Off to India

I will be gone to India for five weeks.

I hope I will be able to blog a bit, and maybe add a bit of international insight!

In any case, you may be treated to some "guest" bloggers--my DH and my DS (middle one, very politically conservative and savvy--though I warn you, we don't always agree!)

If you want to know more about the trip to India, please see my other blog!

Toodle-oo!

The Party is Off

Well, the US has taken back its July 4th invitations to Iranian diplomats.

Good.

A few of my thoughts

I find the series of remarks by President Obama regarding Iran quite confusing.

First, on Friday, June 12th, the day of the Iranian vote, President Obama stated he was pleased with the "robust debate" and the possibility of change in Iran.

To me, this seemed extremely naive. Both Presidential aspirants, Ahmadinejad and Moussavi, were selected by the Guardian Council, who in turn are controlled by the Supreme Leader, the Ayatollah Khamenei. The Supreme Leader, I suspect, would never allow anyone but his handpicked candidate to become President. Democratic process and change were never a possibility for Iran in this election.

Then, the Administration very carefully chose their words about the result. Mr. Obama continued to talk about democracy in Iran and respecting the Iranians' choice of President. Huh? He did mention being troubled about the violence he saw on TV. Vice-President Biden had "doubts" about the vote, and Secretary of State Clinton hoped that the election was the result of the "genuine will and desire" of the Iranian people.

The State Department then voiced concerns about "reports" of violence. I guess Hilary Clinton doesn't watch TV.

In defense of these cautious words, President Obama stated he didn't want the Iranian leaders to accuse the U.S. of "meddling". Of course, the Supreme Leader accused the U.S. of meddling anyway.

Now, President Obama has come out much more forcefully against the Iranian vote. Why now? It's been a week.

I suspect this turn-around is due to the bad press he has been receiving for his perceived lack of strength in this matter.

I must say that this is unsettling to me. I prefer someone in charge who doesn't change his actions according to popularity polls, who determines what is the best course and goes for it, who doesn't parse his words.

Strength of character is preferable in a leader, especially the leader of the free world.

Action on Cap & Trade

From what I understand, the "Cap and Trade" will be voted on this week--and doesn't necessarily have enough votes to pass.
Contact your Representative today and tell them "NO" on HR 2454.

Fireworks on the Fourth

Well, lovely readers, I will be gone on the fourth of July to India. Read more about it on my other blog http://passingallunderstanding.blogspot.com/. However, rumor has it that Hawaii may get a special fireworks display on July 4th, courtesy of North Korea.

North Korea, according to Japanese intelligence, is threatening to shoot off a missile toward Hawaii in early July. Japan, understandably enough, is concerned because said missile will go right over Japan--and North Korea missiles aren't known to be completely accurate, though there has been a plethora of missile launchings from there lately. Maybe they'll improve with practice.

On the other side of the world, Iran was able to use missile technology to put a satellite into space in February.

Defense Secretary Gates' announcement of increased missile defenses in the face of the North Korean threat is disingenuous. In fact, the Administration has reduced funding for anti-missile defenses. While the Pentagon feels that current budget is adequate, I must say that I am concerned. Many lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have questioned the cuts in defense spending.

Do you remember Teddy Roosevelt's words? "Speak softly and carry a big stick."

Heritage.org

Fox News

And PS

Go to http://www.heritage.org/ TODAY and sign up on the "Stop the EPA" in opposition to cap and trade. This petition ends tomorrow.

Let's Cause more Pain for Americans

Sometimes that pesky federal government makes me so mad I could just....expectorate!
The next thing up from President Obama is the Waxman-Markley Bill.

The goal is to produce less greenhouse emissions, or carbon dioxide. Part of this bill requires such things as new types of fuels and more electricity from renewable resources.

The second part of the bill is the "Cap and Trade" proposals. Basically, this places a limit on the carbon dioxide allowed. "Cap and Trade" is essentially a tax on all processes and sources of energy that produce carbon dioxide. Which, amazingly, is almost everything!

What would be the result of "cap and trade"? Well, the economy would suffer from greatly increased energy costs.

It is predicted that energy costs would rise by over $1500 per family per year between 2012 and 2035!

Employment will decrease by over 1 million jobs per year between 2012 and 2035!

This act will increase the national debt by 26 percent, on top of the already trillions of dollars in debt!

And all products that use energy to be produced--and that's everything I can think of--will cost more.

Mr. Obama himself pointed out that prices must "skyrocket" for cap and trade to suceed in driving down greenhouse gases--in other words, the consumer must be forced, by increased "ouch" to the pocketbook, to hold down his consumption of energy.

Ouch is right. And for basically no results. Climatologists calculate that these measures will lower temperatures by less than 2/10 of a degree by the end of the century. And many other scientists feel the earth is now undergoing global cooling rather than warming!

May I make a suggestion? Go to http://www.heritage.org/ and when you see the banner titled "Help Stop the EPA" come up, click on "Help Stop the EPA Here" and sign the petition to stop cap and trade.

And don't forget to write your senators and congressman!