'North Korea Might Take Nuclear Option'

Scholar Urges President Obama to Exercise Extreme Caution

Charles Armstrong, PhD., is a member of the steering committee for the National Committee on North Korea (http://www.ncnk.org/). One of the leading observers and scholars in the country on matters concerning the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), he has authored several books on Korea, most notably “The North Korean Revolution: 1945-1950", which was published by Cornell University Press in 2003. He has also written numerous articles and chapters on the DPRK, US-Korean relations, and contemporary Korean affairs.

While working and living in the Republic of Korea (ROK), Armstrong worked closely with organizations and international leaders to resolve DPRK and North-South Korean issues. In addition to this post, he is the Korea Foundation Associate Professor of Korean Studies and Director of the Center for Korean Research at Columbia University.

Dr. Armstrong frequently serves as a commentator for global news media outlets, including the New York Times, Newsweek, CNN and the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). He granted “From The G-Man” an exclusive interview in 2009, “Crisis in North Korea” (http://fromthegman.blogspot.com/2009/06/crisis-in-north-korea.html), and now joins me to discuss the latest developments regarding the intense and volatile standoff between North and South Korea.

G-Man: Thank you for being here, Dr. Armstrong.

Dr. Armstrong: My pleasure, as always.

G-Man: On a scale from 1 to 10, with 10 being the most severe stage, how serious is the situation between North and South Korea and are we on the verge of World War III?

Dr. Armstrong: I hope we’re not close to World War III, but we’re at 7 or 8 for Korean War II, and the first Korean War nearly led to World War III in the 1950s. Even a “limited” war on and around the Korean peninsula could kill millions of people.

G-Man: U.S. warships have been dispatched to the region to engage in military exercises with South Korea, which North Korea regards as a provocation. The North Korean government has threatened to retaliate with a “nuclear response”. Is this typical saber rattling on their part, or is there a real chance North Korea will use nuclear weapons against its enemies?

Dr. Armstrong: North Korea has been talking about its “nuclear deterrent” for the last few years and has held two successful nuclear tests. Pushed into a corner it might very well take the nuclear option. Even without that, it could devastate Seoul with conventional weapons or launch missiles at US military targets in South Korea or Japan. They may be bluffing, but it would not be wise to call them on it.

G-Man: At this point, does the Obama administration know for sure if North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il is still calling the shots?

Dr. Armstrong: Although it seems that Kim is still in charge, since North Korea has not said otherwise, nobody knows for sure. North Korea seems to be in a period of leadership transition but it’s not clear what’s going on inside the ruling circles in Pyongyang.

G-Man: In our first interview, back in June of 2009, you noted the following: “In the near term a post-Kim North Korea will probably be much like the one we have today, perhaps run by a collective leadership rather than one Dear Leader.” With the two Koreas now threatening war, do you still believe this will be the case if Kim is gravely ill?

Dr. Armstrong: North Korea has not made any of this public, including Kim’s illness, but I would guess that if Kim were to go tomorrow his son would be figurehead leader and the real power would be held by his brother-in-law, who has been rising to prominence for some time. But under current circumstances North Korea wants to show a unified national purpose under the leadership of Kim Jong Il. They believe that the US and South Korea are out to destroy their country, and whether or not this is true, it’s what motivates the North Koreans right now.

G-Man: As you know, the dangerous standoff was set in motion when a torpedo slammed into a South Korean ship, killing 46 sailors. North Korea immediately stated it was not involved in the sinking, but an international team of investigators concluded that North Korea was responsible. Can you elaborate on what countries were involved in the investigation and what evidence they obtained to reach their conclusion?

Dr. Armstrong: The investigation was initiated by South Korea and conducted by a team of Americans, Swedes, Brits and Australians. They concluded that the ship was sunk by a torpedo launched by a North Korean submarine, based on the discovery of the shell of a torpedo with North Korean markings. North Korea refused to accept the evidence and has asked to conduct its own investigation, but was denied. The Chinese have not accepted the evidence either and have refused to blame the North Koreans for the explosion. The Russians have recently suggested, based on their own investigation, that a mine, of which there are plenty in the disputed zone between North and South Korea, likely hit the South Korean ship. Some South Koreans also doubt that the evidence proves North Korean culpability.

G-Man: Currently, where do China and Russia stand regarding this conflict?

Dr. Armstrong: Neither China nor Russia hold North Korea responsible for the explosion on the South Korean ship, and they have criticized the US and South Korea for grossly over-reacting to the incident. Both have asked all sides to calm down and return to dialogue before the situation escalates out of control. China is also concerned about massive naval maneuvers conducted by the U.S. off their coast at the same time that the U.S. is proposing to intervene in the dispute over islands that China claims in the South China Sea. The Chinese suspect that the US is really trying to block Chinese naval expansion and that the Korean incident is partly an excuse to do so.

G-Man: North Korea has indicated that any action taken by the U.S. or its allies will be considered an act of aggression and vowed to respond with military action. This being the case, how fruitful is it to continue to push for sanctions?

Dr. Armstrong: Sanctions by themselves will probably not provoke North Korean military action, but combined with massive military exercises in the vicinity they may provoke a harsh response from North Korea. The real question about sanctions, though, is whether they will cause a change of behavior from North Korea or even bring down the regime, as some in Seoul and Washington apparently hope. Based on past experience, it doesn’t seem likely that sanctions will have such effects. North Korea has lived with pretty strong sanctions for almost 60 years, and the regime is still around and basically unchanged.

G-Man: If North Korea was responsible for murdering the 46 sailors, can you think of any reason why it would risk global condemnation, crippling sanctions and military attacks in the wake of the killings?

Dr. Armstrong: It’s very hard to say why North Korea would do this, if it did. Perhaps they did it out of revenge for earlier clashes in the disputed border area, or Kim Jong Il was trying to demonstrate to his own military how tough he was. Keep in mind that this happened in the context of an escalating war of words between Pyongyang and the hard-line government in Seoul, and the situation between North and South was already quite tense before the incident. Presumably, the North Koreans thought they would get away with it; maybe they believed a “smoking gun” would never be found. But if North Korea did it, we can be sure they will never admit to it.

G-Man: Do you believe the U.S. military is capable of fighting a war in North Korea, and possibly Iran, while being fully engaged in Iraq and Afghanistan?

Dr. Armstrong: The US military is already stretched thin in Iraq and Afghanistan. It’s hard to imagine that they could fight another full-scale war, much less two, at the same time.

G-Man: Finally, if you were one of his key advisors, what advice would you offer to President Obama regarding the potentially explosive situation between North and South Korea?

Dr. Armstrong: End the military exercises, get back to negotiations with the North Koreans, Chinese and Russians and work toward resolving this dispute peacefully before the conflict spirals out of control.

Photo courtesy of Dr. Charles Armstrong

Mosque Mayhem

Faithful praying towards Makkah; Umayyad Mosque, Damascus.

Families of 9/11 Victims Ignoring Crucial Facts

The First Amendment of the United States Constitution states the following: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

Now, let’s focus on the section that pertains to religion. Again, it states Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof. Okay, let’s bring it home by examining what shall make no law prohibiting the free exercise thereof means. Call me stupid, but I believe that basically means Americans have the right to practice whatever faith they want whenever they want. Sounds pretty simple, right? Well, not in “Gotham City”.

A large number of New York City residents, particularly the families and loved ones of 9/11 victims, have expressed extreme outrage over the fact that city officials are considering building an Islamic cultural center, which will include a makeshift mosque, near Ground Zero. They’ve made it abundantly clear, to Mayor Michael Bloomberg and numerous city officials, that the center and praying section have no place near what the grieving families consider sacred ground.

I totally understand the frustration and rage of those that vehemently oppose the plan. These people have lost husbands, wives, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles and a host of loved ones in the most horrific way. September 11 will forever remain one of the most tragic and gut-wrenching periods in not just New York City history, but in American history.

The anger and fear has now spread to different sections of the country. Perhaps the fear is predicated on the notion that if anything resembling a mosque is erected near Ground Zero, it won’t be long before other sacred sites all across America will have cultural centers and mosques in close proximity. Thus, leading many ignorant Americans to believe the country is somehow turning into the United States of Islam. Nothing could be farther from the truth.

You want the hardcore, raw and uncensored truth, folks? Here it is. The cultural center has every right to be built near Ground Zero because the religion of Islam didn’t bring down the Twin Towers. Islamic extremists brought them down! There’s a huge difference. Moreover, Muslim employees were also crushed to death when the towers fell. Sadly, the growing opposition and rage over the proposed dwelling has caused many to lose sight of these two crucial facts.

Here’s another fact. Many areas near Ground Zero are sprinkled with sidewalk merchants and carts that sell Halal food. The merchants and cooks are of Muslim decent and serve hundreds, if not thousands, of Americans on a daily basis. We buy their trinkets, handbags and chicken with rice and white sauce dishes with a smile. It makes no sense for so many to fiercely oppose a proposed mosque when millions of Americans embrace and conduct business with Muslims in and around Ground Zero annually.

Allow me to take this commentary to the extreme. What if a group of Jewish extremists took control of the planes, in order to protest overwhelming U.S. sentiment in favor of the Palestinian people’s right to exist and control large sections of Israel, and smashed them into the World Trade Center towers? Do you think the outcry against a proposed synagogue near Ground Zero would be as strong? I don’t think so.

Setting aside the conspiracy theories of “Info Wars” talk show host Alex Jones (http:www.infowars.com) and the 9/11 Truth Movement, I have no problem admitting that I have great compassion for those seeking some form of closure regarding the events of 9/11. However, in all fairness, and in defense of the Constitution of the United States of America, the families and others should stand down, quell the anger and resentment, and respect the mandates set forth centuries ago by our Founding Fathers. Most importantly, they should look deep within and ask the hard question: Should we hold Islam or hate-filled radicals responsible for taking our loved ones away?

This commentary is from the heart and......From The G-Man.

Photo source: Agência Brasil by Antonio Melina/ABr.

Author: Antonio Melina/ABr

Permission: Creative Commons Attribution 2.5 Brazil

A Challenge for Sarah Palin and Tea Party

Hey Sarah? How's that six law enforcement officers
killed by extremists thingy workin' for ya?

I Dare You to Watch This Video and Explain Yourselves!

The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), an organization that tracks hate and extremist groups all across the country and provides intelligence reports to law enforcement agencies, the media and the public, has indicated there are now 932 hate groups operating within the United States. If that isn’t frightening enough, the SPLC reports also state that Internet recruitment efforts and registrations are increasing at an unprecedented rate. For those of you that are interested, you can read a great deal more about the center’s findings at this link: http://www.splcenter.org/what-we-do/hate-and-extremism.

I’ve read many of the updates and hate crime-related court cases the SPLC frequently publishes on its website and started thinking about Sarah Palin and the Tea Party. Now, let me be clear about something. I’m not claiming that there is a direct relationship between Palin, the members of the Tea Party and these fringe groups. That is not what I was thinking as I read the data. What I actually thought about was the fact that these groups are deeply entrenched in the Tea Party. They may be small in number, but they’re there, nonetheless.

I also considered that fact that Palin, who has obviously become the face of the Tea Party, has never publicly or repeatedly challenged members to denounce these groups or make a serious effort to oust them. Come to think of it, it’s not just Palin. This has been the case with every noted politician or candidate that gravitated toward the party that is quickly changing the political landscape of America.

One has to wonder. Why have Palin and others been so reluctant to call out their fringe members? Given the fact that members of fringe groups have killed a total of six law enforcement officers in recent years, and the fact that the Huratee targeted hundreds of officers for annihilation, it would behoove them to do so. Rather than honor the slain officers by publicly stating these members are not welcomed, Palin and her ilk chose to remain silent and continue to do so. Why?

Is it because they don’t want to upset the Tea Party founders or organizers? Is it because they fear much-needed funding, which might be tied to hate or extremists groups, would suddenly dry up if they spoke out against hate or anti-government sentiment in America? Is it because they wouldn’t receive the $100,000 check for every speaking engagement they attend if they slam the KKK, neo-Nazi or white nationalist movement? One really has to wonder.

Whatever the case, Palin and all the “pollies” (politicians) that have decided to jump on the Tea Party bandwagon are making a fatal mistake by not speaking out consistently. In my opinion, their refusal to address this very dangerous and serious problem is the main reason why the majority of Americans refuse to smell what the Tea Party is brewing. The reign of the KKK will always be viewed as an ugly period in American history, and the fact that hate and militia groups are being welcomed with open arms by Sarah Palin, Tea party candidates and members is completely mind-boggling!

In closing, I would like to issue a public challenge to Sarah Palin, the Tea Party and its potential candidates. I dare all of you to watch the video embedded below. You all claim to be proud, upstanding Americans, so prove it by publicly answering this question after watching the video. How can any of you embrace extremists or “haters” within the Tea Party, on any level, knowing some have killed police officers and others have carried out actions like this in the past?

This commentary is from the heart and.....From The G-Man.

Sarah Palin photo credit: Therealbs2002

Permission: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported

YouTube video courtesy of: ematels

From The G-Man: Season 1, Episode 4

War and PTSD: A Former Marine Speaks Out

Former U.S. Marine sergeant Bob Cuba, who served two tours of duty in Iraq, reveals the truth about the war in Iraq and Afghanistan, how the mainstream media distorts the facts, the suicide of a fellow Marine, and his endless and painful battle with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

This is an extremely powerful episode that the Obama administration, high-ranking military officials, soldiers and their families, and every American should watch, especially if they have loved ones in the war zones!

This exclusive interview provides an uncensored examination of the consequences of war and how it completely alters a soldier's life. Please share this link/episode with as many people as possible. Doing so could save millions of afflicted soldiers in America and abroad. Thank you.

"Parco, P.I." Star Targeting Deadbeat Dads

Offers Free Service to Women Across the Country

(A "From The G-Man" Exclusive)

Vincent Parco became a national celebrity after he and his family were featured on "Parco, P.I.", an extremely popular reality television investigative series that aired on Court TV several years ago. The show has now gained an international fan base, thanks to syndication, and Parco is enjoying an even greater level of notoriety and success the second time around.

"It’s really been amazing! You wouldn’t believe the amount of email I’ve gotten from people overseas. They really love the show," said Parco. “The fact that people in other countries have an opportunity to see the show is both exciting and rewarding. I’m really happy about it."

As President and owner of Vincent Parco, P.I., Inc., a professional investigative corporation specializing in criminal and civil investigations, both domestic and international, Parco has appeared on CNN, MSNBC, FOX News and the Oprah Winfrey Show to discuss law enforcement and criminal/civil cases.

Specializing in fraud investigations, medical malpractice, background checks, protection services, video surveillance, forensic support service, insurance fraud and security systems, Parco has worked with federal, state and local law enforcement agencies for more than 25 years and is regarded by many of his peers as one of the best in the business. However, it is the brash, grizzled and tough-talking Italian’s next law enforcement endeavor that is sure to make national headlines.

Vincent Parco, P.I., Inc. is about to embark on something remarkable and unprecedented. The investigative agency will launch an all-out effort to track down many, if not all, of the "deadbeat dads" in the United States, and Parco will be offering the service to women free of charge! The renowned investigator vehemently denied that this is a publicity stunt or ad campaign to promote his business. On the contrary, he views it as a genuine effort to address “a disgraceful and disgusting problem that’s only getting worse."

“I decided to hunt down deadbeat dads because I felt men should take responsibility for their actions. Our welfare system was designed to help people in need. It was not designed so men could father children and simply let the government take care of what these men consider to be ‘an unwanted problem,” stated Parco during an interview in his Manhattan office.

“I’m an old school Italian, and I was taught from a very early age that it’s all about family. Where I come from, you take care of yours! These guys need to be held accountable, and I’m offering this service to women because I realize many of them can’t afford a private investigator. They can barely put food on the table for their kids or pay rent, for God’s sake! I don't have the heart to charge them,” said an angry Parco.

“Some of these so-called fathers are making millions in big business and driving around in high-end sports cars with their trophy girlfriends, but they won’t send a dime for monthly child support. That’s just not right. It really pisses me off, so I’m going after these guys, rich or poor, with a vengeance.”

“America’s P.I.” noted that the child support enforcement division does not have enough capable investigators to track down deadbeat dads, and those that are attempting to locate the fathers are completely inept and unprofessional. Moreover, Parco pointed out that the most difficult aspect of these cases is finding out where many of the fathers are employed, since the majority of them usually seek positions that are off the books.

“This is where our female private eyes are utilized. They make contact with the men as decoys. What often ends up happening is that the men try to impress them by bragging about their jobs or titles,” Parco stated.

“Ultimately, the female investigators get the phone number of their place of employment. Once that happens, we trace the number and find out the exact location of where they work. Now, this is the best part,” Parco said enthusiastically.

“We then videotape them working and use it as evidence or the basis for a confrontation. I approach them, in as nice a manner as possible, and try to get them to man up to their responsibility. If they become violent, we have the police on standby or take appropriate action within the law.”

Parco has been presented with an award from the New York division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (F.B.I.) for his lifetime contribution to law enforcement and private investigation. His affiliations include the following: the American College of Forensic Examiners, the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, the Association of Legal, Medical & Investigative Experts - Former President, the Private Detectives Association of New Jersey, and the International Association of Caribbean Investigators (East Coast Directors).

In addition to being a successful private eye, Parco is a published author whose books include "How To Be Your Own Private Investigator", "How To Research Public Records" and "How To Catch Him With His Pants Down & Kick Him In His Assets." He is the subject of the book "True Detectives", by William Parkhurst, and serves as a commentator every Tuesday at 7 pm, Eastern Standard Time, on the Paltalk News Network - www.paltalknewsnetwork.com. If you would like more information about Parco, his agency or the free service being offered, you may contact him via the following link: http://www.ispyforyou.com/home.html.

Photo courtesy of Vincent Parco

From The G-Man: Season 1, Episode 3

NY State Senator Joseph Addabbo, Jr: Uncensored!

New York State Senator Joseph Addabbo, Jr. appears on the show to discuss the following: the Arizona immigration law, turmoil in the New York State senate, financial reform, bailouts, corruption in politics, the Tea Party, Sarah Palin, his father's legacy, and his controversial vote against "marriage equality" legislation in 2009. The interview was filmed on April 23, 2010, and is completely uncensored.

Note: The show's opening theme is "Feels So Right" by "Solution".

From The G-Man: Season 1, Episode 2

Bits and Pieces

The G-Man offers commentary on strange news stories, racism at Walmart and gays and lesbians serving in the military.

From The G-Man: Season 1, Episode 1

A 10-Minute Teaser of Brucker Interview

April Brucker, one of the most talented and controversial stand-up comediennes in America, goes one-on-one with The G-Man in the premiere of his Internet talk show. The full 45-minute segment can be viewed at the following: http://vimeo.com/8899172.

The Honeymooners: Ralph Kramden & Rosa Parks

Cast of Characters Would've Denounced Racism

It was 1955 when the American television audience was introduced to a lovable group of characters known as “The Honeymooners”, which starred Jackie Gleason, Art Carney, Audrey Meadows and Joyce Randolph. Gleason, who was in charge of production, portrayed Brooklyn bus driver Ralph Kramden, a hapless spirit in search of his next big break or investment scheme. His best friend, Ed Norton, was a bumbling sewer worker who wasn’t exactly blessed in the brains department. Their wives, Alice and Trixie, may have seemed subtle in their roles, but they frequently kept their husbands in check or got the upper hand in each episode.

This was also the year that the civil rights period was launched. On December 1, a weary seamstress named Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat to a white man on an Alabama bus. Parks was actually sitting in the “colored” section when the driver ordered her to move. She was well within her rights to remain seated when the monsters called racism and segregation reared their ugly heads and attacked. Parks, like the biblical David, stood up to the beasts and issued the initial blow in the form of defiance. As a result, a force of one became an army of thousands. A Black brigade came forth and boycotted the Alabama bus system, and within a year or so they managed to slay these evil beasts.

I recently caught an episode of The Honeymooners. I laughed hysterically, as usual, but this time I actually stopped and analyzed Ralph Kramden’s character. I thought about the fact that he drove for the Gotham Bus Company and would have no problem getting in someone’s face if they pissed him off. He may have come off as a loose canon in each episode, but he was always levelheaded, kind, and reasonable in the end. Moreover, I don’t think Ralph had a racist bone in his body. Why do I say this? Well, any man that was willing to admit that he grossly misjudged someone and their culture, as he did in the episode with “Carlos”, the Mambo dancer, you have to believe that man was on point when it came to race.

The bus segregation that Rosa Parks fought against was commonplace in southern states. However, if it had been a common practice in New York City, and had Gleason decided to tackle the issue in an episode, I strongly believe Ralph would’ve defended his Rosa Parks-like character. More than likely, Ralph would’ve gone as far as to tell anybody that hassled the character, “Keep it up pal and you are gonna get yours!”

The late, great civil rights activist Rosa Parks

Undoubtedly, the other characters would've stood firmly behind him. Alice and Trixie gave you the impression they were always willing to engage in “girl talk” with anyone, and Alice frequently associated with people in her building. “Mrs. Manicotti.”, an Italian neighbor, is a perfect example. The wives probably would have wasted no time inviting Parks over for dinner upon hearing about the incident. With Ed Norton, you always got the sense that he was cool with everybody; especially if they had a refrigerator that was always fully stocked. He probably would have summed up the situation by saying, “Geez! You did the right thing there, Ralphie Boy! It’s like we say down in the sewer. White or Black, we all smell the same at some point!”

If Gleason had been able to write and produce such an episode, it would've been a monumental television event. I'd like to think that he considered it, but given the state of race relations in the country at that time, and the fact that he couldn’t risk angering the CBS station managers during the show’s first season, he may have been forced to dismiss the idea. I believe Gleason would've written the episode, and I offer the following as proof.

“Keeping Time: The Life, Music and Photographs of Milt Hinton” is an amazing documentary film that chronicles the life of legendary jazz bassist Milt Hinton. Hinton, who died in 2000 at the age of 90, played with Cab Calloway and other legends of the Big Band era. The documentary noted the following: “After the disbanding of the big bands, many Blacks were not able to get work as studio musicians because of the racist belief that they could not read music. Hinton became one of very few Blacks to break the color barrier and secure a job as a studio musician thanks to a chance meeting with longtime friend Jackie Gleason. Gleason insisted that Hinton join his television show orchestra.”

Legendary jazz musician Milt Hinton

Furthermore, Gleason, who had an intense love for jazz, frequently showcased Black artists, such as Nat King Cole, when he hosted The Jackie Gleason Show. Airing in 1952, the show made Gleason a national star and provided exposure for many Black stars that were shunned by other networks and shows. Based on these revelations, I'm more than confident that if Gleason had written the controversial episode, the legendary, tough-talking Ralph Kramden would've stared down racism while uttering those immortal words...“Bang, Zoom!”


This commentary is from the heart and....From The G-Man.

Honeymooners photo source: http://www.art.com/products/p10204502-sa-i947177/the-honeymooners.htm

Author: art.com

Permission: art.com

Rosa Parks photo source: Associated Press, 1964

Author: Associated Press

Permission: Public Domain

Milt Hinton photo source: Milt Hinton

Author: Courtesy the Fraser MacPherson estate c/o Guy MacPherson

Permission: Creative Commons 2.0

President Barack Obama: A Bulls-Eye in Black

Will President Barack Obama suffer the same fate as JFK? The answer is yes, if hate and militia groups have their way.

"The G-Man" Warned the National Media & Country....Three Years Ago!

I've tracked hate and militia groups for more than seven years. I wrote articles predicting that America was on the verge of becoming a racial powder keg. I wrote those articles nearly three years at Associated Content (http://www.associatedcontent.com) and have racked up a respectable 200,000-plus views since posting my work. I, a Black journalist and writer, even went as far as to obtain exclusive interviews with key figures in the white supremacist movement in order to make the public aware of their growing presence.

I warned the national media and the country that the events currently taking place, involving hate groups and their stunning rise in number, were going to happen. No one took my work or me seriously, but now, three years to the month that I published my very first article on the subject, Newsweek has published an article that has vindicated me. You can read it at http://www.newsweek.com/id/236202.

I emailed those articles to every news organization and outlet in the country, and all they did was tell me I was speculating or laughed at me. I wonder how many media members, Congressional representatives or Americans, many of whom were skeptical of my claims, are laughing now?

If the shit hits the fan this country is going to explode! Wake the hell up, America, before President Barack Obama or the First Lady catch a bullet in the back of the head! I told them all long before there was any coverage of racist "teabaggers" or the Huratee, and here's the proof!

11/22/2008

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1237279/gunning_for_barack_obama.html

10/23/2008

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1137334/i_want_obama_jews_assasinated_.html

8/5/2008

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/933071/the_murder_of_barack_obama.html

7/21/2008

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/896101/hal_turner_uncensored_and_unrestrained.html

3/4/2008

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/638081/obamakkk_link_is_bullsht.html

1/22/2008

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/556789/natl_kkk_reps_comment_on_obama_candidacy.html

5/25/2007

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/254585/the_turner_diaries_a_new_war_looms.html

JFK assassination photo source: Wikimedia Commons

Author: Mary Moorman (Mary Krahmer)

Permission: Public Domain

President Obama, Healthcare and the Economy: Views from Across the Atlantic

A view of St. Pauls in London

London Blogger Says U.S. Could Suffer Same Fate as Brits on Healthcare

Well, the southpaw finally signed on the dotted line and the Land of the Free is no longer the Land of the Anxious or Unwell. Someone should scribble the words equality and fraternity on the base of the Statue of Liberty as she looks across New York harbour to the future, which promises health care as a right for all rather than a privilege for the few. Thanks to Obama and the determination of the Democrats, Emma Lazarus’ tired, poor and the huddled masses, yearning to breathe free, along with the American poor, can breathe easy in their beds at night knowing should their child fall sick, they will not be turned away by the medics in the white coats.

The costs are almost beyond comprehension and its hard to work out the noughts once figures reach the billions and trillions. Not one Republican voted for the bill, and the annual health care costs will now be the highest per capita of the developed nations. But could America turn her back on the sick and look the other way? There are ways of raising the cash. Thinking laterally. Has anyone ever worked out the price of the war in Afghanistan in terms of blood and treasure? Both prices are too high and history teaches that no one goes into Afghanistan and comes out the victor. The race to the Moon and Mars. Is that a prize worth having beyond the care of a sick child, an aged parent or a dying mum?

No one could accuse President Obama of lacking courage or conviction. Neither has he chosen the easy path of short-termism, which drives most politics and politicians. Presidents are often hostage to fortune. Abraham Lincoln watched as his country was torn apart by civil war, Roosevelt was faced with the Great Depression of the thirties and the Second World War, but neither of them flinched. Lincoln fought for the Union and the abolition of slavery. Roosevelt dragged the country out of the depression.

President Obama has ensured his place in history with his healthcare reforms. An election pledge made in the heady days when his Inauguration speech and oration skills warmed him to a nation and those far beyond the White House. On that cold January day, he gave hope to many. That was the easy bit. Words cost nothing. He will be wise enough to know that the battle has only just begun. Any five-star general will tell him, it's not the war but what happens after to secure the peace.

The battle of health reforms in the USA has been watched with interest this side of the Atlantic. We are a group of law abiding, tax paying individuals who watch our taxes spent on benefits not just for the needy, but on the greedy and indolent, who see it as their right to be kept by the state. All too often, they live in households with no role model, wage earner or father - each generation passing the baton of benefit dependency to a future generation. Fractured homes raising feral kids with no hope or aspirations beyond the next week’s benefit cheque, the next fag or the next episode of their favourite soap. Betrayed by the policy of politicians who lack the courage to change the status quo. Less Robin Hood, more death by a thousand tax cuts.

We keep our economy afloat. Just. But we have become a two-tier people: the private sector and the public sector. Fairness for all rings hollow as an election pledge when public sector workers have jobs for life and copper bottomed pensions; which unless reformed will be an unserviceable debt for generations to come. The private sector has taken the hits – the redundancies, the lost pensions and the lost dreams. The public sector worker seems oblivious to the change in the landscape and the debris and destruction of the recession, protected by their profligate paymasters in Parliament.

We get screwed by every initiative, which emanates from Whitehall, and have watched our democracy quietly be ceded to the powers of Brussels. We are a people without a voice. A people with too many inept dishonest politicians who fiddle down to the last chocolate bar and feather their nests with their gold-plated pensions. We who were the guardians of free speech have become the most spied nation on the planet with surveillance cameras on every street, and a police DNA database the envy of states of tyranny. Talk of immigration and the heavy hand of censorship is wielded clutching the word xenophobia or racism. We learn to speak one-way in public and quite another amongst ourselves. Free speech has become sacrificed on the altar of human rights, and the state has become complicit in protecting those who abuse the system at the cost of the law-abiding majority. But if we are sick, we can still access the medics in white coats free of charge.

Our National Health Service (NHS) came into force in 1948, driven by the Health Secretary, Aneurin Bevin. It is funded by national insurance contributions from the tax payer and employer. Health care is given free at point of access from the cradle to the grave, but the NHS should not be viewed with rose tinted spectacles by our cousins across the pond. What began all those years ago, born out of inequity, poverty and suffering has become a bloated, bureaucratic, unwieldy beast, gorging itself on ever increasing funds from the cash strapped tax payer. Hospitals fight for funding, consultants are presented with ever increasing workloads and unattainable targets and Quangos multiply overnight whilst politicians seek feel good headlines from the white coats. The NHS now accounts for £100 billion pounds annually and employs 1.3 million people. That is an increase of nearly a quarter of million employees since 1997. Try managing that sort of work force efficiently. It works in cases of dire emergency, though eleven-hour waits in casualty are not unknown and many customers/clients/patients are driven away to the private sector.

The unpalatable truths are that the NHS was never envisaged to cover the demands of science pushing the medical boundaries, In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), liposuction and a demographic time bomb of an ageing population. Add the demands of an International Health Service, whereby those who access the system have never made any contribution, and the NHS is not a model from which America should seek to emulate. Altruism comes at a price and the NHS needs radical branch and route surgery. It has become the holy cow. Politicians dare not speak its name or the word ‘cuts’ and expect a cross in the box on ballot day. Too many have vested interests and no one has the courage to criticise and say it. Those who state it's not only the patient who is not well, or that the service is in slow, terminal decline, gets crucified by compliant politicians and a tabloid press.

The President of the United States has other economic worries to keep him awake in the White House: the dirty, five-letter word “banks”, curtailing executive bonuses and regulation of the counting houses. How he squares these issues in a country built on the principles of capitalism is not for the faint-hearted, but address it he must at some stage.

For President Obama, the journey has only just begun and the Statue of Liberty can glance over her shoulder and know that America takes care of its own. Equality. Fraternity. Liberty. But a word of caution. The President and his Democrats would do well to cast an eye across the cold waters of the Atlantic and see where the grand dream of Bevin’s health for all is turning into a nightmare.

This installment of "From The G-Man" proudly featured special guest commentator Sara Woodward, a freelance writer and resident of London. She is also a blogger for the golfing website http://www.swingbuildgolf.com/golf/the-red-tees.html .

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London landscape photo credit: Sara Woodward

Tavis Smiley and the Haters

NPR Radio and PBS television talk show host Tavis Smiley

Media Icon Unfairly Attacked by "Sheep"

Hey, America! I’m going to come right out and say it. There are way too many Black people trying to kick Tavis Smiley in the ass, and The G-Man isn’t having it! Fools continue to attack one of the most celebrated Black media figures in history because he has publicly stated that Americans, especially in the Black community, should not give Barack Obama a free pass simply because he is President of the United States. If anything, President Obama should be held to an even higher standard. I couldn’t agree with Smiley more, and if people want to label me an Obama-hater for saying that, then so be it. I certainly am not.

Smiley came under attack after he dared to question Senator Obama about his economic, political and social agenda for both Americas during the early stages of his presidential campaign. I suspect he was chastised because a significant number of Blacks felt Obama was “untouchable”, which was a bunch of bullshit. Things took a turn for the worst when the presidential candidate was scheduled to attend Smiley’s “State of the Black Union” forum and suddenly declined. Smiley hosted the annual forum several times before issuing the invitation.

Camp Obama cited scheduling conflicts as the reason the senator could not be present. I believe the appearance was postponed because Obama’s advisors told him that attending an event focusing on Black issues would alienate and worry white voters, which he desperately needed heading into the major primary states. Needless to say, Smiley was not happy about Senator Obama’s decision. Smiley questioned the timing and motive, and he pretty much implied that the act was politics as usual. Again, I agree.

Recently, the Reverend Al Sharpton got into a heated exchanged with Smiley after Smiley called out Black leaders on the “Tom Joyner Morning Show”. The PBS talk show host claimed that the leaders were giving the president a free pass when it came to addressing and discussing issues vital to the Black community. Sharpton and others made the point that the president was president of all people and not just Blacks. Smiley then stated that he would host and convene a special forum to discuss the matter in greater detail and that many respected leaders from the Black community would be in attendance. When Sharpton pressed Smiley to name some of those attending, the reverend was not satisfied with the choices. Moreover, Sharpton stated, and I’m paraphrasing, that he had no interest in attending an event hosted by someone that could not be objective.

The battle has caused a major divide in the Black community, but I’m very clear on which side stand. I stand with Tavis Smiley! I stand with Smiley because he was doing what he has done his entire career: holding people accountable. Anyone with half a damn brain knows that, so why do people that have supported Smiley for years now treat him like a piece of shit on the bottom of their shoe? I’ll tell you why. It’s because those people are nothing but a bunch of sheep! The just blindly follow without forethought or question because they worship President Obama and regard him as someone that can do no wrong and should not be questioned under any circumstances.

For many, he is the greatest Black man of our time. That may be true, but so is this little tidbit. President Obama is a politician, first and foremost, and at the end of the day politicians cannot be trusted. Period! To the disappointment of millions, he’s already broken a number of his campaign pledges. With the country in a state of economic, political and social turmoil - thanks to corruption, incompetent and inept political leaders and corporate sluts – you’d think the sheep would get it. Unfortunately, some people just get stuck on stupid.

I truly believe this is why Tavis Smiley has pressed President Obama on the issues. You’ve got to hold people accountable, and Smiley has built a phenomenal legacy doing exactly that, especially in Black America. He’s done this while other so-called Black leaders brokered compensation deals with corporations to look the other way on major racial issues. He’s done this while other so-called Black leaders waited for the next racial crisis before jumping onto the national stage. Yeah, I said it! If the shoe fits, give yourself a good whack in the ass with it!

You’ve got to hold people accountable! We haven’t done that over the last 30 years, and now America is going to suffer like hell for it. What amazes me is that people are stupid enough to pledge allegiance to one man, one human being, one politician, and believe that he is capable of saving us from centuries of political corruption or the sins of previous administrations. The only person worthy of humanity’s trust and loyalty is God Almighty! The sheep better stop pissing on “Tavis the Messenger”, wake their goonie-goo-goo asses up, and realize that every one of them can and will be lead to slaughter if they treat any politician as Lord and Savior.

This commentary is from the heart and.........From The G-Man.

Tavis Smiley photo source: blog.syracuse.com/metrovoices/2008/09/tavis_s...

Author: blog.syracuse.com

Permission: blog.syracuse.com