Everyone know Senator Hagel is highly qualified for Secretary of Defense.
The Senate Republicans are setting the these vital nominations to the national security of the USA to pump the Executive Branch of any type of information to seek impeachment. The Senate Republicans are pushing all their options to attempt to remove the President from office. They cannot get over the fact President Obama is an honest man, capable of leading the nation in a good relationship with the people and still stand legitimately on issues they are seeking to exploit for the 2014 elections. The Republicans believe there is some kind of deep dark secret in the Executive Branch that will FINALLY let them win elections, even if winning through corruption.
Is there nothing the GOP can find in the Executive Branch that will stop the defense cuts? Stop the adverse outcomes to their elections? Stop the honesty, the decency that the GOP cannot mimic? Is there nothing that can be found to protect the cronies?
Our allies in Europe is involved in an offensive into Mali and the Republicans are postponing the confirmation of the new Secretary of Defense? For political FODDER?
Really?
By Cheryl Pellerin
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Feb. 7, 2013
...“I had the opportunity (click here) to congratulate the French on what is so far a very successful mission in Mali, and also to discuss with them where they go from here,” Carter told American Forces Press Service aboard his aircraft during his return flight.
“I was pleased to learn that they have a clear strategy for making the effort there -- one that includes a political settlement in Mali between the government in Bamako and a longstanding separatist group … that contributes to making the [northern part of the country] a place where radicals can take hold,” the deputy secretary added.
Carter said such a settlement has to be part of the future in Mali, as does helping the Malian forces bolster their capabilities until they can assume full responsibility for their own national security.
In remarks at the 49th Munich Security Conference, Carter said European defense spending is “falling to a level below which they will be incapable of independent action, and that’s inconsistent with the historic role of Europe in security affairs.”...
Do Republicans actually want to prevent the next attack on the USA? Seriously. Do Republicans actually care about protecting the infrastructure of the USA? It is a legitimate question. After all, the Republicans aren't interested in rebuilding it, now are they?
Oren Dorell, USA Today
8:24 p.m. EST
February 14, 2013
As jihadists start an insurgency in Mali, (click here) U.S. officials say France should stay in the lead. U.S. will assist with transportation, surveillance and funds.
WASHINGTON -- Obama administration officials said Thursday that France will lead the fight against terrorists in north Mali without U.S. combat support, but one adviser to U.S. forces in Africa warned that the United States may not be able to avoid direct involvement.
French and Malian forces continue to fight remnants of jihadist Muslim militias in north Mali that are headed by al-Qaeda's North African franchise, al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM).
At a House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing on Thursday, Obama officials from the State Department and the Pentagon said the militias pose a significant threat to U.S. interests and security. But the United States will not send troops to aid the effort....
Only one adviser is recommending war spending? The Republicans want another war, they sincerely want to get a war monger in the DOD. If only there was another Don Rumsfeld waiting in the wings.
Ah, yes. The profitability of drone warfare is far higher than anyone can imagine. The different kind of war. Of course.
...Currently, the US has about 7,000 aerial drones (click here) of various nomenclature and capability compared with fewer than 50 a decade ago. That number is set to expand further under the administration's 2012 budget request of $4.8 billion for drones. Drone strikes are legal according to Obama administration lawyers under the 2001 Authorization for the Use of Military Force, which gives the president authority to capture or kill anyone suspected of having planned, executed or assisted in the attacks of September 11, 2001. Since 2008 alone, more than 300 drone strikes deliberately killed 2,500 or more people in Yemen, Pakistan, Somalia and elsewhere around the globe as part of CIA and military targeted killing operations....
I tell you what. Since the USA Congress can't find cuts to the defense budget, I think the American people can figure it out for them.
