Notwithstanding the optimistic development of ten predominantly Muslim countries joining us in battle against ISIL, the absence of Turkey, traditionally our most reliable ally in the region, from this group is cause for a great deal of concern, if not consternation. One would imagine that our Ambassador to Turkey should not have much difficulty, if any, when it comes to obtaining the assistance of that countrys leaders in a war of this magnitude which involves such uniquely sharp black and white distinctions and which is taking place literally within walking distance of Turkeys borders with Syria and Iraq. Oh, wait. I must have forgotten. We dont HAVE an ambassador to Turkey, notwithstanding its overriding political and geographical significance in the current conflict. WHY isnt there a U.S. Ambassador to Turkey? Did we cut off relations with them? No. Did our most recent ambassador suddenly relinquish his post without warning? Of course not. There is one, and only one, reason why this ambassadorship position remains unfilled: Hard though it may be to believe, the reason is ... REPUBLICAN OBSTRUCTION! Whats this world coming to? Apparently, Republican senators, led by Mike Enzi, are in the midst of one of their hissy fits because of Harry Reids invocation of the Nuclear Option (after they pushed him so deep into a corner by filibustering every single one of the presidents nominees that they left him with absolutely no choice but to detonate it). So, if Democratic senators wont succumb to standard Republican bullying, the Goons will apparently grab their marbles (however many might remain) and go home. And, if the result of this execrable behavior is to weaken the standing of the USA in the world and to make our citizenry more vulnerable to terrorist attacks, well, thats just the price we pay for not giving the Republicans EVERYTHING they want. So please tell me, even though I know that treason is such a precisely defined concept in our constitution that it is very difficult to come within its parameters, arent congressional Republicans getting awfully damn close? More importantly, as I wrote earlier this week, why in the world are Democratic congressional candidates so assiduously trying to distance themselves from our president instead of distancing themselves from the unpatriotic group of hoodlums and saboteurs who are running against them?
Posted on: Fri, 12 Sep 2014 11:33:29 +0000