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Segami
Segami's Journal
Segami's Journal
September 20, 2014
Republicans traitors lining up & genuflecting before their 'Money Overloads' for a box full of dirty cash..........
Las Vegas casino mogul Sheldon Adelson has donated $10 million to a Karl Rove-backed outfit boosting Republican Senate candidates and promised a similar amount to an allied group focused on House races, POLITICO has learned. The check to the Rove-conceived Crossroads GPS and the pledge to American Action Network represent the first major foray into the 2014 congressional midterms by Adelson, according to multiple sources who travel in big-money GOP circles. It’s welcome news for Republican operatives. They believe it’s just the start of a major spending spree by Adelson and his family that will help their side offset an advertising disadvantage in recent weeks, when Democrats and their allies have aired more ads supporting their congressional candidates. And it comes amidst a long and assiduous courtship of Adelson by Republican money-men, during which there has been intense speculation about the unpredictable billionaire’s plans. Andy Abboud, Adelson’s political lieutenant, would neither confirm nor deny his boss’s political moves.
“On several occasions, we have seen others speculate in regards to the Adelson’s political activity, but whether it’s $1 or $100 million, we are simply not going to engage in that exercise,” Abboud said. Crossroads GPS declined to comment. American Action Network spokesman Dan Conston said, “We don’t discuss donors, would-be donors or non-donors – period.” Both groups are registered under a section of the tax code – 501(c)4 – that allows them to accept unlimited contributions without disclosing their donors’ identities. That set-up is said to appeal to Adelson, 81, who is worth an estimated $38 billion. He bristled at the partisan fire he drew in 2012 when he and his family were the biggest givers of disclosed contributions, ponying up more than $100 million to federal candidates and committees. The Adelson family was relatively inactive this time around, giving $4.5 million in federal contributions through mid-July – mostly to committees supporting gubernatorial and state legislative candidates, according to filings with the Federal Election Commission and Internal Revenue Service. The donation and pledge coincide with major media buys from Crossroads GPS and American Action Network.
Crossroads GPS this month has reported spending at least $4.6 million and counting on ads attacking Democratic candidates or touting Republican ones in the hotly contested Senate races in Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado and Michigan, according to FEC filings. American Action Network and an affiliated super PAC called Congressional Leadership Fund, both of which maintain close ties to House Speaker John Boehner, last week announced an $8.1 million advertising and polling campaign in 10 House races across the country. It’s unclear how far a major influx of cash from Adelson would go at this late stage in the campaign, since much of the best stretch-run TV time has been purchased and that which remains is astronomically expensive. That’s why the operatives who run Republican-allied outside groups for months had been traveling to Adelson’s office in his Venetian resort hotel and casino on the Vegas strip to plead for big checks early in the cycle. The intense focus on a single donor highlights the power of the ultra-rich in a big-money political landscape created by a series of recent federal court rulings striking down campaign finance restrictions as unconstitutional infringements on free speech. It’s also led to conflicting theories about Adelson’s undisclosed giving.
cont'
Sheldon Adelson CRACKS OPEN CHECKBOOK For GOP
You go Jebster,....drop to your knee,..kiss the ring and git yer dirty cash!
Republicans traitors lining up & genuflecting before their 'Money Overloads' for a box full of dirty cash..........
Las Vegas casino mogul Sheldon Adelson has donated $10 million to a Karl Rove-backed outfit boosting Republican Senate candidates and promised a similar amount to an allied group focused on House races, POLITICO has learned. The check to the Rove-conceived Crossroads GPS and the pledge to American Action Network represent the first major foray into the 2014 congressional midterms by Adelson, according to multiple sources who travel in big-money GOP circles. It’s welcome news for Republican operatives. They believe it’s just the start of a major spending spree by Adelson and his family that will help their side offset an advertising disadvantage in recent weeks, when Democrats and their allies have aired more ads supporting their congressional candidates. And it comes amidst a long and assiduous courtship of Adelson by Republican money-men, during which there has been intense speculation about the unpredictable billionaire’s plans. Andy Abboud, Adelson’s political lieutenant, would neither confirm nor deny his boss’s political moves.
“On several occasions, we have seen others speculate in regards to the Adelson’s political activity, but whether it’s $1 or $100 million, we are simply not going to engage in that exercise,” Abboud said. Crossroads GPS declined to comment. American Action Network spokesman Dan Conston said, “We don’t discuss donors, would-be donors or non-donors – period.” Both groups are registered under a section of the tax code – 501(c)4 – that allows them to accept unlimited contributions without disclosing their donors’ identities. That set-up is said to appeal to Adelson, 81, who is worth an estimated $38 billion. He bristled at the partisan fire he drew in 2012 when he and his family were the biggest givers of disclosed contributions, ponying up more than $100 million to federal candidates and committees. The Adelson family was relatively inactive this time around, giving $4.5 million in federal contributions through mid-July – mostly to committees supporting gubernatorial and state legislative candidates, according to filings with the Federal Election Commission and Internal Revenue Service. The donation and pledge coincide with major media buys from Crossroads GPS and American Action Network.
Crossroads GPS this month has reported spending at least $4.6 million and counting on ads attacking Democratic candidates or touting Republican ones in the hotly contested Senate races in Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado and Michigan, according to FEC filings. American Action Network and an affiliated super PAC called Congressional Leadership Fund, both of which maintain close ties to House Speaker John Boehner, last week announced an $8.1 million advertising and polling campaign in 10 House races across the country. It’s unclear how far a major influx of cash from Adelson would go at this late stage in the campaign, since much of the best stretch-run TV time has been purchased and that which remains is astronomically expensive. That’s why the operatives who run Republican-allied outside groups for months had been traveling to Adelson’s office in his Venetian resort hotel and casino on the Vegas strip to plead for big checks early in the cycle. The intense focus on a single donor highlights the power of the ultra-rich in a big-money political landscape created by a series of recent federal court rulings striking down campaign finance restrictions as unconstitutional infringements on free speech. It’s also led to conflicting theories about Adelson’s undisclosed giving.
cont'
September 19, 2014
Laughing........still laughing...........
In an apparent reversal, Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach's office is instructing election officials in the state to send out overseas military ballots without Democratic Senate nominee Chad Taylor or any other Democratic Senate candidate listed. Kobach spokeswoman Samantha Poetter confirmed to TPM that the ballots would be sent out by Saturday, the deadline under state and federal law.
TPM obtained a copy of the official order sent to local election officials.
Kobach lost his bid to keep Taylor on the ballot at the Kansas Supreme Court Thursday. But afterward, Kobach said the Democratic Party should pick a new nominee. Local reporters quoted Kobach saying that he would move the mailing deadline for overseas military ballots, which must be sent 45 days in advance of the election under federal law, to Sept. 27 to give Democrats the time necessary to select a candidate.
Poetter said that Kobach still expects Democrats to name a new nominee. But as for what Kobach would do if that happened after these absentee ballots had been sent out, she wouldn't say. "I actually cannot answer that for you," Poetter said. The secretary's office is exploring its options, she said.
cont'
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/kansas-senate-race-ballots
BREAKING: Kansas Senate Ballots WILL BE SENT OUT WITHOUT DEM NOM
Laughing........still laughing...........
In an apparent reversal, Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach's office is instructing election officials in the state to send out overseas military ballots without Democratic Senate nominee Chad Taylor or any other Democratic Senate candidate listed. Kobach spokeswoman Samantha Poetter confirmed to TPM that the ballots would be sent out by Saturday, the deadline under state and federal law.
"Our ballots are going out without Chad Taylor (or any Democratic candidate) for U.S. Senate," Poetter said. "They've been ordered to send them out as soon as possible."
TPM obtained a copy of the official order sent to local election officials.
"The list does NOT contain the name of a Democratic nominee for United States Senate," the order said. "There are three candidates, Randall Batson, Libertarian, Greg Orman, independent, Pat Roberts, Republican."
"All (overseas military) ballots MUST go out by tomorrow to comply with the 45 day requirement under state and federal law," it said.
"All (overseas military) ballots MUST go out by tomorrow to comply with the 45 day requirement under state and federal law," it said.
Kobach lost his bid to keep Taylor on the ballot at the Kansas Supreme Court Thursday. But afterward, Kobach said the Democratic Party should pick a new nominee. Local reporters quoted Kobach saying that he would move the mailing deadline for overseas military ballots, which must be sent 45 days in advance of the election under federal law, to Sept. 27 to give Democrats the time necessary to select a candidate.
Poetter said that Kobach still expects Democrats to name a new nominee. But as for what Kobach would do if that happened after these absentee ballots had been sent out, she wouldn't say. "I actually cannot answer that for you," Poetter said. The secretary's office is exploring its options, she said.
cont'
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/kansas-senate-race-ballots
September 19, 2014
Looks like everyone who has video footage of the Palin brawl is holding out for some bucks...
Doesn't anyone in Alaska have a cell phone? Ever since news was released that the Palin family was involved in a drunken, 20-person brawl at a birthday party, we've wanted to see it. So far, we have been treated to multiple witness accounts, one from an anonymous "friend" of the Palin family who portrayed the Palin WasilMania combatants as victims. No one - not even the police - denies that the brawl occurred and that the Palins were involved. The company hosting the party for its twin owners fired one employee who gave his account of the events. According to Eric Thompson, the party was peaceful until the Palin clan arrived - then it "turned into Jerry Springer." Some witnesses say that Track Palin confronted a man who dated one of his sisters, while another says that the problem really began when Track and his friends wandered around drunkenly propositioning female partygoers. One notable remark from Track is his telling women that he would "bend" them "over the lawn."
According to a witness, the husband of one of the men Track Palin harassed delivered a fistful of justice, leaving Track sprawled on the lawn. Track's friends then became involved, and the fight grew from there. Ultimately, the fight culminated in Bristol Palin repeatedly punching the party's host in the face, and Sarah flinging herself on top of the mob, before the entire Palin clan was removed from the premises. Team Palin claims that Track was innocent. Though the Palin family has yet to make a statement. According to the unnamed source, Palin was actually yelling "Don't you know who he is? He's a vet!" after Track was allegedly assaulted for no reason by four men. The brawl reportedly left Todd Palin with a bloody nose as well. Sarah went full "mama grizzly," according to the source. Apparently, all poor, innocent Sarah did was defend her family. Eric Thompson's wife has spoken up in response to the Palin "witness'" claims. Roberta, who admits she is not fond of Palin, says that the brawl became "quite, quite violent." "What I saw was two girls run past and run towards Korey," Thompson told Talking Points Memo. "And then I just saw Bristol Palin start punching him in the face."
cont'
http://crooksandliars.com/2014/09/another-witness-sarah-palins-drunken
Another Witness To Sarah Palin's DRUNKEN HILLBILLY BRAWL Speaks Out -- BUT STILL NO FOOTAGE
One witness says that the problem really began when Track Palin and his friends wandered around drunkenly propositioning female partygoers.
Looks like everyone who has video footage of the Palin brawl is holding out for some bucks...
Doesn't anyone in Alaska have a cell phone? Ever since news was released that the Palin family was involved in a drunken, 20-person brawl at a birthday party, we've wanted to see it. So far, we have been treated to multiple witness accounts, one from an anonymous "friend" of the Palin family who portrayed the Palin WasilMania combatants as victims. No one - not even the police - denies that the brawl occurred and that the Palins were involved. The company hosting the party for its twin owners fired one employee who gave his account of the events. According to Eric Thompson, the party was peaceful until the Palin clan arrived - then it "turned into Jerry Springer." Some witnesses say that Track Palin confronted a man who dated one of his sisters, while another says that the problem really began when Track and his friends wandered around drunkenly propositioning female partygoers. One notable remark from Track is his telling women that he would "bend" them "over the lawn."
According to a witness, the husband of one of the men Track Palin harassed delivered a fistful of justice, leaving Track sprawled on the lawn. Track's friends then became involved, and the fight grew from there. Ultimately, the fight culminated in Bristol Palin repeatedly punching the party's host in the face, and Sarah flinging herself on top of the mob, before the entire Palin clan was removed from the premises. Team Palin claims that Track was innocent. Though the Palin family has yet to make a statement. According to the unnamed source, Palin was actually yelling "Don't you know who he is? He's a vet!" after Track was allegedly assaulted for no reason by four men. The brawl reportedly left Todd Palin with a bloody nose as well. Sarah went full "mama grizzly," according to the source. Apparently, all poor, innocent Sarah did was defend her family. Eric Thompson's wife has spoken up in response to the Palin "witness'" claims. Roberta, who admits she is not fond of Palin, says that the brawl became "quite, quite violent." "What I saw was two girls run past and run towards Korey," Thompson told Talking Points Memo. "And then I just saw Bristol Palin start punching him in the face."
cont'
http://crooksandliars.com/2014/09/another-witness-sarah-palins-drunken
September 18, 2014
Hillary Clinton recently surfaced in Iowa after a six year absence. Her “official” reason was to “support candidates.” However, news pundits went wild with speculation that she is kicking off her 2016 presidential run. Please, Hillary, don’t run. If you believe what you hear, the 2016 Democratic nominee is a foregone conclusion. Any discussion about the 2016 race immediately turns to Hillary Clinton. Polls show her leading all potential democratic contenders and when stacked against any potential republican candidate she runs away with the race. She had the same numbers before Obama came on the scene in 2008. But is she the best candidate for president this time around?
Clinton certainly has a resume filled with the right qualifications. It could also be argued that Clinton is the most powerful woman in America right now. The Republican Party however has been preparing for her potential run before the ink was dry on the 2012 ballots. They are ready for her and are almost hoping she’ll run. There are better choices for 2016, and just like Obama in 2008, it can be someone who is not an establishment Democrat. Just like Hillary, Elizabeth Warren also has an impressive set of credentials. She is a lawyer who has spent most of her career fighting for the rights of middle-class families. One of her foremost accomplishments is the creation of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The Bureau was designed to protect consumers from greedy banks and their abusive lending policies that led to the collapse of the economy.
Warren, a bankruptcy expert, created the Bureau from scratch. She had come up with the idea for the Bureau in 2007 and in the aftermath of the worst financial crisis in recent memory she pitched her idea to President Obama in 2008. As she crisscrossed the nation promoting her plan something else took shape. She began to gain millions of supporters around the country. People warmed to her plain-English, no nonsense style. Although she was a natural to become the first head of the newly created bureau, her efforts also had gained powerful enemies. Supported by big banks, Republicans came out in force against her and the Bureau. Threats by Republican members of Congress were backed by millions of dollars spent on fighting the Bureau’s very existence. In the end, Obama compromised and named someone else to head the Bureau. However, while most people would have faded quietly away, this was not the end of Warren. Instead of accepting defeat and going back to her job as a Harvard law professor she went after her home state Senate seat then held by Republican Scott Brown. Despite dirty play by Brown she easily won the race. Her Senate race showed her to be a tough competitor who has the skills needed to run a successful campaign.
Although she has stated repeatedly “I am not running for President,” Warren appears to subtly be moving into position for a possible 2016 run. She has a new book out “Fighting Chance” which memorializes her struggle for the middle-class. Writing an autobiography has become something of a prerequisite for potential presidential candidates of late. She has maintained high approval ratings throughout her time in the Senate. By all accounts she appears to be safe bet to enter the race in 2016. Warren could also run away with the nomination even if Clinton decides to run. Warren has built a favorable rating with the middle-class that is not shared by Clinton who is already attracting unwanted attention about her funding from large banks. Given the common knowledge that she is a champion of the middle-class, Warren would easily win this demographic. Warren also lacks the political baggage that straddles Clinton. Hillary Clinton must fight the images of her adulterous husband and the impeachment trials that many voters retain. In addition, Republican Congressional members are doing their best to keep the Benghazi attack in the headlines. And it is something they will likely pin to Clinton as it occurred on her watch as Secretary of State.
cont'
http://quietmike.org/2014/09/16/best-2016-candidate-not-hillary-clinton/
The BEST 2016 Presidential Candidate Is NOT Hillary Clinton
Hillary Clinton is not the best potential 2016 Democratic presidential candidate, she's not even the best woman
Hillary Clinton recently surfaced in Iowa after a six year absence. Her “official” reason was to “support candidates.” However, news pundits went wild with speculation that she is kicking off her 2016 presidential run. Please, Hillary, don’t run. If you believe what you hear, the 2016 Democratic nominee is a foregone conclusion. Any discussion about the 2016 race immediately turns to Hillary Clinton. Polls show her leading all potential democratic contenders and when stacked against any potential republican candidate she runs away with the race. She had the same numbers before Obama came on the scene in 2008. But is she the best candidate for president this time around?
Clinton certainly has a resume filled with the right qualifications. It could also be argued that Clinton is the most powerful woman in America right now. The Republican Party however has been preparing for her potential run before the ink was dry on the 2012 ballots. They are ready for her and are almost hoping she’ll run. There are better choices for 2016, and just like Obama in 2008, it can be someone who is not an establishment Democrat. Just like Hillary, Elizabeth Warren also has an impressive set of credentials. She is a lawyer who has spent most of her career fighting for the rights of middle-class families. One of her foremost accomplishments is the creation of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The Bureau was designed to protect consumers from greedy banks and their abusive lending policies that led to the collapse of the economy.
Warren, a bankruptcy expert, created the Bureau from scratch. She had come up with the idea for the Bureau in 2007 and in the aftermath of the worst financial crisis in recent memory she pitched her idea to President Obama in 2008. As she crisscrossed the nation promoting her plan something else took shape. She began to gain millions of supporters around the country. People warmed to her plain-English, no nonsense style. Although she was a natural to become the first head of the newly created bureau, her efforts also had gained powerful enemies. Supported by big banks, Republicans came out in force against her and the Bureau. Threats by Republican members of Congress were backed by millions of dollars spent on fighting the Bureau’s very existence. In the end, Obama compromised and named someone else to head the Bureau. However, while most people would have faded quietly away, this was not the end of Warren. Instead of accepting defeat and going back to her job as a Harvard law professor she went after her home state Senate seat then held by Republican Scott Brown. Despite dirty play by Brown she easily won the race. Her Senate race showed her to be a tough competitor who has the skills needed to run a successful campaign.
Although she has stated repeatedly “I am not running for President,” Warren appears to subtly be moving into position for a possible 2016 run. She has a new book out “Fighting Chance” which memorializes her struggle for the middle-class. Writing an autobiography has become something of a prerequisite for potential presidential candidates of late. She has maintained high approval ratings throughout her time in the Senate. By all accounts she appears to be safe bet to enter the race in 2016. Warren could also run away with the nomination even if Clinton decides to run. Warren has built a favorable rating with the middle-class that is not shared by Clinton who is already attracting unwanted attention about her funding from large banks. Given the common knowledge that she is a champion of the middle-class, Warren would easily win this demographic. Warren also lacks the political baggage that straddles Clinton. Hillary Clinton must fight the images of her adulterous husband and the impeachment trials that many voters retain. In addition, Republican Congressional members are doing their best to keep the Benghazi attack in the headlines. And it is something they will likely pin to Clinton as it occurred on her watch as Secretary of State.
cont'
http://quietmike.org/2014/09/16/best-2016-candidate-not-hillary-clinton/
September 18, 2014
Democalypse 2016: WILLARY Or WON'TARY
Hillary Clinton returns to Iowa for the first time since her 2008 presidential campaign, but the media begins to tire of her enigmatic hints about running in 2016.
September 18, 2014
On Wednesday afternoon, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) was his normal warmongering self as he grilled Secretary of State John Kerry over the Obama Administration’s strategy to deal with ISIS. McCain used his time during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing to beat his chest and demand that the United States not only get into a ground war in Iraq and Syria to combat ISIS, but that the country also needs to commit to a war against the Assad regime in Syria. While House Democrats are legitimately concerned about the White House’s plan to arm and train Syrian rebels to help fight ISIS on the ground, McCain wants the President to push forward and go whole hog with the war machine. Below is the exchange between McCain and Kerry (emphasis mine):
There you have it. McCain didn’t even try to hide his cards here. He wants the United States to not only send American troops to Iraq to fight ISIS. He also wants this country to get involved in a massive civil war in Syria that is being fought on several fronts. McCain just doesn’t want to hear any crap about America not having the capability to fight multiple adversaries at once. No way, Jose! In McCain’s worldview, the United States needs to be involved with as many wars as possible.
cont'
http://www.politicususa.com/2014/09/17/john-mccain-dangerously-insists-full-scale-middle-east-war-isis-senate-hearing.html
JOHN McCAIN Despicably Pushes For FULL-SCALE MIDDLE EAST WAR During ISIS Senate Hearing
"...McCain just doesn’t want to hear any crap about America not having the capability to fight multiple adversaries at once. No way, Jose! In McCain’s worldview, the United States needs to be involved with as many wars as possible..."
On Wednesday afternoon, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) was his normal warmongering self as he grilled Secretary of State John Kerry over the Obama Administration’s strategy to deal with ISIS. McCain used his time during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing to beat his chest and demand that the United States not only get into a ground war in Iraq and Syria to combat ISIS, but that the country also needs to commit to a war against the Assad regime in Syria. While House Democrats are legitimately concerned about the White House’s plan to arm and train Syrian rebels to help fight ISIS on the ground, McCain wants the President to push forward and go whole hog with the war machine. Below is the exchange between McCain and Kerry (emphasis mine):
McCain: Secretary, today, September 17th, Secretary Gates said the following, former Secretary of Defense Gates. The reality is they’re not going to be able to be successful against ISIS strictly from the air or strictly depending on the Iraqi forces of the Peshmerga by the Sunni tribes acting on their own, gates said. So there will be boots on the ground if there’s to be any hope of success in the strategy. And I think that by containing — by continuing to repeat that, that the US won’t put boots on the ground, the president in effect traps himself. Now, Mr. Secretary, I’ve talked to so many people who are military experienced, who have been on both sides on this issue. They all agree with secretary gates’ assessment. And that’s just the reality. And there are some of us that place a great deal of confidence in the opinion of people like Secretary Gates, General Keane. So the architects of the surge. So many others.-the architects of the surge. So many others.-the architects of the surge. So many others. The architects of the surge. So many others. Is it your view that the Syrian opposition is viable?
…
Kerry: The Syrian opposition has been viable enough to be able to survive under difficult circumstances but they still have some distance to go and we need to help them go that distance.
…
McCain: The hero of this piece so far in my view is a guy who’s going to testify after you, Robert Ford, Ambassador Ford. He did a magnificent job at the risk of his own life, riding around Damascus in his support of the Free Syrian army. Here’s what he’s going to say in his testimony. The moderate armed opposition’s biggest enemy is not the Islamic State, it is the Assad regime which has killed far more Syrians than has the detestable Islamic State, and they won’t stop fighting the Assad regime even as they advance against the Islamic State. You’re saying, ISIS first. We’re going to train and equip the Free Syrian army and they’re going to be fighting against Assad who they view as their number one enemy. I agree with Ambassador Ford’s assessment. You’re saying, ISIL first. So if this — so we’re telling the young Syrian today, I want you to join the Free Syrian Army, you’ve got to fight ISIL first, and by the way those barrel bombs that are being dropped on you and these attacks from the air that of Hamas customers of so many Syrians, we’re not going to do anything about that. I think at least we owe the Free Syrian Army, negate the air attacks that they will be subjected to when they finish their training and equipping, and go into the fight. So why is it that we won’t at least news release Bashar al Assad’s air activity which has slaughtered thousands and thousands and thousands, 192,000 dead, 3 million refugees, and we’re not going to do anything about Assad’s air capabilities? And finally, ISIL first, that’s what you’re telling these young men who really view Assad as the one who has slaughtered their family members. Not ISIL. As bad as ISIL is. How do you square that circle action Mr. Secretary?
Kerry: Well, you square it this way, Senator. And first of all, let me just say a word. I think everybody knows — I had the pleasure of working with Robert Ford in the department from the day I arrived there. We worked very closely together, I have huge respect and admiration for him. And he and I worked many long hours with the Syrian opposition. And I respect his opinion, et cetera. He is correct that they won’t stop fighting the Assad regime. I understand that we understand that.
McCain: Not only won’t stop fighting, it’s their primary goal.
Kerry: Well, it is, except…
McCain: I know too many of them, John.
Kerry: I understand. It is. I’m not denying that. But they also are fighting ISIL. They’re up in Aleppo right now fighting ISIL. They’re fighting ISIL in other places. They threw them out of a province. They are engaged in fighting ISIL. And our belief is, I think — I bet you, I hope Robert Ford believes that they believe they actually get stronger as a result of ISIL being removed from the field.
McCain: Are you not going to protect them from air strikes?
Kerry: I think what we need — yes, and I think what we need — that’s a legitimate concern. And it is a concern that I would need to address with you in a classified session for reasons I think you well understand. And I think Robert ford well understands that.
McCain: I think the Free Syrian Army would like to understand, too.
Kerry: If we have a good classified session and another good things happen here, who knows. The important thing is for us to recognize that if ISIL continues doing what it’s doing — I think you know this — without being stopped and if we hadn’t stood up when we did and work with Peshmerga and help them, they were threatening Baghdad and they were threatening more. If they did that…
McCain: We’re talking about Syria. And the Free Syrian Army.
Kerry: I’m about to come back…
McCain: Thank you. I’m running out of time.
Kerry: That pertains to their capacity then to focus on Assad and it might be not the Free Syrian Army but ISIL that you see in Damascus. And ISIL bringing other people to them because of the level of their success. Clearly, many people have told us in the region, success breeds success. And many of the people who have come to ISIL have come because it seemed as if they were weren’t being opposed. We believe that transition works to the benefit of the moderate opposition, works ultimately to all of our benefit by removing ISIL from the field.
McCain: You cannot ask people to go and fight and die unless you promise them that they — you will defeat their enemy and defeat them right away. You can’t say, wait until we defeat ISIL. People will not volunteer for such things.
Kerry: I don’t believe it’s going to be ultimately a wait and see. I don’t believe, number one, that the people supporting the opposition in various parts of the region are ever going to stop until the Assad problem is resolves. Number two, I don’t believe ISIL is going — I don’t believe that the moderate opposition will obviously stop in that effort. So, therefore, there will be these two prongs.
McCain: I hope not ISIL first, if that message is not given to these brave young people.
Kerry: If we don’t stop ISIL first, there may not be much left of the other prong.
McCain: That means we can’t take on two adversaries at once that’s bogus and false.
…
Kerry: The Syrian opposition has been viable enough to be able to survive under difficult circumstances but they still have some distance to go and we need to help them go that distance.
…
McCain: The hero of this piece so far in my view is a guy who’s going to testify after you, Robert Ford, Ambassador Ford. He did a magnificent job at the risk of his own life, riding around Damascus in his support of the Free Syrian army. Here’s what he’s going to say in his testimony. The moderate armed opposition’s biggest enemy is not the Islamic State, it is the Assad regime which has killed far more Syrians than has the detestable Islamic State, and they won’t stop fighting the Assad regime even as they advance against the Islamic State. You’re saying, ISIS first. We’re going to train and equip the Free Syrian army and they’re going to be fighting against Assad who they view as their number one enemy. I agree with Ambassador Ford’s assessment. You’re saying, ISIL first. So if this — so we’re telling the young Syrian today, I want you to join the Free Syrian Army, you’ve got to fight ISIL first, and by the way those barrel bombs that are being dropped on you and these attacks from the air that of Hamas customers of so many Syrians, we’re not going to do anything about that. I think at least we owe the Free Syrian Army, negate the air attacks that they will be subjected to when they finish their training and equipping, and go into the fight. So why is it that we won’t at least news release Bashar al Assad’s air activity which has slaughtered thousands and thousands and thousands, 192,000 dead, 3 million refugees, and we’re not going to do anything about Assad’s air capabilities? And finally, ISIL first, that’s what you’re telling these young men who really view Assad as the one who has slaughtered their family members. Not ISIL. As bad as ISIL is. How do you square that circle action Mr. Secretary?
Kerry: Well, you square it this way, Senator. And first of all, let me just say a word. I think everybody knows — I had the pleasure of working with Robert Ford in the department from the day I arrived there. We worked very closely together, I have huge respect and admiration for him. And he and I worked many long hours with the Syrian opposition. And I respect his opinion, et cetera. He is correct that they won’t stop fighting the Assad regime. I understand that we understand that.
McCain: Not only won’t stop fighting, it’s their primary goal.
Kerry: Well, it is, except…
McCain: I know too many of them, John.
Kerry: I understand. It is. I’m not denying that. But they also are fighting ISIL. They’re up in Aleppo right now fighting ISIL. They’re fighting ISIL in other places. They threw them out of a province. They are engaged in fighting ISIL. And our belief is, I think — I bet you, I hope Robert Ford believes that they believe they actually get stronger as a result of ISIL being removed from the field.
McCain: Are you not going to protect them from air strikes?
Kerry: I think what we need — yes, and I think what we need — that’s a legitimate concern. And it is a concern that I would need to address with you in a classified session for reasons I think you well understand. And I think Robert ford well understands that.
McCain: I think the Free Syrian Army would like to understand, too.
Kerry: If we have a good classified session and another good things happen here, who knows. The important thing is for us to recognize that if ISIL continues doing what it’s doing — I think you know this — without being stopped and if we hadn’t stood up when we did and work with Peshmerga and help them, they were threatening Baghdad and they were threatening more. If they did that…
McCain: We’re talking about Syria. And the Free Syrian Army.
Kerry: I’m about to come back…
McCain: Thank you. I’m running out of time.
Kerry: That pertains to their capacity then to focus on Assad and it might be not the Free Syrian Army but ISIL that you see in Damascus. And ISIL bringing other people to them because of the level of their success. Clearly, many people have told us in the region, success breeds success. And many of the people who have come to ISIL have come because it seemed as if they were weren’t being opposed. We believe that transition works to the benefit of the moderate opposition, works ultimately to all of our benefit by removing ISIL from the field.
McCain: You cannot ask people to go and fight and die unless you promise them that they — you will defeat their enemy and defeat them right away. You can’t say, wait until we defeat ISIL. People will not volunteer for such things.
Kerry: I don’t believe it’s going to be ultimately a wait and see. I don’t believe, number one, that the people supporting the opposition in various parts of the region are ever going to stop until the Assad problem is resolves. Number two, I don’t believe ISIL is going — I don’t believe that the moderate opposition will obviously stop in that effort. So, therefore, there will be these two prongs.
McCain: I hope not ISIL first, if that message is not given to these brave young people.
Kerry: If we don’t stop ISIL first, there may not be much left of the other prong.
McCain: That means we can’t take on two adversaries at once that’s bogus and false.
There you have it. McCain didn’t even try to hide his cards here. He wants the United States to not only send American troops to Iraq to fight ISIS. He also wants this country to get involved in a massive civil war in Syria that is being fought on several fronts. McCain just doesn’t want to hear any crap about America not having the capability to fight multiple adversaries at once. No way, Jose! In McCain’s worldview, the United States needs to be involved with as many wars as possible.
cont'
http://www.politicususa.com/2014/09/17/john-mccain-dangerously-insists-full-scale-middle-east-war-isis-senate-hearing.html
September 14, 2014
BAM!!!................
Didn’t catch who it was from, but a tweet made the rounds the other day saying the Sunday Shows were now going to be called Meet John McCain, Face the John McCain, John McCain News Sunday, State of the John McCain, and of course, John McCain’s NFL Sunday Football. The Arizona Senator had just finished throwing himself in front of every television camera he could find, loudly denouncing President Obama’s strategy for dealing with ISIS. He got in a verbal sparring match with with Jay Carney, where he repeatedly stated Carney’s facts were false. Let’s say that again; John McCain accused someone else of disseminating false information. John McCain said that. That takes brass ones. ISIS, Iraq, Syria, the entire mess in the Middle East is something McCain is complicit in. It is no secret that he was one of the voices convincing Americans that invading Iraq was the right thing to do. We all know how that turned out. The invasion McCain endorsed laid the foundation for today’s turmoil. When the Benghazi attack happened, the right wing leapt at the chance to use the tragedy for political gain. John McCain was no exception. Republicans spent twenty months pounding the Benghazi drum, aiding the terrorists in spreading fear and division amongst their targeted populace and sowing further seeds of distrust in the administration. Until the GOP was proved wrong, and they all promptly dropped it.
It’s no wonder then, that McCain is having so much trouble fighting off persistent rumors that he had a hand in forming ISIS in the first place. When he travelled surreptitiously to Syria in 2013, McCain posed for pictures with many of the Syrian fighters. These images are currently making the rounds of the Internet, claiming that these men are now ISIS leaders. No, it isn’t true. John McCain didn’t pose for pictures with America’s current enemy. But the story gained so much traction because it seems very plausible. McCain is now such a warmongering cartoon of a politician that people believed this story easily. He was a loud proponent of arming the Syrian fighters after all, and many of these men would go on to form ISIS. But none of these drawbacks stop McCain from getting in front of cameras to moan about President Obama’s foreign policy choices. He has specifically focused on how there should have been residual military personnel left in Iraq. Apparently Senator McCain forgets how he trumpeted the withdrawal of those Americans as a victory for George W. Bush. How’s that for false facts, John?
So what, exactly, upsets Senator McCain about Obama’s foreign policies? The President, until recently, heavily favored diplomacy over engaging in war. Especially in an area of the world that Americans barely comprehend. That makes McCain insanely angry. He loves war. Bomb bomb bomb, bomb bomb Iran, remember? McCain used his experience as a POW to sell himself as a war hero for political gain. But there were hundreds of other men who experienced the same hellish imprisonment that he did. That alone does not qualify a man for public service, and many of these men will tell you that themselves. Especially when John McCain seems so unwilling to learn from his past. No matter how many times they see the futility of war, no matter how many lives are lost, and no matter how much money they squander, men like McCain never have and never will learn their lessons. They are the first to promote war, and now that Obama is as well, are the first to complain that war isn’t going to be fought how they want it to be fought. Sadly, it’s always easier to sell war than it is to sell diplomacy. And when you have Fox News broadcasting your agenda 24/7, it’s even easier.
And so, John McCain crashes and burns repeatedly as he did with the planes he piloted in Vietnam, wounding and killing more of his comrades than the enemy. He was wrong about Iraq, wrong about Libya, and wrong about Syria. Yet he continues on regardless, bile erupting from him so regularly that he seems a walking and talking pit of seething fury, hardly human at all. No wonder he regularly advocates war, he knows no peace. There is another reason why John McCain desperately wants so much camera time, to distance himself from his legacy; Sarah Palin. When Obama led him in the polls in 2008, and at a pivotal moment of his life, McCain chose as his Vice President an absolutely unqualified, inexperienced, and self-aggrandizing political actor. In his desperation to become President, he put America at risk of being led by someone who was repeatedly proven to be terribly incompetent. John McCain will forever be remembered for unleashing Palin unto the world. It is a clear illustration of his selfishness and cowardice. John McCain isn’t going anywhere. A man this desperate to be remembered for anything other than Sarah Palin will take great pains to speak to any and all subjects. And so he will continue to be as prevalent as ever. And just as wrong. And just as irrelevant. Change the channel.
cont'
http://quietmike.org/2014/09/13/john-mccain-deserves-disdain/
Senator John McCain DESERVES DISDAIN
"..Senator John McCain throws himself in front of every camera he can find. Even though he's continually wrong..."
BAM!!!................
Didn’t catch who it was from, but a tweet made the rounds the other day saying the Sunday Shows were now going to be called Meet John McCain, Face the John McCain, John McCain News Sunday, State of the John McCain, and of course, John McCain’s NFL Sunday Football. The Arizona Senator had just finished throwing himself in front of every television camera he could find, loudly denouncing President Obama’s strategy for dealing with ISIS. He got in a verbal sparring match with with Jay Carney, where he repeatedly stated Carney’s facts were false. Let’s say that again; John McCain accused someone else of disseminating false information. John McCain said that. That takes brass ones. ISIS, Iraq, Syria, the entire mess in the Middle East is something McCain is complicit in. It is no secret that he was one of the voices convincing Americans that invading Iraq was the right thing to do. We all know how that turned out. The invasion McCain endorsed laid the foundation for today’s turmoil. When the Benghazi attack happened, the right wing leapt at the chance to use the tragedy for political gain. John McCain was no exception. Republicans spent twenty months pounding the Benghazi drum, aiding the terrorists in spreading fear and division amongst their targeted populace and sowing further seeds of distrust in the administration. Until the GOP was proved wrong, and they all promptly dropped it.
It’s no wonder then, that McCain is having so much trouble fighting off persistent rumors that he had a hand in forming ISIS in the first place. When he travelled surreptitiously to Syria in 2013, McCain posed for pictures with many of the Syrian fighters. These images are currently making the rounds of the Internet, claiming that these men are now ISIS leaders. No, it isn’t true. John McCain didn’t pose for pictures with America’s current enemy. But the story gained so much traction because it seems very plausible. McCain is now such a warmongering cartoon of a politician that people believed this story easily. He was a loud proponent of arming the Syrian fighters after all, and many of these men would go on to form ISIS. But none of these drawbacks stop McCain from getting in front of cameras to moan about President Obama’s foreign policy choices. He has specifically focused on how there should have been residual military personnel left in Iraq. Apparently Senator McCain forgets how he trumpeted the withdrawal of those Americans as a victory for George W. Bush. How’s that for false facts, John?
So what, exactly, upsets Senator McCain about Obama’s foreign policies? The President, until recently, heavily favored diplomacy over engaging in war. Especially in an area of the world that Americans barely comprehend. That makes McCain insanely angry. He loves war. Bomb bomb bomb, bomb bomb Iran, remember? McCain used his experience as a POW to sell himself as a war hero for political gain. But there were hundreds of other men who experienced the same hellish imprisonment that he did. That alone does not qualify a man for public service, and many of these men will tell you that themselves. Especially when John McCain seems so unwilling to learn from his past. No matter how many times they see the futility of war, no matter how many lives are lost, and no matter how much money they squander, men like McCain never have and never will learn their lessons. They are the first to promote war, and now that Obama is as well, are the first to complain that war isn’t going to be fought how they want it to be fought. Sadly, it’s always easier to sell war than it is to sell diplomacy. And when you have Fox News broadcasting your agenda 24/7, it’s even easier.
And so, John McCain crashes and burns repeatedly as he did with the planes he piloted in Vietnam, wounding and killing more of his comrades than the enemy. He was wrong about Iraq, wrong about Libya, and wrong about Syria. Yet he continues on regardless, bile erupting from him so regularly that he seems a walking and talking pit of seething fury, hardly human at all. No wonder he regularly advocates war, he knows no peace. There is another reason why John McCain desperately wants so much camera time, to distance himself from his legacy; Sarah Palin. When Obama led him in the polls in 2008, and at a pivotal moment of his life, McCain chose as his Vice President an absolutely unqualified, inexperienced, and self-aggrandizing political actor. In his desperation to become President, he put America at risk of being led by someone who was repeatedly proven to be terribly incompetent. John McCain will forever be remembered for unleashing Palin unto the world. It is a clear illustration of his selfishness and cowardice. John McCain isn’t going anywhere. A man this desperate to be remembered for anything other than Sarah Palin will take great pains to speak to any and all subjects. And so he will continue to be as prevalent as ever. And just as wrong. And just as irrelevant. Change the channel.
cont'
http://quietmike.org/2014/09/13/john-mccain-deserves-disdain/
September 13, 2014
A proposed constitutional amendment to overturn the Supreme Court’s controversial 2010 Citizens United ruling and give lawmakers greater ability to prevent large donors from corrupting government failed in the United States Senate on Thursday on a party-line vote. Among the 42 Republicans voting no was Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), who in the past had been a campaign finance reform advocate. Citizens United decision found, for the first time, that the First Amendment’s free speech protections guaranteed corporations and unions the right to spend unlimited sums of money on political advertisements. McCain denounced the ruling as the Supreme Court’s “worst decision ever.”
In 2012, McCain promised that “there will be huge scandals… because there’s too much money washing around, too much of it… we don’t know who, who contributed it, and there is too much corruption associated with that kind of money.” He blasted the Supreme Court’s view that corporations are people and denounced the Roberts Court for demonstrating “a combination of arrogance, naivete, and stupidity, the likes of which I have never seen.”
The amendment, proposed by Sen. Tom Udall (D-NM) would have given Congress and the states the authority to “regulate and set reasonable limits on the raising and spending of money by candidates and others to influence elections,” as long as doing to did not abridge the freedom of the press, and would have allowed them to “distinguish between natural persons and corporations or other artificial entities created by law, including by prohibiting such entities from spending money to influence elections.” Like all constitutional amendments, it would have required a two-thirds vote in the House and Senate and ratification by three-fourths of the states’ legislatures.
But McCain cast the deciding vote against the DISCLOSE Act in 2010, which would have required disclosure of the major funders of political ads. He has refused to back similar legislation to require transparency for outside political spending in every Congress since.
cont'
http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2014/09/11/3566601/mccain-kills-citizens-united-amendment/
John McCain VOTES TO PRESERVE A Supreme Court Case He Called The ‘WORST DECISION EVER’
"..In 2012, McCain promised that “there will be huge scandals… because there’s too much money washing around, too much of it… we don’t know who, who contributed it, and there is too much corruption associated with that kind of money...”
A proposed constitutional amendment to overturn the Supreme Court’s controversial 2010 Citizens United ruling and give lawmakers greater ability to prevent large donors from corrupting government failed in the United States Senate on Thursday on a party-line vote. Among the 42 Republicans voting no was Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), who in the past had been a campaign finance reform advocate. Citizens United decision found, for the first time, that the First Amendment’s free speech protections guaranteed corporations and unions the right to spend unlimited sums of money on political advertisements. McCain denounced the ruling as the Supreme Court’s “worst decision ever.”
In 2012, McCain promised that “there will be huge scandals… because there’s too much money washing around, too much of it… we don’t know who, who contributed it, and there is too much corruption associated with that kind of money.” He blasted the Supreme Court’s view that corporations are people and denounced the Roberts Court for demonstrating “a combination of arrogance, naivete, and stupidity, the likes of which I have never seen.”
The amendment, proposed by Sen. Tom Udall (D-NM) would have given Congress and the states the authority to “regulate and set reasonable limits on the raising and spending of money by candidates and others to influence elections,” as long as doing to did not abridge the freedom of the press, and would have allowed them to “distinguish between natural persons and corporations or other artificial entities created by law, including by prohibiting such entities from spending money to influence elections.” Like all constitutional amendments, it would have required a two-thirds vote in the House and Senate and ratification by three-fourths of the states’ legislatures.
But McCain cast the deciding vote against the DISCLOSE Act in 2010, which would have required disclosure of the major funders of political ads. He has refused to back similar legislation to require transparency for outside political spending in every Congress since.
cont'
http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2014/09/11/3566601/mccain-kills-citizens-united-amendment/
September 13, 2014
AND.....
Auhh......can you hear the phone ringing Sarah,......THAT'S JOHN McCAIN!!!........
It’s been six years since President Obama defeated John McCain in the 2008 Election and Sarah Palin wants everyone to know that she is sorry McCain lost. Oh, she’s not taking responsibility or anything. Palin just thinks she speaks for the world when she says she owes America a “global apology” because according to her, John McCain should be president right now despite the fact that Obama won by a landslide. During an appearance on Hannity on Thursday, the Alaskan quitter attacked President Obama and his ISIS speech. After claiming that President Obama spends more time golfing than he does managing foreign policy, Palin began criticizing his remarks.
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2014/09/12/sarah-palin-attacks-president-obama-on-fox-in-incredibly-stupid-rant-video/
Sarah Palin Incredibly Stupid Rant About JOHN McCAIN And ISIS
‘...I owe America a global apology. Because John McCain, through all of this, John McCain should be our president...’
AND.....
Auhh......can you hear the phone ringing Sarah,......THAT'S JOHN McCAIN!!!........
It’s been six years since President Obama defeated John McCain in the 2008 Election and Sarah Palin wants everyone to know that she is sorry McCain lost. Oh, she’s not taking responsibility or anything. Palin just thinks she speaks for the world when she says she owes America a “global apology” because according to her, John McCain should be president right now despite the fact that Obama won by a landslide. During an appearance on Hannity on Thursday, the Alaskan quitter attacked President Obama and his ISIS speech. After claiming that President Obama spends more time golfing than he does managing foreign policy, Palin began criticizing his remarks.
"...To claim last night, also, our president saying ISIS is not Islamic, um, ISIS says they’re Islamic. They are so full of deception that America should be concerned with the policies that are going on. And, as I watched the speech last night, Sean, the thought going through my mind is ‘I owe America a global apology. Because John McCain, through all of this, John McCain should be our president.’ He had the advice, today, still giving it to Barack Obama, and he will not listen to it, about the residual forces that must be left behind in order to secure the peace in Iraq that we had fought so hard for...."
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/09/12/sarah-palin-i-owe-america-a-global-apology-because-john-mccain-should-be-our-president/
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/09/12/sarah-palin-i-owe-america-a-global-apology-because-john-mccain-should-be-our-president/
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2014/09/12/sarah-palin-attacks-president-obama-on-fox-in-incredibly-stupid-rant-video/
September 12, 2014
Bill Maher wants Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) to run and defeat Hillary Clinton for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2016.
He said of President Barack Obama, "I would love it if his economic policy was more like Elizabeth Warren's."
The host of HBO's "Real Time With Bill Maher" is not a big fan of the former secretary of state. Despite his progressive political inclinations, and his donation of $1 million in 2012 to help Obama get re-elected, he said he'd consider supporting Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) over Clinton.
Watch his comments, beginning around the 37:50 minute mark.
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/bill-maher-elizabeth-warren-hillary-clinton
Bill Maher: Elizabeth Warren Should RUN & DEFEAT Hillary In 2016
Bill Maher wants Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) to run and defeat Hillary Clinton for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2016.
"Love her. Absolutely. Wish she would run," the comedian and political commentator told Charlie Rose in an interview. "She would be absolutely my preference above Hillary."
He said of President Barack Obama, "I would love it if his economic policy was more like Elizabeth Warren's."
The host of HBO's "Real Time With Bill Maher" is not a big fan of the former secretary of state. Despite his progressive political inclinations, and his donation of $1 million in 2012 to help Obama get re-elected, he said he'd consider supporting Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) over Clinton.
Watch his comments, beginning around the 37:50 minute mark.
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/bill-maher-elizabeth-warren-hillary-clinton
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