An Ol' Broad's Ramblings
Archive for 28 January 2011
Sounds Familiar
Egyptian President Mubarak Asks Cabinet to Resign
Embattled President Hosni Mubarak says he has asked his Cabinet to resign in his first appearance on television since protests erupted demanding his ouster.
He says he will press ahead with social, economic and political reforms. He calls anti-government protests part of plot to destabilize Egypt and destroy the legitimacy of his regime.
So, it’s his cabinet’s fault the folks are living in poverty, after 30 years of his dictatorship (yes Mr Biden, he IS a dictator) and that’s why everyone is so angry? Hmmm… who else do we know that has blamed others for a crisis? Oh yeah….
Democracy Isn’t A Dirty Word
President Obama, say the ‘D-Word’
It’s incredible, really. The president of the United States can’t bring himself to talk about democracy in the Middle East. He can dance around it, use euphemisms, throw out words like “freedom” and “tolerance” and “non-violent” and especially “reform,” but he can’t say the one word that really matters: democracy.
How did this happen? After all, in his famous 2009 Cairo speech to the Muslim world, Obama spoke the word loudly and clearly – at least once.
“The fourth issue that I will address is democracy,” he declared, before explaining that while the United States won’t impose its own system, it was committed to governments that “reflect the will of the people… I do have an unyielding belief that all people yearn for certain things: the ability to speak your mind and have a say in how you are governed; confidence in the rule of law and the equal administration of justice; government that is transparent and doesn’t steal from the people; the freedom to live as you choose. Those are not just American ideas, they are human rights, and that is why we will support them everywhere.”
“No matter where it takes hold,” the president concluded, “government of the people and by the people sets a single standard for all who hold power.”
Simply rhetoric?
Of course, this was just rhetoric, however lofty, reflecting a moment when no one was rebelling against the undemocratic governments of our allies – at least not openly and in a manner that demanded international media coverage.
Now it’s for real.
And “democracy” is scarcely to be heard on the lips of the president or his most senior officials.
Read the whole piece here.
But I thought al-Jazeera was a fan of the Obama administration? Not so much, eh? A truly interesting column.
I’d like to interject an opinion of my own here. The Islamic world is not interested in ‘democracy’. Islam and democracy are totally incompatible. Maybe President Obama finally figured it out, and decided not to continue mentioning the word? I don’t know. The author isn’t exactly impartial in his opinions of the Middle East.
A short time ago, I heard someone on the news say the current situation in Egypt was comparable to the collapse of the Berlin Wall. Say whut? There was actual freedom on the other side of the collapse. How will a complete take over by Islamists in the Middle East grant freedom to the people of the region? Just asking.
Considering the volatility of the entire Middle East right now, egged on by Iran, no doubt, are you Obama supporters really sure this is the right guy for the job? No, didn’t think so.
Seriously?
This is the best they’ve got? Is Gibbs already thinking about the high paying job he’ll find as a lobbyist, or some such thing? About 2 hours ago was approximately 10:30 central time. Is he even aware of what has been happening, other than they shut down the internet? Which, if I’m not mistaken, his current boss wants to be able to do as well, you know, just in case some folks around this part of the world get all uppity and decide they are totally fed up with the tyranny of the current administration, kind of like the Egyptians are with theirs.
I Think We Need A Couple of These Signs
Or, how about a few hundred thousand along our borders? Just sayin’. 
Where Were You?
Everybody remembers where they were, or what they were doing when tragedies happen…. assassinations of prominent figures, plane crashes, terrorist attacks, etc. Today is the 25th anniversary of a tragedy witnessed by many.
“Obviously a major malfunction.” Yes….indeed, there was.
I was sitting in my mom’s house (staying with her at the time) in Dallas, in what was always called my ‘dad’s room’. He was gone by then, but it was still his room, where he had his desk, couch, and television. I remember watching this happen, sitting there stunned. These kinds of things weren’t suppose to happen. I went and got my mom and brought her into the room. She also sat in stunned silence for a while, as they replayed the footage. “I’m glad your dad isn’t alive to see this.” He was always a big fan of the space program, and thought we should be doing more to explore our universe. Yes, there were many tears for those we had never met, and their families.
Later in the day, I remember my mom saying something that struck me as odd. “I hope this doesn’t upset Christa.” I couldn’t imagine why it would upset her more than anyone else. “Because of her name.” The kid was 11 at the time, and as with most 11 year olds, not exactly clued in to the world around her. Even a few years later, the connection with my daughter’s name still bothered my mom. I’ve never figured that out. Maybe names had a power in her mind?
Together we watched President Ronald Reagan’s speech on the tragedy.
It makes me even more sad that our children and grandchildren will never know the excitement of new worlds to explore, that we no longer have the spirit, or will to step out of our ‘comfort zone’. That we have slapped shallack on our vision of the world, and called it complete.
New Suit….Still Empty
The old Obama in new clothing
By Charles Krauthammer
The November election sent a clear message to Washington: less government, less debt, less spending. President Obama certainly heard it, but judging from his State of the Union address, he doesn’t believe a word of it. The people say they want cuts? Sure they do – in the abstract. But any party that actually dares carry them out will be punished severely. On that, Obama stakes his reelection.
No other conclusion can be drawn from a speech that didn’t even address the debt issue until 35 minutes in. And then what did he offer? A freeze on domestic discretionary spending that he himself admitted would affect a mere one-eighth of the budget.
Obama seemed impressed, however, that it would produce $400 billion in savings over 10 years. That’s an average of $40 billion a year. The deficit for last year alone was more than 30 times as much. And total federal spending was more than 85 times that amount. A $40 billion annual savings for a government that just racked up $3 trillion in new debt over the past two years is deeply unserious. It’s spillage, a rounding error.
As for entitlements, which are where the real money is, Obama said practically nothing. He is happy to discuss, but if Republicans dare take anything from granny, he shall be Horatius at the bridge.
Prayers For Little Rylee
There is a young family who is in serious distress. Their little baby girl, Rylee, has been through some really tough times since she was born 3 months ago. She has spent most of her short life in the hospital, suffering seizures and a variety of things I won’t go into. After making some wonderful progress, and growing like a weed, she is now back in the hospital.
God gives us tests of faith, and I know Brooke and Brad’s faith is strong, but it wouldn’t hurt to have a lot of extra prayers for their little one, to give them strength. They are obviously getting worn down, physically and emotionally. If you could see it within your heart, please pray for this wonderful family, Brad, Brooke, Rylee, and big sis, Maddi.
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