Posts in "Robert Gates"

By Nick Leavens at 4:33AM

Dec 8, 2009

Does Rising Violence in Pakistan mean more U.S. Involvement?

I posted only half a day ago that the United States appeared to be getting ready to ramp up its potential presence in Pakistan, as Hillary Clinton expressed concern over Pakistani sovereignty. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates has affirmed the assertion today while making a visit to the neighboring country of Afghanistan. Will 30,000 additional US troops ordered just days ago to the area be spread out and into Pakistan in the near future?

A bomb exploded near an intelligence office in central Pakistan on Tuesday, authorities said, damaging the building and killing at least 12 people amid a surge of extremist violence that has prompted the U.S. to offer additional aid in the country's battle against the Taliban and al-Qaeda.
The attack came as U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Washington was ready to work more closely with Pakistan as soon as Islamabad expressed willingness.

"The more they get attacked internally .. the more open they may be" to help from the United States," Gates said during a trip to Afghanistan. "But we are prepared to expand that relationship at any pace they are prepared to accept."

Clinton discusses threats to Pakistan's sovereignty

It appears that our Secretary of State is preparing Americans, in a very sly way, for potential military involvement in Pakistan:

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton says Pakistanis have experienced a change in attitudes about fighting terrorism as they see a growing threat to their own nation.

Clinton tells CBS' "Face the Nation" that Pakistan's civilian and military leadership have had a significant change in attitudes about fighting terrorists.

She says that change has come as Pakistan's leaders have seen terrorist groups join forces and threaten Pakistan's sovereignty. [my emphasis]

When's the last time you heard a Cabinet member discuss threats to U.S. sovereignty?

The entire 20 minute video, including an interview with Defense Secretary Robert Gates, can be viewed here.

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By Shaun Bowen at 6:20PM

Dec 4, 2009

Anyone Else Getting Tired of the Lies?

In 1928, Arthur Ponsonby wrote in his book Falsehood in Wartime, "When war is declared, truth is the first casualty."

Sadly this truism also applies to undeclared wars as well. On Tuesday, when President Obama officially announced his deployment of 30,000 more troops, the country felt a bit betrayed. The "hope" for "change" that many had invested in the Nobel Peace Prize winner seemed to be nothing more then just fooled emotions. However, in classic Obama fashion, he attempted to frame his new surge as part of his mission of peace. He stated that within 18 months those who had been deployed in this new offensive would begin to return home. So, for many who for some reason or another still give him credit as a "peace" candidate there was at least "light at the end of the tunnel."

Sadly though even this little piece of residual hope about possibly bring an end to this catastrophe known as the Afghan War but July of 2011 is not true.

Nightly Roundup 11/12/09

Ames is excited for Ron Paul's visit to ISU tomorrow.
The US Dollar depreciated by 4.4%, concedes the NY FED.
Neocon Robert Gates is assuring us that Obama's Af-PAK "choices" will be wise.
A Facebook status saved a man from being incarcerated by the unaccountable state "beyond reasonable doubt."
In addition to carrying out unjust incarcerations, the state assures the ultimate crime goes unpunished -- if committed by its agents.

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By Justin Wood at 1:56PM

Jul 29, 2009

Don't Waste a Crisis

In a further abuse of power, the U.S. military wants to help citizens in the event of a Swine Flu outbreak, according to the Department of Defense.

The proposal is awaiting approval from Robert Gates - the Defense Secretary of both Barack Obama and former President George W. Bush. It includes working with FEMA and the National Guard and Reserve forces. And the military would be permitted to test large numbers of viral samples from infected patients.

This plan would be passed as an Executive Order, without Congressional review, as authorized by Article II Section 2 of the Constitution - however, the provision and maintenance of the military is to be spelled out by the Congress, according to Article I, Section 8.

This plan appears to be in direct violation of the Posse Comitatus Act of 1878, which prohibits the Army, Air Force, and State National Guard forces from exercising nominally state law enforcement, police, or peace officer powers that maintain "law and order" on non-federal property within the United States.

Read the CNN news article here.

We're Here to Stay

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="258" caption="Robert Gates serves as Defense Secretary first under Bush II and now under Obama. Foriegn policy change, right?"]

[/caption] President Obama's new focus on Afghanistan promises to keep American involvement in that country going for a long time, reports AntiWar.com.
Read more here

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