Category: Presidential Politics

by Dave Mindeman

OK, the pragmatist in me has taken a vacation, so I'm letting her rip today.

Let's talk war. Afghan, Iraq, Libya, etc.....

The Democrats are caught up in these ridiculous budget talks and are ignoring the 600 pound gorilla that is in the budget room.'

Paying for the wars.

I have never figured out how we can undertake massive military undertakings and then hide them off budget or just ignore the cost. Democrats should be all over this.

But the problem is that Obama has embraced the military situation he has inherited. What promise about the Pentagon has Obama kept? Gitmo is still open. We are still heavily involved in Iraq. Afghanistan has no end game. And now Libya has dubious goals at best.

Hey, I want to see Obama re-elected next year as much as anybody, but do we have to agree with everything he does? Absolutely not.

If deficits are truly such a danger to America, then why are the cost of these wars not part of the debate? Instead of Planned Parenthood being the focus, why isn't the billions of dollars in Iraq part of it as well?

The spigot of dollars for the Defense Department is not even measured. It is sacred cow material. But a defense dollar is just as costly as a health care dollar. And its more wasteful.

Why are Democrats afraid to speak?

Category: Presidential Politics

by Dave Mindeman

There is a site I watch called Election Projection. It is run by a right wing conservative but he still puts together a credible formula for projecting political winners and losers in election years.

After Tuesday's primaries, this site changed the Nevada Senate seat from a weak Republican gain to a weak Democratic hold. Even though the first snapshot poll gives Angle a 50-39 lead. Harry Reid may survive after all.

The Tea Party candidate Sharron Angle won the primary but Election Projection thinks that in a race of whom do you dislike the least, Reid will now come out on top.

Although the Tea Party is providing a lot of the Republican activity, it may end up that that momentum is going to stall out in a flurry of uncomfortable positions by their candidates.

Angle has some interesting ideas....

The former teacher and current Scientologist wants to phase out Social Security for younger workers.

Angle tried to ?gain support for a prison drug rehabilitation program that would involve prisoners quitting drugs cold turkey, with saunas and massages as part of treatment.? This comes straight from Church of Scientology beliefs, and Sharron Angle has reportedly supported the notion on multiple occasions.

Angle spent her cash on the primary and goes into the general with $186,000 total. I imagine it won't be a problem building that back up with Tea Party support, but she still will have a decided disadvantage to Reid's war chest.

Reid wanted Angle as his opponent. He got his wish. If he can come back and win this seat, it might be the story of the year.

Category: Presidential Politics

by Dave Mindeman

I sit here and wonder aloud sometimes about how much value there is in elevating Al-Qaeda into a foe that we have mobilized our entire defense structure against. We are fighting them on a par with our enemies in World War II. Really, is that wise?

Al-Qaeda has no homeland or national identification. They live on the run... in caves....in mountainous terrain, with few modern weapons. The biggest danger we face from Al-Qaeda is that they acquire a weapon that already exists from a nuclear nation. It would have to be stolen or given to them or purchased. They, themselves, have no scientists, no ability to develop a nuclear program, no place to keep one.

We have our entire military defense force occupying Afghanistan and Iraq. We have special forces operating in Pakistan. And we spend enormous defense department resources in a defensive posture involving these two nations...one that had nothing to do with Al-Qaeda and another that was merely a safe haven -- a harbor that we are now responsible for and have turned Al-Qaeda sympathizers (the Taliban) into a full fledged enemy.

The entire military industrial complex is draining its vast, deep pocket, resources over a nation (Iraq) that is always on the brink of a civil war (we are merely the available targets), and a country (Afghanistan) that has yet to develop a modern system of transportation or any economic sophistication.

What's wrong with this picture?

Yet, Republicans, yes, Republicans....the party that complains about wasted taxes....the party that complains about too much interference by the government....yes, that party, will call you un-American at the very suggestion that we rethink what we are doing, in any way, shape or form. In fact, their biggest complaint is that we are not doing enough, spending enough, and being fearful enough to properly conduct this "war".

With all the attention that we are heaping upon this rogue element, we are developing the "sympathizers". The people frustrated with US arrogance towards the Muslim world. People who are looked down upon and discriminated against. People who see Al Qaeda fight against the most powerful nation in the world, as an inspiration and a "just" cause.

We have such elements in Minnesota. The head of the FBI warns us that we have such "sympathizers" right here in Minnesota. They look to Al-Qaeda as their model. They see how we elevate these "warriors" into genuine threats -- military equals as it were.

Are we going to find these threats via military engagment? Are we going to need house to house searches? Will we have to occupy territory or torture the captives?

The answer is no. It will take law enforcement techniques. Solid undercover intelligence. Police work. That is the only methodolgy that will uncover this type of sympathizer extremism.

We would do well to divert some of that vast defense department largesse into police department special units. Local police who know the community and can find the sources.

And at some point, we have to quit using fear as a political football. We will probably be attacked again at some point. But all the troops in Iraq and Afghanistan are not going to deter that. Quite frankly, they will encourage groups to continue their fight and to sacrifice their lives against the "crusader" who would seek to impose their presence throughout the world.

We need good intelligence, good undercover work, and a realization that we are not going to win this so-called "war" by throwing money at shadows.