Osama bin Laden is dead

It's been a long time coming and sooooo many unnecessary deaths. The following is a compilation on the search for the devil himself:

Clinton administration

Capturing Osama bin Laden had been an objective of the United States government since the presidency of Bill Clinton. Shortly after the September 11 attacks it was revealed that President Clinton had signed a directive authorizing the CIA (and specifically their elite Special Activities Division) to apprehend bin Laden and bring him to the United States to stand trial after the 1998 United States embassy bombings in Africa; if taking bin Laden alive was deemed impossible, then deadly force was authorized. On August 20, 1998, 66 cruise missiles launched by United States Navy ships in the Arabian Sea struck bin Laden's training camps near Khost in Afghanistan, narrowly missing him by a few hours. In 1999 the CIA, together with Pakistani military intelligence, had prepared a team of approximately 60 Pakistani commandos to infiltrate Afghanistan to capture or kill bin Laden, but the plan was aborted by the 1999 Pakistani coup d'état; in 2000, foreign operatives working on behalf of the CIA had fired a rocket-propelled grenade at a convoy of vehicles in which bin Laden was traveling through the mountains of Afghanistan, hitting one of the vehicles but not the one in which bin Laden was riding.

In 2000, prior to the September 11 attacks, Paul Bremer characterized the Clinton administration as "correctly focused on bin Laden", while Robert Oakley criticized their "obsession with Osama".

Bush administration

According to The Washington Post, the US government concluded that Osama bin Laden was present during the Battle of Tora Bora, Afghanistan in late 2001, and according to civilian and military officials with first-hand knowledge, failure by the US to commit enough US ground troops to hunt him led to his escape and was the gravest failure by the US in the war against al Qaeda. Intelligence officials have assembled what they believe to be decisive evidence, from contemporary and subsequent interrogations and intercepted communications, that bin Laden began the battle of Tora Bora inside the cave complex along Afghanistan's mountainous eastern border.

The Washington Post also reported that the CIA unit composed of their special operations paramilitary forces dedicated to capturing Osama was shut down in late 2005.

US and Afghanistan forces raided the mountain caves in Tora Bora between August 14–16, 2007. The military was drawn to the area after receiving intelligence of a pre-Ramadan meeting held by al Qaeda members. After killing dozens of al Qaeda and Taliban members, they did not find either Osama bin Laden or Ayman al-Zawahiri.

Immediately after the 9/11 attacks, US government officials named bin Laden and the Al-Qaeda organization as the prime suspects and offered a reward of $25 million for information leading to his capture or death. On July 13, 2007, this figure was doubled to $50 million.

The Airline Pilots Association and the Air Transport Association had offered an additional $2 million reward.

Obama administration

Members of the Obama administration track the mission that killed bin Laden

U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates said in December 2009 that officials had had no reliable information on Bin Laden's whereabouts for years. One week later, General Stanley McChrystal, the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan said in December 2009 that al-Qaeda will not be defeated unless its leader, Osama Bin Laden, is captured or killed. Testifying to the U.S. Congress, he said bin Laden had become an "iconic figure, whose survival emboldens al-Qaeda as a franchising organization across the world", and that Obama's deployment of 30,000 extra troops to Afghanistan meant that success would be possible. "I don't think that we can finally defeat al-Qaeda until he's captured or killed", McChrystal said of Bin Laden. "Killing or capturing bin Laden would not spell the end of al-Qaeda, but the movement could not be eradicated while he remained at large."

In April 2011, Obama approved an operation to capture bin Laden. On May 1, 2011 (23:30 EDT), Obama released a statement saying that American forces had killed bin Laden.



During the Bush administration:

...As the months and years went by after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks -- and Bush’s initial bluster about capturing the al Qaeda leader “dead or alive” became a source of embarrassment -- Bush began to insist that bin Laden himself wasn’t so very important.

"I truly am not that concerned about him," Bush said at a White House press conference on March 13, 2002. And of course the following March, he shifted America’s focus to Iraq, which proved to be a gigantic diversion.

The intelligence on WOM was invented to justify the war in Iraq. Intelligence that was invented and GW Bush admitted it. The intelligence from the CIA and Pakistani government proved to be real and Obama acted quickly. Our country and every other country who lived in terror should be thanking President Obama and the brave troops, foreign and domestic. The former presidents have.



George W. Bush:

"Earlier this evening, President Obama called to inform me that American forces killed Osama bin Laden, the leader of the al Qaeda network that attacked America on September 11, 2001. I congratulated him and the men and women of our military and intelligence communities who devoted their lives to this mission. They have our everlasting gratitude. This momentous achievement marks a victory for America, for people who seek peace around the world, and for all those who lost loved ones on September 11, 2001. The fight against terror goes on, but tonight America has sent an unmistakable message: No matter how long it takes, justice will be done."



Bill Clinton:

"This is a profoundly important moment not just for the families of those who lost their lives on 9/11 and in al-Qaida's other attacks but for people all over the world who want to build a common future of peace, freedom, and cooperation for our children.

I congratulate the President, the National Security team and the members of our armed forces on bringing Osama bin Laden to justice after more than a decade of murderous al-Qaida attacks."



Even John McCain:

"I am overjoyed that we finally got the world's top terrorist. The world is a better and more just place now that Osama bin Laden is no longer in it. I hope the families of the victims of the September 11th attacks will sleep easier tonight and every night hence knowing that justice has been done. I commend the President and his team, as well as our men and women in uniform and our intelligence professionals, for this superb achievement.



"But while we take heart in the news that Osama bin Laden is dead, we must be mindful that al-Qaeda and its terrorist allies are still lethal and determined enemies, and we must remain vigilant to defeat them."

So seriously unfair.

When I was 15 a very wild boy moved to my town. He was 17 and frankly he was hell on wheels. Maybe that was why I found him irresistible from day one. He gave me my very first kiss. He drove like a mad man but to this day I've never seen one better to this day. He taught me something much more important and I've never forgotten it. I watched him be judged and treated so unfairly that he didn't stand a chance at being accepted. No one took the time to see the good in him but me. I knew it was in him, I watched him try to make amends but a town full of people had found him guilty at first sight. I certainly wouldn't want my beliefs to be judged by that.

Anyway I've talked to him on and off throughout the years. He has three kids and two of them are the same age as my kids. His oldest, his only daughter, was in a car accident and had to have brain surgery. She nearly died and to this day she's not regained full brain activity. Now his 16 y/o son has cancer. They fought it and thought it was gone but it's back and it's in his bones. I don't know what that means and my friend can only talk about it in small doses. I can't see how this boy can fight it. My friend thinks it's some sort of karma for the things he did as a teen. I think if that's how that worked the whole town that judged him would be sick.

I'm at a crossroads with my headache. I find no relief and so I've sat down and refuse to choose a path. No surgery, but no stronger meds. It's not going away and honestly death would be kinder for everyone. I would take my old boyfriend's son's cancer. I mean that. it's not empty words. I would take it gladly.

Trump/Taitz 2012

Told ya!!!

Notice how polite I can be...

After being TRASHED about my religion I had to do something I didn't want or expect to do. I called someone out. I appreciate the fact he's kept his distance and so I've hidden the post. Clearly I'm not bluffing when I say that I know who visits my blog. I will give him this: He had the semi-courage to confront me. I'll keep it down unless I'm provoked further.

Sadly this will probably going to be serious soon...

But for now, it's pretty funny :)

Donald Trump vs....

Donald Trump gets into these feuds with various celebrities and it's just going to get worse now. I think we shall keep up with them here. He's so elementary school!!

Trump vs. Rosie O'Donnell

Trump vs. Rihanna

Trump vs. Jerry Seinfeld

Trump vs. Robert DeNiro

Trump vs. Cher

White House releases birth certificate

What do you do when you're a birther and no longer have a legitimate cause (not that it was ever legitimate)? My guess? They won't accept the long form birth certificate that they've been demanding for years now. Donald Trump is taking full credit for the White Houses decision to release the document making him look more ridiculous than ever. President Obama said in a press conference concerning the release: "I am speaking for the vast majority of the American people as well as for the press," he said. "We do not have time for this kind of silliness. We have better stuff to do. I have got better stuff to do. We have got big problems to solve." I've supported several groups on many issues over the past few years and I was sent a petition yesterday on the matter of the birth certificate. Specifically the GOP leaders and representatives of states that were supporting bills in keeping with the birther issues. Do we have the time and money to waste on something that is so ridiculous as this is? Shouldn't we look at our Governors, and state representatives and ask them what is it they are using our tax dollars to accomplish? This was asinine and it makes the people who long supported it look asinine too. Some people enjoy looking like a fool and will continue to do so. I wonder if they know who they are...
Update: Reactions are pouring in on the issue of the birth certificate. This is going to be a fun issue to blog about because some of these people are SOOOO INCREDIBLY STUPID!!!!

House Majority Leader John Boehner's spokesman, Michael Steel said in a statement, according to CNN, "This has long been a settled issue. The Speaker’s focus is on cutting spending, lowering gas prices, and creating American jobs.”

House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, who has reacted less than enthusiastically to the prospect of a Trump 2012 campaign, reacted to the release during an appearance on Fox News. Mediate reports the the GOP leader said, “I have criticized members of my own party for making this some kind of an issue and so I am really surprised that the White House is doing the same.”

Sarah Palin wrote in a tweet, "Media: admit it, Trump forced the issue. Now, don't let the WH distract you w/the birth crt from what Bernanke says today. Stay focused, eh?"

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich exclusively told Talking Points Memo that he sees the birth certificate ordeal as "strange." He said, "All I would say is, why did it take so long?"

Former Governor of Massachusetts Mitt Romney wrote in a tweet, "What President Obama should really be releasing is a jobs plan."

(This from the man who said this: [Obama's stimulus programs is]one of the biggest peacetime spending binges in American history." Romney, Romney, Romney... Shhhhh! We're at war with Iraq and Afghanistan, not to mention our involvement in Libya. Perhaps you should fly under the radar for awhile. I doubt that our servicemen and their families forget ever that it isn't peacetime.)

Also I'm posting video of the President's press conference. You know that accusation that he comes off elitist and superior?? Oh yeah, this is a prime example and you know why? BECAUSE HE IS!!!!!

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Liberal Mormon. Yes we exist :)

Not every issue is black and white. It's important to concentrate on the gray areas sometimes. I've found links to the LDS church's position on some issues that venture into morality vs. legal. The information I will be posting is quotes by President Obama previous to his election. I realize that his positions on some of these issues may have changed or run deeper than a sound bite allows.

Abortion:

The Church allows for possible exceptions for its members when:

* Pregnancy results from rape or incest, or
* A competent physician determines that the life or health of the mother is in serious jeopardy, or
* A competent physician determines that the fetus has severe defects that will not allow the baby to survive beyond birth.

Of course this choice can't be made without a great deal of council. Spiritual AND temporal.

Preventing Unintended Pregnancy:
Barack Obama is an original co-sponsor of legislation to expand access to contraception, health information and preventive services to help reduce unintended pregnancies. Introduced in January 2007, the Prevention First Act will increase funding for family planning and comprehensive sex education that teaches both abstinence and safe sex methods. The Act will also end insurance discrimination against contraception, improve awareness about emergency contraception, and provide compassionate assistance to rape victims.

He opposes mid-late term abortion.
That is my position as well.

Same sex marriage:

I think everyone is aware of the LDS church's view on same sex marriage.

President Obama's position as President has had to be rethought as Prop 8 was overturned as unconstitutional.

"I think that marriage, in the minds of a lot of voters, has a religious connotation," Obama said, according to the article. "I know that's true in the African American community, for example." Instead, he endorsed civil unions, a designation that did not exist in 1996.

Obama takes the same stance today - yes on equal rights and civil unions, no on same-sex marriage - but attributes the distinction to his religious convictions.

As he put it in an August 2008 presidential candidates' forum, "I believe that marriage is the union between a man and a woman. Now, for me as a Christian ... it is also a sacred union. God's in the mix."

Yup, I agree with that. I support civil unions and all of the rights afforded to a heterosexual couple. I support all civil rights of LGBT Americans, including the overturning of Don't Ask Don't Tell.

Basically I believe it's futile to fight some things like marijuana, prostitution, etc. Instead of fighting these things at great cost to taxpayers, legalize it, government regulate it, and tax the heck out of it :)
Pro choice=Free agency=Free country= What I believe. There is no judge in America that can deal with bad choices like God will. In the meantime, live life as positively as possible.

Easter Sunday

I taught Sunday School today and it was such a great lesson. But my friend left this link for me.



How moving and beautiful.

Happy Easter

The greatest man in history, named Jesus Christ. He had no servants, yet they called Him Master. He had no degree, yet they called Him Teacher. He had no medicines, yet they called Him healer. He had no army, yet kings feared Him. He won no military battles, yet he conquered the world. He committed no crime, yet they crucified Him. He was buried in a tomb...

Yet He lives today.