July 5, 2010 Conservatively Speaking

·       Israel Could Destroy Iran’s Nukes With Missile Strike

·       Inhofe Says “Kyl Told Truth” About Obama Immigration Threat

·       Obama Job Approval In Toilet

·       Immigration Evangalist Obama

·       Babushka Hillary

·       Former INTERPOL Head and S. Afircan Top Cop Convicted

·       Israel on Alert Over Obama Demands

·       Handicapping GOP Top 10

Confidential diplomatic sources say that Obama renewed his pledge last week that he made last June, after just four months in office and the day before he flew to Egypt pledging to open a new chater in U. S. – Muslim relations Obama secretly promised Saudi King Abdullah that the United States would force Israel to withdraw from eastern Jerusalem and the entire West Bank by 2012 in exchange for the Saudi’s pledge to help arrange an end to the Taliban’s Afghan War. The promise sent shivers through the Middle East on all sides of the issue ringing alarm bells everywhere about the new and dangerously naïve American president.

Israel’s military could shelve plans for a massive fighter-jet attack on Iran because of the distance and difficulties Instead, a report says, Israel could opt to employ its intermediate-range missile arsenal, the solid fuel Jericho 2 & 3, deemed as sufficiently accurate to destroy Iranian nuclear facilities. Also Israel’s French-made               Dolphin class submarines are equipped with cruise missiles capable of striking Iranian nuke sites from the Gulf of Oman and the Mediterranean Sea. 

“This may lead Israel to consider ballistic and cruise missile strikes,” a report by the Bipartisan Policy Center, titled “Meeting the Challenge: When Time Runs Out,” said. The report was released in mid-June amid reports that Saudi Arabia was allowing Israel to use the Arab kingdom’s air space. On June 27, the Israeli daily Yediot Aharonot reported that Turkey, once one of the closest allies of the Jewish state, recently denied its air space to an Israeli military aircraft that was returning from Europe.

As additional advantage is that Iran is not believed to have the capability to stop ballistic or cruise missiles, and of course pilots nor planes would be at risk.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California issued a travel advisory today for people planning to visit Arizona, claiming the state’s law cracking down on illegal immigration could lead to problems for some tourists.

As Obama called on Congress to tackle comprehensive immigration reform in a speech Thursday afternoon, Senator Jim Inhofe (R) OK told Newsmax in an exclusive interview that the president clearly is using border security as a bargaining chip to obtain amnesty for millions of illegal aliens residing in the United States.

Inohofe’s claim follows Sen. John Kyl (R) Az, who stirred controversy last week when he revealed a discussion in which Obama told him that taking action to secure the Mexican border “would remove the incentive for comprehensive immigration reform.” The White House has denied Kyl’s allegation.

Rumors in Congress suggest Obama will stop at nothing to achieve his goal of allowing millions of illegal immigrants to stay in the country, Inhofe said. The administration reportedly plans to use an executive order to circumvent Congress and block the deportation of millions of illegal immigrants.

Inhofe predicts the president will use his power to stop or delay the deportation of illegals to select a block of deportees — anywhere from 1,000 to 100,000 at a time — and prevent them from being sent home.

When a small business owner ask VP Biden to lower taxes the often ragged mouthed VP said, “why don’t you say something nice instead of being a smart aleck.”

55% now disapproves of the job Obama is doing as President and point approaching his all time lowest ratings.

The “right track wrong track” benchmark indicator is at record levels too.

29% now say Obama’s stimulus plan helped the economy, 43% say it hurt. Friday’s employment numbers showed a drop in job numbers but the Bureau of Labor Statistics claimed unemployment fell from 9.7% to 9.5% which to most appeared counter intuitive while some called for revising the arcane way national employment is measured saying it is outdated and too easily manipulated for political purposes.

The U.S, Department of Labor surveys 60,000 homes each month. Like every other “survey” the method of selecting the sample and the form of the questionnaire and way it is administered. Regardless a large majority of Americans say the nation is on the wrong track and increasingly lay blame at the White House door.

The tiebreaker between two rural Nevada county commission candidates who sought the Republican nomination in the June 8 primary was decided – you guessed it – with a deck of cards. The drawing took place in a courtroom in Pahrump, 60 miles west of Las Vegas with a queen besting a ten.

Obama is evangelizing about his version of immigration reform saying it has to be someplace between amnesty and deportation neither of which he says is feasible. He has a tough row to hoe.

Public disapproval over how Obama is dealing with immigration has edged higher, with 51 percent of all respondents — and 56 percent of political independents — giving him negative ratings on the issue according to a Washington Post / ABC News poll. 75 percent of those polled fault border enforcement, and 83 percent support using National Guard troops to patrol the U.S.-Mexico line.

Views about the government’s performance on the border relate directly to assessments of the Arizona law: 67 percent of those who see inadequate federal action on the border favor the new law, compared with 31 percent of those who see sufficient enforcement along the 1,954-mile frontier. In all, 58 percent of Americans say they are supportive of the new law.

A majority of Americans back the Arizona law, most say they support a program allowing illegal immigrants already in the United States the right to live here legally if they pay a fine and meet certain requirements. In the new poll, 57 percent support the option, close to the level in spring 2009 at the 100-day mark of Obama’s presidency.

The most contentious aspect of the immigration debate Is the so-called “path to citizenship”  Proposal range from the sublime to the ridiculous and always seem to arrive at a political place with Obama desiring on a fast track to swell his support for 2012 and others objecting.

The bugaboo is how anything can be effective as long as the Mexican border remains open.

44% of voters say they at least somewhat approve of the president’s performance. Fifty-five percent (55%) disapprove.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton visited five countries once firmly in the Soviet Union’s grip last weekend in part to try to allay fears that better U.S.-Russian relations may come at their expense.

Clinton left on Thursday for Ukraine, Poland, Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia, making her first trip as the top U.S. diplomat to the countries, which all labored under Soviet domination for decades.

U.S. President Barack Obama’s effort to “reset” relations with Russia has left lingering doubts in the region — notably in Georgia — that Washington may neglect their interests in the service of improved ties with Moscow.

U.S. officials deny this, arguing that better U.S.-Russian relations are good for Russia’s neighbors and that countries should not have to choose between one or the other.

The Cold War came back with a vengeance last week when U.S. officials arrested 10 alleged Russian spies — an eleventh was picked up in Cyprus — but the United States and Russia said rolling up the alleged spy ring would not hurt their ties.

Clinton’s trip — over the July Fourth U.S. Independence Day holiday weekend — may help counter regional concerns about the U.S.-Russian thaw, U.S. analysts and officials said.

“(She is) trying to roll back some of the damage that is perceived to have been done by the reset — the idea that the United States has essentially abandoned its post-Soviet allies,” said Matthew Rojansky, deputy director of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace Russia and Eurasia Program.

Some say the timing of the arrest of the spies was politically timed to cast doubts on Obama’s intention.

The ten accused Russian spies are being held in the U. S. without bail as flight risks. At least one has admitted to using an alias. Thursday it was leaked that $10,000 in one hundred dollar bills was found in possessions of one of the accused. 

Oregon police have reopened their investigation into sexual assault allegations by a female massage therapist against former Vice President Al Gore. The peculiar details nvolve a midnight $550 massage in a hotel room that the woman says involved unwanted sexual advances, and a dress she says should be DNA tested that will link to Gore. At minimum it has to be racked up as spectcularly stupid.

South Africa’s TO P COP Faces 15-years for Corruption

 

After a 4 1/2-year trial, South Africa’s former police chief, was found guilty Friday of corruption resulting from his relationship with a convicted drug trafficker, and faces 15 years in prison when he is sentenced July 14.

 

Until recently the soon to be convict was one of the most powerful political figures in South Africa. He served as president of Interpol from 2004 to 2008 and was a close ally of former South African President Thabo Mbeki.

 

His relationship with a drug baron was no secret. The former police chief  gave favors to Agliotti in exchange for money and expensive clothes.

 

In an odd moment the former police colleagues formed a human chain around himas he left the courthouse and got into a waiting car,

 

The drug kingpin is scheduled to go on trial later this year for murder in an unrelated case.

Whether this corruption extended to INTERPOL, the world’s largest international police organization, with 188 member countries, is as yet unknown. Created in 1923, INTERPOL facilitates cross-border police co-operation, and supports and assists all organizations, authorities and services whose mission is to prevent or combat international crime.

“The budget should be balanced, the Treasury should be refilled. Public debt should be reduced. The arrogance of officialdom should be tempered and controlled.  The assistance to foreign lands should be curtailed lest Rome become bankrupt.  People must again learn to work,  instead of living on public assistance.”  -  Cicero   - 55 BC

 

Israeli security forces have been ordered to prepare for trouble from both Arabs and Jews in the West Bank. The preparations have been approved by Defense Minister Ehud Barak

. Officials said Barak, after two recent meetings with the administration of U.S. President Barack Obama, has been urging Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

to extend the freeze on Jewish construction to avoid another crisis with Washington.

“The assessment is that the prime minister will agree, and then there will be trouble on the ground,” the official said.

Officials said the Defense Ministry has directed the Army and security forces to train for the prospect of Arab and Jewish unrest in the West Bank. They said the ministry has assessed that violence could erupt amid Jewish efforts to renew construction in the region following a 10-month government ban scheduled to expire in September 2010. Netanyahu had pledged to approve new construction upon expiration of the freeze.

“There is rising tension in the area — both Arab and Jewish,” an official said. “We must have more and better-trained forces.”

On July 1, the Israel Border Police conducted a major exercise in the West Bank in an effort to enhance anti-riot capabilities. The exercise was said to have consisted of more than 400 border officers in scenarios that included Israeli demonstrations and Palestinian attacks.

In one scenario, troops raided a Jewish community and confiscated weapons. Many Jewish residents of the West Bank have been licensed to carry firearms, including those issued by the military.

Officials said the Defense Ministry plans to assign another 600 border police officers to the West Bank by October 2010. They said the units would come from inside Israel as well as along the border with Jordan.

The Border Police was expected to be the lead force in battling Jewish unrest in the West Bank. In April 2010, the military’s Central Command established a task force comprised of border officers in an effort to rapidly respond to Palestinian complaints of Israeli vandalism around Nablus.  

Officials said the Defense Ministry has directed the Army and security forces to train for the prospect of Arab and Jewish unrest in the West Bank. They said the ministry has assessed that violence could erupt amid Jewish efforts to renew construction in the region following a 10-month government ban scheduled to expire in September 2010. Netanyahu had pledged to approve new construction upon expiration of the freeze.

“There is rising tension in the area — both Arab and Jewish,” an official said. “We must have more and better-trained forces.”

On July 1, the Israel Border Police conducted a major exercise in the West Bank in an effort to enhance anti-riot capabilities. The exercise was said to have consisted of more than 400 border officers in scenarios that included Israeli demonstrations and Palestinian attacks.

In one scenario, troops raided a Jewish community and confiscated weapons. Many Jewish residents of the West Bank have been licensed to carry firearms, including those issued by the military.

Officials said the Defense Ministry plans to assign another 600 border police officers to the West Bank by October 2010. They said the units would come from inside Israel as well as along the border with Jordan.

The Border Police was expected to be the lead force in battling Jewish unrest in the West Bank. In April 2010, the military’s Central Command established a task force comprised of border officers in an effort to rapidly respond to Palestinian complaints of Israeli vandalism around Nablus.

Sunday was July 4, when America combines our two favorite pastimes: alcohol and explosives.

On this 4^th of July weekend the Washington Times handicaps the Republican field as follows and gives reasons why in ascending order as follows:

10. Mike Huckabee: Huckabee raised some eyebrows last weekend in an interview with Fox News Sunday’s Chris Wallace in which he seemed to hint that he was leaning toward a 2012 run. But, then came word this morning that Huckabee is trying out a six-day-a-week television show for Fox News Channel – not exactly the stuff presidential campaigns are made of. It still seems to us that Huckabee likes the idea of running for president more than the reality of a bid. (Previous ranking: N/A)

9. Bobby Jindal: With oil continuing to spill into the Gulf, the Louisiana governor has emerged as the highest profile foil to President Obama. Jindal has been everywhere during the spill, working to flex the organizational expertise that is at the root of his political brand. Jindal also has some cache within the party because, unlike most other people on the Line, he isn’t going to run for president in 2012. Now, 2016 (or 2020 if a Republican ousts Obama)…that’s a different story. (Previous ranking: N/A)

8. Nikki Haley: The South Carolina gubernatorial nominee became a national sensation over the past month — fighting off infidelity allegations to sweep to a victory on June 22. Haley, who is Indian-American, is just the sort of fresh face Republicans need to show that they are not simply a party of and for old white men. Haley still needs to get past state Sen.Vincent Sheheen (D), about whom we hear great things, this fall. But assuming she does, she will immediately become a national figure and player in the 2012 race. (Previous ranking: N/A)

7. Newt Gingrich: Publicly, the former House speaker has taken a more low-profile role. Privately, however, we hear that Gingrich remains actively engaged in the 2012 speculation and positioning. As the guy with the biggest brain (or close to it) in the party, Gingrich will have a say over the next nominee whether or not he is in the running himself. (Previous ranking: 9)

6. Scott Brown: Brown, the hottest thing in electoral politics in the months following his January special election victory, has settled nicely into his role as a swing, moderate vote in the Senate. Brown has drawn favorable press for his stance on the financial regulatory reform bill — check out this fawning piece from NECN. And a new Boston Globe poll showed that he was the most popular politician in the Bay State. Not bad. (Previous ranking: N/A)

5. Tim Pawlenty: Tpaw is everywhere these days. He swung through South Carolina for two days earlier in the week and doled out a bundle of campaign cash to Haley and Sen. Jim DeMint, among others. For the remainder of the 2010 election, expect more of the same from Pawlenty — an orderly attempt to hand out donations to aspiring candidates and visit a number of swing states through his role as vice chairman of the Republican Governors Association. Some time after November, Pawlenty is going to have to have a moment — a speech, an issue position — that breaks through the clutter and establishes him as a major player. Until then, though, he is doing what he needs to do. (Previous ranking: 4)

4. Chris Christie: Who would have thought that of the two governors elected in 2009, New Jersey’s Christie would be the one making waves on the national stage? Christie’s confrontation with a reporter over his temperament has become a YouTube sensation and a touchstone for conservatives. And, Christie’s win in getting his budget passed through a Democratic-controlled legislature drew widespread praise among conservatives. For Republicans looking for a blueprint about how to win back purple states in 2010 and 2012, Christie’s is compelling. (Previous ranking: 7)

3. Sarah Palin: An argument can be made that Palin should be No. 1 on this Line. Her recent endorsements of Nikki Haley and former HP executive Carly Fiorina made an impact in those races in a way that few other politicians could. But, Palin remains a limited phenomenon; she is extremely popular within a relatively narrow swath of the Republican party and is not at all well regarded outside of that group — especially among the Washington Republican chattering class. While those folks don’t cast votes in the nominating process, having them on your side or, at the least, neutral, is hugely important. (Previous ranking: 1)

2. Mitt Romney: The former Massachusetts governor is slowly and methodically rolling out endorsements in state after state, acting like what he is: the current frontrunner for the 2012 Republican nomination. Romney still has questions to answer: Can he empathize with voters distressed about the economy? Will he compete in Iowa? But there are fewer unknowns surrounding Romney than anyone else looking at the race. (Previous ranking: 2)

1. Haley Barbour: Barbour’s Republican Governors Association has become the story of the 2010 midterms. The RGA’s second quarter fundraising numbers – $19 million raised, $40 million on hand – is an eye-popping total that should remind those who have forgotten about Barbour’s reach in the GOP donor community. With Republicans poised to make significant gains at the gubernatorial level this fall, Barbour will almost certainly emerge with momentum after the November elections — momentum that he may seek to channel into a presidential exploratory bid. (Previous ranking #3)