Friday, August 29, 2014

I have a demand for Congresswomen and female congressional staffers and those in the press.

A cop on the beat. Not literally, but, without concealing any recording they should and COULD wear mini-cams to deter offensive men within the Capital and their work space.

The device that would pass Homeland Security and the Capital Police can be called the Gillibrand Security Camera and provided free of charge to every female within the vacinity of men under the USA Capital Dome.

August 29, 2014
By Irin Carmon

...In the New York Democrat’s (click here) forthcoming book, “Off the Sidelines,” Gillibrand writes that when her weight fluctuated around the birth of her children, one older senator squeezed her waist and said, “Don’t lose too much weight now. I like my girls chubby.” A House colleague warned her about becoming “porky,” and another offered the unsolicited consolation that “You know, Kirsten, you’re even pretty when you’re fat.”...

Obviously Senator Gillibrand who fights for women's rights at every turn felt not only insulted by personally threatened by off color comments. When a Senator or a staffer feels uncomfortable by another party no matter who it is that is serious business.

I see no problem in providing any and all needed protections for those that work in our federal capital. In the long run it will prove to provide a better more efficient government and women willing to now seek office in Washington, DC.

There you have it.

August 29, 2014
By Karoun Dermirjian and William Branigin
Russian President Vladimir Putin (click here) on Friday hailed pro-Moscow separatists in eastern Ukraine as “insurgents” battling an army that he likened to Nazi invaders during World War II, and the Ukrainian government raised the prospect of joining NATO as it seeks help in repelling what it calls an outright Russian military invasion of its territory....

Ukraine wanted to avoid having to choose sides. That is the truth, it was stated very early on when the first manifestations of Russian presence in Crimea existed. Now, because Putin hates The West 'enough' as expressed in his politics and wants a RMZ from Europe; the loyalties of Ukraine are changing. It has no clear path to find NEUTRALITY. It was decommissioned of the nukes it once possessed and now as an autonomous country. It is not one of the five permanent nuclear members to the UN Security Council.

There should be no doubt with the decommissioning of it's nuclear capacity Ukraine wanted nothing to do with war or aggression. Obviously. It speaks loudly to the country's priorities reflected in the values of it's people. It was completely clear Russia had nothing to fear, but, it fears it anyway.

Putin likes to brag he knows more about the Neo-Nazi movement in Ukraine as a real threat to Russia's homeland, but, that is a side bar to reality. There are many countries that have undesireable populous as valued by western culture, but, there are reasons for those to exist and not with permission of any government. The most dramatic reality is that of, was it 84 young people dead in Norway. The killer was a self-avowed Neo-Nazi. He killed and he sure as heck didn't have the favor of his government to do so. But, these right wing entities exist. That is not to say they pose any sovereign threat to Russia It's ridiculous.

It just so happens the Neo-NAZI (Germany) threat by NATO is convenient for Putin while Merkel considers him and she and her country good friends.

NATO's meeting is coming up and other Post-Soviet countries will no doubt bring up the very real threat Russia poses to them if Ukraine is not installed into NATO as their ally. Russia knows that and is why it is in a hurry to kill and take LAND and annex it in a so called PROTECTIONISM of the people under harsh rulers that are Russian Speaking.

Ukraine has good friends, loyal and great people, a very viable economy and promise for growth and shares borders with NATO allies. It has a good argument to become a partner in NATO.

One has to reflect on that reality now OVER TIME. What is being PLAYED OUT with Ukraine today was FEARED by Russia since the time of the collapse of the Soviet Union. So, Putin is still reacting to the end of his old country and carrying a lot of unnecessary baggage, EXCEPT, if one is looking to a strong country in the balance of power of nuclear capacity.

In that light Russia's propaganda makes more sense than not. And I reiterate, a USA with SUPREME authority and the only country left with nuclear capacity is a very dangerous thing. VERY.

But, it can also be said Putin has over reached in his concern for the balance of power. While cultures change and Russia could have become more mainstream Wall Street that never approached the dissolution of Russia's sovereign borders. Quite the contrary, which leads me to paranoia by the old communists that cultural changes paralleling that of The West will result in a homogeneous globe. I think not and to allow Russia to regress into an economy of worthless Rubles is more a threat to Russia's sovereignty.

I look forward to the burgeoning of new politics in Russia unless it is chronically oppressed by the likes of Medvedev. Putin is too far gone to expect any reversal at this point and Medvedev is his most viable follower in power to the communist thrown. A shame really. Medvedev is so young to be left behind in moving his once promising country forward.

To clearly illustrate my disappointment in Russia and President Putin I have repeatedly stated a culture to a nation/country is among it's wealth to an economy. Unique IF inviting.

About the Kurds.

They are a magnificent people. The USA obviously has exhibited an interest in their well being to date with the potential of a land for them they can finally call a country. The question is where is that going to happen?

It was a relief to many that have followed these people through all the many decades of their ability to grow strength as a nation to realize they had a sovereign province within the former Iraq. It was the right thing and the best thing. The Kurds do not hate anyone enough to fathom genocide for their longing for their own nation and ultimately country. 

When maps of Kurdistan are visualized it extends into many other countries. The question is where do the Kurds see their country's borders and how realistic is it for an alliance with the USA? AND. Is there a more viable solution that would serve their best interests and that of the global community?

The UK has a little more than 63 million people and a far smaller land mass than the USA.

Getting rid of those chemical weapons in Syria was a good idea. But, I would expect Great Britain to take stock of what is occurring with it's young men and actually raise concerns about the safety of others. I am curious about what a unilateral elevation in the terror alert means to NATO.

Syria's population when left undisturbed is about 22 million, so the refugees are 13% of the people. That is significant when measuring the effects on this change in regime and it's purpose in taking power. That is now what is occurring in Syria. The Assad regime is losing their battle, but, that has been happening for three years now. The loses reflect a governing body that cannot reconstitute it's power.

I am not taking sides, but, it has always been curious that Assad as an Alawite was able to hold onto power for such a long time. His father before he. They are minorities in Syria. The Sunnis decided they wanted a different leadership that could not be achieved in elections. It is a civil war.

Containment is still the only viable solution while people pour out of the country for their own safety. They should not wait to move out of a war zone that quite possibly could lead to an unknown government with completely inhumane directives once in majority control of the land.

I don't see diplomatic relations with any change in government in Syria anytime soon. 

This is the time for region to take account of what is occurring and measuring their response. For some their response may already be in place, for others the concern is probably heightened. At any rate, there is a new kid on the block and the strength of the containment of it's influence should be paramount followed by any potential to cause harm to their countries while the new regime builds it's expertise in governing and moving into yet unrealized power.

Basically, is this just a civil war OR is it more? The current ambitions of the burgeoning regime and it's effects crossing into land traditionally Iraq states it's intentions fairly clearly. The West among others have to find allies once again and build on the strengthening of those allies. My first thoughts are the Kurds and backing a strong provincial government while extending it's reach across Syrian borders to end any attempts by IS/IS/L to cross into their nation of people again.

But, I am putting the horse before the cart. Of vise versa. Not sure yet exactly which direction the horse is leaning. Assad is still in power for all we know and capable of pushing back in it's civil war. OR. Not? Which brings to the forefront the idea Russia ain't all that. If I can venture a guess after looking at some Russian training videos, the Russian ground troops are lacking. The only real strength in Russia's response is tanks and bombs and of course the ultimate bomb. I mean with Russian subs in the waters (They are still there right?) at the ports in Syria I would expect a better response UNLESS Russia figures, "Ah, the USA will take care of it." 

"W"rong.

Right now, this very minute, if I were a nation relying on Russia as an ally I'd have second thoughts. Hellllooooooo, China and it's friendship pact of 2000.

But, my imagination runs away with me. I am confident IS/IS/L is even a greater threat than the USSR, oh sorry Russia could ever be in alliance with China and half the indigenous countries of the world. Indigenous people may find China's consumerism a step up, but, everything else might be questionable.

Sorry. There are dead people, but, I lack imagination to deliver my message differently. It must be my mother's fault.
August 29, 2014
By Stephanie Nebehay
(Reuters) - Three million Syrian refugees (click here) will have registered in neighboring countries as of Friday, but many remain trapped by the advance of Islamist militants or are having difficulty in reaching open border crossings, the United Nations said.
Syrians desperate to leave their war-engulfed homeland are forced to pay hefty bribes at armed checkpoints proliferating along Syria's borders, or to smugglers, the U.N. refugee agency said.

The record figure is one million refugees more than a year ago, while a further 6.5 million are displaced within Syria, meaning that "almost half of all Syrians have now been forced to abandon their homes and flee for their lives," it said....

All those political commentators stating the student loan problem should go away are backing Republicans.

Senate Minority Leader (click here) Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has received $598,025 from banks, lending institutions and student loan companies, more than any other senator. He voted 'NO.'

Bill author Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) has received $36,920 from banks, lending institutions and student loan companies.

Like I said, the USA Budget belongs to the people right up to the point where Republicans control it.

Advanced weapons for local law enforcement is fine and FREE.

Advanced education for the USA brain trust expensive. 
         

Our tax dollars at work or NOT?

US House Representatives (click here) voting to continue funding the 1033 Program have received, on average, 73 percent more money from the defense industry than representatives voting to defund it.

Fifty-nine representatives received more than $100,000 from the defense industry from January 1, 2011 - December 31, 2013. Of those only four supported defunding the 1033 Program.

August 27, 2014
By Megan Cassidy

Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio (click here) admitted Tuesday that his department is currently missing nine firearms issued to the agency through a federal program that hands out surplus military gear to local law-enforcement.

Arpaio's is one of 184 state and local police agencies that has reportedly been suspended from the Pentagon's controversial 1033 program for losing weapons or failing to comply with other stipulations, a recent Fusion article reported.

The report is one of the latest in an ongoing debate about the 1033 program and the merits of outfitting local police for a warzone....