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Thursday, December 13, 2012



Graham to Newsmax: Obama's Foreign Policy 'Failing All Over the World'Sen. Lindsey Graham, a member of the Budget Committee, tells Newsmax he will refuse to approve an increase in the debt ceiling unless a deal is reached on major entitlement reform and he is convinced House Speaker John Boehner will refuse as well.... [Full Story] |

Sen. Lindsey Graham tells Newsmax that with events unfolding in Syria, Egypt, Iraq, North Korea and elsewhere, President Obama s foreign policy is failing all over the world. The South Carolina Republican, a member of the Armed Services Comm




Rice to Obama: Grateful for Your 'Unwavering Confidence'

Thursday, 13 Dec 2012 05:27 PM
 
Susan Rice, the embattled U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, abruptly withdrew from consideration to be the next secretary of state on Thursday after a standoff with Republicans. The text of the letter she submitted to President Barack Obama:

"It has been and remains my highest professional privilege to serve as your United Nations ambassador. I am deeply grateful for your steadfast support for all we do at the U.S. Mission to the U.N. and for my dedicated colleagues. Your vision and leadership have enabled the U.S. to restore our global standing, strengthen our national security, repair our relationship with the United Nations, and advance U.S. interests and values. I am proud of the many U.S. successes at the United Nations, including the protection of civilians from Libya to Cote D'Ivoire, strengthening the nuclear non-proliferation regime and increasing international pressure on Iran and North Korea through the toughest sanctions ever, our unwavering support for Israel, our contribution to the birth of the world's newest state, South Sudan, accelerating U.N. reform, and our bold defense of the equal rights of all human beings regardless of their race, religion, economic status or whom they love. I look forward to building on this major progress in your second term.

"I am highly honored to be considered by you for appointment as secretary of state. I am fully confident that I could serve our country ably and effectively in that role. However, if nominated, I am now convinced that the confirmation process would be lengthy disruptive and costly— to you and to our most pressing national and international priorities. That trade-off is simply not worth it to our country. It is far more important that we devote precious legislative hours and energy to enacting your core goals, including comprehensive immigration reform, balanced deficit reduction, job creation, and maintaining a robust national defense and effective U.S. global leadership. Therefore, I respectfully request that you no longer consider my candidacy at this time.

"The position of secretary of state should never be politicized. As someone who grew up in an era of comparative bipartisanship and as a sitting U.S. national security official who has served in two U.S. administrations, I am saddened that we have reached this point, even before you have decided whom to nominate. We cannot afford such an irresponsible distraction from the most pressing issues facing the American people.

"I am grateful, as always, for your unwavering confidence in me and, especially, for your extraordinary personal support during these past several weeks. I look forward to continuing to serve you and our great country with enthusiasm and pride as U.S. permanent representative to the United Nations and as a member of your Cabinet and National Security Council."
© Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

The 12-12-12 Sandy Relief Concert Starring Springsteen, McCartney and the Stones

























11:30 a.m. Update:Read TIME’s report from backstage at the epic 12-12-12 concert, and check out the 12 most iconic images from the music marathon

How many music legends can you gather under one roof? The folks at Madison Square Garden will find out this evening as a who’s who of rock and pop — from Paul McCartney and the Rolling Stones to Kanye West and Chris Martin — come together for the “12-12-12″ concert to help the victims of Superstorm Sandy. Arguably the biggest lineup of music talent ever in one show, many of the artists lending their talents have direct ties to the region devastated by the late October storm that killed more than 125 people, left parts of New York City underwater and millions of others without heat or electricity for weeks — including New Jersey natives Bruce Springsteen and Bon Jovi, Long Islander Billy Joel and New Yorker Alicia Keys.



Other celebrities who will be on hand to tell stories about the storm and take pledges for donations include: Billy Crystal, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jake Gyllenhaal, Adam Sandler, Kristin Stewart and Chelsea Clinton. Proceeds from the show will be distributed through the Robin Hood Foundation, which also sponsored “The Concert for New York City” at the Garden ten years ago in the wake of the 9/11 attacks that raised more than $30 million. ”12-12-12″ concert producer John Sykes told Reuters that $32 million has already been collected from ticket sales and sponsorships, with organizers hoping to raise tens of millions more.


December 12, 2012 5:36 PM
New Jersey icon Bruce Springsteen kicks off the "12-12-12" concert for Sandy relief at Madison Square Garden in New York City with his song "Land of Hope and Dreams."

(READ: All about the unforgettable moments from the 12-12-12 concert)
Though tickets sold out within minutes of their release last week, TIME streamed the show live. The concert, which will open with Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band at 7:30 p.m., is expected to last until Paul McCartney takes the stage around midnight in one of the most anticipated acts. The Beatle will sub for Kurt Cobain, fronting a Nirvana reunion alongside Dave Grohl and Krist Novoselic, the surviving members of the legendary grunge band who haven’t played together in 20 years.

 
Paul McCartney performs on stage during the finale of '12-12-12 ~ The Concert For Sandy Relief' December 12, 2012 at Madison Square Garden in New York. AFP PHOTO/DON EMMERT (Photo credit should read DON EMMERT/AFP/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 12: Richie Sambora and Jon Bon Jovi perform at '12-12-12' a concert benefiting The Robin Hood Relief Fund to aid the victims of Hurricane Sandy presented by Clear Channel Media & Entertainment, The Madison Square Garden Company and The Weinstein Company at Madison Square Garden on December 12, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images for Clear Channel)
Bruce Springsteen (L) and Steven Van Zandt (R) perform during '12-12-12 ~ The Concert For Sandy Relief' December 12, 2012 at Madison Square Garden in New York. AFP PHOTO/DON EMMERT (Photo credit should read DON EMMERT/AFP/Getty Images)
Paul McCartney performs on stage during '12-12-12 ~ The Concert For Sandy Relief' December 12, 2012 at Madison Square Garden in New York. AFP PHOTO/DON EMMERT (Photo credit should read DON EMMERT/AFP/Getty Images)
Paul McCartney performs on stage during '12-12-12 ~ The Concert For Sandy Relief' December 12, 2012 at Madison Square Garden in New York. AFP PHOTO/DON EMMERT (Photo credit should read DON EMMERT/AFP/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 12: Mick Jagger of The Rolling Stones performs at '12-12-12' a concert benefiting The Robin Hood Relief Fund to aid the victims of Hurricane Sandy presented by Clear Channel Media & Entertainment, The Madison Square Garden Company and The Weinstein Company at Madison Square Garden on December 12, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images for Clear Channel)
 
This image released by Starpix shows Roger Waters, left, and Eddie Vedder at the 12-12-12 The Concert for Sandy Relief at Madison Square Garden in New York on Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2012. Proceeds from the show will be distributed through the Robin Hood Foundation. (AP Photo/Starpix, Dave Allocca)
 
Chelsea Clinton appears backstage at "12-12-12" The Concert for Sandy Relief, on Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2012 in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP Images)
 
This image released by Starpix shows Jimmy Fallon at the 12-12-12 The Concert for Sandy Relief at Madison Square Garden in New York on Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2012. Proceeds from the show will be distributed through the Robin Hood Foundation. (AP Photo/Starpix, Dave Allocca)
 
From left, Clyde Frazier, Allan Houston, Baron Davis and John Starks of the New York Knicks appear backstage at 12-12-12 The Concert for Sandy Relief, on Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2012 in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP Images)

CORRECTION: AP previously misidentified Clyde Frazier as Earl Monroe in this photo.




As usual Fox demeans anything that is done for the welfare of people. This evidently aired before the election , because they jump on the fact that most of the performers are supporters of President Obama. They question whether or not this is to support Obama's election.  Dummies, certainly, and they are constant.
"12.12.12" Sandy benefit kicks off with Bruce Springsteen




The Who performs "Pinball Wizard" at "12-12-12" concert
December 12, 2012 10:01 PM
Rock 'n roll legends The Who perform their hit "Pinball Wizard" at the "12-12-12" Sandy benefit concert at Madison Square Garden in New York City.



Roger Waters, Eddie Vedder perform "Comfortably Numb"
December 12, 2012 8:39 PM
At the "12-12-12" Sandy benefit concert, Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder joins Roger Waters to perform the Pink Floyd hit "Comfortably Numb."



Billy Joel sings "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" and "New York State of Mind"
At the "12-12-12" Sandy benefit concert, "Piano Man" Billy Joel sings "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" before launching into his mega-hit "New York State of Mind."



Billy Joel performs "Movin' Out" at Sandy benefit concert
Legendary singer-songwriter Billy Joel performs "Movin' Out" at the "12-12-12" Sandy benefit concert at Madison Square Garden in New York City.


Bon Jovi sings "Wanted Dead or Alive" at "12-12-12" concert
December 12, 2012 9:19 PM
During the "12-12-12" Sandy benefit concert at Madison Square Garden in New York City, Bon Jovi sings his smash hit "Wanted Dead or Alive."


Sir Paul McCartney Nirvana reunion! Song: "Cut Me Some Slack" 12/12/12 Concert


"12-12-12" Sandy benefit: Bruce Springsteen, Bon Jovi rock out for cause

By
Lauren Moraski /
CBS News/ December 12, 2012, 7:35 PM



Updated: 1:05 a.m. ET
Music filled New York's Madison Square Garden Wednesday night for the "12-12-12" gig all in the name of helping superstorm Sandy victims.


Bruce Springsteen kicked off the star-studded concert, a fitting start for the benefit, which will aid hard-hit storm areas such as the rocker's native New Jersey. The Boss launched into "Land of Hope and Dreams" as audience members rose to their feet, before singing "Wrecking Ball," a track he wrote about Jersey and Giants Stadium at The Meadowlands. He changed a lyric to "My home is on the Jersey shore."


And it's no surprise Springsteen performed "My City of Ruins," a song that has taken on various meanings through the years, especially having debuted around the 9/11 attacks. But Wednesday night, it meant something different to many people watching.
"This was a song I wrote for my adopted hometown -- Asbury Park, which was struggling through hard times," he said, later adding, "Tonight this is a prayer for all of our struggling people in New York and New Jersey."
After slipping in a few lines of "Jersey Girl," Springsteen brought out his friend Jon Bon Jovi for a New Jersey-rocker musical mash-up of "Born to Run."

"The size of the destruction was shocking," said Springsteen in a taped interview with concert organizers prior to the show. "It took days and days to even understand the level of destruction that occurred along the Jersey shore."

After Springsteen and Bon Jovi left the stage, Billy Crystal took the reins, injecting some humor into the night, mixed with touching remarks about the devastation that Sandy brought along with it.

"You can feel the electricity in the building, which means that Long Island power isn't involved," said Crystal, a Long Beach, Long Island, native, before rattling off a series of other jokes that took jabs at New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Gov. Chris Christie.

Roger Waters took the stage next, playing Pink Floyd classics, including "Us and Them," "Another Brick in the Wall" and "Money."


Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder joined Waters for a collaboration of "Comfortably Numb," a highlight for Waters.

Waters described the Vedder collaboration as "magical" when speaking with reporters in the press room backstage.

"Eddie was absolutely amazing. It was like a dream come true...It was magical. I think I stopped singing to kiss him [Vedder] at one point, which is weird," Waters said laughing.


The evening managed to have some other lighter moments. Adam Sandler performed a very different version of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah," swapping lyrics out for the occasion, singing: "Halleluja/Sandy screw ya/We'll get through ya."



Actress Kristen Stewart introduced Bon Jovi before the band played "It's My Life" and "Wanted Dead or Alive." Springsteen came out to return the favor from earlier, performing "Who Says You Can't Go Home." While backstage, E Street Band guitarist Steven Van Zandt talked about how Bon Jovi and Springsteen have been friends for years, having both got their start in Jersey. Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora told reporters that the collaboration happened "organically."

"There have been hurricanes, there have been storms," said Bon Jovi before the show. "But I've never seen anything remotely close to what Hurricane Sandy was."


After comments from Jon Stewart, the evening continued with Eric Clapton doing what he does best. He put on a rocking, blues-heavy performance that included "Crossroads."

Music-lover Jimmy Fallon was in his element on Wednesday and reveled in the opportunity to introduce The Rolling Stones: "Here they are, I always wanted to say this...Ladies and gentleman, The Rolling Stones."


The members of The Stones have been playing some shows in support of their new album, and on Wednesday, they did not disappoint, playing "You Got Me Rockin'" and "Jumping Jack Flash."


Wearing a red dress, Alicia Keys sat alone at the piano for a version "Brand New Me."

"I was born and raised in New York City. I still live right now down the street in New York City. This is our city. This is everybody's city," Keys said before breaking into an emotional rendition of "No One."


The Who stormed onstage for an energetic and long set that began with "Who Are You" and included fan-favorite "Pinball Wizard." During "Baba O'Riley," the lyric "It's only teenage wasteland" was changed to "Sandy wasteland."


The "modest" Kanye West, as introduced by Chris Rock, brought the evening's first dose of hip-hop with "Touch the Sky," "Gold Digger," "Good Life," "Stronger" and other hits.

Jake Gyllenhaal talked about destruction in Long Beach, Long Island before bringing Long Island's own Billy Joel onstage. Joel, who hasn't put out a new studio pop album since 1993, managed to alter the lyrics to "Miami 2017" to pay tribute to victims of superstorm Sandy. The Piano Man also sang "Movin' Out," "New York State of Mind" and "River of Dreams."

Following an introduction by "Gossip Girl" actress Blake Lively, Chris Martin of Coldplay hit the MSG stage with just an acoustic guitar to sing "When I Ruled the World." He then invited Michael Stipe of R.E.M. up to sing a stripped-down and raw version of "Losing My Religion." Martin joked that he brought Stipe out of retirement and he's going to "go right back in."


With a first song like "Helter Skelter," music fans knew they were in for a good closing set from Paul McCartney. And the reports were true:

McCartney joined Dave Grohl, Krist Novoselic and Pat Smear of Nirvana to perform. The former Beatle continued his set until the wee hours of the morning. He played "Blackbird," "Live and Let Die" and more classics. "Let's hear it for the heroes of Hurricane Sandy," McCartney said as he finished, calling up Sandy first responders.

Keys returned one last time to wrap the five-hour show with "Empire State of Mind."

Also in attendance? Steve Buscemi, Martha Stewart, Scarlett Johansson, James Gandolfini, Jason Sudeikis, Jeremey Piven, Olivia Wilde, Susan Sarandon, Jessica Chastain, Jamie Foxx, Chelsea Clinton, Sean Combs, Katie Holmes, Karlie Kloss, Seth Meyers, Bobby Moynihan, Chris Rock, Jon Stewart and Quentin Tarantino, among others.

Sarandon was one of the stars answering calls at the evening's telethon.
"It's so moving every time you see a grassroots movement," Sarandon said backstage in the press room. "It's just great that people found a way to come out."

One of the show's producers, John Sykes, said the fundraiser features "the greatest lineup of legends ever assembled on a stage."

The sold-out "12-12-12" concert aired on 37 TV stations in the United States and more than 200 others worldwide. Thirty websites streamed the show live. All together -- more than two billion people around the world had access to the show, which benefits the Robin Hood Foundation.

Robin Hood organizers estimated that tens of thousands of people donated to the cause on Wednesday night. The money raised from the concert will be distributed to those in need within days and weeks. Organizers say the concert was made possible by performers donating their time and by corporate sponsors.

The October storm left millions of people in several states without power or heat. It's to blame for at least 125 deaths, as well as hundreds of thousands of damaged homes.

Benghazi explained: Interview with an “Intelligence Insider” (Part III)

Author
- Doug Hagmann (Bio and Archives)  Wednesday, December 12, 2012 

Advancing the agenda of Saudi Arabia, the Muslim Brotherhood in North Africa, Middle East. We're doing their work, pitting ourselves against Syria, Iran and ultimately Russia and China


Author’s note: This is part three of a multi-part interview with a government insider intimately familiar with the events that took place in Benghazi. As previously stated, the information contained in this series was developed from interviews that spanned over 100 hours. Included in this update is the most current information following a more recent interview with this insider. (Click here for Part I and Part II).

Events seem to be changing rapidly in Syria, and we know that the operations in Benghazi played a very important role in Syria. Please update the readers on the current situation, but first give a brief recap for context.

Okay, but we’re running out of time. The world is running out of time. Remember when we first began this lengthy interview process? It was in response to your report on September 15, 2012, just four days after the attack in Libya. You wrote that the fuse for WW III has been lit. It is now burning rapidly down, although people are still not understanding what’s taking place right in front of them.

I’ll give a brief, perhaps somewhat oversimplified recap going back to the beginning, giving context for what’s taking place at this very moment. I suppose I cannot overstate this or say this enough. The so-called “Arab Spring” is an initiative by Obama and his foreign policy advisers, Clinton, in her capacity of Secretary of State, and others including some of the most powerful people in the world. International bankers, the power brokers and string pullers. It is a plan to reshape the Middle East and North Africa, and change the geopolitical balance of power. It’s not about some feel-good mission to free the oppressed. Never was. It’s about the U.S., through the CIA, using groups ideologically aligned to al Qaeda aligned to overthrow various Middle East nations to install regimes controlled by the Muslim Brotherhood.

It’s a globalist agenda, using the blueprints and agenda created by Saudi Arabia for the North African and Middle East portions of the globe, to shape that area geopolitically. They are using the United States as their surrogate and their military muscle, and the Obama led U.S. “regime” is all too willing to comply.

With regard to Libya, it was in March of 2011 when the Clinton State Department, under orders of Obama, appointed Ambassador Stevens as the point man to the al Qaeda linked Libyan opposition forces to topple Qaddafi.

Remember, Osama bin Laden was reportedly killed two months later and al Qaeda was supposedly out of existence, according to Obama. But think about this. Under direct orders of Obama, Clinton appointed Stevens to work with the very same people who reportedly killed 3000-plus Americans on September 11, 2001 for the purposes of overthrowing Qaddafi. It worked, and Qaddafi was deposed and murdered in October of 2011.

Look at what happened next. Clinton announced that the U.S. was throwing $40 million into Libya to “secure” Qaddafi’s weapon arsenals. Oh, really? That’s what was being told to the public and to congress, but it’s not reality, certainly not from the inside. As I’ve already explained, that money and our personnel were being used to collect the weapons to send them to Syria to topple Assad. Before getting to Syria, they were placed in staging areas in Turkey near the Syrian border, and other places, including Jordan. They were being collected and sent through northern Libya, and the CIA operations center was the headquarters for this operation. As I’ve said many times, there was no embassy or consulate in Benghazi. It was a covert CIA operations center.

Wait, why do people continue to call it a consulate? Why is it identified on Google maps as a consulate.

First, it continues to be called a consulate because this is part of the cover-up. The government is STILL lying to the American people. The media is assisting in the cover-up, and so are some in congress in both parties. For goodness sakes, anyone looking at Google maps on September 10, 2012 will never find the Benghazi location named a consulate. It’s a LIE!

Sorry, please go on.

So every American understands, it is OUR tax money in part that was used to arm Islamic groups ideologically aligned with al Qaeda. Imagine that.

Eleven years after 9/11, we’re funding and assisting the very same terrorists who attacked our country to topple another country. And other countries are in this up to their necks as well. The Brits for one. The very country or empire that created some of the post-war borders, many knowingly unmanageable from the outset, is now in part responsible for changing them.

Anyway, the weapons everyone in government said that were “collected” and destroyed were pieces of junk that never worked. The working weapons, including an estimated 10-15,000 shoulder fired missiles were shipped out of Libya. Stevens was the head of logistics, coordinating this operation. He was working with the Turkish consul general as well, the guy who met with him on the night of his death. We already went over this in detail.

The attack was perpetuated by Ansar al-Shariah, an Islamic terrorist group backed by Iran. Also present were members of the terror group AQIM, or al Qaeda in Northern Africa. It was a coordinated attack for a purpose, and never, ever had anythig remotely to do with any internet video.

Please touch on the nature of the attack again for those just catching up

As I explained before, I have information that three “hit teams” were dispatched to Benghazi[iii]. Stevens was lured to the CIA compound to talk about Russia’s knowledge of what the U.S. was doing - running weapons to be used against Assad in Syria, which is Russia’s “red line.” They needed to talk and not at the embassy, but at this out of the way location. The weapons running operation, although it was winding down anyway, was compromised. Over. Done. It is likely that the Turkish consul general told Sevens that the Russians had evidence - proof, of weapons in Turkey, including chemical weapons. Turkey, a NATO ally being squeezed by Russia, wanted the weapons gone from their turf. We also had people up there training the “rebels” on how to use the weapons as well. You heard about training exercises in that area on or about September 11, 2012? Who do you think we were training? Right after the Turkish counsel general left, the attack against the CIA compound began.

What was the reason for the attack?

Remember the story of the Iranian Red Crescent workers being “snatched” from the streets of Benghazi late on July 31 or the early morning of August 1, 2012? This happened at the same time the CIA compound wall was hit by a mortar. These Red Crescent workers were spies. At the same time, some members of the terror group AQIM were also picked up in Benghazi. It was a mystery! Where did they go? Who had them?

The belief was that they were being held at the CIA compound. Iran wanted them back. So, in addition to everything else, Ansar al Shariah was looking for their people. AQIM were looking for their people too. This is the reason the compound was not immediately leveled by the weapons they had on sight. They were trying to find and free their people, who were not being held there, but elsewhere. They were trying to ‘smoke” the people out of the compound and rescue the “hostages.”

Plus, a message had to be sent to Obama, Clinton and others that the weapons operation had to stop. The groups leading the attack, primarily Ansar al Sharia with an AQIM presence as well, were tools of Iran, Syria and of course, Russia.

So there were two reasons for the attack: get their spies back, and expose this operation for what it was. Again, we went over this.

The snatched Red Crescent Workers play prominently into exposing this operation.

Yes, and here is where it gets interesting. They were released exactly 65 days after they were snatched. They were in good health and dropped off on the streets of Tripoli. But why then? This is where it get’s damning to Obama, Clinton, and Valerie Jarrett.

What is not widely known to Americans is that Obama sent Iranian born Valerie Jarrett to Qatar for high level talks with the Iranians about coming to an agreement before the November elections. This, despite Jarrett not having the capacity as official of the U.S. government. She had no business doing what she was doing. That aside, the plan was that Jarrett would broker a deal, and Obama would announce to the world that he had succeeded in diplomatic negotiations with the Iranians where they would halt their nuclear weapons ambitions and Obama would officially live up to his title as savior of the world.

But before the talks kicked into high gear, the Iranians told Jarrett that the Red Crescent workers had to be released before any talks could be done in earnest. Jarrett relayed that to Obama and Clinton, and then, out of nowhere, the missing workers were suddenly released.

If there were talks and the “spies” were released, then why was there no agreement?

Because Jarrett, Obama and Clinton were being played by the Iranians. It was to buy time, especially since the Obama agenda of arming the anti-Assad rebels was continuing. The Iranians are not stupid. They understood that Obama and Clinton were continuing to support the anti-Assad rebels, and with bipartisan support, STILL ARE!

So now we are hearing reports of chemical weapons planned for use by Assad. What’s the real story?

The world is being set up for a false flag operation. Obama, Clinton and every supporter of the anti-Assad initiative are either lying to the American people or are “dupes.” The objective remains taking out Assad and replacing him with a Muslim Brotherhood-backed regime.

There have been reports out of the U.S. and the UK that Assad is preparing to use chemical weapons against the rebels. Assad denies that he would ever use them, and there is a reason we should believe him in this case. The condemnation that would result is unnecessary and certainly unwarranted.

There reports are to condition people to immediately suspect Assad when a chemical incident occurs. In this case, it’s the U.S., the UK and other Western backed countries constantly asserting that Assad will launch a chemical attack, and we’re getting ready just for that case.

But if you look at the evidence, it’s the anti-Assad, Western backed forces that have taken possession of chemical storage areas. There was a recently released video, very graphic in nature of anti-Assad rebels conducting the test of a nerve agent on two rabbits. The video displayed chemicals bottles with the name of a Turkish country on them. I’m not going to give the name or video channel, but people can find the video for themselves on YouTube.

It’s a set-up to topple Assad and put a Muslim brotherhood leader in his place.

I told you before, and you printed what I said, that a chemical weapon attack would justify U.S. and NATO intervention, supported by the outcry of the world against Assad. It’s Iraq all over again, except Syria is a hundred times more dangerous. Unlike Iraq, Afghanistan or even Libya, Syria will not implode. It will EXPLODE, and we will be fighting Iranians as well. Russia has “advisers” in Syria as well. Are the American people ready and willing to square off against Iran AND Russia in a regional conflict that will likely turn into a global, full scale war?

What’s going on with Turkey, Syria and Russia now?

It was announced that Turkey will receive patriot Missiles to protect them from the spillover. Actually, these missiles over the northern territory of Syria will create a de-facto no fly zone that will allow the consolidation of anti-Assad rebels to perhaps install a new Western-backed government in the northern part of Syria[vii].

Well, Russia deployed Iskander missiles into Syria, rendering the Patriot missiles ineffective. This move shows exactly how serious Russia is. They are not backing down.

And you know what else? Sunburn missiles are at Iran’s disposal and can be used in that theater. Regardless of what is written or talked about by talking heads, these missiles poses a grave threat to our aircraft carriers. Want to see how fast we can lose an aircraft carrier and the several thousand crew members on board? This is what we face.

Russia is doubling down, Iran is doubling down. Assad is doubling down. Meanwhile, Obama and the U.S. State Department continue to lie to the American people. The lie continues, and the fuse to WW III is burning down while the Obama regime is heading full steam ahead toward regional and global war.

Why haven’t we heard any truth about Benghazi, even from congressional investigators?

Because the lie continues, and we are still supporting the overthrow of Assad, despite Putin’s warnings. Obama, Clinton, the global leaders and their financiers are continuing to lead us into World War III. The lies continue, and to continue operations, the truth must be kept from the American public. We are continuing our operations to overthrow Assad at full throttle right in front of all Americans. And there will be fallout.

In addition to four dead Americans and over 40 thousand dead Syrians, the consequences of our actions will cause the death of an estimated FOUR MILLION in Syria alone, many Christians. When, not if the “conflict” escalates, we’ll see many millions dead. And for what?

Okay, what’s the objective here?

Behind the smoke and mirrors is the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It’s their agenda. We’re just providing the army, the training, performing the logistics and doing the heavy lifting. It’s the Saudi agenda, and it’s about power, control and oil. Who do you think controls the Muslim brotherhood? Has anyone asked why Obama, raised in a Muslim culture, is tied at the hip with the Muslim Brotherhood?

Why aren’t Americans angry that we are using our assets, our men and women to advance the agenda of Saudi Arabia under the orders of Barack Hussein Obama?

Why are members of congress so quick to commit our forces to oust Assad when it benefits Saudi Arabia, not the U.S?

The agenda of Obama is so overt, so “in your face” yet not one member of congress, not one media outlet is calling him out on this. Some might call this mere conspiracy theory. There’s a conspiracy alright, but it involves the government and the media. They are laughing in our faces.

In addition to the obvious regional consequences, there will be blowback from the Obama-Clinton agenda.

What type of blowback?

Well, let’s first look at what’s happened already as this insane Obama agenda has been going on for some time. Remember the plot to kill the Saudi ambassador to the U.S? On October 11, 2011, the FBI announced that a plot, identified by the FBI as “Operation Red Coalition,” was foiled to kill Saudi ambassador Adel al-Jubeir in the United States. It was alleged that Iranian nationals were working with a Mexican drug gang to kill al-Jubeir with a bomb while he was dining at a DC restaurant. Do you think he would have been the only one to die there if that plan succeeded? No, innocent men, women and children would have died as well.

Many in the media and the talking heads were having trouble understanding why Iran or Iranian nationals would want the Saudi Ambassador dead. Well, in the context of what you know now, does this make a bit more sense? These events do not happen in a vacuum.

But I’m sure people will question why members of a Mexican drug cartel would be enlisted to assist in this operation? This gets a bit complex, but it goes back to AQIM. Remember them? That’s al Qaeda in Northern Africa.
They are an elite Muslim terror group of perhaps 400 or so members. They carefully screen their members, and do a lot of subcontracting. Despite being Muslim, they are running drugs from South America, specifically the Tri-Border Area (TBA) into North Africa for ultimate distribution into Europe. Why Europe instead of North America? Because the drugs are worth more there, and the profit difference is worth it.

While drugs are being funneled from South America, terror groups are also funneling al Qaeda terrorists or terrorists of similar ideology into South America and into Mexico, where they are entering the United States. Think of it as a two-lane highway. Some of these terrorists have been caught at the southern border of the U.S., some with tattoos on their arms of mullahs and Islamic phrases of jihad. Why? Because when the Syria-Iran situation goes hot, there will be terrorists already inside the United States. But we created them and gave them the reason to be here. A few AQIM members, running the drugs east, were caught in Benghazi, which explains their presence and getting picked up there as well.

So Ansar al Shariah and AQIM, both present at Benghazi, were looking for their people.

But back to the blowback, or the consequences of the Obama foreign policy agenda. There is more, and it much more serious.

Attacks in the U.S?

For all intents and purposes, the United States, Russia and China are at war. Although the situation in Syria is being described as a civil war, it is the direct result of U.S. involvement by Obama and Clinton at the behest of Saudi Arabia. While real bullets are flying in Syria, an asymmetrical war exists beyond the confines of Syria’s borders.

Remember, Putin has drawn a hard line in the sand at Syria. The stability of Syria is of extreme strategic economic and military importance to Russia as well as China. Although no hot war exists between Russia, China and the U.S. at the moment, that does not mean things are not taking place behind the scenes in ways that are not readily apparent.

One of the biggest threats to the United States right now is an attack on the U.S. Dollar. At this moment, the fate of the U.S. dollar hangs in the balance.

What is the U.S. dollar backed by? Gold? Silver? Neither. Some say the dollar is not backed by anything, and although they might be technically accurate, it’s not entirely true. At this moment, the dollar is backed by one important thing, which is oil. The stability of the dollar rests on the free and unimpeded flow of oil. Once that is interrupted or even threatened, there is a high degree of risk that the dollar will collapse.

The “string pullers” are pulling us into a situation where our actions result in the disruption or the threat of disruption of the free flow of oil. Given the current state of our economy, how fast might this bring down the United States without a shot having to be fired?

Now I know I’m stepping out into some areas that people might consider to be fringe, but think about what is taking place in the U.S. and across the globe. People talk about global governance, or a one order under a single currency. What’s the quickest way to destroy a country from within? What was the major reason for the collapse of the Soviet Union? Remember the Ruble? I can tell you this, Putin does.

So at this point, what’s an expeditious way to strike at the very heart of America while also accomplishing other larger global objectives? Take out the U.S. dollar.

We are in a period of heightened risk and maximum vulnerability, put here by Obama, his foreign policy advisers, czars, and of course Hillary Clinton. What are their objectives, and those of his closest advisers, especially in terms of the fate of the U.S? Fundamental change in ways that can be hardly imagined.

Are you saying that the larger objective is to destroy America?

I’m saying that we are advancing the agenda of Saudi Arabia and the Muslim Brotherhood in North Africa and the Middle East. We’re doing their work, pitting ourselves against Syria, Iran and ultimately Russia and China. Syria and Iran are firewalls for Russia and China. Russia and China understand the monster created and used by the United States, they understand the Muslim Brotherhood backed terrorists. They will not stop at Syria. They will continue to push into the Federation of Russian States, disrupt oil flow, overthrow nations and threaten the security and sovereignty of Russia and threaten China. We’re playing with fire, and to expect no consequences is ridiculous.

The path that Obama continues to take, without any objection from congress or others in the U.S., will lead us on a path to self destruction. Perhaps the ultimate question is whether it is by incompetence or by design.

Copyright © Douglas Hagmann
Douglas J. Hagmann and his son, Joe Hagmann host The Hagmann & Hagmann Report, a live Internet radio program broadcast each weeknight from 8:00-10:00 p.m. ET.
Douglas Hagmann, founder & director of the Northeast Intelligence Network, and a multi-state licensed private investigative agency. Doug began using his investigative skills and training to fight terrorism and increase public awareness through his website.
Doug can be reached at: director@homelandsecurityus.com

Superstorm Sandy Concert: Musicians Rock New York

Jon Bon Jovi (L) and Bruce Springsteen perform during the "12-12-12" benefit concert for victims of Superstorm Sandy at Madison Square Garden in New York on Dec. 12, 2012.
Lucas Jackson / Reuers
Jon Bon Jovi (L) and Bruce Springsteen perform during the "12-12-12" benefit concert for victims of Superstorm Sandy at Madison Square Garden in New York on Dec. 12, 2012.

The 12-12-12 benefit concert for victims of Hurricane Sandy had a lineup spanning five decades of music: from the British invasion triumvirate of the Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney and The Who and their fellow British rock stars Eric Clapton and Roger Waters (from Pink Floyd) to the current R&B and hip-hop of Alicia Keys and Kanye West.
On Wednesday night, more than a month after Hurricane Sandy rocked the East Coast, some of the world’s greatest musicians rocked out at Madison Square Garden in New York City as part of the 12-12-12 concert to benefit victims of the storm. Before the show began, $30 million had been raised from ticket sales, which ranged between $150-$2,500, and sponsors, with all proceeds donated to the Robin Hood Relief Fund—the same foundation that organized the Concert for New York City after 9/11. The sold-out show was televised live, streamed online, played on the radio and in theaters. Producers estimated that as many as two billion people could experience the show live. (See the 12 most iconic images from Wednesday night’s music marathon)

(PHOTOSThe Toil After the Storm: Life in Sandy’s Wake)

And just as victims banded together to rebuild their communities, legends banded together and performed a series of unforgettable duets over the best part of six hours. New Jersey native Bruce Springsteen, and the E Street Band, kicked off the show with “Land of Hope and Dreams,” “Wrecking Ball,” and “My City of Ruins,” and fellow New Jersey rocker Jon Bon Jovi, wearing a long-sleeved leather shirt, joined him on stage shortly after to help “The Boss” belt out his classic “Born to Run.” About 90 minutes later, during Bon Jovi’s own set—which included an audience sing-a-long to “Livin’ On A Prayer”—Springsteen came back, and the two performed “Who Says You Can’t Go Home,” taking turns shouting the reassuring refrain “it’s alright, it’s alright” into the microphone.

Dressed in black, Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder and Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters, performed a down-tempo duet of the Pink Floyd classic “Comfortably Numb.” At the beginning of the song, Waters was so moved that he gave Eddie a kiss on the side of his head, and the two shared a moving embrace at the end. Regarding the kiss, Waters told the press backstage, “that was weird. I rarely ever do something like that.”


After midnight, Coldplay’s Chris Martin’s and Michael Stipe’s rendition of R.E.M.’s “Losing My Religion” was just the calm before the Beatles’ Sir Paul McCartney and former members of the band Nirvana stormed the stage for a historic reunion—which Twitter has already nicknamed “#Sirvana.”

McCartney and former Nirvana members Dave Grohl (also the Foo Fighters’ founder), Krist Novoselic, and Pat Smear surprised the crowd with a new jam,  “Cut Me Some Slack,” from Grohl’s upcoming documentary Sound City. Before the Nirvana crew hit the stage, McCartney serenaded the audience with material from his own back catalog, such as “Blackbird,” “Helter Skelter,” “Live and Let Die,” and “My Valentine”—a surprise duet with Diana Krall.

Artists also gave their classics a more contemporary feel  by adding Sandy to their lyrics. During “My City in Ruins,” Springsteen sang, “Now my home was here on the Jersey Shore…” instead of “the Meadowlands.” The “Piano Man,” Billy Joel, mentioned Staten Island at the start of “Miami 2017” (“I’ve Seen The Lights Go Out on Broadway”). And The Who’s Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend switched out “It’s Only Teenage Wasteland” for “It’s Only Sandy Wasteland” as they belted out “Baba O’Reilly.”

As the British rock duo played their set, fluorescent U.K. and American flags were projected on a screen in the background, supporting Mick Jagger’s general observation that the “12-12-12 concert” may be the “largest collection of old English musicians ever assembled” at Madison Square Garden. “If it rains in London, you’ve got to come and help us,” he added. Jagger led The Rolling Stones, who are celebrating their 50th anniversary this year, in “You Got Me Rocking” and “Jumpin’ Jack Flash”—racing back and forth across the stage in a leather blazer.

(MORE: Rolling Stones Added to ’12-12-12′ Sandy Relief Concert Lineup)

Kanye West’s performance was the only act that seemed all over the place, as songs like “Gold Digger” and “The Good Life” did not seem appropriate for a charity concert. In fact, viewers may remember his outfit—a hoodie, leather skirt, black leggings, and white sneakers—more than his medley of hits.

To keep the mood upbeat between the performances, a host of notable names dished out a number of zingers during the telethon. “You really can’t swing a dead cat in here without hitting a celebrity,” NBC Nightly News host Brian Williams remarked to actor Ben Stiller at the phone bank. English-born Chris Martin admitted that the crowd probably would rather see a certain U.K. boy band more than his own band: “I know you really wanted One Direction, but it’s way past their bedtime.” Adam Sandler gave Sandy a piece of his mind in a parody of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah”: “Sandy screw ya / We’ll get through ya / Sandy screw ya / We’ll freakin’ Kung Fu ya.” The evening ended with Alicia Keys, who was brought up in Manhattan’s Hell’s Kitchen, singing her New York anthem “Empire State of Mind,” with the likes of firefighters, police officers, doctors, and nurses joining her onstage.

Jokes and songs aside, celebrities were not immune to Sandy’s wrath either.


Native New Yorker Susan Sarandon lost power at her Manhattan apartment and home in Westchester. Billy Crystal was crushed to see floodwaters ravage Long Beach, Long Island, where he grew up. And Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora said his mother has been living with him since her house in the Jersey Shore community Point Pleasant got “trashed.” These kinds of stories only inspired the musicians to sing louder and longer. As Steve Van Zandt, E Street Band member and Sopranos actor, told the press, “When we run into trouble, we run towards it.”

Cue “Born to Run.”

PHOTOS: Collectible Photography Benefits Hurricane Sandy

EXCLUSIVE: Susan Rice drops out of running for secretary of state; Saddened by partisan politics

By Tracy Connor, NBC News 


Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
 
U.N. envoy Susan Rice is dropping out of the running to be the next secretary of state. Brian Williams will have an exclusive interview with Rice on tonight's "Rock Center With Brian Williams" at 10p/9c.


Embattled U.N. envoy Susan Rice is dropping out of the running to be the next secretary of state after months of criticism over her Benghazi comments, she told NBC News on Thursday.

“If nominated, I am now convinced that the confirmation process would be lengthy, disruptive and costly – to you and to our most pressing national and international priorities,” Rice wrote in a letter to President Obama, saying she’s saddened by the partisan politics surrounding her prospects.
Image: FILE: Susan Rice Withdraws Her Name For Secretary of State
“That trade-off is simply not worth it to our country...Therefore, I respectfully request that you no longer consider my candidacy at this time,” she wrote in the letter obtained by NBC News.

Brian Williams will have an exclusive interview with Rice on tonight’s “Rock Center With Brian Williams” at 10p/9c.

Rice had been viewed as one of the front-runners to replace Hillary Clinton as the nation’s top foreign policy official.

She has been under intense fire from Republicans for initially characterizing the Sept. 11 assault on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya, as a  spur-of-the-moment response to a crude anti-Muslim film.

“What happened in Benghazi was in fact initially a spontaneous reaction to what had just transpired hours before in Cairo, almost a copycat of the demonstrations against our facility in Cairo, which were prompted, of course, by the video,” Rice said on NBC’s “Meet the Press” five days after the attack.

“Opportunistic extremist elements came to the consulate as this was unfolding. They came with heavy weapons, which unfortunately are readily available in post-revolutionary Libya, and it escalated into a much more violent episode.”

As more details emerged suggesting it was a premeditated terrorist action, GOP critics accused Rice of misleading the public at the height of the presidential campaign.

She countered that she went with the best information available about the attack, in which Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans were killed.

“I relied solely and squarely on the information provided to me by the intelligence community. I made clear that the information was preliminary and that our investigations would give us the definitive answers,” she said on Nov. 21 at the United Nations.

By then, Obama had already expressed strong support for Rice, warning Sens. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Lindsay Graham (R-S.C.) to stop slamming her and vowing to block her confirmation.

“They should go after me,” he said at his first press conference after his re-election.

And last week, Clinton praised Rice as a “stalwart colleague” who had done a “good job” at the U.N.

Questions from lawmakers
Despite a series of closed-door meeting with Capitol Hill lawmakers to drum up support, Rice continued to face questions from senators key to her confirmation.

After a Nov. 28 sitdown with Rice, Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) said she couldn’t yet endorse the veteran diplomat and raised a new point of concern: her role in protecting American embassies in Kenya and Nairobi that were bombed by terrorists in 1998.

Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) suggested Rice was seen as too much of an Obama loyalist and the GOP preferred “someone of independence.”

 In her letter to Obama, Rice took aim at her GOP critics.

“The position of secretary of state should never be politicized,” she wrote, adding, “I’m saddened that we have reached this point, even before you have decided whom to nominate. We cannot afford such an irresponsible distraction from the most pressing issues facing the American people.”

Her withdrawal leaves Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) as a possible candidate for the job, and Republicans have said he would have a smoother run.

"I think John Kerry would be an excellent appointment and would be easily confirmed by his colleagues," Collins said last month.

Rice, 48, has been the United States’ permanent representative to the United Nations since 2009, after serving as a senior advisor to the Obama campaign , working at the Brookings Institution and holding other diplomatic and national security positions dating back to 1993.

Florida to Be First to Reach 1 Million Concealed-Gun Permits

Wednesday, 12 Dec 2012 04:21 PM


Florida will be the first state to have issued 1 million permits allowing people to carry concealed firearms, said Adam Putnam, Florida’s commissioner of agriculture and consumer affairs. Florida had issued 993,200 active permits as of Nov. 30, according to state data. Of those, 875,600 were for state residents, accounting for 4.6 percent of its 19.1 million population. The state will pass the 1 million mark next week, Putnam said at a news conference today in Tallahassee.
“Floridians have a great respect and appreciation for their Second Amendment rights,” Putnam said.

Alert: Vote: Should Taxes Be Raised or Cut?


Florida was among the first states in 1987 to require approval of concealed-carry licenses for any applicant who meets certain criteria, instead of giving local police discretion over those decisions. Today, 38 states have “shall issue” laws similar to Florida’s, according to the National Rifle Association, a firearms-rights group based in Fairfax, Virginia.
Florida, the fourth-most-populous state, had 887,000 active permits as of Dec. 31, 2011, according to the U.S. Government Accountability Office. Pennsylvania had the second-most with 786,000.
In Florida, permits are issued to anyone who, among other things, is at least 21 years old and has never been convicted of a felony crime.
The number of concealed permits in Florida has nearly doubled since 2008. Putnam said he didn’t know what accounted for the increase in permits.