BACK TO BUSINESS

            Now that Christmas and New Years is over it’s time to get back to business. For the last couple of weeks we took time off to share time with our family and get away from the realities of the world around us. Yet even the joy of the remembrance and celebration of the birth of our Savior can’t still the horrors inflicted on mankind. On New Year’s Eve, at Berlin, Germany, a terrorist murdered innocent people at a restaurant who were merely marking the end of an old year and the beginning of a new one. The killer is still running and most probably back in the Middle East. For the dead they didn’t live long enough to usher in 2017.

            But here, in the United States, great pains were taken to protect revelries. In New York Times Square was packed to the point of endurance and no one was attacked. The same occurred in places like Los Angeles, Seattle and other major cities. Perhaps there was a semblance of commonsense after all.

            Unfortunately the same common sense didn’t extend to the political scene.

            The greatest beef it seems is the allegation that Russia was the culprit responsible for the hacking of emails from Hillary Clinton and John Podesta that were leaked by Wikileaks editor and publisher Julian Assange. Best remembered about the emails were the facts of how the Democrat candidate used every deceitful method to destroy her rival Berry Sanders in her quest for the Democratic nomination. Other emails detailed how the press was in collusion with the Democrats by passing on information regarding questions to be asked of Donald Trump during the Presidential debates.

            What was so offensive liberal critics claim was the Democrats were caught with their fingers in the cookie jar! No one—including Clinton and Podesta, ever argued that the information released by Wikileaks was untrue.

            As for Assange; He remains harbored in London, England, at the Ecuadorean embassy where he has been since August 16, 2012. “Why?” you must wonder? The answer is simple.

            Wikileaks has over the years released the most devastating information against the United States government regarding security (or lack of) of official documents and other questionable information from the American people. Much of this information contained just how unjust and unfair our government has gone in furthering incompetent behavior. Things like the truth regarding the Middle East, Benghazi, Syria and how inept and dishonest the United States government under the Obama administration has behaved.

Under President Obama’s “red lines” in the sand and his ability to “lead from behind” has resulted in damaging America to the point that the U.S. is now reduced to nearly a third-world standing. To top it off Obama has alleged it was Russia that hacked the emails. So far no proof has been provided and the intelligence agencies still maintain that their “analysis” points to the Soviets. It might be remembered that these are the same agencies that said that Iraqi’s Saddam Hussein was harboring weapons of mass destruction.

Yet, Wikileaks continues to publish damning information much to the chagrin of liberal politicians. In retaliation Obama kicked out 36 Russian diplomats. Most likely after January 20 these same diplomats will return to their posts here in the United States after enjoying a holiday vacation back home!

Regarding Assange what resulted was this: It was reported that two women filed sexual complaints against him and the Swedish government filed warrants for his arrest. Consequently he fled to England to fight his case. However, under alleged pressure, a Westminster Magistrates’ Court approved his extradition to Sweden and from there possible extradition to the United States where he would face his political enemies. Consequently he fled to the protection of the Ecuadorean embassy. Under the circumstances who wouldn’t?

Some believe that Assange has provided a service by disclosing secret information by known corrupt politicians that harmed American interests. Others, on the other hand, scream that he has violated the United States secrets and should be held accountable. Those screaming however forget that the information released by Wikileaks has never been proven to be incorrect or tampered with in any way to change the facts. Furthermore no proof has been given that he received his information from Russia.

So now there is a new sheriff in town called Donald Trump! After January 20 when he will officially take office as President of the United States will he call off the political prosecution alleged by Assange? It is doubtful Trump would allow himself to get caught up in such a game.  But as time goes on hopefully justice will be fulfilled. A lot of folks have strong objections to outlets like Wikileacks but in fairness (a term seldom used by politicians) perhaps those who harbor such power over the citizens of our country won’t be so prone to stick their fingers in the cookie jar!

With the election of Trump a new hope is emerging. Business as usual by the two houses of congress may again focus on what is good for America rather than their personal ambitions. With the Republican party now in charge of both the senate and lower house of congress and with a strong leader who is unwilling to lead from behind now at the helm, maybe  America can be great again.