Hagel. But him being a veteran (draftee) has no bearing on my opinion of him.

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  14. If Hagel thinks Iran has a fairly elected representative government he is out of touch with reality.

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    Replies
    1. Clarification:

      http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/339390/hagel-irans-government-elected-and-legitimate-andrew-stiles

      UPDATE: Asked by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D., N.Y.) to clarify his remarks, Hagel said he did not mean to say Iran was a “legitimate” government per se, but rather a “recognized” entity — a member of the United Nations, for example. “That’s what I should have said,” Hagel told Gillibrand.

      Being fair to all concerned.

      Delete
    2. Further fairness -

      “Given that Iran, the people — I’m quoting right now from Iran — people of the Middle East, the Muslim region and North Africa, people of these regions hate America from the bottom of their heart,” said Inhofe. “It further said Israel is a cancerous tumor in the heart of the Islamic world. They further said Iran’s warriors are ready and willing to wipe Israel off the map. The question I’d like to ask you, and you can answer for the record if you’d like, why do you think the Iranian foreign ministry so strongly supports your nomination to be the Secretary of Defense?”

      Hagel responded, “I have a difficult enough time with American politics, Senator. I have no idea, but thank you. And I’ll be glad to respond further for the record.”


      http://hotair.com/archives/2013/01/31/video-mccain-goes-after-hagel-on-the-surge/

      Delete
  15. .

    I feel the same, Gag.

    He's Obama's pick and I don't see a reason to try to deny it. Obama picked him because Hagel's his views mesh with his own. If there are differences, it will be the presidents views that prevail. It would be the same regardless of who Obama picked. I would think his success or failure will be judged on how well he is able to manage the decrease in military spending that is inevitible.

    Gates, IMO, was the only decent SOD we have seen in some time and there are many who question some of his calls.

    .

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. .

      The SOD doesn't set foreign policy, he deals with it, and history is the judge as to how successful he is, not guys like Lindsay Graham or John McCain.

      .

      Delete
  16. It doesn't matter at all. Barky calls the shots. If not Hagel some other.

    Here though is a lady from the Washington Post who does think it matters -

    http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/right-turn/wp/2013/01/30/the-best-argument-against-chuck-hagel-his-2009-speech/?hpid=z3

    Aside from the falsehoods, extreme statements and platitudes, one is struck by the absolute absence of any smart, cogent thinking or any sound judgment about events in the region. Why in the world would he be considered fit for the job of secretary of defense? And what guarantee do any of the senators have that once in office he won’t revert to the views he propounded so frequently and openly as he did in his 2009 speech? This nomination is not even a close call for those who see their role as more than a rubber stamp for a president who thinks Hagel is a foreign-policy guru.

    "Why in the world would he be considered fit for the job of secretary of defense?"

    Medals on the chest, of course, which he didn't throw away like John Kerry who accused all Vietnam vets of acting like Genghis Khan.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. .

      Before I even look at the link, based on the fact that you say it's from a lady, I would guess the quote is from Jennifer Rubin.

      .

      Delete
    2. .

      As I suspected.

      I notice those most opposed to Hagel's nomination are the same people who initially supported/continue to support over a decade of ineffectual (some would say detrimental) foreign policy by the US.

      .

      Delete
    3. A name like Rubin is suspicious.

      Delete
    4. I'm neither pro or anti Hegal really. I am just chopping away at the idea that medals or military experience mean something as for being S of D.

      He will make as good a hat rack as any.

      Delete
    5. McCain for Sec of Defense.
      AND
      Immigration Czar.

      Delete
    6. .

      A name like Rubin is suspicious.



      Definition of SUSPECT

      transitive verb

      1

      : to imagine (one) to be guilty or culpable on slight evidence or without proof [suspect him of giving false information]


      2

      : to have doubts of : distrust [suspects her motives]


      3

      : to imagine to exist or be true, likely, or probable [I suspect he's right]

      intransitive verb


      : to imagine something to be true or likely




      Definition of SUSPICIOUS

      adj.



      : tending to arouse suspicion : questionable [suspicious characters]




      I would normally assume that a person who claims an English major would have a grasp of vocabulary rounded enough to encompass the full range of the various meanings of specific words; however, given your acute hypersensity involving all things Jewish I should have recognized your deficiencies in this particlar instance.

      Let me amend my statement to: As I figured.

      Hopefully, this will assuage your delicate sensibilities.

      .

      Delete
    7. Amendment accepted.

      Look here Quirk -

      But these words aside, he did nothing to answer whether he thought Israel’s friends have a disproportionate influence on the United States or whether its actions resulted in bad policy. Indeed, his silence on that point and his inability to cite a single member of Congress who had been intimidated or a single stupid policy enacted as a result of such pressure showed just how vicious and insulting that remark was. It also made it clear that despite his constant reiteration of his support for Israel and its qualitative military edge, he had not really changed his extreme views about the Middle East.

      http://www.commentarymagazine.com/2013/01/31/chuck-hagel-stumbles-his-way-through-hearing/

      As I suspected, Hagel is just an ill mannered prejudiced hay seed from Nebraska.

      Delete
    8. .

      Not sure where you get the ill-mannered from; however, it is obvious he is playing the political game as do all of these nominees, trying to cover up for not necessarily untrue but rather unpolitic statements thy have made in the past.

      That he lacks the courage to defend his actual views is an indictment of his character. What's new?

      The statement,

      Indeed, his silence on that point and his inability to cite a single member of Congress who had been intimidated or a single stupid policy enacted as a result of such pressure showed just how vicious and insulting that remark was.

      childish prattle.

      What member of Congress would admit to being intimidated by the Jewish lobby. Which of the numerous stupid policies that have been inacted can be proven to be the sole result of Jewish pressure. Get real.

      That you would direct this post to me? Passing strange as I am still Quirk of the "They are all dicks" meme.

      .

      Delete
  17. He did that stuff on the carrier deck, and got beat to shit by the Commies.

    Must be w/o fault, like me, also a Vet.

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  18. Also, I nominate everyone in the MSM and POTUS Barry for the encourage a copycat school shooter of the year trophy.

    Funny how Barry only cares about ONE of the nearly forty black folk murdered this month in his hometown.

    Not REALLY funny, but funny.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. A 15 year old black girl that had sung in a choir at Obama's inauguration was gunned down in Chicago about two days ago, at a bus stop, along with some others.

      Delete
  19. Senators Shocked At How Bad Hagel Came Across



    Buck McKeon / AP
    Rep. McKeon Opposes Hagel
    Sen. Roy Blunt / AP
    No Confirmation, No Paycheck
    Timothy Collins / Wikimedia Commons
    Twinkie-Killer Donates To Dem Super PAC

    CNN: Senators ‘Shocked’ at How Ill-Prepared Hagel Is

    BY: Washington Free Beacon Staff
    January 31, 2013 4:34 pm

    CNN’s Dana Bash reports there is “disbelief” among senators about the weak performance given by defense secretary nominee Chuck Hagel at his Thursday confirmation hearing.

    See Hagel’s seven worst moments of the first round of hearings here.

    http://freebeacon.com/cnn-senators-shocked-at-how-ill-prepared-hagel-is/

    See video report from Senate floor concerning shocked and disbelieving Senators.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. One Senator is reported to have been 'shaking his head in disbelief'.

      Delete
    2. And you just know that if Wolf Blitzer and CNN are reporting this, things were damned bad.

      Delete
    3. If they don't confirm Hagel, maybe Mike Dukakus will take the tasking.

      Bob Kerry? Navy SEAL, or even better that Wisconso Governor, the ever balding Jesse Ventura who also was a SEAL.

      Jesse could over watch the downsizing of DoD.

      Not likely to happen, Hagel will be confirmrd.

      Delete
    4. Jesse's a lot more entertaining than Chuck.

      Delete
    5. A lot more entertaining, but does he have the ability to suck up to the necessary degree? Doubt it.

      Delete
    6. .

      I'm sure 'entertaining' is somewhere on that job description for SoD.

      .

      Delete
    7. Maybe, maybe not, but sucking up is, under Barky.

      Delete
  20. Paul got 19 (all GOP) votes for his bill not to send F-16's and tanks to our Democratic ally, Egypt.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Illegals will immediately get Obamacare via the immigration bill.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They deserve it, not having worked for it. After all, we didn't build this country, somebody else did, and somebody else brought us here too.

      Therefore, none of us can be called squatters, somebody else done brung us here.

      In Las Vegas, President Obama reminded most American citizens that they were descended from immigrants themselves. Obama warned that the issue was an emotional one, but that it was important for Americans to not view it as “us versus them.” “It’s really important to remember our history,” Obama continued. “Unless you were one of the first Americans, a Native American, you came from someplace else, somebody brought you,” he said.

      As a descendant of Solutreans, this whole topic pisses me off.

      Delete
    2. .

      “Unless you were one of the first Americans, a Native American, you came from someplace else, somebody brought you,” he said.

      What nonsense.

      Tell it to my parents, one born in Michigan and one in Tennessee, or their parents, all born in the US.

      .

      Delete
    3. But, as was well said, no one knows for sure where Barky came from.

      Delete
  22. I always said the best course was to 'Regularize' those illegals in the country. Providing them a legal avenue that did not lead to citizenship.

    Instead no reform was made, when the opportunity presented itself during GWB's tenure. Now we will put all of those undocumented visitors residency AND a Pathway to Citizenship.

    Once again the 'Right' refuses to accept victory, choosing losing big rather than winning at small ball.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yep.

      Egghead Hewitt thinks it's better than the bracero program.

      Also thinks illegals have nothing to do with unemployed citizens.
      "...unemployement is all Barry's fault."
      He knows as much about the Central Valley as I do about Harvard.

      The state was hiring drywall contractors who hired illegals back when I was building houses.

      Delete
  23. Obama doing Vogue profile shoot at WH today.

    Will a skeet shooting shotgun be in the pictures?

    ReplyDelete
  24. Mike Duke would be my pick for SOD.

    ReplyDelete
  25. As far as Hagel is concerned, who cares how he responds to a bunch of "gotcha" questions from all those jack asses

    ReplyDelete
  26. Had to look Mike Duke up. Well, if you can run Wal-Mart, you can run the Defense Department. He would be taking a cut in pay, though.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Not really Presidential material though. Too competent. And would he be willing to pose and preen for Vogue?

      Delete
    2. A funny looking moron with big ears can simultaneously be
      a handsome genius.

      In Liberalland.

      Delete
  27. Animals
    What Fish Think About
    Jan 31, 2013 12:00 PM ET // by Jennifer Viegas

    Scientists have just observed a thought swimming through the brain of a live fish, and that thought concerned getting something good to eat.

    Well, duh, I could have told them.

    http://news.discovery.com/animals/what-fish-think-about-130131.htm#mkcpgn=rssnws1


    Video of fish thinking: Royal Coachman!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Scientists have just observed a thought swimming through the brain of a live fish.......but can they observe a thought swimming through the brain of a dead fish?

      Delete
  28. New E-Mail from Sunny!

    http://houseofsunny.tv/2013/01/31/you-know-im-right-my-new-podcast-yall/

    ReplyDelete