Imperial Presidency? I Don't Think So!!!

Everyone, legislation for Immigration Reform is long overdo and for some reason our United States Congress has "kicked the can" down the road one time too many. More than 500 days ago, the Senate passed an immigration package, 68-32 and the House has refused to bring it up for a vote. Now grant it, the bill isn't perfect, but what bill is? It is my opinion that the House didn't bring it for an up or down vote because they knew the bill would pass the House and be signed by the President, thereby becoming legislation. So, for more than 500 days now, the House has keep this issue in limbo. It is time for our Congressmen and Congresswomen to stop sitting on their laurels and PASS A BILL to fix the broken immigration system.

So, since Congress refused or refuses to act, President Obama did not, or doesn't. Last night, at 8:00pm EST, for approximately 15 minutes, he laid out some steps that he could legally take through an Executive Order, that would help about 5 million immigrants in their quest to become law abiding citizens of this great nation we call THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. Although this order will not be enough to include all immigrants, it is a starting point. This order will force the hand of Congress to act on this issue and PASS A BILL. 

Their are those who say our President, that's right OUR PRESIDENT, is acting like a tyrant, an emperor, a monarch or even an Imperial President because of his use of Executive Orders. But, let's take a look at history. President Obama has signed 193 orders, President George W. Bush signed 291, President Clinton signed 364, President Reagan signed 381.....President Franklin Roosevelt signed over 3,700. President Obama has signed fewer executive orders than 17 of his predecessors. Some of the arguments in how the modern day presidency is imperial are:

• As staff numbers increased, many people were appointed who held personal loyalty to the person holding the office of president, and who were not subject to outside approval or control.
• A range of new advisory bodies developed around the presidency, many of which complemented (critics suggest rivaled) the main cabinet departments, with the cabinet declining in influence. The National Security Council and the Office of Management and Budget are prime examples.
• The Senate does not "advise and consent to" appointments to the Executive Office of the President (with only a handful of exceptions), as it does with cabinet appointments. A corollary of this is that EOP personnel may act independent of, without regard for, and without accountability to Congress.
• The Presidency relies on powers that exceed the Constitution. The extent of foreign policy and war powers of the Presidency are questioned. Also the extent of Presidential secrecy is questioned. 
• The plebiscitary Presidency is a Presidency that is accountable only during elections or impeachment rather than daily to the Congress, the press and the public. This has been considered evidence of an Imperial Presidency.

So, if Congress wants to continue to sit back and do nothing, then it is high time that someone has the GUTS to do something in which they were elected to do, not once, but TWICE!!! And Congress, just in case you have forgotten, any legislation that you pass regarding immigration will supercede any executive orders signed by OUR President. And for those who desire to double check my numbers, I have attached the website by which you can.

http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/data/orders.php

Grand Jury in Ferguson.....

A couple of years ago I served on the Grand Jury in Cartersville, Ga. We were instructed that what information, evidence, names and etc. we heard, or seen, were to be keep within the confinements of the Grand Jury Room. We could not discuss anything outside of that room. So, as you might imagine, I am baffled of the amount of information, evidence, names and etc. that are being leaked from the Grand Jury in Ferguson, Missouri. Yes, we have discussed that on multiple occasions in our Mass Media and Politics class that leaks often occur from within, so the narrative is controlled. However, the more I hear about this Grand Jury, the more I believe laws are being broken; if not by the jurors themselves, then by those with direct knowledge. Regardless of whether the Grand Jury indicts officer Darren Wilson or not, I would like to see the parents of Michael Brown, or perhaps the U.S. Department of Justice, demand a thorough, neutral investigation into the behavior of THIS Grand Jury. It has a foul smell to it, that must not go unnoticed. If these jurors or others, who are leaking this information, are allowed go unpunished for their actions, they are doing a disservice to the American people, the citizens of Missouri and those of Ferguson, Missouri. Now, is not the time to resort to looting, or throwing bottles, or setting buildings on fire, but to ORGANIZE, UNITE, CONFRONT, PROTEST AND DEMAND that those breaking the law are held accountable for their actions. Irregardless, of their race, gender, profession, educational background, or economic status.


http://www.cnn.com/2014/11/14/us/ferguson-police-involved-shootings-killings-data/index.html?hpt=hp_t1

Detainees are Released!!

http://www.cnn.com/2014/11/08world/asia/US-north-Korea-detainees-released/index-html?c=hompage-t

It is with great joy and profound gratitude that I blog about the last two detainees in North Korea being released this morning, 11/8/14, Kenneth Bae and Matthew Todd Miller. North Korea had requested that a high profile person within the U.S. government travel there to discuss the status and possibility of an imminent release. U.S. Director of National Intelligence James Clapper traveled abroad to negotiate these releases. I am forever grateful to the media for not forgetting about these American citizens and keeping pressure on our government officials and foreign diplomats to do all they could to bring them home. And home they are coming!!! And, it appears, at least in this case, there is no “quid pro quo” for the men’s release.

The Release of a U.S. Marine Reservist

On Friday, October 31, 2014, Sgt. Andrew Paul Tahmooressi, a U.S. Marine reservist was released from Mexico's El Hongo Federal Prison after serving 214 days on weapons charges. New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, Montel Williams and others negotiated his release. Mr. Tahmooressi served two tours of duty in Afghanistan, stationed  in California, suffering from PTSD, took a wrong turn and ending up in Tijuana, Mexico. He just so happened to have a .45 caliber pistol, a pump shotgun and an AR-15 rifle in his vehicle. Now, exactly what he was planning to do with those weapons, we may NEVER know, but it does seem suspicious. It had been stated that the Mexican officials had been abusing him, but due to on slaught of media coverage, they stopped the abuse and actually gave Mr. Tahmooressi better treatment.

I want to say "Thank You" to members of the media who did not forget about this young man, his service to our country, and the need to bring him home.


http://www.cnn.com/2014/11/01/world/americas/mexico-u-s-marine-freed/index.html?hpt=hp_t2

Quartantines are called into question.....

On all of the media outlets, the quarantine of nurse Kaci Hickox, of Maine is being questioned.
Governors of New York and New Jersey are implementing a policy that all of citizens returning from Ebola stricken territories, will be quarantine upon arrival. Doctors, nurses, volunteers and our military personnel should be commended and applauded for their outstanding service in helping other foreign nations combat this deadly disease. They are indeed our heroes!!! However, government officials have an obligation to protect the AMERICAN public...no matter what and this should ALWAYS be their FIRST PRIORITY.

This mandatory quarantine does not lessen one's freedom or infringe upon their rights. If you ask our military personnel should they be quarantined in Italy for 21 days, before returning home to their spouses, children and love ones, I am sure they would rather make that sacrifice, to ensure their love ones do not become ill, infected or worse. We must always continue to act for the GREATER GOOD of our people. The media should focus less attention on the "quarantines of our citizens" and focus more attention on the potential impact this deadly disease will have when it spreads throughout this nation. There is only a matter of time before it does. In the mean time,  WE MUST TAKE ALL NECESSARY PRECAUTIONS TO LESSEN ITS IMPACT TODAY, because to put it off until tomorrow, may be entirely to late for you, your love ones, your coworkers, your friends and your neighbors.

IT ALWAYS BETTER TO BE SAFE THAN SORRY!!

http://www.cnn.com/2014/10/29/health/us-ebola/index.html?hpt=hp_t1

U.S. Supplies ISIS With What?

It appears that on Monday, 10/20/14, the United States Military dropped 28 bundles of supplies to citizens in Iraq and Syria, however, one of those bundles landed into the hands ISIS.
These bundles were equipped with antibiotics, anesthetics, sanitary supplies, bandages, hand grenades, mortar rounds and other supplies. This is one of the reasons why I oppose supplying the opposition with weaponry, because they are too easily accessible to ISIS. Over the weekend, I read a story where ISIS now has 3 fighter jets and are being trained by Iraqi pilots. This type of action "ticks" me off!! The U.S. is spending OUR money, using OUR supplies, using OUR military to assist citizens and their governments in these countries; trying to destabilize and destroy OUR and their enemies too, and this happens. This is why I am so reluctant for our military to go into harms way. Our strategy, or coalition building does not guarantee that the Kurdish troops, Iraqi or Syrian opposition will not throw down their weapons, and join the enemy. Does loyalty even exist anymore?

It appears that no matter what we do, how much we give, how much blood, sweat and tears are lost, these forces will ALWAYS be at odds with us. If they can't unite with each other, how exactly can we expect them to HONESTLY unite with us, who are defending their country, and liberties (those they do have), if they continue to throw down their weapons and RUN?

American Myth?

On Wednesday, 10/15/14, the Syrian Ambassador to India suggested that ISIS is an American invention, or myth. Really? Are the ISIS take overs in Iraq and Syria only in the minds of Americans? Were the coverage of the beheadings of two American, one British and one French journalists only happen in the dream of Americans? Are Christians, and other religious sects being killed by refusing to denounce their belief, only happening in the imagination of Americans?

The coalition against ISIS is being led by America, with help from other Arab nations, and NATO members. If the existence of ISIS were only a myth, what does it say for the other nations that are also involved. What does it say about the Assad regime, since they aren't doing much to assist in the dismantling and destruction of ISIS?

http://news.yahoo.com/syrian-ambassador-calls-isis-american-myth-230412940.html

Decency and Respect

After reading this article, "County official: No 'ill intent' after calling for military coup against Obama," I think we as human beings and citizens of this great nation, have lost all sense of decency and respect. Here, a Republican County Official, Debbie Dunnegan, is calling for the military to oust the president by forming a coup. What has President Obama done to our military personnel to warrant such an action? He ended the war in Iraq, and is ending the war in Afghanistan. Although, currently, we are flying air strikes over Iraq and Syria, what else has he done. He is very deliberative and cautious about sending our men and women into arms way. Are we really "beyond the point of no return," when it comes to decency and respect, that we can no longer show respect to the president? Listen, I can honestly tell you, I do not agree with everything President Obama says or does, nor did I with President Bush, President Clinton, and nor will I with President Hillary Clinton...did I say that? But, I was taught to always respect authority and whether we like it or not, President Obama is in authority and we should give him and others like him the up most decency and respect. If you can't respect the man, respect the position of the man!!! Should the media even give this woman the time of day? She is up for re-election in November, so perhaps that is why this is news. With an action like this, she may have cost herself the election.

Ebola cases in the U.S.

Without a doubt, there will be more Ebola cases in the United States. However, I want to pose this question to you that was posed to me by my sixteen years old son, "Mama, if the people are sick with this deadly disease, why bring them here to the United States?" In response, I said, "Steven, if you were in the medical field, or a missionary, or in the military and you went over to Africa, to risk your life in trying to save theirs, and if you got sick, wouldn't you want us to come back and get you to bring you home to the U.S., where you could receive the best medical treatment available?" That gave him a pause. Now, I understand his frustration, his anger, his resentment and sentiments all together; I can't say that same question has never entered my mind because it has. But, aren't we suppose to be our brothers' keepers, our sisters' keepers? Aren't we blessed so that we can bless others? Aren't we taught so we can teach others? Here is my question to you, if the white doctors received the best drug available to help them survive, why didn't the Liberian also receive this same drug? Are we, as a country, still that divided that only the BEST can be give to a white person, and the mediocre to the black?

Journalists Lives are at Stake......

All around the world, journalists go out of their way to bring us breaking or relevant news. This coverage could be in relation to our democracy, weather, economy, education, government, healthcare, military, international issues, social, or perhaps security issues. With the recent captures and beheadings of several journalists throughout the world, I want to pose a question to each of you, "Is informing us of  the happenings throughout the world really worth their lives? Although I am a firm believer that each of us must have a "Purpose" for our existence, I also believe that we must have a "Cause" to which we are willing to lay down our lives for. I am willing to lay down my life for Jesus, my Christian beliefs, my family, my friends, the children, the elderly, the poor, the downtrodden, the forgotten, the widowed, the orphaned, and the least of these. Regardless of the person's skin color, I VALUE LIFE! When we see foreign countries paying ransom for the release of their citizens/journalists, we ask, "Is that the right decision?" Perhaps it is, perhaps it is not. I do believe that what it has the potential to increase the likelihood of repeated kidnappings. But, if journalists are willing to risk their lives to inform us of the happenings in the world, they should be HONORED, RECOGNIZED, COMMENDED, APPLAUDED, and SPOKEN HIGHLY OF. You see, journalists know their purpose, and is pursing a just cause on OUR behalf. WE MUST NEVER FORGET THE PRICE THAT IS BEING PAID, DAILY, FOR OUR FREEDOM!!

SMH!!!

Yes, the title of this blog is SMH......I am literally Shaking My Head!
I am currently watching "The Situation Room" with Wolf Blitzer on CNN and he just asked Admiral Kirby, from the Pentagon, whether or not President Obama has signed off or given authorization to use air strikes in Syria. Mr. Kirby evaded the question. Mr. Blitzer took it upon himself to ask this, "Is the U.S. ready to strike when President Obama orders it." Again, Admiral Kirby evaded a "direct" answer to this question. What part does the MEDIA NOT UNDERSTAND? CERTAIN QUESTIONS SHOULD NOT BE ASKED DURING A LIVE INTERVIEW. SHOULD NOT BE!!!

We have hostages being held in the Middle East. There are threats being made at home and abroad, on a minute by minute basis and news hosts, journalists or commentators want to continue to ask STUPID questions on national TV, to tip off our enemies. THIS IS INSANE!!! That is part of the problem now, people in the media talk too much!! The media tipped off that analysts/scientists/investigators were examining the landscape in the background when the beheadings were aired, which prompted ISIS to improvise. Now ISIS has changed their tactics, so it makes it more difficult to analyze the pictures, landscapes and etc. to discover their hiding places. I am appalled and furious at this. We don't need to know everything! We cannot let the enemy know if we are ready, when we are ready, when we will strike. What happened to, "The Element of Surprise?"
When providing specifics, we allow the enemy time to change their tactics and strategy against such moves. Now in Syria, members of ISIS are mixing in with regular civilians, so they aren't detected. So, this makes it complicated for the U.S. to strike because they must keep civilian causalities at a minimal.

Enough!!! I am not going to take it anymore!

Actions have Consequences, don't they?

Most people are aware of what happened to Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri. It appears that he robbed a convenient store of a carton of cigars, pushed the clerk against a rack/stand,  and left the store. He was then seen walking in the street with a friend, when the police approached him and asked him to move onto the sidewalk. A suspected tussle took place in/out of the police car, and Michael was shot down, in the streets. It is possible that 10 shots were fired, at least 6 of those striking him. Four in the arm, one in the right eye, one in the top of his head. CNN had numerous of reporters on the scene within a matter of days, there were numerous protest for weeks. Attorney General Eric Holder made a visit to speak with leaders, law enforcement and Michael's parents. It appears that Mr. Holder promised that a full and thorough investigation would take place. Three autopsies have been ordered and performed. PEOPLE ARE OUTRAGED!!! Young, old, black, white, hispanic and the like, are outraged!! Perhaps they have every right to be. We have seen on multiple occasions, examples of police brutality. But here is my question to you, if Michael Brown did indeed rob that store, and was gunned down 10 minutes later; could his death have been result of his own actions? We have ALL heard the statement, "actions have consequences," so could his just punishment for robbing the store and assaulting the clerk, be death? When we do wrong, we cannot decide what our punishment will be, can we? If we could, we would apply the least amount of punishment possible, right? Let us never forget, that ACTIONS ALWAYS HAVE CONSEQUENCES!!! We should strive to always do right, but when we don't, we need to be prepared for what consequences will come; because there is no denying it, CONSEQUENCES WILL COME!! 

Black vs. White

Apparently, on the day that Michael Brown was shot and killed in Ferguson, Missouri, there were several witnesses that saw what happened, all of those until a couple of days ago, appeared to be black. Some of the news media are quickly judging some of their statements, calling their character and integrity into question. But, just a couple of days ago two contractors, who happen to be WHITE, came forth as witnesses and said, "Indeed Mike Brown had is hands in the air" and "was shot down."
Now, their word is credible! What these two white men stated, had to be the truth and nothing but the truth, right?

Journalists, commentators, lawyers, law enforcement and the Federal Justice Department, is a white man's word valued more than a black man's word? Are the white men's word more credible because they don't have any ties to Ferguson? Are you quicker to believe what a white person says based on the principle, "they are white, so they must be right?" Since when does the TRUTH have a color.

9/11/14

Today,

As we take the time to remember what happened 13 years ago, let us also remember there are others out there who still desire to do us harm. For whatever irrational and demonic behavior they possess, we must ALWAYS stay vigilant. We must continue, as a country, to root out evil where ever it resides, when our national security or the security of our allies, is at state. WE CANNOT RETREAT, NOT NOW, NOT EVER!!!

Let us never forget the price that was paid for our freedom, years ago. TRUE FREEDOM IS NEVER FREE, IT COMES WITH A COST!!

Tomorrow on 9/9/14, President Obama with meet with the Congressional Leadership members, and discuss his strategy for dealing with ISIS. Will Congress support his decision, whatever that is? According to the War Powers Act, the president can send in military forces for 60 days without Congressional approval. Another 30 days if approved by Congress. However, I believe, almost without a shadow of doubt, that Congress will give him the necessary power to combat ISIS.
On Wednesday, 9/10/14, he will address the nation with his strategy. I am sure that with the beheading of two American journalists, and the impact ISIS appears to be having in Iraq and Syria that the president will get all of the support needed to combat this thuggish group. Will three years be enough time for America to do what needs to be done to destroy them? Will all nine nations he met with at the NATO Summit last week, really step up and provide the necessary aide, organization, communication, intelligence, correlation and military forces to ensure this mission is successful? Or, are they all JUST TALKING?

One of the issues I have with President Obama is that he always say upfront, what HE WILL NOT DO. He will not send in ground troops, no matter what. But what if ground troops are what is needed  to dismantle and destroy this terrorist organization. Why box yourself in, with what you WILL NOT DO. Truth be told, if you end up having to do, exactly what you said YOU WOULD NOT, your reputation and power is affected. Can we please, STOP TALKING SO MUCH? The White House, the media, the military command. Please SHUT UP before you are forced to PUT UP!!

I am not trying to sound harsh, but it is just a reality. We talk too much. That is all of. Radio personalities, television hosts, reporters, journalists, whether in print or in person, too much is said.

What role does the U.S. have in Iraq and Syria?

With ISIS on the rise, citizens are fighting and fleeing for their lives in Iraq and Syria, American journalists are being beheaded in Syria, what should the United States do? In January 2014, President Obama gave authorization for 800 military advisors to go to Iraq. A couple of weeks ago, another 125-150 advisors went. Today, another 350 advisors went to Baghdad. How much advising is necessary for the Iraqi people and their government to standup and fight for their own freedom, their own country? If we overturn regime, after regime, after regime, and the newly formed government never becomes effective and efficient, what more can the United States do? The United States cannot want freedom and democracy of these countries, more than the citizens themselves. It is not our responsiblity or obligation to POLICE the world!

Everyone is calling for President Obama to do something, but do what? The United States has released about 130 missiles during the airstrike missions in Iraq; dropped tons of food as a humanitarian effort, but that is not enough. Outside of sending in ground troops into these two countries, what more can we do? America is war weary. President Obama was elected, twice, to end wars, not start them. Much to his own demise, he is committed to that. That is the reason his foreign policy poll numbers are taking such a hit. With the beheading of the American journalists, people want him to RUSH into doing something, ANYTHING, for revenge. However, it doesn't quite work like that. If he rushes into Syria to fight ISIS, he will appear to be fighting along side the Bashar al Assad regime, who used chemical weapons on his own people, killing more than 1,400, including children.

Whenever we are considering sending our wives, husbands, mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, aunts and uncles into harms way, we need to take our time. We need good intelligence and we need a REGIONAL STRATEGY, before doing so.

Help or Hurt the Political Process?

Personally,

I feel the relationship the media has with politics is a SPECIAL one. It can help or hurt the political dynamic or process, do you agree? Also, what impact will social media have on the elderly, regarding the political process?

Media and Politics, Friend or Foe?: Should the U.S. invade Syria?

Media and Politics, Friend or Foe?: Should the U.S. invade Syria?: Should the U.S. invade Syria?

Should the U.S. invade Syria?