THE PREZ STATE OF THE INION ADDRESS. WHAT I WOULD HAVE SAID

They’re (military) not consumed with personal ambition. They don’t obsess over their differences. They focus on the mission at hand. They work together.
WHAT I WOULD HAVE SAID
Most of the people I am surrounded with are a bunch of self serving assholes who have only their personal interests at heart.
WHAT THE PRESIDENT SAID
The defining issue (middle class values) of our time is how to keep that promise alive. No challenge is more urgent. No debate is more important. We can either settle for a country where a shrinking number of people do really well while a growing number of Americans barely get by, or we can restore an economy where everyone gets a fair shot, and everyone does their fair share, and everyone plays by the same set of rules. What’s at stake aren’t Democratic values or Republican values, but American values. And we have to reclaim them.
WHAT I WOULD HAVE SAID
The Wall Street Tycoons have lined their pockets with big bonuses while ripping off honest people who thought they were playing on a level playing field. The bankers are not far behind. They gave mortgages to those who couldn’t afford them and then foreclosed heartlessly. Their asses should be in jail.
WHAT THE PRESIDENT SAID
In 2008, the house of cards collapsed. We learned that mortgages had been sold to people who couldn’t afford or understand them. Banks had made huge bets and bonuses with other people’s money. Regulators had looked the other way, or didn’t have the authority to stop the bad behavior.
It was wrong. It was irresponsible. And it plunged our economy into a crisis that put millions out of work, saddled us with more debt, and left innocent, hardworking Americans holding the bag. In the six months before I took office, we lost nearly 4 million jobs. And we lost another 4 million before our policies were in full effect.
WHAT I WOULD HAVE SAID
I inherited a f..king mess. Wall Street was selling bundled bullshit for big money, insuring it as they bet against their own creation, while telling their investors s..t. Talk about dishonest reprobates, these f..kers were it. They should be having lunch with Bernie Madoff on a daily basis. Let’s face it the regulators and the rating agencies were in bed with these thieves.
WHAT THE PRESIDENT SAID
The state of our Union is getting stronger. And we’ve come too far to turn back now. As long as I’m President, I will work with anyone in this chamber to build on this momentum. But I intend to fight obstruction with action, and I will oppose any effort to return to the very same policies that brought on this economic crisis in the first place.
WHAT I WOULD HAVE SAID
The same recalcitrant Republicans are back. They are obstructionists, self serving and have dedicated themselves to getting me defeated. So be it but I am going to fight them all the way while I am President. They haven’t had an original idea since I’ve been around. They know one word, “no.” I have nothing against George W. I think he listened to the wrong people but let’s be clear about this, he turned over to me a f..king train wreck. And, I’ve spent most of my three years trying to right the mess I inherited and have gotten nothing from the Republicans but the same old bullshit. Now, I say this emphatically, they can go f..k themselves.
WHAT THE PRESIDENT SAID
We can also spur energy innovation with new incentives. The differences in this chamber may be too deep right now to pass a comprehensive plan to fight climate change. But there’s no reason why Congress shouldn’t at least set a clean energy standard that creates a market for innovation. So far, you haven’t acted. Well, tonight, I will
WHAT I WOULD HAVE SAID
I don’t expect you Republicans to believe in climate change. As usual, you have head up your ass or either stuck in the sand. Climate change is real. The polar cap is melting, weather patterns have gone to hell on a hand basket. You can sit on your hands if you want too but not me. F..king “do nothings.”
WHAT THE PRESIDENT SAID
In the next few weeks, I will sign an executive order clearing away the red tape that slows down too many construction projects. But you need to fund these projects. Take the money we’re no longer spending at war, use half of it to pay down our debt, and use the rest to do some nation-building right here at home.
WHAT I WOULD HAVE SAID
Now is the time to have a FDR new deal. Let’s put fellow Americans to work repairing the nation’s infrastructure. It is time that Republicans quit dragging their feet as usual. The country needs this. It is not some “will of the wisp idea” , let’s get this done. America needs it. Don’t invoke bullshit like the deficit.
WHAT THE PRESIDENT SAID
Millions of innocent Americans saw their home values decline. And while government can’t fix the problem on its own, responsible homeowners shouldn’t have to sit and wait for the housing market to hit bottom to get some relief. And, that’s why I’m sending this Congress a plan that gives every responsible homeowner the chance to save about $3,000 a year on their mortgage, by refinancing at historically low rates. No more red tape. No more runaround from the banks. A small fee on the largest financial institutions will ensure that it won’t add to the deficit and will give those banks that were rescued by taxpayers a chance to repay a deficit of trust.
WHAT I WOULD HAVE SAID
Damn straight, I’m putting a fee on the banks for having aided in the creation of this disaster in the beginning. Plus, we bailed their asses out and so now we expect then to step up to the plate.
WHAT THE PRESIDENT SAID
When it comes to the deficit, we’ve already agreed to more than $2 trillion in cuts and savings. But we need to do more, and that means making choices. Right now, we’re poised to spend nearly $1 trillion more on what was supposed to be a temporary tax break for the wealthiest 2 percent of Americans. Right now, because of loopholes and shelters in the tax code, a quarter of all millionaires pay lower tax rates than millions of middle-class households. Right now, Warren Buffett pays a lower tax rate than his secretary.
WHAT I WOULD HAVE SAID
This is BS to the max that we are going to continue to reward the wealthiest Americans who don’t need rewarding with these tax cuts. What Buffet and these others should have done is voluntarily written a check to pay their fair share. Yeah, I know, “what have I been smoking.”
WHAT THE PRESIDENT SAID

Tax reform should follow the Buffett Rule.  If you make more than $1 million a year, you should not pay less than 30 percent in taxes.  And my Republican friend Tom Coburn is right:  Washington should stop subsidizing millionaires.  In fact, if you’re earning a million dollars a year, you shouldn’t get special tax subsidies or deductions.  On the other hand, if you make under $250,000 a year, like 98 percent of American families, your taxes shouldn’t go up.  You’re the ones struggling with rising costs and stagnant wages.  You’re the ones who need relief.

Now, you can call this class warfare all you want.  But asking a billionaire to pay at least as much as his secretary in taxes?  Most Americans would call that common sense.

We don’t begrudge financial success in this country.  We admire it.  When Americans talk about folks like me paying my fair share of taxes, it’s not because they envy the rich.  It’s because they understand that when I get a tax break I don’t need and the country can’t afford, it either adds to the deficit, or somebody else has to make up the difference — like a senior on a fixed income, or a student trying to get through school, or a family trying to make ends meet.  That’s not right.  Americans know that’s not right.  They know that this generation’s success is only possible because past generations felt a responsibility to each other, and to the future of their country, and they know our way of life will only endure if we feel that same sense of shared responsibility.  That’s how we’ll reduce our deficit.  That’s an America built to last.  
WHAT I WOULD HAVE SAID
Americans who care are not stupid. But, this selfishness bullshit has got to cease. Republicans can put spin on it all they want but I say again, "most of these big buck fat cats wouldn't have what they do if they didn't live in a great country which allowed them to achieve what they have. So, rich folks let's get off your ass and pony up.

WHAT THE PRESIDENT SAID
Now, I recognize that people watching tonight have differing views about taxes and debt, energy and health care.  But no matter what party they belong to, I bet most Americans are thinking the same thing right about now:  Nothing will get done in Washington this year, or next year, or maybe even the year after that, because Washington is broken.

Can you blame them for feeling a little cynical?
WHAT I WOULD HAVE SAID
Damn straight, we don't expect s..t to get done in Washington this year. Mainly because our system is broken. Self interests and politics have replaced what is good for the country. We need a new congress. You might say we need a new president, so be it. I am willing to take that chance but if not, I need some flexible and cooperating team members here. Not some non thinking uncompromising assholes controlled by the tea party, gun lobbyists, or self serving lobbyists in general.

WHAT THE PRESIDENT SAID
I’ve talked tonight about the deficit of trust between Main Street and Wall Street.  But the divide between this city and the rest of the country is at least as bad — and it seems to get worse every year.
Some of this has to do with the corrosive influence of money in politics.  So together, let’s take some steps to fix that.  Send me a bill that bans insider trading by members of Congress; I will sign it tomorrow.  Let’s limit any elected official from owning stocks in industries they impact.  Let’s make sure people who bundle campaign contributions for Congress can’t lobby Congress, and vice versa — an idea that has bipartisan support, at least outside of Washington.
WHAT I WOULD HAVE SAID
Does not anybody here watch SIXTY MINUTES. It is a damn shame that we have to leave it to a TV program to point out how corrupt our Congress is. And, this is across the board. Democrats and Republicans alike. Another example of Congress thinking they don't have to play by the same rules as the rest of us. And, this bullshit of "shooting the messenger" just want hack it. Nancy Pelosi blaming it on seine out to get her. The fact that she and her husband have made millions is beside the point. This s..t has to end.
WHAT THE PRESIDENT SAID
So it is with America.  Each time I look at that flag, I’m reminded that our destiny is stitched together like those 50 stars and those 13 stripes.  No one built this country on their own.  This nation is great because we built it together.  This nation is great because we worked as a team.  This nation is great because we get each other’s backs.  And if we hold fast to that truth, in this moment of trial, there is no challenge too great; no mission too hard.  As long as we are joined in common purpose, as long as we maintain our common resolve, our journey moves forward, and our future is hopeful, and the state of our Union will always be strong.
I WOULD HAVE SAID THE SAME THING

RACE

What is going on with Republicans? Really. The Republican candidates are white. Mitt Romney is the whitest of the white. He conveys a subtle message: starched shirts, pressed Jeans, etc. a Mormon, where only recently can blacks be bishops. Want America the way it use to be: white. I'm your man. Obama got in on a fluke. Most Republicans think Obama got in on a fluke. We had the financial crisis, he got in before the "Mitts" grasped it. I am not so sure Obama will be so lucky this time. There's a hatred out there that is amazing. When Southern Baptists will vote for a Mormon, a womanizer, a hardcore Catholic, there's got to be something. Race. I have been thinking about this for awhile. I don't think any of the 10 chaps are racist but I think we fail to admit that something is amiss here. The President for his part has been much more George W than I would have preferred.

I think that the tea party, the right wing types, those who want us to return to the 1950s will vote. The disenfranchised, the food stamp folks (thank you Newt), maybe the Hispanics will not vote. And, I have serious doubts if Obama will get a second time and to me, that is what should really trouble us.

STATE OF DISUNION

I've heard a lot of discussion, mostly from pundits about tonight's  "State of the Union." It is suppose to be a time when the president "states" where we are as a country and then lays out his coming vision. To me, it is a kind of political theater. The president is meeting and greeting, signing autographs. Making nice with his detractors. Applause, some polite, other more enthusiastic, based on what one supports or doesn't.

Based on the past, the President is a better man than me. I would be calling most all the Republicans sorry ass MFs who don't know the meaning of governing and certainly not of seeking the common good. Our system is broken and we need to throw the bums out. We are not going to do that. Congress has a piss poor approval rating but we love our own reps it seems. How stupid is this! We are being duped right and left. Get this, as an example: A Republican in Washinton in today's political climate, the mantra--"get rid of the president", forget the problems of the country. Assholes!!!!!!

What approach should the President take in his speech? I think first of all, he needs to lose the phrasing, the "American people." It is bullshit that the "American people" are someU entity that he can win over. Many of the so called American people don't give a flying f..k one way or the other. The fact that barely half of eligible Americans vote should tell him something. The President is not going to get anything done in the near future. If he wins the next election which is not certain, then he can tell the Repubs to go f..k themselves but it is not in his nature. I think he personally should just draw the battle lines. When you have a "Speaker of the House" being so disrespectful and Mitch McConnell of the Senate almost as bad, why would you give them the time of day. They should at least respect the Office of the President. If I was a constituent of either of these, I'd be f..king ashamed.

The president should take a page from an advisor to LBJ. What a President has to have according to Walt Rowtow is 60% of the people for him. 25% will be against everything. And, 15% are "out to lunch." With due respect to Walt, in today's political climate, the numbers are probably, President needs 50% for him. 35% are against everything, 15% are still out to lunch (meaning don't care). God bless the President and as the NASCAR guys say, God bless "MERICA."

America's Moral Leader

This is a mystery to me. The only Republican candidates who have had any real ideas are Jon Huntsman and Rick Perry. Huntsman has already gone and Perry is out the door. Huntsman wanted term limits and Perry  to reduce Congress to half salary and part time. Neither one of them got any traction. A mystery. I could understand Iowa Caucasus, people smokin and jokin and New Hampshire is a bunch of Yankees. But, SC, I don't get it. I've listened to some South Carolinians who are going for Newt: really, they are actually voting for Newt because all of us are sinners saved by grace. I've thought for some time that the Republicans have their brains bottled in formaldehyde. This clinches it. Newt., even the Democratic moralist, Bill Clinton, would call Newt a moral pigmy. Takes in his paramour while wife is gone, eating off her dishes and sleeping in her bed. Wants open marriage, an old idea but with a new ideas Newt twist. But, the biggest issue is that he is rivaling the Guv of NJ in being fat. Which wife did he divorce when she had cancer? Now, a good Catholic and since the Catholic Church is the only true church, anything he has done before gets a pass. And, present wife is in elite Catholic choir and when  Newt becomes the proud Republican president, her choir can sing at his inauguration.

High on Prez

Lamar, I am as high on Obama as I have been. He has veered from the courses I would go for, only because he has been stymied by the recalcitrant and self serving Congress. I think he had had to learn out to be president and consequently has done a few things that I didn't like, especially in listening to the military too much. However, as I tell my Democrat friends, where are you going to go. A poor Republican field. Romney will do anything for a vote. Crazy. Conservatives (hate these labels) will go for social issues, anti abortion, etc, while ignoring the fact that Mormonism believes that God had a wife and she is Heavenly Mother. Does that make any difference. Not really but what makes that any different than say various social issues: gay marriage. Ron Paul is a nut and should be hanging out with his grandchildren. Santorum is a hard core Catholic that the fundamentalists have embraced. What's with that: they ignore  canon law, authority of the Pope, priests who can forgive sins. Please!! Here's what I wish: we coulRd throw the whole lot of congress out, Democrats and Repubs. Our system is broken. However, we'll not do that. I have no faith in the voter. 

I do hope however that those who are disappointed with the president will not sit on the sidelines. The Repubs would dismantle those programs that serve the poor, etc. democrats have lots of problems but they represent the middle class, etc where the Repubs are Haley Barbour, pardons a couple of hundred, goes out to his old lobbying job, half mil or so, making speeches, 30-50 thou a pop. And, get Nancy Pelosi, millions on insider trading. Corruption everywhere but if voters can throw out the Repub house members who have blocked everything, get a super majority in Senate where Prez can ram through good things. Do away with tax cuts for rich, tax the 1%, etc. so, long answer to question. I am really just getting started but I'm going to give us all a break. 

Christian Fundamentalists

You have got to be bullshitting me. The very idea that some group of Christian fundamentalists could meet in Texas and crown someone like Santorum as their favorite, to unite behind, is about the most absurd thing I've heard in my life. If the Republicans fall for this, they are more stupid than I thought. Much less the findamentalist churches. Church going in South Carolina is a phenom. Where, in a place like San Francisco, at most you'd get people going to any kind of church, single digits. SC, some places, easily 90%. I am not blowing smoke. Amazing. But, doubt some fundamentalist organizations like Focus On the Family could dictate to these Church going people. The very idea some bigoted  group would try is a little more than interesting. It is beyond me. First of all, Santorum. The f ..ker is a Catholic.  They apparently don't know Catholic theology. First of all, I cannot imagine church people, even the fundamentalist, simply doing what some group would tell them. And, I would think that a pastor would not talk blatantly about politics from the pulpit. Most fundamentalists, at least that I know, are a pretty independent lot and would lean on the story in the Bible where the Pharasees tried to trap Jesus by asking him about the church (kingdom of God to Him). He ask for a coin. And said to his detractors, "whose picture is on this?" Caesar, of course. OK, here's the word: "render unto Caesar that which is Caesars and to God that which is Gods." Plus, how the f..k are the fundamentalists going to deal with Canon Law in the Catholic Church, i. e., authority of the Pope, Priests being able to forgive sin. What are these fundamentalist Christians thinking?  I tell you what I think: this group is a f..king bunch of modern day Pharisees.  I would be quite surprised if the good people of South Carolina couldn't see through 'em.  I can tell you this for a fact, Jesus would figuratively kick their ass.

HIGHER GROUND

"Higher Ground" with Vera Farmiga. Really good and confronted every issue that we face almost, especially as relates to life. And, it did it from the Christian fundamentalist view; the pastor with regular meetings of the "house" church idea (small group meeting away from the Church) where their fundamentalist views are regularly reinforced. The pastor constantly says, "God says" without ever saying where God says it. In the movie, there's no judgment or putting down the church. What is different than any movie I've seen along this line is that the protagonist, Vera Farmiga, best known for her role with George Connery in Up In The Air, is great with facial expressions that project exactly what she is thinking but doesn't say. She is what sets this movie apart. It reminded me a little of Robert Duvall in "The Apostle." There's one of the funniest scenes in the movie that I've ever seen. The Lord leads the pastor to discuss with the men that they are not looking after their wives sexually. So, he has them listen to these casette tapes that are very explicit (The expressions on the men's faces are priceless i. e., location of the clitoris, etc). This was serious as God told the pastor to do this (small segment of movie). The most sobering part of the movie has to do with Farmiga's vibrant and very effusive best friend who is struck down with a brain tumor. The surgery leaves her as a shell of her former self while the church celebrates the miracle that she is alive. Farmiga is wrought up bigtime in trying to reconcile this. I am thinking about the pastor and these people, "are there really people like this out there? Answer: YES! Help!  
Super movie. See!!!

PFC BRADLEY MANNING

Court Martialing PFC (Private First Class) Bradley Manning is a stupid thing to do. My views are well documented but we have no surprises here. A court martial (military term for trial) was inevitable based on the military system. The military conducts a thorough Article 32 investigation (Grand Jury). Once they have done it, the guilt or innocence is well established. Consequently the term, "bring the guilty bastard in." There is no dispute that Manning leaked the documents. The stickiness should be that the military has more than a little culpability. Manning should not have had assess to sensitive material, short and simple. He is a f..king midget in the system.

I have watched many a court martial. Most are cut and dry. Where they can possibly work is if they grasp and take into account mitigating circumstances. A senior (17 years) NCO (non commission officer) that I knew in Korea got himself tangled in the black market. He had some extenuating circumstances at home. Sick wife and child. He should not have been in Korea but he needed the extra cash (an unaccompanied tour of duty usually pays more). This normally outstanding NCO  was stupid. Purchased electronic equipment at the PX (post exchange) at a very cheap price and paid no tax on it, then sold it at a profit on the very robust Korean black market (One of many reasons why we need to be out of Korea). The good sergeant got caught and was court martialed. Even this was pretty heavy handed in my view but the military is a rule oriented entity, especially in a non combat environment. He should have been given a "Special Courts Martial" in front of a judge with usually lessor discipline. Maybe in a stretch, an Article 15, which is non judicial punishment administered by the commander. Can be pretty stiff but easier from which to recover. The courts martial busted my NCO one rank, fined him a month's pay and shipped him home. Not bad and something frm which he could recover.

The military could be smart here and give PFC Manning a Special Court Martial, bust him to E1 (he's now an E3), fine him a couple of months pay, sentence him to time served, give him a bad discharge and say sayanaro. Any chance they would do it. Not a chance in hell as someone might have to admit they f..ked up.

COPORATE VULTURE

LIVE FREE OR DIE
I use to ski in New Hampshire. In fact, I loved the area and got some crazy idea that maybe I could buy a little piece of property. On "time" since I was beyond poor. I had no money but thought maybe somebody would discover my love for the state and the type of person they'd like to have. Well, guess what? When they realized I had no money, they ran me out of town. And, now I'm really glad. Damn bunch of non thinkers and "yankees." I've been listening to the attack ads against Romney. And, here's the rub, "is it negative if it is true?" I hardly paid any attention to them but to hear views of Romney as a corporate raider made me perk up. Buying companies, firing the people and driving off with millions. It is always up for spin, of course. And, Romney, making statements like he's had a few "pink slips" in his life. We believe him: he's a multimillionaire whose father is a multimillionaire. Give me a break! Here's the thing that convinced me that Romney is, as his fellow Republican, Rick Perry, calls him, a corporate vulture and embodies everything that thinking and caring Americans should hate: Randy Johnson (not the former baseball pitcher) whose company was looted by Romney and is now out for revenge in the only way he can: following Romney around telling what Romney did to his company. Destroyed it, fired the people, and walked away with millions.

Good luck to the guy. Do I think it will make any difference. No, not really. I don't have any faith in the American voter. It is always self interest,

FLAW IN DEMOCRACY

GIVE ME A BREAK. I've never heard such BS in my life from the Republican candidates for Prez. At least they are attacking each other. In a sense, what the Repubs are doing is exposing a flaw in democracy. Listen to any of the voters interviewed. Guess what: they always come from, "how does this effect me and how does it relate to my life." Inherently selfish. The flip side of the coin is that all of us are mostly there. Our own welfare, comfort in the present and future is what we are into. Nobody says, so and so might be good for me but it is not good for the country and so I choose the country.

GITMO

Very early on, I grasped through ecperience that prisons bring out the worst in people (I started off my military career as an officer involved in the stockade, which military prisons were called in the day). An axiom exists, passed along by my brother, who for a long time, worked in a state prison system. He said that in six months, it was hard to tell who the guards were and who the prisoners were. I think GITMO has brought out the worst in us. What amazed me is the lack of cry that has ensued. What the f..k, are most Americans asleep at the wheel. Let me relate this story. Too long, other than to give my biased salient points. The U.S. arrests this guy in Bosnia. Bosnia's supreme court investigates and says there's no evidence this guy is a terrorist. The Americans still take him to Guantanamo (I don't know how they could do this). There, he is treated awful, remains in custody seven years. Missed his kids birthdays, gets no mail. Treated so unAmerican makes me ashamed. The guy's life is ruined. And, those who decided all this bullshit in their own war on terror are sitting at home enjoying themselves. Nobody ever apologizes or says they fucked up. Read the story: nytimes.com/opinion

CORPORATE VULTURE

LIVE FREE OR DIE
I use to ski in New Hampshire. In fact, I loved the area and got some crazy idea that maybe I could buy a little piece of property. On "time" since I was beyond poor. I had no money but thought maybe somebody would discover my love for the state and the type of person they'd like to have. Well, guess what? When they realized I had no money, they ran me out of town. And, now I'm really glad. Damn bunch of non thinkers and "yankees." I've been listening to the attack ads against Romney. And, here's the rub, "is it negative if it is true?" I hardly paid any attention to them but to hear views of Romney as a corporate raider made me perk up. Buying companies, firing the people and driving off with millions. It is always up for spin, of course. And, Romney, making statements like he's had a few "pink slips" in his life. We believe him: he's a multimillionaire whose father is a multimillionaire. Give me a break! Here's the thing that convinced me that Romney is, as his fellow Republican, Rick Perry, calls him, a corporate vulture and embodies everything that thinking and caring Americans should hate: Randy Johnson (not the former baseball pitcher) whose company was looted by Romney and is now out for revenge in the only way he can: following Romney around telling what Romney did to his company. Destroyed it, fired the people, and walked away with millions. 

Good luck to the guy. Do I think it will make any difference. No, not really. I don't have any faith in the American voter. It is always self interest,

RON PAUL MAY NOT BE SO NUTSO

Listening to Leon Panetta talk about the cuts in military spending, the future, my initial thought, "what has this guy been smoking?" Honestly, I don't understand this thinking. This goes beyond politics so what the f..k! Do these people have some script they are reading from?  There are plenty of ways to cut. And, to me, at this stage, it is all philosophical. But, I don't think that Panetta or even the President "gets it." Life has changed--circumstances have changed in the world. HELLO! HELLO! The Arab Spring should have taught us that countries can determine their own destinies without us. Panetta talks as if we are in the cold war. Sure, there are threats in the world but we are not the world policeman. Even if we wanted to continue to be stupid, we no longer can afford it. But, what is more important than that is our worldwide police activities have produced nothing but dead bodies, i. e., mostly young Americans and innocent civilians. Listening to Panetto (that I basically like) is what makes someone like Ron Paul credible. His foreign policy sounds drastic but only compared to what we have been doing and the way Panetto is talking.

Look at the objective evidence of the past three wars. Vietnam, we left with our tail between our legs. Ten years and a waste. In a thumbnail view, they solved it on their own. The great strategy of the domino theory was so much bullshit. IRAQ. All we got out of that was a dead Hussein and lost American soldiers. Just a day or two ago, close to a hundred Iraqis killed.

And, for goodness sakes, don't listen to the generals on Iraq or Afghanistan. They have to share some of the blame for our misadventure into Iraq, especially, where we don't even get a break on Iraqi oil. (The only general that kicked the traces on the invasion of Iraq was Shinsik)i. They in essence fired him. And, Afghanistan is a f..king mess by any standards and the only people who say otherwise are the generals and State Department.

It is insane to continue our present strategy. We simply cannot afford it. And, what is equally disturbing to me is the lack of interest in our foreign policy which often involves troops. I heard one of the Republicans criticizing the President for his military cut-backs while singing the tune of a strong military. His audience applauds and why not; He's talking to people who have no "skin" in the game. We have no draft, other people's children are fighting our wars (Romney, for instance, has no military experience and doubt that his 5 sons have served). Here's why Ron Paul is a possibility. His overall strategy wouldn't fly. Simply, couldn't pull it off but he might be able to do enough to move us to a sensible and sustainable position. It is worth looking at. Any possibility that it might happen? F..k no, the American electorate by in large is a selfish entity with only one mantra, "how does this affect me?"

The Only One On This Crowd With Any Real Moxie Is Ron Paul

I am so over Iowa. What amazes me is pollsters are usually right. All this bullshit about American voter getting it right. Give me a break! Romney is a Mormon, has nothing to do with religion. It is a mentality. The f..ker will tell anybody anything to get a vote. Some "right winger" wants to do away with public TV, Romney got it. Santorum is a bigoted Catholic, wants women back in the kitchen, barefoot and pregnant. And, of course, Ron Paul. I admit that I like his ideas on foreign policy. Time to reassess. These two wars probably haven't taught us s..t like Vietnam didn't. And, time to say again: I don't think it makes much difference who is president other than one thing. He can send you to war. And, I think that to have someone like George W. who let the f..king neocons like Rumsfeld and especially Cheney goad him into sending us to war is real with the Republicans. Go figure. All we have gotten out of either war is dead young Americans and costs us money that we don't have. So, Ron is right but he can't win but I hope he stays in to remind us what a foreign policy could be. So Iowa, God bless you and go away.

LET'S CUT OUT THE BULLSHIT

"F..k up a two car funeral precession" is a good Army expression. It aptly rightly to the U.S. handling of many things. Mostly it is the bureaucracy surrounding an attempt to get something done. In this case, it has to do with those Iraqis that helped us in our ill advised adventure into Iraqi. Regardless of how one feels: the utter stupidity and lunacy of many decisions made after the invasion or the lies that got us there. The sad fact, from all appearances, is that our efforts in Iraq were totally worthless. (Don't be waiting for anybody in government to admit it).  Iraq is already sinking into sectarian violence. The democratic process has fallen apart. The "Hoo Rahs" that we are gone: the invaders, the occupiers. All over we hope for us but cleaning up some of our mess remains.

We have to deal with the reality of what is. In our strategy of prosecuting the war, many Iraqis helped us and we owe them some sort of allegiance.  Helping those who helped us is a big priority or ought to be. Getting them out of country NOW is paramount. They will be killed. The State Dept appears to be dragging their feet. Beauracracy. Why not do what we did with the Vietnamese and have a massive airlift and sort it out when they are out of danger. Taking a chance? On what? The risk is only right.