Like much of President Downgrade’s tenure the Syrian fiasco is one of insufferable consequences resulting from a ‘lead from behind’ strategy.

The window of opportunity for the U.S. to take action passed two years ago when the actual Syrian people, the ordinary freedom citizens, were crying out for help.  Over the course of the two years that followed those ordinary voices have been overrun by extremists who jumped into the vacuum created by a lack of action.

Now Syria has devolved into a brutal Assad regime being fought by an even more brutal group of al-Qaeda extremists, while supported by Egypt and Muslim Brotherhood elements.   The ordinary freedom movement is hiding amid destroyed homes, broken glass, and blood stained curtains.

Syria is Obama’s Iran 2.0 deja-vu.   In Iran 2009, the “Green Movement” suffered a similar fate to the ordinary Syrian seeking freedom.   President Obama ignored them both when the window was open – In Iran the Islamic iron gates locked down the opening, in Syria the same is taking place. (more…)

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate sided with traditional retailers and financially strapped state and local governments Monday by passing a bill that would widely subject online shopping — for many a largely tax-free frontier — to state sales taxes.

The Senate passed the bill by a vote of 69 to 27, getting support from Republicans and Democrats alike. But opposition from some conservatives who view it as a tax increase will make it a tougher sell in the House. President Barack Obama has conveyed his support for the measure.

Under current law, states can only require retailers to collect sales taxes if the store has a physical presence in the state. (more…)

“red rover, red rover, the truth’s coming over”…

WASHINGTON DC – On the night of Sept. 11, as the Obama administration scrambled to respond to the Benghazi terror attacks, then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and a key aide effectively tried to cut the department’s own counterterrorism bureau out of the chain of reporting and decision-making, according to a “whistle-blower” witness from that bureau who will soon testify to the charge before Congress, Fox News has learned.

That witness is Mark I. Thompson, a former Marine and now the deputy coordinator for operations in the agency’s counterterrorism bureau. Sources tell Fox News Thompson will level the allegation against Clinton during testimony on Wednesday before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, chaired by Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif. (more…)

First things first.   This does not need to be rushed – this should not be a “pass it to see what’s in it” bill.   This needs to be clearly and methodically, even painstakingly, a deliberative process.

As I see Team Obama requesting the “rushing it to a vote” I become even more suspicious of it….

Report #1 – Senate Budget Committee ranking member Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL) told Boston’s conservative radio host Howie Carr on Wednesday that the political momentum is starting to turn against the “Gang of Eight” immigration bill.  (Link)

Report #2 – President Obama said there is one thing he absolutely won’t compromise on in immigration reform: a pathway to citizenship [ie. “Amnesty”]   But as for what he would be willing to give up, he won’t say.  (link)

Report #3 – Just in case anyone is concerned that senators aren’t reading the 844-page immigration reform bill from the Group of Eight closely before returning from recess next week, note that Sen. David Vitter (R-La.) is tweeting as he goes, calling out concerning elements of the legislation (link):

More red flags in #Gangof8 bill #Gof8Fact pg 102 lets Sec of Homeland Security waive employment and education requirements for illegals

— David Vitter (@DavidVitter) May 2, 2013

I'm still reading through the #Gangof8 bill #Gof8Fact pg 83 says Sec of Homeland Security can waive citizenship processing fees for illegals

— David Vitter (@DavidVitter) May 2, 2013

(more…)

Could this be the raindrop which finally causes the flood?

Chairman Darryl Issa on CBS News Face The Nation

It appears the “smartest administration ever”, has painted themselves into a corner – yet again.   The strikes from Israel are key indicators that Assad is going to fall, as al-Qaeda elements gain more and more control and weaponry.

Obama administration, via @nytimes, now says Obama's Syria "red line" was a gaffe. Huge implications here. http://t.co/TcZiKS0cd2

— Karen Tumulty (@ktumulty) May 5, 2013

WASHINGTON — Confronted with evidence that chemical weapons have been used in Syria, President Obama now finds himself in a geopolitical box, his credibility at stake with frustratingly few good options. (NYT Link)

Or as Dear Sharon would say, “Fire in the Hole”!   😀

The trial of George Zimmerman draws closer, so let me clarify some considerations, with perhaps a sense of urgency.   Some, heck, many, are searching for an agenda where none exists.

This is not a fight the Treehouse chose; This is a fight which chose the Treehouse.

First, The Conservative Treehouse (aka The Treehouse, The Last Refuge, the “nutters” et al) has never had any contact with the George Zimmerman defense. Never. Not Once. Ever. Not Mark O’Mara; Not Don West; Not either of their offices, interested parties, affiliates or representatives.

No, nor have we ever tried to contact them; Again, we repeat, “ever”. (more…)

Recently I received advice, from a person closely following the Trayvon Martin / George Zimmerman story, to take some researched evidence to the “main stream” media.   So I did, and I’ll outline my experience below.   What follows is the exact reason why the Media is no longer considered a Fourth Estate.

One thing the media never does any longer is ask questions, the “why” questions.  You’ll notice the mainstream media, in a general sense, only reports on stories, and even then only on the stories they view are within the purpose of their editorial agenda;  And stories fed to them from daily newswires, or occasionally consultants, which they are paid to regurgitate.

“It’s a cost vs. benefit analysis”, I was told by a local Orlando media reporter, “we have limited funding for resources, and expenses, and so the editors only want to expend money on stories that will drive income”, they continued.

As I asked whether or not they would be willing to look into information, or even consider information if it were just presented to them, the response was also oddly disjointed when you think of the original purpose of a news gathering and public interest.

“If it pertains to Trayvon Martin’s criminal behavior, or evidence of burglary, we are not interested”, I was told.  “Our editors and editorial board have decided that nothing about that has anything to do with the events in Sanford”.  “Nor does that have anything to do with the shooting of Trayvon Martin by George Zimmerman”. (more…)