Romney outlines “tough” foreign policy approach
To date, Mitt Romney’s critique of the Obama foreign policy has been a case study of bluster over content, without specifics, although the presence of men such as John Bolton, the shoot-first former U.N. ambassador, as influential members of his foreign policy team ought to give Americans serious pause.
In fact, if we are to judge him from the tone of his rhetoric and by those whose counsel he seeks — and that’s about all he has given us to go on — Romney proposes to pick up where Dick Cheney left off in 2004, when a chastened President Bush belatedly took back control of foreign policy from his over-adventurous vice president.
I note that in his speech today at the Virginia Military Institute (text available here), Romney blamed the Obama administration for differences of opinion that have erupted between the United States and Israel.
“The world must never see any daylight between our two nations,” Romney said.
However, I do not believe it is our responsibility alone to ensure that such daylight never occurs. Israeli leaders bear at least equal responsibility for keeping that important relationship on an even keel. We are certainly under no obligation to outsource our foreign policy in that region to Benjamin Netanyahu, as Romney seems to advocate.
(In fact, if forced to synthesize the Romney Doctrine to one sentence, I might offer this: The rest of the world will be required to abide by our wishes; we will be required to abide by Israel’s).
Romney also spoke, as he has in the past, of a foreign policy based on confidence, clarity and resolve. These are good and necessary things. Unfortunately, the man’s credibility in preaching these virtues is more than a little suspect. You may recall that earlier this year, as an uprising in Libya gained strength, Romney first supported U.S. intervention and then opposed intervention and then embraced it again once it had succeeded. At one point, he even fled reporters in Las Vegas rather than be forced to take a position on the crisis.
Likewise, he harshly criticized the goal of removing Libyan dictator Moammar Gaddhafi from power, then turned around celebrated once that goal was achieved.
That is not a policy based on resolve. Likewise, Romney’s outrageous claim that President Obama sympathized with those who attacked and killed our ambassador to Libya and three others — a statement issued on the very night of their deaths — communicated not mature confidence but hasty, amateurish desperation and an eagerness to inject partisan politics in foreign-policy decisions.
I am most curious about his policy toward Afghanistan. Here’s what Romney had to say:
“… in Afghanistan, I will pursue a real and successful transition to Afghan security forces by the end of 2014. President Obama would have you believe that anyone who disagrees with his decisions in Afghanistan is arguing for endless war. But the route to more war — and to potential attacks here at home — is a politically timed retreat that abandons the Afghan people to the same extremists who ravaged their country and used it to launch the attacks of 9/11. I will evaluate conditions on the ground and weigh the best advice of our military commanders. And I will affirm that my duty is not to my political prospects, but to the security of the nation.”
Now, I would suggest that those are odd words from a man who just preached the necessity of clarity in foreign policy. Take a look again — do those words tell us anything about Romney’s approach to Afghanistan, or how it might differ in concrete terms from that undertaken by Obama?
Finally, Romney not only suggested that he would oppose any cuts in defense spending, he advocated what would appear to be a new military buildup. That is consistent with his pledge to commit a minimum of 4 percent of GDP to defense spending. By 2014, that would mean a $200-billion-a-year increase in spending over currently projected levels.
Given our financial situation, a 33 percent increase in projected defense spending at a time when we already spend more than the next 10 biggest military powers combined would not seem to be a wise investment. And again — although Romney continues to be painfully averse to specifics — in general the GOP candidate would seem pretty eager to put that larger military to regular use overseas.
– Jay Bookman
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1,169 comments Add your comment
LeRoi2
October 8th, 2012
10:19 pm
This is the easiest choice for president since that bumbling hayseed Jimmy Carter faced Ronald Reagan, and the final election results will be close to the result of that election as well. Obama has nothing to run on. He and his team certainly know that, even if most of the posters on here cannot see it. This has resulted in all the name calling, since they have no record to run on. Virtually any aware person knows this.
The lies about Romney that they have invested hundreds of millions of dollars, and 4-6 weeks spinning, is dead in the water. The public got one good look at Romney tear their Dear Leader to shreds, while all Obama could do was wet his pants. They have been torn loose from their moorings, and are floating free.
The outcome was in my opinion, just what Barack wants. This being the president thing is just not cool with him anymore, way too much work involved. He has a $35 Million dollar home waiting for him in Hawaii. He has never committed himself to any job or position in his entire life that came anywhere approaching 4 years. He is one and done. If he doesnt want it, why do we want him?
I have read this so called column of Bookman’s for a few weeks now. He has to have the greatest job in the media today, of course the downside is he has to live in Atlanta. He tosses together a few paragraphs, at an 8th grade reading level, with about as much effort as it seams to me as his sitting on the throne after lunch. Totally all over the board, biased, and reminesent of the logic, or illogic, of his mentor Cynthia Tucker.
Then their is a cabal of perhaps 50 or so, who appear on here multiple times per day, all through the day, who worship at Bookman’s smelly feet. When they arent spending time praising him, they are trying to out do him, and each other, with absurd pronouncements. Or mostly incrediblely stupid opinions.
I dont plan to come back, although i may drop in form time to time. Nothing happening here, move along.
getalife
October 8th, 2012
10:20 pm
Lose a testicle?
mitt could use it because he is missing his.
Talk about weak.
JKL2
October 8th, 2012
10:23 pm
-” but in my experience, NO potential employer has ever asked me for transcripts
My transcript is on file in three different places. Guess it dependson the employer and if credentialling is required.
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
October 8th, 2012
10:23 pm
I dont plan to come back, although i may drop in form[sic] time to time.
Yeah, that’s what they all say.
td
October 8th, 2012
10:26 pm
Look before I leap…
October 8th, 2012
10:12 pm
@td
“They are still biased and over sample Dems and use 2008 turnout numbers…”
Citation please?
Pick a poll (besides Rasmussen) and go look at the internals and see how many dems were sampled vs how many Reps and Ind.
Marty Huggins'
October 8th, 2012
10:31 pm
http://www.gwinnett.k12.ga.us/careers%5Ccareershr.nsf/pages/Certification0~HRServices
“Employees new to GCPS are required to file a certification application package within 30 days of employment. The following items are required:
PSC Application for Certification
Official Transcripts of all college/university coursework completed
GACE Assessment Scores or Praxis II Content Assessment scores prior to September 1, 2006
Out-of-State Professional Certificates and content assessment required for out-of-state professional certificate.”
http://georgiateachingfellows.ttrack.org/FAQ.aspx
“Please note that upon entrance to the Georgia Teaching Fellows program, two additional copies of sealed, official transcripts from each college or university attended will be required in order to enroll in the program.”
barking frog
October 8th, 2012
10:32 pm
Leroi2
:finger:
td
October 8th, 2012
10:33 pm
All I can say is just wow. Andrew Sullivan on the Daily beast just ripped Obama worse then anything I have ever read on a Conservative site. You libs really need to read this one.
The question is will Jay produce a blog about this story?
http://andrewsullivan.thedailybeast.com/2012/10/did-obama-just-throw-the-entire-election-away.html
RF
October 8th, 2012
10:33 pm
td: the polls show Romney tied or a few points ahead in some of the swing states. Hardly a crushing victory, and clearly a nice bounce predicted after the debate performance. He got a negligible bump after the convention, which should have given him a nice one. If that had happened and the debate bump kicked in, he should be much further ahead. At this point, he needs to sustain the upward trend to have a defining lead, and that remains to be seen. I’ll give him a flip of the coin on that possibility, but these last few weeks are a tough bet. It’s hardly time to pop open the bubbly yet for either side.
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
October 8th, 2012
10:36 pm
The question is will Jay produce a blog about this story?
Go to blogspot.com.
Create your own blog.
Choose your own topics.
The question is, will you accomplish this?
Welcome to the Occupation
October 8th, 2012
10:37 pm
What a perfect Indigenous Peoples Resistance Day present:
A Chavez people.
Congratulations to the people of Venezuela. Well done.
Welcome to the Occupation
October 8th, 2012
10:37 pm
Correction: A Chavez victory.
td
October 8th, 2012
10:38 pm
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
October 8th, 2012
10:36 pm
Already have my own on Facebook.
Look before I leap...
October 8th, 2012
10:39 pm
@td
I know how to read a sampling panel thank you.
I was asking for the citation that supported your claim for both over-sampling of Dems and usage of 2008 turnout numbers.
td
October 8th, 2012
10:39 pm
“The Pew poll is devastating, just devastating. Before the debate, Obama had a 51 – 43 lead; now, Romney has a 49 – 45 lead. That’s a simply unprecedented reversal for a candidate in October. Before Obama had leads on every policy issue and personal characteristic; now Romney leads in almost all of them. Obama’s performance gave Romney a 12 point swing! I repeat: a 12 point swing.
Romney’s favorables are above Obama’s now. Yes, you read that right. Romney’s favorables are higher than Obama’s right now. That gender gap that was Obama’s firewall? Over in one night:”
http://andrewsullivan.thedailybeast.com/2012/10/did-obama-just-throw-the-entire-election-away.html
Jm
October 8th, 2012
10:41 pm
Leroi2
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
October 8th, 2012
10:44 pm
Facebook?
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Jm
October 8th, 2012
10:45 pm
They are still running this garbage in FL
Obama is a dirtbag
http://www.politico.com/blogs/media/2012/10/mitchell-shames-obama-camp-over-footage-137799.html?hp=l13
RF
October 8th, 2012
10:45 pm
td: Reagan, the inimitable orator himself, lost his first debate in ‘84 terribly, seeming so bumfuddled that questions about his age and ability were bouncing around as I recall. GWB also lost his first debate to Kerry in ‘04. What matters is what happens in the next two debates. Reagan rallied and pulled off two good debates. GWB somehow did it too (not that it was hard with Kerry the Ketchup King, but I digress…). Again, the response to Romney’s first debate performance is encouraging for his campaign, but there’s two to go.
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
October 8th, 2012
10:46 pm
Oh, sweet Jesus, Sarah Palin is dressed for the MILF prom pic.twitter.com/vYSHlz1a
Heh, heh, heh.
Ken
October 8th, 2012
10:47 pm
I saw a bunch of democratic frown faces on TV news programs tonight. But, it ain’t over till it’s over.
Welcome to the Occupation
October 8th, 2012
10:47 pm
td: There are a couple of less hysterical, yet still just as harsh left-wing critiques of the disastrous Obama debate showing (Bob Herbert one of the best of them).
Not sure Sullivan really says anything that Jay Bookman didn’t already address in his post-debate post.
For a more sober analysis, try: http://fivethirtyeight.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/10/08/after-conventions-follow-the-bouncing-poll-numbers/?hp
td
October 8th, 2012
10:48 pm
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
October 8th, 2012
10:44 pm
Yes, the same Facebook that helped Obama turn out the youth vote 4 years ago and probably won him the election.
Here is some more of Sullivan’s article and this part fits you my friend to a tee:
” With President Obama holed up in a Nevada resort for debate practice, things can get pretty boring on the White House beat right now. Pretty boring for Obama too, apparently. “Basically they’re keeping me indoors all the time,” Obama told a supporter on the phone during a visit to a Las Vegas area field office. “It’s a drag,” he added. “They’re making me do my homework.”
Too arrogant to take a core campaign responsibility seriously. Too arrogant to give his supporters what they deserve. If he now came out and said he supports Simpson-Bowles in its entirety, it would look desperate, but now that Romney has junked every proposal he ever told his base, and we’re in mid-October, it’s Obama’s only chance on the economy. “
td
October 8th, 2012
10:53 pm
RF
October 8th, 2012
10:45 pm
The difference is Romney is not a Mondale or a Kerry and will not rollover in the next debate as they did. BTW: Obama damn sure is not a Reagan or even a GWB.
Welcome to the Occupation
October 8th, 2012
10:55 pm
Under Chavez, poverty fell to 31.6 percent at the end of 2011 from about 50 percent when he first took office, according to the national statistics institute. Extreme poverty declined to 8.5 percent from about 20 percent over the same period. Venezuela has the lowest level of inequality in Latin America and the Caribbean, according to the United Nations. (Reuters)
RF
October 8th, 2012
11:03 pm
“The difference is Romney is not a Mondale or a Kerry and will not rollover in the next debate as they did”
No, but Mondale nor Kerry had the 47% gaffe to answer to or the insistent flip-flopping that I’m sure will be pointed out over the next two debates. And I suspect after the first debate, Obama won’t roll over either, so the next debates should be interesting to watch. I don’t think I’d bet too much on Romney- his rhetoric sounds good, but it’s not exactly hard to point out the all too obvious sudden change in the last two weeks. That is what will get him in the end, I believe.
JKL2
October 8th, 2012
11:04 pm
Welcome- Venezuela has the lowest level of inequality in Latin America and the Caribbean, according to the United Nations
Enjoy your new home. We’ll miss you.
Towncrier
October 8th, 2012
11:09 pm
“All I can say is just wow. Andrew Sullivan on the Daily beast just ripped Obama worse then anything I have ever read on a Conservative site.”
That’s what happens when you discover that your deity is really a carved piece of wood after all.
Welcome to the Occupation
October 8th, 2012
11:10 pm
RF: “Obama won’t roll over either, so the next debates should be interesting to watch”
For a pessimistic, but in view persuasive take on the problem for Obama, see:
http//nymag.com/daily/intel/2012/10/first-debate-was-obamas-best-chance.html
Appleseed
October 8th, 2012
11:11 pm
Obama is not a Reagan or GWB Or Daddy Bush.All should be thankful for that.
Look before I leap...
October 8th, 2012
11:12 pm
@Welcome
But Venezuela currently has an 18% annual inflation rate.
Not sustainable in the long term and only BARELY acceptable if oil prices keep rising.
The only plus is that Venezuela had open elections and a challenger made a decent run against a 10 year incumbent dictator.
When Chavez is finally ousted (assuming he does not get a bullet in the head) he will find a nice home in the Caymens with about a billion dollars in the bank.
td
October 8th, 2012
11:13 pm
RF
October 8th, 2012
11:03 pm
Please with the flip flopping. Have you seen a list of Obama’s flip flopping?
Here are a few for you to ponder:
“I promise 100% transparency in my administration.”
“I promise NO NEW TAXES on a family making less than $250K a year.”
“I will allow 5 days of public comment before I sign any bills.”
“I will remove earmarks from PORK projects before I sign any bill.”
“I will end Income Tax for seniors making less than $50K a year.”
“I will bring ALL of our troops home within ONE year….”
“I’ll put the Health Care negotiations on CSPAN so everyone can see who is at the table!”
“I’ll have no lobbyists in my administration.”
“I’ll close Guantanamo.”
“I’ll resign if I don’t cut the deficit in half by the end of four years.”
“I’ll unite the people of this great country.”
“I believe that marriage is the union between a man and a woman.
Towncrier
October 8th, 2012
11:14 pm
“I don’t think I’d bet too much on Romney- his rhetoric sounds good, but it’s not exactly hard to point out the all too obvious sudden change in the last two weeks.”
My Meme-O-Sniffer just lit up:
[Liberal shifting uneasily, sputtering out words] “Obama is not an incompetent or mediocre at best president. No…Romney is a liar. For how ELSE can we explain the sudden reversal of standing??? NOTHING else makes sense!!!”
DebbieDoRight - Plantation Liberal (In Good Standing)
October 8th, 2012
11:16 pm
Get. A. Life.
JKL2
October 8th, 2012
11:17 pm
-But Venezuela currently has an 18% annual inflation rate
Jimmy Carter is smiling and obama’s has a big woody just think about the possibility.
Maybe someday we can hope to become a great nation like Venezuela…
Towncrier
October 8th, 2012
11:22 pm
“Maybe someday we can hope to become a great nation like Venezuela…”
Or Spain. If anyone can get us there, perhaps Obama can.
RF
October 8th, 2012
11:27 pm
WOW- so you guys actually buy Romney 6.0?? I guess the Etch-A-Sketch shaking really did work…
As I said, we have two debates to go. And Romney’s style over substance approach is only going to get him so far. He’s got a chance, but I’d put off planning the victory party for another couple of weeks. Since I actually have a life, I’ll leave the insanity for now. My support’s not changing, so keep blathering. It’s fun to read.
Look before I leap...
October 8th, 2012
11:32 pm
@JKL2
Not sure I understand you comment.
Care to elaborate?
Inflation under Obama (excluding the deflationary pressures of the recession) are a bit over 2%
getalife
October 8th, 2012
11:32 pm
I believe this is the last chance for our government and if our President loses, the wealth and income gap widens too large.
Government loses all credibility, the people lose all hope, and America is destroyed.
It is a make it or break it election and we know the cons want to break it.
RF
October 8th, 2012
11:45 pm
Here are a few highlights of Romney’s flips and flops:
1. Healthcare: created the model for Obamacare, but now says he’ll repeal the whole act. But then said he’d repeal and replace it. With what, pray tell?
2. Pathway to citizenship: was for it, now adamantly against it.
3. Said he was independent during Reagan/Bush era and didn’t want to return to it. Now Reagan is one of his heroes.
4. Supported ban on assault weapons and Brady bill- now opposed to any gun legislation.
5. As governor of Mass., he opposed a constitutional amendment on marriage definition. Now supports it.
6. 1994- said he was more pro-choice than Kennedy in his failed senate bid. OMG if he dared say that now…
The flip-flop on healthcare, after he spent years touting the law he helped craft in Massachusetts, ought to have gotten him booted off the platform back in Iowa, but he came out the best idiot in the room by NH. I’m not sure what it says when the best candidate your party can put forth would repeal a law modeled after the one he created as governor of a state.
td
October 8th, 2012
11:52 pm
Just how low will Obama go to win this race. It appears he lied about his own wedding anniversary. Click on the date and look at the wedding announcement.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-new_michelle018t20080606095724,0,73482.photo
Towncrier
October 8th, 2012
11:57 pm
“I believe this is the last chance for our government and if our President loses, the wealth and income gap widens too large.”
And all hope for socialism is lost. Dang, I sure did look forward to living off the government.
Tundra Dude
October 9th, 2012
12:01 am
Just how low will Obama go to win this race. It appears he lied about his own wedding anniversary.
Big F Deal. I could post the Top 100 Lies from Mr. Cayman Islands, but it wouldn’t change a single mind.
Cons would vote for Bernie Madoff or that Penn State perv if they thought he could win.
Look before I leap...
October 9th, 2012
12:08 am
@RF
“…can put forth would repeal a law modeled after the one he created as governor of a state.”
Romney said in the debate that he preferred that each state make the determination.
And I don’t have a huge issue with that idea. I think though, he should have said I believe the idea is so valid, I would set up a federal fund guarantee of $5B (or some weighted amount) per state if your plan meets “x” provisia minima. That is a specific I can get on board with. I just can’t get with a broad brush unfunded mandate.
Look before I leap...
October 9th, 2012
12:17 am
@td
You should feel really stupid and foolish:
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/theoval/post/2011/10/obamas-celebrate-19th-wedding-anniversary/1#.UHOj1VE7-So
Given that the debate night had not been scheduled 1 year ago, masterful planning on the Obama campaign people.
Moron
RF
October 9th, 2012
12:19 am
@Look: I’d agree with you, and on one hand I would if there were such an incentive in place. The problem for me is that no other state besides Mass. has even tried, and at some point you have to think they never will. Certainly not in any majority Republican state, and definitely not now after the ACA passed. Even if it’s repealed in it’s entirety, I don’t expect we’ll see any state even blink at the idea of a state level plan. And you know as well as I do that if Romney dared put any money on the table to incentivize it, he’d get charbroiled by his own for it. I’m not entirely for the ACA, but I do think it’s time to do something and get the healthcare debacle under some type of control. Future POTUS and congresses will have the opportunity to change or repeal it as needed.
Look before I leap...
October 9th, 2012
12:30 am
@RF
I think your analysis is reasonable.
I have many issues with ACA – and perhaps the federal carrot would need a federal stick.
Short of going to war over it a la slavery, the feds have limited options.
They had good success when it came the national speed limit and national DUI levels, withhold funds from states that did not comply and reward states that did.
The idea is sound, the timing terrible, the expenditure of political capital enormous.
Peter
October 9th, 2012
12:31 am
Well if Romney is elected ……then plan for World War 3. They don’t build a huge military for nothing.
On the backs of Social security…….. and so what about that 47% and going higher……they can all eat at McDonald’s.
Really this guy won’t take us to war ?
As we are to make all in the world cow down to us and our way of life ?
And how will American citizens pay for the Wars of a few ? Wikipedia Bush Jr for the answer.
Do we really want a president who calls out the citizens of America ?
Peter
October 9th, 2012
12:33 am
I just can’t get with a broad brush unfunded mandate.
You mean like the Iraq War ?
Ol' Timer
October 9th, 2012
12:34 am
The millions that Sheldon Adelson has given and is giving to Romney and the RNC is to buy the U.S. military and loan them to Israel. Romney will do or say anything the radical wing of his party tells him and I fear for the country if he doesn’t moderate his rhetoric. The American people are going to have to speak loud and clear about our military adventures — they drain our treasury and cost us too many young lives.
I guess his five sons will go to Paris while our finest have boots on the ground in Iran.
Travis McGee
October 9th, 2012
12:37 am
Romney is one of many chickenhawks in the Republican/Tea Party who will lay down you life for his country.
RF
October 9th, 2012
12:37 am
“The idea is sound, the timing terrible, the expenditure of political capital enormous.”
You are right indeed. I wonder, though, if it would have been any easier in the long run to craft and get through congress a bill that would have outlined requirements and withheld funds for noncompliance. At the time ACA was passed, that would have been even more disastrous politically as states were reeling in the economic collapse at that point. I think they knew they had a limited window until campaigning for the midterms began. After that point, nothing would have gotten through, and considering the climate in DC since, wouldn’t stand a chance now or ever. Bad timing, you betcha. But when would there ever be a good time? Even if he loses, the act is there and will take a lot more than Romney’s pledge to actually get it repealed. Romney knows that, and I’d bet the farm he’ll end up flipping his view on it if he gets elected and he’ll end up trying to make it work like he did in Mass.
RF
October 9th, 2012
12:42 am
Peter: gotta do something with those 15 ships/subs he’ll have built every year besides use them as props in the background for his speeches. Cheney’s Boyz will make sure he goes to war- they need a few more defense contracts to keep the elevators greased for their Benz collections.
Look before I leap...
October 9th, 2012
12:58 am
@td
Just in case you don’t feel completely idiotic:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20081016073026AAEPKaG
Note the time index on the questions and responses.
Look before I leap...
October 9th, 2012
1:08 am
@RF
In reality, we can’t even get the states to agree when it is legal to impregnate a female.
Look before I leap...
October 9th, 2012
1:14 am
@Peter
“You mean like the Iraq War ?”
Please go look up the meaning of unfunded mandate.
And in the context of what I said earlier, I meant unfunded FEDERAL mandate.
And if that was not clear to you, then there is little more I can do to help you.
Appleseed
October 9th, 2012
1:31 am
Nickelodon says Romney will not answere kids questions.Future voters will remember this.Crultey to his dog,now ignoring the kids.I suppose he knows the kids and dogs can’t vote.Parents,and pet owners do.He may be ahead in polls now.If the 47% vote against him,Also few loving parents,and animal lovers.Then Obama will be re-elected.
Oscar
October 9th, 2012
1:46 am
Doing a better job in a debate and doing a better job as President are not the same.
Romney’s foreign policy would be a disaster, even worse than his domestic policy.
Stick with Obama.
Enomomy is improving, so are our affairs in foreign policy. Including the war in Afgan.
Ronald Reagan Parkway
October 9th, 2012
3:40 am
In a way, the Koch brothers are simply fulfilling their father’s legacy. In 1958, Fred Koch — the founder of Koch Industries — joined a group of manufacturing executives and Robert Welch to found the John Birch Society, a virulent far-right group that dominated the civil rights debate. The John Birch Society organized an impeachment campaign against then-Supreme Court Justice Earl Warren for the Brown v. Board decision outlawing racial segregation, and mobilized its supporters to oppose integration of schools on the grounds that mixing black and white would lead to the “mongrelization” of the races. Fred supported the John Birch Society’s anti-civil rights campaign, and wrote a screed denouncing the civil rights movement as communist-inspired.
Charles and David did not only inherit an oil company, they inherited a political philosophy. The Tea Party movement, orchestrated by AFP and other Koch fronts, reflects the paranoid style of the movement started by their father, Fred. As Thom Hartmann has explained, corporate interests have long funded far-right, paranoid movements to continually shift the balance of politics in America. The radical right creates political space for corporate candidates like Richard Nixon or Mitt Romney to appear “moderate” in contrast. David Koch, it should be noted, actually supports Romney for president in 2012 even though David’s fronts have spent the last two years boosting reactionaries like Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) and Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC).
http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2011/01/12/138501/koch-segregation/
Charter resolution short-changes public schools
October 9th, 2012
3:55 am
Kudos to state Superintendent of Schools Dr. John Barge for his recent stance on the charter school amendment.
As he correctly points out, House Resolution 1162 is just an attempt to create a dual school district — another layer of bureaucracy that is not needed in Georgia government.
Presently, if a local school board votes down a charter proposal, the state Board of Education can reverse that decision. There is already a mechanism and system in place to take care of the appeal process.
This is how Cherokee Charter Academy was approved and can be renewed for years to come. There is no need to recreate the Charter Commission.
Amendment proponents want to do so because there likely is a better chance for charters run by for-profit entities to be approved by the Charter Commission than the State BOE.
Amendment proponents like to point out that no local funding will be used if the Charter Commission is re-established.
The problem is that state funding will be used in an environment where existing public school systems like the Cherokee County School District are being shorted millions of dollars through “austerity” reductions.
Until the state legislature fully funds existing schools, why would anyone support adding more “special” charter schools?
What is truly galling is that the state is presently funding these “special” charter schools at two and one-half times the per pupil rate which traditional public school districts are funded.
Anyone who supports Cherokee County’s public schools should vote “no” on the amendment in November.
Documental: La Biblia vs. el Libro de Mormón
October 9th, 2012
4:16 am
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5CavN3AABY
seabeau
October 9th, 2012
5:07 am
Jay! You mean as opposed to the Quiet Power that got our Libyan staff murdered! I’ll rather take the US Marines anyday!
Fred ™
October 9th, 2012
7:07 am
You can always tell the ones who listen to the outer fringe of talk radio, but you just can’ tell them much.
Thanks seabeau. How was Coast to Coast last night?
independent thinker
October 9th, 2012
7:18 am
I guess its between John Bolton and Liz Cheney for Secretary of State. I wonder if Romney will bring Rumsfeld back for Secretary of Defense or maybe Dan Senor who was Baghdad Bob for the US occupation government in Iraq and a Bibi worshiper..
TaxPayer
October 9th, 2012
7:18 am
The French plead with the US voters to please, please do not elect that ruffian, Mitt. His policy on French foreigners and their drinking of the wine, in their own country, back during the war was horrible.
barking frog
October 9th, 2012
7:22 am
sheets
Jym Allyn
October 10th, 2012
7:47 am
To understand Mitt Romney (and the “philosophy” of any current Republican) you need to read Melody Beattie’s “Co-Dependent No More.”
Dependent people like Mormon Romney, or alcoholic George Bush, or alcoholic Rush Limbaugh, don’t realize when they are lying even when they are sober.
Our national problem is that 46% of the population (measured by their belief in Creationism) is co-dependent.
The only hope for Obama to win the election is when the Evangelical part of that co-dependent group realize that Romney is “not a Real Christian” and decide not to vote. True Evangelicals also don’t think that Catholics such as Ryan are “Real Christians” either.
Jym Allyn
October 10th, 2012
8:35 am
How to you explain the gullibility of the Mormon religion without sounding like a bigot?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rn1iGvXU0dI&feature=related
RHarrisonScott
October 13th, 2012
11:08 am
Regarding the foreign policy debate, one thing is for sure. We don’t need a President whose first priority is to get down on his knees to apologize to the Islamic world for our First Amendment right to free speech. The first responsibility of the President of the United States is to protect and defend the Constitution.
“I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.”