Rebane's Ruminations
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George Rebane

[This is the addended transcript of my regular KVMR commentary broadcast on 13 January 2016.  An edited version of it was also published in the 16jan16 Union.]

Listening to President Obama’s State of the Union speech last night was a bit surreal.  The speech was remarkable in that he clearly described the alternate universe that has been home to his administration for the last seven years.  Our smiling president pridefully peeled off his accomplishments one after the other.  At least half the country had no idea what he was talking about.


In spite of the flood of facts to the contrary, he saw his tenure as a long string of domestic and foreign policy successes.  Touting his version of a recovered economy, he pointed to the longest period of job growth since WW2.  Well yes, when we consider that this has been the most drawn out and anemic recovery in US history with accompanying numbers that detail the slowest growth of GDP, jobs, and wages while almost doubling the national debt during what dubiously can be called a recovery that now teeters at the edge of the next recession.  If true, then the millions of workers who have abandoned the workforce will never know when the last recession ended and the new one began.  The unemployment rate is low only because of the hokey way it is calculated.  In reality systemic unemployment is at a record level with the war on poverty lost, and more Americans than ever on government transfer payments.

The President admitted that during his years the country’s political parties have become more polarized.  But what he missed was that instead of becoming the Great Uniter he promised, he has driven mainstreet Americans further apart than they were in the 1960s.  Today communities across the land have a strong β€˜us and them’ attitude.  This most divisive of presidents has made it so that conservatives and liberals don’t even feel comfortable socializing.  Each faction has a fortress mentality, withdrawing into their collectivist or conservetarian corners from which they view the other as being some combination of evil and terminally ignorant.

On the domestic front the president’s administration has demonstrably mismanaged and/or corrupted departments of government that affect us all.  The scandals with and within the IRS, Department of Justice, Homeland Security, the EPA, Health and Human Services, Veterans Administration, Department of Commerce, etc continue to make daily headlines as one or another area of malfeasance is uncovered, brought to light, and then quickly buried by the lamestream.  Over the last two terms this president has surrounded himself with more incompetent cabinet members and administrators than any other elected executive in memory.  The result is that, along with curtailing our personal liberties, businesses today face historical headwinds from their regulatory and tax burdens, burdens which Democrats promise to increase even more if they succeed in November and double down with Obama Version 3.0.

In foreign policy this administration has wrought an unmitigated disaster by turning the US into a palpably weak and unreliable partner to our allies, and an object of utter contempt by would be hegemons in Eurasia, the middle east, and east Asia.  In a GΓΆbellian manner Obama crows of victory after victory while our enemies occupy new territories, and radical Islam now regularly carries out successful attacks in the heartlands of Europe and America.  All that while we witness millions of unassimilated colonists and economic migrants illegally cross borders here and in Europe.

In response, all of our allies are busy making and implementing their Plan Bs, after they have seen how toothless America has become when it decided to lead from behind, and announced to the world that it wants to become just another nothing-special good neighbor nation in a new global community.  For those new to history, that has never been our role, as we continue to unveil the fundamental transformation of our formerly exceptional country which increased, defended, and enriched human civilization for almost two hundred years.

My name is Rebane, and I also expand on this and related themes on Rebane’s Ruminations where the addended transcript of this commentary is posted with relevant links, and where such issues are debated extensively.  However my views are not necessarily shared by KVMR.  Thank you for listening.

[Addendum] What I continue to find hard to believe is the manner in which progressive politicians in the west maintain their delusional denial of Islam’s role in the terrorist attacks worldwide.  Anyone with three digits in their IQ should by now know that Islam is not only a strong religion, but also a comprehensive prescription for the world’s social order.  Devout Muslims understand that to their deepest being, and unabashedly declare their support for such future for mankind.  The so-called moderate Muslims living among us will not militate against their radical brethren for the simple reason that, when polled in anonymous privacy, they agree on matters such as the role of Sharia in the west, and the disposition of those who actively resist Islam’s advances.

Yet our progressive betters, here and in Europe, refuse to acknowledge the Islamic provenance of the acts of grisly terror and aggressive rejection of western culture that happens to their own people in their very midst.  After every one of these attacks by Muslims ranging from sexual harassment of women to wholesale murder, these same politicians grab the nearest microphone and declare to the world that Islam had no role in the atrocity.  These ignorant pronouncements are beyond hubris, and do nothing but invite more radicalization and further attacks.

We saw the most recent examples of that in Germany with the mayors of major cities in which women were brutalized on New Year’s Eve.  And also our own mayor of Philadelphia, who declared that he had no evidence that the policeman’s shooter was an Islamic terrorist, was the latest putz in what has become a long line of such harmful idiots.  The shooter shouted praises to Allah during the act, purposely wore Arab clothing, proudly declared later that he acted in the name of and according to the dictates of Allah, and confirmed that he was a loyal follower of ISIS.  And yet the mayor, …, unbelievable.

All this derives from the profoundly destructive leadership of our Islamophilic President who countless times demonstrated that his homage to his heritage knows no bounds.  The same President whose lips cannot utter β€˜Islamic terrorist’ invited representatives of CAIR (Council on American-Islamic Relations) to attend his farewell State of the Union.  CAIR has long been identified as having aims inimical to America and its culture, and has been identified by the FBI as being in league with Islamic terror organizations.  The Investors Business Daily reports that β€œin a 2007-2008 terrorism trial against a Muslim charity, FBI agents testified that CAIR was a "Hamas front," and U.S. prosecutors subsequently designated CAIR as an unindicted co-conspirator in the case. It remains on that Justice Department list today, despite CAIR protests.”

Barack Hussein Obama is not and has never been a leader who would secure the United States against Islamic aggression either overseas or within our own borders.  As I opined early in this president’s tenure, it was clear then and is confirmed now that Obama has always looked at the American presidency as a stepping stone to higher office.

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110 responses to “Swansong from an Alternate Universe”

  1. Bill Tozer Avatar
    Bill Tozer

    Oh Dr. Rebane. The economy is doing great and if you don’t think so, you are in Denial. Yes, Da Nile is not a river in Egypt.
    If you really want to address those living in an Alternative Universe, perhaps you should solicit remarks from little jon and address this whole topic to him. He will provide much food for thought from the AV.
    PS: I do like the term Alternative Universe better than Parallel Universe, which is a more apt title. Didn’t Hillary (of all people on the planet) use the term Alternative Universe to describe a vocal critic?
    When we talk about illegal immigration (illegal, uninvited) folks in a separate argument from immigration (legal)???????

    Like

  2. Bill Tozer Avatar
    Bill Tozer

    Darn, the overnight ratings of the State of the Onion is not out till later this afternoon. In the meantime, I submit this serious opinion to all readers.
    http://nationalinterest.org/feature/the-ugly-truth-obamas-last-gasp-liberalism-14892

    Like

  3. Bill Tozer Avatar
    Bill Tozer

    Look at this carnage. I hate clear cutting. No a tree, flower, shrub or a furry critter to be found anywhere. Makes me weep how some destroy our environment cloaked in doing good. Disgusting. Stop this madness.
    http://patriotpost.us/posts/40004

    Like

  4. George Rebane Avatar

    After we finish considering the fundamental transformation that Obama has delivered, a correspondent sent me this compelling perspective on Donald Trump delivered by Bill Whittle of PJ Media –
    https://www.youtube.com/embed/3RW4R3N8Ju8?feature=player_embedded

    Like

  5. Paul Emery Avatar
    Paul Emery

    George
    Are you willing to engage in a discussion of the before and after comparisions of the Obama eight years and the Bush terms?

    Like

  6. George Rebane Avatar

    PaulE 736am – The discussion you reference has been ongoing in these pages since Obama took office. I’m sure the engagement will continue and I will, of course, be a part of it. But I am interested in covering new ground because on this topic there are many barns with well-worn paths around their peripheries. And the comparisons you seek will involve sourced data the effects of which will then have to be interpreted in various ways, as we have done before.
    But what I’d like to do this time is for you to give your own version and its basis, instead of asking an endless round of questions while yourself answering a number somewhere between none and few. I’ll then again offer mine.

    Like

  7. Russ Steele Avatar
    Russ Steele

    Paul@07:36AM and George@08:34AM
    Oh NO, Paul is going to serve us up another plateful of cold Bush Derangement Syndrome. Think I will take a pass on the tasteless gruel this time.

    Like

  8. Bill Tozer Avatar
    Bill Tozer

    Paul: Count me on the “I’ll Pass This Time Around” category. Anthrax was so yesterday with people taking duct tape and plastic sheeting to their doors and windows.
    But Paul, you really surprised me and cost me 10 bucks. I bet a fellow chap that your next post would be about marijuana. I did not even say Medical Herb, just plain o marihuana hoochie hoochie coupled with states rights and some hypocrisy angle. Well, I lost that bet. Good thing I did not count my free range chicken eggs before the dogs tore them to pieces.
    BTW, Paul, I listened to your intro to Dr. Rebane last night along with some other Doc. You introduced the one guy as Doctor and the other Doc simply as George Rebane. Whatz up with that? Next time introduce George as Dr. Rebane. Show some class, will ya. :).
    Back on the Alternative Universe:
    https://www.facebook.com/gregorybrothers/videos/10153884847629284/?theater
    Now, let’s see what the God haters have to say, from Foxey News:
    http://www.newsfoxes.com/2016/01/proof-even-atheists-hate-islam/

    Like

  9. Paul Emery Avatar
    Paul Emery

    George
    Lets start with unemployment stats. Does that work for you?

    Like

  10. Paul Emery Avatar
    Paul Emery

    Dr Jeff Kane is a physician. No intention to slight George. I can use that if he prefers, no problem. HE doesn’t refer to himself as a Dr on this blog so I figured it was his preference.

    Like

  11. Bill Tozer Avatar
    Bill Tozer

    Oh Paul, don’t take everything so seriously. Who cares how you address the good Doc?? Not I, silly man. Boy, you are wound tighter than a Swiss watch. Not characteristic of the music types I have partied with in days gone by. Ever heard of the Delaware Destroyers? The Detriot Wheels? Big Brother and The Holding Company? Good times, bro. Well, not the last group. First, there was fun, then fun with problems, then just problems. Maybe you have entered the last phase. Come on, Paul, let your hair down on last time. Drop that manager title and rub elbows with us, aka, your lower companions.
    Ok, I will quit teasing ya. Now, I perceive you are loaded with bear and stats. So, please tell us about unemployment through the years. Pleazzzzze, oh pleaze!

    Like

  12. drivebyposter Avatar
    drivebyposter

    “Lets start with unemployment stats. Does that work for you?”
    P. Emery
    http://www.zerohedge.com/sites/default/files/images/user5/imageroot/2014/01/LFP%20Participation.jpg

    Like

  13. drivebyposter Avatar
    drivebyposter

    That chart really should be filtered in order to twizzle out trends. There are obvious seasonal hits for one thing.

    Like

  14. Bill Tozer Avatar
    Bill Tozer

    “Most of the attacks have come from Muslim Extremists”. Nope. Most of the attacks have come from Islamics.
    http://bigstory.ap.org/article/164bbc1445aa42fc883ee85e4439523a/western-europe-jewish-migration-israel-hits-all-time-high.

    Like

  15. Jon Avatar
    Jon

    “Delaware Destroyers?…” Tozer
    Yup, Led by one of the biggest jackasses in the business.

    Like

  16. Gregory Avatar
    Gregory

    Here’s a primary blast from the past that deserves repeating:
    “At issue is an interview that Geffen gave to Maureen Dowd, in which he characterized Hillary Clinton as a calculating figure who can’t win and her husband as β€œa reckless guy.”
    β€œEverybody in politics lies, but they do it with such ease it’s troubling,” Geffen said, among other comments.”
    http://www.forbes.com/2007/02/22/cx_tj_0222varietybiz.html

    Like

  17. George Rebane Avatar

    PaulE 102pm – Have no idea as to how I would refer to myself with the honorific ‘Dr’ in these, that is for others to do who know and respect my credentials. In these backwoods the only people who are graced with that honorific are physicians, veterinarians, dentists, and chiropractors. I wasn’t a ‘Mr’ again until I moved up here. But you and Mr Tozer bring up and interesting point about our culture’s treatment of honorifics which has markedly changed in the last two or three decades as politically correct egalitarianism swept the land. More later.

    Like

  18. George Rebane Avatar

    Obama’s National Lie of ISIS being in any way controlled, let alone pushed back, took another shot in the shorts today with the ISIS attack in Jakarta. Alinsky recommended Stalin’s tactic of just repeating a big lie until the sheeple fell into line and took it as truth. Well, Obama is batting about 500 with the gruberized faction of Americans.
    http://www.wsj.com/articles/attacks-in-indonesia-mark-expansion-for-islamic-state-1452817636

    Like

  19. Paul Emery Avatar
    Paul Emery

    George
    If you prefer I will add the Dr to George Rebane. Your call. You don’t generally use it yourself in public statements and commentaries published in the Union

    Like

  20. Jon Avatar
    Jon

    George R, I continue to wonder what you guys want the President to do, other than his directed and very intensive bombing campaign, as advised by his military brass. How is that going to stop some insane follower in Indonesia? ISIS sympathizers are all over the world, no thanks to US intervention in 2003. We reap what we sow. So now, do we need a massive buildup in US ground troops or perhaps carpet bombing pockets of territory in multiple countries around the world? Should he talk real tough, like a hard line real estate developer? Should our President make a big speech at the UN proposing a ban on Muslims around the world?

    Like

  21. Don Bessee Avatar
    Don Bessee

    Another comic styling from the ‘jon’.

    Like

  22. Bill Tozer Avatar
    Bill Tozer

    No jon, not a ban on Muslims around the world, but a temporary freeze on any and all new Islamics entering the USA!, USA!, USA!. Then carpet bomb them if they don’t pass our improved vetting system. Open wide and say ahhhh.
    Yo jon, does this make sense to you? I hear what our best and brightest fine Oregonian students are saying, but I just can’t make the leap of faith you progressive seem to do so effortlessly. And don’t shot the messenger either. She is my #1 favorite bisexual feminist and she can’t figure you guys out either. Guess we are murderers.
    http://tammybruce.com/2016/01/oregon-state-bias-alert-ordering-coffee-at-starbucks-is-related-to-killings-of-black-men.html

    Like

  23. Jon Avatar
    Jon

    Yeah guys, now after seeing the GOP high/lowlights of tonight’s debate, I will have to support Ben Carson for President! Ben’s my man. Why can’t they just get along?….

    Like

  24. Jon Avatar
    Jon

    I tend not to click on any website named tammybruce.com…

    Like

  25. Paul Emery Avatar
    Paul Emery

    Jon
    Tonight’s Pubbers “debate” is beyond anything could imagined. The ultimate result is another Clinton in the white house. What ever happened to the idea of responsible opposition?

    Like

  26. Jon Avatar
    Jon

    Paul, I just caught a few lowlights, rather preferring opening night at the W&S. Clearly an angry, emotion driven farce with a bunch of angry white men used to getting their way. Petulant children, not a single tangible policy proposal on domestic or international policy. Fortunately you’re right- the voters are smart enough to elect a grownup in the room.

    Like

  27. Jon Avatar
    Jon

    But lets not underestimate that Lindsay Graham endorsement of Jeb today…..

    Like

  28. Paul Emery Avatar
    Paul Emery

    Yeah Jon. He’ll throw his 1% to Bush III. that’s a real game changer. the Pubs don’t like Bush plain and simple.

    Like

  29. Todd Juvinall Avatar
    Todd Juvinall

    You guys crack me up. Your candidates are going to be indicted and Bernie is a perv. What a selection on the left.

    Like

  30. fish Avatar
    fish

    Posted by: Jon | 15 January 2016 at 07:41 AM
    Yes….if there’s anything that will swing republicans to Β‘Jeb! it’s an endorsement from apple cheeked rent boy Lindsey Graham.

    Like

  31. Jon Avatar
    Jon

    Paul,
    I’m a little sad for Jeb! in some ways. He is so confused and out of his element here. Here he is, a cultured, mannered favorite wealthy son of a stately American dynasty, being forced to engage with maniacal 3rd graders on their level. Prior to this campaign, the guy had some moderate views on policy matters-and perhaps moderate-progressive on international and immigration matters. I believe he would NOT have gone into Iraq had he been the Bush in the WH in 2003. He gets beaten to a pulp in these debates by adult bullies and has very little idea how to respond. Pathetic to witness. Of course the guy has lost respect. What the hell does he have to lose by calling out Trump even more for what he is- a maniacal, racist Madman who will damage America? What,is he going to lose another point in the polls? Instead he panders to the far right wing- its so transparent and pathetic. Even Handsome Marco Rubio can fake it better than Jeb. What a monumental waste of millions of dollars. Just get the hell out of the race, Jeb. Maintaining your dignity for the remainder of your life, and taking care of your parents in the remaining days is more important than your pathetic showing in these debates.

    Like

  32. Jon Avatar
    Jon

    Paul,
    Are you as puzzled about John Kasich as I am? Like you, he was a guy I could have an ounce of respect for. Just don’t get it – the guy is in make-or-break mode now, and he has the least memorable night of the entire debate season. What is the guy waiting for? Why are you spending other people’s money and running for President if you have no desire to TRY to differentiate yourself from the 4-5 people ahead of you?
    Another person who should hang it up is Ben Carson, a sad sack candidate who seems determined to channel Rick Perry the remainder of the campaign.

    Like

  33. George Rebane Avatar

    re PaulE’s 844am – let’s not confuse a man’s support for the party’s nomination for president with the respect he has among Repubs for his legislative and foreign policy chops. Hint: it ain’t 1%.

    Like

  34. Gregory Avatar
    Gregory

    Folks are calling the winner of the race even before the horses are led onto the track for qualifying heats.
    Ad hominems like “angry white men” are the only microagressions the progressive left allows itself… don’t wear them out.
    DEM registrations are at an all time low, Hillary is feeling the Bern from a snowball who has been a Democrat for less time than I.
    I remember Kasich from his time as a Gingrich lieutenant during the House Revolution… he’s no Democrat.
    Bern, Hill, Donald, Ted, Marco, Ben, Rand, Carly. Not a day of experience governing among them.

    Like

  35. Gregory Avatar
    Gregory

    Theres’ reasons why Jeb Bush is an ex-governor.

    Like

  36. George Rebane Avatar

    I repost my 1012am comment from a thread with Mr Ben Emery in the last sandbox that seems apropos in the current comment stream –
    BenE 902am – Surprisingly, many of us (millions?) are quite pleased with the cast of candidates the GOP has lined up against the Democrat coterie. The Dems are now busy destroying the center of their party as Hillary’s Clintonesque entourage have begun to suffer noticeable desertions from her train. Yes, the Dems will be the declared socialists by the time Hillary blows a tire and Liz Warren becomes their Bernie-approved standard bearer.
    Kim Strassel of WSJ, an astute observer of the political scene, makes the case that “Barack Obama’s political legacy may be the dismantling of the party’s center” and writes –
    (Obama) ran as a uniter, but he governed as a divisive ideologue and as a liberal, feeding new fervor in the progressive wing …(that) proved more eager than even the Republicans to steadily pick off Democratic moderatesβ€”and helped the GOP to decimate their ranks. The Democratic congressional contingent is now at its smallest size since before FDR. But boy is it pure, and it retains an unwavering belief that its path to re-election is to double down on the Obama agenda.
    Read the whole piece here –
    http://www.wsj.com/articles/the-democratic-crack-up-1452815892

    Like

  37. Jon Avatar
    Jon

    Gregory, who implied that Kasich is a Democrat or Democrat-lite?
    Paul and I have mentioned we respect the man. He has largely avoided the near universal racist, xenophobic rantings of his fellow lunatics, and when he does speak, he speaks from the heart. He’s the only one remotely resembling Reagan, who would be accused of being a RHINO today. Yes, he appears to have a semblance of an actual heart. Very rare.
    Party registration today means nothing. The parties are outdated and slowly dying. Ben, Paul and others have pointed this out on countless occassions. Young people and first time voters are generally Indy or Decline to State.

    Like

  38. Gregory Avatar
    Gregory

    You’re back in your Michael P. Anderson mode, “Jon”. I had assumed you couldn’t be him because your musings on spell checking would have been a sign of incompetence for a computer support professional like Mike; perhaps I should not have assumed that would not be the case… I may have been wrong. That can happen.
    Kasich is the Republican Dems like. No doubt about that. They’d support him up to the point where it was between him and any Democrat. Kasich’s problem, like that of Scott Walker, is the conservative base is not in a mood to support moderates, and Kasich comes off as a moderate. I see him as a conservative who understands the limits of his ideology when faced with the realities of making governmental sausages.
    “He has largely avoided the near universal racist, xenophobic rantings of his fellow lunatics” is the sort of statement that Dems have used to drive their hate public. There’s nothing racist or xenophobic or lunatic on the GOP stage, and you’d not be stuck on argumentum ad hominem if you had substance and rationality in your quiver.

    Like

  39. Jon Avatar
    Jon

    “There’s nothing racist or xenophobic or lunatic on the GOP stage” Greg
    LOL. OK then..

    Like

  40. Don Bessee Avatar
    Don Bessee

    Did anyone see that madam liar liar pantsuits on fire is following the same trajectory as the 2008 dem primaries? The only difference is she is tanking faster this time. πŸ˜‰

    Like

  41. Gregory Avatar
    Gregory

    RL Crabb cited the protesting Moslem who got thrown out of a Trump campaign rally as proof of racism… ignoring the fact that she was protesting, had taken her message to a seat behind Trump that was clearly visible in the video of Trump speaking. Somebody tell our favorite toonist that Moslem is not a race.
    She also heard the same warning everyone else heard… no protests inside the arena and in interviews, she was clear that her intent was protest. It was a private venue, she was treated fairly.
    Racism, xenophobia, mental illness. All unsupported hyperbole that shouldn’t have traction.
    Give up your hate, “Jon”.

    Like

  42. Jon Avatar
    Jon

    Yeah. Perhaps you can do a google search and discover the many multitudes of observers of all stripes saying the same thing about several of the Angry White GOP candidates. Unhinged is about the nicest thing said. You can also listen to a voice of reason- conservative Gov. Nikki Haley, in the reddest of the red states.
    On matters of immigration and your fears, here’s a good study to ponder.
    http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/14/world/europe/research-doesnt-back-a-link-between-migrants-and-crime-in-us.html

    Like

  43. Todd Juvinall Avatar
    Todd Juvinall

    Gregory, could the Muslim woman be a racist? Yes, she was showing her real feelings about a “white” man speaking in the public square. “jon” told us he was a Muslim, therefore using his own logic he is also a racist for the things he says about “white” people.

    Like

  44. Gregory Avatar
    Gregory

    I’ve no fears, “Jon”. I was born in East LA, and grew up among legal and illegal immigrants.
    The Times article is as expected, mostly conflating legal and illegal with no rhyme and little reason besides it sells their point. A few quick points that seem to be missing from the “study” it’s based upon… whether by accident or plan, illegal acts by illegal immigrants (beyond the crime of the illegal immigration itself) is that the perps generally
    high tail it back home before the heat is on… another skew is that the average people whose crime is impatience and a flaunting of immigration law are often purer than Caesar’s wife because they know the gigue is up with even a minor problem with the law. I remember the folks living across the alley from my grandfather in Alhambra had a lot of people living there and, one night, with a loud party going and cars parked everywhere, one of the other neighbors got angry and told them they’d call the police… or maybe La Migra. He also did it in appropriately accented Spanish, having been born here with the name Martinez.
    Problems solved in minutes.
    The “study”, using as its main metric the jail population means only the illegals who didn’t dodge the criminal justice system got counted.
    Democrats want the undocumented Democrats to come out of the cold. Patrician Republicans want cheap labor. GOP rank and file want the laws of the USA to be followed. Which is the moral high ground, “Jon:?

    Like

  45. Gregory Avatar
    Gregory

    “search and discover the many multitudes of observers of all stripes saying the same thing about several of the Angry White GOP candidates. Unhinged is about the nicest thing said” – “Jon”
    Let me count the fallacies:
    argumentum ad populum
    argumentum ad hominem
    argumentum ad vericundiam

    Like

  46. fish Avatar
    fish

    Posted by: Gregory | 15 January 2016 at 02:57 PM
    I don’t know exactly how you do it but you certainly get “he who has many hands up him” in a lather!
    Kudos!

    Like

  47. Jon Avatar
    Jon

    wow! Someone is just slightly agitated…

    Like

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