Is Libya proving to be just another Parallel between the fall of the Roman Empire and the U.S. Empire ?

If you have been folllowing my blog, you have an idea of how much I love my country and how I only want the best for America. That is why it alarms me that we still have not learned our lesson when it comes to over extending our powers around the world. From where I stand, it seems people just don't want to accept the fact that we have to become a passive aggressive super power if we want to remain a super power at all.

I think that some Politicians just don't get it, like Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina. Now in full disclosure I have to admit that I actually like Senator Graham and agree with him on some issues. On Fox News Sunday Senator Lindsey Graham, who is a senior member of the Armed Services Commitee, said that the U.S. should be taking the lead role in the conflict in Libya. He was quoted as saying that " I am worried that we are taking a back seat rather then a leadership role " , he also said we need to, " Isolate , strangle and replace this man, this should be our goal " speaking of Libyan leader Col Muammar al  Qaddafi. Now, is it me or does Senator Graham sound like he is speaking of an all out war? Can you remember the last time we just shot a few cruise missiles at a country and we accomplished everything we needed to? Because I don't, what I do know is that it just cost us over $100 million to shoot those cruise missiles at Libya over the last two days.

I also think President Obama backed himself into a corner when saying that Col Muammar al Qaddafi must leave power. How are we going to get him out of power unless we send in ground troops to do so ? I don't think any other countries are gong to send in troops to get him out. So in a few weeks when we spend over a billion shooting bombs at Qaddafi and he is still in power, then what? We will have lost more credibility, spread ourselves out even thinner, and we will have to cut more domestic programs in order to pay for the conflict.

My point is with all the money spent on the Iraq war, $2 billion a month in Afghanistan, and now a $100 million in two days imposing a No Fly Zone over Libya, what is it going to take before we Get It ? The French and the Arab League took the lead before we did in this conflict; why didn't we let them stay in front? I understand we are a Super Power, but do we want to remain one?  During these times of uncertainty we have to be smart about the conflicts we get involved in. Especially when other countries are stepping up to the plate, let them drain some of their money and resources while we rebuild ours.

The Hill - Sen. Graham: US should take the lead on Libya

Ny Times - Qaddafi Forces Hold Strategic Town as Allied Attacks Continue

Did Bill O'Reilly really ask the Hard questions with Former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld ?


When Bill O'Reilly interviewd President Obama he was criticized for what some say was talking down to the President and also asking ridiculous questions. When Bill O'Reilly  interviewed former defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld he could of  seen it as an opportunity to look more " fare and balanced " lol . A lot of commentators on both sides of the isle are saying that Bill really gave it to Rumsfeld in this interview, that  he asked the hard questions.  At one point during the interview Bill wants to know why Rumsfeld did not let the citizens of the United States know all the potential problems with a war with Saddam Hussein in Iraq. Rumsfeld just answers back that we the citizens knew everything that we had to know and that was good enough.

Is it me or does Rumsfeld seem like he is not in touch with reality ? I think people in high positions should have  psychological reviews if that's already not happening. Rumsfeld looks like a bit from "Saturday Night Live" but it's not an actor it's him playing him. Take a look at the Interview tell me what you think.

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates WARNS against Land Wars in Asia and the Middle East.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates spoke very candid to the Cadets at West Point on Wednesday. Secretary Gates is known to be a well thought out Defense Secretary who has served under both President George W. Bush and President Barack Obama. Secretary Gates reminded the Cadets that since the 9/11 attacks 80 West Point Graduates have fallen in the line of duty. They were serving our Nation in both the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

In what could be considered a slight jab to former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld Secretary Gates gave a word of warning to our future leaders. He quoted what General MacArthur said to President Kennedy in regards to the build up to the Vietnam War “Any future defense secretary who advises the president to again send a big American land army into Asia or into the Middle East or Africa should 'have his head examined,'. I guess you can say that Secretary Gates made it pretty clear about how he feels about deploying our troops in these areas of the world.

I understand why we first got into Afghanistan but we have to figure a way out of there soon. I guess the older you get you realize that history does just repeat itself over and over again. First it was the Russians and now it's the Americans in Afghanistan. We just pulled out of the "Pech Valley" that was supposedly critical to our success in Afghanistan. We are pulling out of the Valley because it's consuming to many resources.

Look what happen to the Roman Empire, they spread themselves out around the world fighting needless battles and depleting there resources. Then internal politics became corrupt and they could not satisfy the needs of the Republic. Then society began to break down from within and no one cared anymore. Does this sound familiar ?

Ny Times - U.S. Pulling Back in Afghan Valley It Called Vital to War

Christian Science Monitor - Gates's warning: Avoid land war in Asia, Middle East, and Africa

Former Miss England Katrina Hodge is being deployed to Afghanistan once a again setting an example for Americans

Why dose it seem that England is taking the lead on the world stage lately by setting great examples for us all? When the Euro Zone was about to collapse England was one of the first countries to impose new financial regulations onto itself to stay a float. When it came to the war in Afghanistan England sent Prince harry into the Lions Den to set an example for it's fellow country men. Now We have none other then former Miss England Katrina Hodge getting set to deploy to Afghanistan.

Katrina Hodge joined the armed forces when she was 17 years old and has already served in the Iraq war. Now Hodge 24 years old and married is getting ready to deploy to Afghanistan for her first tour of duty there. Hodge is known in England as " Combat Barbie " , when asked how she felt about going to Afghanistan she said it was a " Culture Shock ". She went on to say that it's going to be hard in Afghanistan but it's her job.

The point I am trying to make with this post is that I don't want America to get left behind in the world. We need High profile Americans to start leading our country by setting positive examples. Enough rhetoric back and forth between the two parties lets see leaders of both parties propose real sacrifices. Real sacrifices will let constitutes on both sides of the isle know that the times are serious and we need to make changes to ensure all Americans quality of life.

Huffington Post - Former Miss England set for deployment

Tea Party candidate elect Allen West is already butting heads before he is even sworn in.

It should come to no surprise to anyone who knows Tea Party elect Republican Rep. Allen West of florida that he is not afraid to speak his mind. Allen West was first brought to national attention in 2003 during the Iraq war. Allen West is a retired Lieutenant Colonel of the U.S. army. In 2003 while in Iraq lets say he got a little over zealous during a interrogation. West thought an Iraqi police officer was with holding information and allegedly shot a few rounds with his .45 next to the police officers head. Lets just say the Iraqi police officer began to sing a like a canary. It was never proven whether the information West obtained through his tactics were factual but West said he would do it again to keep his men safe. Allen West was court marshaled and allowed to retire with full military benefits.

In more recent history Allen West has been accused of being too closely associated with a shady biker gang named the "Out laws Motorcycle Club". He has been photoed at rallies that the Out Laws were sponsoring. Emails were also obtained where it seems West is defending his association with the Out Laws.

Who is Allen West butting heads with now? Come January House Majority leader Eric Cantor of all people. Probably not the best way to make new friends in congress or maybe that West's point. West wrote a letter to Cantor complaining that in the entire month of January their is only 10 days of scheduled work. In the entire year only 123 days of congressional sessions. In the letter West asked Cantor how any progress could be made with all the large looming problems are country faces with only 10 days of Congressional sessions. "As we know, Congress needs to work to create jobs, reduce the deficit, strengthen our economy, limit the size of government and contend with a plethora of national security issues," West wrote in a statement to Cantor. "How are we to do that when, among other things, we start off being in session only ten days the entire month of January?" In response to that Eric Cantors spokesman Brad Dayspring said that more time in Washington does not necessarily mean more work will be accomplished.

I agree with Allen West here, I think are politicians should be setting a new tone in Washington. These are not ordinary times we are in and anything different and positive can help. Who do you agree with Eric Cantor or Allen West.

Huffington Post - Allen West sends letter to Eric Cantor