Tuesday, January 3, 2017

Small Minds at the Highest Places

     It seems that this election and the subsequent results have brought out the worst in mean spirited, small-minded people, continually trying to not just discredit and defame the incoming administration,  but actually undermining it at the expense of our national prestige and national security!  With a bit over two weeks left until inauguration, there are still vicious comments and constant harping on negative aspects of everything to do with Trump from those who can't seem to let go!  To make matters worst, the lame duck administration appears to be doing its best to undermine the incoming group.  Despite all the talk about "cooperation," the reality is that Obama Administration has done nothing to ease the transition, rather, it is apparently determined to leave some serious problems for Trump.
     The worst of the problems that Obama Administration is leaving for Trump is what transpired at the UN a short while ago when US, for the first time in over a half a century, abstained from casting its veto against an anti Israel resolution of the Security Council.  I don't think most people in America realize the seriousness of this situation, the gravity of the fact that U.S. failed to back Israel by casting a veto.  Essentially, in abstaining to vote, the U.S. has given the rest of the anti-Israeli sector (which incidentally includes most European nations) the go-ahead to push for criminalizing the Israeli nation, for establishment of settlements in occupied territories.  The Palestinians, and the rest of the anti Israeli sector has long wanted to take Israel to the International Court at Hague over this issue.  The thing that kept them from doing it was that the resolution to declare Israeli settlements illegal could not pass in the UN Security Council because U.S. would veto it each time it was introduced.  Now, it seems, things have changed dramatically.
     Back in 2012, during his re-election, Obama stated at an international conference that U.S. would always "have Israel's back."  Back then he needed the backing of the Jewish community in the U.S.  His relationship with Netanyahu was rocky at best, at all times.  That statement seemed to calm the Israelis somewhat and Netanyahu even went on to say some kind things about Obama.  Obama got his wish and received the backing of the American Jews who helped him get re-elected.  Now, of course, he can't run for the third term, so I guess his true feelings about Israel and the Jews are showing.
     What U.S. did to Israel is plain and simple betrayal!  It is even worse than what Nixon did to Taiwan back in the day!  As I stated earlier, I don't think many Americans realize the extent of the damage that was caused by that simple act of abstaining from voting in the UN.  Kerry in his usual manner stumbled verbally in his explanation and justification of the U.S. action (or no action in this case!).  Although I don't believe it to be true, but those conspiracy theorist who insist that Obama is actually a Muslim determined to turn U.S. into a Muslim nation may have gained some credibility in this latest case.  In his last term, Obama has legitimized Iran by striking that ridiculous Iran Nuclear Deal.  There was no cause for it, Iran was not on the verge of developing a nuclear bomb and the sanctions were working, yet, for some unaccountable reason we struck this deal, gave them billions!  Now, after all this time, we suddenly turn our backs on Israel, a country that has been our only ally in the region for over a half a century.  A country that has been our steadfast friend all these years, we suddenly turn our backs on them and favor Palestine.  Who wouldn't think that there was something going on?  Like I said, I don't believe all those conspiracy theorists, but, it is mighty tempting, given the circumstances!
     There is no doubt that Russians were involved in hacking into our systems, they have been doing this for over a decade, ever since they developed the capability.  But so have the Chinese, the North Koreans, and yes, some of our "friends" in Europe!  Oh, by the way, we have been hacking into everyone's systems long before they started on us, mainly because we developed the technological know-how before them!  So, although Russians no doubt hacked into our system, I doubt very seriously if it truly affected the outcome of the elections as some claim!  Even one of our own Senators stated recently that what the Russians did was perhaps a service to the American public when they revealed some of the illegal activities!  Now, there are members of our Congress and Senate that are using this as an excuse for grandstanding for their own political gain.  Obviously they are trying to show their constituents how they "care" and are protecting the nation.  I am not saying that we should ignore what the Russians did.  What we should be doing is trying to develop a more secure system!  This business of kicking out 35 Russian intelligence members is nothing but another form of grandstanding, a big show!  It won't change anything.  But it has gone a few more steps into damaging our relations with Russia.
     Obama, it seems, is trying to leave as big mess as possible for Trump to inherit.  He hasn't done anything on the Foreign Affairs end of our government's business during his eight years so he is leaving even a bigger mess.  When he came into office eight years ago, the two foreign leaders with whom he clashed immediately were Putin of Russia and Netanyahu of Israel.  Throughout the eight years there were attempts to repair the damage but it seems it didn't improve much.  Now, before his departure, as if thumbing his nose at his replacement, he has made the situation even more difficult.  Although he has made it more difficult for Trump, it was no favor to our nation!  It was also his way of getting back at the two people with whom he does not get along, a mutual feeling, I might add.  Obviously, the welfare of the nation did not play as big a role as his personal vendetta.  This was a pay back to Netanyahu and Putin for all the snubs, true or perceived, and of course, pay back to Trump as well.  Truly an act of a small minded person.

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