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Eight Reasons Why We Face a National Security Problem
Townhall.com ^ | July 2, 2016 | David Grantham

Posted on 07/02/2016 8:08:48 AM PDT by Kaslin

John Kerry called the Istanbul airport attack a sign of desperation on the part of ISIS. The following observations suggest American leaders are the ones desperately clinging to failed strategies.

1. Choosing symbolism over substance: Whether or not expressed explicitly, the administration demands uniformity of thought and diversity in appearance. As a result, upwards of 200 military officers have been “purged” for failing to acquiesce to a rudderless national security strategy that, among other things, subjects the military to costly and fruitless social engineering projects. A dangerous future awaits a country that diverts defense spending to that which offers no measurable benefit to military readiness. Woe to them who funds appearance over capability.

2. Dangerous growth in government: Any expansion in government inevitably gives leaders an unwarranted sense of self (see the European Union). That remarkable hubris leads officials to believe, for instance, that they have identified the primary cause of weather patterns, and thus, have the power to fix it. A lack of consensus among specialists in this area is no match for such vanity. Assured of their position, big government saddles the military with climate directives that only serve to undermine its effectiveness. (see here)

3. Faking moral outrage: The administration’s moral high ground is nothing but a false summit. And the latest sprint to the top in the wake of the Orlando massacre is fueled by widely vague notions of gun control and a staunch resistance to define the enemy. Government plans to drag America uphill to “Assault Rifle Ridge” only then to demand that citizens ignore the greater peaks that loom overhead, with names like “Emboldened Russia” and “Radical Islam.”

4. Misinterpreting American exceptionalism: Some modern conservatives continue to rely on a misguided notion that all things American – democracy, capitalism and hot dogs – are inherently exceptional and, therefore, easily transferrable to all people. Such a simple interpretation inevitably leads to clumsy nation-building projects and unproductive security assistance programs. Both have increased defense spending, while doing little to enhance U.S. security. I call this defenseless debt.

5. Misunderstanding American exceptionalism: John Kerry “cringed” at hearing the term. President Obama has lectured about its use. They incorrectly believe it to be a pompous vision of America where the ignorant believe the United States represents the climax of human culture, government and economy. Progressives then, ironically, respond with another form of American exceptionalism, which says the country’s faults and past misdeeds are, in fact, exceptionally American. Such a premise concludes that America is uniquely bad and all others endure as victims of that legacy. This leads to number 6.

6. Prizing reputation over defense: The administration seems to be more concerned with its reputation among America’s adversaries than among those it governs. For this reason, we have the Iran nuclear deal. For this reason, what might inspire terrorism goes unstated. For this reason, Marines changed out of their uniforms four different times while readying themselves to respond to Benghazi, all because state officials felt embroidered American flags were potentially harmful to local sensibilities. We know the end of that story.

7. Negotiating national security: The government must provide for the common defense. That’s non-negotiable. But 2015 marked the first time in history the Commander-in-Chief vetoed the National Defense Authorization Act for reasons unrelated to defense (he wanted more domestic spending). And when Congress acquiesced, both branches set the wrong precedent that the government’s constitutional duty to provide for the common defense matched their imagined duty to provide for the domestic welfare.

8. National secrets taken lightly: The former Secretary of State completely compromised U.S. national security secrets, and still feels qualified to request a promotion. Either she displayed premeditated disregard for America’s security or, see number 5, excused the behavior because it only harmed an exceptionally unjust and discriminatory security apparatus. This breach is incredibly dangerous, as I have previously explained here.

America is a constitutional republic founded on a special of rule of law that allows for the truest expressions of personal liberty. And officials will not have a shared interest in preserving that legacy until the government can agree that defending America is truly its top priority.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Editorial
KEYWORDS: nationalsecurity; security

1 posted on 07/02/2016 8:08:48 AM PDT by Kaslin
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To: Kaslin
ONE: Men and women in positions of power who do not owe their first allegiance to the Unit4ed States.
2 posted on 07/02/2016 8:11:10 AM PDT by BenLurkin (The above is not a statement of fact. It is either satire or opinion. Or both.)
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To: Kaslin

America is paying a terrible price in American and worldwide, human loss for electing Barack Hussein Obama, POTUS!!! Go DONALD J. TRUMP!!!


3 posted on 07/02/2016 8:14:09 AM PDT by JLAGRAYFOX (Defeat both the Republican (e) & Democrat (e) political parties....Forever!!!)
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To: Kaslin

Reason #1: we have a Muslim Marxist for a prez.


4 posted on 07/02/2016 8:15:58 AM PDT by Neoliberalnot (Marxism works well only with the uneducated and the unarme)
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To: Kaslin

IMO, the primary reason is that this liberal Democrat government allows newly minted foreigners with naturalization certificates to get security clearances. At some levels these clearances go up to very very high levels.

Religion and upbringing are overlooked - everything is overlooked save the fact they are “some kind of citizen.”

Bullshit.


5 posted on 07/02/2016 8:17:17 AM PDT by Gaffer
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To: Kaslin

We have a Kenyanesian Usurper in the White House who got there because EVERYONE in the District of Corruption ignored the requirement of a natural born citizen.

Treason has many fathers.


6 posted on 07/02/2016 8:18:01 AM PDT by Lurkinanloomin (Know Islam, No Peace - No Islam, Know Peace)
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To: Kaslin
Reason#? Obama
Reason#?DemoRATS
Reason#?LGBTPs
Reason#?DACOWITS
Reason#?God Haters

ADD THOSE

7 posted on 07/02/2016 8:27:50 AM PDT by SandRat (Duty - Honor - Country! What else needs said?)
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To: Kaslin

The United States is engaged in the ultimate game of Income Distribution. We give aid to the vast majority of countries on the planet, receiving nothing in return. That is either the sign of American Exceptualism or an indication we are the biggest patsies on the face of the earth.


8 posted on 07/02/2016 8:32:03 AM PDT by immadashell (Save Innocent Lives - ban gun free zones)
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To: SandRat

BTTT


9 posted on 07/02/2016 8:33:16 AM PDT by Kaslin (He needed the ignorant to reelect him. He got them and now we have to pay the consequences)
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To: AdmSmith; AnonymousConservative; Berosus; Bockscar; cardinal4; ColdOne; Convert from ECUSA; ...

Reasons One through Eight:

Image and video hosting by TinyPic

10 posted on 07/02/2016 8:35:20 AM PDT by SunkenCiv (I'll tell you what's wrong with society -- no one drinks from the skulls of their enemies anymore.)
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To: Kaslin
In consideration of the title question, and the fact that we are celebrating what once was known as "Independence Day" this weekend, the following historical message is submitted.

The following paragraph is excerpted from the CENTENNIAL Thanksgiving Sermon, DELIVERED BY REV. B. W. ARNETT, B. D., AT ST. PAUL A. M. E. CHURCH, URBANA, OHIO 1876 - available in the "Library of Congress - Historical Collections" - "African-American Pamphlets from the Daniel A. P. Murray Collection," 1820-1920; American Memory, Washington, DC.

This historical treasure is one which should be prominent in our national discussions, especially now, when our philosophical foundations are being challenged, and when the views of a learned man like Dr. Arnett might shed light on centuries-old ideas about America's history. His theme: Righteousness Exalteth a Nation, but Sin is a Reproach to any People."

Dr. Arnett made the following assertion about America and "wherein lies its greatness":

"Let us see what it is that makes us so great; wherein lies our strength. What has made us one of the greatest powers of the earth, politically and intellectually? Have we come to the conclusion that it is Righteousness that exalteth a nation? We have met to-day at the request of the President of the United States, Ulysses S. Grant, and also the Governor of our beloved State, Rutherford B. Hayes. For what? Why call us from our homes? Why come to the house of God? Why not go to the hall of mirth and to the places of amusement to-day? No that is not what they want us to do. We are commanded to go to our 'several places of worship, and there offer up thanks to Kind Providence which has brought our nation through the scenes of another year, and blessed the land with peace, plenty and prosperity.' Then as Americans we have reason to rejoice and congratulate ourselves on the greatness of our beloved country; at this the close of the first hundred years of experimental government of the people, by the people, and for the people. To be a citizen of this vast country is something, and to share in its privileges and duties is more than something." - Dr. Benjaming W. Arnett, St. Paul A.M.E. Church, Urbana, Ohio, Centennial Thanksgiving Sermon, November 1876

11 posted on 07/02/2016 9:17:47 AM PDT by loveliberty2
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To: Neoliberalnot

‘Nuff said!!!!


12 posted on 07/02/2016 9:55:27 AM PDT by qaz123
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To: JLAGRAYFOX

We have raised several generations of idiots who know virtually NOTHING about their history/traditions and are pissing it away as you read this!

As we celebrate Independence Day and honor all those whose sacrifices gave us this precious gift, allow me to intrude with a serious subject that, if not corrected, probably means this may be the last dozen or so times we’ll be able to do that!
http://www.intellectualtakeout.org/blog/notre-dame-prof-our-schools-are-committing-%E2%80%98civilizational-suicide%E2%80%99


13 posted on 07/02/2016 10:48:32 AM PDT by Dick Bachert (This entire "administration" has been a series of Reischstag Fires. We know how that turned out!)
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To: Kaslin

National security problem #1 is that the people in charge of national security aren’t loyal to the nation.


14 posted on 07/02/2016 11:07:46 AM PDT by thoughtomator (Wisdom is doing due diligence before forming an opinion)
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To: Kaslin

Nuclear obliteration of Manhattan by ISIS would really be a sign that Radical Moslems are desperate and on the ropes.


15 posted on 07/02/2016 11:52:42 AM PDT by arthurus
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To: Kaslin; All

Summarizing the eight reasons for the national security problem, we’ve got a corrupt, worthless Congress that refuses to do its job.

Remember in November !


16 posted on 07/02/2016 12:16:27 PM PDT by Amendment10
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To: SunkenCiv

Reasons

1. The treasonous left.
2. The enemy loving left.
3. The idiot left.
4. The brain-dead left.
5. The criminal conspiracy that is the left.
6. Leftists.
7. The moral cowards of the left.
8. SJWs... and the left.


17 posted on 07/02/2016 2:33:27 PM PDT by Grimmy (equivocation is but the first step along the road to capitulation)
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To: Kaslin

bkmk


18 posted on 07/02/2016 5:16:01 PM PDT by AllAmericanGirl44 (If you ain't the lead dog, the scenery never changes.)
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