The Front Page Cover
2016 The truth will set you free
Featuring:
Failing the National Security Mission
Retired Adm. James A. Lyons
~~~
.
Bureaucrats Strip Vets' Gun Rights
Congressional lawmakers want answers. Senators Charles Grassley and Johnny Isakson sent a letter to the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs asking why the agency reports any veteran who is assigned a fiduciary trustee to the FBI as mentally defective, thus stripping the veteran of their right to keep and bear arms. So far, the VA has reported to the FBI 260,000 individuals — equivalent to a quarter of the number of people in Texas who have a license to carry. While all federal agencies are required to report "mentally defective" individuals to the FBI so they can be noted in the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, the VA refers an astounding 99.3% of such cases. All other agencies account for just 0.7%. With ruthless "efficiency" like that coming from the same bureaucracy guilty of the wait-time scandal, does anyone suspect abuse of the system?
In a statement, Grassley said, "Our military heroes risked their lives to protect and defend this country and all that we stand for, including our most basic constitutional rights. Now the very agency created to serve them is jeopardizing their Second Amendment rights through an erroneous reading of gun regulations. The VA's careless approach to our veterans' constitutional rights is disgraceful."
No one wants someone with serious mental health issues to become a danger to themselves or others because they had access to firearms. But before basic constitutional rights are denied, the question is what constitutes mental illness? And who decides?
A bureaucracy with no due process is most certainly not the answer. Yet the gun-grabbing nObama administration wants to institute a similar policy as the VA within the Social Security Administration. Our hope is that this new bureaucratic scheme won't survive the increased scrutiny that was established through the Supreme Court's Heller decision. -The Patriot Post
.
Mickey Mouse and the Pole Vaulters
When priorities get out of whack and people lose sight of what really matters, military folks are fond of saying, "We're pole vaulting over mouse turds." While it significantly understates the severity of the consequences, the sentiment is appropriate for the nObama administration's approach to national defense.
The Beltway PC police are hyper-vigilant and will spare no effort or expense for even a perceived threat to one of its protected classes. To wit, the secretary of the Navy has directed that all job titles be rendered gender-neutral. Heaven forbid that one of the females we've so recently empowered by sending them to the front lines pause during her assault up the cliffs of the next Normandy to consider whether she's really up to it because her job description says "infantryman" instead of "infantry person."
Meanwhile, instead of going to the firing range to hone their marksmanship skills, Marines are sitting through classes to eradicate "unconscious bias" that might lead them to think less of their female counterparts. That's what passes for liberal logic. Despite "proven science" (and common sense) that indicates they are physiologically ill-suited, women will be forced into some of the most physically (and emotionally) demanding roles imaginable and declared equal warriors. But they're apparently simultaneously delicate flowers who need protection from unspoken biases of which the alleged bias-holders are not even aware.
The administration expends considerably more ink and energy misleading its own citizens and devaluing the service of its military members than figuring out how to defeat a grave threat festering around the world. Were the consequences not so sobering, it would be ironic and moderately amusing that a Mickey Mouse administration chooses to focus on its own byproducts rather than the real challenges our nation faces. -The Patriot Post
.
Islamists Continue to Target Christians The true adherents to the Religion of Peace™ claimed responsibility for the suicide bombing that killed 72 and wounded 230 in a park in eastern Pakistan on Easter. The park was filled with Christian families celebrating the holiest day on the Christian calendar. The jihadist who belonged to Jamaat ul-Ahrar, a group that splintered from the Pakistani Taliban, deliberately detonated near women and children.
A spokesman for Jamaat ul-Ahrar said, "It was our people who attacked the Christians in Lahore, celebrating Easter. It's our message to the government that we will carry out such attacks again until sharia [Islamic law] is imposed in the country." As if families picnicking in a park celebrating life and hope were so abhorrent that they deserved horrific death. The Pakistani government vowed to stamp out not only the terrorist infrastructure, but the ideology. In response to the attack, it is hunting down the group that detonated the bomb. But that's coming from the nation that for years was a safe haven for Osama bin Laden.
"Mass-casualty terrorism has become an almost daily occurrence, and there's a danger that the world will become inured to it as a new normal," wrote The Wall Street Journal's editorial board. "That is dangerous. A terror group that targets women and children without remorse wouldn't hesitate to kill tens of thousands, even millions, if it can acquire the means." That's why a bombing a half-world away matters so much to us at home. -The Patriot Post
.
.
#FiveForFreedom:
Here are the government agencies Ted Cruz
wants to abolish
Renee Nal
.
1. Appalachian Regional Commission
2. Climate Ready Water Utilities Initiative
3. Climate Research Funding for the Office of
4. Research and Development
5. Climate Resilience Evaluation Awareness Tool
6. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
7. Corporation for Public Broadcasting
8. Corporation for Travel Promotion
9. Global Methane Initiative
10. Green Infrastructure Program
11. Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program
12. Legal Services Corporation
13. National Endowment for the Arts
14. National Endowment for the Humanities
15. New Starts Transit Program
16. Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund
17. Presidential Election Campaign Fund
18. Regulation of CO2 Emissions from Power Plants and all Sources
19. Regulation of Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Vehicles
20. Renewable Fuel Standard Federal Mandates
21. Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation
22. Sugar Subsidies
23. Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery
24. UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
25. UN Population Fund
26. USDA Catfish Inspection Program
Finally, Cruz tackles “Congressional Accountability” and promises to “Reduce costs by instituting a hiring freeze and federal pay reforms.”...
Finally, Cruz tackles “Congressional Accountability” and promises to “Reduce costs by instituting a hiring freeze and federal pay reforms.”...
.
Two Belgian nuclear power plant workers
have joined ISIS...
JENNIFER NEWTON
.
Didier Prospero, pictured, who was a security guard at the Tihange
Nuclear power plant, was found dead
The Tihange nuclear power plant in Belgium, where the guard worked. Nuclear power
plants are known to be targets for the terror network behind the Brussels bombings
and the Paris attacks in November
..
Congress Seeks Fight Over nObama Effort to Give Iran Access to US Markets
Adam Kredo
.
.
Hilly Clinton’s Anti-Corruption Partner Mired
in Corruption Scandals
Brent Scher
.
.
Thinking About the Unthinkable in the Far East
Aaron Kliegman
.
.
nObama Confiscating Guns From Veterans
.
.
slump-Trump on Savage to set record straight on
National Enquirer scandal
JOSEPH FARAH
.
.
Iran’s evolving way of war: How the
IRGC fights in Syria
Frederick W. Kagan & Paul Bucala
.
Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad meets with Kamal Kharrazi, head
of Iran’s Strategic Council on Foreign Relations, in Damascus
.
{aei.org} ~.Iran is developing a new way of waging war beyond its borders, using Syria as the laboratory... Combat units drawn from the conventional brigades and divisions of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) have been fighting on the front lines alongside Syrian and Iraqi militias and Lebanese Hezbollah since October 2015. The units appear to be deploying as cadres — bringing most of their officers, some of their non-commissioned officers (NCOs), and only a small number of enlisted ranks — and plugging into Iraqi, Syrian, and Hezbollah militia groups that serve as their foot soldiers. Iranian officials have labored to conceal the extent of their involvement in the Syrian conflict, repeatedly insisting that they are only training, advising, and assisting Syrian forces. The announcements of Iranian casualties reported by Iranian media and social media tell another story. Careful analysis of the ranks and unit affiliations of Iranians reported as having been killed in Syria demonstrates that IRGC officers are leading soldiers in combat and not merely advising. Comparisons of the casualty data with the dates of major pro-regime operations in Syria make it possible to determine that most of these IRGC units were fighting in the major offensives around Aleppo between October 2015 and February 2016 facilitated by the start of Russian air operations... http://www.aei.org/publication/irans-evolving-way-of-war-how-the-irgc-fights-in-syria/?utm_source=paramount&utm_medium=email&utm_content=AEITODAY&utm_campaign=032816
.
Calls for Fracking Bans Ignore Sound Science
Nicolas Loris
.
{dailysignal.com} ~ Some politicians and environmental activists have been quick to call for blanket bans on hydraulic fracturing under claims that the process is poisoning America’s drinking water... Scientific evidence, from both government agencies and independent analyses, proves otherwise. For instance, The Environmental Protection Agency’s last study, released in June of 2015 and the most comprehensive government study on fracking’s impact so far, clearly states that “we did not find evidence … of widespread, systemic impacts on drinking water resources in the United States.” The EPA’s analysis is hardly the first study to refute the oft-repeated myth that fracking poses a serious threat to American drinking water. In 2009, the Department of Energy conducted a report that declared fracking “safe and effective.” In 2014, the Department of Energy released another study of the Marcellus Shale that found no evidence of fracking contaminating water supplies. This administration is trying so hard to close all development of oil on American soil. http://dailysignal.com/2016/03/21/calls-for-fracking-bans-ignore-sound-science/?utm_source=heritagefoundation&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=morningbell&mkt_tok=3RkMMJWWfF9wsRonu6rBdu%2FhmjTEU5z16uwlXaS1iokz2EFye%2BLIHETpodcMTcRgPLDYDBceEJhqyQJxPr3NLtQN191pRhLiDA%3D%3D
.
Feds Moving Forward With Plan To Interview
Hilly In Email Investigation
CHUCK ROSS
.
.
{dailycaller.com} ~ Two reports out Sunday provide new details about the FBI’s investigation of Hilly Clinton, including that 147 FBI agents have been involved in the probe... and that federal prosecutors are expected to soon seek an interview with the presidential candidate. According to The Los Angeles Times, prosecutors have contacted the attorneys for the top Clinton State Department aides who sent and received classified information that landed on the former secretary of state’s private email server. The FBI seized that device in August, after the intelligence community’s inspector general determined that some of the emails sent to Clinton contained “Top Secret” information...
.
.
Failing the National Security Mission
Retired Adm. James A. Lyons
.
.
{aim.org} ~ Let’s face reality: There was absolutely no justification for removing Cuba from the list of states that sponsor terrorism. Our intelligence clearly shows that Cuba was allowing and continues to allow Hezbollah, Iran’s terror proxy group, to maintain a command-and-control base on Cuban soil from which to conduct criminal, narco-trafficking and terrorist operations throughout the Western hemisphere..
Regrettably, this leads to the sad conclusion that President nObama has lied again when he certified to Congress, as required by federal law, that Cuba could be safely removed from the U.S. list of nations that sponsor terrorism. Does anybody care that our president lied again over a matter that affects our national security? Where is the outcry from our congressional leadership over this travesty?
Regrettably, this leads to the sad conclusion that President nObama has lied again when he certified to Congress, as required by federal law, that Cuba could be safely removed from the U.S. list of nations that sponsor terrorism. Does anybody care that our president lied again over a matter that affects our national security? Where is the outcry from our congressional leadership over this travesty?
.
However, there may be something more insidious going on. Mr. nObama had promised to close the U.S. Naval Detention Facility in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba (Gitmo) when he took office in 2009. This was based on the false premise that by keeping Gitmo open to hold the world’s most dangerous terrorists, it was being used by al Qaeda and other terrorists groups as a major recruitment tool. The attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 and prior acts of terrorism certainly did not occur because of this detention facility at Gitmo — it didn’t exist at the time. Rather, we must understand that those acts and subsequent atrocious acts of Islamic terrorism are justified and commanded by the Koran and Shariah law.
However, there may be something more insidious going on. Mr. nObama had promised to close the U.S. Naval Detention Facility in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba (Gitmo) when he took office in 2009. This was based on the false premise that by keeping Gitmo open to hold the world’s most dangerous terrorists, it was being used by al Qaeda and other terrorists groups as a major recruitment tool. The attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 and prior acts of terrorism certainly did not occur because of this detention facility at Gitmo — it didn’t exist at the time. Rather, we must understand that those acts and subsequent atrocious acts of Islamic terrorism are justified and commanded by the Koran and Shariah law.
.
Nonetheless, Mr. nObama, has for seven years prevented captured terrorists from being sent to Gitmo. Under the nObama administration’s current policy, terrorists captured on the battlefields of Afghanistan are now being transferred to foreign custody or just released so they can return to kill more U.S. forces. This makes absolutely no sense. What is even more disturbing is that Mr. nObama’s policy of killing potentially high-value enemy leaders with drone strikes instead of capturing has deprived the United States of much sensitive intelligence that possibly would have been critical for national security during the past seven years. To the average American, this may sound like a good tactic. In the Islamic jihadi mind, however, Mr. nObama is deliberately making them highly respected “martyrs” by dying fighting for Allah. This is no mistake, and is understood by all jihadis.
Nonetheless, Mr. nObama, has for seven years prevented captured terrorists from being sent to Gitmo. Under the nObama administration’s current policy, terrorists captured on the battlefields of Afghanistan are now being transferred to foreign custody or just released so they can return to kill more U.S. forces. This makes absolutely no sense. What is even more disturbing is that Mr. nObama’s policy of killing potentially high-value enemy leaders with drone strikes instead of capturing has deprived the United States of much sensitive intelligence that possibly would have been critical for national security during the past seven years. To the average American, this may sound like a good tactic. In the Islamic jihadi mind, however, Mr. nObama is deliberately making them highly respected “martyrs” by dying fighting for Allah. This is no mistake, and is understood by all jihadis.
.
A recent article by retired U.S. Navy Capt. Joe John, chairman of Combat Veterans for Congress, addressed Rep. Duncan D. Hunter’s Jan. 28 letter to Defense Secretary Ashton Carter. This letter expressed his opposition to the transfer of the most dangerous al Qaeda terrorists imprisoned at Gitmo to foreign countries and to prisons in the continental United States. Such a reckless program ignores the fact that at least 30 percent of released terrorists from Gitmo have returned to the battlefield to kill more U.S. forces. There is more than just a passing concern, however, that it may be Mr. nObama’s ultimate objective to turn over the entire U.S. facility at Gitmo to Raul Castro’s Communist Cuba. This would be a travesty of the worst order since it would be only be a matter of time before Hezbollah took over Gitmo as its main terrorist training site in the Western Hemisphere.
A recent article by retired U.S. Navy Capt. Joe John, chairman of Combat Veterans for Congress, addressed Rep. Duncan D. Hunter’s Jan. 28 letter to Defense Secretary Ashton Carter. This letter expressed his opposition to the transfer of the most dangerous al Qaeda terrorists imprisoned at Gitmo to foreign countries and to prisons in the continental United States. Such a reckless program ignores the fact that at least 30 percent of released terrorists from Gitmo have returned to the battlefield to kill more U.S. forces. There is more than just a passing concern, however, that it may be Mr. nObama’s ultimate objective to turn over the entire U.S. facility at Gitmo to Raul Castro’s Communist Cuba. This would be a travesty of the worst order since it would be only be a matter of time before Hezbollah took over Gitmo as its main terrorist training site in the Western Hemisphere.
.
Fortunately, the Joint Chiefs of Staff informed Congress that federal law prevents the U.S. armed forces from transferring al Qaeda and Taliban terrorist detainees from Gitmo to the United States. They must continue to take a strong position on this issue.
Fortunately, the Joint Chiefs of Staff informed Congress that federal law prevents the U.S. armed forces from transferring al Qaeda and Taliban terrorist detainees from Gitmo to the United States. They must continue to take a strong position on this issue.
.
Separately, Capt. John addressed the debilitating impact of Mr. nObama’s restricted rules of engagement forced on our combat forces. The net result has been an increase in our combat fatalities by 400 percent per year and wounded by 378 percent per year. From 2001 to 2008, combat fatalities averaged 90 per year operating under standard rules of engagement for a total of 630 U.S. military lost during almost eight years. Between 2009 and 2013, the number of combat fatalities jumped to 458 per year for a total loss of 2,292 personnel using Mr. nObama’s restricted rules of engagement. This is unconscionable. A commander’s first priority must always be the safety and protection of the forces under his command.
Separately, Capt. John addressed the debilitating impact of Mr. nObama’s restricted rules of engagement forced on our combat forces. The net result has been an increase in our combat fatalities by 400 percent per year and wounded by 378 percent per year. From 2001 to 2008, combat fatalities averaged 90 per year operating under standard rules of engagement for a total of 630 U.S. military lost during almost eight years. Between 2009 and 2013, the number of combat fatalities jumped to 458 per year for a total loss of 2,292 personnel using Mr. nObama’s restricted rules of engagement. This is unconscionable. A commander’s first priority must always be the safety and protection of the forces under his command.
.
The restricted rules of engagement had the net effect of neutralizing our superior military capability while bolstering the stature and capabilities of the terrorists. Of course, the worst combat tragedy occurred during the “Extortion 17” mission in Afghanistan. The denial of legitimate suppression fire from an on-station C-130 gunship in a “hot-fire” landing zone that had been under fire for more than three hours was denied for fear of civilian casualties.
The restricted rules of engagement had the net effect of neutralizing our superior military capability while bolstering the stature and capabilities of the terrorists. Of course, the worst combat tragedy occurred during the “Extortion 17” mission in Afghanistan. The denial of legitimate suppression fire from an on-station C-130 gunship in a “hot-fire” landing zone that had been under fire for more than three hours was denied for fear of civilian casualties.
.
As a result, we suffered the largest loss of U.S. military forces in the 13-year war in Afghanistan. Forty-eight military personnel lost their lives. Those killed included 16 members of SEAL Team 6 largest loss in their history, 20 special ops warriors, five helicopter crew members and seven Afghan military allies. Aside from the denial of suppression fire by our combat leaders, there was also a clear dereliction of duty in ordering that many SEALs and special ops warriors into a vulnerable CH-46 transportation helicopter instead of using a highly maneuverable, special warfare MH-47 helo. The sad fact is the mission turned out to be unnecessary.
As a result, we suffered the largest loss of U.S. military forces in the 13-year war in Afghanistan. Forty-eight military personnel lost their lives. Those killed included 16 members of SEAL Team 6 largest loss in their history, 20 special ops warriors, five helicopter crew members and seven Afghan military allies. Aside from the denial of suppression fire by our combat leaders, there was also a clear dereliction of duty in ordering that many SEALs and special ops warriors into a vulnerable CH-46 transportation helicopter instead of using a highly maneuverable, special warfare MH-47 helo. The sad fact is the mission turned out to be unnecessary.
.
There must be an accounting not only for our congressional leadership but for our senior military leadership, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, for their failure to live up to their oath of office which has done untold damage to this great country. They must be held accountable as a lesson to future congressional and military leaders.
There must be an accounting not only for our congressional leadership but for our senior military leadership, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, for their failure to live up to their oath of office which has done untold damage to this great country. They must be held accountable as a lesson to future congressional and military leaders.
.
Comments