Bench presented as gift to President Xi by President Obama I wonder if our president also gave him a big, wet, sloppy kiss on the lips?
Military Judge Rules Obama Exerted “Unlawful Command Influence” When He Spoke Out On Sexual Assaults In The Military, May Hamper Prosecutions… Well done, Barack. Via Politico: President Obama’s comments condemning military sexual assault and suggesting that those convicted be punished with, among other things, a dishonorable discharge may be backfiring on his efforts to root out the growing problem. In pretrial hearings in two cases, a Navy judge in Hawaii ruled this week that Obama had exerted “unlawful command influence” as commander-in-chief in outlining the specific “consequences” he saw fit for members of the military convicted of sexual assault. As a result of Navy Judge Cmdr. Marcus Fulton’s rulings, the defendants in United States v. Johnson and United States v. Fuentes can’t be punitively discharged, even if they’re convicted of sexual assault. Stars and Stripes first reported on the rulings. “I expect consequences,” Obama said at a press conference in early May that came just as the Pentagon released a report detailing rising incidences of sexual assaults in 2012. “So I don’t just want more speeches or awareness programs or training, but ultimately folks look the other way. If we find out somebody’s engaging in this, they’ve got to be held accountable — prosecuted, stripped of their positions, court martialed, fired, dishonorably discharged. Period.” Fulton wrote in his ruling that Obama’s comments raise “concern” because they “may indicate that a particular result is required of the military justice system.” As soon as Obama made his off-the-cuff comment, military lawyers began to voice concern that his comments might be detrimental. “I thought of the unlawful command influence issue as soon as he spoke,” said James Mackler, a private attorney and Army reserve lawyer who was involved in sexual assault cases while on active duty.
Obama Grovels, Again Asks Putin If Can We Have Snowden Back: Pretty Please With A Cherry On Top?… China, Russia, France...they're slapping our president around in public. The threats didn’t work, so now they’re forced to beg. Via Foreign Policy: After playing bad cop with the Chinese, the United States is now playing good cop with the Kremlin in its global pursuit of NSA leaker Edward Snowden On Tuesday, in response to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s declaration that Snowden would not be extradited to the U.S., American officials responded with a flurry of diplomatic pleasantries. “We’ve seen comments by Foreign Minister Lavrov and President Putin and we understand that Russia must consider the issues raised by Mr. Snowden’s decision to travel there,” National Security Council spokeswoman Caitlin Hayden said in a statement. “We agree with President Putin that we do not want this issue to negatively impact our bilateral relations.” Secretary of State John Kerry struck a similarly conciliatory tone during a news conference in Saudi Arabia. “We are not looking for a confrontation,” Kerry said Tuesday. “We are not ordering anybody. We are simply requesting under a very normal procedure for the transfer of somebody.” Both Kerry and Hayden insisted that a “clear legal basis” existed to expel Snowden based on the “status of his travel documents and the pending charges against him.” But their measured tones contrasted with Monday’s fiery condemnations of China and threats to Russia after Snowden fled from Hong Kong to Moscow.
Video: Obama Awkwardly Stumbles Through Scripted “Patriotic” July 4th Speech… <iframe width="640" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/pOjOqfxT2VQ?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0"></iframe> Then again, the Fourth of July isn’t exactly one of the left’s favorite holidays. Via Independent Journal Review: President Obama stumbled through a “patriotic” speech on the Fourth of July, reading verbatim a text on America’s improbable experiment in “democracy” in a staccato and droll tone. Surrounding him was a dour cast of stoic figures — save for First Lady Michelle Obama, who broke into “slow applause” mode when her husband called America “the greatest nation on earth” while a smattering of hand-clapping accompanied her. The president should be given credit for going through the motions and for shoring up his patriotic bonafides. If only he believed those words about our destinies not being determined for us and that people should live as they please. http://www.ijreview.com/2013/07/63416-awkward-president-obama-stumbles-through-scripted-patriotic-speech/
White House Says It “Categorically Rejects False Claims Propagated By Some In Egypt” That Obama Supported Muslim Brotherhood… Not fooling anyone. WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama on Saturday reiterated that the US is not aligned with and is not supporting any particular Egyptian political party or group and again condemned the ongoing violence across Egypt. Obama made those points during a telephone conference with the National Security Council about developments in Egypt, according to a statement issued by the White House. He was spending the weekend at Camp David, the presidential retreat in Maryland. “The United States categorically rejects the false claims propagated by some in Egypt that we are working with specific political parties or movements to dictate how Egypt’s transition should proceed,” the White House statement said. “We remain committed to the Egyptian people and their aspirations for democracy, economy opportunity and dignity. But the future path of Egypt can only be determined by the Egyptian people.” The White House statement repeated key assertions Obama and other US officials have made since the Egyptian military ousted the democratically elected president of Egypt, calling for an inclusive process allowing for all groups and parties to participate, urging all Egyptian leaders to condemn the use of force and to prevent further violence, and urging demonstrators to conduct themselves peacefully.
Weeks After Obama Says He “Shouldn’t Have To” Call Putin About Snowden, Obama Calls Putin About Snowden… Obama really is Putin’s bitch. Via Mediaite: When President Obama was in Africa a few weeks ago, he made a statement at a press conference about the ongoing manhunt for Edward Snowden. Obama explained that he has not personally called Vladimir Putin and Chinese president Xi Jinping about Snowden because “I shouldn’t have to.” Well, guess what? The White House confirmed that Obama ended up calling Putin about Snowden early Friday, wherein they also apparently discussed “a range of security and bilateral issues,” “cooperation on counter-terrorism in the lead-up to the Sochi Winter Olympics,” and, presumably, what the hell really happened to that damn Super Bowl ring. White House press secretary Jay Carney announced the call during Friday’s press briefing, telling the reporters in attendance, “that is a call that has been on the books for several days.” http://www.mediaite.com/online/weeks-after-obama-says-he-shouldnt-have-to-call-putin-about-snowden-obama-calls-putin-about-snowden/
Obama is Putin's hand puppet. I don't think there has ever been a man more singularly unprepared for this office. But I will defer to our resident historian on that point.
Obama Spends Yet Another Saturday On The Golf Course… Round number 133 for those of you keeping score at home. Via WHD: President Obama is playing his usual round of Saturday golf with his usual roundup of junior aides. He stopped briefly at the White House following his event at the Korean War Memorial today before heading out to the course at Fort Belvoir in Northern Virginia. It’s already Obama’s 22nd time playing this year and outing number 133 of his presidency.
White House Tours Still Closed, But Obama Finds Cash For Endless Private Parties… Via WHD: The White House continues to bar average Americans from touring “The People House” but nevertheless lavishes spending on all sorts of special invitees – from diners at last week’s Iftar dinner breaking the Muslim fast to sports teams and foreign diplomats. Soon after the outcry over the cancellation of tours due to the sequester, the White House promised to see what could be done to allow some visits to resume. But nothing was done and no one can visit – unless President Obama finds you useful or amusing. Favored guest have poured in this month, even though Obama was traveling in Africa for part of it. Last week’s glittering Iftar dinner featured about 130 guests treated to remarks by Obama and bread breaking with senior aide Valerie Jarrett and National Security advisor Susan Rice. Obama held a mass reception for the entire diplomatic corps July 19. He hosted the 2013 NCAA Men’s Basketball Champion Louisville Cardinals July 23 and will gather with the World Series Champion San Francisco Giants today. http://www.whitehousedossier.com/2013/07/29/wh-tours-parade-special-visitors-continues/
Obama To Give Nation’s Highest Civilian Award To Oprah… Groan. WASHINGTON — The White House announced that President Barack Obama will award the Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian award, to 16 recipients including television star and businesswoman Oprah Winfrey, legendary Washington Post editor Ben Bradlee and former President Bill Clinton. “The Presidential Medal of Freedom goes to men and women who have dedicated their own lives to enriching ours,” Mr. Obama said in a statement released by the White House. “This year’s honorees have been blessed with extraordinary talent, but what sets them apart is their gift for sharing that talent with the world.” Mr. Obama will award the medals later this year. In total, 16 people will receive the award, the White House said.
I understand what Banks and Lugar have done. What has Oprah done besides give money to the Obama campaigns?
Missed The Hole By That Much… Round 135. On a scale of one to ten of ridiculous presidential pics, this has got to be at least an eight… Via Daily Mail: President Barack Obama is teeing off his Martha’s Vineyard vacation with his favorite pastime – golfing. But he had a rough start, as reporters – given a rare glimpse of the president’s golf game – watched him overshoot the first hole by about 15 feet. He then missed his first putt and reacted by leaning back, kicking his knee up and letting out an ‘Ooooh.’ His next putt was also a miss and his third finally made it in the hole. Obama hit the Farm Neck Golf Club for his first outing of a weeklong stay on the exclusive Massachusetts island where he arrived Saturday afternoon. The course is open to the public and overlooks Nantucket Sound. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2389359/President-Obama-tees-Marthas-Vineyard-vacation-game-golf.html
Obama Hits The Links For The 140th Time… Which is 116 more rounds than Bush played in eight years. EDGARTOWN, Mass. (AP) –President Barack Obama hit the golf course Sunday with a campaign donor who has represented the venture-capital firm he repeatedly attacked in the 2012 election. Mr. Obama is spending some of the last hours of his eight-day vacation on Martha’s Vineyard with Eunu Chun, a lawyer who has represented Bain Capital. Mr. Chun, along with some other supporters with Bain Capital ties, raised funds for Mr. Obama’s re-election bid last year. The Obama campaign made Republican nominee Mitt Romney‘s ties to Bain Capital an overwhelming issue in the campaign, and Mr. Obama spent much of last year criticizing his opponent for his time at the firm.
So Mr. Executive Order is now asking Congress to vote on action against Syria. Obviously he wants to be able to point to the Republicans in Congress as having authorized it or voted against it in what he considers a win-win situation. I have the perfect solution. All the Republican members of the House should vote "present" on the issue. Let the Democrats decide if they want to cash the check his mouth wrote. "Present" you recall is how Pantywaist voted on most important issues when he was in the Ill. legislature.
John Bolton: Sending Kerry To Deal With Russian FM Lavrov Is Like “Sending A Cupcake To Negotiate With A Steak Knife” Cupcake and Mom Jeans, in charge of fore-in policy. Bolton is however wrong about there being no votes before. In 1991, Ukraine including Crimea voted along with the the rest of Ukraine to be an independent entity. 54% of Crimeans (not under a gun) voted to be part of an independent Ukraine. Via IJR: Former U.N. Ambassador John Bolton has been an outspoken critic of the Obama administration’s foreign policy, but this latest comparison literally “takes the cake.” While appearing on Fox News to discuss the referendum in the Crimea to join Russia, Bolton discussed the weak sanctions America is taking against Russia: “I don’t think [the sanctions] will have much impact. I think the Obama administration and the Europeans are demonstrating weakness, these sanctions are pinpricks, and y’know we sent Secretary of State John Kerry to London to negotiate with Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov, that’s like sending a cupcake to negotiate with a steak knife.” Bolton continued to describe the collective failure of leadership in the West, which he says has ignored these threats for five years, and is now seeing the consequences of this inattentiveness. Finally, he predicts that Putin will use the Crimea to get what he “really wants, which is a government subservient to Russia.” Meanwhile, Obama is defending his wearing of mom-pants to Ryan Seacrest in an attempt to sell Obamacare to young people.