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Class in Leadership
Author: BobR    Date: 2015-03-11 10:55:09

If there's one thing Republicans hate, it's not having a mortal enemy to demonize, to scare their constituents, and to fatten the wallets of their buddies in the defense contract industry. It's also to separate the men from the boys (in their small minds anyway), even though very few of them would be willing to actually go mano-a-mano with anyone. The Middle East is always low-hanging fruit for them, because it's easy enough to stereotype and convince their simple-minded sycophants that everyone in the region is dangerous.

Well - except for Israel, of course. Israel is the Promised Land full of noble men who only want to protect the Land of Jesus and Abraham from those heathen Muslims (who also happen to believe in the same God, but that's another story).

They also hate President Obama, so what better way to poke a stick in his eye, show support for Israel, and demonize another country in the region than to invite Benjamin Netanyahu to speak to Congress? Unfortunately for them, they appear to have stepped in it.

The speech by Netanyahu was a blatant campaign stop for his upcoming election, and it was painfully obvious. It certainly didn't win him any fans here in the U.S.. It also showed Congress as overstepping their bounds by interfering with State Department business. They doubled-down, by writing an open letter to the Iranian government, telling them in the most condescending fashion (and incorrectly) that engaging in a deal with President Obama was no guarantee of future commitment on our part.

In response, Iranian Foreign Minister Dr. Javad Zarif schooled the Republicans on everything from how the U.S. government really works, to why their threats were empty. It's a shame this hasn't gotten more coverage in the news, because it's a perfect example of why Republicans suck so badly at foreign policy - they are stupid without knowing, and assume (incorrectly) foreign dignitaries are dumber than they are.

Not only that, but the Republicans who signed the open letter, may have broken the law:
The senators’ letter is an unserious act of anti-diplomacy specifically designed to undermine the president’s efforts to conduct foreign affairs in his capacity as chief executive. As such, the correspondence tests the limits of the Logan Act, which reads in part,
“Any citizen of the United States, wherever he may be, who, without authority of the United States, directly or indirectly commences or carries on any correspondence or intercourse with any foreign government or any officer or agent thereof, with intent to influence the measures or conduct of any foreign government or of any officer or agent thereof, in relation to any disputes or controversies with the United States, or to defeat the measures of the United States, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than three years, or both.”

While the letter’s signatories are U.S. senators, that does not mean they have the “authority of the United States” as required by the law since when it comes to conducting foreign policy, the executive branch is the United States, taking into consideration the occasional “Advice and Consent of the Senate” as prescribed by the Constitution. However, this letter is neither advice, nor consent. It’s directly addressed to leaders of a foreign government presently involved in talks with the U.S., and it is designed to thwart those talks. Unless the senators were authorized by the president to address Iran’s leaders in this letter, a case can be made that 47 U.S. senators just violated a federal law that carries a prison term of up to three years.

Because Democrats are loathe to actually do more than say "tsk tsk - shame shame" to them, it's extremely doubtful any prosecutions will develop (meanwhile, Republicans call for special Congressional investigations every time a Democrat sneezes without saying "excuse me").

Even worse (yes, it's possible), the Senator responsible for penning this "failed-10th-grade-civics" open letter is Tom Cotton (R-AR), a freshman Senator with two - count 'em - two months experience on the job. Immediately after penning what could be described as a call to war, he met with defense contractors in a closed-door session. Nothing like a little tit-for-tat. Perhaps it's time to take a closer look at the campaign donations report for Senator Cotton.

It's a big shame because - despite the Israeli leadership's hatred for Iran, the people of that country are actually quite fond of the United States. The most popular country for Iranians to emmigrate to is the United States. Scratch beneath the surface, and you will find the former Persia is a fairly modern place, full of intelligent people welcoming strangers into their homes:



But - like Israel, the United States Congress, and countless other countries, it is often the leadership that creates conflict, paints others with simple dark colors, and stirs up resentment to others. Iran doesn't have a lot of choice, since they have Imams who make a lot of the decisions. In the U.S., voting districts have been so gerrymandered, choice is often limited to the least offensive of the worst - and even that doesn't always work.

I don't see a change any time soon, until voters start casting ballots with their heads and their hopes, instead of their feelings and their fears.
 

40 comments (Latest Comment: 03/11/2015 22:03:01 by Raine)
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Comment by Raine on 03/11/2015 12:46:25
good Morning everyone!

Comment by Raine on 03/11/2015 12:47:07
I wish everyone would watch that lecture. Glad you included it in today's blog, Bobber!

Comment by wickedpam on 03/11/2015 13:21:56
Morning

just help Mom and another front office lady switch desks

Comment by trojanrabbit on 03/11/2015 13:24:21
Hope little Tommie is happy with his cookie he got from his defense financiers.

Oh, Raine, you should NEVER thank Boston for any gifts coming from the Patriots. If Boston REALLY wanted them, they wouldn't be in FoxboroUGH.

So, it's "Thank you, FoxboroUGH."

You're welcome.

Comment by TriSec on 03/11/2015 13:29:48
Hi all. Troop 248 is in the field this weekend, so there is a Saturday blog available...

Comment by trojanrabbit on 03/11/2015 13:33:44
Oh, I see now. It was all a fucking joke. And the whiny libs have no sense of humor.

Republican aides were taken aback by what they thought was a lighthearted attempt to signal to Iran and the public that Congress should have a role in the ongoing nuclear discussions. Two GOP aides separately described their letter as a “cheeky” reminder of the congressional branch’s prerogatives.

“The administration has no sense of humor when it comes to how weakly they have been handling these negotiations,” said a top GOP Senate aide.




Comment by Raine on 03/11/2015 13:36:18
Quote by trojanrabbit:
Oh, I see now. It was all a fucking joke. And the whiny libs have no sense of humor.

Republican aides were taken aback by what they thought was a lighthearted attempt to signal to Iran and the public that Congress should have a role in the ongoing nuclear discussions. Two GOP aides separately described their letter as a “cheeky” reminder of the congressional branch’s prerogatives.

“The administration has no sense of humor when it comes to how weakly they have been handling these negotiations,” said a top GOP Senate aide.



My god.

Comment by Raine on 03/11/2015 13:37:19
Quote by trojanrabbit:
Hope little Tommie is happy with his cookie he got from his defense financiers.

Oh, Raine, you should NEVER thank Boston for any gifts coming from the Patriots. If Boston REALLY wanted them, they wouldn't be in FoxboroUGH.

So, it's "Thank you, FoxboroUGH."

You're welcome.
I was waiting for that yesterday!!!


Comment by BobR on 03/11/2015 13:44:20
Quote by trojanrabbit:
Oh, I see now. It was all a fucking joke. And the whiny libs have no sense of humor.

Republican aides were taken aback by what they thought was a lighthearted attempt to signal to Iran and the public that Congress should have a role in the ongoing nuclear discussions. Two GOP aides separately described their letter as a "cheek" reminder of the congressional branch's prerogatives.

"The administration has no sense of humor when it comes to how weakly they have been handling these negotiations," said a top GOP Senate aide.



They know how badly they fucked up.

How long before Tommy Cotton hears this?



Comment by trojanrabbit on 03/11/2015 13:45:38
Quote by Raine:
Quote by trojanrabbit:
Hope little Tommie is happy with his cookie he got from his defense financiers.

Oh, Raine, you should NEVER thank Boston for any gifts coming from the Patriots. If Boston REALLY wanted them, they wouldn't be in FoxboroUGH.

So, it's "Thank you, FoxboroUGH."

You're welcome.
I was waiting for that yesterday!!!

This PC was driving me nuts yesterday. A test process was continually hanging on something as simple as a disk access. Had to shut everything else down to make it work. Even then, I was worried that when I came in this morning I would find the process hung with no data taken at all last night.

Comment by Scoopster on 03/11/2015 13:45:56
Mornin' all.. Wow, just wowtf.
Quote by Raine:
Quote by trojanrabbit:
Oh, I see now. It was all a fucking joke. And the whiny libs have no sense of humor.

Republican aides were taken aback by what they thought was a lighthearted attempt to signal to Iran and the public that Congress should have a role in the ongoing nuclear discussions. Two GOP aides separately described their letter as a “cheeky” reminder of the congressional branch’s prerogatives.

“The administration has no sense of humor when it comes to how weakly they have been handling these negotiations,” said a top GOP Senate aide.


My god.

You have got to be FUCKING KIDDING ME. This isn't a joking issue you nitwits. This is real life, and there are real consequences to your actions. They already know their 'sense of humor' is an insult to people in this country. How the FUCK do they think other cultures would see it?!

You want to have a role? Here is is - STOP FUCKING UP DIPLOMACY SO YOUR BUDDIES CAN SELL BOMBS.

Comment by Raine on 03/11/2015 13:59:20
Oh hay, remember that time when emails were ACTUALLY LOST

Comment by TriSec on 03/11/2015 14:12:12
A joke? From the most childish, inept, and irrelevant Kongruss of all time? Actually, that's about the only thing that makes sense now.

Comment by wickedpam on 03/11/2015 15:46:19
Caller missing the point -

Comment by Mondobubba on 03/11/2015 15:52:08
Bobber, Florisa Man has his own craft brew.

Fittingly, it's a double IPA — sort of out of control, very hopped up, and pretty pale


Comment by Mondobubba on 03/11/2015 16:13:06
Florida Man or maybe lunch time killed the blog?

Comment by wickedpam on 03/11/2015 16:22:18


Comment by Raine on 03/11/2015 16:29:03
Quote by Mondobubba:
Florida Man or maybe lunch time killed the blog?

Florida man was actually productive for once!

I was doing laundry and stuff that is exciting.

Comment by BobR on 03/11/2015 16:30:33
Quote by Mondobubba:
Bobber, Florisa Man has his own craft brew.

Fittingly, it's a double IPA — sort of out of control, very hopped up, and pretty pale

I wonder if it smells of uncultured desperation?

Comment by Mondobubba on 03/11/2015 16:42:11
Quote by BobR:
Quote by Mondobubba:
Bobber, Florisa Man has his own craft brew.

Fittingly, it's a double IPA — sort of out of control, very hopped up, and pretty pale

I wonder if it smells of uncultured desperation?



When I snag a bottle, I will let you know. Hell I might contrive to mail you one.

Comment by Scoopster on 03/11/2015 17:09:09
Comment by BobR on 03/11/2015 17:22:51
Comment by BobR on 03/11/2015 17:26:20
This one is for TriSec. since - you know - he doesn't have a big enough head about Boston already

Comment by Mondobubba on 03/11/2015 17:40:14
Quote by Scoopster:
There goes my work day!



Modified rapture! Yep this is a time killer of the first order.


Comment by Mondobubba on 03/11/2015 17:45:47
Or honcho of IT security, the one who sends out those hilarious emails about threats, I have sent him and email where I address him as King Leonidas.

Comment by Raine on 03/11/2015 18:37:16
I am really feeling that Spring is finally just about here!

Comment by wickedpam on 03/11/2015 18:53:54
Quote by Raine:
I am really feeling that Spring is finally just about here!


let me guess, you already started your garden


Comment by Mondobubba on 03/11/2015 18:54:11
Quote by Raine:
I am really feeling that Spring is finally just about here!

I am happy to hear that. You have had too.much.winter.

We seem to sliding right through Spring and into Summer. It has been in the 80s most of this week.

Comment by Scoopster on 03/11/2015 19:19:27
Well shit.. condo building over here in Warwick caught fire today, and two of my gaming buddies are burnt out of a home.

Comment by BobR on 03/11/2015 19:21:23
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by Raine:
I am really feeling that Spring is finally just about here!

I am happy to hear that. You have had too.much.winter.

We seem to sliding right through Spring and into Summer. It has been in the 80s most of this week.

That's what I remember from Atlanta - two glorious weeks of Spring, and then oppressive heat and humidity for 5 months

Comment by BobR on 03/11/2015 19:27:34
Quote by Scoopster:
Mornin' all.. Wow, just wowtf.
Quote by Raine:
Quote by trojanrabbit:
Oh, I see now. It was all a fucking joke. And the whiny libs have no sense of humor.

Republican aides were taken aback by what they thought was a lighthearted attempt to signal to Iran and the public that Congress should have a role in the ongoing nuclear discussions. Two GOP aides separately described their letter as a “cheeky” reminder of the congressional branch’s prerogatives.

“The administration has no sense of humor when it comes to how weakly they have been handling these negotiations,” said a top GOP Senate aide.


My god.

You have got to be FUCKING KIDDING ME. This isn't a joking issue you nitwits. This is real life, and there are real consequences to your actions. They already know their 'sense of humor' is an insult to people in this country. How the FUCK do they think other cultures would see it?!

You want to have a role? Here is is - STOP FUCKING UP DIPLOMACY SO YOUR BUDDIES CAN SELL BOMBS.

McCain's excuse? "I sign lots of letters"

Comment by Raine on 03/11/2015 20:03:51
Quote by BobR:
Quote by Scoopster:
Mornin' all.. Wow, just wowtf.
Quote by Raine:
Quote by trojanrabbit:
Oh, I see now. It was all a fucking joke. And the whiny libs have no sense of humor.

Republican aides were taken aback by what they thought was a lighthearted attempt to signal to Iran and the public that Congress should have a role in the ongoing nuclear discussions. Two GOP aides separately described their letter as a “cheeky” reminder of the congressional branch’s prerogatives.

“The administration has no sense of humor when it comes to how weakly they have been handling these negotiations,” said a top GOP Senate aide.


My god.

You have got to be FUCKING KIDDING ME. This isn't a joking issue you nitwits. This is real life, and there are real consequences to your actions. They already know their 'sense of humor' is an insult to people in this country. How the FUCK do they think other cultures would see it?!

You want to have a role? Here is is - STOP FUCKING UP DIPLOMACY SO YOUR BUDDIES CAN SELL BOMBS.

McCain's excuse? "I sign lots of letters"
Well done, Bob.

He apparently signs letters with the same concern and research as he does with VP nominees.

Snark aside, this is just really lazy on his part.

Comment by Raine on 03/11/2015 20:04:40
Quote by Scoopster:
Well shit.. condo building over here in Warwick caught fire today, and two of my gaming buddies are burnt out of a home.

Oh no!!

That is terrible.


Comment by Raine on 03/11/2015 20:05:23
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Raine:
I am really feeling that Spring is finally just about here!


let me guess, you already started your garden


No, I went to the garden shop and they got nothing, so I tried.


Comment by wickedpam on 03/11/2015 20:20:23
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Raine:
I am really feeling that Spring is finally just about here!


let me guess, you already started your garden


No, I went to the garden shop and they got nothing, so I tried.



I already bought some seeds but I really need to amend the soil this year - I was so lazy with the garden last year that I didn't do anything but plant stuff. In fact I should still have carrots in the ground.

Comment by BobR on 03/11/2015 20:22:23
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Raine:
I am really feeling that Spring is finally just about here!


let me guess, you already started your garden


No, I went to the garden shop and they got nothing, so I tried.



I already bought some seeds but I really need to amend the soil this year - I was so lazy with the garden last year that I didn't do anything but plant stuff. In fact I should still have carrots in the ground.

"What's for dinner?"
"Frozen carrots - fresh from the ground"
"Wait - what?"

Comment by wickedpam on 03/11/2015 20:31:21
Quote by BobR:
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Raine:
I am really feeling that Spring is finally just about here!


let me guess, you already started your garden


No, I went to the garden shop and they got nothing, so I tried.



I already bought some seeds but I really need to amend the soil this year - I was so lazy with the garden last year that I didn't do anything but plant stuff. In fact I should still have carrots in the ground.

"What's for dinner?"
"Frozen carrots - fresh from the ground"
"Wait - what?"



I kinda forgot to pull them

Comment by Mondobubba on 03/11/2015 21:08:24
Just tweeted Dillard's department store about the 25K they've given to Tom Cotten's campaign committee.


Comment by Raine on 03/11/2015 21:13:43
Quote by Mondobubba:
Just tweeted Dillard's department store about the 25K they've given to Tom Cotten's campaign committee.
That's disappointing.

Comment by Raine on 03/11/2015 22:03:01
Almost two hours walking the Duke today.

I love this weather!