Once and for all time the United States government needs to define the difference between Terrorist and Enemy Combatant. Moreover we need a clarity on exactly what is the ‘War on Terror’, originally coined by the Bush administration and given a new name, ‘Overseas Contingency Operation’, by the Obama administration and then again President Obama said the U.S is at war with al-Qaeda. Our mealy-mouthed politicians have brought upon themselves the confusion of whose who, what is, and where in the world, the  who, what, when and where are terrorists, terrorists and or enemy combatants. Who, what, when and where they are to be jailed, prosecuted, and imprisoned or executed if need be.

The fight, whatever you call it against global terrorism to protect the Nation and citizens of America has been so politicized that all Americans from one side or another are calling fowl, as though all of Washington have their heads in the sand. Americans believed that candidate Obama would bring change to Washington and change as he called it meant transparency and straight talk, remember the straight talk express…apparently it was a bullet train, that stopped long enough to elect, the now President Obama, and gone as soon as the left winged wind blew into Washington D.C. a little over a year ago. Oh, forgive me, ‘The Straight Talk Express’ tag belonged to John McCain. What was Obama’s tag, ‘Change we can believe in.’ That’s not working for us either. Mealy mouthed politicians, that’s what we’ve got.

Khalid Sheikh Mohammed the accused mastermind of the 9/11 attacks was and is an enemy combatant and a top leader of al-Qaeda. Captured in Pakistan March 2003 you would think classifying Khalid Sheikh Mohammed as an enemy of War, there’d be a military tribunal. But Attorney General of the United States Eric Holder and President Obama have decided otherwise. The ‘shoe bomber’ Richard Colvin Reid, and the ‘underwear bomber’  Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab both terrorists, neither being of any significance to the al-Qaeda organization, rather misguided individuals, yet Terrorist’s.

Because both Richard Colvin Reid, and Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab were captured on American soil, Politicians and pundits seem confused as to under whose jurisdiction they come under. The root of this issue and the explanation for all the political cat fighting and mean spirited jabs by well educated yet simple minded media pundits is the definition of the who, what, where and when of the fight America has committed Herself too. Then staying the course of that commitment and the system and or jurisdiction appropriate to handle the matter of State. I’m going to guide you to the following LINK at  TRAC, (Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse) website where they have attempted to bring some clarity to these questions asked here, and I am sure with you.

Read, study and become knowledgeable. I’m Dr. Quack…with the harsh cry of reason…2 09 10

Americans as a whole, Democrats and Republicans, Independents and the now Tea Partiers all had hope in this amazing orator from the land of Lincoln, who said nothing in giving lip service to everyone, yet had the gift of giving us all hope for a better future and real time change in Washington. Obama had everything available to him to make it so, with a solid democratic Congress at his feet. Candidate Obama promised the moon and President Obama has given us a sack of potatoes.

While I’m not going to play the blame Bush game, I can give President Obama a pass on any real critique of the state of the economy. It will take another year to analyze the President’s policies at work. And will make for an interesting comparison between taxation vs. Reagan’s tax cuts, under similar recessionary conditions. That is, provided Obama continues with his agenda of last year and doesn’t make (Though I hope he would) changes reversing many of his Left ideologue plans for the economy and government intervention into American business. Craig Becker was another attempt at doing just that. Take a ride on the following LINK to a Wall Street article for more on Becker’s labor union ideologue, which would pose a clear and present danger to our economy’s return to strength, anytime.

I’m Dr. Quack…with the harsh cry of reason…2 10 10

Like many of you I’d not vote for Sarah Palin for President of the United States today. But the people of America are looking for a leader, that is Joe or Jane American, and if Sarah continues to learn on her current path too… or another like her comes along then watch our Washington, you’re in for a real wake up call. “Knowledge is power” Sir Francis Bacon…Keep learning America, read everything from both sides of the fence and learn from the past, we seem destined to repeat mistakes of every other great Nation before us and in record time. Only you can stop the ‘something wicked that this way comes…’ to borrow a piece of a title, from a Ray Bradbury book. I’m Dr. Quack…with the harsh cry of reason.  2 09 10

This leaves the question has to just how much good this Obama administration ‘ Mortgage Modifications Program’ or ‘Making Home Affordable Programs’ are doing? I am glad for those who have staved off the loss of a home, been there once many a moons ago myself. But for many, if not most seemly is a temporary fix, creating another bubble three-five years down the road.  I hope, I am wrong. Let’s not forget that nearly one million homes have been foreclosed on and repossessed by banks in 2009. Where was the immediate assistance promised by President Obama campaigning in 2008 “I’ll put a three-month moratorium on foreclosures so that we give homeowners the breathing room they need to get back on their feet.” Sources: Speech, Richmond, Va., Oct. 22, 2008

Let’s take some simple numbers and a short example, that is reflective of the nation. Tim Geithner is quoted as saying Sunday 2/7/10 “This program is providing very, very substantial cash flow relief right now to more than 750,000 Americans. And we believe we’re still on a path to be able to reach many, many more American households. And of course, we’re going to make sure that those temporary modifications translate into permanent modifications,” he told ABC’s “This Week. “We’re absolutely committed to make sure that translates into what we said it would, which is for eligible Americans, they’re getting permanent modifications that substantially lower their monthly payment,” he added. Under the $75 billion mortgage modification plan, called the Making Homes Affordable program, President Obama  last year pledged that lenders who participated would be required to reduce payments to no more than 31 percent of a borrower’s income, enabling as many as 3 million to 4 million homeowners to modify the terms of their mortgages to avoid foreclosure.” report Fox News

Geithner admits only 66,000 homeowners nationally have been helped at this time…good for them, bad for the other 1-2 million stranded after losing their homes since the mortgage bubble busted in 08-09′s fiscal years. Neither President Bush or President Obama had, or has done enough to stop or prevent a foreclosure avalanche. The Arizona Republic newspaper reported at the end of November last year, that 34,000 homeowner mortgage modifications were in the works. Good, if they are ever completed, but the numbers show, that only 1 in 5 will be approved, and that Arizona finished 2009 with more than 163,000 foreclosure notices sent out to homeowners. So roughly, less than 20% of homeowners in Arizona needing assistance from foreclosure may not or will not get the help promised by the Obama administration.

Homeowners got promises in words, not much in deeds done. Banks, particular the main stream larger institutions are as culpable as the Fed.. Hesitant to any kind of a freeze on home foreclosures and incandescent with the Administration’s chastising and dictatorial takeover of the banking industry (So to Speak) that there has been a deliberate slow down in reducing or stopping the number of foreclosures and actual repossessions in 2009. 2010 will be the same, unless President Obama can better work with the Banking Industry, starting with getting out of its business matters, but that is another topic altogether.

I’m Dr. Quack…with the harsh cry of reason….2 08 10

Phoenix Business Journal, AZ Republic

If David Plouffe doesn’t get it, should we expect President Obama to. After all David Plouffe, was campaign manager of Obama for America and Obama-Biden 2008, and the author of “Audacity to Win.” Now Mr. Plouffe will become the White House’s point man for the 2010 mid-term elections, and I have no reservations about David Plouffe’s abilities as a political campaign strategist, he is the best of the best, 2008 established that fact if no other. It’s the no other part I’m going to touch on now. The complete lack of understanding of what the American people want.

My comments now are in direct response to David Plouffe’s Op-ED in the Washington Post Sunday January 24, 2010. If President Obama takes to heart and proceeds with David Plouffe’s advice, the Republicans will win big in November 2010. And the President will serve the remaining two years of his term as a lame duck, with not a snowball’s chance in hell to be reelected to a second term.

If your time is short and you haven’t the time to read David Plouffe’s OP-ED above, then allow me a few short paragraphs of your time to share David’s words and then my ‘Harsh Cry of Reason.’

David Plouffe; “Add to that a historic economic crisis, stubborn unemployment and the pain that both have inflicted on millions of Americans, and you have a recipe for a white-knuckled ride for many of our candidates. But not if Democrats do what the American people sent them to Washington to do. In 2006 and 2008, voters sent an unmistakable message: We want decisive change. This was not just a change of political parties. Instead of a government that works for the entitled and special interests, a government that looks out for Wall Street, they wanted a government that works better for them, a government that plays the role it should to help foster the security of the middle class. Many of last year’s accomplishments are down payments on those principles. We still have much to do before November, and time is running short. Every race has unique characteristics, but there are a few general things that Democrats can do to strengthen our hand.”

Dr. Quack; Mr. Plouffe never goes on to say just what the President’s and the Democratic Congress’s accomplishments from last year were. I can’t see any noticeable, visible, or financial change from the landscape of yesteryear, to now.  I hear (1) million to (2) million jobs saved and created…can’t see it. And the so-called jobs saved and created by President Obama and the Democratic Congress are public sector jobs. These jobs regardless of the Stimulus would have been created, kept, sustained or cut due to their importance and or relevance to important services, police, medical, government…etc. And frankly, any Administration using a saved job as part of their count for successful stimulus, is giving us hocus pocus, smoke and mirror illusion. Yes, America did want change, but President Obama and the Democrats promised “Change we can believe in” and we got instead, ‘Change Obama and the Left Wing Loonies can believe in.’ BIG DIFFERENCE in delivering what the people really wanted. Then again, maybe you are one of the millions that has gotten, what they wanted.  That would be the Non-transparent (Though Promised to be) ideological (Though Obama denied being an Ideologue)  President and Administration they are!!! This Administration, has produced more behind the door, closed session negotiations, smoked filled bargaining than Hugo Chavez and his Administration in Venezuela. Harsh comment you say. Then consider this, with Hugo you know where he stands on issues and governing, no transparency, is transparency with Hugo. However, President Obama ran a presidential campaign in 2008 on transparency, and a change on how Washington runs, but has given Americans in his first year of office the presumption along with Congress of being secretive, and egomaniacal. Several months of no press conferences, closed door sessions at the White House and Congressional Building to deal with specific legislation. Child like games with the media, all to what end. Again I ask, is this ‘Change we can believe in’?

David Plouffe; “Voters are always smarter than they are given credit for. We need to make our case on the economy and jobs — and yes, we can remind voters where Republican policies led us — and if we do, without apology and with force, it will have impact.”

Dr. Quack; Need I say anything but, “tell me that statement above isn’t an oxymoron.”

David Plouffe; “Pass a meaningful health insurance reform package without delay. Americans’ health and our nation’s long-term fiscal health depend on it. I know that the short-term politics are bad. It’s a good plan that’s become a demonized caricature. But politically speaking, if we do not pass it, the GOP will continue attacking the plan as if we did anyway, and voters will have no ability to measure its upside. If we do pass it, dozens of protections and benefits take effect this year. Parents won’t have to worry their children will be denied coverage just because they have a preexisting condition. Workers won’t have to worry that their coverage will be dropped because they get sick. Seniors will feel relief from prescription costs. Only if the plan becomes law will the American people see that all the scary things Sarah Palin and others have predicted — such as the so-called death panels — were baseless. We own the bill and the health-care votes. We need to get some of the upside. (P.S.: Health care is a jobs creator.)”

Dr. Quack; Read again David’s argument for passing an unwanted healthcare package.

David; But politically speaking, if we do not pass it, the GOP will continue attacking the plan as if we did anyway, and voters will have no ability to measure its upside…” He goes on to say, “Parents won’t have to worry their children will be denied coverage just because they have a preexisting condition. Workers won’t have to worry that their coverage will be dropped because they get sick. Seniors will feel relief from prescription costs.”

Dr. Quack; OK, I Dr. Quack can agree with those (3) points David Plouffe makes in his Op-Ed, but then so does 99% of Americans. So David, Mr. President and Congress, why not take three pieces of paper and legislate these three key points into laws to protect Americans, and guide the healthcare industry into better coverage, rather than the albatross legislation for Healthcare Reform currently in the Senate and House versions. Any legislation written loosely with intent for partisan interpretation after passing, is a bad and corrupt Bill!  Small bites Mr. President, stop speaking with your mouth full, it only sounds garbled and that’s what the people of the greatest Nation on earth are only hearing, mumbo jumbo. David Plouffe should remind the President no holds barred, of one thing, and he himself wrote it in the above OP-Ed…”Voters are always smarter than they are given credit for.” If the President is as sharp as many say, then he’ll do right, by the Nation he serves.

There are several points in David Plouffe’s Op-Ed we could discuss, but I encourage you to read the article for yourself. Without referring back to Plouffe’s January 24th Op-Ed, many of his bullet points I’ll be writing on over the days, weeks and months to come, no need to use Mr. Plouffe’s Op-Ed as purpose.

I’m Dr. Quack, with the harsh cry of Reason…01 28 10

President Obama addresses joint session of Congress 2009

And they will in turn re-elect you in 2012. When an individual has the honor and privilege to be elected President of the United States of America, no longer is that individual viewed or seen as  a Democrat, Independent or Republican, but rather as President of the United States of America. Of course the President shares his political party’s views, but the President elect is now bigger than one party, and should not allow himself to serve one party or another only, but focus only on serving the people. When the President doesn’t, kowtowing to one politically party and certain special interest groups, he serves no one, but himself.

One major problem with President Obama’s first year in office. His lack of acerbating talk replaced with an over abundance of kowtowing to serve his lust of always being the popular perpetual running candidate at large. Have you noticed the mood swings of this President in the speeches he delivers. The great communicator wasn’t such a great communicator when put into a position of giving a reconciliatory (For lack of a better word) speech at West Point last year, having to cozy up to the military and the task he must ask them to do. He obviously didn’t want to be there, and judging by the sleepy audience they didn’t care much that he was there either. Afghanistan is pretty much the only campaign promise the president has kept, to some extent. It was probably his worse speech of 2009, however many of his speeches have been marred by President Obama’s mood and child like immaturity. Although we are all guilty of the latter over our life span. However, we are not the leader of the free world.

What may appear contrary of what I have written above, my prayers are with the President and I wish him well with the State of the Union Speech. However delivering a home run speech tonight before congress and the American people isn’t the President’s weak spot, the night is his. It’s tomorrow I am concerned about and the next day, the next month and the next three years. And yes, I pray for the President’s success well and beyond tonight’s State of the Union.

The President could begin the new year with the following; 1) focusing on over 26 million small and generally self employed businesses in America. If each of these entrepreneurs hired one new employee, unemployment would be erased within the first six months of this year. 2) Stop trying to legislate and tax America’s businesses and wealthy into oblivion. (A little poetic) I don’t give a duck’s patootie how much corporate executives make, that is between them, their shareholders, and customers. I don’t like what my bank is doing, I move my money. Enough customers do the same, the executives begin to get the message or lose their job. 3) Some financial market regulation is needed, and that which is in place now, needs to be reformed, but not to the point of stymieing the industry. 4) Healthcare reform needs to start now, not a year or several years from now. Therefore a baby step approach would be much more welcomed and acceptable, because it is reasonable. Start with some tort reform, along with requirements on acceptance of patients with pre-existing illness, and reasonable regulation for sustaining insurance coverage when fired or laid off from work. Not hand outs, just a hand to us all. 5) Not likely, but clean up the corruption in the Unions of America, President Obama and this Congress is so eager to clean up corporate America, and so willing to let slide the equally ravenous predator of Human pursuit in letting the Unions, continue to have things their ravenous or perhaps savageness way.

Mr. President, let’s start with what is possible and reasonable, then tackle the pipe dreams.. There’s more to say, and I’ll continue to share my views, but as always I would love to read and share your ideas and comments here at Dr Quack’s blog.

I’m Dr. Quack, with the harsh cry of reason…01 27 2010

Sarah Palin

From all sides of the Political spectrum Sarah Palin is attacked, and truthfully, I don’t know why, do you? Some call her a phenomena, why? There’s no phenomenon here, the values she speaks of are not new, nor her ideas extraordinary. So why the obsessive attacks from the Left Wing Loons and Right Wing Fanatics, as I’ve written before they are one in the same.

When one goes too far Left and the other too far Right, they’ll always meet at the bottom of political and purposeful reason, blind to what America is, with tunnel vision for only their vision for what America should be. The arrogance of self inflated intellect from both, the Left Loon and the Right Fanatic has already destroyed the once great Democratic Party, my Party, and now the Republican Party is falling to ideological compromise. 

Not long ago, both the Democrat and Republican parties were champions of ideas, yet sustained like values, which the great architects of our Democracy founded over two-hundred years ago. Now the Loons and fanatics are running the asylum and Americans are just now at the realization that the power is with the people, not in the so called ‘Truth to Power’ used by the Loons and fanatics. Their Truth is that of their own distorted vision for America, and the Power would be theirs, once their opaque vision of America is embraced. This ‘Truth to Power’ idealism has been the Trojan horse of Communism, Fascism, Socialism the world over. We the People, must not embrace the lie here in America.

The so called phenomenon the Loons and Fanatics are writing about when it comes to Sarah Palin, they clearly don’t get. Rage and hatred guide their pens (keyboards).  Loon and Fanatic writers like Maureen Dowd and David Brooks of the New York Times, are so literally drowning in their narcissistic type illusion of self intellect, they can’t begin to see the forest for the trees. In every article written by these writers as well as others, they write repeatedly  of the disdain they have for what they perceive as a lack of intelligence Sarah Palin has vs. that of President Obama in comparison. Well, I could argue that fact until the cows come home, but not now. However, when these writers discredit Palin for her simplicity and intellect, they are doing the same to you and I, regardless of the side of the fence post you sit on.

In their vision, as was in Lenin’s, Mao Zedong, and Hitler’s, (No personal comparison)  for a few examples, there is room at the top for only an elite few. And we should be happy, why?  Because it is with their intellect alone, we will be happy with what they will give us…Stands to reason, does it not….I’m Dr. Quack with the harsh cry of reason.  11 23 09

When you have an exceptional politician like Congressman Joe Sestak (D) (Pennsylvania’s 7th district) taking the view with the Obama Administration that the Detainees from Gitmo and 9/11 conspirators should be trialed in New York Federal  Court as any other American citizen may be with all the same Rights. I must question my own ideology. After all, Joe’s thinking is more passion and ideology based, and that’s better than the politically based ideology behind the decision of the Obama Administration to bring these Terrorists to trial in a New York City Federal court.

The fact is, Dr. Quack is not ideological on this issue, my concerns and opinion are based on Reason. Reading Congressman Sestak’s bio makes for a good novel, and I believe he’s a good man and a great American. However, his passion along with other fellow politicians is truer, then that of his Party’s line regarding the trials, torture, closing of Gitmo, and relocation of detainees. President Obama is being given some bad advice, and pursuing a dangerous course for America by moving these Terrorist trials to New York City. Passion and ideology for the side of good are what we all want. However, this decision announced on Friday past by U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder is not for the good of America, rather for the good to the Democratic Party’s left, very left, base.

From Congressman Sestak’s ideological reasoning, I can agree to disagree, but we are both being misled by forces currently in power. A force faster and stronger than a moving freight train, determined to change the ideology of our Founding Fathers. The Obama Administration is headed for a collision, into the Great Wall of the People, in this, the greatest nation on earth.

I’m Dr. Quack with the harsh cry of reason…11 15 09.

First, one could argue the Titled question “Does the Obama Administration have contempt for our Military…True or False?” is True. We have a President, who can’t make a decision with regards to sending additional troops to Afghanistan after making promises he’d do so earlier this year. He has sent only a fraction of what he promised, the President has skirted the issue with every excuse possible. Our military leaders, the Generals President Obama put in command, are not asking for additional troops for the stability of Afghanistan alone. The Primary request is for Reinforcements for the safety of our troops currently there. Regardless of the mission, exit strategy, government stability, we are undermanned and ill equipped as things are now. Send the reinforcements now Mr. President.

Secondly, the notion that the 9/11 conspirators, including Khalid Sheikh Mohammed should be trialed in a U.S. Civilian court, and given all the liberties and privileges as you or I, because we want to show how our American principles work. Is pure DUCK Dung! The military court and tribunal are governed by the same principles and values as the civilian courts with the exception that these terrorists are War Criminals and will be trialed as such under the statues already in place.

The idea from U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder that they should be in a New York City Federal court because American’s were killed justifies his decision, doesn’t wash. That is a lame brain excuse not based on reason. The Obama Administration for what appears on the surface to be political purposes are re-categorizing  these Terrorist War Criminals, as common murders (though, there are no such) gang members, displaced wronged men with distorted misguided ideologies. And we mustn’t forget, blame it on Bush. The Obama Administration is wrong in their ideology, and I can only pray they won’t be dead wrong, with more innocence being killed here or abroad as a consequence of this decision of bringing these Terrorist War Criminals to civilian court in New York.

What are the real motives behind this decision, I honestly don’t know? I can only guess that President Obama must have contempt for the military, and one hell of a narcissistic complex. He’s the Caesar that would make himself King. Since being in Office everything he has done has been about him, more power, Obama is the Presidential version of the ‘Tool Guy’ more power, more power, more power. 1600 Pennsylvania Ave, is becoming the ‘Nightmare on Pennsylvania Ave. Whatever the President’s reason is, for bringing the Terrorist from Gitmo to New York City and a civilian court. The President is personally endangering the lives of U.S. citizens, adding more cost and debt to the national deficit, potentially exposing America’s espionage secrets, unjustly and unreasonably demonizing America even more so to the point of inflicting harm on our military men and women overseas, and citizens here and abroad.

Back up Mr. President, I believed, when elected you would bring all American’s together, you said, you’d bring new hope, and change, we can believe in. Rather President Obama has brought divisiveness among Americans, has given no hope for a brighter future, and change, we can’t believe nor have trust in.

An interesting side note, while on an eight day Asian trip, President Obama commented today asking Congress to hold off on any Congressional Investigation into the Fort Hood killings, “resist the temptation to turn this tragic event into the political theater.” He said those who died on the nation’s largest Army post deserve justice, not political stagecraft.” “The stakes are far too high,” …This is like the pot calling the kettle black, is it not? What is the Obama Administration doing with the Gitmo detainees moving their trial to a New York Federal court…It’s doomed to be a circus.

I’m Dr. Quack with the harsh cry of reason…11 14 09.

When I ask Grandducky how’s he feeling (Health wise) the first thing he says is, “I’m fit as a dollar.” With the current healthcare proposal in the House and the current ones proposed in the Senate, Grandducky will soon be a Dead DUCK, if you get my drift. The Healthcare Reform proposals before Congress now would sink an already failing dollar. A Dollar that could use some Medicaid/Medicare of its own first, before it fails with over Stretchisizethis.

 It stands to reason to first take some baby steps with regards to healthcare reform rather than lassoing another albatross around American taxpayer necks. The point is, why not start with simple, not costly reform, stair steps to bettering, and providing Healthcare opportunities for all Americans. I feel as though Congress and the Obama administration has bitten off more than it can chew. We saw plenty of that in the Bush administration as well. I say, Back off Washington and do first things first. Get the economy up and running, stop outlandish stimulus spending, and stop using anymore taxpayer dollars to finance private companies, unions, and on, and on. It’s enough already, like a periodic natural wildfire, let the recession take its course as Bush should have done last year. The private companies would have fixed their own problems or collapsed, “that’s the berries” in a Capitalistic Democracy, is it not. If not for all the Stimulus dollars and socialistic style intrusion by Government upon the private sector over the last year, swallowing the Healthcare pill would have been more attractive earlier, then the horse pill it appears to be now. I’m Dr. Quack with the harsh cry of reason…110909.