My Head is Going to Explode!

Does anyone else find these things a little, well...hypocritical, dangerous, BAD!?

Pres. Obama repeatedly says he just wants to look forward, but then chooses to release Top Secret documents from the Bush administration. These documents talk about various methods of enhanced interrogation techniques that were used after 9/11 and are now considered torture by the current administration-techniques that were used of last resort and only for those the CIA knew had information that could possibly lead to a second 9/11. While the definition of "torture" can be debated, the main question is why were these released? Why would we put this info out there for the terrorists to get? We basically just gave them more info for their training manual. If Pres. Obama was telling the truth, "moving forward" would mean "we no longer torture and that is the end of that." Instead, he makes our national security political. Nice. Apparently he has not yet realized that Bush is no longer in power-he is the President now, why waste time making the last admin. look bad when you have so many other things to worry about???

Besides the issue of hurting our security, what good is our CIA if they are going to be constantly worried about being prosecuted for what they do as part of their JOB? Obama initially said that they were not going to prosecute those that had carried out the techniques, Rahm Emmanuel said that they were not going to prosecute those that drafted the memos either. Today-complete opposite story. Now, there is a possibility that these people will be prosecuted. This is so incredibly disturbing, on so many levels:

1. They released these memos talking about the methods we used, but so far have refused to release the memos that talk about the great intelligence we got from them. VP Cheney has called them out on this and righfully so. I had read somewhere that there were 30+ terrorist attacks that were thwarted as a result of info we got from these interrogations and that 50% of the info we have on Al Qaeda is from these interrogations. What would have happened of there had been another attack on our country? Easy-Pres. Bush would have been blamed for not doing enuf to protect us. Why won't the Obama admin. put this info out? Don't the American people deserve the entire story? Shouldn't we have access to all of the information instead of what was cherry picked by Obama? This is absolutely outrageous!!

2. What about members of Congress who knew about and approved the techniques? Including Nancy Pelosi? Will she be prosecuted? Hmmm...I can guess the answer to that.

3. This type of stuff is exactly what Clinton did-he tied the hands of the CIA behind their back, and as a result, we were not able to prevent 9/11. Do we not learn from history? I said this before, but if the CIA has this constant fear of being prosecuted, they are not going to be able to do their job. Our intelligence is going to be hurt greatly, I truly believe that.

4. For Obama to completely take any of these techniques off the table is a huge mistake! What happens in this scenario (which is extremely realistic)-Intelligence finds out a terrorist got across the border with a WMD-one that could kill thousands of Americans. They know of some of his cohorts that are in Gitmo, and are pretty sure they probably know where this person is going...are you telling me we are going to get info from them by being all sweet and cuddly??? What happens when we have just hours or minutes and need to get information fast. Plain and simple, we are screwed. I am not saying we should torture, but I don't believe the techniques in those memos are torture. Not to mention-do the terrorists abide by the Geneva convention when they have an American prisoner??? Ummm...I don't think so.

Paired with Obama's world "apology" tour and his sucking up to various dictators and tyrants around the world, I believe we are extremely weak right now. Our president looks weak, our country looks weak. Terrorists around the world are celebrating today. He says we lost "moral bearing" using these tactics-isn't just about every policy he has instituted pretty much "non-moral bearing"? How is it that he chooses what ways the US can be "moral"? Oh yeah-only when it makes him look good and Bush (or any Republican for that matter) look bad.

How is it that he is more harsh toward peple like Hannity and Rush than he is toward people like Chavez and the Saudi King? How is it that he allows these dictators to blame us for all of their problems when it is the decisions they have made that have led to their demise? How is it that he can go overseas and talk about how our past is sooo horrible (not any more horrible that the past of any other country, by the way) but refuses to mention all of the tremendous good we have done and continue to do in this world? He says we should be on an equal level to these countries--but we aren't equal!!! They are run by dictators who kill people who don't agree with them! They run drug dealing operations! They take money and food they get for the people and don't actually give it to the people! And many of these dictators-in the last week have laughed at, made a fool of, or have spoken negatively about President Obama. Apparently the sucking up didn't work so much...

How is it that the administration puts out a memo warning law enforcement of the increased chance that right wing extremists (according the media, this would include all of those who attended the tea parties) are a danger, especially those who have fought for our country? With no evidence. None. (Then today-a domestic terrorist is added to the FBI's Most Wanted List-he is a left-winger. )

How is it that NBC has an interview with Janine Garafalo (sp?) who says all those who attended the tea parties are racists who just can't stand that we have a black president. And the interview (Olberman, of course) agreed with her wholeheartedly (again, great example of objective journalism)? NBC/GE is corrupt on soooo many levels and is in the President's pockets.

How is it that the President couldn't even acknowledge the thousands of Americans who are truly concerned about their country-the estimates range from 300,000 to 750,000 people came out that day. Those are not small numbers-and I can guarantee that were millions who would have been at one if they could have. Everyone from the media to Nancy Pelosi to the President dismissed them and even made fun of them. Shameful. Apparently, dissent is only okay if it is against the right.

I am one frustrated American. And while I probably pay too much attention to this stuff, I can't help it. Everyday, there is something that makes my head want to explode. Is he naive? Is the really that liberal? Does he think like Reverend Wright and William Ayers? (Which no one but Fox would cover during the camaign). Apparently so. I just hope people will pay attention and make some smart choices when it comes time to elect our representatives...and our next president. I am scared where we will be if we allow more than 4 years of this.

Tea Parties and Media Bias

I just came across some news videos on NBC and CNN (completely lost any respect I did have for Anderson Cooper) that completely ripped on the Tea Parties happening today (that had HUGE crowds of average Americans all over the nation!). Not only were the reports completely nonfactual, but they were extremely condescending and ignorant (which is unfortunately extremely typical).
Myth #1: The mainstream media and the liberal press (pretty much the same thing) keeps saying the Tea Party protests are a conservative movement. Wrong-the protests had Republicans, Democrats, and Independents invloved and they happened all over the nation.

Myth #2: The protests are just protesting Obama, but these people didn't say anything when the Republicans were in power and increased our deficit. Wrong-the anger is toward ALL govt, both parties for being fiscally irresponsible, for the bailouts, the earmarks...the blame lies on both sides, but with the Obama admin. it just keeps getting worse. Our govt. is spending outrageously right now and our kids and grandkids are going to be paying the bill.

Myth #3: That these protests are stupid because they are trying to mimick the Boston Tea Party which was about taxing without representation (and that our taxes aren't increasing anyway). Wrong-the Boston Tea Party encouraged the initial sentiment of protesting tax-related issues, but again, the protests are about our congressmen/women not listening to the people who hired them, about fiscal irresponsibility with our tax money, with the outrageous spending that will inevitably have to increase our taxes at some point (even the taxes on the rich will not provide enuf money!), and the "secret" way Obama is increasing our taxes-maybe not thru our paychecks (now), but by increasing taxes on cigarettes, utilities, etc. Anyone who truly believes their taxes will not be going up in some form is lying to themselves. And actually-right now,in the most liberal states, taxes are increasing rapidly on homes, sales, corporate taxes, etc. Right Now. So anyone who says that taxes have not increased need to do their homework.

Myth #4: That the Republican Party and Fox News organized this. Wrong-this was grassroots all the way-Patriotic American people standing up for our core values. Standing up for our kids and grandkids who are going to get dealt a horrible hand because of the choices are representatives are making right now. Fox News covered them-and were the only ones that covered them accurately. (And for the record NBC news-hardly any of the people at the rallies were 'toothless').

I have to say I am sick and tired of being considered a "right wing extremist" or a "racist" or that I should be "shamed" for being a conservative, for not voting for and agreeing with President Obama and the progressive ideaology. It doesn't happen here (of course, I live in Nebraska of all places), but it is done on a national level-in the media, at the Oscars, on the liberal talk radio shows, on shows like the View and on and on and on...I am just someone who believes in the traditional values of our country and every day (faster with the Obama administration) we are getting further and further away from that. Our government is getting larger by the day, focus on personal resonsiblity is turning into focus on entitlements and looking to the govt. for everything...I could go on and on. But I do want to say this-there is a reason why Fox News kills in the ratings-why they have 10 of the top 10 cable news shows (yep!)-they speak the voice of the majority of Americans, and that is proven by the fact they have the highest ratings in TV and on radio. And they do sway to the right in their commentary but hard-news wise, is more objective than any other news organization.

It was obvious how liberal our mainstream media had gotten-it reared its ugly head during the campaign. But today-even more obvious. The media is no longer objective. As Sean Hannity says, Journalism has truly died. And while some people think we shouldn't care...we should because the media and Hollywood shape values of our children more than we think. I hope our representatives pay attention to the thousands of Americans that stood up today for fiscal responsbility with our tax dollars. I also hope that people think twice these days when they are watching the news. (If you want to see the video of the horrendous reporting, go to FoxNation.com and you will find videos.)

Catching Up...

Yeah, I am not so good at this blogging thing...I need to keep caught up a bit better, especially since I plan on using some of my posts for my journaling for future scrapbook pages! I do have a good excuse though...Dan and I just got back from SUNNY California yesterday! For my 30th birthday (Sunday the 5th), he surprised me and took me to the beach for 5 days-he rented a convertible, and both places we stayed (Santa Barbara and Laguna Beach) were right on the beach! What an amazing husband I have, it was an amazing trip and so incredibly relaxing!!! I will post pics soon (they are still on my camera) but on the left is a page I made before the trip for an art journaling class that I am taking (too fun!) that is about getting away from the snow and into the sun! 8 ). It was sooo nice to get away from the cold weather and enjoy some sunshine. We spent part of Sunday in Hollywood and took a tour of Celebrities homes and places where fun things happened in the world of Hollywood. Sadly, I LOVE that kind of stuff. For instance, we saw the house where 'The Bodyguard' was filmed...love it!!! Overall though, we got lots of great sun, great convertible driving time, ate lots of yummy food, and even got a little sunburnt (including my lips-ouch!).

So while we were gone, our wonderful in-laws (Jim and Jodi), with some help from my mom, watched the girls We owe them huge!!! Esp since they have 4 kids of their own...the girls had a great time, but we missed them a ton! Even so, it was nice to know they were in such great hands.

So I am officially 30...not so bad, but I majorly felt it on Sat. when Dan and I went to Magic Mountain--I can't quite handle the roller coaster like I used to, and we left after 3 rides because we had no patience for the 90 minute waits...that, I say, is a sign I am officially getting old. Ugh.

Saturday was the 3rd anniversary of my dad's passing. I can't believe it has been that long. I am blessed to have the time I did with him, but it does not help the sadness that comes from missing him, and the sadness that comes from my girls not getting to know him. Keaton's memories of him are ever fading, and Mallory did not get the chance to meet this man I call my hero. I will tell them stories though...stories to keep his memory alive. He was such an amazing man, and I know that one day I will be with him again.

In memoriam, April 4th, 2006, Ronald Lee Gardner