Independence? Sovereignty? Rule of Law? Anyone?
Further balkanization from our politicians as they hope for amnesty, an unsecure border, and a jealous society pitting one against another (H/t: Levin)...
Whether on the Democratic side of the aisle, supporting tyranny for political gain...
FoxNewsLatino: Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.) issued a "final call" to his Republican colleagues in the House of Representatives to move forward on immigration reform this month or see President Barack Obama act by executive order to resolve the problem of undocumented migrants living in the United States.
Gutierrez, a leader on the issue of immigration, spoke at an event held by the Illinois Business Immigration Coalition.
"Look, if by July the 4th, my Republican friends and colleagues - and I say that sincerely - have not acted and have not presented a bill for comprehensive immigration reform, if they haven't done it by then, then we know that there is only one action that will bring justice, freedom, respect for our community, and that is for the president of the United States to take his pen and free the 11 million undocumented workers in this nation from the tyranny of a broken immigration system," he said.
Related links: Obama's two-year 'amnesty' for illegal immigrant minors sparks TWELVE-FOLD spike in numbers pouring across border
Holder seeks legal team for children on border
Hundreds Of Illegal Immigrant Minors Sleeping On Plastic Boards, Rotating Through 4 Showers At Shelter
Feds say no end in sight for policy of 'dumping' illegal immigrants in Arizona, Gov. Brewer says
REPORT: Illegals Bring Contagious Diseases Across Border – Obama Spreads Them Around Country
...or on the Republican side of the aisle, supporting lawlessness for crony campaign coffers...
TheDC: GOP Majority Leader Rep. Eric Cantor called for a compromise immigration deal with President Barack Obama during a campaign interview with a local Virginia TV station.
“I have told the president, there are some things we can work on together,” he said in the WTVR interview.
“We can work on the border security bill together, we can work on something like the kids,” he said referring to his proposal to offer some undetermined variety of amnesty to the children and youths of millions of parents who entered the country illegally.
Cantor’s June 6 offer of a youth amnesty comes during the final days of a surprisingly close primary race, where his rival — Dave Brat, an economics professor — has slammed him as an unwavering ally of big business.
Related links: Democratic amnesty fan Luis Gutierrez helping Eric Cantor get reelected in order to protect immigration reform
Cantor Race Could End Amnesty DREAM for 2014
US Has A Refugee Crisis As Illegals Flood Across The Border
...it's crystal clear that the political class seeks to undermine the citizenry, remaking it along with America.
ADDENDUM: Rush poses a theory that perhaps the regime is trying to repeat Fast & Furious with illegal immigrant children...
Furthermore, Rush offers a solution for housing these refugee illegal children...instead of occupying our military bases, "Why not take all of these kids and drop them in all of these wealthy counties in Washington and the suburbs of D.C., because that's where the new wealth in this country is."
Over the past several years now, we've experienced how the Democratic Party has gotten their way time and time again in driving up the national debt on the backs of the taxpayer, in many instances for political purposes of shoring up specific voter demographics. This latest push for free college tuition is no exception...and guess who pays for that too?
Oh, how this Imperial President and his regime like to irresponsibly spend without a care in the world. Now, they're teaching our young people to do follow suit...
AmericanThinker: In a bid to give one of the Democrat's vital constituencies a hand, President Obama issued an executive order on Monday that capped student loan repayments at 10% of a borrower's monthly income.
Politico: President Barack Obama said in his weekly address Saturday that he would take action on student loan issues in the coming days, but gave no details. The executive order, first reported by the New York Times, will expand on a 2010 law that capped borrowers’ repayment but left a hole in eligibility for people with older loans. Those left out of that relief include people who borrowed before October 2007 or stopped borrowing by October 2011.
“This makes it simpler to have one set of terms,” said Jason Delisle, director of the New America Foundation’s Federal Education Budget Project. But he pointed out that all borrowers already have the option of basing loan repayments on their income.
Federal student loan debt reached more than $1 trillion last year, an amount that has some economists concerned is creating a chilling effect on spending, home-buying and other economic drivers.
“This is commencement season, a time for graduates and their families to celebrate one of the greatest achievements of a young person’s life,” Obama said Saturday. “But for many graduates, it also means feeling trapped by a whole lot of student loan debt.”
"Trapped" by student loan debt? President Obama is referring to the common practice by lenders of holding a gun to the head of students, forcing them to take on more debt than they are capable of repaying. Or didn't you know that?
The economic reasoning behind the maneuver is questionable, however, Delisle said. The president is making the case that “we need to help [student loan debtors] with debt so they can go into even more debt,” such as taking out a mortgage to buy a home. But student loans already helped these borrowers consume beyond their means, he said.
The executive order will be part of a White House event on student loans planned for Monday. The White House said the change will allow an additional 5 million borrowers with federal student loans to cap their monthly payments at just 10 percent of their income.
Obama’s executive order wouldn’t kick in until December 2015, however, the White House said, to give the Education Department time to propose and enact new regulations.
The Education Department also will renegotiate contracts with federal loan servicers so that they have incentive to keep borrowers from falling behind on payments or defaulting on their loans.
The proportion of borrowers defaulting on their federal student loans within three years of beginning to repay them has been rising for several years running: From fiscal year 2009 to 2010 it rose from 13.4 percent to nearly 15 percent.
With no discernible economic benefit, there's only one reason to make another end run around Congress to get this done; politics. Young people are a vital cog in the Democratic party coalition so making them happy - and willing to vote in November - trumps common sense and rational public policy.
The student loan debt crisis is so bad that some Democrats are talking about a bailout; debt forgiveness along with payments to lenders. I know it's gauche to point out, but back in the 1980's when expanding federal student loan programs was being discussed, many predicted the scenario that is playing out today. It's small comfort that so many were right, but it also should be a lesson in out of control federal spending
Never mind that they have not a clue whether this is constitutional or how to pay for it...
TRS: Education Secretary Arnie Duncan was asked about the constitutionality of this executive order, and he had no clue:
I don’t think the administration even cares if this EO is constitutional. They didn’t check. They are going to do it anyway and if someone like Ted Cruz speaks up against the move, they’ll just try and demonize them like they always do.
But wait, there’s even more. The Obama admin doesn’t even know how much it’s going to cost to implement this:
Moreover, they don't really give a damn if it's constitutional or how to pay for it. They simply don't care as long as it keeps them in power.
Unfortunately, what many of these young voters who'd take advantage of this don't seem to realize is, yeah, they might get out of their responsibility to pay back a loan at the moment, but it will ultimately come back to bite them when they end up with another tax hike in the real world...on top of piling more on the rest of our already overloaded plates.
At a time when our military might seems to be in the sights of an administration that doesn't appear to appreciate such a requirement, a government embroiled in one administrative scandal after the next affecting our armed forces, let us pause for a moment on this day to remember the price of freedom...and let us not allow ourselves to take it for granted.
Army.mil: On June 6, 1944, more than 160,000 Allied troops landed along a 50-mile stretch of heavily-fortified French coastline, to fight Nazi Germany on the beaches of Normandy, France. Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower called the operation a crusade in which, “we will accept nothing less than full victory.” More than 5,000 Ships and 13,000 aircraft supported the D-Day invasion, and by day’s end, the Allies gained a foot-hold in Continental Europe. The cost in lives on D-Day was high. More than 9,000 Allied Soldiers were killed or wounded, but their sacrifice allowed more than 100,000 Soldiers to begin the slow, hard slog across Europe, to defeat Adolf Hitler’s crack troops.
Navy.mil: On June 6, 1944, more than 160,000 allied troops landed along a 50-mile stretch of heavily-fortified French coastline. It was on the beaches of Normandy, France, that more than 9,000 allied soldiers were killed or wounded in the fight against Nazi Germany. Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower termed the operation a crusade in which, "we will accept nothing less than full victory." More than 5,000 ships and 13,000 aircraft supported the D-Day invasion, and by day's end, the allies gained a foothold in continental Europe. The cost in lives on D-Day was high but their sacrifice allowed more than 100,000 soldiers to begin the slow, hard trudge across Europe to defeat Adolph Hitler.
History: During World War II (1939-1945), the Battle of Normandy, which lasted from June 1944 to August 1944, resulted in the Allied liberation of Western Europe from Nazi Germany’s control. Codenamed Operation Overlord, the battle began on June 6, 1944, also known as D-Day, when some 156,000 American, British and Canadian forces landed on five beaches along a 50-mile stretch of the heavily fortified coast of France’s Normandy region. The invasion was one of the largest amphibious military assaults in history and required extensive planning. Prior to D-Day, the Allies conducted a large-scale deception campaign designed to mislead the Germans about the intended invasion target. By late August 1944, all of northern France had been liberated, and by the following spring the Allies had defeated the Germans. The Normandy landings have been called the beginning of the end of war in Europe.
What better way to commemorate the 70th anniversary of D-Day than with one of President Reagan's addresses commemorating the 40th anniversary of the Normandy Invasion to remind us of this operation's significance:
Also: Normandy Speech: Ceremony Commemorating the 40th Anniversary of the Normandy Invasion, D-Day 6/6/84
And most important of all, let us contemplate on the words of those veterans still with us as they recall the battle 70 years later to liberate Europe and ultimately protect the world from tyranny...
Despite the political turmoil of the days, we, AMERICANS, honor you and all of the fallen today, gentlemen.
May your strength, your bravery and your vigilance guide us home.
It's all coming together now. Just breaking on The Mark Levin Show, James Rosen reports on what many have suspected about Bowe Bergdahl...
FoxNews: U.S. Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl at one point during his captivity converted to Islam, fraternized openly with his captors and declared himself a "mujahid," or warrior for Islam, according to secret documents prepared on the basis of a purported eyewitness account and obtained by Fox News.
The reports indicate that Bergdahl's relations with his Haqqani captors morphed over time, from periods of hostility, where he was treated very much like a hostage, to periods where, as one source told Fox News, "he became much more of an accepted fellow" than is popularly understood. He even reportedly was allowed to carry a gun at times.
The documents show that Bergdahl at one point escaped his captors for five days and was kept, upon his re-capture, in a metal cage, like an animal. In addition, the reports detail discussions of prisoner swaps and other attempts at a negotiated resolution to the case that appear to have commenced as early as the fall of 2009.
The reports are rich in on-the-ground detail -- including the names and locations of the Haqqani commanders who ran the 200-man rotation used to guard the Idaho native -- and present the most detailed view yet of what Bergdahl's life over the past five years has been like. These real-time dispatches were generated by the Eclipse Group, a shadowy private firm of former intelligence officers and operatives that has subcontracted with the Defense Department and prominent corporations to deliver granular intelligence on terrorist activities and other security-related topics, often from challenging environments in far-flung corners of the globe.
This makes the deserter officially a traitor...and Obama just freed five of the worst of the worst for this traitor.
We shouldn't have to wait for Obama to 'make this move again,' Sen. Graham. The release of these five terrorists for a traitor is grounds enough for impeachment.
Related links: Chuck Todd vs Joe Scarborough: DEATHMATCH
Fox News: Bergdahl converted to Islam, declared jihad in 2010
What happened to Obama's 'basic principle that we don’t leave anybody behind' when it comes to an honorable soldier's wrongful imprisonment? Crickets from his Disgracefulness. The 'lopsided' deal with our enemy for Bergdahl draws a sharp contrast to Obama's inaction on Tahmooressi...
FoxNews: The Obama administration’s extraordinary effort to free Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl has some wondering why the president can’t make a simple phone call on behalf of a former Marine being held in a Mexican prison after mistakenly driving across the border with registered guns.
Obama announced Saturday in a dramatic Rose Garden news conference that five Taliban prisoners from Guantanamo Bay would be exchanged for Bergdahl, a 28-year-old infantryman held captive for five years by the terrorist group. The swap angered many in the military and on Capitol Hill, because it went against long-standing policy of not bargaining with terrorists.
“He wasn't forgotten by his country, because the United States of America does not ever leave our men and women in uniform behind,” Obama said.
Although Tahmooressi is not a prisoner of war, he served two tours of duty in Afghanistan, and now suffers post-traumatic stress disorder, according to his mother, Jill Tahmooressi. Friends who have visited him in prison say he has been tortured and threatened with rape and death, and they question whether the administration is doing enough to help him.
“This Administration went to unprecedented lengths for Bowe Bergdhal by making a lopsided deal with an untrustworthy partner, even when there other options still on the table that neither involved the Taliban nor prisoners released from Guantanamo Bay,” said Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Calif. “Meanwhile, as far the Administration went for Bergdahl, Andrew Tahmooressi is still stuck in a Mexican jail for making a wrong turn and the only thing grabbing the president’s attention so far is an online petition that forces him to respond."
Mark Podlaski, who served with Tahmooressi in Afghanistan, told Fox News in a phone interview if President Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry "can give up five Taliban leaders for a 'traitor' why can't they make a phone call to Mexico to free a Marine who served honorably?
"I've never been this upset with my government.
"Tahmooressi gave his mind and body two times -- referring to his two tours of duty in Afghanistan -- for this country."
Sam Vranicar, who also served with Tahmooressi in Afghanistan and convinced him to go to California to receive treatment for post traumatic stress disorder, echoed his comrades.
"It's absurd how we can negotiate with terrorists in Afghanistan to get back a deserter soldier, but we can't negotiate with an ally in Mexico to bring home a loyal and honorable combat veteran," Vranicar said. "All the monies spent on preventing and fighting terrorism, many of the lives lost, have been in vain because of this 'deal' Obama made."
Along with the insanity of the Bergdahl deal, the Obama administration can leave this honorable Marine rotting in a Mexican prison for the past few months, while they coddle illegals flooding over our borders? BULLSHIT!
Tell you what, we'll gladly trade Obama for Sgt. Tahmooressi...or at least a few THOUSAND of his Undocumented Democrats! Either seem like a fairer trade to me.
Free USMC Sgt Tahmooressi from Mexican Jail NOW!
Related links: Marine held in Mexico: Free Sgt. Tahmooressi
U.S. Marine Detained in Mexico Prison on Weapons Charge
Source: New hearing set for U.S. Marine held in Mexican prison
Imprisoned Marine Calls Glenn Beck From Mexican Prison, Shares Disturbing New Details About His Confinement
I don't know whether the Greeks would have considered this a comedy or a tragedy as it unfolds...
So Obama trades 5 Taliban leaders detained at GITMO for one American deserter, and claims he consulted Congress...
TPM: President Barack Obama said Tuesday that he consulted with Congress for "quite some time" about potentially trading detainees from the Guantanamo Bay facility for a U.S. soldier captured in Afghanistan.
Umm, not so much. Even Feinstein acknowledges that Obama broke the law...
NBCNews: Two top lawmakers on the Senate Intelligence Committee said Tuesday that the Obama administration broke the law by not informing Congress before the prisoner exchange that resulted in Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl’s release.
Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein and Republican Sen. Saxby Chambliss said the administration violated the law by failing to address serious concerns they had about the deal to swap Bergdahl for five Taliban detainees. Chambliss said he had not had a conversation with the White House about a possible exchange for at least 18 months.
"It comes to us with some surprise and dismay that the transfers went ahead with no consultation, totally not following law," Feinstein told reporters following a closed door meeting. "And in an issue with this kind of concern to a committee that bears the oversight responsibility, I think you can see that we're very dismayed about it ."
Both also said they do not believe the soldier’s health was a factor in the decision. The White House said Bergdahl’s deteriorating medical state was a reason they did not have time to inform Congress before securing the deal.
So now, Obama (or rather an underling) says he's sorry he broke the law by not notifying Congress about the prisoner swap. Really?
Breitbart: A top aide to President Obama is now apologizing to Congress for not informing lawmakers, as required by law, that the White House was planning to trade an alleged deserter for five top Taliban commanders.
The apology comes after Obama himself defended his actions this morning, insisting his administration had discussed the release with Congress “for some time.”
Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) told reporters that she received a call from Deputy National Security Adviser Tony Blinken on Monday evening apologizing for failing to inform Congress about the deal to exchange five Taliban detainees for the release of Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl.
Feinstein said that it was “very disappointing” that President Obama decided not to alert Congress about the deal, suggesting that there was not a “level of trust” at the White House.
Oh, ya think?! Eh, just another oversight, perhaps a slap on the hand for a seemingly untouchable, imperial president...or rather, just a sorry one.
We all know this is grounds for the 'i' word...just as we disappointingly know this feckless Congress wouldn't dare. He knows that, so he figures, 'why ask?'
This president's constant buildup of lawlessness, along with Congress's inability and refusal to control him, ultimately enables nothing short of an impending tyranny.
Related link: Democrat Law Professor: Because of Obama’s lawlessness what is emerging is an imperial presidency
UPDATES: Well, looks like he took back that apology by reframing the argument around getting that deserter back...never mind he let five terrorists go to organize more killing of Americans in the process. Oh, and he's still using the 'deteriorating health' excuse (if you saw the handover video, you know better). Unbelievable.
Oh! We also discovered today that the White House CANCELLED A RANSOM DEAL for Bergdahl in order to do a PRISONER SWAP! But he's looking out for the best interest of Americans?
TRS: According to Catherine Herridge, there was a team working with Pakistani leadership who was putting pressure on the Taliban to accept a ransom deal for Bergdahl. That is until the White House decided they wanted to do a prisoner swap and put the ransom deal on hold.
Looks like Obama has given the Taliban & any other terrorist organization out there a new strategy (Drudge highlights pictorially)...
Folks, this president is a deserter at best and a traitor at worst.
Related links: White House braced for Bowe Bergdahl backlash
Chuck Todd: White House accusing Bergdahl’s platoon members of “swift boating” him
Ted Cruz: We’re hearing that Obama wants to release another GITMO terrorist
DESPICABLE: Obama official suggests Bergdahl’s platoon of ‘PSYCHOPATHS’ is trying to smear him
Harry Reid on Bergdahl call: What difference does it make?
Obama ignored chances to rescue Bergdahl on the ground because he WANTED a terror trade to help close down Guantanamo Bay, claim Pentagon sources
"This is an historic moment in Mississippi's history...but our fight is not over. ... Whether it's tomorrow, or whether it's three weeks from now, we WILL stand victorious. ... We are going to win this fight because we are Mississippians. We are stronger than them." ~ Sen. Chris McDaniel
"Congratulations Chris McDaniel, who beat 42-year incumbent Thad Cochran yesterday. But Mississippi has a 50% threshold requirement, so there will be a runoff in three weeks for the GOP nomination, meaning Chris must win again. The ruling class Republicans and their crony buddies will do everything possible to prop up their hapless candidate, so we will need to do all we can to help Chris in this next battle." ~ Mark Levin
Looks like the Barbour-Bush establishment of Mississippi ain't what it used to be. And Thad Cochran wouldn't even come out to speak at his election night party. Invigorating candidate there. Way to go grassroots! But the battle's not over yet...
Chris McDaniel won by less than 1% of the vote last night, but didn’t break 50%, so there will be a runoff election on June 24. See how important EVERY SINGLE VOTE is, Mississippians?
Here's a few interesting words of encouragement and considerations to ponder from RedState. First, Erick Erickson's observations on the runoff...
The best shot the establishment had at beating Chris McDaniel was a primary. But now they find themselves in a runoff where the most energized supporters show up. When their candidate lacks energy, it is hard for any of their voters to have energy.
But Chris McDaniel has energy headed into a three week runoff. The only caveat is if overnight some mystery votes from the machine show up for Cochran.
That was one of my concerns as well...so far, nada...
And here is the dirty little secret. The establishment largely has to win every one of their races. The grassroots do not. We just need to add to the ranks of conservatives in the Senate. And we are doing that. The establishment and grassroots are playing two different games. The establishment can pour money in and win in most cases as they have done. But the grassroots can just keep nibbling away.
Now, however, the establishment finds itself in a funny position. They’re used to blaming conservatives for losses. They are used to claiming that conservatives are sore losers. I have personally given to people like Mitch McConnell after my candidate loses and their candidate wins.
The question now is will they? Because if they don’t, the media narrative writes itself. The establishment takes it football home, while expecting conservatives to still show up and vote for their guys. That won’t work much longer. We are either in this together, or we are two separate parties coming to terms with divorce.
We’ll see in three weeks.
Personally, I think it's past time for the divorce proceedings to go through with the way the Republican establishment has treated their conservative base over the past several years. Yes, it'd be risky, but aren't all liberating endeavors? It's either this or retake the party, and this cycle of primaries with incumbents backed by Rove Inc. and the Chamber of Crony Commerce (and winning most, btw) isn't pointing towards the necessary reform. So there's something else to ponder...
Next, we have Ben Howe's assessment that Cochran's wasting GOP resources by not conceding. No argument from me!
So a Senator that has been in office continually for 41 years and in the Senate for 36 years, has joined leadership on every bad call to end fights before they began, has voted for everything from Medicare Part D to the Internet Sales Tax, who ran ads recklessly linking his opponent of criminal activity, who claims to rent a basement apartment that doesn’t exist from his assistant who throws fundraisers for Democrats out of the same location while his wife is left alone & ailing with dementia in a home… this Senator can’t be removed by democratic process because we might have to spend some money on [McDaniel] name ID?
Well fine. If it’s about “saving money and resources” then let me help find some for everyone. We’ll start with Thad Cochran who as of mid-May still had almost $2.4 million in cash. Since history shows us that the momentum in a run-off is on the side of the challenger, Thad should step aside and offer the resources of his campaign coffers to electing the Republican in the interests of gaining a majority in the Senate.
The NRSC can pitch in too. When they aren’t busy accusing candidates of crimes and engaging in scorched-earth campaigns against those who would challenge their precious, ineffective incumbents, they’re spending money on Senatorial races. That’s their job. As I’m often told, they’re about creating a majority and “being realistic about it.” Brad Dayspring of the NRSC is often talking about working together to build a majority. Ok, let’s work together then, Brad. Thad ain’t going to win the primary. So stop sending money to get ground forces in Mississippi to fight against a fellow Republican. Take the money you’re about to spend the next 3 weeks firing at McDaniel and push it towards raising name ID for him. I’ll help in any way I can.
Look, I was told over and over by so many people in Washington whenever I objected to a so-called “safe seat” being safe, that we have to be cautious and diligent with how we as a movement spend our money and commit our time and resources. I was told that the people demanding we protect incumbents at all costs were actually really conservative as well and, if it made sense in terms of polling and cash, they’d be on my side.
Well guess what? It makes sense in terms of polling and cash to support McDaniel and for Cochran to retire in peace so he can tour the world with his girlfriend. Send us a postcard, Thad. We’ll be busy trying to undo 36 years of reckless spending.
Great advice!
In 3 weeks, I encourage EACH & EVERY McDaniel voter to return to the polls, preferably with an additional friend or family member in tow, and elect constitutional conservative CHRIS MCDANIEL to the U.S. Senate. He's the best man for the job!
ADDENDUM: FYI...it's been deleted from his Twitter feed now, but Thad was a little too quick out of the gate on this one...
@SenThadCochran
Welcome home, Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl. A grateful America thanks you for your service.
2:37 PM - 31 May 2014
Out of touch much?
Also, the Cochran camp appears to have been desperately courting Democrat votes in the last days leading up to the primary (a conservative, huh?), and I finally heard a little confirmation from Erick Erickson today regarding possible crossover votes... More bad news for Thad: All those folks who voted in the Democratic primary are INELIGIBLE to vote in a GOP runoff!
And finally, CONGRATS to all of these conservatives in Tuesday night's primaries!
Sadly, the majority of elected officials are in desperate need of a refresher course...and a constitutional conservative is the only remedy!
"[Schumer's] amendment is about power, and it is about politicians silencing the citizens."
Cruz schools his fellow Senators on the Judiciary Committee on free speech, decimating their liberal canards, while shaming Senate Democrats' desire to repeal the First Amendment.
"It's free speech for all. We should be defending the Bill of Rights, not debating, amending and repealing the free speech protections of the Bill of Rights."
Take note Mississippi...this is the kind of fighter you could and should have to #MakeDCListen!
But you can't get him to negotiate with members of Congress...go figure.
Well, the 'we'll never negotiate with terrorists' rule has definitely been thrown out the window with Obama. Even before all the information was out, the deal already sounded like a raw one. Now it's being confirmed by fellow soldiers who served with Bergdahl that that's absolutely the case...
TRS: Jake Tapper interviewed former Army Sgt. Josh Korder who served with Bergdahl and explained his frustration that Bergdahl is getting a hero’s welcome by the White House when those who died trying to find him barely got noticed.
He does believe that Bergdahl needs to pay for his crimes and at the end of the interview tells Tapper that Bergdahl is “at best a deserter and at worst a traitor.”
Related links: We Lost Soldiers in the Hunt for Bergdahl, a Guy Who Walked Off in the Dead of Night
Pentagon Official: Bergdahl Walked Away
Mark Levin: The Bergdahl exchange was NOT a POW exchange
And who were those five exchanged for this deserter? Extremely dangerous individuals who will immediately set their sights on killing more Americans. They should never have been released...
DailyBeast: According to a 2008 Pentagon dossier on Guantanamo Bay inmates, all five men released were considered to be a high risk to launch attacks against the United States and its allies if they were liberated. The exchange shows that the Obama administration was willing to pay a steep price, indeed, for Bergdahl’s freedom. The administration says they will be transferred to Qatar, which played a key role in the negotiations.
A senior U.S. defense official confirmed Saturday that the prisoners to be released include Mullah Mohammad Fazl, Mullah Norullah Noori, Abdul Haq Wasiq, Khairullah Khairkhwa and Mohammed Nabi Omari.
While not as well known as Guantanamo inmates like 9-11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the Taliban 5 were some of the worst outlaws in the U.S. war on terror. And their release will end up replenishing the diminished leadership ranks of the Afghan Taliban at a moment when the United States is winding down the war there.
“They are undoubtedly among the most dangerous Taliban commanders held at Guantanamo,” said Thomas Joscelyn, a senior editor at the Long War Journal who keeps a close watch on developments concerning the detainees left at the Guantanamo Bay prison.
The piece gives further details about their identity:
- Fazl was the Taliban’s former deputy defense minister, wanted by the UN for his role in massacres targeting Afghan’s Shi’ite Muslim population;
- Noori was a senior Taliban military figure and was asked personally in 1995 by Osama bin Laden to participate in an offensive against northern alliance warlord Rashid Dostum;
- Wasiq was a former deputy minister of intelligence and a crucial liaison between the Taliban and other Islamic fundamentalist groups;
- Khairkhwa was a former Taliban governor of Herat, a likely heroin trafficker, and likely participated in meetings with Iranian officials after 9-11 to help plot attacks on U.S. forces following the invasion; and
- Omari held several military leadership posts for the Taliban and helped organize the al Qaeda/Taliban militias that fought against U.S. and coalition troops in the first year of the war.
One might ask, how many lives did we lose capturing these barbarians? How many lives were lost searching for an AWOL soldier? But obviously not this President on either account. Moreover, once again Obama has displayed his affection towards unilateral decision-making above the law and Congress. And even a Democratic law professor admits Obama absolutely violated federal law in Bergdahl's transfer...
After the culmination of Bowe Bergdahl's declaration to his parents, telling them "I am ashamed to be an American," his dad's disturbing comments and muslim sympathies, and new revelations from soldiers who've broken their silence about Bergdahl's desertion, one has to ask, what was this President thinking acting unilaterally to release five terrorist leaders for one American traitor? That's his idea of a fair deal? Of leaving no man behind?
So in the end, Bergdahl was traded for 5 high risk Taliban terrorists who are likely to return to the battlefield and kill more Americans. And it appears what we got in return is an AWOL traitor who belongs in Afghanistan.
Great job, Mr. President. Sheesh...
Related links: Just like Benghazi, Susan Rice spews Obama Bergdahl propaganda on Sunday talk shows
[VIDEO] – Jay Carney doges EVERY question about Bergdahl trade on CNN
Reporter to State Dept: Was Bergdahl a deserter?
[VIDEO] Jay Carney says WH will consult with Congress, obey federal law before transfer of GITMO detainees – TWICE!
How Obama Convinced His Spies to Support the Taliban Prisoner Release
UPDATE I: A few more details have come to the forefront. After Bergdahl's desertion, attacks on special forces ramped up, while more of our young men were killed in the process of looking for Bergdahl. We know the identity of at least 8 of them...(from top row to bottom: Army Pfc. Aaron E. Fairbairn, Army Pfc. Justin Casillas, Army Pfc. Morris L. Walker, Army Staff Sgt. Clayton P. Bowen, Army Staff Sgt. Kurt R. Curtiss, Army 2nd Lt. Darryn D. Andrews, Army Pfc. Matthew Martinek, and Army Staff Sgt. Michael C. Murphrey)
Possible correction concerning the above image of soldiers: What One Soldier Says the Media Are Getting Wrong in the Bergdahl Story
And Monday night, Col. David Hunt divulged that as many as 14 men lost their lives trying to find this deserter!
Time to stop treating this guy with a hero's welcome, and time to hold Obama responsible for such an irresponsibly, unilateral decision.
UPDATE II: More evidence points towards this deserter turning traitor...
TRS: Former Army Sgt. Evan Buetow, Bowe Bergdahl’s Team Leader, spoke with Jake Tapper today to explain exactly what happened with Bergdahl’s disappearance. The highlight of the interview is below where he explains how they knew Bergdahl was trying to speak to the Taliban after he disappeared. In short, they heard it via communications chatter that Bergdahl was seeking out someone who spoke English so he could talk to the Taliban.
UPDATE III: Bergdahl’s former squad leader says 'He totally deserted us.'
TRS: Former U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Justin Gerleve who was Bergdahl’s squad leader has come forward just as the others have and confirms that Bergdahl was indeed a deserter. He also confirms that the attacks from the Taliban got more accurate in the days after Bergdahl’s desertion. Like the rest, he believes Bergdahl needs to pay for his crimes and absolutely does not deserve a hero’s welcome.
As a side note, Bergdahl’s hometown in Iowa has now cancelled the celebration they had planned.
Related link: WAPO: Afghans remember the day Bergdahl deserted, tried to warn him
"The question is do we want more of the same. I have two children... No doubt they will be faced with our current problems. If we stay on the same trend our nation will likely be subject to foreign nations to whom we owe. Men and women of America (and Mississippi) must wake up and vote for leaders who will fight for what we believe. A vote for Chris McDaniel is a vote for traditional values and a limited constitutional government. Vote for the only true conservative, Chris McDaniel, for U.S. Senate on June 3. Your children and grandchildren will thank you." ~ Kyle T. Hunt, Brandon MS surgeon
Politics is not local anymore, especially when it comes to the U.S. Senate. One Senator's vote can affect us all.
Tomorrow's the day, Mississippi. And no matter what the operatives and media want to distract the electorate with over the substance of the candidates, there's one thing that can't be hidden, nor should be ignored: Thad's record. So I'd say to those still insisting on hitching their wagons to Thad Cochran, simply take the Senator's looong, checkered record under consideration before casting your vote:
On Taxes:
- Thad voted for the “Fiscal Cliff” tax hikes – the largest tax increases in American history, coupled with $332 billion in stimulus spending [Roll Call #251, January 1, 2013].
- Thad voted to pave the road for an online sales tax run by a cartel of states [Roll Call #62, March 22, 2013].
- Thad voted against a major middle class tax cut – raising income thresholds for middle income tax brackets [Roll Call #55, April 1, 1998].
- Thad voted for President Bush Sr.’s budget that included massive tax increases [Roll Call #326, October 27, 1990].
On Welfare:
- Thad voted against welfare reform, requiring most able-bodied, non-elderly food stamp recipients to work 40 hours during each 4-week period [Roll Call #408, September 11, 1995].
- Thad voted against cutting back food stamp spending to pre-Obama levels [Roll Call #120, June 13, 2012].
- Thad voted for the massive $1 trillion food stamp bill [Roll Call #141, June 6, 2013].
On Life:
- Voted for Medicaid funding for abortions [Roll Call #132, May 21, 1981].
- Voted to table the amendment to bar the use of federal District of Columbia funds to pay for abortions, except to save the life of the mother [Roll Call #291, November 7, 1985].
- Voted for federally funded research on embryonic stem cells [Roll Call #206, July 18, 2006 Roll Call #127, April 11, 2007].
- Voted against straightening laws to circumvent taking minors across state lines for abortions without parental notification [Roll Call #71, March 13, 2008].
On ObamaCare:
- Thad refused to join the battle to defund or in any way disrupt Obamacare.
- Cochran claims that he voted to repeal Obamacare over 100 times, but he has always opposed the only consequential means of actually disrupting the law, which is by objecting to any budget that contains funding [RC#206, Sept. 27, 2013; RC# 219, Oct. 16, 2013].
- On the contrary, Thad voted for the $1.054 trillion FY 2012 omnibus bill, which funded Obamacare [Roll Call #235, December 17, 2011].
- Thad also voted for President Bush’s massive new market-distorting, budget-busting entitlement – Medicare Part D [Roll Call #459, November 25, 2003].
On Illegal Immigration:
- Thad voted for amnesty [Roll Call #127, May 17, 2006], thereby driving down wages for Mississippians.
- Thad voted against construction of border fence [Roll Call #200, July 13, 2006], thus providing a constant stream of cheap labor.
On Guns:
- Voted for then-Senator Joe Biden’s massive gun control bill, which banned numerous firearms and created undue burdens and waiting periods on purchasers [Roll Call #125, July 11. 1991].
- Voted to impose background checks on private transfers and supersede numerous state laws with a sweeping federal mandate [RC #140, May 20, 1999].
- Voted to prohibit the sale of all guns without Washington-approved safety devices [Roll Call #17, February 26, 2004].
Sources: Mississippi Conservative Daily, Madison Project
The list goes on. And if you can still carry that load, you not only have a stronger tolerance than I, but perhaps it's time to question your own sense of principle, because sorry folks, this record ain't conservative! Not even close. Certainly no Reagan Conservative...on the contrary...
RyanSWalters: Ronald Reagan, the former two-term governor of California, decided to challenge the unpopular President, Gerald Ford, who had angered a good many citizens by pardoning Richard Nixon before any charges had ever been brought in the Watergate case. His foreign policy was also a disaster, allowing South Vietnam to fall to the North without any response and signing the Helsinki Accords, essentially handing the Soviets control of Eastern Europe.
Reagan, seeking to give Republicans a conservative choice, stumbled out of the blocks during the early primary season, losing the first six contests, but he roared back in North Carolina and Texas, as well as other more conservative Southern and Western states. Arriving at the convention, neither candidate had a majority of delegates. In order to win the nomination, the uncommitted delegates would have to choose a side, and both camps heavily lobbied them.
National attention, though, focused on Mississippi, as its delegation, led by Clarke Reed, adopted a “unit rule,” whereby the entire voting bloc would swing to one candidate based on the majority vote of the delegation.
...the major blow was the day Congressmen Trent Lott and Thad Cochran publicly endorsed the President over Reagan. Cochran even flew with the President on board Air Force One back to Mississippi to parade in front of the cameras for the general public. Clarke Reed also switched his vote and the Mississippi delegation went for Ford, as did the convention.
Mississippi’s so-called conservatives, led by Cochran, supported Gerald Ford, a moderate, and awarded him the presidential nomination. Most historians and political scientists, of either political stripe, have credited Mississippi with tipping the balance away from Reagan and toward Ford.
And who did Gerald Ford pick as his running mate? Not a conservative but Kansas Senator Bob Dole, another moderate. So instead of a strong conservative at the top of the ticket, no matter who his VP might be, the Republicans picked two moderates to lead them in the fall against Jimmy Carter. Even Haley Barbour knew the ticket did not stand much of a chance, though Reagan might have. “Gerald Ford is a safe 47 percent, but he can’t win,” he said. “Reagan may get forty, but he may get fifty.”
And Barbour proved correct, as Ford lost to Carter in a close race, with Carter even winning Mississippi, the last time a Democrat won the Magnolia State. ... And thanks to Thad Cochran’s help, the nation did not get a true choice in the November election, and was given four years of President Carter.
As we know, Reagan came back in 1980 and took on Carter, trouncing him in November 1980 by carrying 44 states. Moving into the White House in January 1981, President Reagan sought a new era for the nation, one centered on conservative values. He had two main goals: balance the budget and build up the nation’s lagging defenses.
But with the first of these, he struggled against a recalcitrant Congress to rein in federal spending. Thad Cochran, though, was no help at all. Now in the Senate, controlled by Republicans, Senator Cochran sided with Senators on both sides of the aisle who supported big government and more spending.
Sounds like today's familiar problems, no?
So the question is why continue to vote the man in for a sixth term, when he hasn't proven himself to be an effective Mississippi Republican (much less, conservative) fighter in Washington from the beginning? Particularly, when Mississippians have a REAL CHOICE tomorrow?
Fact is, Mississippians have a genuine opportunity, certainly the best one in a long, long time, to regain its representation with a constitutional conservative this election cycle, and his name is CHRIS MCDANIEL! He has a record of his own to prove it, drawing a stark contrast to that of the current occupant...
ClarionLedger: Our national debt is now at 17.5 trillion dollars. Senator Thad Cochran has been in Washington for 42 years. When he took office our nation’s debt was 427 billion dollars. Senator Cochran’s record speaks volumes. Senator Thad Cochran has the second most liberal voting record for Republican Senators during President Obama’s past five years as reported by the American Conservative Union. The only Republican Senator with a more liberal voting record is Susan Collins from Maine. Senator Cochran has continually voted to increase rather than decrease the size of government. He has frequently voted to increase the debt ceiling limit for a total of about 7.25 billion dollars. In 2010 he led Congress in earmark spending. His pet projects totaled 16.5 billion dollars for that year. Senator Cochran has also voted for “Cash for Clunkers”, the “Bridge to Nowhere”, increasing gasoline taxes and income taxes, and bailing out Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. Senator Cochran was quoted as saying, “‘I think that right now what Americans want most from their government is less government,’ Cochran said.” (The Jackson Clarion Ledger/AP, 1/28/79). His statement was true in 1979 and is true today. But has he lived by this statement?
Senator Cochran’s opponent, Mississippi State Senator Chris McDaniel, believes in constitutional limited government. He is opposed to increasing the debt limit and is in favor of permanently banning earmarks and setting term limits. He will put the Mississippi taxpayer first. As chairman of the Mississippi Senate Conservative Coalition he has fought for protecting our personal freedoms from government infringement. He led the fight to restrict eminent domain takeover of personal property. Chris McDaniel also stands for the Second Amendment as he introduced the Firearms Freedom Protection Act.
Chris McDaniel has been given multiple awards from business associations. Chris McDaniel stands for the American worker by lowering tax demands on businesses and workers, supporting a border fence, enforcement of illegal immigration laws, and restoration of traditional legal immigration rates. Unfortunately, Senator Cochran has voted against funding for building the fence.
Chris McDaniel is a practicing lawyer in Mississippi and has been a member of many professional defense law associations and has served as Pro-Life Mississippi’s attorney pro-bono. He has supported tort reform during his time in the Mississippi Senate.
Also, according to Sam Hall of the Clarion Ledger, “McDaniel supports the tort reform measures already enacted in Mississippi and has spoken in favor of additional tort reform measures. [All] things considered, it’s disingenuous to use the “trial lawyer” label against McDaniel.” Senator Cochran on the other hand has sided with plaintiff attorneys and Democrats with multiple times for amendments that would weaken litigation reform.
Senator Cochran voted for cloture on the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare, and he voted to fund Obamacare twice. Chris McDaniel was asked by Governor Phil Bryant to lead the lawsuit against Obamacare for the state of Mississippi.
I have heard Senator Chris McDaniel speak in person. I believe he is genuine and principled. He has the intellect, tenacity, and energy to fight the liberal agenda.
Lastly, in a head-to-head match-up against Democrat Travis Childers, polls show that Chris McDaniel has a comfortable lead. This dispels the falsehood that Chris McDaniel is too conservative to win a general election.
So forget the media distractions and the establishment hype. Carry reason to the polls. Now Is The Time to seize your representation, Mississippi! Choose wisely.
"We gotta take one step at a time. The journey starts with the first step." ~ WWII Vet Wesley Byrd, Brandon MS
Related links: Not another incumbent RINO, Mississippi! It's time to elect Chris McDaniel
Mississippi: Now is the time for Chris McDaniel!
Mark goes off on Haley Barbour and other Republicans who are talking about the ideological purity of the Republican Party
