DRONES

Alright here is a shocker for most of you I am sure. I am generally not a fan of the Republican party...there I admitted it. Having said that, I have to admit Rand Paul deserves some credit. His thirteen hour filibuster brought attention to a topic many in the media, and otherwise have pretty much ignored. First, let me address another issue quickly, the way Mr. Paul used the filibuster is admirable. In today's Congress where nothing gets done, all too often congressional loop holes are used to defer debate, and where debate seems to be generally discouraged. Mr. Paul put some skin in the game, he found that the issue was important and he remained on the Senate floor for an extended time to get his point across. He didn't use the threat of it, or try any other tricks he just did it. Phew... that is out the way.

So drones... I have some major concerns with the whole idea but the issue breaks down into two major ones for me. First, as american citizens should the recent leaked White House memo that says that drones can be used on our own soil scare us. It scares me, although I am not sure that one can argue that the use would be illegal. If the United States government deems one of us an immediate terror threat they can certainly use guns or any force they deem necessary, drones are no different I suppose. It still scares me though that a robotic device can eliminate targets here or abroad without any due process what so ever. This does not even get into the ability of drones to spy on the population, 1984 anyone? Drones probably fall outside the traditional search and seizure Jurisprudence. It's certainly something we should be aware about. And, lest anyone forgot the current White House is run by a Democrat. We should all be scared by the extra judicial nature of this whole drones scenario.

My second concern, to a large extent we are one of the only countries with drones capable of carrying out military strikes. That means this is an area of first impression and we are making the rules. We have used this power to carry out attacks abroad often without getting permission from host countries. Our government decides that someone is a threat to America and sends an unmanned aircraft violating foreign airspace and carries out an attack. I have had this argument with some people and they contend that it is the only way to capture or kill some of these terrorists. The ends justify the means in their minds and I can see a lot of appeal in that logic. But, we have to be careful. We are setting an example that other nations may soon follow.

Let me take a stab at a very disconcerting parallel. Nuclear weapons, America is the only country to have used them in an attack. Ever since, the world has been back tracking from the use of nuclear weapons. North Korea, Pakistan, and Iran all worry us because at the push of a button these weapons could cause massive damage. What if Iran had drone capability and a rogue leader in Cuba allowed the Iranians to fly drones from Cuba. The Cubans believe that their latest leader was a target of an assassination attempt by the CIA and they know who the agent is.(They are correct in that the US attempted to carry out the assassination) An American spy tried to kill their leader certainly sounds like a threat that rises to the level of national security. The next day the Cubans/Iranians carry out a drone attack on a high rise in Miami where the CIA operative was believed to be living. Sound scary... it should... we have the power, what kind of example are we setting.

BTW this is an Obama problem not a Bush problem. The rate, frequency and sheer number of drone attacks under President Obama is far higher than under President Bush. I am interested to see what comments people have about this issue.

Are Republicans Patriots?

Before I start. Let me point out that this is a rant. I did not do research about past Presidents so feel free to correct me if I am off base.

This is ridiculous. A few nights ago, the First Lady of the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA not the the DEMOCRATS OF AMERICA came on the Oscars. She thanked the actors for their support of the arts, but honestly I don't care what she said. This constant criticism of anything the Obama's do is getting a little tiresome. Obama has a private golfing trip and the right wing media goes crazy. His life is tiring so the guy decided to play a private round of golf. The last guy was constantly on vacation in case you forgot. Obama's daughters were used in an ad by the NRA. SOME deference and respect would be nice. He has been called a liar at a State of the Union. Let's not forget he wasn't born here. I get challenging where he was born while he is running but once he is the President than there has to be some sort of level of respect for the office. Nothing he does is beyond reproach.

I understand that him and his family signed up for this, but civility should matter. I have differing opinions from my classmates sometimes starkly differing but I don't accuse them of anything that comes to mind. Have a principled argument and leave the other stuff alone... I am waiting... waiting for some prominent Republican to say look he is our President. But then again I am waiting for civility... have you seen our Congressional leaders (Democrats included) lately... what civility...

President Obama nominates Chuck Hagel, a REPUBLICAN, and now the Republicans don't like him. They confirmed him but not before threatening a filibuster. What kind of clout is Hagel going to have when he speaks on behalf of the nation abroad.

I understand that the Republicans and Democrats disagree on a lot of things. A healthy debate is the center of a thriving democracy. Unfortunately lately it doesn't seem like a healthy debate. There is no debate... there is no progress and I for one seriously question the loyalty of Republicans to the United States of America. I am not suggesting that Joe Smith Republican in Iowa is not a patriot. He believes in his country and elected people to represent him. Part of the responsibility of that representation is to govern. For the last four years the Republican party's mission has been to make sure Obama did not get reelected, not to govern. That seems blatantly unpatriotic. They lost the last election (by popular vote they lost the House too, gerrymandering has served the Republicans well) and there has really been no change in their position.

Which brings to another issue I have with the Republican party. Although the right to vote is not explicit in the Constitution it is certainly implied. There is a fundamental concept that people should get to vote. The Women's suffrage movement, the Civil War certainly show that. How then does the party think it patriotic to no win elections by winning the vote but by restricting those that can. Voter fraud is just not that large of an issue. You have a better chance of being hit by lightning than discovering an incident of polling place fraud.

We do however have an epidemic of a problem with voter turnout. The voter turnout in 2012 was 57.5% of all eligible voters. We need to find a way to increase the number of people that vote not decrease it.

Webster's defines a patriot as "one who loves his or her country and supports its authority and interests." Elected Republican officials need to look at the larger picture and support the country's interests. Calling President Obama a liar, chastising the First lady for an Oscar appearance, trying to reduce the voter rolls does not support the country's interests.