A case for why governments should NOT negotiate with terrorists

PLEASE SEE UPDATE AT THE END OF THIS POST

Basing an article and headline on one study can be dangerous.
A response to Jason Koebler’s US News and World Report article “Why Government Should Negotiate with Terrorists”

Negotiating with terrorists is successful? Huh?!? In a real world with very real threats, that case is NOT being made.

Consider the obsequious kowtowing from Appeaser-in-Chief Obama towards terrorist-supporting rogue nations whose stated goal is to wipe the only Middle East democracy, Israel, from the map. Where are we on that? On the verge of war.

Consider the slaughter of thousands of innocent lives occurring right now. Where are we on that? More are dying daily.

Consider current policy that both wrongfully grants Constitutional rights to enemy combatants -- effectively protecting them from “good old-fashioned” interrogation -- while at the same time uses drones to surgically remove targets before intel can be gleaned. Where are we on that? “Human intelligence” collection is at a new low with “strategic assets” being put at risk!

Of course, we’re not even sure if any intel that’s acquired is even safe in the sieve that is the Obama White House.

Add on the recidivism where terrorists are released to improve their “quality of life” and then attack us again, and anyone can see clearly that the case for “negotiating with terrorists” is not being made.

But it does explain why the Obama State Department broke the law last June and granted a visa to terrorist and Obama White House guest Hani Nour Eldin -- so Barack Hussein Obama could entertain (negotiate?) Hani Nour Eldin’s plea of leniency for the convicted terrorist Omar Abdel-Rahman AKA “the Blind Sheik” -- mastermind behind the 1993 World Trade Center bombing -- who (for now?) is in a super max for life.

UPDATE: The Obama State Department is currently negotiating the transfer of a convicted terrorist to Egypt.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/source-obama-administration-in-talks-to-transfer-blind-sheikh-to-egypt/

Obviously the plea of leniency that visa-holding terrorist and Obama White House guest Hani Nour Eldin made last June on behalf of another fellow terrorist -- Omar Abdel-Rahman AKA “the Blind Sheik” -- did not fall on deaf ears.

Obama and the Minute for Munich

Sanford D. Horn: “…the IOC (International Olympic Committee), under the alleged leadership of President Jacques Rogge, has denied the numerous requests that this tragedy be recognized with a mere minute of silence during the opening ceremonies in London on this, the 40th anniversary of Munich. Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard wrote to Rogge in hopes of garnering some recognition for the slain Israeli Olympic team at the London Olympics. … For Americans, the question must be asked of Barack Obama, sports-fan-in-chief: where was your letter to the president of the IOC? You spent so much time and taxpayer dollars overseas attempting to procure an Olympics for your adopted hometown of Chicago. Did you not want to offend your Arab allies by taking up for eleven dead Israelis? Do you continue to think so little of Israel while continuing to rake in millions of dollars from the Jewish voting community you take for granted?
The eleven slain Israelis:
Officials/Trainers
- Yossef Gutfreund
- Amitzur Shapira
- Kehat Shorr
- Andrei Spitzer
- Jacov Springer
- Moshe Weinberg
Athletes (wrestlers/weightlifters)
- David Berger
- Zeev Friedman
- Eliezer Halfin
- Yossef Romano
- Mark Slavin
May their memories always be blessed.”
http://www.americanthinker.com/2012/07/recognizing_tragedy_as_olympic_history.html

Munich widow’s fight for moment of silence
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/olympics/2012/writers/jon_wertheim/07/27/2012-olympics-opening-ceremony-munich/index.html

Shamefully, IOC can’t spare a minute to mark 1972 Munich terrorism.
“The International Olympic Committee says the opening ceremony of the London Games isn’t a ‘fit’ setting to mark deaths of 11 Israeli athletes. Those who disagree will defiantly stand as IOC chief Jacques Rogge speaks.”
http://www.latimes.com/sports/olympics/la-sp-oly-plaschke-20120726,0,4757816.column

Broadcaster Bob Costas notes Olympic moment of silence controversy as NBC cuts to commercial
http://www.timesofisrael.com/costas-notes-olympic-moment-of-silence-controversy-as-nbc-cuts-to-commercial/

The Munich 11 Virtual Memorial Jspace.com
http://www.jspace.com/munich11memorial/

Obama and the Muslim Brotherhood

Courtesy of Caroline Glick: The slogan of the Muslim Brotherhood is “Allah is our objective; the Prophet is our leader; the Koran is our law; Jihad is our way; dying in the path of Allah is our highest hope.” … Every day Muslim Brotherhood leaders call for the violent annihilation of Israel. And those calls are often combined with calls for jihad against the US. For instance, in a sermon from October 2010, Muslim Brotherhood head Mohammed Badie called for jihad against the US. … Why is the Obama administration shunning potential allies and empowering enemies? Why has the administration gotten it wrong everywhere?

The Muslim Brotherhood’s American Defenders
http://townhall.com/columnists/carolineglick/2012/07/28/the_muslim_brotherhoods_american_defenders/page/full/

“I Built This, Mr. President”

It is time for President Obama to stop attacking American success. The small family-owned businesses in this video saved-or-created more jobs than any Obama “ƧU˩UMITƧ” program.

President Obama has crossed his Rubicon -- there is no turning back. He can’t take back what he said. His defeat is now on the horizon. Really. Everyone knows that the business of America IS business. Meaning no president gets away with telling U.S. business owners “you didn’t build it”. His arrogance is just another millstone around his neck that will soon take his presidency down.

PS- If anyone is still thinking about voting for President Obama, may I respectfully suggest they’re not paying attention. They may as well just back up the USS Obama and hit that iceberg again.

A sincere thank you to Bristol Palin for “I Built This, Mr. President”
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/bristolpalin/2012/07/i-built-this-mr-president/

That “storm” on the horizon is the Tea Party!

There is a “storm” on the horizon. “We the People” are gathering. We come from all walks of life and represent the diversity that is America. The honest hardworking taxpaying law-abiding citizens who support our local sheriffs. Tea Party people. Patriots. The “Paul” and “Paulette” Reveres. We hold Freedom and Liberty dear. We value and respect Tradition. We are grateful to those who have served. We remember the sacrifices of those who came before us, and we honor the men and women who have given their lives in the service of their country. We are also the BEST informed electorate of the last thirty years, and we Americans vote!

We see the direction that President Obama has taken our country and we are alarmed. His unprecedented spending. The explosion of national debt. His contempt and disregard for the Rule of Law. And all the heartache, pain and suffering he brings into our lives. We are morally repulsed by his lies, schemes, subterfuge and hate. We absolutely reject his radical agenda. We know the time is now to get the country we truly love back on track… the RIGHT track.
To preserve for our children “the last best hope of man on earth!”

So kick the tires and light the fires...

...because hell is coming to breakfast.

This Independence Day, kick the tires and light the fires! Fast and FURIOUSLY!

Major Garrett interviews bestselling author and Townhall News Editor Katie Pavlich on Operation “Fast and Furious”

Happy Independence Day! The hope here is you will watch and share what you learn then engage in good old-fashioned conversations -- with family, friends, co-workers, neighbors -- about the lawlessness of President Obama’s operation and subsequent cover-up. The facts presented here are incendiary enough that in the video’s elapsed time of 45 minutes 49 seconds, the Obama administration could conceivably just about burn to the ground. Furiously.

We are a nation of laws. And the Terry family deserves better. Tomorrow, another Independence Day will pass by for them without their Brian. Without answers. Without justice. Let’s talk about that with the people we‘re with -- the time is now -- it’s just not right. And it may save our country. Thank you and God Bless!

Courtesy of the Union Tribune San Diego -- WWII: Those who served tell their stories

The Legacy of WWII -- How it shaped a generation and San Diego, by U-T San Diego writers Peter Rowe and John Wilkens
http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2012/jun/05/world-war-ii-those-who-served-tell-their-stories/

WWII: Those who served tell their stories -- U-T San Diego brought 32 vets to the Midway to be videotaped

They were a walking, talking World War II history book — 32 San Diego vets who came aboard the USS Midway Museum recently to share their stories. Collectively, they were at many of the war’s most significant battles, from Pearl Harbor to Iwo Jima, from D-Day to the Bulge. They talked about what they remembered. And what they would never forget. Their videotaped oral histories were recorded on June 5-7 on the flight deck of the Midway as part of the U-T’s yearlong series, “The Legacy of WWII.” The U-T’s video partner on the project, Media Arts Center San Diego, produced the videos, which can be seen here in their unedited form. Here are some of their stories, as captured by U-T San Diego writers Peter Rowe and John Wilkens.


Videos: Those who served tell their stories...

Charles Gus Apostolos

Robert L. Barto

Sheldon Bernstein

Jim Brayshay

Jack Clabaugh

Evelyn Coy

Basil Duncan

Ed Fitchhorn

George W. Glicker

Charles Goldsmith, Jr.

Frank Guidone

Robert Guthrie

Bob Jacoby

Glen Kanig

Willis “Bill” Lunt

Walter Mazzone

Jim Merriken

Eldon "Mike" Meyer

Rita O'Neil

John Preston

Alan Reeves

James Reily

Russell "Buddy" Rodgers

Dave Severance

Norman Sokay

Richard Stutzman

Forrest Trimm

Leo Tuck

Stephen Voit

Robert L. Watson

John Williamson

Malcolm "Mac" Winslow

The stories...

Taking care of the wounded; Rita O'Neil was a nurse during World War II, taking care of the wounded on a hospital train. -- Video

At 12,000 feet, a fiery moment of truth; "You know, I'm Jewish," Voit said. "The possibility of being in a German camp was really frightening." -- Video

A POW remembers;James Reily was shot down during World War II and survived several months of captivity. -- Video

Iwo Jima's long shadow; 67 years since landing on Iwo Jima as a 21-year-old Marine Corps corporal, Glen Kanig still remembers that battle's ferocity. -- Video

Recalling the white, bomb-blasted, cliffs of Dover; Bob Jacoby's unit fought in the Battle of the Bulge, but the local WWII veteran noted they suffered their heaviest casualties in England in 1944. -- Video

Earning his wings in another way; Robert Guthrie was a fighter pilot in World War II, trained to kill. But his proudest moment involved saving lives. -- Video

Going to the movies; Eldon "Mike" Meyer was injured in the Battle of Tarawa. -- Video

WWII battle against a relentless enemy -- the Pacific; Waves reach 60 feet, while 150-knot winds buffeted the destroyer. -- Video

A lucky man, jumping into combat; Jumping into Nazi-occupied Holland, paratrooper Rodgers thought about his good fortune: "How lucky I am. How lucky I am." -- Video

He saw MacArthur return; It was a signature moment in World War II -- and Forrest Trimm saw it. -- Video

Cannon fodder; Gus Apostolas was drafted into the Army at age 18 in 1944. "Don't be a hero," his dad told him. -- Video

Growing up fast; Jim Merriken joined the Marines before World War II started. "They snuck that in on me," he said. -- Video

Witness to D-Day; As a beach master, Watson's job was to take control of a quarter-mile-wide swath of Omaha Beach. -- Video

For Pfc. Williamson, fear turned into heroism; Williamson risked his life on the streets of Leipzig, making repeated trips under enemy to rescue two wounded GIs. -- Video

French connection; Alan Reeves spoke French. During World War II, it came in handy. -- Video

A slap on the back; Robert Barto ferried the wounded to aid stations on Iwo Jima. -- Video

A Raider's tale; The Marines are the few and the proud, but Frank Guidone spent part of his military career among the even fewer: the Corps' First Raider Battalion. -- Video

Flying over "the hump," and landing in a ditch; Charles Goldsmith Jr., a native San Diegan who grew up in North Park, always wanted to fly. -- Video

In war, a charmed life; Fighting in the Pacific during World War II, Basil Duncan sometimes felt lucky. -- Video

"Sleepy Time Gal's" 51 missions over Europe; His crew of 10 flew 51 combat missions -- and all survived the war. -- Video

Stars for an admiral; Jack Clabaugh was at Pearl Harbor when the Japanese attacked. -- Video

A mad dash; Norman Sokay earned a Bronze Star in Germany. -- Video

"What the hell is an atomic bomb?"; One of this naval aviator's most vivid memories of World War involves a mission he never flew. -- Video

Memories -- and nightmares; Mac Winslow saw 102 straight days of combat in Europe during World War II. -- Video

A corpsman on Iwo Jima, trying to save lives; Heading to Iwo Jima, "we didn't anticipate any problems," the San Diegan remembers -- Video

A month-long fight for survival; Richard Stutzman loved to fly. -- Video

PBY's rear gunner saw the good and the bad; George Glicker thought the weather in Florida was hellish -- but in the South Pacific, he saw a vision of real hell. -- Video

Tea with the First Lady; Evelyn Coy wanted to do her part after Pearl Harbor. She joined the WAVES. -- Video

That famous flag photo; Dave Severance played a key role in the famous flag raising on Iwo Jima. -- Video


Also see »

WWII: Those who served tell their stories

A WWII vet's final story

Poem captured surprise, horror of Pearl Harbor


Also of interest...

WWII: Those who served tell their stories

PARATROOPER’S LEAP INTO HISTORY

Vet reaches 10,000 volunteer hours at WWII Museum

WW II: A U-T oral history project

Exhibit marks 67th anniversary of D-Day landings

“The Obama Arrogance” is a ghastly thing…

The news is reporting that Attorney General Holder reached out to the Terry family -- FINALLY -- only 18 MONTHS after Brian’s death. But to me, it’s just another shameful PR move by Obama, who’s starting to see real pushback and negative polling data because of the Fast and Furious scandal he is DEEPLY involved in. Sadly, for the Terry family, Obama could care less. If he could get away with it, he would, hand-in-glove, have Holder reach out to the Terry family and TURN THE KNIFE. In a way, he already has...

...because “The Obama Arrogance” is a ghastly, infectious thing. Just look at what his minions did this past week:
At a White House press briefing, Obama’s mouthpiece Jay Carney COULD NOT REMEMBER Brian Terry’s name. Then, when the House voted Holder in contempt, a hundred Dems tried twisting it into a race issue and walked out. Next, Nancy Pelosi BOTCHED the reading of Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry’s name on the House floor and passed it off nonchalantly. All in a week -- there is no heart there.

Amd Obama now recognizes that his illegal scheme that killed two Federal Agents, Brian Terry and Jaime Zapata, and hundreds of Mexicans, threatens THE MOST IMPORTANT THING in Obama’s life: HIS reelection.

An animal is most dangerous when cornered.

Pelosi a Dingbat? More like a Public Enemy...

Nancy Pelosi a Dingbat?!? Maybe, with apologies to Jean Stapleton, who gracefully played one. But whatever you call Pelosi -- San Fran Nan, The Wicked *itch of the West, a 50-foot monster featured in the Right Change video below, or former Speaker of the House -- she is first a Public Enemy and the symbol of all that is wrong in DC.

The tip of the iceberg: Pelosi committed federal election fraud after finding out then-Senator Obama had a candidacy problem in Hawaii -- which she “fixed” -- her close ties to Hawaii Governor Abercrombie and repeat $10,000-a-night exotic resort getaways over there having everything to do with it. Or vice versa. Then there was her promise “to drain the swamp” -- broken daily from 2006, and even during her lame duck session, when she had separate House trials on Democrats “Cholly” Rangel and Maxine Waters for multiple ethics violations postponed until after the 2010 election.

Add the HUNDREDS of ObamaCare waivers in her district she asked for and was granted, the continuous flow of lobbyist cash she keeps pocketing, and the three-quarters of a BILLION taxpayer dollars Obama gave to her brother-in-law’s “green” company and you are just starting to get the picture: She is CORRUPT. But like an iceberg, we just see 10%, because what’s below her surface (I’m not talking Botox) is scarier. Here’s hoping that iceberg melts her away.

PS- Upon hearing that San Fran was renaming a street after her, Lombard Street came to mind: The most crooked street in the world: