I see headway for Pakistan but is the US and Pakistan really warning and attacking each other?

Taliban retain control in parts of Swat valley - 15 May 09



Pakistan army pounds Taliban hideouts in Mingora



Who do you believe? In Pakistan headway or not this is still barely beginning! Are we really attacking and warning each other?
Pakistan Claims Advances in Swat Offensive

Pakistan Eases Curfew in Swat

Pakistan readies assault on Taliban in Swat town

Bombing, US strike
kill dozens in Pakistan

Pakistani forces raid Taliban bases

France backs India-style nuclear deal for Pakistan

Pakistan missile hits Afghan mosque

I wanted you to see the latest conflicting news between Pakistan and the Taliban as I see headway for Pakistan. However it depends on who you believe. At the same time as Pakistan is declaring victory over the Taliban the Taliban still holds mountain towns and say they will not be defeated. Also while Pakistan is firing missiles at the Taliban some "accidently" found their way into Afghanistan and though they missed and killed civilians they appear to have been aimed at an American base.

Once again we are getting conflicting information. Once again we are getting conflicting information to hide what one side or the other is really up to. What the heck is really going on? Is Pakistan targeting US bases in Afghanistan? OOPs sorry? Everything today is purposely confused and convoluted to hide the real truth so a hidden agenda can be followed.

After reading all the links all it did was confuse me. The Taliban vows to kill Americans in Afghanistan. We keep killing civilians and Taliban via drones. Pakistan is at the same time attacking us in Afghanistan. Knowing there are over a million refugees and we may or may not be the reason looking at one of the links it brought this mess home.

It was mentioned that with 1.3 million refugees it is the biggest exodus since 1947 (we did that too) England decided it was time to pull out of the area and established an ad hoc boundary separating India and Pakistan and Pakistan and Afghanistan. As was done in Africa peoples were separated that should have been together and mortal enemies were put on the same side.

Knowing this mess is barely beginning you have to come to the conclusion that agree with it or not we are the enemy. We seem to do no right! I have written on it numerous times but you have to wonder out loud the truth about what is transpiring in Afghanistan knowing we do not have clean hands anywhere not just in India, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.

* In closing I am sorry to say that I now think of Obama of being our first Black President but nothing more than a third Bush term. He has reneged on everything he ran on and as Bush would have done is only getting us deeper and deeper. You can only wonder what is really going on in Pakistan and Afghanistan? Who are the real enemies and allies? The million dollar question, How will this end for the US? I see nothing good here nothing at all!

James Joiner
Gardner, Ma
www.anaveragepatriot.com

I have to agree with Boehner Pelosi is the problem but so isn't he. Investigation, investigation!

I am so sick of the blustering crap coming from both party's. I hate to agree with Boehner who is is as big a lying Repug extremist as you can get. That said I have to agree that Pelosi is the problem but so isn't he. The truth does not matter. That is a casualty of Politics today.
Pelosi lays out a third version of what she knew about torture

I keep hearing Pelosi say that the CIA misled her and she did not say anything in 2003 because she was trying to get Democratic Senators reelected. Cut the crap! What happened to killing two birds with one stone? Walking and chewing gum at the same time? She said the CIA did not tell her they were water boarding Abu Zayda they told her they might use it. Okay what the hell is the difference? House speaker says CIA misled her on 'torture'

She has the B's to call out the CIA, they damn well better take her on. I am sick of this crap! I just heard Cheney's request to have all the torture memo tapes disclosed was denied as he knew it would be and the scum will now get even worse than before. Anyway I am sick of the side show our Political system has become since the advent of Bush and Cheney. Pelosi is another enabler and obvious liar. She should have been gone a long time ago. She calls everyone a liar so she can continue her own lying career.

I am sick of this crap! Now she is calling the CIA liars. I am sure like her and everyone else the CIA parsed their words to give Bush the Decider the cover he needed to break laws. However is is not a good thing to call the CIA liars as they have the ability to destroy careers and often do. Hers should be over anyway. Her lying was too obvious yesterday as was Boehner's. This entire torture circus should be investigated but I do not see any truth coming out as per usual. Pelosi And Boehner Urge Investigation

Pelosi is a friggen Liar! I am sick of her changing her story. Some of us have been saying it for years now like everything to no avail that all these idiots, Pelosi, Reid, Hoyer, all the dirty Democrats as well as the Republicans must go. I mean I have had enough if this crap. We would be much better off if we pressed the reset button and started from scratch. Enough is enough!

The Republicans love this! Pelosi calling the CIA liars and her being a liar has become the torture issue not the fact that Republicans are the ones that lied so they could torture. Now Leon Panetta CIA Director has come out and said she is wrong and we have to make a call. I have had enough of this. We will never get to the truth in this issue like all the rest. The issue of torture has now become Pelosi the liar not torture. She to my knowledge has changed her story 3 times. She is obviously lying. I learned as a little kid a lesson none of these Politicians learned. If you tell the truth the first time you don't worry about what you are going to say the next time.

Pelosi should be gone and of course she has Democratic defenders and Republican detractors who remember 2 different things. . I am so sick of these partisan idiots. She is lying like a rug, She has changed more than a kaleidoscope. Torture was used to get false information by Bush to justify attacking Iraq. That should be the only issue. This is an indictable offense. I am sick of the lying and cover ups. Again the real issue is purposely buried in confusion to enable a hidden agenda!

Who the hell is Boehner to cry foul? He is as big an obvious partisan liar as the rest of them. Boehner said all the torture lying happened before he had the need to know. Heeelllooo! CYOA, shouldn't someone have passed the word on? Just maybe? How do they all just continue to get away with the obvious cover ups and flat out lies? Then they get rewarded for it with reelection. What the hell is wrong with us? We have to put an end to this crap!

I wish we could have called Cheney's bluff but I hope to hell we are able to call both Boehner and Pelosi's. They are both right there should be a commission. However truth commissions are a LIE! Not just the 9/11 commission farce they are all a farce and a bad joke. Just another part of the lie we have been living since Bush. Again no truth will be uncovered or at least divulged to us.

Once again everyone is guilty but will be found to be innocent. The finding will declare a "misunderstanding" There was no misunderstanding just one more cover up. Once again as I have to say too often since the advent of Bush and the new standard of lie as long as you get your way became the new "truth" Just another part of the lie we are living today! Create a gray area to enable you to do what you want. That is all that matters today doing what you want. When the truth comes out it is dismissed as a misquote, a misunderstanding, a miscomprehension.

I am sick of this crap! Did I say that yet? These political childish idiots do not care about our or the worlds dire situation as like little kids they continue to play their lying childish games . This isn't kindergarten here. These are supposed to be our leaders not our misleader. The two party system once again proves to be our biggest enemy!

* In closing, Once again Republicans are playing CYOA to spread the blame and cover the real issue. Cheney in the end should be taken to task. Like everyone else under Bush the A@* hole Decider I believe the CIA was doing Bush's bidding. At this point we do not have a choice. Bring the whole friggen mess out. If that happened Cheney and Bush would be found guilty. That will never happen though. Even if Holder calls for an independent commission as he should one again the truth will never be known at least by us.The lie we started living under Bush will continue under Obama. Cynical? You bet!

James Joiner
Gardner, Ma
www.anaveragepatriot.com

Republicans have a driving desire to lose! Is it Senility?

I have heard it before but I heard Lindsey Graham who I can't stand quoted again as saying he does not want Republicans to be known as a party of angry old white men foaming at the mouth. The party no one wants to see let alone listen too. Too late! As they see themselves decline and with no chance of recovery they desperately look for ways to be young again. It is just like watching someone get old in a nursing home desperately trying to get out. Think about it!

You know the Cheney tag team rove and others are pounding on Obama on the torture issue. Obama is now being accused of back sliding by both party's for not doing as he said he would when he was running and that was in this instance to be transparent. Both sides are using the fact that he said he would be transparent against him. In this instance it is in regard to his saying he would release additional torture photos and it is coming from the left.

This is not back sliding. It is not a reversal, he is merely engaging brain which those with selfish interests are incapable or unwilling to do. I told you, Obama is on his own! This is merely a temporary wise stay as now is not the time to release additional photos of Americans torturing. Knowing a Presidents seeming penchant in damaging the US image the photos will come out and they will work against us. Whack! Thank You Sir may I have another! I just do not know any more.

Obama has largely done a great job but has not pleased me or any of us all the time. I disagree with a lot of his decisions but I am apprehensive to call a lot of this "back sliding" He is merely regrouping fortifying waking up to the reality that he can not act as quickly as he would like. At least I hope!

Pelosi and Reid like many complicit Democrats are as guilty as Cheney and Bush. Obama is being criticized because Gitmo has not been closed yet and now for not releasing the additional torture photos that would only serve at this time to give the MSM something else to talk about and to further divide and anger the country let alone what it would do in the Islamic world or anywhere else.

The timing of releasing the tapes right now is just wrong with Memorial Day right around the corner. President Obama is finding his limitations are many and his options few.No matter what he decides to do it will be declared wrong and endangering America by Cheney, Rove, and the rest of the Reich wing fear mongering Republican extremist agenda.

Again this is another given. By now I have said it numerous times but it must be obvious by now that Obama from day one has been set up for failure. If and when it does happen failure they worked for will be used by Republicans to regain control and finish us and their new disorder off. We must be smart enough to resist this from happening.

Obama is being accused of not releasing the photos as if he made the decision on his own. He was advised and rightly so I say not to release them at this time. General Odierno said no and Gates advised not now as it would endanger troops and Americans in general. Obama did campaign on transparency and it may be an excuse but now says he will not release them now as it will start anti American fervor all over again. For now I will reserve judgment and give Obama the benefit if doubt assuming he is simply doing the right thing and engaging brain before acting!

I am really impressed! We are not the only ones against water boarding. Jessie Ventura is seething. He was livid that Cheney continues to go on Fox and justify torture. I have to ask, when will Republicans be smart enough to pull the plug on the destroyer of their future? Ventura who as you know is no shrinking violet, speaks his mind, and is more than capable of backing it up. Ventura says he wishes he was President because torture is illegal and he would water board everyone that said otherwise. He would water board Cheney until he admitted to the Sharon Tate murders. I am sure he would. That would make Manson happy any way.

I have to ask! Why are those photos by the way in our bet interest? I know what was done and that it came from the top. I don't deem it in my best interest to fan the flames oh American hate here and around the world. Only to Partisans and MSM seeking to capitalize off the mayhem. Our Commanders in Iraq say attacks will increase up to 200% if the photos are released. I don't know about that, the so called terrorists already know they exist and that Obama declared them milder than those already shown. Obama said they are not sensational but do not agree with standard army behavior.

Word is that what Obama is really doing is slowing down the prosecution of torture. As if they needed any help! I believe they will raise more ire and consternation in the US than they will around the Islamic world. The pictures will show it was not a few Rogue soldiers as was the original lie by Cheney Rummy and Bush but that it came from the top as we knew. The pictures should at least go too a commission and for once an honest commission. America being America though, those pictures will leak out like everything and as expected appall America and the entire world. Another anti American can of worms has been opened.

Obama can not stop their showing now. Only the courts can. It is my own belief that they will with hold them in the name of our national security interest and then Obama will have his excuse for not being transparent. The courts won't allow me. What a novel move huh? Cheney stupidly as usual says the country must stand up to Obama. Maybe so but not in being against torture. Cheney says because Obama says it does not make it right. Liz backs him up saying Obama id cozying up to and siding with the terrorists. What is going on? What happened to secretive quiet Cheney? I'll tell you, he lost his puppet Bush! Whether we are attacked again or not and we will be, I will be indifferent. It will not be a reaffirmation that Cheney was right it will be because Cheney instigated it.

* In closing! We should not torture. Another attack will eventually happen anyway. I do believe that if the clock was ticking and I had the person with the information in my custody on a horrendous attack I would do whatever it takes to stop it wouldn't you? However Bush and Cheney put us in the fray. They lowered the standard. After the hearings two days ago we now have the proof from a CIA interrogator that torture does not work.

Information was being given until the water boarding started. Abu Zayda did not divulge actionable information. After being water boarded 83 times ha knew he was not going to be drowned. He simply started playing his interrogators game. He gave them information they wanted to hear. Even McCain said he did it too. I told you a study should be done on how much actionable information was attained if any versus conventional torture methods. Sounds sick doesn't it? I can't believe we are talking about this!

James Joiner
Gardner, Ma
www.anaveragepatriot.com

The Cheney torture Justification tag team!

Cheney keeps throwing fuel on the torture memo fire. He keeps saying torture kept us safe and gave us information we otherwise would not have gotten. As I keep saying, a study should be done to determine how much of that information was actionable and how much was worthless. Just given to stop the torture! Or of the torture was just used to keep false information thus this so called war on terror going.

We must take the moral high ground. There must be a better way than torture. It Bothers me that the most secretive VP in history to enable his misdeeds now that the gig is up has become the most talkative in history to hopefully get away with those deceitful misdeeds. It is time to put him to bed. There must be a law.

Certainly since the nightmare Bush snuck into office we have been clandestine. There has been no transparency or oversight. We must have transparency. As far as torture goes transparency is not just Pelosi's big gripe. The whole bunch is peeved that they use to be able to lie about everything. With Obama's new policy of transparency their complacency in Bush's crimes are coming to light. transparency has become the enemy of both sides thanks to Bush being the crime decider.

Anyway the torture memo hearings started yesterday. An FBI interrogator said torture does not work. Information was provided but as soon as torture started the information stopped. Quite contrary to what Cheney is saying so of course that guy is being dismissed as a disgruntled employee. I am so sick of this crap. I was thinking another reason for Herr Cheney's stupidity is that if there are hearings he can say he was under the impression it was legal though that is BS. We know low level Lawyers were found to write the so called torture memos and lo and behold he was given a Judgeship. Gee another coincidence!

I hope these hearings are mot more window dressing and will lead to something like a commission that actually functions to determine the truth. Remember the 9/11 commission hearings? They were a friggen bad joke. Cheney and Bush talking together holding each others hands, Rice lying through hr teeth and being labeled a hero, Everyone guilty as hell but with one of the few "partisan" efforts we see resulting an everyone being innocent and getting off scot free. What a friggen country, only in America!

All Cheney's efforts to say water boarding which was declared illegal during WW2 is okay and not torture is BS. It better be found as such. Listening too or even seeing snarling Dick Cheney is pure torture. I heard reference that water boarding is torture but Cliff May defended it being done by us saying that is an international law. He said we are not subject to international law in the US. What the heck is that? I am sick of semantics and worthless word games designed to enable ones crimes. Does that mean torture is illegal everywhere but in the US?

Now the Cheney torture tag team! I do not know if you noticed it or not but a method has developed in Cheney's efforts to justify his torture. One day Cheney comes out and says Obama is aiding the terrorists and snarlingly says torture is justified and is what kept us safe, In every instance the next day Liz Cheney hits the air waves defending her father saying Obama is siding with the terrorist and her Dad just does not want to see Obama endangering the country and discontinue water boarding which worked, An FBI interrogator just testified it does not work and has the opposite effect.

Of course the truth does not stop them. Now we have another generation discounting it as coming from a disgruntled employee or just a lie. I am so sick of this! Liz Cheney is supposedly the new fresh young "gay" voice of the big tent party again defending torture and everything Bush. What may I ask has changed?

Wait a minute, another sideshow, this just does not stop! I just heard Limbaugh say Obama is deliberately trying to destroy the economy. Wait a minute how is that possible? Didn't Bush already purposely wreck it? Just how do you wreck a wrecked economy? Supposedly Obama is trying to Sabotage the stock market. Didn't Greenspan already do that for Bush? Are we not paying the price now? Limbaugh is making accusations of forced reparations.

Limbaugh says Obama is purposely creating a welfare state. Isn't that what they said about FDR? Yes it it so I guess that is a good thing. Limbaugh stupidly said Obama is getting even for slavery. Does that mean only Blacks will be part of Obama's welfare state? That is one warped mind. I refuse to believe the likes of Cheney and Limbaugh influence Republicans let alone what the rest of the extremists say.

Oh yeah, speaking of stupidity other Republican extremists Cavutto suggested that he heard wrongly held should and would get welfare for being wrongly held. Where the hell do they get this crap? I am sick of hearing Cheney loves the US. He does not, does not. He loves only his and Bush's version and keeping himself out of jail. Dick Cheney appears to be a defendant working a jury. Why the relentless torture PR? campaign? I thought Cheney was going to retire and go fishing?

James Joiner
Gardner, Ma
www.anaveragepatriot.com

Like Principles, Empathy, walking in anothers shoes, Consideration, It is all necessary to success into the future!

I spent two days gathering data on Cheney who was the real President of the US under Bush because he is doing his damnedest to create a return to the mess created by him and Bush. I see absolute failure in that regard but after months of seeing my reporting of their perverted efforts as my own thoughts I thought I better do a little explaining.

The trigger was yesterday being needlessly corrected for something I do not believe by a good friend who should know me by now. Then I went to all voices and heard more of the same form someone who obviously had a biased interest and was telling me what I thought and he was not even in the ball park.

I have said it numerous times now including in past books but I do not matter. You do not matter. I raised my sons teaching them it was not about them but about the whole of society, the world, the big picture. My ex use to get mad at me because I put others first. She called me a martyr but that is not it. You do not want a return to Cheney's perverted mind set. If their is, the perception that Islam is the enemy will ring true again. That was Cheney and Bush's mantra to enable following their superiority agenda. Not mine nor anyone else's that I am aware of beyond the Republican extremists who want a return to Bush and Cheney's mess.

I have always wondered why people could not see the truth, What the unbiased truth was so hard to get disseminated. Until I was researching Thomas Jefferson for my first book and he said unless someone has the same principles as you save your breath. You will never get them to agree with your view or the truth. I see that enforced every day in every way inn every situation and in every part of the world today.

Everyone seems to think it is all about them or what they want. You should not even be the issue! The big picture, right or wrong! Thomas Jefferson felt that once you join a society that you and your desires are subservient to the good of society. Forget about that. That is no longer true. It is reinforced every day regardless of the subject that people interject their own biased desires and needs into any given subject.

No one appears capable of practicing empathy, of walking in another's shoes. Yesterday majorly emphasized that. It made me think back to Obama in looking for a Supreme court replacement emphasized he wanted someone with empathy for every man. Right off the bat Republican Senator's said that smacks of a hidden agenda and is a no go from the get go. That is asinine to me.

Does that mean empathy, thinking of others, or putting others first is only a Democratic thing? That is asinine. When I supply links or state what others are saying I am simply stating what is out there. Not that I agree with it or that I feel that way. It is simply what is out there. I simply want you to see what is out there. What society and the world is getting for information.

It gets quite tiring to be told repetitively what I think and how wrong it is. We all know about opinion. If have one I will state it. You will know it! Most often especially in regard to our position in Pakistan and Afghanistan in any regard. It is not my thought. It is not my feeling it is that of the ruling Government. Obama. I would not and do not think that all Indians think as their leader does. I do not think they all feel like Mahatma Gandhi.

I do not think all Pakistani's think the same way nor should they. Likewise the entire world should understand we did not think the way the way the past mis-Administration was acting. Often not this one either. We are all simply average citizens of the world and can only endeavor for perfection which will never be attainable.

Primarily because every political Party, every world Government, has their own biased interest in mind not their citizens or the good of the world. Our country's will not do it but we the citizens of the world can strive to put aside our own bias desires for the good of the world and the future.

James Joiner
Gardner' Ma
www.anaveragepatriot.com

Swift boating Obama's healthcare plan a failure from the get go!

Obama announces Healthcare Proposal with Healthcare system on Board



The ass hole swift boaters who sank John Kerry with their lies are already trying to do the same with President Obama's Health care plan showing horror stories from Canada and other Nations of patients having to wait inhumane lengths of time for emergency care or operations. Hell it sounds like our system. They stupidly point out that some of those patients have to come here for treatment. They fail to point out that we have worse waits here. Worse in the worlds wealthiest nation we have 45 million with no health care at all. That is unconscionable!

We are already ahead of the game! The health care Industry has already signed on board President Obama's plan. They have already proposed $2 trillion in future cost raises. With President Obama's proposed additional cost of $2 trillion tempered with an estimated $60 billion in tax increases for the wealthy ant to speak of the ending of off shore tax shelters. we are already ahead of the game.

We are certainly ahead of the game and while the underhanded swift boat tactics have worked in the past when they should have failed in the name of patriotism, honesty, and the good of the nation not the Repug party they will fail this time. Average Americans have had enough! We are sick of the lies and the games while we are simply allowed to go down the tubes.

Doctors do not enforce patients following their recommendations or taking their medication because they make their money not in prevention but in resultant operations. In the same way pharmaceutical companies make their money in keeping you sick not in curing you. All that has to change.

Health care must be sped up but health cure has to be the ultimate goal! Proper Health care is only a means to an end. The entire health care industry is on board as no one wants the train to leave the station without them. Unions, Doctors, insurers, everyone is on board. As Obama has proposed publishing a list of those who refuse to cooperate in moving from the off shore tax shelters the same should be done in this regard. Obama, industry leaders join to cut healthcare costs

They will come around when their services are no longer needed. I just can not understand what the hell took so long. This will blow Hillary's and all past efforts away. Of course Republicans are scoffing at all this. However, as I keep saying, that means it is a great idea and it will work. It is a good thing for average Americans and our America so the Republicans of course are against it!

* Besides what the large Banks, The insurance Industry, and Wall street has done to us Obama has me convinced that health care is our major block to recovery. It must be reformed now and monitored closely if we are to recover. This was another historic announcement and day but just a start as Obama also works to reduce abuse, waste, and fraud. Total reform and monitoring that is what it is going to take.

We must drastically reduce rapidly inflated rising costs. You must be able to pick your own Doctor and their must be quality health care for all not just for those who can afford it. I still say I would like to see Congress forced to use this same system. That would insure that is is made a Quality system. This is about the quality of life. A quality that is rapidly diminishing. We must have this at the very least. It will give people a sense of safety where today for so many people there is none!

James Joiner
Gardner, Ma
www.anaveragepatriot.com

Guiliani: Fighting the Taliban is our war we will persevere! Yee ha! Plus Top 10 reasons why Sharia is bad for all societies!

I am feeling much better about the situation in Pakistan! That 1.3 million man Pakistani army is not a joke. Now that I know Pakistan realizes the Taliban is hot just ours and Afghanistan's enemy he is theirs. The Taliban is the number one threat to their Democracy and they now know it.

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/KB19Df01.html"> Remember the Taliban get their wish? That was one wish too many and now Pakistan knows it.

Pakistan found out quickly the Taliban was not going to be placated with the Swat valley. They quickly turned it into a place everyone but their murderous male only club would think of as a hell on earth. The Taliban upon taking control of the Swat valley immediately instituted Sharia law amongst many other things banning girls from school saying female education is against the law. The Taliban have burned schools and Colleges, some 150 I understand and not just in the Swat.


Gilani: Fighting the Taliban is our war we will persevere! Yee ha!
From Air and Ground, Pakistan Strikes Back at Taliban

Villagers trapped between Taliban and Pakistan's war machine

Swat residents 'urged to fight'

Operations against Taliban till their elimination: Gilani

Top 10 reasons why Sharia is bad for all societies!

You read the 10 reasons why Sharia law can not be allowed to rule anywhere let alone Pakistan. The Taliban told the teachers at all the schools that if they were enemies of the US they would not be touched as long as girls are no longer taught after 4th grade. The Taliban had opened its own court system dispensing Sharia punishment in Public places

I reiterate that I know Pakistan we are told has the 7th largest army in the world with a standing force of some 650,000 and around 500,000 reservists. We are told they are more than able to handle the Taliban but I don't know. It is the ISI I am concerned about. The history of a myriad of military coups in Pakistan is more than a little disconcerting.

Whose side will this large military force really come down on? Will they tear themselves apart? Turn on the Govern? Split? Join the Taliban? With a population of a rumored 45 million Pashtun how many can the Taliban drag behind their murderous cause to kill those who disagree with them and kill and drive us out?

* In closing! You know the the complex convoluted history of Pakistan despite its core of good hearted innocent civilians who I call friends. The promised hell on earth for America and the world along the Pakistan Afghan Border is rapidly taking shape. Think about the possibilities, the volatilities, the convolution that is the entire region. How will this play out? I want to say time will tell but not in its entirety, not in the ending story, the turnout?

James Joiner
Gardner, Ma
http://anaverageamericanpatriot.blogspot.com

Snarling Mad dog Cheney wants a return to Reaganism Jeb Bush says it's time to let it go! What say you?

Is Dick Cheney a psychopath? You know he wants the country to get hit again for Political gain!



Cheney wants to press the reset button back to the Bush years! Success! Once you have had it you are drunk with it, you want more. You can't get enough. Sadly success for Cheney and Bush equals total failure to average Americans and our America. I don't really want to talk about Specter abandoning the sinking Republican ship. I don't want to dwell on the lying torture and Bush destruction enabler Pelosi, Reid, or the rest of them. They are al guilty. They were all guilty. I just want to say a few words about the snarling scum who beside Rove I consider the real reason for the so called success of the Bush Cheney mis-Administration.

Hopefully you will read the story at the link and watch the video about Cheney being a psychopath. He is I think many of you know and he is doing his damnedest to justify the torture, death, and destruction, that marked the Bush years and their so called success. bush, Cheney, and Rove were the real axis of evil.We can not allow them to rewrite history. We can not allow them to glorify this mess. We can not allow them to fool people into thinking those Fascists were good for us and the world and we should return to their policies.

No kidding: Cheney mentioned he thought some of us were upset that, that snarling maggot cast the tie breaking vote in the Senate. Along with everything else that gave many of us to give in to the inevitability that we were now going to be totally controlled to follow an agenda good for none of us and of which we had no control whatsoever.

The 2000 elections, 9/11 attacks, anthrax attacks, Cheney. Katrina, the whole 9 yards of this Bush Cheney mis-Administration is just a part of the total lie we are still living today. I am stunned that anyone can get away with calling that abortion success, I was sickened knowing the total mess Bush and Cheney made of us and the world and the scum Bush rode into the sunset bragging about his destruction. I have said it before but it is time to call Cheney on his Bluff. My overwhelming thought it the Senate was blackmailed into submission and at this point all of them on sides are guilty and complicit.

From beginning to end with this Bush mis-Administration including both sides of Congress we will never know the truth. Cheney says it would be a mistake for Republicans to be more moderate. A mistake for the small minded "big tent" party to try and be like Democrats. What a sicko! It is exactly what they need to compete with Democrats. At this point I guess we can only hope they hold on to Bush era priorities all the way to obscurity!

Listen to Cheney. He will keep the diminishing Republican party diminishing. The Cheney Bush way of doing business has hit the point of diminishing returns. Cheney is punch drunk, insane. He said most Americans are happy with water boarding. Snarling Mr. Torture thinks torture made us safe and is the reason why we have not had another attack. Hell we have not had another attack because they aided and abetted the first one to enable them to follow their fascist misagenda. Doesn't anyone get it?

* In closing! Cheney stupidly thinks Republicans and thus the country should stick to the values that were employed under Cheney and Bush. Reagan the Father of all our problems. The Reaganism that got us into 2 world wars,a recession,and the worst jobless rate in 25 years with the ling term unemployment rate at 27% the highest since 1948. Progress you can be proud of, that guy is an idiot! We should hope that Republicans do return to the fundamental philosophies of Reaganism that started this big spending war mongering mess. The big tent party will continue to shrink and flounder and thus will be the party of no return.

James Joiner
Gardner, Ma
www.anaveragepatriot.com

Swatted in the Swat valley!

Residents Flee Pakistani War Zone



Who will it be? The Taliban, Pakistani's, Pakistan's military, us, the world, all of the above, Who?

Swat a just developing Human wasteland seemingly promised by all involved!

Gen.: Taliban Hit Civilians, Blamed US

Cleric Behind Swat Truce Changes Tune

Fear and Taliban sympathizers follow flood of refugees from Swat

Pakistanis flee fighting, crowd camps

Leaders seek to rally Pakistanis

is Pakistan really ready to implode? from a fellow blogger

There are said to be 15,000 fighters on the ground in the Swat valley in Pakistan. Civilians are increasingly dying as they are being killed by the Taliban and being used as human shields. At least half a million innocent civilians are said to be on the run trying to avoid both sides and the fighting. I heard and saw all the talk about America killing a record 150 Pakistani civilians in the Swat valley. Like everyone else I was upset with the US.

Then like you I hear that the civilians were murdered by the Taliban. Again the truth is hidden from us. We again are purposely being confused so a selfish destructive in this case murderous agenda can be followed. With the first of the additional promised US troops now on the ground in Afghanistan the noose is tightening but around who?

Mullah Omar in a recent CNN interview promised to kill all American and other foreign infidel invaders. As I keep saying and you know by now, like it or not this is just beginning. While we are ramping up in Afghanistan the Taliban and Al Qaeda have joined forces to take us on and are on the move through Pakistan increasingly mining civilian houses we are told to blame the death and destruction on Americans. You saw all this before as this is all to gain civilian support and additional martyrs to kill Americans.

I will spare you thousands of years of history in the Swat valley and the Pakistan Afghan border area all the way to Iran. However once more I will ask you to read this short but chilling story titled The Taliban get their first wish

I know Pakistan we are told has the 7th largest army in the world with a standing force of some 650,000 and around 500,000 reservists. We are told they are more than able to handle the Taliban but I don't know. It is the ISI I am concerned about. The history of a myriad of military coups in Pakistan is more than a little disconcerting.

Whose side will this large military force really come down on? Will they tear themselves apart? Turn on the Govern? Split? Join the Taliban? With a population of a rumored 45 million Pashtun how many can the Taliban drag behind their murderous cause to kill those who disagree with them and kill and drive us out?

* In closing! You know the the complex convoluted history of Pakistan despite its core of good hearted innocent civilians who I call friends. The promised hell on earth for America and the world along the Pakistan Afghan Border is rapidly taking shape. Think about the possibilities, the volatilities, the convolution that is the entire region. How will this play out? I want to say time will tell but not in its entirety, not in the ending story, the turnout?

James Joiner
Gardner, Ma
www.anaveragepatriot.com

Republicans save yourself!

Stop wasting our and your time and efforts on this crap! It annoys me that Republicans are getting so desperate that they are now parading Bristol Palin around the talk show circuit spreading new lies. I saw her with her Father saying do as I say not as I do. Remember when Paling was running for VP? Bristol then said that while she was in labor her mother was her biggest worry and nightmare. She said Paling did not have a clue as to reality. Of course we know that is still true.

Now all of a sudden as Republicans get increasingly desperate, try to find their feet, get on their legs, and find some sort of viable following Bristol "sees the light" With her Father by her side Bristol says abstinence is the only thing that works in stopping teen age pregnancy. Gee that would have nothing with a Paling 2012 run would it?

Six months ago Bristol said abstinence was a ridiculous idea and no teenager would listen to it. She is also still insisting her ex boyfriend is in the babies life while he is on TV saying the Paling family keeps him away. Hot just paling Palin but they all have to stop lying. Let these right to lifers go. Republicans you killed your base! It has eroded you are nothing.

Get with real life, the real issues that matter to Americans, Our Survival as a country and a people. Debt, houses, jobs, the environment, our future, those are our concerns. Not gay marriage and pre marital sex, those are individual choice we have to deal with. They are not for Politics. Wake up! Get with the program. We all wish to god or whoever that was all we had to worry about. Those are dead issues. We have life to worry about. We are here we are now. Get with it worry about us, our real concerns.

Drop the Business Industry, drop the social issues. Stop the blame game for the myriad of problems you created. Concern yourself with the real issues. Our economy, Afghanistan and Pakistan that continue to get worse every day while you play games those are all our problems. Get with it!

Pakistan is getting more volatile every day. Yesterday in Pakistan and around the world was that Americans were killing Pakistani citizens, 150 I heard, encroaching on Pakistan's sovereignty more and more. I was horrified and concerned like the rest of the world. Then I wake up to hear an investigation found that in order to get sympathy for their fight the Taliban had murdered their own people.

It makes you cringe at the inhumanity and desperation but the Taliban rounded up families and dropped grenades on them. I think Pakistani's are starting to wake up to the fact that yes Americans sometimes kill civilians. However, accidentally! We have to kill the Taliban before they kill us now. Whoever started all this no longer matters. The Taliban will not stop until they accomplish their goal so whichever side of the whose fault issue you come down on we can not relent either.

The people of Pakistan must unite with us before it is too late. The Taliban are moving in on Islamabad and murdering them. The Taliban is the enemy not Democrats. Republicans better wake up. Stop crying, stop looking for people to follow your selfish Partisan agenda. Join the crowd, join the world. Help save the economy, help save the world and save yourself!

James Joiner
Gardner, Ma
http://anaverageamericanpatriot.blogspot.com

What does turn on Republicans beside being against Democrats and Empathy?

What does turn on Republicans these days? They say ending borrowing, bailouts, and a return to fiscal discipline. However that is BS! Bush is responsible for all that and much more so by definition now that the Democrats are in they are against everything Bush because Obama is now the face of those problems created by Bush and Republicans do not want a return to our America.They want Reagan and Bush's version.

I was listening to R Representative Pence being interviewed and he made the stupid statement that he does not remember poll numbers. No kidding? Numbers only matter to Republicans when they can be used against Democrats. That was in response to him being questioned as to what he thought about the fact that only one in five today have the stomach to admit they are Republican. Yeah right that is still too high anyway!

I was more than a little bothered that Pence kept invoking Jack Kemp as his hero and the man that stood for everything good about the party and being his hero was responsible for him becoming a Republican. That is too bad to me. I guess everything good about the Republican party died with Jack Kemp. He was a good man but the guy just died. I never heard his name invoked before. Rally your base on a dead man that makes sense coming from Republicans trying to bring back Reaganism.

Reaganism got us into this in the first place. However, hell they have no one alive to lean on. Republicans have a split position on science, evolution, everything. They still cannot answer a question straight. I have to laugh! Officially they think prehistoric bones were planted by liberals interested in furthering their partisan agenda. Their stance bar none since Bush, Schiavo, everything really is sickening and counter to morality.

They are a joke a bad joke! The party of Revolutionaries, the all inclusive party, the Big tenet party reinventing themselves yet again or so they want you to think. Did you see Joe the Plumber the real fake Nazi face of the Republican party This is sad but true. This was put together by the ever prodigious diligent Jolly Roger at Reconstitution!

What a coincidence another Republican who is not what they say they are. Joe the wannabe plumber was actually a sprinkler installer. This friend of Palin's another truth sayer when on the campaign trail for Palin and McCain stated he had gay friends and does not have a problem with them. A couple days ago when questioned on it he said he would not allow "Queers" anywhere near his kids. No wonder he doesn't have a problem with them! With his definition of "Queer" being anyone that goes against the norm, their norm we are all Queers.

The lies and idiocy does not stop it only continues to get worse every day as Republicans get increasingly desperate to stop Obama, Democrats, and empathy. Lindsey Graham says Republicans are poised to come roaring back. God help us! He better look at his big tent party again, it is the Big Top party, a circus. I was stunned to hear Graham say Republicans are closer to Americans than Obama. Where has he been the last few years? Obama is polling at 70% and Republicans at 21%, Hellloooo!

I know Republicans supposedly do not care about polls and numbers but I see they do not care about elections or Americans either and you know that is true. The party of No continues to have no ideas despite constant retooling other than to fight Obama, Democrats, and empathy. They have no ideas they have no product they have nothing but hate for us and a desire to control us once again. I still see no new faces, no one taking charge. listening to Pence who was obviously afraid to say what he really believed about science and evolution in schools, this is seriously counter American and wrong.

The so called all inclusive Republican party must stand up and really tell the truth, really be all inclusive. Stop talking the talk and walk the walk for once. They do not want to be all inclusive. They merely want their way and to be in control again. That will not happen. They have it all wrong again. Under normal conditions saying you want smaller Government may be okay however thanks to Bush these are not normal times. We need the Government to to supply us with answers. We need their control. We need direction and Obama is supplying it not Republicans.

* In closing look at this again! Pence the fool said we need a return to fiscal discipline and making the Hard choices. Fiscal discipline that was discipline. Hard choices that is Obama. He and all Republicans better learn to engage brain before opening mouth and learn to be accountable for what comes out of it. Pence wants an unapologetic return to moral values and American ideals. Republicans? Again, isn't that Obama? I am listening to Pence speaking for the Republican party hemming and hawing. Nothing has changed they can not answer a straight question. They can not care about the environment. In that respect their only passion is to drill baby drill.

Their only real passion is to defeat Democrats and their empathy and that will not happen under any of them I see alive. Pence could not say he believed in evolution, come on get real! He would not say he believed in science. He would not say if he thought creationism should be taught in school. He wanted to know what the questioner was getting at. What's he getting at? Speak the truth. Be up front as to what you really believe and let the chips fall where they may. Republicans know that would keep us in power for ever as truth be told they are the exclusive party not the inclusive party.

James Joiner
Gardner, Ma
www.anaveragepatriot.com

The growing Republican idiocy on Obama's Judicial intentions!

I can not believe Orin Hatch and other Republicans are accusing Obama of using code to hide what his real intentions are in choosing a new Supreme court Judge. He does not need to use code. He does not have to hide his real intentions nor does he. Wanting someone who has empathy for the little guy Republicans say means he will be Partisan. What the hell is that? Republicans being stupid enough to even think that let alone say it speaks volumes about them not Obama.

I thought they were all inclusive, the Big tent party? Does that mean they are not for the little guy as we know they are not? Hatch said Obama called him and assured him that he does not want a radical. To Republicans a radical is someone who will put individual rights and average Americans first. To them empathy is a dirty word on par with Liberal.

Senator Leahy too said he wants someone with empathy as only makes sense to an idiot. He wants someone who will side with real Americans. I have to laugh. That is scaring the hell out of Republicans. Real Americans average Americans they do not matter to Republicans only they and their supporters do. Someone that puts real Americans first, does that mean same sex marriage? Free choice? Pro abortion?

You get the distinct idea that Republicans are scared to hell that concern for real Americans will hold precedence over the Republican party. This is a really good thing.The Republicans constantly show their lunacy and true colors. This is one more opportunity for them to do so. This is actually funny! Republicans can not stop doing themselves in.

Senator Hatch is an idiot! He said choosing someone with empathy is unacceptable. What the hell it that? He said if Obama is Pragmatic he will be okay. He is afraid Justices will make decisions he thinks should be left up to elected officials. I was under the impression that Supreme court Justices knew better? Hell they supposedly did in 2000. Since when can we trust a politician anyway? Especially a Republican?

Roe V Wade, Brown verse the Board of education, that should be left up to Politicians? Republicans more specifically if they had their way and you know what the decisions would be. Why do they not just cut the crap and say give us our way period? Obama as usual does not agree with activism I would say but he will once again do something no one expects.

I heard all 8 but at least 7 of the 8 justices went to Harvard or Yale. If Sonia Sotomayor is Obama's pick as I expect the Republicans are promising problems. However read about the youth of Sotomayor More about her shortly but I still think Sotomayor is the right choice for the job. Regardless of ignorant Republican concerns when all is said and done Obama will get what he wants and it will be good for average Americans.

The word "Liberal" is the as you know like empathy is a dirty word.Republicans are against everything Obama but the word Liberal is why. The word Liberal has become a good word to the rest of the country as they will save us from the mess Bush created and Republicans want to keep us in. A constitutionally minded Justice who has empathy for average Americans may frighten Republicans but it is just what we need. I hear speculation Hillary may be the pick but no way, Obama is happy about the job she is doing as Secretary of State.

* This is a lifetime decision! Obama has been forced to make many important decisions since day one because of Bush however this choice will be the most important decision he will have made to date and it has nothing to do with Bush. I have heard Obama's pick could come in as early as a week. As you know, Obama wants someone with real life experience and if you read the Wikipedia above on Sotomayor you know she fits the bill. However knowing what Hatch said about a pick that thinks they can get in his way and that Sotomayor said in 2005 that the Supreme Court is where policy is made there will be a fight as promised by Hatch.

James Joiner
Gardner, Ma
www.anaveragepatriot.com

Obama's new tax code crack down necessary to the recovery of our America!

Obama's necessary tax code crack down is being called by firms abusing the system increasingly by Bush "a back door tax increase" Whatever! It is a tax reform we need in order to recover our America from the mess Bush made of it. Those that benefit from this gravy train do not want it to end and will continue to kick and scream to keep it going. They will make us pay for its ending. Tax Haven's abused in the Cayman Island's, Bermuda, the Bahamas, and elsewhere, the likes of China India,I am sure,. they must end.

There are a thousand firms in the Cayman Island's alone. America's average citizen's will ultimately be screwed for making those firms abusing this system but this is about tax fairness not a tax hike as firms that abuse this along with Republican's and Politicians representing those companies and not you, want you to believe. Any way you look at it, it is not pessimism but reality in today's world that we will be mad to regret President Obama holding abusive firms accountable and forcing them to do the right thing and pay their fair share of America's taxes.

We must end tax deferment abuse and once again Obama is the man to do it! When I was researching this prior to Obama's speech on tax reform I was amazed to see a who's who of abusively profitable main stream companies on the list but I guess I shouldn't have been. As I am with Politicians I am sickened to hear how much companies love America and love the people while they continue to screw average Americans and our America while only helping themselves.

There was a letter sent to Congress by companies and lobbyists who as far as I and most likely you are concerned, own Congress and America. The letter was signed by 200 companies such as Pfizer, Oracle, Microsoft, Johnson and Johnson, and G. E. The choke hold these companies have on Congress thus us and our America must end. Obama must succeed in every instance if we are to succeed in our recovery of our America Bush worked so hard to destroy.

Now, Obama said he will assign up to 800 new Federal agents to enforce the new laws. If a company refuses to divulge their practices they will be made public. This is great! Just before Obama spoke I heard a bigger number. I heard there are 18,900 companies taking advantage of the loopholes in the Cayman's. This is low hanging fruit for Obama but it is necessary picking for our recovery and I am psyched. The policy of shifting money around to avoid paying taxes must stop. To avoid raising the taxes of individual citizens and to raise the funds we need to fix Bush's mess and continue to function, these tax loopholes must end.

Cisco and the numerous other companies that play the tax loophole shell game to inflate their profits at our expense will of course will attempt to pass the cost on to us. We then must in turn boycott them if and when necessary until they normalize profits. American's all of us must realize Obama can lead the way and he will but we must all step and ensure compliance. There will be many companies trying to find a way around this and I am sure they are already.

Obama began his speech saying "of course" no one likes paying taxes but most do and It is time to stop the safe havens. Obama understated the problem by saying a small number" of companies use the tax haven loopholes to avoid paying their share. Obama's speech on tax haven loophole crackdown

Small number! I just heard that out of the top 100 companies in the country 83 of them were using the loopholes. That is a bigger problem than we know. Most of us know we have been screwed in this regard too for years. Biden's chief economist Jared Bernstein was dead right when he said US corporations were incentivized to to go overseas. I wan to add that it was really pushed by Bush as part of his program to de-industrialize our America and create a one world economy led by the US. Obama will now de-incentivize them to get them back in the US where they belong. Obama will unify the world again if they all cooperate.

In closing With Bush the destroyer gone and Obama thankfully in charge now is the time to close the tax loopholes that allow a "small number" of companies to avoid paying their share of taxes. Man you really have to wonder. Bush allowed companies to avoid paying their share of taxes while giving the wealthy back much of their contribution. How did we even survive? How much better off if at all would we be if the system was as it was pre Bush?

As you know Bush the mouth was all talk and no action at least for the benefit of average Americans. Obama I am happy to see is all action and as little talk as possible. Excellent! As Obama stated, his proposals will merely be a down payment on a larger necessary overall tax reform. I love it!

James Joiner
Gardner, Ma
www.anaveragepatriot.com

I have heard of an eye for an eye but a head for a head? It continues to get worse as expected!

Pakistan kills 80 in assault on Taliban

Taliban behead two Pakistani officials in Swat

Militants refuse to down arms despite Sharia deal

Fear and defiance brewing at Pakistan

Taliban kill US 'spy' in NW Pakistan

I think at this point you can agree that this is just beginning and the Taliban and Al Qaeda as you may know have united not to capitulate as one but to persevere over the infidels. This is not good for our successful future! I reiterate please The Taliban get their wish

* If we are to have a victory Russia, India, Iran, indeed the entire so called civilized world is going to have to unite. This region throughout history has never been defeated militarily and will not now unless we all realize the future we want will not be unless as a whole we realize how critical the situation is and that united we stand divided we fall, one at a time!


We better unite as a world and quick! We could add a million troops and it would only be matched by the Taliban and other insurgents. They can and will more than match us fighter to fighter and this is their home turf. I used to say if we could secure the Afghan Pakistan Border we could then concentrate on the Taliban and rebuilding Afghanistan. However, knowing the territory and seeing the map there is no way in hell that is going to happen. I thought the Mexican border was violent and it is but the Pakistan Afghanistan Border is the most violent in the world today.

I have been long convinced Bush guaranteed a loss in Afghanistan and everywhere else when he insisted on attacking Iraq so he could help Israel create a new middle east order. I am afraid this is just taking shape and both sides, the Taliban and our so called allies are still just forming the front lines and gathering forces, Both sides are still just beginning to build and This is still just beginning! Afghanistan has never been defeated but that is not even my biggest concern. We have for generations been angering Muslims and certainly in the last 8 years done everything possible to ensure an endless supply martyrs wanting to give their life to kill infidels for Allah!

If we are to have a victory Russia, India, Iran, indeed the entire so called civilized world is going to have to unite. This region throughout history has never been defeated militarily and will not now unless we all realize the future we want will not be unless as a whole we realize how critical the situation is and that united we stand divided we fall, one at a time! Obama is being majorly tested!

* In closing, Rove and Cheney are concerned about continuing the lie we lived under them and Bush and rewriting their dire History and preserving Bush's legacy of destruction as a great thing. Bush the servant of God, purveyor of war torture and destruction, doing it all for God in the name of peace. Sick! I do not see the necessary rosy scenario happening that would lead to a successful outcome for us. Rove, Cheney, Hannity, Limbaugh, and other right wing extremists have succeeded in undermining Obama's good intentions of restoring unity and world order. Republican Extremists are creating chaos and disorder here. The Taliban has now offered Bin Laden safe haven. The Taliban has extended their territory to within 65 miles of Pakistan's Capitol of Islamabad. As you know, they have supposedly been driven back but forget it. Pakistan and Afghanistan is just beginning and thanks to Bushies will be hell on earth.

James Joiner
Gardner, Ma
www.anaveragepatriot.com

Obama Holding Court!

Justice Steven's leads the Left in the Supreme court so Obama does not have to concern himself with choosing a leader but of course he will. What Obama needs of course is a female version of himself. I think he is married to her. Too bad he couldn't appoint Michele.That said I am sure he will make an awesome pick. As usual he will make the best decision for the Constitution and our America. As you know, Souter told Obama two days ago or so we are told.

I loved Obama interrupting the daily press briefing and announcing Souter's retirement and how he would pick a replacement. His enthusiasm and desire to do the right thing for the Constitution and all Americans never ceases to impress me. He will pick someone like himself who is tried and true and has a real passion for the Constitution unlike Bush who picked people who would parse the Constitution to do what he wanted period.

I think Obama can find a very qualified Hispanic woman who fits the Bill. However he will pick the absolute best regardless of sex or race. In a perverse way I am looking forward to his decision whoever it is because regardless the Republicans will find fault. I have to wonder what kind of idiocy we are going to hear this time. Obama said he will pick someone who is sharp and can empathize with people in every situation.

Obama wants who respects and has love for the Constitution. I love it! I love Obama's love for the Constitution and doing the right thing for America and not himself as Bush always did. Because the laws did not allow his interracial parents to marry at the time I think Obama will pick someone who allows gay marriage and equal rights for all. A Supreme court pick is a super bowl decision for a President. This is a super bowl Obama will win!

Obama wants empathy, I really am impressed. With that in mind and knowing Bush picked totally Partisan and people who would parse the Constitution for him Obama voted against Alito and Roberts. I have not followed them to see if Obama made the right decision but I must admit I myself have not been disappointed with Roberts. Please feel free to fill me in.

Following President Obama has been interesting from day one and this will be no exception. A brilliant fair minded President is going to make a brilliant fair minded liberal pick who will set the tone for years to come. I am psyched! Did I say that? There has been 115 Justices appointed in 220 some years. I fully expect Obama's appointment to be even among such an elitist field, exceptional.

I do believe Obama wants a female minority as I said but when all is said and done he will make sure he picks someone with the principles he so eloquently stated. Privacy, Justice, and equal opportunity for all! How about Sotomayor? She is more than qualified and Hispanics are due. A champion of Justice will be priority one, the Constitution and how it affects everyone period.

In closing Republicans will create an issue where there is none with the goal of rallying their base to divide and conquer the Democrats. Once again they will fail. It is a Conservative court and Obama will pick a Liberal with the goal of centering the court again. Gays and guns will continue to be an issue and once again Obama will make the right decision for the majority. However, Republicans are already busy trying to dig up dirt on every possible choice they think Obama may make. They are gearing up for a big fight. However it is waste of time as whoever Obama picks will be our latest Chief Justice.

James Joiner
Gardner, Ma
www.anaveragepatriot.com

McCain becomes the new old face of the GOP as Obama set to gain more influence!

McCain becomes the new old face of the GOP as Obama set to gain more influence!
I was preparing my story on the Republicans ripping themselves apart and once again trying to reinvent themselves to once again become a competitive party but I was blind sided by Souter announcing his retirement sometime in June. Souter was waiting until a President was elected that he could trust. I am sure he would have left as soon as the Supreme Court got involved and gave the election to Bush if he could have. Souter news sets off succession speculation

He hates Washington and longs to return to his New Hampshire farm. Souter's retirement will not change the voting block of the court but I do believe it will change the race gender make up as I would expect Obama to appoint a Woman but Hispanic or Black remains to be seen. Knowing that Sojourner Truth was the first Black woman to be honored with a statue in the White House and of course there have been many firsts with the election of our first Black President I was thinking.

I do expect a minority woman to get the appointment so once again there would be two woman in the Supreme Court. However do you realize how much President Obama can really change the face of the White House if he so chose? He really is walking a tight rope. Republicans would be rolling in their graves if Obama made the White House "too Black" I can see it now.

You think Republicans are fighting mad now. Anyway on top of everything else Obama now has the opportunity to put his signature on the highest court in the land. Everything has been so intensely Political and increasingly so as Obama and Democrats get an ever growing unrelenting firm grip on everything to do with running America this will be no exception. Another side show I would expect.

Republicans have been imploding since Obama was elected. They rip apart everything Obama says and does and as you know are ripping themselves apart as they continue too flounder looking for something anything that works. Anyone that can pull their party together and set it on the right track. I do not see it happening any time soon if in my life time even though another rebranding effort has been launched. National Council For A New America: GOP Launches Rebranding Effort

MSNBC on the new GOP initiative

There is no way in hell the Republican party has bottomed out as they think they have. Every time I turn on the news I am happy to see they in even more disarray. I was appalled when I heard so called conservative radio hosts blaming Mexicans for swine flu wondering if it was a terrorist attack from Mexico. That should go over well! Steele has been a joke right from the start as far as I am concerned. Another Republican mistake! I heard Gingrich call him a shock to the party. Long term Republicans distrust him and are trying to clip his wings. I heard Steele comparing warring Republican factions to to Israeli's and Palestinian's.

Lindsey Graham is right saying the brand is tainted. It is! He said they lost their principles but they did not. They are simply showing their true colors. In the National Council for a new America you have the same old group choosing the old face as the new face of their party. Nothing has changed. You saw the real McCain running for President. He is not the man he wants you to think he is. Nothing will change as they still have a long way down to go. While I was reading about the phony GOP launching another rebranding effort I saw the new Republican commercial and they are worse than ever. The commercial depicted Obama as weakening and endangering America. It is so Cheneyish! The commercial is played to dire sounding fear music. Nothing has changed.

If they really want to portray change be true conservatives. Do not just voice change live it mean it prove it. They keep saying they want to be inclusive. They should main stream the real McCain Meghan embrace her and mean it then I will believe they are changing. Meghan McCain: The New Face of the GOP? | The Moderate Voice Any way you look at it, it is too late to make a difference in my life time.

James Joiner
Gardner, Ma
www.anaveragepatriot.com

With Obama riding so high where does the GOP go from here?

With the Dow rallying Obama seems to have saved the economy. Despite Republican efforts to not be partisan and make him fail. I have to laugh! If you can call spending $12 trillion saving the economy. As you know, since day one it has been Obama against Limbaugh, Gingrich, Palin, Rove, Cheney, all Republicans and even many Democrats. He will succeed despite them all. He is on his own but he is saving us from the worst crash since the last one the Republicans caused in 1929, the so called Great Depression.

As the Fascist right wing extremist party is proving the smaller a party gets the more small minded a party gets. Republicans as you know also have a deep demographic problem. I will say the shrinking Republican party is down but not as far as they are going to go and by no means out. As you know they have become the party of No and Arlen Specter made the right move and the right vote on the stimulus. The party of no must stop their childish blocking games if they are to come back. They should have voted no on the stimulus as they did but to make believe they had some concern about fixing our America they should have supplied 10 or 15 votes.

As far as I'm concerned the party of no should stay the course as they continue to throw moderates overboard and sink. The sooner the Republican Fascist extremist party is gone and they reinvent themselves as a viable party that can at least make believe they care about our America the better off we will all be. We know where the Republicans are going but what about Obama?

As far as I am concerned I do not agree with everything Obama has done but he has done a hell of a job. Arlin Specter joining the Democratic party may have been to continue his career but he has more in common with Democrats than the Republican extremists. Specter is very interested in Health care and energy reform so I am sure he will do what he can to see those bills pass. Obama is going to defend Specter to start with even against a Democrat as he endeavors to raise money for him and get him reelected.

We are heading in the right direction and continue to make progress. However as you know, Obama is trying to solve many Republican crises at once. Even with out the developing flu Pandemic Obama has more on his plate than any other President except his heroes FDR and Lincoln. With all the problems in the world and still another crisis under development in Pakistan and Afghanistan I am convinced Obama has already passed some tests but much bigger tests are coming.

I have to laugh! Obama has great poll numbers as he should but he has competition. He is playing second fiddle. He has competition in his dazzling role model I mean wife. They are a pleasure after Bush and are an inspiration to watch for every American. Obama will have plenty of reasons to grow and become even better if that is possible as I am afraid there is many crises to come in our future. Thank god the world is once again behind us and waving American flags. We will long be dealing with the crises Bush left behind and as such he will not be forgotten but thankfully the world forgives us for letting him happen and is back with us once again.

Americans feel good about America and President Obama despite intense efforts of Republicans to make them fear President Obama and what he is doing to return us our version of America. President Obama knows we still have a lot of work to do but we will win. In closing I want to say Obama said to his Republican "friends" to stop waving fear and failure in front of Americans and complaining but get to work and help us succeed. He said we can make the 21st century another great century and I agree! What say you?

James Joiner
Gardner, Ma
www.anaveragepatriot.com