The Military At Home

According to the Washington Post, "The U.S. military expects to have 20,000 uniformed troops inside the United States by 2011 trained to help state and local officials respond to a nuclear terrorist attack or other domestic catastrophe."

The ACLU and libertarian groups argue that this plan "threatens to...undermine the Posse Comitatus Act," and in fact they have a valid point. If, that is, these 20,000 troops are being deployed to make house arrests, serve warrants, and deliver speeding tickets. Title 10 of the United States Code states that:

The Secretary of Defense shall prescribe such regulations as may
be necessary to ensure that any activity (including the provision of
any equipment or facility or the assignment or detail of any personnel)
under this chapter does not include or permit direct participation by a
member of the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps in a search,
seizure, arrest, or other similar activity unless participation in such activity by such member is otherwise authorized by law.

As such, it would appear that the Pentagon's action to create a domestic terrorist response force is lawful so long as the soldiers are assisting in and not actually executing the duties of local law enforcement. While that knowledge may not reassure the concerned citizens fearful, no doubt, of having their homes invaded by black-clad special forces wielding M16s in the dead of night, the recognition that the best trained military in the world is going to be prepared to assist in the event of a major nuclear or biological attack - which is predicted by a bipartisan commission to happen before 2013 - should comfort the rest of us.

Gates To Stay

The decision to keep Secretary of Defense Robert Gates for another year is one of the best decisions the President-Elect has made so far.  In the years that Mr. Gates has held his post, he has constantly reminded the military of the need to adapt to the new method of warfare that must be employed in the Middle East.  Additionally, he has instituted an overhaul of weapons, calling for a new arsenal that can better equip the troops that will be called to service in these new altercations. 

Obama's willingness to keep Gates shows that Mr. Obama recognizes that in some areas at least change must wait.  This decision by Obama shows that he may indeed recognize that this war is actually a more prolonged and less definitively conclusive fight.  In fact, with Mr. Obama at the helm, it might be easier for those military leaders who recognize the need to update the armed forces, to do so.

Great Op-Ed Piece

Yes, it's from the NYT, but Thomas Friedman makes some valid points with regard to the ability of Hillary and Obama to work as a cohesive team when it comes to international policy. Read the whole piece here.

The New First Amendment

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or
prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of
speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to
assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances."

- Amendment 1, Bill of Rights

The First Amendment of the Bill of Rights seems simple enough.  Congress can't limit speech.  Period.  However, according to the Politico, many right-leaning media outlets are preparing to face exactly that.  Aside from rumors of the rejuvenation of the Fairness Doctrine which would force radio and TV stations to provide equal airtime to opposing views, there are serious worries that the Obama administration would limit access to the president to those journalists it feels would bolster the administration's agenda. 

Clearly, this is part of Mr. Obama's strategy to change the Washington politics.  No longer will he allow tough, challenging questions to be asked by both conservatives and liberals alike, but rather he will seek out those few "special" members of the media who are more prepared to sacrifice their obligation to inform the public in order to get a quick story. 

Sarcasm aside, it will, I am sure, be pointed out that previous presidents have granted more favorable access to those reporters who they felt would present a favorable story, however, as the president who ran on a message of change and a promise to reform politics, it is interesting that Obama has so quickly begun a campaign of politics as usual.  it is my prediction that Obama will attempt to present a facade of change, but with limited opposing views, it will be hard to understand whether his proclamations are in fact truth, or if they are simply the empty words of yet another Washington insider.

Why Sarah Palin Should Not Be The Republican Choice in 2012

There has been a lot of talk recently about the possibility of Palin running for president in four years.  Sure, she brings a relatively fresh face to politics, and as a Washington outsider she can easily use that tactic when running against a DC insider.  However, Palin also comes across as the new kid on the block all too often.  Sure, she arguably has more executive experience than Obama, but that's now.  In four years it will be Obama with the experiencing, and it would seem that he only becomes more persuasive the higher up the ladder he climbs.  A rather goofy sounding Palin running against an incredibly articulate Obama will never work. 

In four years from now, the voting public will not have forgotten the Bush years, they may or may not be happy with an Obama administration, but certainly any Republican candidate will want to distance their campaign from Bush as much as possible.  If Sarah Palin runs, her campaign will immediately be connected to McCain and thus also to Bush.  That's just simple campaign strategy - don't remind the voters of what they hate.  But, aside from strategy, Palin does not seem to be capable of formulating her own fresh ideas; in order to rejuvenate the GOP, a leader with the energy and strength to enthuse the masses is required.  Palin is not going to invigorate anyone, she isn't ready for the major leagues yet, and it is doubtful that four years will change that, especially since she seems to think that she is ready.

To All Those Who Think The GOP Is Over

It's not.  We've lost before.  True, the Grand Old Party has been the party of power for most of a decade, but it was also the party of power during the Reagan and Bush years.  Yes, we lost big.  But this will simply provide momentum and inspiration to grow our base and come back stronger than ever.  We are still the party of morals and a wish for a stronger America.  So unless one wants to argue that Americans no longer values morals and its safety and strength in the world, it's a safe bet that the Republicans will be back in power.  (Oh, and when people wake up to the harsh reality that socialism doesn't work they're gonna elect a Republican congress that will have the backbone to do what is right for the country.)

Obama Wins

Well it's finally over. I truly hope that my concerns will be proven wrong.  I hope that Obama will indeed be the leader he has been touted to be.  Let us all wish for the success of this great nation in the future.