To shed focus on Benghazigate, the Obama Administration has trotted out its tired standby of not taking responsibility and blaming everyone but themselves for current affairs. Namely, its predecessor and, specifically, former President George W. Bush – four years after he left office – using Iraq as example. Let's compare. One president and his administration used their judgment and multiple, vetted intelligence sources to send the American military into Iraq to oust a ruthless dictator who had been, and continued to be, a threat since the 1980s. Democrats and liberals prefer to cite the body count and financial cost of the conflict rather than the overall goal of a stabilized Iraq, and Middle East, in the broader War on Terror. Whether that outcome is still viable has yet to be weighed by history.
Meantime, another president and his administration rushed to judgment blaming an obscure YouTube video despite multiple intelligence sources, including those on the ground under threat at the time, that Benghazi was a terrorist attack by Islamist extremists on the anniversary of 9/11. As a result, four Americans – one a U.S. ambassador – died pleading with administration officials for military intervention. In the aftermath, administration officials have spent months absconding from and contradicting the facts – either from official testimony or eyewitness accounts – concerning the incident. Democrats and liberals prefer to cite the ever-changing narrative and talking points rather than face the implications of a failed foreign policy.
Great leadership is taking
little more than your share of blame and little less share of credit.
Clearly, President Obama and his minions think it's the opposite.
A consistent flurry of unsettling intrigue has whirled around the Obama Administration – some of which is first-term carryover – that would make disgraced late President Richard Nixon blush. For leftist pundits, it is deemed un-American to question most of it. Yet, it is the apathy and hypocrisy of the left, especially in the media, toward the current administration’s questionable, perhaps even unconstitutional, activities and motives that is becoming un-American. The lack of any outcry, once so inexorably directed at previous administrations under similar conditions, only highlights the bias. Taken as a whole, it is becoming increasingly unnerving the blind eye turned where questions persist without any transparency or concrete answers.
Throughout history, many leaders have begun with great intentions and promised many things to the betterment of their society. Many have fallen prey to the corruption of power, or worse to the malevolence of their own nature. Despite foresight and diligence, the United States has not been, and is not, immune to this phenomenon. Past presidents have tested the innate checks and balance system of our republic, pushing the boundaries of their authority in relation to the legislative and judicial branches. Not to mention to that of and for the people. Should we, as President Obama so mindlessly advised, really “reject the voices that warn of government tyranny”? If we do, who then watches the watchers? Only those who willingly continue to ask questions, in appreciation of principles and values under threat from forces that would circumvent and oppress them.
For as French revolutionary Robespierre stated, “The secret of freedom lies in educating people, whereas the secret of tyranny is in keeping them ignorant.” Executed on July 28, 1794, for tyrannies against the French people during his “Reign of Terror,” he would know all about it.
Bill O'Reilly was correct - the Bible is touted too often in opposing gay marriage. Not everyone believes in religion, though, and the Supreme Court is not weighing belief. To me, religion is a constant fallback argument for those who have nothing more substantial for the debate. Have belief, but do not make it the centerpiece. You cannot sway an argument with a person who is staunchly anti-religious using religion. You will lose; trust me, I'm agnostic. Facts win an argument. If you want to say gay marriage will raise national debt or something, then fine say it. But touting religion to people who do not believe cannot work.
The fact is that marriage is a bond between two people, not a contract with the government. When you take religion out of the debate, the argument opposing gay marriage falls flat.
Over the course of 13 hours, Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) – with support from the likes of Senators Ted Cruz (R-TX), Marco Rubio (R-FL) and John Barrasso (R-WY) – demonstrated the job of our elected officials. At the core, the filibuster concerned the nomination of John Brennan as Director of the CIA and domestic drone attacks on American citizens on U.S. soil. As some apparently failed to grasp in their denouncements and rebukes – including Senators John McCain (R-AZ) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) – it was about so much more. It was about the principles and values contained not only in the U.S. Constitution, but also in the American experience and culture. It was about the survival of both, and our ability to maintain them equally in the times of despair as in the times of prosperity.
In the end, personal decorum, to put it mildly, rather than any faltering enthusiasm brought the proceedings to a close. In light of the recent Senate vote confirming Brennan as Director, was Paul’s action worth it? In short, yes. It showed that some politicians are still willing to honor and uphold their duty to protect the past, present and future of the American people and the republic. No matter how long it may take.
For years I searched for a body wash (or soap in general) that did not irritate my skin. Not too long ago, I came across Dove Men Sensitive Clean Body and Face Wash. It was great…and by “was,” I mean Dove recently discontinued it based on, so they say, consumer demand. Frankly, I do not understand how this could be as I often had trouble finding it in stock. Either consumer demand was not the problem, or they had issues with their marketing, product placement and/or distribution.
Concerning the prospect of its discontinuance, this was Dove’s congenial response to my inquiry:
Thank you for contacting us regarding Dove Men Sensitive Clean Body and Face Wash. The product you have contacted us about has been discontinued. Our company's goal is to provide consumers with a variety of products to meet their needs and preferences. As you may know, marketing is a complex function, and many business factors are taken into consideration before discontinuing a product. It truly saddens us when we must discontinue a product. However, consumer demand is a major factor. When the level of demand is insufficient to ensure that consumers receive high quality products at an affordable price, the product will likely be discontinued. We apologize that this product is no longer available and we are sending you a complimentary coupon which we hope you will use to enjoy one of the other fine products we offer. We will forward your comments to the appropriate staff.
Due to this situation, I, like Elaine in the Seinfeld episode, “The Sponge,” must attempt to stockpile and hoard body wash before it can no longer be found. In my case, showering will be deemed body wash worthy on a day-to-day basis.
Of course, there is a bigger issue here. Product lines have become so diversified that they have saturated and overstrained the market in pursuit of the bottom line. Take a sampling of the soap, shampoo and lotion aisle, and good luck finding good-ol’ “soap,” “shampoo” and “lotion.” The need for “sensitive skin” formulas (most of which are just the essential basics) for many of these products highlights the downside of this modern trend: a once simple daily necessity, buried in damaging ingredients forced upon consumers. The fact that entire aisles are dedicated to them is another; is there little wonder in the need for warehouse grocery chains? Though a few still survive, the “mom-and-pop” stores of yesteryear could no longer exist for the mere lack of shelf space.
If anyone needs a complimentary coupon, I will have no need for it.
