Remember The 3:00 AM Phone Call

Remember during the elections when the ads asked: "Who do you want to answer the 3:00 AM phone call?"

Well the 3:00 AM phone call has been made; except it took place during the day. On August 30, 2009 our Commander In Chief, President Barack Hussein Obama was asked by General McCrystal, the general of his choice in Afghanistan, for help.

Did Obama answer the call in seconds, minutes, hours, days or months? The answer is months plus. On Tuesday, Commander In Chief Obama will fly to West Point to provide his official answer to General McCrystal's request. That will be on December 01, 2009; 3 months and two days after the General's initial request for assistance.

Marines react to Obama, from infidelsarecool.com

According to various Internet writings, Obama will use the future officers as background while he announces a troop buildup followed by his plan for withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan.

In my opinion, the trip is also to provide Obama camera time in front of a captive audience of West Point Cadets who will be used to waste their time making Obama look good.

Remember any assistance provided McCrystal by Obama is now already burdened by a 3 month, 2 day lag time.

What Is It With Cell Phones?

Today I woke up to a radio news story about three college students who drove into a farm pond while possibly star watching.

A few weeks ago, the news reported four people who were killed in an automobile when the mat under the driver's feet jammed the gas pedal.

Interestingly, in both incidents persons involved made phone calls asking for assistance.

Soap Box Ravings can not understand the mentality of making cell phone calls in either one of these incidents.

In the latest incident Soap Box Ravings says if water is flooding into the vehicle you are in, you need to exit that vehicle. As I write this later in the day, the evening news reports their vehicle was found upright in 10 feet of water with the doors shut and the windows up.

In the floor mat incident, while talking for help, the driver entered an intersection against a red light and the accident that followed killed all four occupants. It seems to Soap Box Ravings that turning off the ignition and standing on the brake until the vehicle stops would have been more appropriate than making a cell phone call.

Years ago, Soap Box Ravings had a runaway Vanagon when the cruise control cable got hung up on the engine block. Standing on the brake with an engine at full throttle slowed me down to a crawl but I could not stop the vehicle. Luckily, I had the green when I entered the intersection (4 lanes with median) and I then pulled into a business to shut off the vehicle.

Taking the Vanagon out of gear was not an option to me because I knew the engine would self-destruct and I could not afford the repairs.

People should also remember, when the ignition is turned off most vehicles lock the steering but if stopping is important, it may need to be done that way.

Well trained police officers often ask themselves, "If this happens, what do I do"? Then they run through the scenario presented and work on some acceptable solutions.

Those who read or hear of these unfortunate souls should ask themselves "What should I do." IMHO, unless you are in a safe position, the cell phone is most likely a waste of your time. Particularly since the person who answers a 911 phone normally can not ascertain your location. You have to be able to tell 911 where you are located.

General McChrystal Still Seeking Back-Up And Obama Parties On

Today is November 1, 2009; General McChrystal, after 61 days of waiting, has no response from Barack Hussein Obama on the additional troops requested.

Obama has managed to get a lot of world face time in the last 61 days. Copenhagen and his Olympic Quest comes to mind. Just a few days ago, Obama and the press went to Edwards Air Force base to view 18 deceased troops as they arrived. Just an aside, but I don't believe George W. Bush used those visitations at Andrews Air Force base as a photo op.

And yesterday there was the White House Halloween Party. The President looks like a man with no worries or concerns.

Associated Press Photo / Manuel Balce Ceneta

We hear a lot in the news about the health care crisis and the health plan the "majority" of the country does not want passed but very little headway has been made on General McChrystal's request for back-up in Afghanistan.

Listening to the news daily it is hard to determine if Obama has the guts or fortitude to continue "his war".

However, last week the US government assured Pakistan we were with them for the long haul. I bet they really believe that especially when Obama can't make up his mind to back-up his own general and the troops in Afghanistan.

This is now really starting to look like another Vietnam, with a Democrat President micromanaging the generals while The Taliban and Al Qaeda (General Giap and the Vietcong troops) understands if they keep up the pressure they can again beat the USA (the devil).


US Hostile Fatalities in Afghanistan by Year and Month

Year Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Total

2009 12 15 11 3 9 20 39 47 33 48 0 0 237


So since the General asked the President , his Commander in Chief, for backup 81 American troops have been killed by hostile action. Basically 1/3 of the deaths for 2009 have occurred after General McChrystal's request for assistance.

The longer Obama dithers, the more encouraged the other side becomes (just like Vietnam) and more troops die. So far Obama's campaign plans regarding the war on terror either copy George W Bush or the are lacking in substance and determination.

Here is a good read titled "Is It Amateur Hour in the White House?:
http://www.newsweek.com/id/215991

This is the kind of article the media is supposed to publish, in print and over the airwaves. It is also the type article that upsets Obama because it holds his feet to the fire.