The Foreign Policy You Have Nightmares About

BALTIMORE, Maryland January 29, 2014 - A note to start: I've been away from the blog for a bit, due to illness in my family. My wife, my daughter and my mother were all in the hospital in recent days. Things are now getting back to normal.

The pronouncement sometime back from members of the GOP leadership that they would not consider impeachment proceedings was poorly thought out, poorly timed, and, even its conception, it was shallow, and not in keeping with their primary role as fiduciaries to the nation's well-being. It's not that I favor impeachment. I absolutely do not. I guess what I should say is that I hope the President doesn't force the hand of Congress. I hope it doesn't come to that. I'm afraid, however, that the threat of it, the real in your face fear that the process will get started, will keep Obama from doing some of the even more bizarre and disgusting things he is rumored to be considering, being the good leftist cliff-hanger that he absolutely is. In recent days, this is the stomach-turning rollcall of absurd and awful things the Commander-in-Chief has dabbled in:

1) By now, everybody knows about the Obama administration's embarassing and ill-timed temper tantrum regarding the Prime Minister of Israel addressing a Joint Session of the United States Congress. Leaders of both the GOP and my party are scared-to-death that the amateurs involved in carrying out Obama's foreign policy are heading straigt for a disastrous deal with the Mullahs who run Iran regarding Iran's right to build a nuclear weapon. Obama has shown little inclination over the last year to do the kind of hard-ball bargaining that would scale back any plans for an Iranian bomb to the point where the world would no longer have to worry about Israel being blown off the map. The Mullahs will absolutely do that the very second they have control of a nuclear weapon. The Mullahs have embarassed these United States by delaying any final plan long enough to allow their bomb development program to continue full-bore. Nobody outside of the hard-left White House wants these negotiations to succeed, because nobody will be able to stomach what such a deal may compel the United States to do. John Beiner, in an unusually hard-edged move, quietly arranged for Mr. Netanyahu to come to Washington to make the speech in March. When Obama found out he went ballistic. He has said he will not meet with Mr. Netanyahu - whom he detests - when the Israeli leader is here for the speech. He has tried desperately to strong arm Beiner to withdraw the invitation, but Beiner again held his ground. Netanyahu, of course, wants the Congress to impose new, harsher sanctions on Iran as a guard against acquisition of the bomb. Obama says such sanctions will disrupt the "delicate" negotiations that the United States and other Western nations are holding with the Mullahs. We can only hope.

2) In another step related to the one described above, Obama has dispatched some high-level functionaries from his re-election campaign to Israel to work for the party opposing Mr. Netanyahu in the upcoming Israeli elections. An so the weak and bumbling Obama has sunk so low that he is trying to derail the man who is emerging as the de facto leader of the Western World. Great. And really low-brow.

3) Our visionary leader is also trying to derail another Middle Eastern Leader who has emerged as a leader in the battle against ISIS. General Abdel Fattah Saeed Hussein Khalil el-Sisi [says Wikipedia: (Arabic: عبد الفتاح سعيد حسين خليل السيسي‎ ‘Abdu l-Fattāḥ Sa‘īd Ḥusayn Khalīl as-Sīsī, IPA: [ʕæbdel.fætˈtæːħ sæˈʕiːd ħeˈseːn xæˈliːl esˈsiːsi]; born 19 November 1954) is the sixth and current President of Egypt, in office since 2014.] has stated forcefully that ISIS must be destroyed and that current Middle East countries must unite against it. General el-Sisi came to power in the latter stages of the 2012 Egyptian Revolution, when the military ousted the despicable Mohammed Morsi and the Al Qaeda-linked Muslim Brotherhood. Well, despite the anti-American connections that the Muslim Brotherhood makes little effort to hide, Obama is enchanted by both the organization and its leaders, including Morsi. He wants el-Sisi out and Morsi or somebody similar back in. The test on something like this has always been whether the change would be in the United States' best interests. There is no question, in this case, that putting the Muslim Brotherhood back in charge of Eqypt is not in the best interests of these United States. But it might be in the best interests of having a more far-left hegemony running the Middle East. Right Mr. President?

4) Apparently the Ukrainian Leadership was wrongly urged to make another pitch for weapons from the Obama administration. The Ukrainians are fighting a surrogate battle against Russian aggression in the eastern section of their nation. Obama gives lip service to the sanctity of their cause.

Well, if this is what he has done, what is he rumored to be thinking about? How about offering Guantanamo back to Cuba? Really? Really. How about a deal with Iran that allows them to develop a nuke? Almost certainly. Diverting money to the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt to overthrow Gen. el-Sisi? Don't bet against it. And this, fans, is just the foreign policy end of it.

Terps Alone in First Place in Big Ten Race After Pulling Away From Scarlett Knights

BALTIMORE, Maryland January 14, 2015 - There were four players in double figures Wednesday Night in College Park, Maryland as the Terrapins beat back Rutgers, 73-65. And while Jared Nickens was, indeed, one of those four, he did not lead the parade. Not im total points, at least. But in clutch and critical points, it was the precocious freshman leading all of the way. In the aftermath of the win, the No. 11 (Coaches Poll, No. 14 in AP) Terps improved to 16-2 overall and 4-1 in the Big Ten. No fewer than four other teams are right behind Maryland at 3-1 in the league, so it's not like Maryland has opened up eny breathing room. But still, if you told Mark Turgeon, the Maryland Coach, that in the Terp's first season in the basketball-crazy Big Ten, and while playing three of his first four conference games on the road, Maryland would take the court Wednesday Night, in only its second conference home game, tied for first, and would, then, win that game against a Rutgers team that had just whacked powerful Wisonsin, he would take it every single time. Indeed he would.

Nickens had 12 points, all on majestic three-point shots. One came in the first half, which ended with Maryland up by seven points. Two more came in the second half as Maryland scrambled desperately to overcome a Rutgers squad that opened the second half on an 11-0 run. Nickens contributed two more threes in that stretch. But the biggest shot of the night came with just over two minutes left and the Terps clinging to a one-point lead. Maryland worked it around the perimeter, then inside to Wells. The senior spotted Nickens squared up and open deep on the left side of the court. The pass allowed Nickens to catch it and immediately launch a shot. The shot caught nothing but the bottom of the net and Maryland had a four point lead. Rutgers never got any closer.

Jared Nickens is six feet, seven inches tall and, according to his Terp Bio, weighs 200 pounds. He is from Monmouth Junction, New Jersey and attended the Westtown School. He jumped to the attention of even casual Maryland fans when he scored 15 points off the bench in Maryland's huge non-conference win over powerful Iowa State. Nickens scored from inside and out in that game and seemed all but unstopable. In the second half of that game, one play in particular showed how much promise Nickens has. With the Cyclones in a man-to-man, Nickens took a pass and burst pass his defender and into the lane near the foul line. Another Iowa State player came out to block Nickens progress, and the original defender pushed up against him from behind. Without hesitation, Nickens took a half a step backwards to ward off the pursuer, then put a head fake on the bigger defender in front of him. When that defender left his feet, Nickens hesitated only a moment, then jumped also. He seemed to hang in the air waiting for the defender in front to return to the floor. As the defender headed down, Nickens put up a soft one-hander from ten feet away, and the shot caught only the cords at the bottom of the net.

Maryland plays Michigan State for the second time Saturday afternoon when the Spartans visit the Xfinity Center in a game to be televised by ESPN.

Up-to-the-Minute Big Ten Basketball Standings
1. Maryland: Big Ten Record: 4-1, .800 pct; Overall: 16-2
2. Wisconsin: Big Ten Record: 3-1, .750 pct, 0.5 Games Behind; Overall: 15-2
2. Indiana: Big Ten Record: 3-1, .750 pct, 0.5 Games Behind; Overall: 13-4
2. Iowa: Big Ten Record: 3-1, .750 pct, 0.5 Games Behind; Overall: 12-5
2. Michigan State: Big Ten Record: 3-1, .750 pct, 0.5 Games Behind; Overall: 12-5
6. Ohio State: Big Ten Record: 3-2, .600 pct, 1 Game Behind; Overall: 14-4
6. Michigan: Big Ten Record: 3-2, .600 pct, 1 Game Behind; Overall: 10-7
8. Nebraska: Big Ten Record: 2-2, .500 pct, 1.5 Games Behind; Overall: 10-6
8. Purdue: Big Ten Record: 2-2, .500 pct, 1.5 Games Behind; Overall: 10-7
10. Rutgers: Big Ten Record: 2-3, .400 pct, 2 Games Behind; Overall: 10-8
10. Illinois: Big Ten Record: 2-3, .400 pct, 2 Games Behind; Overall: 12-6
12. Northwestern: Big Ten Record: 1-3, .250 pct, 2.5 Games Behind; Overall: 10-7
13. Penn State: Big Ten Record: 0-4, .000 pct, 3.5 Games Behind; Overall: 12-5
14. Minnesota: Big Ten Record: 0-5, .000 pct, 4 Games Behind; Overall: 11-7

A Game the Terps Should Not Have Lost: Fighting Illini Clubs Maryland, 64-57

BALTIMORE, Maryland January 8, 2015 - I have nothing but respect fot Maryland basketball coach Mark Turgeon. He has that inate knowledge of and feel for the game that only comes with being a life-long hoop junkey. Add to that the fact that he is an accomplished recruiter and it is no secret that he is on a ridiculous upward race to the top, with the Maryland basketball team along for the joyous ride. Before last night, Maryland was 12-1 overall, 2-0 in the Big Ten, and ranked No. 9 in the Coach's poll and No. 11 in the AP Poll.

That being said, the game last night at Champaign, Illinois was not Turgeon's finest hour. Maryland lost to the Fighting Illini, 64-57, even though they led at the half, 28-26. The loss was all but assured when they began the second half by allowing the homestanding Illini to go off on a 20-3 scoring binge. Illinois played an aggressive and competent man-to-man that seemed to take Maryland out of its offense. Dez Wells never could get untracked, and while Melo Trimble finished with 17 points, he was scoreless in the second half until the final five minutes. Jake Layman played well, but finished with only ten points after sitting out all but two minutes of the first half with foul trouble.

From my perspective, we saw way too much of Robert Pack and way too little of Jared Nickens and Dion Wiley. A trio of consecutive three-pointers by Nickens, Trimble and Wylie, and three free throws by Trimble, who was fouled as he shot a three, brought Maryland to within five points, 60-55, with 24 seconds remaining, but that was as close as the Terps could get. Turgeon didn't insert Nickens into the game in the second half until there were only a few minutes left. This, despite the fact that Illinois several times played a zone against the Terps even though their man-to-man was stifling Maryland. Even Trimble saw significant bench time going down the wire.

Last season, Turgeon got some bad press for being too negative with some of his players. Some coaches can get away with being negative so long as they mix with it with being positive when it is deserved. The only ooach who was always negative and still successful was Earl Weaver, and that was in baseball. Weaver was a little Napolean, and got away with it because his teams were nothing short of outstanding, and always 100% prepared, more prepared than anybody else in the league. This year's Maryland team is crammed with precocious freshmen, many of whom have finesse games that need contant ego massaging. I hope Turgeon realizes this and can mold his Weaver-like knowledge and understanding of the game to fit this year's team. Maryland has the makings of a hugely successful team, but it will take a deft touch to get the young men through the drudgery of a winter in the Big Ten. Maybe the better comparison for Turgeon is to his predecessor, Gary Williams, who was very much like Weaver is his preparation and understanding of the game he coached. Williams, however, was said to be a pussycat during practice and only took on his Jekyll and Hyde personality changes during games. Williams was a brilliant tactician and, like Weaver, seemed to almost be able to will his teams to victory. Turgeon needed that ability last night, but it escaped him. Now, the game Saturday becomes far more important than it should be. Purdue is vastly improved over its teams of recent years, and will be looking to knock off the highly-ranked newcomers at home. If Maryland falls to Purdue, all the shine will be washed off their 2-0 Big Ten start. Maybe, just maybe, Coach Turgeon should dial up Coach Williams.

Je Suis Charlie Resounds on Paris Streets as the French React to Attack by Islamic Terrorists on French Newspaper Known for Political Satire

BALTIMORE, Maryland January 8, 2015 - The name of the newspaper was "Charlie Hebdo." It was a weekly devoted, in large part, to political satire. Located, as it was, in the home of political satire: Paris; it was not exactly unique. Nobody and nothing was spared, as the French government, the Pope, Christianity in general, and all things Islamic found themselves in the editors' crosshairs. As can be expected, tempers were picqued. Satire will do that, especially to those who do not appreciate the concept of free speech. In 2011, Islamic Terrorists reacted to a cartoon depicting the founder of the Muslim faith, Mohammed, in a less than idealistic manner by firebombing the editorial offices of the newspaper. Earlier this week, coincidentally enough, the head of the ever-and-always-evil ISIS movement was lampooned. Today, three well-armed Islamic Terrorists said to be shouting Islamic epitaphs, burst into main editorial office of Charlie Hebdo, forced a woman with a child to get them past the security aparatus on the front door, then proceeded to the second floor where an editorial meeting was in progress. The names of the paper's cartoonists and the editor were recited, and when these people were identified, they were shot with a machine gun or other weapon. Finished inside, the Islamic Terrorists left the building, only to be engaged by responding Parisian Police Officers. At least three police officers were killed in the ensuing gun battle, and then the three terrorists escaped. One of the three subsequently surrendered to police, but the main evil, two brothers by the names of Said and Cherif Kouachi, are still at large, pursued now by thousands of police across the European continent. The third terrorist, who is now is police custody, is 18-year-old Hamyd Mourad, the London daily The Independent, said today in an on-line report. French President Manuel Valls announed overnight that police have also arrested several other people suspected of being involved in the planning and carrying out of the massacre. Another dozen people were injured in the attack. At least 12 were killed in the massacre of innocents by these Islamic Terrorists. The brothers Kouachi are French nationals of Algerian descent. Algeria is a former French colony and the two nations are in constant turmoil because of that former relationship.

The French President's office has already labeled the attack an act of Terrorism. John Kerry, the United States Secretary of State, also called the attack an act of terrorism, but did not call it Islamic Terrorism, in keeping with President Obama's extreme reluctance to take such an obvious step. Kerry, who spoke first in English and then in French, told the citizens of Paris that the people of these United States stand with them in combating terrorism.

The paper's twitter page will give anyone interested a real taste of what these political satirists are up to. They are neither the most extreme nor the most demure of satirists. At this web site: http://i100.independent.co.uk/article/the-moving-tributes-to-the-victims-of-the-charlie-hebdo-shooting--lJVs7t8dcx readers will find cartoons in tribute to the ten journalists killed in the attack by evil Islamic Terrorists.