Author: Eldon Kramer

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Julian Castro at center of investigation at HUD

“The OIG has determined that the contents of this report would not be appropriate for public disclosure and has therefore limited its distribution to selected officials.” – Office of the Inspector General, HUD

A report that the IG of the Department of Housing and Urban Development found discrepancies during a financial statements audit wasn’t too surprising as HUD has been found not in compliance before.  The recent findings, however, were particularly interesting because of its head, Julian Castro.

la-na-clinton-latinos-20151015-001(latimes.com)

Julian Castro’s problems at HUD could blunt his chances to be named Hillary Clinton’s running mate, but they would make a good pair. (latimes.com)

During my residence in the San Antonio area, the San Antonio Express-News continuously promoted Mayor Castro as one of the nation’s up and coming Latinos; a rising star.  Much was made of his roots with a grandmother who came from Mexico.  Hardly a day went by that his picture wasn’t featured.  He was said to be on the short list to be Hillary Clinton’s running mate. Continue reading →

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Thank you, Donald; now it’s time for us to get serious

Okay, okay, enough of the “yeah’s” over Donald Trump’s outrageous pronouncements.  He’s going to build a wall and Mexico’s going to pay for it. He’s going to deport 12 million illegals.  He’s going to bring back all of those jobs from off shore.  We’re going to have victories again.  He’s going to make America great again.

15-celebrities-who-love-and-endorse-donald-trumpbusinessinsider.com)

Angry voters liked what Donald Trump was saying, but it’s time now to get serious with a candidate who will tell us “how” he’s going to turn our nation around. (businessinsider.com)

We’re angry with the direction of the nation, and he’s been saying things we, for the most part, agree with; things our establishment candidates don’t say, and we liked it.  There’s one glaring omission.  The “how’s.”

We’ve enjoyed his defiance of political correctness and his attacks on the media, but he has gone too far with his crude attacks on fellow candidates. Trump’s bluster is wearing thin now, and we have to get serious about a Republican candidate who can beat Hillary Clinton. Continue reading →

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Talk about a ‘recruitment tool’

President Obama likes to blame others for creating “recruitment tools” for the terrorists, when his lack of action telegraphs a weakness to Al Qaeda and ISIS.

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President Obama’s continuing denial of ISIS advances telegraphs a weakness that is the “real” recruitment tool. (usnews.com)

This week, with Paris still reeling from ISIS attacks and the French president in Washington seeking help, President Obama sent terrorists a message sure to have them shaking in their sandals. Speaking of the up–coming summit on climate change in Paris, he said “What a powerful rebuke to the terrorists it will be, when the world stands as one and shows that we will not be deterred from building a better future for our children.”  Talk about a “recruitment tool.” Continue reading →

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Help Wanted: A commander in chief for the U.S.

“No commander in chief of the U. S. armed forces can be wholly irrelevant, but to the extent one can be, Mr. Obama is.” – Peggy Noonan, Nov. 21, 2015

Under the headline, “Uncertain Leadership in Perilous Times,” Wall Street Journal columnist Peggy Noonan again demonstrates her unique ability to put her succinct thinking in print.  Briefly reviewing the terrorist attacks in Madrid, London and most recently in Paris, she reflects on the question, what to do?

Peggy-Noonan(lonelyconservative.com)

Wall Street Journal columnist Peggy Noonan writes of President Obama’s irrelevance as commander in chief. (lonelyconservative.com)

“On this issue the American president is, amazingly, barely relevant.  The leaders and people of Europe and America will not be looking to him for wisdom, will, insight or resolve,” she writes, “He has misjudged ISIS from the beginning – they were not, actually, the junior varsity – to the end.”

As I have previously written for this blog, we have a petulant, arrogant individual in the White House, who chooses to criticize the press for pressing him on his ISIS non-strategy, while ridiculing GOP candidates on their refugee stance.  He says his military and civilian leaders support his position on “containing” ISIS.  I don’t believe it. Continue reading →

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President Obama is either ill-advised or surrounded by ‘yes’ men

“If confirmed in this job, I pledge to you my most candid strategic advice.  And I pledge also that you will receive equally candid military advice.” –  Ash Carter, speaking to President Carter during his nomination as Secretary of Defense, Dec. 5, 2014

120414carter2_1280x720 (wsj.com)

I’m still waiting for the candid advice he promised a year ago. Is he now a “yes” man? (wsj.com)

“It is not just my view, but the view of my closest military and civilian advisors that (sending more U.S. ground troops) would be a mistake, said a testy President Obama during his Antalya, Turkey press conference on Nov. 16, 2015.

Visibly short-tempered with the media, who were unwilling to let him off the hook on his failing ISIS strategy of containment, President Obama said, “If there’s a good idea out there, then we’re going to do it. I don’t think I’ve shown a hesitation to act.”  Oh, really. Continue reading →

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An open letter to President Obama

During your Manilla press conference this week, you mocked Republicans for their concern over the threat Syrian refugees pose saying, “They’re scared of widows and orphans coming into the United States of America.”

Where were you on Aug. 20, 2013, when 1,429 people, including 426 children, in Damascus were killed with Sarin gas?   … read more

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Liberal columnist calls Arizona governor ‘foolish and un-American;’ chides him on Syrian refugee issue

“Was even a minute of thought put into this?  A small amount of how the refugee process works and what it means? And whom it helps?” wrote Arizona Republic columnist E. J. Montini, adding that “Having a discussion about refugees and what we are going to do going forward would be useful.”

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A boat load of Syrian refugees, mostly young men, arrives in Greece. Realistically, vetting these individuals is impossible. (ctvnnews.ca)

While he loves to criticize Gov. Doug Ducey, Montini should have directed his questions to President Obama and Barbara Strack, chief of the Refugee Affairs Division at Homeland Security, when it was simply announced that we would be welcoming some 10,000 Syrian refugees.  Were the governors briefed on the process? Continue reading →

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Obama’s foreign policy shaped by creative writer

“We have very robust vetting procedures for those refugees.” – NSA Advisor Ben Rhodes

Those were the words of President Obama’s Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategic Communications and Speechwriting Ben Rhodes, appearing on several Sunday morning talk shows.

0316RHODESjp-articleLargenytimes.com)

With his Master’s of Fine Arts degree, Ben Rhodes is credited with shaping President Obama’s foreign policy. (nytimes.com)

His appearances were calculated to ease your concern about those thousands of Syrian refugees coming to the United States.  Refugees who carry phony passports like those in the Paris attacks.

This blog, however, is perhaps the only place you will learn about Rhodes’ credentials, and why you should worry.

Rhodes is the deputy to Susan Rice, who appeared on those same talk shows after the attack on Benghazi, to convince us that it was the video that precipitated the attack.  They are quite a pair. Continue reading →

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What’s wrong with the Republican Party? Let me count the ways

My wife and I stopped contributing to the Republican National Committee (RNC) years ago when my personal letters written to former chairman Michael Steele were ignored; yet we still receive mailings asking this question.

RNC

Another mailed RNC survey to tell them what they already know.

This mailing contained still another survey, asking for our position in a yes or no format regarding immigration, ObamaCare, taxes, regulation and the EPA, climate change, Planned Parenthood, defense, and the Iran nuclear deal.

The survey looks very official, complete with a registration number and a section reserved for office use only, complete with a bar code.

Really, Chairman Priebus, you don’t know where your party stands on these issues? Continue reading →