We are now in a period of relative political calm after Barack Obama's win of the U.S. Presidency. But we must keep in mind that when the first African American to ever achieve this success takes the oath of office on January 20, 2009, not everyone may be sending well wishes his way. We must keep in mind that a portion of the country may not be in his corner.

In his gain of 52.6 percent of the popular vote, 46.1 percent is the remainder of the vote he did not get. That means that Se. Obama won the election (taking into account votes cast for third party candidates), by an estimated 6.5 percent.

Normally, such a percentage win would be stupendous - if this had been a normal election. This was a hotly contested presidential race with racial overtones, taking place in the midst of one of the worst economic downturns in this country's history, and our simultaneous involvement in two ongoing wars.

Just about everything in America was going wrong at that moment, and the voting public, hurting economically, was insisting on a short-term rapid fix for their problems. But unlike the Great Depression of 1929, President Obama does not have the same options that were open to President Franklin Delano Roosevelt when he took over from President Hoover..

Roosevelt's predecessor, Herbert Hoover (1929-1933), was not despised by most in the country, as is the case with George W. Bush. The cause of his fall was the reluctance of his administration to take steps to cancel the highly unpopular Prohibition Act (18th amendment), followed by the Great Depression that came about during the first year of his presidency.

Hoover was in many ways very much like Barack Obama in that he firmly believed in a philosophical viewpoint as governing philosophy - 'a technical solution existed for every social and economic problem.' Like Obama, the former mining engineer was an avowed intellectual.

Barack Obama, on the other hand, by all indications believes - ' there exists a governmental solution for every social and economic problem.' And it is from this stubborn standpoint that he will eventually run into a major 'social policy roadblock' - of his own making.

Bush/Cheney's Last Hurrah: Muddying the Waters of Change

Who out there is so foolish as to believe or entertain the following delusion: The Bush/Cheney administration invested almost 5000 American lives, and constructed the world's largest embassy in Iraq ($1.65 billion) - simply to allow the Obama administration the option of walking away from such a deliberately orchestrated massive blood and dollar investment? - It ain' t gonna happen!

Employing your ability to reason and 'Think', read carefully between the lines of the following two recent editorials and draw your own conclusions:

New Blackwater Iraq Scandal: Guns, Silencers and Dog Food

Ex-employees Tell ABC News the Firm Used Dog Food Sacks to Smuggle Unauthorized Weapons to Iraq

By BRIAN ROSS and JASON RYAN
November 14, 2008

A federal grand jury in North Carolina is investigating allegations the controversial private security firm Blackwater illegally shipped assault weapons and silencers to Iraq, hidden in large sacks of dog food, ABCNews.com has learned.

Despite four separate federal grand jury investigations of its operations, Blackwater's contract to provide security services for the US State Department was renewed earlier this year. The contract pays Blackwater $250 million a year and runs for five years

Under State Department rules, Blackwater is prohibited from using certain assault weapons and silencers in Iraq because they are considered "offensive" weapons inappropriate for Blackwater's role as a private security firm protecting US diplomatic missions.

Why Americans Shouldn't Go Home
By Tom Engelhardt

On the day that Americans turned out in near record numbers to vote, a record was set halfway around the world. In Afghanistan, a U.S. Air Force strike wiped out about 40 people in a wedding party. This represented at least the sixth wedding party eradicated by American air power in Afghanistan and Iraq since December 2001.

American planes have, in fact, taken out two brides in the last seven months. And don't try to bury your dead or mark their deaths ceremonially either, because funerals have been hit as well. Mind you, those planes, which have conducted 31% more air strikes in Afghanistan in support of U.S. troops this year, and the missile-armed unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV's) now making almost daily strikes across the border in Pakistan, remain part of George W. Bush's Air Force, but only until January 21, 2009. Then, they -- and all the brides and grooms of Afghanistan and in the Pakistani borderlands who care to have something more than the smallest of private weddings -- officially become the property of President Barack Obama.  (Click HERE to read entire article)

Clearly, Blackwater International has a hidden, unscripted role to play in Iraq, one that we the public has as yet to be made fully aware of. And secondly, by carrying out these provocative across border raids into countries not at war with us, the - Bush/Cheney legacy exit team - is setting in place the roots of a foreign policy crag-mire the Obama administration may be powerless to completely back away from.

A Shadowy Trail of Historical - Coincidences

“This conjunction of an immense military establishment and a large arms industry is new in the American experience” Eisenhower warned, “[while] we recognize the imperative need for this development….we must not fail to comprehend its grave implications…we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence...The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist.”

Dwight D. Eisenhower - January 17, 1961

As a thinking person I have to accept that, as a non-mythical concept, conspiracy does exist and is not relegated to simply a word in the Oxford dictionary. But take note, I am not big into the realm of 'Popular Conspiracy Cultism'. However, as a scientist I have a decided tendency to be cautiously suspicious of - coincidence. That willing partnership I have come to refer to as - Conservative Caution.

"The first time is chance. The second time is coincidence. The third time is espionage."

My silent adherence to this 'Cold War' axiom has kept me alive through my travels, and employment, in over 30 countries - and gained my undying trust in the bargain. And in respect, I have never opted to waste this valued asset in fields of random 'popular speculation.' That said, however, there are areas of historical happenstance that require at least the application of said discipline to the equation of comprehension.

At the initiation of new political party rule, there are two powerful forces at work. One is that of the disposed party that seeks to regain power - at all costs. The second are those interests who seek to retain their gains under the auspices of the defeated party: sometimes - at any costs.

Abraham Lincoln and Reconstruction (1861-1865):

During the post Civil War period known as Reconstruction, the term 'a carpetbagger' was used to describe the influx of white northern Republican politicians who came South, arriving with their travel carpetbags. Most tended to be well-educated and middle class in origin, often being lawyers, businessmen, newspaper editors, and other pillars of Northern communities. The majority (including fifty-two of the sixty who served in Congress during Reconstruction) were veterans of the Union Army.

Southerners considered their real purpose was to loot the defeated South; all under the guise of helping newly enfranchised black citizens run for political office (in return for various favors). And they did in fact plunder the South for many years, virtually unhindered by the federal government.

These activities could not have taken place under the administration of President Abraham Lincoln, for he held a very moderate view of the goals of Reconstruction.. But he failed to envisage the evolution of the Carpetbaggers - and the avaricious motives of their allies in Congress. The rape of the South involved - 'hundreds of thousands' of dollars.

President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated in Washington D.C. on April 14, 1865 as he viewed a play at Ford's Theater.

The Teapot Dome Affair:

In 1921, President Harding (R) - (1921-1923), by executive order, transferred control of naval oil reserves at Teapot Dome in Wyoming and Elk Hills, Calif. (set aside by President Taft in 1922), to private politically connected concerns. He was moved to do so by one of the public officials most avidly opposed to the reserves, namely New Mexico Senator Albert B. Fall (R).

A political alliance ensured Fall's appointment to the Senate in 1912, and that of his political allies - who made up the infamous Ohio Gang. They convinced Harding to appoint Fall as U.S. Secretary of the Interior in March 1921. In 1922, without competitive bidding, Fall transferred the Teapot Dome fields from the Navy Department to the Department of the Interior, then leased them to Harry F. Sinclair, an oil operator. He also leased the field at Elk Hills, Calif. to another political contact, Edward L. Doheny.

In 1927 the Supreme Court ruled the oil leases had been corruptly obtained and invalidated all of them in the same year. Albert Fall was found guilty of bribery in 1929, fined $100,000 and sentenced to one year in prison, making him the - first Presidential Cabinet Member to go to prison for his actions in office. Harry Sinclair was charged with contempt, fined $100,000, received a short sentence for jury tampering, and Edward Doheny was acquitted in 1930 of attempting to bribe Fall. These activities involved - 'tens of hundreds of thousands' of dollars.

In June 1923, President Harding set out on a cross-country "Voyage of Understanding," to meet ordinary people and explain his policies. During this trip, Harding appeared profoundly shocked and shaken by a 'mysterious' message he received while in Alaska. At the end of July, while traveling through British Columbia, he developed what was thought to be a severe case of food poisoning.

The President's train proceeded directly to San Francisco where upon arrival; Harding developed pneumonia and died at 7:35 p.m. on August 2, 1923. The New York Times of that day, stated - "A stroke of apoplexy was the probable cause of death."

President Harding had been ill exactly one week. It was also noted that Harding consumed all of his meals at sittings with others, but he was the only one to fall ill of suspected - food poisoning.

President John F. Kennedy and the U.S. Three-Mile Territorial Waters Limit:

We all know that President John F. Kennedy had many powerful enemies in the congress, the military and organized crime. But apparently few remember the storm of protest from the oil industry, when he began pushing for an increase in the U.S. Territorial Waters Limit.

At the time, our Cold War adversaries, the Russians, were able to come within three miles of our coast and "..see everything with a cheap pair of binoculars." according to JFK. He therefore proposed that U.S. territorial water be extended 25 to possibly 50 miles. This did not sit well with the oil industry, having heavily invested in offshore oil operations in the Carolinas and a few other areas. Should the limit have been increased, this would bring most of those operations within the taxing purview of nearby states. Such a move by JFK could have cost the oil industry - 'tens of millions' of dollars.

On November 2, 1063, President John F. Kennedy was killed in Dallas, Texas, by an assassin's bullet to the head.

Now we have newly elected U. S. President Barack Obam, and his promise of sweeping economic change and - 'spreading the wealth.'

Due however to the deliberately lax oversight of the Bush/Cheney administration during the last eight years, the oil and military armaments industry and their army of consultants and lobbyists have been able to garner incredible profits of - 'tens of billions' of dollars.

Needless to say, some of these interests would not take kindly to a threat to this very lucrative established pipeline- into the pockets of the American taxpayer.

Finally - The Unthinkable

Yes, there remains a dark-side resident in the American psyche that, although diminished, stubbornly clings to life. Racial bigotry lives on and will most likely be with us for some time to come. Though dealt a potential deathblow by the Obama win, it has managed to survive for well over 200 years and is not likely to simply fade away. Like it or not, this force has often expressed its displeasure with change by the assassination or attempted assassination of a sitting U.S. President. Now, the U.S. president is for the first time in American history a - Black man.

Obama Has More Threats Than Other Presidents-Elect

WASHINGTON (AP) --November 15, 2008 - Threats against a new president historically spike right after an election, but from Maine to Idaho law enforcement officials are seeing more against Barack Obama than ever before. The Secret Service would not comment or provide the number of cases they are investigating. But since the Nov. 4 election, law enforcement officials have seen more potentially threatening writings, Internet postings and other activity directed at Obama than has been seen with any past president-elect, said officials aware of the situation who spoke on condition of anonymity because the issue of a president's security is so sensitive. (Click HERE to read full article )

Independent.ie - Ireland

Bookie in firing line over its sniper bet

Friday November 07 2008

BOOKMAKER Paddy Power was last night slated over a bet on which it will pay out should president-elect Barack Obama be assassinated during his first term in office, write Patrick Griffin and Allison Bray.

A spokesman for the American Embassy described the bet as very offensive and in extremely bad taste.

The bookmaker is currently offering odds of 12-1, down from 16-1- yesterday morning, that Mr Obama will not finish his first term in office and confirmed it would pay out if he was killed by a sniper's bullet.

The bookmaker rejected calls to withdraw the controversial offer, claiming it was nonsense to suggest that their stance could actually encourage anyone to go out and try to kill Mr Obama.

In Dublin, Sheila Paskman, a spokesman for the American Embassy in Ireland, said last night: "This is completely inappropriate."

But the bookmaker was unrepentant last night, claiming that a number of customers from Ireland and the UK had specifically requested odds on Mr Obama being assassinated and said their current bet would appeal to those people.

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Just because we don't like a nasty sentiment, does not give us license to ignore it, for such ignorance of choice offers opportunity to those who are willing to take advantage of our lack of precaution. In the glowing euphoria of Barack Obama's spectacular electoral win to become the 44th President of the United States of America, we cannot allow our senses to be dulled by the thrill of the moment. To do so would leave our nation vulnerable to the - unthinkable.

So far, the FBI and the Secret Service have uncovered two loose conspiracies to kill OBAMA - by White Extremists. These people were not the brightest, but all who harbor such nefarious plans do not blow off to friends in bars and barber shops. Some just bide their time and plan well: such threats must be taken seriously.

When Senator Obama takes the oath of office on January 20th, 2009, he will have to make it through approximately 1440 days to the end of his first term. A lot can happen in that time and history has taught us that, sometimes, out of nowhere, events can take an ugly turn. And, unfortunately, the issue in question will not allow itself to reside in the shadows for long: what I am referring to, of course, is the 'A' word - Assassination.

Like it or not, the threat is a very real one, and the violent history of our country dictates it as a possibility that would be irresponsible to ignore. There have there have been 17 attempts to kill sitting presidents as well as presidents elect. Four attempts on sitting presidents have succeeded: Abraham Lincoln (the 16th president), James R. Garfield (the 20th president), William McKinley (the 25th president) and John F. Kennedy (the 35th president). Two others were injured in attempted assassinations: former President Theodore Roosevelt and President Ronald Reagan.(click HERE for details)

The possibilities are real and are to be taken seriously. It is noted that John F. Kennedy once commented to a confidante that, "If someone wanted to assassinate me it wouldn't be hard to do."

Those who knew the man personally agree the remark did reflect his cavalier attitude toward his personal safety, and general sentiment about heavy security precautions by the Secret Service. This was very unfortunate, since it is on record that the Secret Service had cautioned him many times about riding in open topped cars. Had he taken heed, his assassination on November 22, 1963 might not have happened.

President elect Obama has shown favor toward elevated appearances before huge crowds in open forums - as he did in Germany. Should there be a determined militarily experienced lunatic, or a well-financed assassin lurking at such a time (like the one who killed MLK), forays into such open areas could spell disaster, not only for him, but also America.

The last thing this battered nation needs is another presidential assassination - especially of its first elected Black president. Heed your security people, President Obama - don't make the same mistake President Kennedy did. He did not live to regret it!

Your comments - The voices of our readers

Al,I enjoy your writing very much.your grasp of world history is very stimulating for me..and inspiring,the last time I read this I found myself longing to read a lincoln biography,or maybe a ken burns video..absolutely inspiring. Ron Gearles, Manchester, NH These "dark side" stories have always been with us ever since US Presidents have been elected. It just reminds me of how much of a pseudo-democracy we really have - when the means of power always fall to a handful of rich, spiteful, unreconcilable spoilers. But there's one Presidential gentleman you DID NOT mention: FDR and the precarious situation he was in during the depression. He was able to put people back-to-work and that seemed to please the enterpreneurs, the laborers, industrialists.....and oh, yes, I forgot the military complex. But we all know that FDR quelched this segment of society by pursuing the 'winds of war' and WWII kept us all busy. Could Obama follow in this man's footsteps, since all the pieces are very much in the same place as was FDR and, at least for the moment, quelch the tide of an ominous assasination - ? N. Pressimone, Atlanta, GA AS USUAL YOU HAVE NAILED IT RIGHT ON THE NOSE. A BIT OF ADVICE, BE CAREFUL , AND WEAR BULLET PROOF VEST ETC.. SH, Miami FL You and your unusual editorials have become the center of many an argument in my home. Both my wife and I are dyed in the wool liberals. But try as I may, I find that far too often I am taking at least part of your viewpoint as my own.  Your arguments, if that's what they are, are very good.  The do defy a quick dismissal. My wife does  not agree with me and refueses to read your editorials all te way through.  But I have caught her a few times, after we have gone to bed, in the middle of the night sneaking a thorough read through.  Once she got so mad, she woke me up to argue with me.  That's powerful writing. Since we are both school teachers and can read very well, and taking into account my wife's ability to take just about anyone's viewpoint that differs from her's apart, you are very good at what you write.  And yes, you do make us think.  Keep it up. D.R., Westchester, NY