Go Ahead! Jump!

I'm not sure the Republicans are beyond help, but they sure don't appear to be very savvy with this fiscal cliff business.

Even those within the party are encouringing the leadership to go over.  Actually, they should.  Two things will happen.  More people will be paying taxes thereby having a stake in the game which isn't all bad.  And if the Republicans really want their spending cuts this is the only way they're going to get them.

Let's face it.  Obama isn't going to negotiate with them.  He's too busy campaigning in front of adoring crowds.  He doesn't like to negotiate.  He won't negotiate.  Nothing new there.  He feels he has the right to do whatever he wants no matter what the laws may say, no matter that not everyone thinks his way is the best way. It's how he does things. I can't imagine the Republicans really think he's going to do things differently now than he has in the past four years.

He's actually thumbing his nose at them.  Oh, he'll address cuts later just give him the taxes now and by the way he and he alone will decide on when and how much to raise the debt ceiling. I'd have laughed in Geitner's face when he delivered that gem.

What they need to do is say loud and clear there is no good faith negotiation, the President isn't going to participate in any compromise then lay out exactly what they want. When accused of bluffing, deny it and mean it.  For all those clamoring for spending cuts, there they are.  Everyone will survive the tax increases as unpleasant as they may be. I know we'll get hammered but we'll adjust.  When the economy takes another dip and jobs fail to appear the Republicans can then point out they put their offer on the table and were responded to with a demand, not a meeting of minds.  That can't happen unless two sides are willing and as is typical with this administration, they want it their way and only their way.

When you look at those demands, why would any one agree to them?  It's just piling on more of the same that hasn't worked in the past four years.  So come on Republicans, quit pussy footing around.  Quit meeting behind closed doors.  Bring it all out in the open so we can see everything offered up by both sides.

Then maybe tweeting our congressional reps might be worth while.  Just jump.

For The Birds

Yesterday I got together with a friend to partake of an annual trek in these parts.  The annual influx of eagles to feast on the doomed salmon in Lake Coeur d'Alene.

They're here early this year.  I've heard the cold weather in Canada has driven them south ahead of their usual arrival time.

We decided to get a bite of lunch before heading out which was a mistake.  It was pouring when we left the restaurant but it didn't matter.  We were going to see the eagles.  And see them we did.

More are yet to come but we must have seen thirty or forty as we drove around the area.  Unfortunately I didn't have Hub's camera with the big lens, but I managed to get a shot or two.

What struck me was the people we encountered.  On our initial run to see what we could see, where they might be, we passed a lady in rain gear standing under an umbrella.  Her husband was in their car sipping coffee.  She looked so happy even though it was miserable.

A truck pulled over to let us pass.  The driver waved and so did we. We saw trees full of eagles, just sitting and waiting.

The lady was still there when we retraced our steps knowing we were in ripe territory.  We watched as a magnificent eagle swept down right in front of us, sending ducks scurrying.  The dived for lived for another encounter.  And there were many.

The rain stopped and the activity increased.  My video was being cranky and the birds not quite close enough to get good shots but just seeing them in such numbers is awe inspiring.  We moved on to another area where people were walking and biking along a trail.  The eagles would swoop into a tree top and the people would stop and stare transfixed.  And smile.  Everyone we saw was smiling.  The eagles touched a common chord.  Everyone loved seeing them, no matter the foul weather.


I was thinking our Idaho Congressional delegation should invite everyone in the administration and both houses of Congress to come out this week end when the eagles will be near their peak.  Let them see their national bird up close and personal in it's natural habitat.

Let them see how the people react to them and to each other in their presence.  The patience, good humor and courtesy they show.  How they swap stories and share information.  And smile.

It's pretty awesome to see what a bunch of birds can do for one's spirits.  They're so regal, so above pettiness and bickering.  Just serene beauty.  Maybe it would remind our politicians who we are and what they should be.

I love the eagles.  I never tire of seeing them.  Perhaps it's because of what they represent.  I wonder if it's still translatable.

So What're Ya Gonna Do About It?

According to the President he couldn't be more proud of the job Susan Rice has done and isn't particularly concerned that the information she gave the American people about Benghazi wasn't accurate.  Wow.  What contempt toward the American people!

Would it help if the indignant Senators would ask the right questions?  It would make me feel better if they would but for some reason they are not.  Just what might those questions be?

Well, first let's get off Susan Rice. The President has already said she had nothing to do with Benghazi.  She was given the job of whitewashing what happened and did it willingly. So let's accept that and forget her for the moment.

The President also suggested if they wanted to go after someone, go after him.  Why aren't they?  Let's assume all the precautions were in place.  We've been told about the procedures in place if such an occasion should arise and that the necessary assets were indeed in place just waiting for the order to go.  Why wasn't it given?  That's the question.  Why were four Americans left to die when it quite probably could have been prevented? Someone knows.  Susan Rice probably doesn't.

Yes, answers need to be given as to why security wasn't enhanced when asked for, especially after previous attacks.  Susan Rice doesn't have them.

Who changed the wording in the talking points?  As recently as yesterday the CIA and FBI were still playing hot potato with that one.  Susan Rice may not have known that either but someone does.

Hillary wasn't around. By the way, where is she?  She has some things to answer for herself yet she's been given a pass so far.  Why? Does Susan Rice know? Probably not for sure, but someone does.

In other words, the Senators seem to think Susan Rice is all knowing and just isn't talking. I contend she isn't all knowing and if I were her I'd be angry with myself for allowing myself to be so used. The person who is and who can and should answer the questions is the President and he's not talking either.

Why?  If he's trying to bolster the contention that al Qaeda is decimated and on the run he needn't bother, we know better.  Is he delusional?  Possible, but I think more likely he's found himself in an unanticipated and embarrassing situation and feels if he stonewalls long enough, maybe with  an occasional admonishing finger to divert attention, it will all go away.

I suspect he's right. The media has no more taste for it than he does and will leave well enough alone.  The four grieving families, however, who still have no concrete answers deserve much more.  His attitude toward the entire incident oozes contempt toward them as well as us.  I'm betting the military and the intelligence services and our allies are feeling a bit of it themselves.

Will The Real Republican Please Stand Up?

The 2012 campaign began four years earlier so I guess it's no surprise that names are already being bandied about for 2016.

The speculation is fun but really not worth much. Things could actually change for both parties. The question here is who will best represent the party four years down the road or if they'll all be nothing more than elephants in the room.

I can chastise the potential Republican field by saying, "Where were you when we needed you?" To those at least who opted not to run but could possibly have won.  Jeb Bush, Chris Christie, Marco Rubio.  Oh they were all so content to stay where ever they were but suddenly the bug has bitten.

Then too some of the also rans haven't put the kibosh on another try including Rick Perry, Newt and Rick Santorum.  Surely I jest.  Nope.  Just browse around and you'll find the names.  A few newcomers might include Bobby Jindal, Rand Paul, Mike Pence and Bob McConnell and of course Paul Ryan.  Also there is speculation Mike Huckabee and Sarah Palin might feel moved to give up the big bucks of TV for the honor of serving.  Yeah, right.

It's a strange field if there is to be a new face and philosophy for the Republicans.  That's one reason I think we may see a very different field.  Not necessarily better, but different.  May those who have no chance please drop out at the beginning so we don't have to be uncomfortable witnesses to your being ignored at the debates.

Even the Democrats are testing a few names.  We all expect Hillary to go.  If you see her lose a few pounds and get more frequent botox shots, bet on it.  Otherwise she and Bill probably have some other scheme in mind.

Then there's Joe.  Also Andrew Cuomo,  Deval Patrick, Elizabeth Warren, Cory Booker and Martin O'Malley. Handicapping those folks really depends on whether or not Hillary goes.  Other than Joe, they don't have great name recognition, but they're pretty much business as usual as a collective.  I'd expect in the four years of high visibility remaining for Joe, he might just self-destruct. I'll actually be surprised if he doesn't. I wouldn't bet on him getting the nomination in any case.  Though stranger things have happened.

This should keep my anticipatory lust satisfied for awhile.  It's time to get back to some real news about which to speculate.  Like will we really leave 10,000 men in Afghanistan?  Wow.  That's cruel and inhuman punishment for serving the country!

What's Next?

It's too soon for New Year resolutions which I don't make anyway.  It's not too soon to gaze into my crystal ball and prognosticate about the future. At least what I anticipate for Obama's second term.

We have re-elected a President who has no taste for conflict, especially with Congress. He becomes an absolute dictator and the Republicans cave in or just plain become obstinate. Neither works.

Overseas it's a different story.  I expect Obama will nominate Susan Rice to be Secretary of State.  Some say she doesn't have the temperament though I'm not sure what the proper temperament is. Giving out misleading information about Benghazi isn't reason enough to deny her.  She was just being a good soldier and doing as she was told. That's the type Presidents want around themselves so Obama is getting exactly what he wants.  My main objection is that she's a woman.  I've long held that a woman cannot be as effective as a man in dealing with stone age patriarchal societies.

Even though Morsi seized unprecedented powers before Hillary's plane cleared Egyptian air space I expect she'll get the Nobel Prize for Peace.  Those guys love to award it for nonaccomplishment.

The cease fire won't hold.  Iran is already loading ships to rearm Hamas.  Hamas demands will not be seriously considered by Israel and the entire Middle East will slowly succumb to the will of the Muslim Brotherhood.

Afghanistan will kick us out before the end of 2013. Karzai does not want to be beholden to outsiders, especially us, no matter how much he needs our money.  We will not agree to allow our military to be subject to Afghan law.  At least I hope we won't.  But with this President you can never be sure.

We should, but won't start withholding the billions in aid we distribute throughout the region.

The Iraq war was said to be all about oil. With fracking technology our resources are available such as they have never been before. Unfortunately, the environmentalists and the regulation mad administration will make it one furious fight. The choice is between allowing the extraction of our own resources or remaining beholden to the Middle East.  Think of what those billions sent over their could do to avoid the fiscal cliff over here if only we would play hardball with the enemy instead of with ourselves.

Obamacare will begin to crumble from it's own weight before it's even implemented.  The states will fight aspects of it even if Congress won't.  They can't afford it and they don't trust the feds.

The economy will limp along with tiny steps forward and tiny steps back.  What happens overseas will have a great deal of bearing on what happens to us but for the foreseeable future they'll remain stalled.

The Republicans will remain a split party with the social conservatives refusing to understand many don't agree with their social agenda.  The Tea Party will lose it's clout if it continues to pair with the social conservatives bringing with it an unwillingness to be reasonable.  The moderates will continue to lose seats and voice and the Party will cease to be what it once was.

The Democrats will continue to chip away by default then all of a sudden the country will awaken from it's nightmare and wonder what happened.  What did? We were dreaming the impossible dream - that we could survive selfishness and greed and apathy yet thrive.