Trying to Explain President Biden Afghanistan's Policy

President Biden on Afghanistan Alternative Universe Befuddled Boneheaded Clueless Denial Delusional Dim Bulb Diminished Capacity Dimwitted Good backside in answering questions Forgetful Hapless Head’s Down Ignorant Ill-informed Instructed Intransient Lying Mendacious Misinformed Misrepresentations No memory of (it) Only Hears what Wants to Hear Out-of-Touch Self-deception Self-delusion Self-rightous Sequestered Shell-shocked State of denial The elevator doesn’t go up all the way Thoughtless Tone Deaf Cognitive decline, but can still read TOTUS Joe Biden has a history in his adult life of lies, plagiarism, and gaffes, the subject of a future blog.

Afghanistan Fell on July 1, 2021

The Fall of Afghanistan Afghanistan Fell on July 1, 2015. Let’s start with President Obama’s prophetic statement about Joe Biden: “Don’t underestimate Joe’s ability to fuck things up.” Nero fiddled while Rome burned. Biden hunkered down in Camp David while Afghanistan fell. President Trump announced the desire to pull out of Afghanistan. That was one of his campaign pledges. President Biden said he trusted the capacity of the “better trained, better equipped and … more competent in terms of conducting war” Afghan forces than the Taliban. He said on July 8: “The likihood there’s going to be the Taliban overrunning everything and owning the whole country is highly unlikely.” Secretary of State Blinken said in June: “I don’t think it’s going to be something that happens from a Friday to Monday.” From Friday to Monday the United States Embassy in Kabul lowered the American Flag. He added: “So I wouldn’t necessarily equate the departure of our forces in July and August or by early September with some kind of immediate deterioration in the situation? That’s our Secretary of State Tony Blinkin. Could the Joint Chiefs of Staff be surprised by the collapse of the Afghanistan Military? Probably not! The military advised the President to keep a small force of 2,500 soldiers in Afghanistan providing air support in Afghanistan. President Biden refused. The Fall of Afghanistan is on Biden. The military didn’t seem to have a contingency plan. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin claimed today that they had prepared all scenarios. Doesn’t look like it. The Pentagon and State Department are in panic mode. They need passive cooperation from the Taliban to get all the Americans, British and other foreigners out. The Afghan nationals may well be left to the tender mercies of the Taliban. Secretary Austin also said he was “beyond disappointed,” adding You can’t buy willpower, and you can’t buy leadership.” What about the lack of leadership currently hunkered down in Camp David? General Mark Milley, Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, seemed more concerned with building a Woke military fighting climate change. Are any going to resign in protest over the debacle? Probably not! The backbone of the Afghan military was the United States military, especially air support. Weather dictates a fighting season in Afghanistan. The Taliban retreat to their bases in Pakistan and lay low in winter. They emerge to fight in the thaw, but were held in check by America’s air support for the Afghans. American air power would stop the Taliban in their track. The Americans and allies were the backbone of the Afghan defense forces. Also pulling out by necessity were the foreign contractors who kept the Afghan Air Force flying. President Biden pulled the plug on Afghanistan as the fighting season began. He promised air support, but he bugged out of Bagram Air Base in the middle of the night on July 1. The departing Americans turned off the electricity at 3:00AM and were under orders not to tell the Afghan they were leaving. The U.S. Military bugged out in the middle of the night. What message did that send to the Afghan military and the Taliban? Whose dumb idea was that? Bagram Air Base was the center of U.S. operatons in Afghanistan. It was also the listening post for America in that part of the world. Bagram held 5,000 Taliban and Al Qaeda prisoners, including some transferred from Gitmo. The Taliban liberated them. The President promised timely air support. The nearest air support is hours, perhaps eight hours, away in the Persian Gulf. President Biden was headstrong on leaving Afghanistan at all costs. America will be paying that cost for decades. President Biden is right in saying Afghanistan is not Vietnam: “There’s going to be no circumstance where you will see people being lifted off the roof of an Embassy of the United States, from Afghanistan.” The Fall of Saigon witnessed helicopters at the U.S. Embassy taking off with escapees to Navy ships at sea. Afghanistan is landlocked far from the ocean. No helicopters will be taking off from the U.S. Embassy to the ocean. How out of touch are the Bidenistas? They profess that the Taliban will lose international support if they resort to brutality. Press Secretary Jan Psaki warned: “If the Taliban claim to want international legitimacy, these actions are not going to get them the legitimacy they desire …” The Taliban could care less about legitimacy in the global community. They adjoin Iran, Pakistan, China, and the Stans. Jan Psaki is on vacation for at least a week not answering questions. The State Department then promised the Taliban foreign aid if they behaved. The Bidenistas are clueless. Yet they proudly proclaim the United States is welcomed back in the global community. President Biden’s foreign policy is “America is back.” The Chinese, Russians, Cuban dictators and Mullahs are salivating at the feckless Biden foreign policy. President Jimmy Carter is looking better every day. The State Department was slow-walking visa applications from the translators and others who supported the United States. Secretary of State Antony Blinkin obviously had no interest in them. Pentagon Spokesperson Admiral (Ret.) John Kirby yesterday said he did not believe Kabul was under “imminent threat.” President Biden: “I do not regret my decision.” Didn’t he also say: “America is back?” Back to Saigon. Secretary Blinkin said today “This is manifestly not Saigon.” It is manifestly worse than Saigon. The North Vietnamese and Viet Cong needed two years to take Saigon. The Secretary also added “We’ve succeeded in that mission.” Blinkin, Psaki, Kirby, which one sounds most like Bagdad Bob? The Taliban needed 46 days to take Afghanistan. If the cast of characters, Biden, Austen, Milley, Blinkin, Psaki, Kirby, had any sense of responsibility or shame, they would resign. This cast of characters is clueless and shameless. Hunkered down at Camp David. Americans are realizing the President is non compos mente. Afghanistan validates Defense Secretary Robert Gates statement that Biden has been on the wrong side of every major foreign policy issue for the past 40 years. He even opposed the raid to take down Osama Bin Ladin. Senator Biden voted to cut off military assistance to the South Vietnamese, which left them unable to resist the North Vietnamese 46 years ago. President Biden either learned nothing from that disaster or has forgotten. Take your pick! Don’t underestimate Joe’s ability to fuck things up!

Governor Andrew Cuomo is Just the Tip of Sordid Albany Politicians During the New Millennium

Governor Cuomo in his farewell said: “The best way I can help now is if I step aside and let government get back to government.” The Governor is the third of the three past New York Governors to be ethically and morally challenged. Governor Eliot Spitzer had an expensive penchant for prostitutes. He met on February 3, 2008 in Washington’s Mayflower hotel with Ashley Dupre who arrived in D.C. via Amtrak (no TSA security). $4300 exchanged hands. He resigned in disgrace, but note his moral and marital flaws were not sexual assaults or harassment. Governor Spitzer’s replacement was Lt. Governor Dave Paterson, who did not seek election when his term expired. He admitted several affairs and was accused of witness tampering. Improper gifts, and false statements. New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman abruptly resigned in May 2018 after four women accused him of physical abuse. New York Comptroller Alan Hevesi in 2006 was engaged in a Pay to Play scheme defrauded the government. Not quite Albany, but Representative Anthony Weiner committed a federal felony by sexting a teenager. New York has not caught up to Illinois which has seen four governors imprisoned. Let’s get to the New York Legislature which has racked up quite a rap sheet over the past 20 years. Most, but not all, are Democrats simply because New York has become a one-party state. Corruption, harassment, and other derelictions of duty are non-partisan and bi-partisan. 2000 Jerry Johnson (R) (Assembly) Livingston County Attempted burglary 2003 Gloria Davis (D) (Assembly) Queens Bribery 2003 Sam Hoyt (D) (Assembly) Brooklyn Improper relationship with 23 year old intern 2004 Roger Green (D) (Assembly) Brooklyn False travel claims 2004 Guy Velella (R) (Senate) Bronx Bribery 2005 Clarence Norman (D) (Assembly) Bronx Corruption 2006 Ryan Karben (D) (Assembly) Rockland County. Improper fraternization with staffers 2006 Efrain Gonzalez (D)(Senate) Bronx Mail fraud 2006 Bryan McLaughlin (D) (Assembly) Queens Embezzlement 2006 Ada Smith (D) (Senate) Queens Harassment – throwing coffee in staff member’s face 2007 Karim Camara (D) (Assembly) Queens DWI 2007 Michael Cole (R) (Assembly) Erie County Night in apartment of student intern 2007 John Sabini (D) (Senate) Queens DWI 2008 Joseph Bruno (R) (Senate) Rensselaer Corruption, mail and wire fraud 2008 Diane Gordon (D) (Assembly) Bronx Bribery 2009 Anthony Seminerio (D) (Assembly) Queens Bribery 2009 Hiram Monserrate (D) (Senate) Queens. Slashed girlfriend in face with broken glass 2010 Adam Clayton Powell IV, (D) (Assembly) Manhattan DWI 2010 Pedro Espada (D) (Senate) Bronx Corruption, embezzlement, tax evasion 2010 Vincent Leibell (R) (Senate) Putnam County Bribery, tax evasion 2010 Kevin Parker (D) (Senator) Brooklyn Criminal mischief – altercation with photographer 2011 Carl Kruger (D) (Senator) Brooklyn Bribery 2013 Shirley Huntley (D) (Assembly) Queens Embezzlement 2012 Nicholas Spano (R) (Senator) Yonkers Tax evasion 2013 Vito Lopez (D) (Assembly) Brooklyn Sexual harassment of a staffer 2013 Steve Katz (R) (Assembly) Westchester County Marijuana possession after traffic stop 2013 Malcolm Smith (D) (Senator) Queens Bribery 2013 Nelson Castro (D) (Assembly) Bronx Perjury 2013 Eric Stevenson (D) (Assembly) Bronx Bribery 2013 John Sampson (D) (Senate) Brooklyn Embezzlement 2013 Micah Kellner (D) (Assembly) Manhattan Harassment of employee 2013 Robert Rodriquez (D) (Assembly) Manhattan DWI 2013 Dennis Gabryszak (D) Assembly Cheektowaga. Sexual harassment 2011-2014 William Boyland (D) Brooklyn Corruption, bribery, mail fraud, and extortion 2014 William Scarborough (D) (Assembly) Queens. Misuse of campaign funds and false claims 2014 Gabriela Rosa (D) (Assembly) Manhattan Lying to Immigration on marital status 2014 Thomas Libous (R) (Senate) Broome County False statements to FBI 2015 Sidney Shelton (D) (Assembly) Manhattan Bribery and kickbacks 2015 Dean Skelos (R) (Senate) Nassau County Corruption 2016 Bill Nojay (R) (Assembly) Monroe, Livingston, Steuben Counties Stealing from client’s escrow account 2016 Diana Richardson (D) (Assembly) Brooklyn Beat son with broomstick 2018 Angela Wozniak (D) (Assembly) Erie County Retaliation against staff member 2017 Robert Ortt (R) (Senate) Niagara, Orleans, Monroe Counties Filing false instrument 2017 Steve McLaughlin (R) (Assembly) Rensselaer County Harassment 2018 George Maziarz (R) (Senate) Niagara, Orleans, Monroe Counties Filing false instruments 2018 Pamela Harris (D) (Assembly) Brooklyn Wire fraud, false statements 2021 Luis Sepulveda (D) (Assembly) Bronx Domestic violence Governor Andrew Cuomo: “Let government get back to government.” I Love New York

(In)Famous Statements of Politicians (Only One Per Politician)

President Biden on Governor Cuomo “He’s done a hell of a job.” Governor Cuomo: “In my mind I never crossed the line with another.” President Bill Clinton: “I did not have sexual relations with that woman.” President George W. Bush: “Rarely is the question asked: Is our children learning.” President Jimmy Carter: “I lusted in my heart several times.” President George H. W. Bush: “Read my lips; no new taxes.” President Gerald Ford: “There is no Soviet domination of eastern Europe.” President Richard Nixon: “I am not a crook.” Senator Ted Kennedy: “They don’t call me tyrannosaurus sex for nothing,” Senator Howell Heflin on Senator Ted Kennedy Indelicato photo on a Mediterranean yacht: “I see Senator Kennedy changed his position on offshore drilling.” Vice President Al Gore: “A Zebra doesn’t change its spots.” Senator John Kerry: “I voted for it before I voted against it.” Senator Barack Obama: ”I’ve now been in 57 states. I think one left to go. Alaska and Hawaii ….” Senator Mark Pryor: “You don’t have to pass an IQ test to be in the Senate, though.” Senator Chris Dodd during his Presidential campaign: “Eight more days and I can start telling the truth again.” Speaker Pelosi: “We have to pass the bill so that you can find out what is in it.” Representative Hank Johnson on Guam: “My fear is that the whole island will become so overpopulated that it will tip over and capsize.”

Thursday Night in America: Standing for the Flag and Singing the National Anthem

The Pageant of the Masters is an unique Orange County festival running for two months during summer. The festival recreates famous paintings, sculptures, and music in which actors and actresses dressed appropriately fit into the picture. They assume a still life pose for up to two minutes as the audience is awed by the living pictures. The living art looks like blown up copies of the originals. About 250,000 persons annually see the 90 minutes of living art. The theme changes every summer. This year’s theme is “Made in America.” The narrator started this year show differently than in past years. After the usual no photography admonitions, he asked the audience to stand for the Flag and National Anthem. The audience collectively sang the Star-Spangled Banner and then spontaneously applauded. No kneeing; no turning one’s back on the Flag. This is America. This is the America we grew up in. This is America today, an America Americans are proud of. This is the America not represented by the post George Floyds riot, lootings, trashing of America, and erasing cultural monuments and history. This is not the America of much of our Millennials and Z Gen, who have been educated on Howard Zinn and taught America is racist and oppressive. A recent survey of 1424 adults between June 30 and July 2 showed 67% are extremely or very proud to be patriotic. However, only 37% between the ages of 18-24 could say the same. 35% said they slightly or not at all proud to be an American. This is not the America of President Biden who repeatedly says America is systemically racist, but then sometimes adds Americans are not racist – a distinction a brilliant lawyer could craft, but not one President Biden could create on his own. A study of several Georgetown students found them to be “embarrassed” to be an American, but none could name a better place to live. This is the America that President Nixon referred to as “The Silent Majority.” The Pageant’s “Made in America” is a tapestry of American history. It had the famous paintings of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln and the Declaration of Independence. More. Much more. “Made in America” is a tapestry of America. It featured Edmonia Lewis, a famous sculptress of the Nineteenth Century. Edmonia was of African American and Ojibwe heritage. She spent several years of her youth on the reservation. She loved nature, but art, especially sculpture, was her calling. She overcame all the obstacles a Black woman could face in the post-Civil War 19th Century fulfilling her dream, but she succeeded, eventually settling in Rome. Edmonia became famous and a success. President Grant commissioned Edmonia to paint his portrait. Her works were featured in Chicago’s famous 1893 Columbian Exhibition. The world fair is best known today for Daniel Burnham and Frederick Law Olmstead and the City Beautiful Movement and for Professor Frederick Jackson Turner presenting his famous paper on the End of the American frontier. The fair also played a significant role in the advancement of women in America. The Woman’s Building was the largest the 200 fair buildings. The Woman’s Building was run by the Board of Lady Managers. Sophia Hayden with her architecture degree from MIT, designed the Woman’s Building. The painter Mary Cassatt created a 12’ X 58” mural entitled “Modern Woman” for the Woman’s Building. The mural has been lost in time, but the Pageant of the Masters was able to recreate it for the show. The Pageant featured the music of Scott Joplin and Duke Ellington and sculptures by Luis Jimenez. Made in America – a tapestry we can all be proud of.

Governor Mario Cuomo Is Not Going to Get Due Process and the Presumption of Innocence

Does Governor Andrew Cuomo Get Due Process and the Presumption of Innocence? Not if he’s impeached and voted out of office by the New York Legislature! Senator Al Franken of Minnesota didn’t receive due process. Representative Katie Hill of California didn’t receive due process. No presumption of innocence for them. This battle is political battle – not judicial in a court of law. The Congressional Democrats weren’t giving President Trump due process in their bogus impeachments. The Republicans remember. Cuomo, Newsom in California, Brown in Oregon, Pritzker in Chicago reflect the weakness of one-party government. The Governor’s party has turned on him. Governor Cuomo’s problem is quadruple. First, he’s a bully. Second, he has few friends. His staff turned on him eons ago. Three, he’s no longer glorified by the media as the anti-Trump; the media doesn’t need him anymore. Fourth, the nursing home fatalities are on him. Janice Dean of Fox News is on a Jihad against him for killing her father-in-law and mother-in-law. He never learnt one of the fundamental rules of life: “Be nice to those you pass on the way up; you may see them again on the way down.” The Governor issued a slide show – a compilation of his greatest kisses or pinchings. He said as a defense: “I do it with everyone. Black and White, young and old, straight and LGBTQ, powerful people, friends, strangers, people who I meet on the street.” How can it be discrimination or harassment if he treats everyone equally? Not a great defense! He called his conduct “old-fashioned.” Not a winning argument! He’s just an expressive Italian. It’s still harassment! He responded to the charge that he grabbed a woman's breast at the Governor's Mansion: "I would have to lose my mind to do such a thing" to a woman he barely knew in front of his staff. What did his staff say? How about these defenses? 1) President Clinton got away with rape; 2) President Biden has a touchy-feelie history; 3) What about President Trump? 4) Let’s not forget Governor Schwarzenegger; 5) What about Supreme Court Justices Clarence Thomas and Brett Kavanaugh? 6) If President Biden wants him to resign, as do Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and the entire New York Delegation, he can’t be that bad; 7) Would you prefer Andrew Cuomo or New York Mayor Bill de Blasio as governor? Mayor de Blagio has demanded the Governor’s resignation. Of course he has. The two are like putting two scorpions in a bottle and see who comes out alive. The Governor has triumphed on most issues because the governor has more power than the mayor, but this time Mayor de Blasio smells blood. He says the Governor “is past the point of no return.” The four governors of Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island signed a joint letter claiming to be “appalled” by his conduct. Remember the classic line from Casablanca: “I’m shocked, shocked, to find that gambling is going on in here.” We have the Lieutenant Governor, the governor in waiting, Kathleen C. Hochul stating she believes the accusers. She called the Governor’s conduct “repulsive and unlawful.” She's measuring the drapes in the Governor's office. Governor Cuomo will try to wait it out and then run for reelection. That depends on the New York Assembly and Senate. That really depends on the New York Senate. Majority vote in the Assembly to impeach; 2/3 vote in the Senate to convict. The Governor at this point passes bipartisan (an often overused word) opposition. House Speaker Carl Hastie met with the Democratic caucus earlier today. He said Governor Cuomo “lost the confidence of the Assembly Democratic majority and that he can no longer remain in office.” Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins called for his resignation “for the good of the state.” Senate Minority Leader Robert G. Ortl echoed her remarks. 165 pages establishing harassment, improper behavior, groping, a climate of fear, and retaliation. What about CNN and Chris Cuomo?