U.S. Causalities Continue to Mount in Afghanistan, Who will Speak for those Caught in Obama’s War?

U.S. Soldiers in Afganistan - source: new.soc.mil

The month of Augustsaw an increase in U.S. casualties; the highest since 2001, yet, despite an increase in ground troops, no exist strategy, and a historically impossible nation to conquer (let alone change hearts and minds), there is little to no opposition to this particular “undeclared war”, with very few exceptions. CNN(Word Edition) is reporting, as is the British Press and a bit here and there from Reuters. From the Sun’sreport on the incompetence of the handling of the war, Reuters, India, reporting on U.S. Casualties, , ReutersAsia reporting on Admiral Mulllins statement that the Afghan conflict is serious and “deteriorating” Lastly, CBS Correspondent, Cami McCormick (as reported by CBS World) was gravely injured while covering the “conflict” for CBS News (Radio).

UK Soldiers in Afganistan - Image Daily Mail

There was no need to go this heavily into Afghanistan; the previous administration had kept minimal levels of troops in that country, while continuing to stabilize Iraq. Once campaign promises were made to move the troops out of Iraq immediately and go after “Osama Bin Ladin” by Obama (using the hatred of the left (his base) for George W. Bush and the War in Iraq, while criticizing Bush for not going after the right target – great on the campaign trail – not in real life). Now, a bad situation that was being corrected (slowly and not fast enough for those “timetable” Democrats) in Iraq, has deteriorated, and an unwinnable Viet Nam is in the making in Afghanistan. That said the media has yet to jump on the anti-war bandwagon, with a situation that is beginning to make Iraq pale by comparison. All news reporting on Afghanistan and causalities has been confined to overseas press (includes CNN World). Had Obama wanted to target Bin Ladin, we have the capabilities to do so, using technology. It would not hurt to develop intelligence in these areas, but, as it is becoming more apparent with domestic policy, that may be impossible for this administration.

There is a lone voice crying in the Wilderness – and that is the voice that Obama praised so heartily when Bush was the Target – Cindy Sheehan. Sheehan, turns out to be an honest anti-war activist, a woman who lost a son in Iraq, and perhaps, to the outside observer, went a bit “round the bend’, in her hatred of Bush and his War – she was seen as a partisan, or used by the Democrat Party, in order to bolster Obama’s presidency. She is now targeting Obama, and protesting the Conflict in Afghanistan. ABC and CBS both reported on Ms. Sheehan’s visit to Martha’s Vineyard, but in a condescending manner – very unlike the press she received in 2007 and 2008.
As it is the Woodstock Anniversary – one tune in particular comes to mind – the strongest anti-war song ever written (humble opinion) by one Country Joe McDonald - Video below – just change Viet Nam to Afghanistan and perhaps, one will understand Ms. Sheehan’s angst a bit better.

Harry Reid Pushes Deval Patrick to Fill Kennedy’s Seat – Huffington Post Makes a Game Show Out of Kennedy’s Demise

Harry Reid, Calls on Patrick to Push for Kennedy Successor - So Much for States Rights - image: MSNBC

Massachusetts’s Governor, Deval Patrickhas requested the Commonwealth’s Legislature put a bill on his desk reversing a bill changed in 2004, which would allow Patrick to appoint Kennedy’s successor – this at the urging of Senate Majority Leader, Harry Reid. With Kennedy barely cold, the Democratic machine is rushing to change Massachusetts law, in order to consolidate power in Washington. (Patrick is most likely to be replaced by constituents in 2010; in the latest polling, Republican Christi Mihos is besting Patrick, a populist, Mihos has both the money and grassroots support to succeed Patrick in 2010.) The Massachusetts House Speaker (often more powerful than the Governor) has has remained silent on the subject, so it is possible, not probable, that Patrick and Reid will not get a quick bill through the Mass. Legislature.

Meanwhile, speculation is rife over who might fill Kennedy’s seat (This blog has been guilty of the same, prompted by Kennedy's letter to Patrick a week prior to his passing). Over at the Huffington Post, the Presidents favored news source, a tacky poll is running on who’s most likely to take the seat - out of a 10 possible choices – the top five “contestants” are Joseph Patrick Kennedy, Martha Coakley, Edward Kennedy Jr., Michael Dukakis and Ed Markey – not in the contestant line-up 4th District Rep., Barney Frank. One might speculate that the news organization which takes its clues from the White House may already have insight into the choice of the administration. That said the circus-like stunt is stunningly disrespectful of the Kennedy’s; given the fact that the family has not yet buried Edward M. Kennedy. It is one thing to speculate, it is another to turn it into theatre.

The Post may have problems with several of their picks, according to the Associated Press, there is noKennedy available to fill Edward M. Kennedy’s seat, according to the AP. Therefore, it is anyone’s best guess. One would think the administration would want someone who is not only competent but charismatic, and a party leader - someone who would be able to whip those who are not willing to go heel to toe with every bill the Administration desires. Michael Dukakis?

What is most infuriating to a citizen of the Commonwealth is difficult to pinpoint, one the one hand, the Governor taking direction from the Senate Majority Leader regarding Massachusetts State Law is – is not only arrogant but a possible violation of the 10th amendment – governing the rights of states - add insult to injury with that, crass carnival over a the Huffington Post (which is most associated with the administration besides MSNBC and NBC),. Although one might not have agreed with Ted Kennedy’s political ideology – his service to the Commonwealth and his constituents was legendary. He took care to answer each letter or concern, and took care of those who required assistance, regardless of their party affiliation. It is the total lack of respect shown by the members of his own Party, that is, in a word, despicable.

Massachusetts Races to Replace Kennedy - Deval Patrick Wants Law Governing Senate Appointment Reversal Change On Desk ASAP

Governor Deval Patrickis calling for the Massachusetts Legislature to reverse the law calling for a general election in the event of a U.S. Senate vacancy, to one allowing Patrick to appoint a successor to Ted Kennedy. This move has been anticipated for several weeks. Kennedy himself, who lobbied for the law to be changed in 2004 when it did not favor the Democrat Party, asked just last week to reverse it, once again. The Massachusetts Legislature, made of almost exclusively of Democrats, will, in all likelihood, bow to the Governor's request.

Who's on the short list? Barney Frank, U.S. Congress, 4th District (MA-D) (according to Mass. Political insiders). Frank, who said he was not interested in running for the Senate Seat, may change his tune "for the good of the country" if asked by close associate, Barack Obama. It is highly unlikely that the Governor would attempt to continue the Kennedy political dynasty, but, that said, with Massachusetts, anything is possible. What is needed, however, for the Obama administration, is a tough salesman, one who is not in the least bit shy about pushing health care reform, and shares the ideology of the administration - Frank fits that criteria.