Senior Obama officials tell the US Senate: the 'war', in limitless form, will continue for 'at least' another decade - or two. Despite all 4 big media controversies (Benghazi, IRS, Barkersfield, and AP/DOJ) combined. This story has to be the most significant.

It is already known that troops are to "come home" but  a handful are to stay until 2024. Well, now that may even be moved up to a later date. "Endless"

Assistant Defense Secretary Michael Sheehan, (picture above) testifies before the Senate Armed Services Committee's May 16, 2013, hearing on the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force. Photo: AP/Carolyn Kaster


It is hard to resist the conclusion that this war has no purpose other than its own eternal perpetuation. This war is not a means to any end but rather is the end in itself. Not only is it the end itself, but it is also its own fuel: it is precisely this endless war - justified in the name of stopping the "threat of terrorism". 'War' must be regarded as a finite, extraordinary and unnatural state of affairs. A war only in the matters of peace, and to protect American Freedoms. We must not wage war, nor should we accept the current conflict, and all that it entails, as the 'new normal.'"

Back in last October, senior Obama officials anonymously unveiled to the Washington Post their newly minted "disposition matrix", a complex computer system that will be used to determine how a terrorist suspect will be "disposed of", indefinite detention, prosecution in a real court, assassination-by-CIA-drones, etc. Their rationale for why this was needed now, a full 12 years after the 9/11 attack: Among senior Obama administration officials, there is a broad consensus that such operations are likely to be extended at least another decade. Given the way al-Qaida continues to metastasize, some officials said no clear end is in sight. . . . That timeline suggests that the United Stateshas reached only the midpoint of what was once known as the global war on terrorism."

On Thursday, the Senate Armed Services Committee held a hearing on whether the statutory basis for this "war" - the 2001 Authorization to Use Military Force (AUMF) - should be revised (meaning: expanded). Spencer Ackerman (soon to be the Guardian US's national security editor) described the most significant exchange:

"Asked at a Senate hearing today how long the war on terrorism will last, Michael Sheehan, the assistant secretary of defense for special operations and low-intensity conflict, answered, 'At least 10 to 20 years.' . . . A spokeswoman, Army Col. Anne Edgecomb, clarified that Sheehan meant the conflict is likely to last 10 to 20 more years from today - atop the 12 years that the conflict has already lasted. Welcome to America's Thirty Years War."

In January, former Pentagon general counsel Jeh Johnson delivered a highly-touted speech suggesting that the war on terror will eventually end; he advocated that outcome, arguing:

'War' must be regarded as a finite, extraordinary and unnatural state of affairs. We must not accept the current conflict, and all that it entails, as the 'new normal.'"

On February 11, 2013, the Vatican confirmed that Benedict XVI would resign the papacy on the date of February 28, 2013. Benedict became the first pope to resign since 1415, Pope Gregory XII. The move was considered unexpected. In modern times, all popes have stayed in office until death. Benedict is the first pope to have resigned without external pressure since Celestine V in 1294.


Pope Benedict XVI announced back in February that he was Gay, and the reason he has resigned his papacy is because he "could no longer live a lie." The Pope made a statement saying "Like many gay Catholics, I have been forced for too long to choose between my faith and my identity". He also added "My profound love for my beloved church compelled me to lie to myself and to my fellow believers about a basic component of my humanity." The Pope then added to his statement "I deeply regret that deception. I have not been honest with the Church, and for that reason I decided that I could not continue my role as leader of the world's one billion Catholics."


Today, Benedict XVI is trying to urge the Catholic Church to accept homosexuality as a part of God's creation. Like most political leaders, he is acting against his ideology he has always "believed in". Before Benedict announced he was gay, he did his time as Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF). Benedict XVI made several efforts to stop the issue of homosexuality within the Church and the within the entire world. As he state it "treated world peace". But now, Benedict XVI is urging all Catholics to accept gay marriage.

During a 2012 Christmas speech, the Pope made remarks about the present-day interpretation of the notion of "gender". He stated that "sex is no longer a given element of nature, that man has to accept and personally make sense of... it is a social role that we choose for ourselves", the Pope then stated "The words of the creation account: “male and female he created them” (Gen 1:27) no longer apply". In March 2012, he stated that heterosexual marriages should be defended from "every possible misrepresentation of their true nature".

The reaction of the Pope's statement of February 18, 2013 has been shocking to most, caused LGBT activists to celebrate, and cause despair for others like conservative figures in the Catholic Church. Some members have expressed their anger at Benedict's Announcement, these members of the Catholic Church even suggest that Benedict should have remained in the closet and kept the position as Pope.

In a statement, Benedict cited his deteriorating strength and the physical and mental demands of the papacy; addressing his Cardinals in Latin, Benedict gave a brief statement announcing his resignation. He also declared that he would continue to serve the church "through a life dedicated to prayer".

NEWS REPORT
Late Wednesday, President Obama informed everyone during his prepared brief announcement, stated that the acting IRS Commissioner Steven Miller would resign for the IRS's scandal in which conservative groups were targeted. President Obama also added that the ousting of Steven Miller was "the first step" to prevent similar misconduct in the future. During the President's speech, Obama said he had reviewed the Treasury Department Inspector General's report that details how the IRS targeted conservative groups for special scrutiny when they applied for tax-exempt status. The report concluded "poor management" allowed IRS agents to illegally target Tea Party groups and other conservative groups starting back in 2010. 

But what was NOT mentioned by the President, was that the IRS chief was planning to entirely leave the IRS anyways, despite the current controversy. Miller was set to step down from his position in early June.

To view the Author's view of this story, click here!

Obama made a statement about the IRS scandal.


"I have now had the opportunity to review the Treasury Department watchdog’s report on its investigation of IRS personnel who improperly targeted conservative groups applying for tax-exempt status.  And the report’s findings are intolerable and inexcusable.  The federal government must conduct itself in a way that’s worthy of the public’s trust, and that’s especially true for the IRS.  The IRS must apply the law in a fair and impartial way, and its employees must act with utmost integrity.  This report shows that some of its employees failed that test. 

I’ve directed Secretary Lew to hold those responsible for these failures accountable, and to make sure that each of the Inspector General’s recommendations are implemented quickly, so that such conduct never happens again.  But regardless of how this conduct was allowed to take place, the bottom line is, it was wrong.  Public service is a solemn privilege.  I expect everyone who serves in the federal government to hold themselves to the highest ethical and moral standards.  So do the American people.  And as President, I intend to make sure our public servants live up to those standards every day."

Author's View| Written by Jake Stylez

This is how I understand this report. Liberals did not get targeted by the IRS, only conservatives. And the key to it is, these conservatives were "Tea Party, Patriot, Religious, etc." Steven Miller, the acting IRS commissioner was "blamed" and "fired" for the agency's scandal. Steven Miller was not behind the scandal, nor was he fired. He was resigning from his position in Early June, less than 2 weeks away from now. Think of Miller resigning as a early vacation for him.

The Internal Revenue Service executive in charge of tax-exempt organizations when the unit targeted Tea Party groups now runs the IRS office responsible for enforcing ObamaCare. The IRS scandal was off the scale bad, but what can get worse? Sarah Hall Ingram. Ingram served as commissioner of the Tax-Exempt and Government Entities Division for the periods of 2009 to 2012. Ingram is now serving as director of the IRS' Affordable Care Act division. Ingram, an expert at suppressing the political speech of administration opponents by taking the tax code to her granted, was rewarded 4 bonuses that totaled to $103,390. Her annual salary went up nearly $5,000 totaling $177,000, Ingram was also rewarded with the Affordable Care Act responsibilities.

targeting Tea Party groups must not be enough damage for Ingram to cause. She is now in charge of our health care.

In Texas, Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, has introduced the "Keep the IRS Off Your Health Care Act of 2013" this Act prohibits any delegate, including the IRS, and the Treasury secretary from enforcing the Affordable Care Act.