Blog @ MoreWhat.com

With the manufactured row over the NY Post stimulus bill cartoon plus past comments by Obama, Holder and others about all the racists in the US the Clintons are adding their two cents as well as other news stories which seem to be going retro as well.

The meaning of retro in this case points to themes in current events, politics and the like which are reminiscent of the fifties or even further in the past. About the only new item is that the US elected its first black President. Everything else is a rerun. From talk focused on comparisons to Lincoln and FDR primarily due to the direction of economic policies and race to the rhetoric in Korea sounding like notice of an active continuation of the Korean War we’re walking backwards.

The report below includes Hillary’s own actions contradicting her denial she is not Tammy Wynette.

Clinton discusses her love for Bill in SKorea

AFP -
SEOUL (AFP) — US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, taking a break from nuclear disarmament issues, discussed women’s rights and her love for husband Bill …

Okay, the white guy is giving the black guy advice he probably doesn’t want.

A month in, 2-termer Bill Clinton has some advice for rookie Obama

Los Angeles Times, CA -
Tone down the economic despondency talk some and ratchet up the optimism a bit. All gloom and doom could worsen the situation. Scare people. ...

How is this news, others have stated Obama is focusing on nothing but gloom and doom to promote his socialist agenda. It is just that Slick Willie says it different and being a loyal liberal claims all Obama actions are positive but sound bad.

Bill Clinton: Obama Should Sound More Hopeful

ABC News -
By TAHMAN BRADLEY Former President Bill Clinton gives President Barack Obama an “A” grade for his first month in office, but tells ABC News that Obama needs …

A link with some quotes from former Prez Bill to the anointed one’s followers as well as another attempt to keep his name in the news.

Former President Bill Clinton on the Stimulus, the Economy …

FOXNews - 1 hour ago
This is a rush transcript from “On the Record ,” February 19, 2009. This copy may not be in its final form and may be updated. GRETA VAN SUSTEREN, FOX NEWS …

Will this really lead to armed conflict or are the two Koreas playing this for all it’s worth?

Official: SKorea to retaliate if NKorea attacks

The Associated Press -
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea will retaliate if North Korea attacks its naval ships in waters near their disputed maritime border, the defense chief …

If you are not concerned about all of this you are not paying enough attention. If you opposed the Bush Administration and love the Obama Administration there is an obvious contrast in your preferences. With the worst Bush Administration policies people outside the US may have found themselves on the short end. With the worst Obama Administration policies (all of them currently) people inside the US will be on the short end. When picking your poison on the worst that can happen with selecting a US President the current outcome indicates McCain still would have been a better choice. His downside could have been managed by Congress and public outrage in the form of an avalanche of complaints clogging DC’s phone systems and other communications. The same cannot be said with the GOP in repair mode and the Kool Aid drinkers awaiting handouts.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

The United States says North Korea has yet to make a final disclosure of its nuclear activities despite an assertion by Pyongyang Friday that it produced such a report in November. North Korea was supposed to have declared all its nuclear holdings and programs by December 31 under the six-party disarmament accord. VOA’s David Gollust reports from the State Department.Officials here are contesting North Korea’s claim that it has already fulfilled its obligation to report its nuclear programs, but they also stress that the dispute does not mean a rupture in compliance with the six-party agreement.

North Korea’s state news agency KCNA Friday quoted a government spokesman as saying Pyongyang drew up a list of its nuclear programs in November in fulfillment of its obligations and notified the United States.

In a talk with reporters here, State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said U.S. and North Korean officials have held talks on what the declaration might contain, but that nothing that could be described as a final document has been submitted to China, host country of the six-party process:

“We have talked with them about their declaration and continue to encourage them to provide a full and complete declaration,” he said. “They’ve not yet provided what they have said is their final declaration to the chair of the six-party talks, the Chinese. And we are still waiting for that. We are still encouraging them, to provide that full and complete declaration as are other members of the six-party talks. We don’t yet have that.”

McCormack said all participants in the process want a North Korean declaration as soon as possible but that getting a complete statement is more important than the timetable.

He suggested that the North Korean media statement Friday was part of a normal ebb and flow in a complicated diplomatic process, and he noted that Pyongyang is fulfilling other obligations under the deal including disabling its Yongbyon reactor complex.

Under the first phase of the agreement, North Korea is permanently disabling the Yongbyon facility, where plutonium for its nuclear weapons was produced, in exchange for one million tons of fuel oil or equivalent aid and diplomatic benefits.

U.S. officials believe North Korea had a parallel uranium-based bomb project, and McCormack said that should be accounted for in the declaration. Friday’s North Korean statement said any concerns about uranium enrichment should have been allayed by recent visits by U.S. experts to the country’s nuclear facilities.

The issue of the North Korea declaration is expected to dominate the agenda for the chief U.S. delegate to the nuclear talks, who is beginning a round of consultations with other participants in the six-party talks.

Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Christopher Hill is due to visit Japan, South Korea, China and Russia in the week-long mission. There are no current plans for him to visit North Korea.
By David Gollust
State Department
04 January 2008

North Korea Silent on Missed Nuclear Declaration Deadline
North Korea has not commented publicly on its failure to meet an end-of-year deadline to provide full details of its nuclear programs.

Instead, North Korean state media are carrying editorials Tuesday calling on the United States to end what they say is a policy of hostility toward Pyongyang.

In other news, South Korea’s president-elect Lee Myung-bak, who has pledged to take a tougher stance toward North Korea, has invited Pyongyang to send representatives to his February 25 inauguration.

Pyongyang failed to meet a December 31 deadline to dismantle its main nuclear complex and provide a full declaration of its nuclear activities.

The deadline was set in an agreement reached with five other countries, including the United States, Japan and South Korea, whose governments expressed their regret over the delay.

Disablement activities are underway at the Yongbyon nuclear complex, but negotiations over the contents of the declaration continue.

U.S. State Department spokesman Tom Casey said Monday that what is more important than the timing of the declaration is that it is accurate and complete. Casey said he expects consultations later this week on the issue.

Washington noted that good progress had been made towards meeting the disablement deadline and acknowledged that recent delays were due to U.S. safety concerns.

Under the terms of an agreement between the United States, China, Japan, Russia, and North and South Korea, Pyongyang is to disable its major nuclear facilities and declare all its nuclear programs in exchange for energy assistance.
By VOA News
01 January 2008

By Kurt Achin
Seoul
06 November 2007

A senior U.S. envoy who spent this weekend in North Korea says authorities there are cooperating in the process of disabling the country’s nuclear facilities. As VOA’s Kurt Achin reports from Seoul, the shutdown is part of a wider diplomatic process aimed at ending Pyongyang’s nuclear weapons capabilities for good.

Senior State Department envoy Sung Kim, who oversaw the start of North Korea’s disabling of several major nuclear facilities, said the process is going well.

“I think we are off to a good start,” he said. “I hope to achieve all the disablement, at least this phase of disablement, by December 31.”

Kim says his team had supervised disabling activities at Yongbyon and several other facilities.

North Korea tested its first nuclear weapon in October of last year, in defiance of international agreements and warnings from the global community.

Since then, however, North Korea has taken first steps in implementing a multinational diplomatic framework aimed at ending its nuclear weapons.

Earlier this year, Pyongyang halted operations at its main nuclear plant in Yongbyon in exchange for energy aid, as it had promised in talks with China, Japan, Russia, South Korea, and the United States.

Diplomats describe “disabling” as a process that would make any restarting of nuclear activity very costly and time-consuming. They say it is a prelude to dismantling the facilities altogether — a task expected to be discussed sometime next year.

Kim describes North Korean officials as “very cooperative”, but says he did not receive any details of the North’s planned nuclear declaration.

The second phase of the six-nation agreement offers impoverished North Korea even more energy assistance if it declares all of its nuclear facilities and then substantially disables them.

China is expected to convene another round of six-nation talks in Beijing soon to review the North’s declaration.

North Korea has much to gain from ending its nuclear programs including normalized relations with U.S.

A state department spokesman confirmed Washington has begun the lengthy process of removing North Korea from the list of states defined as sponsoring terrorism, a possible prelude to better relations with Pyongyang.

By Daniel Schearf
Beijing
30 October 2007

Schearf report - Download 445k
Listen to Schearf report
The U.S. envoy to talks on North Korea’s nuclear program says a team of experts will travel to Pyongyang this week to begin disabling the North’s nuclear program. Daniel Schearf reports from Beijing.

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill told reporters Tuesday the experts will leave for North Korea on Thursday to begin the permanent disabling of Pyongyang’s nuclear facilities.

The shutdown is part of a six-nation agreement for North Korea to give up its nuclear programs in return for millions of dollars in energy and aid.

North Korea has agreed to declare and disable all its nuclear materials and programs by the end of the year.

Hill said the declaration process is also expected to begin in the coming weeks.

“It’s very important that we do it soon rather than wait until the end of the year, because probably it will be going back and forth,” he noted. “There’ll be a lot of discussion about it.”

The U.S. has accused North Korea of having a secret uranium enrichment program in addition to its publicly acknowledged facilities. But Hill said he did not think this will block progress.

“There was a commitment made by the DPRK that this issue would be resolved to mutual satisfaction, that is we would be able to resolve the concerns we have on this issue,” he added. “I’m confident that as we get to the end of the year we will be able to achieve this result.”

Hill made the comments after arriving in Beijing Tuesday for two days of consultations with other parties to the talks, including North Korea’s envoy Kim Kye Kwan.

Progress toward ending North Korea’s nuclear ambitions has already been made. North Korea shut down its main nuclear facilities in July in return for 50,000 tons of fuel from South Korea.

North Korea agreed Tuesday to receive about half of a promised one million tons of fuel oil aid, in the form of badly needed energy-related equipment.

The U.S. is now in the process of delivering another 50,000tons of fuel. Other parties to the six-nation talks - South Korea, Russia, China, and Japan - are also expected to provide further aid.

crossposted at:
Maggie’s Notebook | Conservative Blog
FaultlineUSA
Screw the UN

The following is certainly an oversimplified appraisal. But the order of the news reports lent itself to an almost automatic response. The events themselves may have played out somewhat differently. At least as far as timing is concerned. But nevertheless there chronological publishing times may be in proper order. The point is this.

We all know that Iran was on President Bush’s ‘D’ list. They were not likely to get invited to any parties. And if you are old enough to remember the dagger in the heart of Jimmy Carter’s Administration or had some history classes in school, you are familiar with 444 days worth of agony suffered by Americans at the hands of Iranian hospitality.

Then there was the Reagan Administration basking in the glory of the return of the American hostages and later the Iran-Contra scandal and I’m getting crazy just thinking about it. That is over twenty-five years ago and the process has not improved. It appears more complicated than the simple explanation that every country is looking out for their own agenda and benefit.

With the Memorial Day concluding earlier this week, thoughts of WWII and the greatest generation did not escape most Americans. Citizens of many other countries are sure to have been reminded also. When I think of our country’s contribution to winning that war alongside so many other allied nations, another striking reminder enters my thoughts.

At the end of WWII the League of Nations was replaced by the United Nations whose stated mission was to intervene in conflicts between nations and avoid future wars. It almost seems as though human beings were finally getting it right. Instead of a period of time of peaceful activity followed by the totally impractical practice of armed conflict, we would solve our differences in an organized group to eliminate the need for death and destruction in enormous quantities.

Let’s review the latest success of this noble endeavor. As stated earlier, the sequence of the following reports is assumed to be relatively chronological.

Iraq’s Sadr blasts US-Iranian meeting

BAGHDAD, May 30 (UPI) — Among those who blasted the meeting is Iranian-backed Shiite cleric Moqtada Sadr, who said in a statement Wednesday that the U.S.-Iranian talks in Baghdad Monday constituted “interference in Iraqi affairs.”

So the first thing that happens is the cleric known as Sadr throws his two cents worth in ‘dissin’ the meeting. One man who has done everything he can to cause more bloodshed in Iraq is complaining about a meeting between the US and Iran. Could be so simple as he doesn’t want anything solved for it ups his value as a ’somebody’ in Iraq.

Talking With Our Enemies Is Smart Policy

The Moderate Voice -
By Jeb Koogler. The recent meeting between American and Iranian officials in Baghdad effectively brings to an end the Bush administration’s use of ‘enforced …

Then we have another opinion apparently applauding an approach that differs from the typical ‘cowboy George’ routine that one could characterize as shoot now, ask questions later or the old Teddy Roosevelt adage of walk softly and carry a big stick. This second philosophy has a tendency of provoking more attitude from hostile foes and delay the desired victory outcome.

Iran official rules out halting enrichment ahead of nuclear talks …

International Herald Tribune, France -
In another sign of defiance, hardline President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad boasted that Iran has become so strong that no adversary can defeat it. …

Which of course prompted the response above from the Iranians as well as another one bragging about no one would be crazy enough to challenge the great and powerful Iranian military. Ok, where did we here that Mother of all wars speech before. Yo, yo, Prez AJ, over powering the Iraqi forces was not a problem. Keeping the nutcases contained has presented a problem, but foreign armies, not a big deal. Does he have that little man syndrome?

Diplomats: West rejected Iran nuke concession

MSNBC -
In another sign of defiance, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad boasted that his country’s military has become so strong that no adversary would risk an …

And the tennis ball lands in the other court and we have renewed talk about regime change. So the long delayed question is where the hell is the United Nations, again, and why does it even exist anymore. Not like their weren’t plenty of reasons to ask for it to be dissolved before.

Getting Serious About Iran: For Regime Change

Commentary, NY -
To the contrary, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the recently elected president, announced that the Islamic Republic was reneging on its suspension agreement and …

Afghanistan, Iraq, maybe Iran, Russia and new nukes, India talking more nukes, US shielding EU and the circus just keeps coming to town. Is no other country the least bit interested in taking one more shot at using the UN for what it was designed for? I am sure anyone reading this may feel compelled to complain about my suggestions. Consider that the UN is useless and it probably needs to be dissolved. But now would be a great time to give that ‘body’ one last chance to actually do something useful. There are major players involved in dealing with the current generation of conflict and resolution. There is no better time to get everyone involved and in a position to make the UN work before it is entirely abandoned. Even a loser is worth one more try. As long as the cards are on the table and every one knows how to play.

In the words of Larry the Cable Guy, ‘get her done’. If it flops, get rid of it.

Thompson on the Run

Town Hall, DC -
At an event for the Electronic Data Systems Corp. on April 27, he said he supported helping Iranians overthrow President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s government. …

Heading into the 2008 elections, it would be nice to resolve some of the world’s issues since no one knows who will be in the White House and the example above is not ready for nonsense by his statements. That may apply to one or more other candidates but some would be a definite disadvantage in that regard.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Just a brief note to readers, the following excerpt is from Jihad Watch. I don’t mind admitting this was my first visit there. At least it was the only visit I remember and after being there today I am confident I would not have forgotten. The story at the top of the page when I was there is linked below. It is what compelled me to publish this tiny post as encouragement for those who have never been there to check it out.

The piece hits home with me. Like so many others I am weary of the treatment some stories get based on an impression of who should be presented sympathetically and who should not. Most of us suspect that is due to media bias. If that is the case it should be criminal to attempt to mislead people rather than share the facts and let the viewers draw their own conclusions. Critics of this position will contend the viewer is always free to draw their own conclusions. But we all know the power of suggestion and the subtle influence of marketing techniques employed by advertisers, media outlets and politicians. So to put it simply, that boat don’t float.

Anyway, if you haven’t before we recommend you test drive Jihad Watch. If you have been there then you don’t need our recommendation.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Cue standard “Muslims fear backlash, deplore terrorism” story

This one is by Cydney Long for Philadelphia’s CBS3.com (thanks to all who sent this in). Let’s see — have we touched all the bases? Muslims shocked by terror charges? Check. The jihadists don’t represent all Muslims? Check. Islam is a religion of peace? Check. Qur’an good? Check. If you blame the religion you’re blaming all Muslims? Check. Good, Cydney! You get an A+ for this one!

(CBS 3) VORHEES, N.J. Muslims in the region are bracing themselves for a possible backlash in response to the terror plot arrests.

If the previous post does not show you that Senator Harry Reid is a contradction then understand he said they would not cut and run in Iraq or raise taxes. Right at the moment the tax thing is secondary. He said they would not cut and run. Senator Reid would you kindly explain the report below if you are not planning on cut and run?

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

US Senate Democrats Draft Plan to Revise Military’s Iraq Mission
By VOA News
23 February 2007

Democratic Party leaders in the U.S. Senate are working on legislation that would effectively revoke the 2002 resolution authorizing military action against Iraq.

Senate Democratic aides say the proposal, which is not expected to be adopted, would limit the U.S. military’s mission to training Iraqi troops and police forces, securing the country’s borders and combating terrorist forces. Regular combat forces would be withdrawn by next year.

The proposal, drafted by Senator Carl Levin, the chairman of the Armed Services Committee, and Joseph Biden, who chairs the Foreign Relations panel is set to be presented to other Democratic senators next week.

If accepted, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid would likely attach the proposal to an anti-terrorism bill. If passed by the Senate, which is not likely, the revised authorization would also have to be passed by the House and would be subject to a veto by President Bush.

Democrats and the independents aligned with them hold a slim 51 to 49 majority in the Senate, but hold a more comfortable majority in the House of Representatives.

The 2002 resolution gave President Bush authorization to take military action against Iraq, because of its alleged arsenal of weapons of mass destruction. In a speech last week, Biden said the original resolution is now irrelevant because the WMD program did not exist, and former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein is “no longer there.”

The bill is the latest effort by Senate Democrats to challenge President Bush on his Iraq policy. A vote on a non-binding resolution criticizing Mr. Bush’s plan to deploy an additional 21,000 troops to Iraq failed in the Senate, but was passed in the House last week.

Meanwhile, Democrats in the House of Representatives are considering a proposal by lawmaker Jack Murtha that would link funding of the U.S. military mission in Iraq to strict conditions on troop readiness and training standards.

Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters.

Trackposted to Outside the Beltway, The Right Nation, Leaning Straight Up, Maggie’s Notebook, and basil’s blog, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.

How does H Con Res 63 affect real security, protecting America and
restoring our leadership in the world? It doesn’t. (Stanford Matthews)
Seventeen Republicans joined Democrats in Voting Yes on H Con Res 63
The names link to their information on Project Vote Smart (more on this later)

Representative Michael N. Castle District At-Large - US-House (R-DE)
Representative Howard Coble District 6 - US-House (R-NC)
Representative Thomas M. ‘Tom’ Davis District 11 - US-House (R-VA)
Representative John J. Duncan District 2 - US-House (R-TN)
Representative Philip ‘Phil’ English District 3 - US-House (R-PA)
Representative Wayne T. Gilchrest District 1 - US-House (R-MD)
Representative Bob Inglis District 4 - US-House (R-SC)
Representative Timothy V. ‘Tim’ Johnson District 15 - US-House (R-IL)
Representative Walter Beaman Jones District 3 - US-House (R-NC)
Representative Ric Keller District 8 - US-House (R-FL)
Representative Mark Steven Kirk District 10 - US-House (R-IL)
Representative Steven C. LaTourette District 14 - US-House (R-OH)
Representative Ronald E. ‘Ron’ Paul District 14 - US-House (R-TX)
Representative Thomas E. ‘Tom’ Petri District 6 - US-House (R-WI)
Representative James M. ‘Jim’ Ramstad District 3 - US-House (R-MN)
Representative Frederick Stephen ‘Fred’ Upton District 6 - US-House (R-MI)
Representative James T. ‘Jim’ Walsh District 25 - US-House (R-NY)

Church and State OTA weekend Feb 16-18, 2007 

Hopes for North Korea deal rise

A tentative deal is reached at six-party talks on North Korea, the US nuclear negotiator says.

It was suggested on network evening news today that President Bush won’t negotiate with North Korea on giving up their nuclear plans. And it was suggested that South Korea negotiated the part about providing oil and electricity. Gee, is that the current way not to negotiate? Let another country do it for you. Funny what happens when those polls go down far enough.

C. Harris
MoreWhat.com