Kids Should Not Be Used As Political Pawns

It has long been rumored that the lax border security is being perpetuated so as many potential Democratic voters as possible get into the country.  The theory being that once the President gives them amnesty they will be so grateful they will of course vote Democratic.

This begs a question.  Just being here "legally" does not give one the right to vote or is automatic citizenship to be part of the deal?

That brings me to the current influx of children, being brought across the border illegally, that have so overwhelmed facilities in Texas they're being shipped to Arizona and onto other states.  I understand they are mostly South American and that their parents have allowed this to get them out of harms way.  I cannot comprehend conditions being such that I would turn my children over to strangers and ship them to a foreign land in hope they'll be cared for.  This is absolutely beyond my comprehension.

So what happens now?  They cannot be held in detention facilities forever or is allowing their parents to follow next on the agenda?  As soon as amnesty is guaranteed no doubt. Do they have their coyotes lined up?  In the meantime who is going to care for them, feed and clothe the kids?  The U.S. tax payer of course.

More importantly who is going to nurture them and teach them?  They've already started their young lives by being forced to break laws.  Maybe they don't comprehend that just yet.  What happens though when those kids want their Mom or Dad?  How do you explain it to them?

This can't possibly be a way of garnering votes for the future can it? If so it's insane.  Instead of lolling around his wife's estate in France perhaps Secretary of State Kerry should be in South America addressing this problem.

Somehow it sticks in my craw that we can trade 5 known terrorist leaders away yet allow these abandoned children into our country to basically fend for themselves.  Watch for the formation of gangs where they'll band together for one another with a common language and need.  Watch out for increased crime as they become adults and cannot find work other than menial labor - if that.

The land of opportunity?  The administration has a skewed vision of it if they even believe it.  It is questionable.  My vision of it? It disappeared when this administration was returned to office for a second term. 

Hannity's Histrionics

Why is it so many talking heads have guests that are far superior to them in intellect?  You can always tell when they have one on. The conversation rapidly deteriorates into either a monologue by the host disallowing the guest to get a word in edgewise.  The shouting matches where noting of value is said by either party usually has as a guest someone of the same mentality but a different viewpoint.

What really irks me is when a host tries to put words in the guests mouth to make it appear he or she is in agreement. FOX's Hannity is one of the most egregious. I don't watch him often because of his intellectual shortcomings but last night  for some reason I did.  It just reconfirmed I am correct.

Of course the subject was Bowe Bergdahl.  I don't know what the end story will be of this misadventure but he may well wish he was back in Afghanistan.  There are so many stories swirling around I don't think anyone is yet able to sort out which are true and which are not.  Hannity, however,  has tried him,  found him guilty of everything from deserting to collaborating with the enemy, and is ready to hang him.

James Rosen has been doing some excellent reporting, as he does, on what isn't known and the implications of just that.  When one is in captivity, being held by those you were sent to fight, could you become disillusioned with them just as you had your own country and the reasons you were sent to fight?  I would guess so.

Would you do everything in your power to stay alive, even claiming to join forces with them?  I would suggest you might.  The psychological nuances of a person in such circumstances are vast and at this point we haven't enough information to make a judgement. Hannity tried mightily to reshape Rosen's report and failed miserably.  Yet he continued the same mantra over and over ad nauseam.

Perhaps Bergdahl did walk away from his post leaving behind his weapon, body armor and a damning letter. What happened next?  That's where we are at a standstill. We don't know.  The only one who does, for sure, is Bergdahl and those he was with.  They won't tell us anything.  We don't know how truthful Bergdahl will be in his debriefing but I trust we have skilled people handling it and will be able to sort the wheat from the chaff.

I won't even get into the behavior of his father other than to say I have no idea what ends I might go to if he were my son.

Could Bergdahl have been compromised?  Could he be a one man cell?  Possibly.  But for Sean Hannity to make that judgement and try to convince all those to whom he speaks that his words, and his alone, are the truth and should be considered such is disgusting and unworthy of any on air broadcast, even FOX.

He may be a talking head but it's a damn empty one.

All It Takes Is Money

 Money, money, money.  Money makes the world go round. I wish it wasn't so but could it, in some cases,  be justified?

Last night on Lou Dobbs, Catherine Engelbrecth, the President of True the Vote was addressing, once again, the IRS fiasco.  Frustrated with the inability to extract information from all the parties involved, the organization has taken a rather unusual step.  They've offered $1 million for information that will bring those involved to justice.  A bounty if you will.

Wow.  It sounds like this organization means business.  If what Ms. Englebrecht says is true, people have been coming out of the wood work with information.  I hope this is so for a number of reasons, however the least of which is the idea that one has to be paid to come forward. What, does the IRS have a code of silence like the gangs in Chicago?  Probably.

On the other hand, if this is what it takes I will give it a qualified approval.  The information gleaned must be thoroughly vetted.

What I see as the most positive is this organization, which claims to be non-partisan, is taking the early steps of taking our country back.  For this I applaud them. Even if those with information feel the need to be paid for it, it's a start.  And too, if the numbers coming forward are as numerous as she claims,  a high percentage of them know they will receive no payment.  Maybe clearing their conscience for withholding information  is payment enough.

Too bad all those who have been attacked by government entities (the IRS, the EPA, etc.) don't have the funds to pay out.  Most can't even pay lawyers to take up their cause. Maybe this is the beginning of a crack in the dam. With time and pressure it will grow and ultimately break.

Along the same line of thought, let's hope the resignation today of Eric Shinseki does not end the probe into practices at the VA.  He may have been part of the problem but it started and mostly remains way below his level.

When the adage that secretaries run corporations and Sargents run the army, be sure low and mid level union protected bureaucrats run the government.

May the independent, non-affiliated watch dog groups continue their good work. They've certainly got lots of bones to pick!

Shinseki - Should He Go Or Stay

When General Eric Shinseki was chosen to head the VA I thought it was one of Obama's best picks.  Even with all that is now going on, I'm not sure he isn't.

Sebelius wasn't dismissed for the debacle she made of Obamacare.  Why should Shinseki be dismissed for a problem that isn't of his making?

I think he should be given the chance to make it right.  I do not for a minute believe, that as a former general, he doesn't care deeply about veterans.

The problem as I see it lies with Congress and the bureaucracy and the structure of civil service jobs. Plus the type of people, across the board, who fill them.  Self serving and greedy at the expense of those in dire need.  What kind of citizens are these?

Tell Harry Reid to get off his behind and bring to the floor legislation that allows the firing of civil service no matter at what level they serve.  Then fire everyone involved as they are found and demand the return of their bonuses if such was received.  Prosecute to the full extent of the law those who acted criminally and send them to prison. No plea deals.  We're not dealing with children even if they're acting like it.

Replace every one who has oversight responsibilities and with the upcoming election those who turned a blind eye to what has been happening. What makes this so egregious is that it has been going on throughout every administration, not just this one.  This time they just happened to get caught and have no place to hide.

This is a non-partisan issue just as the Vets are non-partisan.  I cannot remember when there has been no grumbling about VA services and waits.

Shinseki should have the authority to do what's necessary.  If he doesn't this is one time the President should go around Congress with his phone and his pen and give it to him. Give the Vets vouchers for private sector care now.  Don't wait for an investigation to show what we already know.  Don't let Congress drag it's feet hoping it will go away.  Remember, this is government run health service, what we'll all get with Obamacare.  If you can't relate then pretend you're a Vet in need!  Give the General a chance to save his men.

Then go through every agency in the government and do the same housecleaning.  If this Congress can't get it done, make sure the next one can.

How many national disgraces does it take to get our attention?  How many national disgraces does it take to demand change?  This should be the final nail in the coffin.  If it isn't we're beyond hope and will get nothing more than what we deserve. I should hate to think this is it.

Ya Know, Nancy, Just Stop!

That goes for every one else who can't control their snarky persona!  So the Democrats capitulated and joined on what hopefully will be the last Benghazi investigation. There should never have been a question as to whether or not they would or should.

Partisanship and party loyalty rule no matter the crisis.  Here four Americans were killed and the whys and wherefores have yet to be answered.  The Dems know that and no matter how hard they try to deny it, pesky little tidbits keep seeping to the surface that belies their propaganda.

Let's face it.  If they're right and there's nothing more to be found they should be a part of finding that out.  Why wouldn't they want to?

She told reporters, "But I do think it's important for the American people to have a pursuit of these questions done in as fair and as open and balanced as possible."  Hooray for Nancy!  Maybe she's seen the light of day.

Oops!  No.  She had to tag on, "That's simply not possible leaving it to the Republicans."  You just had to do that, didn't you Nancy.  You couldn't be conciliatory and gracious even once.

Do you ever wonder why your opposition so often get their hackles up?  It isn't because they're Republican.  It's because you are you!