Jttmab,
Michael has challenged me to present my "platform" as President. So permit me to take stab at it (maybe over several posts, as more ideas come to mind).
First off.. This administration has done a P*ss Poor job of explaining the stakes we're facing, so I'd announce a series of public service programs that explain why the Jihadist threat is long-term, dangerous, and threat to global security. A "Why We Fight" style of information intent upon educating people like Michael.
Furthermore, as part of this series, I'd explain the overthrow of Saddam from the perspective of the continuing material violations of the cease-fire that directly threaten Americans as early as 1993. I'd point them to the public documents where Saddam ordered his intelligence service to make contact with Jihadist groups like Ayman Al-Zawahiri's Egyptian Islamic Jihad (before he merge it with Al Qai'da) for the purpose of attacking Americans in Somalia.
Forget the WMD issue.. Saddam was waging a covert war against the US.
cnsnews.com
The translation of Page 1:
cnsnews.com
This document is genuine. According to an associate of mine who was aware the situation, when this document was leaked in 2004, it prompted a major investigation within the Iraq Survey Group Document Exploitation team. Ask yourself why you, as Americans, have not been informed of its content via this administraion. I would provide the resources necessary to fully translate, and reveal the corruption of Saddam's regime and use any "inconvenient" discoveries as leverage with Saddam's former allies in order to "sway" them to our point of view.
Secondly, I'd heavily subsidize a VIABLE alternative energy research program. I'm not particularly enthused about Ethanol, since it requires a completely separate distribution pipeline, but the farm vote sure does love it, so I'd have to consider it. However, I would focus on alternatives that can use existing distribution networks, such as bio-diesel. I'm more and more inclined to have algal based bio-diesel production researched and funded to the point of feasibility. If it requires an Executive Order declaring that Government land would be dedicated to building the Algae ponds, then so be it. It's that critical. Energy independence is about National Security and economic growth. This will tick off a lot of energy companies, but my response would be that "you are an energy company.. why does your only source of supply have to come from fossil fuels?"
In addition to this, I would sign executive orders that facilitate the rebuilding of America's nuclear energy infrastructure, preferably based upon "pebble-bed" reactors. This would provide the basic energy infrastructure for both Hydrogen and Electric vehicles, although with the former, there is the problem of creating a distribution network.
Thirdly, I would inform the Arab world, over and over again if need be until they "get it", that the US has no interest in waging a religious crusade against Islam. Our battle, AND THEIR'S, is to be waged against militant Islamic extremists. I would directly speak to the Muslim world about my views that NO RELIGION, Muslim, Christian, or otherwise, has the right to purvey it's beliefs via physical violence. This is NOT what god has intended for his followers, no matter what their interpretation of his "word".
I would speak PAST intransigent Muslim leaders and carry my message directly to the Muslim people in their respective countries, in particular, Iran. I would be the first to offer and provide US AID when natural disaster strikes. And any corrupt government that might refuse our aid, would have to face my getting in front of the press and publicly humiliating them. But furthermore, the people in that country would have NO DOUBT that the assistance is coming from the American people. No outsourcing of direct relief aid, devoid of the US flag on the articles being distributed. That US flag and the mantra "Gift from the American People" would be seen far and wide on everything this country provided.
Furthermore, I would invite ANY Muslim leader with the balls to take a stand against Islamic militancy to sit down with me to discuss our mutual concerns/interests. But I would also emphasize that, no matter what one's religious beliefs, the values of human dignity and mutual respect of human rights and freedom of (from?) religion is the basis of our society.
And finally, as part of this deal, I would propose a "reciprocity" agreement with regard to how citizens from certain countries are treated. For example, to travel in Saudi Arabia, one must be in a tour group. Thus, Saudis who visit the US must be part of a tour group as well. Reciprocity means that their citizens will not be provided more favorable treatment than our visitors to their country. This will bring pressure upon their government to loosen up their restrictions and quit insulating themselves from the rest of the world.
Fourthly, I would sit down with my Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Armed Services and Appropriations committees and tell them that our war-fighting strategy is in desperate need of change. This would include force restructuring toward SpecOPS, and counter-insurgency/terrorism. Sure, we need conventional forces, but what we REALLY need are more soldiers who are trained to enter into a country and develop indigenous forces to wage the battle. Along these lines, I would demand a revamping of the Human Intelligence services and ensure they had whatever they required to identify, penetrate, and neutralize Jihadist networks wherever they may be.
After all, where are the threats for our conventional forces? China? Taiwan? Certainly not Europe anymore.. No, the threat comes from "Small Wars" being waged to control small states that can be turned into terrorist safe-havens. Thus, our unconventional fighting force structure MUST BE increased to meet the operational tempo being forced upon it.
That's probably a pretty good start.
Hawk |
