James Clark Blog

Obesity in America…..and how the French do it.

James Clark — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 14:45:57 +0000

Casual observers will agree that obesity is epidemic in America. It is a frightening problem and alarmingly, seems to be prevalent with our youth. Visit an ice cream parlor and note obese parents followed by extremely fat toddlers. Why? I suggest the French may have an answer to what ails America. The French don’t snack. They will tear off the end of a fresh baguette and eat it as they leave the boulangerie. That’s about all you see consumed on the street. In the USA, you see pizza, hot dogs, nachos, tacos, heroes, potato chips, sandwiches, half-gallon buckets of soft drinks (diet, of course), and heaven knows what else being consumed on the hoof. The key, I think, is that French portions are fairly modest. Plus the French consume red wine, more than ten times more wine than Americans. Voila! Paradox explained.

The “Domino Theory” – we need a new slogan for Afghanistan…..

James Clark — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 13:26:07 +0000

To justify the unwarranted invasion of a sovereign nation and the killing of millions of people (including over 50,000 young U.S. servicemen) Robert McNamara and the generals in the Pentagon convinced LBJ of the “domino theory.” This absurd notion was premised on a belief that if America didn’t invade and fight Communism in Vietnam, other Asian countries, such as Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, etc., would fall to communism “like dominos.” The Defense Department brass believed that the American people were so gullible that we’d fall for, and support, an ill-fated invasion and occupation of another country so long as we were spoon-fed with a slick marketing campaign. We did, until we awakened and took to the streets. In doing so we stopped an unjust war and toppled LBJ. One can argue that if Americans had not turned to violent demonstrations to stop the needless slaughter in Vietnam, we’d still be there “preventing the dominos from falling.”

Now, we’re doing it again in Iraq and Afghanistan. Once again we need a slogan to believe in: The one I’m hearing that is being advanced by Robert Gates and his generals is “if we don’t fight them over there, we’ll have to fight them here.” Yeah right. Once again, the ads are on the way. Get ready, America, we’re being suckered again. The defense contractors and their lobbyists are laughing at the stupid taxpayers who are paying the way.

Guess two countries that are not for children’s rights……

James Clark — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 13:46:02 +0000

The answer: United States of America & Somalia. That’s correct. A global children’s rights treaty ratified by every U.N. member except the U.S. & Somalia provides that children have basic rights to education, health care and protection from abuse. What an outrage that the U.S. Government will not recognize basic rights for children!

Finally, America is apparently reconsidering. President Obama is reviving efforts to have the U.S. sign onto the children’s rights treaty. It’s about time. We should be ashamed to be aligned with a country (Somalia) that has not had a functioning government in two decades in not recognizing basic rights for children. Could this be the result of lobbying efforts by industries who employ 8-9 year olds to work 12 hour shifts in dirty factories?

More ill-advised policy from Afghanistan…..

James Clark — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 13:22:58 +0000

A former Marine’s response to our new “cut and run” policies in Afghanistan and comments on war in general…. I was a U.S. Marine assigned to the Third Marine Division in Vietnam. During my tour, a Major Fogo was the Operations Officer of the division stationed at Khe Sanh, Republic of Vietnam. Our Operations and Intelligence Room was underground in an old French bunker located on the plateau of the Khe Sanh Combat Base. On one occasion, before we realized that we were receiving more than normal incoming rockets and mortars, we were suddenly surrounded by what was later described as the “Siege of Khe Sanh” - forty thousand well-armed NVA surrounding one company of U.S. Marines. Meanwhile, in the basement of the White House, LBJ and his Joint Chiefs considered whether to use nuclear power to prevent another French Dien bien Phu (1954) and it was decided to deploy a battalion of Marines from Okinawa instead. The 26th Marines were selected for the mission as well as U.S. Army, Navy Seabees, and Air Force Units, the latter flying B-52s from Thailand. The B-52’s mission was to continually drop 500 and 1,000 bombs on Hills 861A and B and Hills 881 and 950. Nightly the landscape was like the “Northern Lights” - hence the term ARCLIGHT to designate the B-52 air strikes came into being. Before I was ordered to cease the operations of the Sub Unit 5 Third Marine Division and move 125 Marines back to DaNang and Phu Bai, I continued to work 12 hour shifts in the Operations Center and 12 hours on perimeter duty. Suddenly, Major Fogo was replaced by an Operations Officer from the 26th Marines. During one conversation among the new OO, the Intelligence Officer, and Col. David Lowndes, the Senior Officer, the new OO declared that he had “noticed” that each time we sent a patrol to the lower side of Hill 861(XD803443), it was attacked. Based on his observations, he then made the decision to no longer send troops through the routes we had previously established as our pathways to Hills 861A and B. His decision to not confront the enemy, to demolish them, their vehicles, weapons and tunnels thereby defeated our missions. As a result of this new policy, I could no longer understand why U.S. Marines were there. After the Siege of 77 days in which more armament was delivered to the enemy than at any time (including the atomic bombs dropped on Japan), the NVA left. Later, when my friend Rodger Clemons patrolled Highway Nine to the village of Khe Sanh and Lang Vei, he went by the vacated base of Khe Sanh in 1970 and there was nothing there. No standing structures or Marines or NVA or VC. Nothing but a destroyed air base. I now respectfully ask the same question that has been posed. Why? Why did we make such a valiant and dangerous stand against a full division of the enemy when we had no goal for the resolution of Vietnam. Were we to die from a meaningless battle in which the military really had no plan or goal? Did we fight a war for 15 years to only support the “Domino Theory” that was rejected by Daniel Ellsberg? General Westmoreland and Secretary of Defense McNamara left Vietnam in shame with helicopters rescuing allies from the rooftop of the U.S. Embassy in Saigon. I did not know that we had lost the war until years later as I felt I personally had won. I was alive and I kept those who I was in charge alive. I killed when I could. That was my job and I did it well. I have taken the position that our “idea” that Osama bin Laden is alive and well in the interlock between Afghanistan and Pakistan in reality has no meaning. Our nation has no goal or plan regarding sending additional troops to Afghanistan. What can 68,000 to 70,000 men do that 30,000 can’t and we have now removed the greatest number from South Korea where a mad man, Kim Jong-il is loose in Pyongyang to the north. We continue to have 150,000 troops in Iraq and the Secretary of Defense and his advisors now tell us that we will keep those troops there for ten years! A decade. There is no goal. We are again floundering. When Marines have nothing to do, they are ordered to pick up cigarette butts and clean the area of waste. Is that our task now? I hired out with my life to kill the enemy of my country as I thought it to be at war. Forty years later, I realized that Vietnam was never going to release an atomic bomb on the United States and North Vietnam was not going to dispatch a fleet of battleships to attack California and Washington and New England and Pensacola. If Henry Kissinger and Richard Nixon can decide the peace table in Paris should be round rather than square and make the NVA happy and in turn, we leave SE Asia taking our friends with us, I see no obstacle in pursuing the same worn-out action again. The time has come to find some utility to the United Nations. The countries of the world should be totally engaged in the threat of terrorism. It should not be an exclusive American war! We should leave if we are not going to fight to win to bring Osama to trial and to destroy the Al Qaeda and the Taliban. It must be noted that Bin Laden did not attack Israel, his sworn enemy. Hindsight is indeed 20/20. Respectfully, S/Sgt. Revis Wilson, USMC Retired. June 2009

Peace in the Middle East? It will never happen……

James Clark — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 19:15:43 +0000

We are seeing the first stages of my prediction of a massive war in the Middle East. Iran’s re-election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad sets the stage. Although he lacks the power to direct high-level policies, which are dictated solely by the ruling clerics (primarily Ayatollah Ali Khamenei), he can influence Iran’s sinking economy and the continued development of its nuclear program. I predict that Ahmadinejad (who I will always believe was center-stage in the infamous photo of the Iran hostage taking in 1979) will see his opportunity for martyrdom by planning a devastating nuclear strike of Tel Aviv, thereby planning to kill millions of Jews. However, the war won’t result from Mahmoud’s launching of a nuclear weapon; it will occur when Israel, led by the right wing Benjamin “Bibi” Netanyayhu takes mililtary action to destroy the launch sites, some of which are mobile, thus spreading war throughout the Persian countryside. The USA will naturally side with Israel and the Middle East will burst into flames. Get ready for $5.00 per gallon petrol in America. This is going to be a horrific conflict that will involve many nations. (for a fascinating series of photos of the protests to the rigged election of Iran’s crackpot president, click on http://www.flickr.com/photos/fhashemi/sets/72157619758530748/show/

When you view these photos, bear in mind that Iran’s president has dismissed the melee as “what one might expect after a soccer game.” Yeah right.

How the Saudis fund the terrorist movements….. The Holy Land Foundation

James Clark — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 15:06:23 +0000

I’ve been tracking the Dallas trial of the Richardson, Texas based Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development that recently ended with convictions of five members on 108 charges and substantial jail terms.

Here’s how the money laundering and tax fraud works: The Middle Eastern countries, primarily Saudi Arabia, have a unique internal protection policy. To prevent the bombing of mosques and important centers, and attacks on the crown princes and their families, the Saudis (and others to a lesser extent) simply funnel vast sums of money to the radicals. (To make direct payments would leave a clear money trail establishing the proof that the Kingdom is actually promoting terrorism). So, the “benevolent” Islamist societies/associations are formed in other countries, primarily in America (because our laws safeguard the wire transfers), with a corporate (non-profit, non-taxable, of course) mission of promoting peace and helping poor Middle Eastern Nationals. In reality, the money is laundered and funneled directly back to terrorist organizations, like Hamas and Hezbollah (the “Party of God”) whose members attack Israeli Nationals and Americans wherever they are.

Thank God that we’re apparently doing a little something to shut that sort of thing down. I’m afraid it’s too little, too late, however.

Interestingly, within minutes of the 9/11 attacks, the FAA issued a NOTAM, (notice to airmen) ordering every airborne plane in the U.S. to land at the nearest airport. However, what is little known is that Crown Prince Bandar, the dapper Saudi Ambassador to the United States, made a personal plea to President Geo. W. Bush to allow members of the bin Laden family and other wealthy Saudis who lived in America to be transported to safe locations or out of the country. (Funds were wire transferred from Saudi Arabia to pay for the flights). So, in a secret airlift, USA owned and specially chartered jets were dispatched all over the country picking up bin Laden males, their wives and children, and other suspected Islamist radicals and fly them to safe locations. Americans couldn’t fly, but Muslims could. Astoundingly, the FBI was prohibited from even questioning any of the bin Laden family members or others to verify if they had any connection with Osama bin Laden’s plan to attack America on 9/11. (One, Prince Ahmed, was alleged to have direct ties to al-Quida. He died at age 43 in July 2002 of a mysterious “heart attack” and was never questioned).

That’s how our government works. It’s all about oil from the Middle East and cozying up to the oil kingdom’s kings and crown princes. According to Salon.com Politics – The Great Escape, estimates of monies the House of Saud has directly funneled to individuals and entities closely tied to former President Bush and

his family amount to $1,477,100,000. That’s a billion plus.

So, editorially speaking, I ask: What has changed since Obama became president? The answer is clear: Continuation of the Bush policies and an even more transparent pansying to the radicals. This dumb policy is evidently grounded on the belief of our president that his own Muslim roots and apologies for America’s aggression after 9/11 will somehow make Muslims our “friends.” Yeah, right. What he must understand, and what every American must know, is that only one thing will satisfy the Arabs and Muslim radicals: Abolishment of the State of Israel and extermination of every Jew in that part of the world. Nothing less will appease them.

We are living in dangerous times. Within the next 24 months we’ll see a major war in the Middle East that will result in gasoline at $5.00 per gallon at the pump here. Israel will not stand by and let Iran develop a nuclear weapon that will obliterate Tel Aviv, so the Israelis, aided by the Americans, will attack Tehran. Millions will die and the Middle East will burst into flames. It’ll happen.

Wanted: Supreme Court justice – must have “preconceived ideas”…

James Clark — Mon, 25 May 2009 15:45:56 +0000

About the time I think our inept young president can’t possibly do worse, he comes through. This time he has announced that his Supreme Court replacement for Associate Justice David Souter will be someone who will have “preconceived ideas” and who will decide cases “based on emotions, feelings or those preconceived ideas.” This from a former professor of constitutional law at the University of Chicago! (Any first year law student will tell you that a judge must discard preconceived ideas and decide cases based on the facts and the applicable law, leaving emotions and feelings out of it.)

As expected, this inane announcement has given the G.O.P. a huge warehouse of fodder to blast the young “in over his head” president. Sure enough, the President has nominated Sonia Sotomayor, a federal appeals court judge of Puerto Rican origin. Expect her to be confirmed by the Judiciary Committee and the U.S. Senate.

On the one hand I feel sorry for President Obama. He seemingly doesn’t have a clue what he’s doing and has evidently surrounded himself with a group of clueless dolts. But he asked for this office and I expect him to perform. I’m not holding my breath; more idiotic decisions and positions are forthcoming. I am simply appalled. Politics do not enter into my disappointment; only watching an unqualified person stumble through the most important office on the planet. It’s very sad having to watch.

Are we missing $9,000,000,000,000? As Everett Dirksen used to say, “a billion here, a billion there, & pretty soon you’re talking about real money”…

James Clark — Mon, 25 May 2009 02:09:35 +0000

This from a wise and alert reader: Deserves prominent post here….

“The Federal Reserve apparently can’t account for $9 trillion in off-balance sheet transactions. When Rep. Alan Grayson (D-Orlando) asked Inspector General Elizabeth Coleman of the Federal Reserve some some very basic questions about where the trillions of dollars that have gone from the Fed’s expanded balance sheet wound up, the I.G. didn’t know. Worse, nobody at the Fed seems to have any idea what the losses on its $2 trillion portfolio really are. ‘I am shocked to find out that nobody at the Federal Reserve is keeping track of anything,’ Grayson says. He then asked Coleman if her agency had done any research into the decision not to save Lehman Brothers, which in his words ‘sent shock waves through the entire financial system.’ Coleman said it had not. ‘What about the $1 trillion plus expansion of the Federal reserve’s balance sheet since last September?’ Grayson asked. ‘We have different connotations,’ Coleman replied. ‘We’re actually conducting a fairly high-level review of the various lending facilities collectively.’ Translation: Nobody at the Fed knows where the money went.” – Source: Money NewsGo online to: http://www.thedailybell.com/bellPage.asp?nid=384&fl

So, what’s new since Obama’s reforms kicked in? W light? We need a Democrat in the Oval Office!

James Clark — Thu, 21 May 2009 20:04:30 +0000

Here is the “reform” Obama promised us that we are receiving: 1. About face on CIA torture photos. 2. Retention of military tribunals. 3. Justice Dept. invoking “states secrets privilege” to get lawsuit on torture and rendition dismissed. 4. Vast increase in the “surge” in Afghanistan. 5. Withdrawal from Iraq more slowly. 6. Extended secret incursions over the Afghan border into Pakistan. 7. Pansy diplomacy with Muslim nations. 8. Continuation of the Patriot Act. 9. Electronic wiretaps. 10. e-mail intercepts. 11. Gitmo. Boy, he promised “reform” and we’re getting it. I guess he doesn’t pay attention to polls showing Geo. W. Bush with a 20% overall approval rating and Dick Cheney 18%. How can we square what this guy said while running for the Oval Office (and what he still says even today) with what he is doing? The Republicans are overjoyed! This guy is W light! Somewhere, probably in the S.M.U. gym in Dallas, Geo. W. Bush is smiling.

Tired of extortion in Afghanistan….

James Clark — Thu, 21 May 2009 17:42:52 +0000

Word from Afghanistan is local tribal leaders are upset about foreign aid from America that is going to war department contractors, who then take a lion’s share of the money, then dribble a little out to local areas. The Afghan tribal guys are threatening that if good old Uncle Sam doesn’t start giving the tons of cash directly to the local councils (for them to steal) “we’ll have to depend on the Taliban.” America, as usual, always relents to these types of extortion threats. Speaking as a party of one, I’m sick of it. Can you imagine what would happen if the Lone Grove, Oklahoma City Council “demanded” money from the U.S. government under threats?

When will we learn? Do we just have a crew of educated dolts running our government? Why not tell the Afghan thugs to “f___ yourselves and the burros you rode in on?” We are powerless! Obama is running the same type of ill-fated campaign as W! We get no relief! Is there no end to extortion from these thugs who run a government not much advanced since Biblical days? Where’s the outrage?

Everyone should recall that the U.S. supported radical Muslims in the war against the Soviet Union in Afghanistan, and with the war over, found that it had armed and supplied a force that is inimical to it. With our new invasion of that backward country, we now are confronted with that force, and those arms.

There seemingly is no end to this. As I’ve said before, we’ll be in Afghanistan until the American people take to the streets to end it, just like Viet Nam. I hold out little hope that our new president will do so.