Presidential Flip Flop on Abuse Photos

Citing that the release of photos showing U.S. troops abusing prisoners could cause harm to U.S. forces in Iraq and Afghanistan, President Obama has now changed his mind and is seeking to block the release of the photos he originally wanted made public.
In addition he said that the photos had already served their purpose in the investigation of a "small number of individuals." Those cases were all concluded in 2004 and the president said "the individuals have been identified and appropriate action has been taken."
If that is indeed the case then I'm confused. If appropriate action was taken against the individuals responsible for the abuse in 2004...maybe President Bush and his Administration didn't condone "torture" as Obama trumpeted throughout the campaign and the first 100 plus days of his election!
I just wish the President would have come to his senses and put an end to this nonsense sooner. Instead he's now put the lives of thousands of U.S soldiers at risk all in the name of partisan politics and the fulfillment of a flimsy campaign promise. And that's what shim sez...

Dinner Double Standard

The old liberal double standard was in full force this weekend at the White House Correspondence Dinner. While partisan joking and fun is always a part of this annual event, Host Wanda Sykes crossed the line of decency when she bitterly attacked Rush Limbaugh comparing him to Osama Bin Laden and stating "he was the 20th hijacker but he was so spaced out on oxycontin he missed the flight".
I can only imagine the outrage coming from the left had a republican or conservative dinner host made those outrageous remarks about a liberal democrat! Why.... commentators the likes of that liberal hack Keith Olberman would have been beside himself and Al Sharpton would have been busy organizing a rally by now had the shoe been on the other foot!
Again, partisan humor at this event is one thing but to compare Limbaugh (or anyone else) to Bin Laden and joke that they were the 20th hijacker on that awful day in the name of "humor" is beyond me.
Still waiting for the anger from the left over those comments....or maybe those things are only terrible if a republican says them......and that's what shim sez...

He Said What????

Never at a loss for words, when discussing the current flu epidemic this morning on the Today Show rather than urging everyone to remain calm and not over react, Vice President Joe Biden said that he would encourage anyone in his family to "avoid any airlines or subway travel." Just the type of level headed, calming leadership we need at a time like this. On second thought maybe old Joe knew what he was doing...he probably wants to put the airline and transit industries in the same shape as the auto and banking industries so the government can take them over too! And that's what shim sez...

Another "Tough" Night With The Press

After watching the Celebrity in Chief eloquently read his opening remarks off the teleprompter to begin tonight's "press conference" we then heard 13 questions from pre-selected reporters ranging from the flu (he told everyone to wash their hands and stay home from work if your sick), to immigration, a few questions on waterboarding (with very little follow up), one on how the stimulus plan effects minorities, and a real beauty on what has "enchanted" him since he took office. My point is there wasn't one question...not one...on the economy! Hats off to David Axelrod, Rahm Emanuel and company for arranging this soft ball game between the President and the "tough" national press corps....and that's what shim sez...

Obama Disowns Deficit He Helped Create

Credit goes to AP writer Calvin Woodward for calling President Obama out when he was speaking to a group today at a local High School in Missouri. When discussing the deficit in true "Blame Bush" form Obama said "Number one we inherited a $1.3 trillion deficit...that wasn't me."
The fact as pointed out so admirably by Mr. Woodward in his article for the Associated Press is this..Congress controls the purse strings, not The President and it was under Democratic control for Obama's last two years as an Illinois Senator. Obama supported the bailout package in President Bush's final months....a package Democratic leaders wanted to make bigger.
Hats off and kudos to Mr. Woodward for clearing that up...and that's what shim sez...

Interesting....Is The Honeymoon Over?

Poll numbers released this morning showed that 52% of Americans feel the country is headed in the right direction. Given the fact that President Obama is just completing his first 100 days and it has been a virtual mainstream media love fest since his inauguration I thought the numbers would be much higher than that.
Those numbers are sure to go down as he gets further into his Presidency and the "Blame Bush for everything" excuse holds less weight, Americans begin to realize this $800 billion dollar spending package that was jammed down our throats isn't what it was touted to be, and people realize that his trotting all over the world and apologizing for America's past behavior while fawning over petty anti American dictators like Chavez and Ahmadinejad are definately not in America's best interest. And that's what shim sez.......

Kudos....Yes...Kudos to Obama

While I'm often critical of President Obama and the current Administration I must give credit when I believe credit is due. While I was critical of Obama's original silence on the Somali hostage issue I have to say that the end result is what counts. He gave the order to "shoot to kill" and the end result is three pirates dead, one pirate captured and one American returned home safely. He followed it up with a stern warning to future pirates and terrorists alike that America will not allow this type of action in the future. All in all a job well done.
The question now being asked is how do we handle future pirate hijacking attempts?
I think the answer is simple. Effective immediately arm all American cargo ships and give them the green light to shoot to kill if there is even the slightest attempt to hijack their ship.....and that's what shimsez.....