Retiring Army Chief Slams Obama’s ISIS Policy, Says US Could Have Prevented Group’s Rise

The Army’s top officer told Fox News Tuesday it’s “frustrating” to watch the gains he helped achieve in Iraq disintegrate at the hands of the Islamic State, saying in an exit interview that the chaos now unfolding “might have been prevented” had the U.S. stayed more engaged.

Army Chief of Staff Gen. Ray Odierno, weeks away from retirement after 39 years in uniform, spent more time in Iraq than any other U.S. Army general — more than four years, the last two as top commander. He is widely viewed as a key architect of the Iraq surge.

In an exclusive interview with Fox News, the general tackled a range of topics, from the Iran nuclear deal to the deep cuts to U.S. Army troop levels. But Odierno had pointed words on the rise of ISIS in Iraq and Syria – suggesting it didn’t have to be this way.

“It’s frustrating to watch it,” Odierno said. “I go back to the work we did in 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010 and we got it to a place that was really good. Violence was low, the economy was growing, politics looked like it was heading in the right direction.”

Odierno said the fall of large parts of Iraq was not inevitable, reiterating concerns about the pace of the U.S. troop withdrawal there. (Read more from “Is ISIS Preventable? Army Chief Says US Could Have Prevented Group’s Rise” HERE)

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SEAL Turns the Tables, Issues This 4-Word Order to Commander in Chief

We all know that a Navy SEAL is a formidable fighter who deserves and earns a whole lot of respect. What we may never know is whether social media messages from legendary retired SEAL Marcus Luttrell — messages that caught fire and went viral on both Facebook and Twitter — may have had any influence on a just-announced decision by President Obama.

Obama has now ordered flags at a variety of government locations, including the White House, to be lowered to half-staff in honor of the five service members killed last week by the Chattanooga gunman. Many are saying that this is a clear reversal of what the president had previously indicated . . .

Many people, Luttrell among them, had sharply criticized the president for not honoring the five murdered U.S. war fighters by ordering flags to be lowered. Prior to Obama’s order, issued at midday on Tuesday, House Speaker John Boehner made sure flags at the U.S. Capitol were flying at half-staff in memory of the four Marines and one sailor who were killed when a man being investigated as a possible Islamic terrorist opened fire on two military installations. (Read more from “SEAL Turns the Tables, Issues This 4-Word Order to Commander in Chief” HERE)

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Ben Carson Comes Out With an Announcement About Trump-McCain Feud

Earlier this month, Ben Carson stood out within the GOP presidential primary field by speaking positively about Donald Trump in the wake of his controversial statements about illegal immigrants. With Trump currently embroiled in another scandal involving his perceived insult regarding Arizona Sen. John McCain’s military record, Carson has once again come to his rival’s defense.

According to a recent Washington Post report, Carson downplayed the controversy, suggesting that it “seems petty” to focus so much attention on a single comment. Speaking to reporters in Virginia this week, the retired neurosurgeon added that Trump’s statement has been misinterpreted.

“I’m not sure from listening to what he said that he thinks that Mr. McCain is not a hero,” Carson explained. “He has repeatedly said yes, he is a hero, so I don’t know where that comes from that he’s disqualified.”

Carson’s personal stance on whether McCain should be considered a war hero has evolved somewhat over the past several days, however. In the immediate aftermath of Trump’s controversy, Carson said the distinction “depends on your definition of a war hero.” (Read more from “Ben Carson Comes out With an Announcement About Trump-McCain Feud” HERE)

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New Poll: Americans Show Decreasing Support for Gay Marriage [+video]

It’s been over three weeks since the Supreme Court redefined marriage, nullified multiple portions of the Constitution, and implicitly blessed the budding pagan inquisition against religious liberty. Yet, the GOP-controlled Congress has done absolutely nothing – not even on a committee level – to protect religious liberty and fight back against judicial tyranny.

If the American people actually had a party that cared about the Founding principles, the fact that some states are violating the religious liberty and private property rights of Christian business owners would be enough to inspire immediate action at a federal level. Sadly, no such party exists.

But don’t Republicans at least read the polling data?

Even though the push for homosexual marriage has been as one-sided a battle as any transformational change in recent memory – with no organized GOP opposition against it – the Left has failed to move the needle one inch. In fact, they have lost ground since the Court’s ruling.

According to a new AP-GfK Poll, just 42% support homosexual marriage – down from 48% at the beginning of the year. What’s more, just 39% approve of the court’s decision. And by a slim plurality – 49%-47% – respondents believe that local officials with religious objections to this radical concept should be exempt from issuing marriage licenses. This is the gist of what Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton told county clerks in his state, yet most Republicans nationally have run away from him like the plague.

Most importantly, as it relates to religious freedom, 59% believe that private businesses should be able to refuse services that violate their religious beliefs and practices. And when asked about which ideal should take priority when in conflict, 56% of respondents chose religious liberty while 39% chose “gay rights.”

The AP poll sampled “all adults,” not likely voters, meaning that the views of the electorate are probably even more favorable to the side of liberty than the numbers reflect in the poll. If this poll portends the beginning of a trend, it appears that more and more people are understanding that “you will be made to care” about the truculent and often undemocratic tactics of the professional homosexual and sexual identity movements.

This is yet one more example of how broken the political barometer of the GOP is when it comes to gauging the pulse of the public on a particular issue. In the private confines of establishment GOP circles, they view the issue of religious liberty as a colossal loser with the electorate. Imagine if Republicans and affiliated organizations would run a relentless barrage of ads in critical states highlighting the riveting messaging of the Heritage Foundation videos on the victims of the secular inquisition? The Klein bakery and the Gifford family farm? Imagine how the numbers would look if we actually fought back?

Appallingly, not only have Republicans refused to bring any bill to the floor protecting religious liberty, Senate GOP leadership gave Sen. Al Franken (D-MN) a floor vote on his anti-religious-liberty amendment last week to the education bill. Franken’s amendment would have created a new federally-recognized protected status for students claiming to be homosexual or transgendered. The federal government would be empowered to cut off funds to schools that, in the view of federal bureaucrats, discriminate against those students. The Attorney General would also receive power to bring civil actions against individual schools for such violations.

The Franken amendment failed to garner 60 votes, but every Democrat and six Republicans voted for it. Why would Republicans even allow a vote on something this radical, especially before conducting a single vote to protect religious liberty?

Although they have no regard for our most foundational values expressed in the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights, don’t they at least pay attention to their coveted polling data?

Then again, if public opinion ever factored into their decisions, they would have voted to cut off funding to sanctuary cities and defunded Obama’s Iran negotiations long ago. Don’t hold your breath waiting for them to do the right thing on a single issue, irrespective of public opinion. (Posted with permission of the author, “New Poll: Americans Show Decreasing Support for Gay Marriage”, originally appeared HERE)

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Obama and Valerie Jarrett Deserve a ‘Dishonorable Discharge’ for Failing to Respect the Chattanooga Victims

Last week proved to be another dark blemish in the history of the United States with the brutal murders of four U.S. Marines and a sailor serving in the U.S. Navy allegedly at the hands of another “lone wolf” who apparently carried out the edicts of Islamic State terrorism on American soil against our military.

How long will this administration continue to shrug off the acts of terrorism and the threats to the security of the U.S. without calling it what it really is, namely radical Islamic State terrorism?

Despite having had our security level raised earlier this year because of an “increased and predictable threat of terrorism” against our military and law enforcement, the military remained defenseless and five of their men inside two Chattanooga, Tennessee recruiting centers paid the ultimate price.

“We have a general concern, obviously, that ISIL is focusing on the uniformed military and law enforcement,” Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Director James Comey told reporters in May.

An order upgrading the threat level was signed by Adm. William Gortney, who heads the U.S. Northern Command overseeing all U.S. military installations in the continental U.S. His order applied to National Guard facilities, recruiting stations and health clinics, according to a Pentagon official.

“We have the same concern about the potential threat posed by violent homegrown extremists,” Capt. Jeff Davis, spokesman for the U.S. Northern Command said earlier this year.

And yet, knowing that there was sufficient evidence to raise the threat level and that homegrown terrorist threats were also possible, the commander in chief did not issue an order to arm our military. Instead, our military men and women serving this country became target practice for any wayward “lone wolf” or other terrorist attack.

Decisions seemingly made out of political correctness rather than reason cost five military men their lives. That’s a failing grade in my book.

If politicians who serve this country could be dishonorably discharged like those in the military who fail the American people by their morally unacceptable choices then this administration would be facing those charges, as well.

Clearly, the high threat level established by the FBI and the issuance of the order by Gortney were ignored.

Were there other questionable measures that were taken by President Barack Obama and members of his administration following the massacre of our military in Chattanooga that deserve “dishonorable” mention?

A statement was released by Obama shortly after the killings of the four U.S. Marines by a suspect who self-identified as a Muslim and who was also suspected of possibly being a homegrown extremist.

Obama’s statement extended the “warmest” wishes from himself and Michelle to Muslims celebrating the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr, a Muslim holiday marking the end of Ramadan. The month is reportedly the most violent month of the year in the Islamic world, when Muslims renew their devotion to Allah and where violent jihad is a supreme act of devotion to Allah.

Obama went on to say in his celebratory statement that it was “a reminder to every American of the importance of respecting those of all faiths and beliefs,” while knowing that there was a real possibility that the servicemen had been killed at the Chattanooga recruiting centers as a result of the gunman’s radical religious beliefs.

Obama concluded by saying that he and Michelle hoped that “today brings joy to all of your homes, both here in the U.S. and around the world. From my family to yours, Eid Mubaraki!”

While Obama had previously commented that the murders of the service members were “heartbreaking” and condemned the killings, the timing of the release of the statement so soon after the tragedy, while expressing his hope of “joy” for those celebrating Eid, showed extremely poor judgment.

Additionally, the Senior Advisor to Obama, Valerie Jarrett was busy taking selfies with celebrities and posting them on Twitter within hours of the Chattanooga tragedy. Those on Twitter blasted her for her insensitivity and lack of respect. Morally unacceptable behavior on a day of mourning for the nation?

Not to be outdone, Obama topped off his day by taking in a Broadway show and fundraiser. Who hasn’t done that following a death in the family or in this case our military family? Would it be too much to expect a leader to lead the nation in mourning? If it were possible, would this be considered morally unacceptable behavior that would be worthy of a dishonorable discharge?

And then, as if to finally reflect on the loss to America and their families, Obama announced that he was going away this past weekend for some “personal time.” There was probably no time for self-reflection, however, because the weekend in New York City included a secret Democratic National Committee fundraiser as well.

Never letting a moment go to waste following a tragedy, this was Obama’s second time attending a fundraiser following a tragic event that struck this nation.

As you may recall, Obama’s decision to attend a fundraiser the day after the massacre in Benghazi was questioned by critics for its “appropriateness.” Dishonorable discharge worthy or acceptable behavior for the leader of the free world?

Finally, as if there had not been enough evidence of thoughtless decisions made following the loss of life in Chattanooga, Obama failed to order all U.S. flags to be flown at half-staff.

While his senior advisor can arrange for the White House to be lit with colorful rainbow lights and the owners of the Empire State building can display green lights for the celebration of Eid, Obama couldn’t take the time to issue the order to show respect for the loss of life.

While the president can issue an executive order to fly the U.S. flag at half-staff upon the death of principal figures of the U.S. government and others as a mark of respect to their memory, apparently such details were overlooked.

All in all, following the tragic deaths of our military at the hands of a possible radical Islamic State extremist who carried out the tenets of radical terrorism, the actions of this administration, while not subject to a dishonorable discharge, have been appalling and morally unacceptable to those in America who value our military and the freedoms that they protect.

Those that lost their lives, their families and the American public in general deserve better from a sitting president and his or her administration.

May God bless the U.S. military men and women who honorably serve to protect our freedoms every day and may God bless those who lost their lives in Chattanooga while honorably doing the same. (Posted with permission of the author, “Obama and Valerie Jarrett Deserve a ‘Dishonorable Discharge’ for Failing to Respect the Chattanooga Victims”, originally appearing HERE)

Listen to a recent interview with the author on The Joe Miller Show:

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These States Are Arming National Guard Members in Wake of Chattanooga Tragedy

While safety concerns at military recruitment centers have been a long-standing issue, last week’s fatal shootings at two Tennessee installations underscore the deep risk recruiters face daily and the scramble at state and national levels to prevent a similar tragedy from taking place again.

The U.S. military on Monday confirmed to Fox News it directed recruiting centers across the country to step up security measures in the wake of the deadly rampage that claimed the lives of four U.S. Marines and a Navy sailor.

At the same time, a handful of governors have taken steps to beef up security measures at National Guard recruitment centers.

Governors in six states – Florida, Indiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Texas – ordered their Guardsmen to be armed.

Adm. Bill Gortney, head of the U.S. Northern Command, which oversees security for military facilities in the United States, issued a directive Sunday night calling on centers to implement modest measures while the Department of Defense hammers out more substantial steps to reduce the risk to recruiters. (Read more from “These States Are Arming National Guard Members in Wake of Chattanooga Tragedy” HERE)

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Killed in Her Sleep: Illegal Aliens Suspected in Grandma’s Death Faced Deportation

A Massachusetts woman killed as she slept in her bed by a bullet fired through her ceiling would be alive today, if the men accused of shooting her had been deported, according to anti-illegal immigration activists.

Mirta Rivera, 41, a nurse and grandmother from Lawrence, was shot July 4 from an upstairs apartment where two illegal immigrants lived despite being under federal deportation orders, according to the Boston Herald. Dominican Republic nationals Wilton Lara-Calmona and Jose M. Lara-Mejia both had long histories of sneaking into the U.S.

The case, as well as a pending murder case in neighboring Connecticut involving an illegal immigrant accused in the stabbing death of a woman, comes after the July 1 murder of Kathryn Steinle in San Francisco helped propel illegal immigrant crime into a hot-button national issue.

“This has been happening all over the country for several years,” said Dan Cadman, a fellow at the Center for Immigration Studies and a retired federal immigration official. “I hope the American public is stirred up and angry about it.

“But I hope they realize there are so many more victims,” he added. “There are families all over the country that are grieving because they lost their mother, father, brother, sister, child or spouse needlessly.” (Read more from “Killed in Her Sleep: Illegal Aliens Suspected in Grandma’s Death Faced Deportation” HERE)

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Scott Walker’s Impressive Response to ‘Gotcha’ Confrontation From Immigrant Kids Is Incredible

At a campaign stop in Plainfield, Iowa Sunday, [Scott Walker] was stopped and questioned by Jose Flores, 38, who is living in the United States illegally along with four children, who are American citizens . . .

Flores asked the Wisconsin governor why he opposed President Obama’s immigration executive actions that would keep his family intact.

“We are a nation of laws,” Walker told him several times, emphasizing that the president had ample opportunity to pass immigration legislation during his first two years in office when Democrats controlled both chambers of Congress — yet he didn’t.

He also pointed out that the president’s executive actions on immigration — which Obama himself claimed he didn’t have the authority to do — have been halted in the federal court system.

“My point is that you have to follow the law, follow the process,” he told Flores. “No man or woman is above the law in this country — that’s the beauty of America.” (Read more from “Scott Walker’s Impressive Response to ‘Gotcha’ Confrontation From Immigrant Kids Is Incredible” HERE)

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Marine Issues Challenge to America That He Says Will ‘Teach Obama Respect’

A U.S. Marine veteran and contributor at the DC Gazette recently responded to the Obama administration’s reaction – or lack thereof – to the deadly shootings at military facilities in Chattanooga, Tenn., last week.

“Most are fully aware of the president not showing support for our fallen and flags continue flying high in the sky,” Mike Shepard wrote. “He invited the family of a traitor named Berghdal [sic] to the [White House] rose garden [sic] to celebrate the release of our enemy. He has yet to call out the terrorist who shot up two recruiting stations in Chattanooga.”

Mohammad Youssuf Abdulazeez, who was also killed in last week’s attack, has been named as a suspect with possible ties to radical Islam.

Shepard proposed a challenge to all like-minded activists that he predicted would “teach Obama about respect.”

Until July 30, which will be two weeks after the deadly shootings, he suggested all American flags fly at half-mast.

“Let’s show the president what it is to respect this country and our fallen,” he wrote. “If you drive by a business, please go in and ask they fly that flag at half mast [sic]. If we get the whole country to do it the president might get the message.” (Read more from “Marine Issues Challenge to America That He Says Will ‘Teach Obama Respect'” HERE)

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Watch: Liberals Sign Petition to Support White Privilege Tax

Mark Dice’s latest ‘man on the street’ stunt is perhaps his most outrageous yet, proving that leftists will advocate unbridled insanity so long as they are told it’s in the name of fighting racism.

Asked to sign the petition to support a 1% income tax on all white Americans in order to “even out the playing field” and redistribute the wealth amongst minority communities, the first man in the clip is incredulous that such a policy would pass but signs his name to it anyway.

After a Puerto Rican man signs the petition, another individual who admits he is a non resident asks for clarification, remarking, “so in other words, tax the white man?” before signing the paper.

“We’re gonna take the silver spoon out of the white people’s mouths and put it back into yours,” Dice tells an African American man who enthusiastically signs the petition before stating, “appreciate it, man!”

A man wearing sunglasses then seems even more keen to support the white privilege tax, telling Dice, “You’re the kind of white dude I like, thank you…white dudes that promote this kind of stuff are aware of the white privilege.” (Read more from “Liberals Sign Petition to Support White Privilege Tax” HERE)

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