Old Jarhead's Political SitRep for Election Day, 2012

Old Jarhead's Political SitRep for Election Day, 2012

Robert A. Hall

Election Day

I believe if we can elect Romney, we have a slim hope to stave off fiscal collapse followed by social and political collapse. If we reelect Obama, no hope at all. Do what you can to get people to the polls. I think it’s too close to call. All we can do is do all we can. I’m sorry for my lack of posts over Friday-Sunday. I added up my work hours and it came to over 77 in last seven days. ~Bob.

Move your money to protect it?

At the recent conference, I spoke with a surgeon who, as they say, has friends in high places. You would instantly recognize the names of several of the political people he goes fishing with. He also has fishing buddies who are, in the old phrase, captains of industry. He told me that several are moving significant funds out of the country, into Canada and Switzerland. They anticipate that if Obama is reelected, he will put restrictions on moving US funds overseas, probably by executive order. This will be preparatory to avoid the debt by devaluing the currency/printing money, thus causing inflation, perhaps hyper inflation, to avoid default on the debt. This will destroy the value of retirement funds and cash holdings. Take it for what it is worth. I have little to move. I’m afraid to leave m IORA in cash because of this, but afraid that a new Obama recession will take the stock market down. Buy ammo and canned goods, I guess.

If you know any undecided/unmotivated voters, please share my article with them

Barack Obama and the Fundamental Transformation of America. By Robert A. Hall

http://www.americanthinker.com/2012/10/barack_obama_and_the_fundamental_transformation_of_america.html#ixzz2BMTyezdP

Worth Sharing: New Mitt Romney Ad: “Revenge or Love of Country?’” (Video)

 http://youtu.be/ShdiYQ1EHvA

Obama in Madison, WI

My wife called to say that the Obama cavalcade just passed her on the Madison, WI beltline. “”Get in front of them and drive real slow” I suggested.

The Middle East

Whether not Barry wins, I expect the Middle East and elsewhere to go the Hell starting Wed. If he loses, the extremists will want to seize what they can while Barry is a lame duck. If he wins, Benghazi has told them he will not respond to provocation that, once upon a time, would have been deemed an act of war. Bad time to be a US diplomat or a Marine on protection detail or anyone else attached to one of our diplomatic outposts. –Tom H.

Worth Reading: Obama, the Virtual Challenger: Making no attempt to defend his record, he talks of what he “would” do in a second term. By Victor Davis Hanson

http://www.nationalreview.com/articles/332481/obama-virtual-challenger-victor-davis-hanson

Excerpt: In these last days of the race, Obama counts on the news of Sandy turning attention away from Romney’s October momentum, to photo-ops of himself in a monogrammed bomber jacket trying to look presidential. The more Benghazi creeps into the news, the stranger the silence from the Obama administration. But the real story is that almost all of the hope of 2008 has ended in the fear and loathing of 2012.

Worth Reading: Krugman Flunks Health Econ 101. By John Goodman

http://healthblog.ncpa.org/krugman-flunks-health-econ-101/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=HA#more-27758

Excerpt: It’s painful to read Paul Krugman when he writes about health care. Makes you wonder how he ever won the Nobel Prize. Previously, he made the absurd claim that in repealing health reform Mitt Romney would allow “tens of thousands” of people to die. In his latest venture into the field, about which he knows embarrassingly little, he has this to say: … I’ll pass on the last claim, except to note that the “Roosevelt coalition” was not a coalition that wanted to help poor people. It was a coalition of self-interested parties (including lots of racists and bigots) who desired to use the coercive power of the state to pursue their own interests, regardless of the impact on others — especially poor people. I will also note that by almost every measure those on the right are less selfish and care more about their fellow man than those on the left, as a general rule.

Worth Reading: Obama Paralyzed By Fear. By Maj. Gen. Patrick Brady, U.S. Army (ret.) Medal of Honor

http://www.wnd.com/2012/11/u-s-general-obama-paralyzed-by-fear/

Excerpt: The answer is the Obama-Panetta Doctrine. In response to the horrible abandonment of dying Americans in Benghazi, Defense Secretary Panetta said: “(The) basic principle is that you don’t deploy forces into harm’s way without knowing what’s going on; without having some real-time information about what’s taking place.” On its face, that is a remarkable, indeed incomprehensible, change from America’s doctrine in past wars. By that standard, there would have been no Normandy or Inchon. In fact, I can’t think of a war we fought in which we didn’t go into harm’s way without real-time information or to save lives – something the president refused to do in Benghazi. Dust Off would never launch in Vietnam under that doctrine.

Worth Reading: A Comparison of the Long-Term Economic Effects of the Obama and Romney Tax Plans

http://www.ncpa.org/sub/dpd/index.php?Article_ID=22539&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=DPD

Over the past several weeks, Tax Foundation economists have published a series of studies that analyze the long-term economic and distributional effects of the tax plans outlined by President Barack Obama and Governor Mitt Romney. These comprehensive assessments were done using the Tax Foundation's Tax Simulation and Macroeconomic Model, which measures how changes in tax policies affect the economic levers that determine economic growth, workers' incomes and the distribution of the tax burden, says the Tax Foundation. The candidates' tax plans would have a starkly different impact on the economy. The Romney plan, which would reduce tax rates on individuals and corporations, would increase gross domestic product (GDP) 7.4 percent over the long run. The Obama plan, which would raise tax rates on individuals, would reduce GDP 2.9 percent over the long run.

Worth Reading: A Vote For Obama-Biden Is A Vote For National Collapse. By Mark Steyn

http://jewishworldreview.com/1112/steyn110512.php3#.UJgFbW883Kg

Excerpt: In political terms, Hurricane Sandy and the Benghazi consulate debacle exemplify at home and abroad the fundamental unseriousness of the United States in the Obama era. In the days after Sandy hit, Barack Obama was generally agreed to have performed well.

Valerie Jarret – “After We Win This Election, It’s Our Turn. Payback Time.” (WSI)

http://theulstermanreport.com/2012/11/01/valerie-jarret-after-we-win-this-election-its-our-turn-payback-time-wsi/

Unsourced, but it’s certainly The Chicago Way. ~Bob. Excerpt: Openly declared as “Obama’s Brain”, and the figure whose second story West Wing office has been described by political insiders as the true Oval Office of the Obama White House, Valerie Jarrett is letting it be known that if Barack Obama secures election victory next week, there may be, quite literally, hell to pay for those who opposed him.

VIDEOS: New Yorkers Furious With Bloomberg; New Jersey in Second Day of Gas Rationing: Giulliani: Where the hell are the generators?
http://hotair.com/archives/2012/11/05/giuliani-where-the-hell-are-the-generators/
Excerpt: On the local level, Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s bizarre idea to keep the New York City Marathon in place while people on Staten Island can’t get water, power or heat has undermined confidence in his approach to the crisis — as Bloomberg himself discovered when attempting to meet and greet some of the locals (via NRO’s Eliana Johnson):

Worth Sharing: Sophocles in Benghazi. By Victor Davis Hanson

http://pjmedia.com/victordavishanson/sophocles-in-benghazi/?singlepage=true

Excerpt: The Libyan plot is Sophoclean to the core: the heroism of outnumbered Americans who chose to confront a deadly enemy, and were killed and wounded in the defense of their endangered comrades — while the world’s greatest military hesitated to use its power against a ragtag militia to save them. Bureaucrats ignored not only pleas for beefed-up security before the attack, but also more requests that followed during the assault for reinforcement. A concocted story about a culpable obscure video gave opportunity for the administration to brag about their cosmopolitan multiculturalism as they damned the unhinged filmmaker and, in doing so, systemically lied about the real terrorist culprits of the killings.

Benghazi and Obama: the media is trying to shore up this desperate administration. James Delingpole. Telegraph UK
http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/jamesdelingpole/100186461/benghazi-will-do-to-obama-what-al-qaeda-did-to-chris-stevens/
Excerpt: Here's one thing we can be sure of about the Benghazi affair: almost everything we've been told since by the mainstream media is a lie, invariably one designed to shore up the creaky and desperate Obama administration. Consider how quickly the story was spun by Obama's amen corner in the liberal MSM.

Mark Steyn: Last Dance

http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/332441/last-dance-mark-steyn

Excerpt:: Yesterday was apparently National Dance For Obama Day. In Manhattan it attracted all of twelve dancers . Of course, New York has been devastated by Hurricane Bloomberg, but the attendance in undevastated cities was not much better. Still, I was sorry to miss it, having spent the last six weeks working on my interpretative dance of the Benghazi attack including an extended seven-hour coolly sensuous samba of the President deciding not to decide to do anything.

Video: Warning: This Is Not A Satire: National Day Of Dance For Obama. National Review Online 
http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/332452/national-dance-obama-day-video-eliana-johnson#

I suggest doing The Turkey Trot. ~Bob.

Syrian rebels accused of committing war crimes, say U.N. officials

http://www.examiner.com/article/syrian-rebels-accused-of-committing-war-crimes-say-u-n-officials

Excerpt: Before embracing the Syrian rebellion, American leaders would be wise to investigate allegations of war crimes committed by some of the rebels fighting the Assad regime. A graphic video examined by officials from the United Nations on Saturday appears to show Syrian rebels beating and murdering soldiers or pro-Assad militiamen, and is possibly evidence of war crimes, according to a counterterrorism source in Israel. (I know you have your shocked face on. ~Bob.)

One month until they regulate the Internet. By John Brandon
http://www.foxnews.com/tech/2012/11/01/one-month-until-regulate-internet/?intcmp=obnetwork

Excerpt: Better enjoy Facebook while you can. A U.N.-sponsored conference next month in Dubai will propose new regulations and restrictions for the Internet, which critics say will censor free speech, levy tariffs on e-commerce, and even force companies to clean up their “e-waste” and make gadgets that are better for the environment.

Are you smart enough to vote test

http://helloquizzy.okcupid.com/tests/the-are-you-smart-enough-to-vote-test

Fears Of Obama Win Stoke Gun Sales
http://losangelescitycollege.blogspot.com/2012/11/always-good-for-laugh-moonbattery-fears.html

Showdown in America: Workers vs. the Welfare State. By Daniel Greenfield 

http://frontpagemag.com/2012/dgreenfield/showdown-in-american-workers-vs-the-welfare-state/?utm_source=FrontPage+Magazine&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=120e7c27da-Mailchimp_FrontPageMag

Excerpt: The 2012 presidential election is coming down to a contest between those who want the economy to succeed and those who want it to go on failing. Hope and Change is dead, at least the brand that depended on oratorical inspiration injected via teleprompter from between Greek columns taken out on loan before they were due back for an arena rock show. Anyone capable of balancing a checkbook has done the math, and come reluctantly to the conclusion that it’s a choice between Romney and ruin.

November surprise: EPA planning major post-election anti-coal regulation. By Conn Carroll 

http://washingtonexaminer.com/november-surprise-epa-planning-major-post-election-anti-coal-regulation/article/2512538#.UJd4om_7L0d

Excerpt: President Obama’s Environmental Protection Agency has devoted an unprecedented number of bureaucrats to finalizing new anti-coal regulations that are set to be released at the end of November, according to a source inside the EPA. More than 50 EPA staff are now crashing to finish greenhouse gas emission standards that would essentially ban all construction of new coal-fired power plants. 

Obama campaign tries to hide call for ‘revenge.’ By Neil Munro

http://dailycaller.com/2012/11/04/obama-campaign-tries-to-hide-call-for-revenge

Excerpt: Team Obama’s campaign manager is trying to muffle the political impact of President Barack Obama’s call for ballot-box “revenge” by claiming that Gov. Mitt Romney is himself touting revenge….The spin follows Romney’s rapid effort to highlight Obama’s startling Nov. 2 call for revenge on Election Day.

Freudian Slip: Candy Crowley Calls Him ‘President Romney’

http://www.breitbart.com/Breitbart-TV/2012/11/04/Freudian-Slip-Candy-Crowley-Calls-Him-President-Romney

CNN's Candy Crowley on Sunday's State of the Union, said "President Romney" in a question to Ohio's Rob Portman. (Video) (There IS a GOD! --Barb.

On Election Eve, Catholics Unite To Protect Religious Freedom. By Dr. Susan Berry 

http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2012/11/04/On-Election-Eve-Catholics-Unite-to-Protect-Religious-Freedom

Excerpt: This last Sunday before Election Day finds Catholics across the nation, and beyond, uniting in both prayer and advocacy to protect freedom of religion as provided in the Constitution. …. In Orleans, Ottawa, Canada, Catholic parents denounced a high school trip into the U.S. to Ohio when they discovered their students would be going door-to-door in support of President Obama’s re-election. The trip, which was organized by civics teacher Scott Searle, a volunteer for the Obama for America campaign, was cancelled when parents called the school board, furious that it would permit a trip to assist a U.S. president who has disdain for the values of Catholics. (No one finds it odd that CANADIANS would have been crossing the border to go door-to-door in OHIO with their teacher who is an Obama volunteer? Isn’t this illegal in the US school systems? –Barb)

Breaking: GEN Tommy Franks, GEN Hugh Shelton Among 500 American Warriors to Run Full-Page Ad Endorsing Mitt Romney for President. By Bryan Preston

http://pjmedia.com/tatler/2012/11/04/breaking-gen-tommy-franks-gen-henry-shelton-among-500-american-warriors-to-run-full-page-ad-endorsing-mitt-romney-for-president/

Excerpt: A star-studded list of retired high ranking US military officers is set to shake up the presidential race as the nation heads into Election Day, November 6. GEN Hugh Shelton (USA-ret) and GEN Tommy Franks (USA-ret) are among the military heavyweights who are taking out a full page ad in Monday’s Washington Times, the Tatler has learned. 

Commander in Chief Fails Military Voters, Again: Of all people, our troops get disenfranchised. By Alicemary Leach

http://pjmedia.com/blog/commander-in-chief-fails-military-voters-again/

Excerpt: Our armed forces need a commander in chief who protects the most basic right of every American citizen — the right to vote. Our armed forces risk their safety and their lives to protect each citizen’s right to vote. The president needs to protect theirs.

You'll Never Guess What Happened To Armed Forces Ballots Mailed From Afghanistan: Yep. They Were "Lost".

http://directorblue.blogspot.com/2012/11/youll-never-guess-what-happened-to.html

Excerpt: But I'm sure Eric Holder will launch a thorough investigation any second now:

Postal officials are investigating the apparent loss of some absentee ballots mailed from Afghanistan. A contractor who sent an email to Military Times said his county elections clerk in Texas had not received his ballot or his co-worker’s ballot by Thursday, although they mailed the ballots Sept. 27. “The Bagram Airfield Army post office placed Express mail tracking numbers on them, placed the ballots in an orange ‘Ballot Box,’ and probably in a dedicated mail bag.

Pakistani Taliban target female students with acid attack. By Shaan Khan, CNN

http://edition.cnn.com/2012/11/03/world/asia/pakistan-acid-attack/index.html

Excerpt: It's the latest cruel tactic in the Pakistani Taliban's battle to stop girls and women from getting an education: acid thrown in their faces to scar them for life and deter others from following in their footsteps.

Quote

Whatever deceives men seems to produce a magical enchantment. --Plato 

One Point Race

We all knew this would be a VERY close race. Yes, turnout WILL be the key. But, they're trying to turn voters out by main force. Mistake. In my opinion, at this point, continued phone calling is worse than a waste of time. I've had 14 or 15 calls (and every one of them is from a "different" group), just today. ALL urging me to vote for Brown, ALL reminding me of the importance of the election, etc. And, I've already voted. Frankly, the irritation is almost to the point where I dread the phone's ring. That's why I wouldn't work the phones for candidates again this year. Mail is easy to deal with; if you don't want it, you discard it. But, you can't do that with phones you need to use, and with a cell phone, it's even worse--'cause you get charged for the time you use to call the messages up and delete them--and about 30% no longer keep a landline. I pity any poor un-enrolled voter; if I've gotten this many as a Republican, they must be inundated by both sides. Damn shame. Both parties have to be alienating almost as many voters as they are getting to go to the polls. And, irritating others to the point of leaving the line blank. --Ron P. I almost never used the phone to try to convince voters, as I thought it turned them off. Did call supporters on election day to offer rides to the polls, thus reminding them to vote. ~Bob.

From “Hope and Change” to “Revenge”

http://politicaloutcast.com/2012/11/from-hope-and-change-to-revenge/

Excerpt: In 2008, Barack Obama pushed “Hope and Change.” Not a bad slogan until we all found out what he hoped to change: more taxes, an economic policy that’s strangling our economy, control of our healthcare, liberal Supreme Court judges, redefining marriage, full support of abortion, unconstitutional Executive Orders by the truck load, trampling on religious rights, diminished support for our international interests, seeming indifference to radical Islam’s terrorist agenda, and too much more to list here.

As the nations of Europe lie bleeding, the eurocrats' party goes on
http://synonblog.dailymail.co.uk/2012/11/as-the-nations-of-europe-lie-bleeding-the-eurocrats-party-goes-on.html

Excerpt: Prepare to get annoyed. I’m going to write about the demands by the euro elite that member states increase the EU’s 2014-2020 budget by five percent. That would take the budget to over a trillion euros. (Thanks to UK friend Stan for this. I am glad this author didn't sugar coat the reality, namely, that Cameron is all talk, and recent stirrings by anti-EU dissidents will have little effect this time, without more voices shouting loudly. --Don)

Trumka: We're Getting Card Check in Obama's Second Term
http://townhall.com/tipsheet/katiepavlich/2012/11/05/trumpka_were_getting_card_check_in_obamas_second_term
Excerpt: AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka is looking forward to some "flexibility" in a second Obama term should the president win tomorrow. Trumka told the Atlantic an Obama re-election will bring back card check, or in other words, the elimination of a secret ballot for union members. (FORWARD for MARXISM! --MM)

Exclusive: Romney campaign internal polling puts Republican nominee up ONE POINT in Ohio and TIED in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2228359/Romney-campaign-internal-polling-puts-Republican-nominee-point-ahead-Ohio.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

Excerpt: Mitt Romney is ahead by a single percentage point in Ohio, according to internal polling data provided to MailOnline by a Republican party source. Internal campaign polling completed last night by campaign pollster Neil Newhouse has Romney three points up in New Hampshire, two points up in Iowa and dead level in Wisconsin and - most startlingly - Pennsylvania. (I don’t trust any polls, especially internal polls. Too much incentive to say what the client wants to hear. And I find it hard to believe that there are so many undecided voters, the polls are swinging either way as the pollsters say they do. ~Bob.)

Quote

Idealism is fine, but as it approaches reality, the costs become prohibitive. ~William F. Buckley, Jr.

Joe Biden Makes Campaign Stop in Rushville… MASSIVE Tractor Protest Breaks Out! By Jim Hoft

http://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2012/11/joe-biden-makes-campaign-stop-in-rushville-massive-tractor-protest-breaks-out/

Excerpt: Last night Joe Biden held a rally at Rushville Middle School. Only 800 people showed up. But outside was a different story. Local farmers organized a flash tractor and crane protest across the street from the middle school. It took them only 24 hours to organize the counter rally.

Tweet from Peyton James ‏@peytonjames

A woman at work just told me she hasn't voted in the last 20 years but she's voting tomorrow -- for @MittRomney!

GOP senators: Thousands of ballots unlikely to reach military voters in time

http://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/senate/265925-gop-senators-thousands-of-ballots-unlikely-to-reach-military-voters

Excerpt: A group of Republican senators said Monday that thousands of voter ballots are unlikely to reach military service members until after Nov. 6. (The real “voter suppression” from The Chicago Way thugs. ~Bob.)

MSNBC's Andrea Mitchell Breaks Bad News to Fellow Obama Sycophant Chuck Todd: 'If Pennsylvania is in Play, the this is all over for the president.'
http://weaselzippers.us/2012/11/05/msnbcs-andrea-mitchell-breaks-bad-news-to-fellow-obama-sycophant-chuck-todd-if-pennsylvania-is-in-play-then-this-is-all-over-for-the-president/
Excerpt: “Why would you send Bill Clinton to Philadelphia if you weren’t certain that the people of Philadelphia were going to turn out and you would have a Democratic victory,” Mitchell asked Todd.

Hope She’s Right: Monday Morning. By Peggy Noonan

http://blogs.wsj.com/peggynoonan/2012/11/05/monday-morning/

Excerpt: We begin with the three words everyone writing about the election must say: Nobody knows anything. Everyone’s guessing. … There is no denying the Republicans have the passion now, the enthusiasm.

Report: Military base bombing plot foiled by US forces in Yemen

http://thehill.com/blogs/defcon-hill/operations/265963-report-military-base-bombing-plot-foiled-in-yemen-

Excerpt: Yemeni troops reportedly thwarted a bombing plot designed to destroy one of the primary counterterrorism hubs used by U.S. and local forces against al Qaeda-linked terror cells in the country. 

Wilder chooses not to endorse for president

http://www2.timesdispatch.com/news/2012/nov/04/wilder-chooses-not-endorse-president-ar-2335331/

Excerpt: Former Gov. L. Douglas Wilder, who backed Democrat Barack Obama for president in 2008, did not endorse Obama or Republican Mitt Romney in an opinion column released days before the election.

Chicago Source Tells Author Brad Thor: Obama Campaign Planning To Proclaim Early Victory To ‘Demoralize Romney Supporters’

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/chicago-source-tells-author-brad-thor-obama-campaign-planning-to-proclaim-early-victory-to-demoralize-romney-supporters/

Excerpt: New York Times best-selling author Brad Thor, based in Chicago, tells TheBlaze that the Obama campaign may be planning to preemptively announce victory in the presidential election based on early voting numbers in an attempt to “demoralize Mitt Romney supporters.”

Who’s the candidate of the rich? It’s not even close.

http://washingtonexaminer.com/article/2512620#.UJgviW883Kh

Excerpt: In Virginia, the state that could clinch the election for Barack Obama, those with incomes over $100,000 are voting 57-42 for Obama, according to Rasmussen’s latest poll Nationwide, Obama is leading among six-figure earners 50-45, according to Rasmussen. Four years ago, Obama won $150k-plus earners by two points, because he won $200k+ voters by 6 points, according to exit polls.

Tweet from @readmorejoe 

British intelligence asks: Why were we not called upon in #Benghazi? We had significant force of SAS 20 miles away.

Projection: Obama Will Likely Win Second Term. By Larry Sabato

http://www.centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/articles/projection-obama-will-likely-win-second-term/

Obama 290, Romney 248.