Sudden Outbreak of Common Sense

The “Blowback” That Neocons Do Understand

"Neocons still don't utter peep about blowback from U.S. foreign entanglements. They will never write or speak one word about it. However, with the current smackdown that the American public is delivering to Obama on his drive to war in Syria, at least one Neocon fears 'blowback' of a domestic sort. Wehner isn't speaking about 'blowback' from foreigners (He wouldn't dare.) He's referring to the non-interventionist voices in the U.S. that have grown by leaps and bounds since Ron Paul's campaign. The American public waking up, and not remaining in a woozy stupor as the war machine tramples on, is the type of 'blowback' that Neocons do understand." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingThe “Blowback” That Neocons Do Understand

McConnell to Vote ‘No’ On Syria As Election Looms

"'I have never been an isolationist,' McConnell will say, according to his prepared text. 'And a vote against this resolution shouldn’t be confused by anyone as a turn in that direction. But just as the most committed isolationist could be convinced of the need for intervention under the right circumstances when confronted with a threat, so too do the internationalists among us believe that all interventions are not created equal. And this proposal just does not stand up.' Translation: McConnell has a tough primary and general election ahead and can't be seen as going against the will of the people." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingMcConnell to Vote ‘No’ On Syria As Election Looms

Syria tentatively accepts surrender of alleged chemical weapons arsenal

"Obama warned Monday he had not taken military strikes off the table but, in agreeing to consider the Russian initiative, he effectively pushed back the timetable for possible action. 'I think what we’re seeing is that a credible threat of a military strike from the United States, supported potentially by a number of other countries around the world, has given them pause and makes them consider whether or not they would make this move,' he told NBC television. 'And if they do, then this could potentially be a significant breakthrough. But we have to be skeptical because this is not how we’ve seen them operate over the last couple of years.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingSyria tentatively accepts surrender of alleged chemical weapons arsenal

Russia urges Syria hand over chemical weapons to int’l control

"Russia has urged Syria to put its chemical weapons under international control for subsequent destruction to avert a possible military strike. The Foreign Minister’s statement comes shortly after US Secretary of State John Kerry’s comment that the Syrian President 'could turn over every single bit of his chemical weapons to the international community' to avoid a military strike on the country. 'Sure, he could turn over every single bit of his chemical weapons to the international community in the next week - turn it over, all of it without delay and allow the full and total accounting [of it[, but he isn't about to do it and it can't be done,' Kerry said." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingRussia urges Syria hand over chemical weapons to int’l control

What Do Americans Know That Their Government Doesn’t Know?

"Since morality and social order cannot be imposed by foreign attacks and aggressive wars to alter governments and entire societies, what these American intrusions have caused is death and destruction in one country after another, plus hatred and revenge visited upon the invaders. What Americans now recognize, if only by gut instinct, is that the war policy has backfired. The global war on terror has backfired. Interventionism has backfired. America has done wrong, morally and pragmatically. Americans are coming to recognize this while their leaders are still caught up in their false notions that power and their power in particular can remake the world for the better." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingWhat Do Americans Know That Their Government Doesn’t Know?

The Rise of the Antiwar Libertarian Republicans

"If you’re among the majority of war-weary Americans who oppose any sort of military intervention in Syria, thank libertarian Republican lawmakers Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky and Rep. Justin Amash of Michigan. If the House and Senate vote against authorizing war next week, the efforts by these two guys will have been instrumental. Indeed, their outspoken, principled pushback is part of the reason that President Barack Obama—the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize winner—hasn’t already pursued some sort of strike 'just muscular enough not to get mocked' by the world while not inciting retaliation by Bashar al-Assad’s allies, Russia and Iran." Continue reading →

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Gun rights advocates stand armed outside bagel shop to educate public

"Some customers at a southwest Houston bagel shop were startled to see people standing around with guns outside the store. The people outside the Einsten Bros. Bagels on Montrose were with Open Carry Texas -- a group dedicated to the safe and legal carry of firearms openly in the State of Texas. They say they want to remove the stigma on the appearance of guns in the community and educate people about firearms. Members of the group claim some people are afraid of weapons because of misinformation from the media and the government. Police responded to a call about the men, but say they weren't breaking any laws because it is legal to open carry long guns in Texas." Continue reading →

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Even John McCain Is Having Second Thoughts about Drug Prohibition

"What do John Stossel, Mona Charen, Gary Johnson, Pat Robertson, Cory Booker, and Richard Branson all have in common? And let’s add voters from the states of Colorado and Washington to this list. So what unites this unusual collection of people? They’ve all expressed doubts about the War on Drugs. And that’s a good thing. As explained in this video, the Drug War has been a very costly failure. Indeed, it’s been such a boondoggle that we can now add John McCain to the list of those who think maybe it’s time to consider decriminalization." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingEven John McCain Is Having Second Thoughts about Drug Prohibition

Iran to ‘remove any ambiguity regarding our country’s nuclear program’

"The head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organisation, Ali Akbar Salehi, said separately Tehran could conceivably agree to allowing the UN’s International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to conduct snap inspections of its facilities. Their remarks come as Iran’s new president, Hassan Rowhani, has expressed keenness to move forward quickly with serious, transparent negotiations, while not abandoning the country’s rights. Salehi said he understood international concerns, and that Iran was ready to allay them 'using every treaty, regulation and mechanism at the international level'." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingIran to ‘remove any ambiguity regarding our country’s nuclear program’

Colorado Sheriff: ‘Should Be Able To Fire Representatives Who Ignore Constituents’

"When Breitbart News asked Maketa what he thought of the recall efforts, he said: 'I firmly believe that if voters think their representatives are not representing their views fairly, then they ought to be able to fire them.' 'Constituents should be able to fire representatives who ignore constituents,' Maketa stated. 'Voters think the two senators currently being recalled dismissed their opinions--literally said they did not want to hear from them--and when a representative shows that kind of arrogance, that kind of tyranny, the people ought to be able to fire them.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingColorado Sheriff: ‘Should Be Able To Fire Representatives Who Ignore Constituents’