Is Iran being baited into war?

MANY HAVE MOTIVE TO DAMAGE IRAN'S NUCLEAR PROGRAM 

ASSASSINATION NOT POSSIBLE WITHOUT INSIDE HELP

With the assassination of Iran's top nuclear scientist, tensions in the middle east are now at a high point. Iran has vowed retaliation, but has not yet found proof of who is responsible. They first condemned Israel, their number one target of all that goes bad. Most of the gulf counties along with Israel have denied responsibility. 

Most everyone in the middle east would like to see Iran's nuclear program ended. Much of this has to do with religious leaders of Iran openly claiming that they will be responsible for initiating an end time apocalypse. Some in Iran believe it is their destiny and nuclear weapons would give them the means.

Many fear that the new Biden administration will be soft on Iran, that they and many in Europe would hope to appease Iran and allow them to successfully build nuclear weapons in the future. The problem often is that people just can not understand that some people, for whatever reason, do not make the same political calculations as modern western leaders. It is not always about more business and more control of others. They don't believe that Iran or anyone else would actually use nuclear weapons. They make the mistake to judge others by their own persona of empty talk. The Iranian leaders are most likely not prevaricating when they call for death to Israel or death to America.

As far as who is responsible for this assassination, it could be anybody or likely a co-conspiracy. One thing for sure it had to have inside assistance to track the whereabouts of this scientist, who likely had strong security. It has likely created some uneasiness of many of Iran's leaders, who are now vulnerable. It is amazing that, so far, no one has been apprehended or identified.

If there is a concerted effort to bait Iran into some retaliation against Israel, Saudi Arabia or U.S. assets, it is likely just the beginning of an escalating plan. The hope is to give the U.S. and Israel an excuse to destroy Iran's nuclear capability before the end of the Trump administration.

If it is just an attack by Iranian dissidents, who also fear the nuclear retaliation that would ensue if Iran would actually use a nuclear weapon, then it may be just a one time event.

Iran had an opportunity with the Iran deal to become part of the world community, but they instead upped their financial and military assistance to Shia terrorists and revolutionaries around the middle east and Africa. They still believe in and want an islamic caliphate ruled from Tehran.

With many of the Muslim countries of the middle east tired of the struggle with Israel and in the process of making peace, Iran may feel this is the time to increase its aggression in an effort to destroy any co-operative alliances with Israel and the other Arab countries. And those in this new alliance may feel this is their opportunity to end Iran's nuclear ambitions, before they are fulfilled by a new American administration. The next few months will likely increase the possibility of a miscalculation on someones part.

Bill of rights must trump activist politicians

 SUPREME COURT DECISION TO STOP REGULATION OF RELIGIOUS GATHERINGS RIGHT DECISION

IT IS NOW A MATTER OF PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CONGREGATION

While many place some political significance on the supreme court decision against New York state concerning limiting attendance at religious services. It was just an accurate interpretation of the 1st amendment.

Church authorities and the congregation, all who are adults, will now have to make personal responsibility decisions. They can decide if it is prudent for them to attend church. The pastor or those in charge, with input from the congregation, can now place some temporary rules, if they think it is needed. 

While possibly not protected by the first amendment, but likely may be constitutionally protected, business should be able to make decisions as to if they are open or not and customers should be able to decide if they want to risk being customers.

Those who are in high risk categories should be able to make the necessary decisions for themselves. Many should possibly self quarantine in their own self interest. Government can not protect anyone from a virus and one size fits all mandates just creates more risks in other ways. The consequences may be not readily apparent, but may be just as deadly for some.

Politicians and some citizens continue to cry,"The government has to do something" for every ill that comes along. Yes they need to enforce the laws to protect the citizens from the anti-social miscreants who are always with us, enforce contracts and provide for general order as the people desire, but the government has limits, as it should.

In the case of this Virus, the best tool they have is good reliable, non political information. So far, they have been inaccurate, political and have lost much of their credibility. If they would have stuck to the facts, and leveled with the people that, sorry, there is not much we can do about this. It is really up to you citizens to exercise personal responsibility and the government will hopefully supply the infrastructure to deal with the rest, would have been a more honest and more realistic policy.

For those who want shut downs and quareenteens, you can have it, you can stay home until the crisis is over, it is your decision. That is a policy that fits American tradition and ensures liberty for all. 

Time for Republicans to make a deal with JOE.

TIME FOR JOE TO COME HOME TO WHERE HE BELONGS

HE HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO GET ANYTHING HE WANTS 

With the Senate possibly deadlocked at 50-50, there is another solution to make the Georgia race not as important. I am not talking about Joe B from Delaware, but Joe M from West Virginia. Joe Manchin is the only blue dog democrat left in the senate. He served as Secretary of State and Governor of West Virginia.  He has voted with President Trump 52% of the time, the most of any democrat senator. 

With the new administration on the horizon, he has publicly voiced his opposition to expanding the court, the Green new Deal and many other progressive ideas. He has served in West Virginia as it morphed from a Democrat state to a strong Republican state. He has been very popular in his state, but has been walking a tight wire that may be getting very slippery in the future. He,without a doubt, would have a stronger position for re-election as a Republican. Much will depend on the focus of the Biden administration when or if he gets inaugurated.

Manchin will be under enormous pressure from the democrats to vote for their agenda, if he succumbs, his popularity in West Virginia could plummet and he could face a strong republican opponent. It would be one of those premier races in the future. If he is a block to the Democrat agenda he will be in danger from all kinds of reprisals from his own party.

He could become even more popular in West Virginia if he would decide to become a Republican. He would be just following the trend of his state. At this time he could also ask and receive almost anything he wants from the Republican senate. Probably most any chairmen spot and lots of focus on good things for West Virginia. It actually may be his best choice for the future of himself and his state. He would be welcomed as a brother coming home.

Of course the Democrats would also be able to offer him lots of perks, but it would be grudgingly and he would still be a bit of an outsider to most of the Democrats who likely view Manchin and West Virginians as backwoods hicks. He could likely demand and get lots of perks for his state, but he does come across as kind of principled type of guy and is that the type of Senator he wants to become. 

Can Biden expect minefields on his way to being president?

 DO DEMOCRATS DESERVE RESPECT AND AN ORDERLY TRANSFER OF POWER

THOSE CIVIL TRADITIONS ENDED IN 2016

Many are criticizing the Trump administration for not conceding and not welcoming Joe Biden into the Presidency. At least the Trump administration is being more honest than the last administration, which put on a cordial face while laying a plot to overthrow the Trump administration.  A plot that was hatched even before the election.

So, if Trump wants to continue challenging the election, which he has a legal right to do, why not? It is likely that his team will expose some of the ways that elections are tainted with illegal and dishonest voting. Of course, we are told that elections are always honest and democrats are above cheating in elections. After witnessing the last 5 years we can only conclude that Democrats are not above any standard in their quest for power.

The citizens of this country have witnessed the first attempted Coup that I am aware of in this country. It was also witnessed by the rest of the world. This is far above just hardball politics, this is treason. The fake Russian collusion hoax was an attempt to force Trump from office, plain and simple.Whether you like or hate Trump he was honestly elected, he actually overcame lots of democrat election cheating. That's why the outrage at his win, they thought they had it all in the bag. This time they made sure.

I could go on and on about the relentless attacks on Trump, the democrats just believe he deserved it, because he was such an unworthy president. Now they expect their guy, who is above reproach, should be welcomed by the country with open arms. Of course, at least for the good of the country. 

We have seen very little action from the democrats that has been for the good of the country. It has all been about obtaining power to fundamentally transform  America. In some ways they have already fundamentally changed America, the rules have mostly all been broken and also the pretense of honest debate is gone. It has been a political war for 5 years and it will continue until there is a resolution as to what kind of Country we will have..

Biden compromised with everyone.

 EVERYONE HAS DIRT ON JOE

WHO WILL PULL THE TRIGGER FIRST

While the media and the Democrat party ignored the corrupt practices of their Presidential candidate and his son and brother, the files of those who seek to influence him are bulging. Whether this is the Ukrainians, the Russians, the Chinese, the Iranians or the Iraqis or those much closer to home. The media, the left wing of his party, the DOJ, the CIA or the military industrial complex, Joe Biden may have more leashes than any president in history.

It seems this is very similar to the leash that was place on Hillary Clinton, by the Obama administration. It is likely Obama and his cohorts have the shortest leash on Biden.

Clinton had to allow the Obama people to orchestrate her campaign under threat of indictment from the DOG. All those Comey shenanigans were just the levers to keep her in line. 

You can bet that Biden's neck is already in need of attention from all those who want cabinet posts and assurances of some action or other. This is just from within the party, this is from his allies. This is from all his new friends who saw him as a vehicle to some access to the power of the United States. With only 47% of Democrats actually voting for Biden out of  true approval rather than hatred of Trump, how long will the honeymoon last. Biden will not have the support of a solid base to protect him from the wolves.

The pressure from his foreign friends and accomplishes will be more subtle and less obvious. Those decisions can just be chalked up to poor decisions or for some more higher cause in the future. China trade will likely return to pre-Trump rules.

The pressure from his new friends at home will likely be far less sophisticated and much more intense, they will likely expect immediate and visible action. After all, when you have access to the levers of power you want to do some pulling. Those anticipating social policy action will be the most obvious.

Those looking to reengage their foreign policy objectives will be less obvious. Everything will be a correcting of the Trump incompetence and a return to U.S. intervention everywhere. This will likely be the end to any Middle East peace plan. A relaxing of pressure on Iran will likely see a distancing from the U.S. and new alliances to protect Arab countries from Iranian aggression.

If all else fails and Mr. Biden gets the idea he is president and wants to be in charge, there is always Kamala waiting in the wings. She has a lot of experience complying with whoever needs to be complied with.

Vaccine wars begin.

WHO HAS THE BEST? WHO HAS IT AVAILABLE? 

UNLIMITED MARKET? ALL THIRD PARTY PAYERS

So yesterday, Moderna pharmaceutical, announced their vaccine is 94.%5 effective. This follows last weeks announcement from Pfizer that their vaccine is 90% effective. Russia announce over the weekend and before the Moderna announcement that their vaccine is 92% effective.

Both Pfizer and Moderna were part of operation warp speed, even though Pfizer has recently denied this. These two companies have agreed to produce 100 million doses each, while the testing is ongoing. They were paid $1 billion dollars each for research and they will be transferring 100 million doses each to the federal government as soon as emergency approval is given. Moderna has already been paid $1.5 billion for its initial output. Pfizer signed contracts with the U.S. government in July 2020, and Moderna in August 2020

Astra Zeneca and Oxford University are producing 300 million doses while its testing is underway. They also have contracts under operation warp speed and were given money for research. 

All these companies are obligated by contract to deliver 500 million does to the U.S. government first. Distribution is expected in December.

The U.S. government also has the distribution and delivery ready to go by the U.S. military. The Pfizer vaccine will need to be maintained at -100 degrees and will not be able to be delivered by normal transportation. Moderna's can be transported at -4 an advantage for sure.The sticking point is that no vaccines will be distributed to states which are not prepared to distribute and provide vaccines to their residents.

All these vaccines will be provided free to the end user. 

It seems some states want to make it a political issue and want the Federal government to provide the end use service.

Russia was the first to announce its vaccine and is actually providing it now to some Russian citizens. It is going to be produced in South Korea, Brazil, India and China. It is expected to be delivered in January. 

Russia is expected to capture 50% of the worlds market, with many countries already contracted to receive the vaccine.

It will be interesting to see the marketing maneuvers to what could be the biggest vaccine distribution in history.

We have to see if the political players in the U.S. can keep themselves under control for the benefit of the citizens. Democrats are already insisting that the Trump administration turn over control of this vaccine distribution to the Biden administration before Jan. 20. These plans have been in the works for months and have all been publicly announced.  It will not be changed for the political advantage of the Biden administration.

There was much democrat pressure to not approve before the election. We will have to see if the FDA will withhold approval until after the inauguration. A blatant political decision that could cost many lives.

Election integrity needs to be restored.

NATIONAL STANDARD NEEDED FOR FEDERAL OFFICES

STATES CAN ADMINISTER ELECTIONS WITH GUIDELINES 

The 2020 election was a stain on our system of election integrity. Of course some will declare that it was the most secure election ever, but just the fact almost 2 weeks later, the counting continues. This is no way to run an election. As far as states rights, I am a great believer in states rights, but these are federal elections that affect the whole country. We need uniform standards.

First, the majority of Americans understand that mail-in voting is ripe for fraud and manipulation. Some claim that there is no proof of widespread fraud. Is that the standard we are going with? Is only widespread fraud something to be concerned about? The analytics, which are a strong indication, suggest there is definitely something wrong with the numbers. In Pennsylvania, two statewide republican candidates,  Treasurer and Auditor, won an election that they hardly campaigned for and spent a minimal sum. No one can offer an explanation for this. The republicans won more house seats, may have only lost 1 senate seat, another not explained event.

While this election will not likely be changed, it is time to implement national standards for voting.

1, Mail in voting needs to be eliminated in federal elections. It cannot be policed or made secure. I could go into all the possible ways to cheat in this type of voting, I think by now, most understand how this can occur. Absentee voting for those with certifiable reasons is acceptable.

2. The present voting system, at least here in Pennsylvania has a fatal flaw. When we arrive to vote, we must sign our name to our registration on file. This is good. But then we are told to take a ballot, fill it out and run it into the machine. The problem is a number coinciding with our registration should be written on this ballot. This is the only way an audit of these machines and the actual voting can be secure. No wonder there is never any proof of anything, when there is no procedure to insure a fair election.

3. If number 2 is corrected then all polling places could be easily audited for correctness of the machine and the vote. A spot check of 50 ballots could be pulled and the voters contacted to see if their vote coincides with their ballot. I believe most would cooperate and be happy to see if their vote was honestly recorded. If the 50 are good, we move on, if not we can check further.

4. All forms of ballot harvesting should be unlawful, actually some states allow this to go on for weeks after the election.

5. Precincts and States who come up short, or willfully refuse to engage in honest elections should be cited by the civil rights laws and require federal supervision until they come into compliance. Just like the south in the 1960's. California for one is allowing anyone to vote without much supervision. It has allowed California to become an overwhelming one party state.

These are just a couple of suggestions that would bring back confidence in our election system. I am sure others could add to this. If large numbers have no confidence in our election, then we are on the verge of anarchy and civil unrest. Elections are about confidence.

A nationwide campaign needs to be started now to restore confidence in our elections.