Several weeks ago when doing research into Denis McDonough, Obama’s pick to be his Chief of Staff, we ran accross this older insightful comment from a former member of Chuck Hagel’s staff.   I book marked it to review again during the confirmation hearings. Wow, this former employee of his staff really hits the nail on the head.

Watch this segment of his confirmation hearing first:

Now consider this from one of his staffers from March 2007:

At one time I worked in Senator Chuck Hagel’s office. I believe readers may be interested in my observations of Senator Hagel.

He has a limited educational background, and worked as a local broadcaster in Nebraska before getting his start as an aide to a Nebraska congressman in the 1970s. Before that, he fought in Vietnam, where he was seriously wounded. With his Capitol Hill background and war record, he obtained a high position in the Reagan administration’s Department of Veterans Affairs. Then he had some friends who were investing in the new cellular phone field; he sold his car to raise the funds to invest with them. That’s how he became a millionaire. And in a small state like Nebraska, that’s how a person possessed of the requisite ego, regardless of other qualifications, including intelligence, becomes a United States Senator. (more…)

I doubt anyone could ever watch a more categorically inept nominee face questioning than former Republican Senator Chuck Hagel.    President Obama appears to have nominated Hagel for only one reason – ideological synergy:   Lead from behind, follow the principle of flawed R2P mindset, and intentionally diminish the capacity of the U.S. Military.

Clueless would be the best descriptive.

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Breaking: Senate confirms Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry as secretary of state. http://t.co/FlFT59lx

— The Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) January 29, 2013

It was crystal clear when Republican Senator Marco Rubio announced his intent at constructing a bi-partisan immigration bill last November that President Barack Obama would not allow Rubio to steal one of the divisive political arrows from his quiver.

Nothing upsets the current administration more than having an alinsky-type talking attack point removed from their arsenal before they have the opportunity to use it.  [One only needs to look at the “Alligator Moat” Speech in 2011]  Such is clearly the case with the current immigration proposals.

Yesterday the bi-Partisan initiatives Senator Rubio had previously discussed were outlined.  The general process includes a pathway to “legal status” and eventually to a “green card”.   The foundation of his proposal is contingent upon enforcement and border security first, then a pathway to legal immigrant status.

Just like May 2011 – President Obama is HAVING-NONE-OF-IT !

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If you are a person who follows U.S. foreign policy, even tangentially, you must watch this video of Hillary Clinton discussing the terrorist attack / hostage crisis in Algeria:

Couple of thoughts. (more…)

(Via Daily Mail) The body of a woman once called a ‘heroine of the 21st century’ for fearlessly standing up to Mexico’s brutal drug cartels has been found beaten to death at the side of a road.

Dr Maria Santos Gorrostieta, 36, was the former mayor of Tiquicheo, a rural district in Michoacan, west of Mexico City. She leaves behind three sons.

Her second husband, Nereo Delgado Patinoran, is alleged to be missing.

She famously survived two assassination attempts by narcotics gangs who have turned the country into a war zone.

Dr Gorrostieta had seen her government security team withdrawn in November last year, and then her police escort in January. (more…)