PISS TEST THE PRESIDENT, CABINET, AND CONGRESS—THAT’S FOR STARTERS

PISS TEST THE PRESIDENT, CABINET, AND CONGRESS—THAT’S FOR STARTERS
By Andy Weddington
Friday, 20 March 2009

Pardon the crude opening word for today’s title but I was afraid the majority of Obama voters would not understand the word “urinalysis”—but “piss,” like “hope” and “change,” is a one syllable word and surely within the vocabulary of even the most ignorant in the country. Two more one syllable words—“lie” and “nut”—are likewise germane to this comment and will be addressed later.

The absurdity coming out of Washington continues to escalate and I thought it was about time for some hinterland wacky but legitimate quid pro quo. Today’s commentary will be blunt to preclude any confusion or misunderstanding by Obama faithful. And to them I offer an upfront apology—I found it impossible to craft a commentary using only one syllable words. However, I have kept the content as elemental as possible. If you’re offended at this point you may not wish to read on.

From Obama down the cast of clowns “leading” this country works for us—we elected (hired) them and we’re paying them. That is, they are employees of the people; nothing more. Therefore, we have every right to expect our money’s worth as to each one’s fitness for duty and, in turn, best possible performance. So, it’s about damn time we implement some fundamental quantitative measures of assessment to determine if these clowns are indeed fit for duty. For starters, here's to implementing a semiannual, with an unannounced random clause, urinalysis testing program for illegal drugs. Compliance is a zero-tolerance standard. Pop positive—you are done. For those holding office who consider themselves among the ethical and honorable and are offended and deem filling a small plastic bottle as an invasion of privacy or lack of trust and confidence then thank the miscreants with whom you serve. Testing is for the good of the institution, and, in this case, for the good of the country. As a public servant you have a responsibility to assure the public you are fit for service and to affirm your trust and confidence to your constituency and the public at large. It’s simply referred to as “leadership by example.” In accordance with our President’s emphasis on transparency, test results are to be posted on the Internet for ease of public access. If you don’t like it—don’t run for office.

Several matters making the news this week call to serious question whether our “leadership,” and I use the term for descriptive purposes only, is under the influence of illegal substances or is even sane and qualified to be holding elective office.

First, the President.
Obama put forth a proposal to force private insurance companies to pay for the treatment of military veterans with disabilities and injuries that are connected with their military service. The plan calls for private insurance carriers to reimburse the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in such cases. Following a recent meeting with the President and a few of the Administration’s supporting clowns, Commander David Rehbein of the American Legion said, “This reimbursement plan would be inconsistent with the mandate ‘...to care for him who shall have borne the battle...’ given that the United States government sent members of the armed forces into harm's way, and not private insurance companies. I say again that The American Legion does not and will not support any plan that seeks to bill a veteran for treatment of a service connected disability at the very agency that was created to treat the unique need of America's veterans!”

The recent meeting was triggered by a letter of protest sent to the President earlier this month. The letter, co-signed by Rehbein and the leadership of ten colleague outfits, read, in part, “There is simply no logical explanation for billing a veteran's personal insurance for care that the VA has a responsibility to provide. While we understand the fiscal difficulties this country faces right now, placing the burden of those fiscal problems on the men and women who have already sacrificed a great deal for this country is unconscionable.” My language would have been a bit more colorful but Rehbein’s and his colleague’s message is clear.

Leaving the meeting, an angry Rehbein said, “It became apparent during our discussion today that the President intends to move forward with this unreasonable plan…he says he is looking to generate $540 million by this method, but refused to hear arguments about the moral and government-avowed obligations that would be compromised by it.”

Obama show concern about any moral, ethical, or government-avowed obligations? Are you kidding—why start now? Here is yet another frontal assault coming from the White House to cripple our nation’s defense. A couple of weeks back I sent an email to a retired admiral working in the Beltway. My comment/query to him was what happens when the day comes—and the way things are proceeding under Obama it won’t be long—before the standup men and women of this land who are voluntarily serving to protect us and our way of life reach the point of disgust and decide we have already lost our way of life and there is no point in service? Recruiting and retention are fine now but that can change and in a hurry. Better start thinking about a draft, Mr. President. And don’t expect to be smothered in hugs and kisses by those who voted for you—they want all the goodies but don’t want to do a damn thing for them or to protect them. Why should they care about losing something they did not have to work for in the first place?

Interestingly, not much more than a day or so after his hare-brained proposal regarding injured veterans made the pubic airways, the President pulled it from the table. Or so it is reported. Apparently, with all else going so poorly for him, Obama finally figured out the last cohort he needs to piss off (no pun intended) is the one who makes the biggest sacrifice for the country. But as anyone who has ever worked inside the Beltway knows, you cannot kill a bad idea. In fact, the more stupid the idea the more lives it has. Expect to see the President and his cast of clowns try to float this one again during calmer times. And expect Veteran’s organizations and veterans to raise holy hell—again.

On another front, it’s now coming to the public’s attention that Obama is, in keeping with his anti-gun ideology, quietly ending the program that allowed commercial airline pilots to carry a firearm provided they completed a federal safety program. You may recall this program was implemented post 9/11 to afford pilots an additional layer of protection for their aircraft against passengers with intentions other than being leisurely transported from point A to B. What in the world Obama’s thinking is anyone’s guess? One thing is for certain, he is degrading public safety. Closing Guantanamo Bay and sending half of theater commander requested forces to Afghanistan are likewise noted. When will the President disarm the military? Preposterous you say? As absurd as it sounds, it seems we’re heading in that direction. By all appearances, despite what comes out of his mouth, he is deliberately setting us up for the “big one”—a catastrophe that will make 9/11 look like child’s play.

With each passing day it becomes more and more clear, Obama is not only way in over his head but he and his Administration is on the brink of destroying a perfectly good—though not without flaws—country. The world without the stability provided by the country known as the United States of America is something we do not want to see in any shape, form, or fashion. Piss test tomorrow, Mr. President.

Second, the House Speaker.
Nancy Pelosi recently told a group of legal immigrants and illegal aliens (let’s call them exactly what they are) and their families gathered at a church in San Francisco that enforcement of existing immigration laws, as currently practiced, is “un-American.” Pelosi condemned raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and referred to the immigrants and illegal aliens she was addressing as “very, very patriotic.” She rhetorically asked the mostly Hispanic crowd, “Who in this country would not want to change a policy of kicking in doors in the middle of the night and sending a parent away from their families? It must be stopped...What value system is that? I think it's un-American. I think it's un-American.” Pelosi went on criticizing enforcement by ICE agents saying, “We have to have a change in policy and practice and again...I can't say enough, the raids must end. The raids must end. You are special people. You're here on a Saturday night to take responsibility for our country's future. That makes you very, very patriotic.” The cheering crowd chanted, “Si se puede,” or “Yes we can.”

Well I for one am all for kicking down doors of illegal aliens—middle of the night or day, I don’t care—and immediately and unceremoniously escorting them—parents, children, aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces, 4th cousins twice removed, whomever and their pets—out of the country. For me, that’s complying with the law of the land and good old-fashioned “patriotism.” Good grief, I guess I’m “un-American.” We can only hope a mob of “un-Americans” chanting, “No way, they can’t stay” (in English only) will confront Pelosi. This woman is completely off her rocker and a simple test can definitively prove a dope is using dope. Piss test tomorrow, Madame Speaker.

Third, Secretary of the Treasury and Congress.
Timothy Geithner, Congress, and the President knew about the ridiculous bonuses that were going to be paid to incompetent AIG executives using taxpayer bailout money and yet did nothing to intervene until there was public outrage to stop it. The $165 million may be a pittance comparatively speaking (to bailout cash) but it’s the principle. Some conservative heads on talk radio are arguing Obama orchestrated the AIG bonus issue as an attack on capitalism to further his destructive agenda. That might make sense if the bonuses came from company profits—they did not. The bonuses are our tax dollars and they are wrong. So, it’s a big deal no matter the amount. But, do you get the feeling the Administration is constantly probing us to see if we’re awake? Remember, Geithner is the genius and year-after-year tax evader Obama said was critical to our nation’s economic recovery. Baloney! And Congress is the cohort of buffoons masquerading as statesmen who are supposed to be representing our best interest. They sure showed their colors and priorities with the “Stimulus” package—chocked full of waste—pushed forward for the President’s signature. Piss test tomorrow, Mr. Secretary and Congress.

There’s plenty more to justify fluid testing but that’s enough. Members of the U. S. Armed Forces, from recruit to general, are subject to a random urinalysis program and have been for nearly three decades. If it’s important enough to steer the military, our nation’s leadership should be leading the way. If you are doing nothing wrong you have nothing to fear. Testing catches users and sometimes the ones least suspected pop positive. That is a fact. So, why not test the President, Cabinet, and Congress? And in addition to regular urinalysis testing, we may as well demand polygraphs and a comprehensive psychiatric and psychological evaluation (“lie” and “nut” detection) before anyone elected to high office can be sworn in (all three tools are used in screening and assigning military personnel). And, by the way, extend the requirement to every successive term of office. Perhaps by filtering out dopes, liars, and kooks we can begin to restore a sense of sanity and balance to our country’s leadership regardless of the party in power. It surely cannot hurt. Remember, we are talking about public servants—not, contrary to their pre-camera mirror-primping, self-aggrandizing perception, American royalty.