Decisive Action Necessary To Show American Strength

Freedom Weekly Front Page

  While our president touts his telephone and his pen, the Russians have drawn a sword.  President Barack Obama and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin have seemingly been at odds since Putin assumed office in 2012.  Now the two world leaders’ bickering egos are recreating a seemingly bipolar world where two countries with common enemies are quickly turning against one another.  The two leaders wish to project images of strength.  The problem arises for the US with the weakness of Obama’s indecisive foreign policy.  The empty chair presidency, his failed domestic policies, and an obscure number of scandals at home make President Obama much weaker than Putin.  Russia does not have to be our enemy, but the perceived weakness of the Obama administration is putting world balance at risk.  The Cold War ended, but generational resentment and US inaction still play obvious roles in our relationship with Russia.  

  President Obama’s domestic policies have their obvious failures; however the administration’s foreign policies are in even more disarray.  President Obama has long advocated reaching out to America’s enemies.  The President went on an Apology Tour, where he essentially apologized for everything America has done to and for the world.  He even mocked opponent Mitt Romney in a 2012 debate for saying our greatest geopolitical foe is Russia.  Just a few months prior, he told then Russian president Dmitry Medvedev he would ‘have more flexibility after the election.’  Yet again, Obama has proven himself wrong.  Our enemies are now stronger, fear us less, and pose a greater threat to worldwide stability.  Russia has become our greatest geopolitical foe.  And the President is quickly running out of options on how properly deal with Putin.

  The increasing tensions between Obama and Putin were first visible after the Boston Marathon bombing.  Russia warned us about the Tsarnaev brothers, yet was blamed by the Obama administration for vague reports.  Then, at a 2013 G8 summit, the leader of the Free World and the leader who wrestles bears in the near-nude refused to use the hotel gym at the same time.  Over time, scandals such as NSA spying on foreign leaders further increased US-Russia tensions, prompting an editorial from Putin which bashed not only our president, but our entire country.  Even the Olympic Games in Sochi became a hotbed for controversy; from Russia’s harsh anti-gay laws to security issues and contingency problems.

  Many thought the climax of recent tensions with Russia was the conflict in Syria.  Obama drew a red line, yet failed to follow through with any meaningful action.  Meanwhile, Putin took the opportunity to brand himself as the shirtless world hero. 

In true KGB style, Putin neglected the atrocities committed while self-serving Russian interests.  Bashar al-Assad is still in power, civil war is still raging, and only 11% of Syria’s chemical weapon stockpiles have been removed.  Russia essentially won in the absence of a strong American president.

  Obama’s lead-from-behind foreign policy is now taking root with the recent violence in Ukraine.  As clashes between pro-Western and pro-Russian movements spilled blood in the Ukrainian capital Kiev, the President offered only rhetoric of America’s support for Maiden, who are the pro-Western protestors of a corrupt pro-Russian government.  Even after a ceasefire in Kiev, as well as installing a new government, clashes in the pro-Russian peninsula Crimea continue to destabilize Ukraine.  Putin is an opportunist.  Russia is invading Ukraine’s Crimean peninsula with Russian troops and war machines.  President Obama spoke out against Russia’s violation of Ukrainian sovereignty, saying ‘there will be costs.’  The Kremlin certainly recognizes the language in Obama’s speech.  It was the same rhetoric accompanied by an obvious lack of action that made America look weak and indecisive on the world stage.

  Putin argues that Russia has a right to defend established Russian military bases on the peninsula; however the incited riots and Russian troops on Ukrainian streets are making Ukraine look more like the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979.  Like President Obama now, Jimmy Carter took no decisive action in the early stages of the Soviet invasion. Afghanistan was then occupied by the Soviets for 9 years.  The lesson here is that history repeats itself unless we act otherwise.  Obama’s indecisive and feeble foreign policy that lacks clear and concise action may be putting America at greater future risk. 

  Russia does not have to be our enemy.  However, President Obama can no longer lead from behind.  The constant exchanges of rhetoric between Obama and Putin followed by Obama’s lack of decisive action have made our enemies less fearful of consequences.  By allowing the Russian military buildup in Ukraine, the administration would simply be allowing the former Soviet bloc to reassemble itself.  President Obama needs to send a message to Moscow: the US is not an enemy, but will not allow Russia to once again reign fear upon free people through overly aggressive military action.  America is not necessarily the world police, but like it or not, our nation must act to defend the ideals of freedom, liberty, and justice throughout the world, or tyranny will prevail.  Engrossed in his domestic policies, President Obama may believe he has a telephone and a pen to thrust his ideals upon Americans.  What the President needs to remember is that sometimes a sword is needed to defend the defenseless throughout the free world.

Published: Freedom Weekly March 5, 2014, Vol. 004 Issue 005

Terrorism And The Threat To Milwaukee

 

Photo Credit: Dan Lampariello

  On April 15, the United States of America suffered the first successful terrorist attack on innocent civilians in the homeland since 9/11. The gruesome images from the Boston Marathon bombing will be forever engrained in the minds of Americans. As the investigation into the suspected terrorists moves forward, one thing is clear; the bombers were radicalized Muslims who blended into American society. FBI sources say that the bombers’ methods, techniques, and training are sophisticated enough to suggest they may be part of a larger sleeper cell organization, with possible ties to Al-Qaeda. Sleeper cells can go undetected or overlooked in any American city, including right here in Milwaukee. If terrorist sleeper cells that have blended into society become active, is Milwaukee safe? 

  To answer that question, one must look at factors of metropolitan preparedness, risk analysis, and Milwaukee’s methods of risk mitigation. Emergency preparedness for a terrorist event, accident, or natural hazard is the first line of defense in minimizing potential for loss of life and property. Emergency management officials say that every citizen should have basic items on hand in the event of an emergency, such as water, food, and first aid kits. In extreme emergencies, Milwaukee metropolitan counties would operate under an incident command system to coordinate efforts. Mutual aid agreements, protocols, and standardized operations exist to mobilize local, state, and federal resources as needed. First responders of every county have training in responding to any emergency event, including a terrorist attack, and participate in drills to recreate the chaos following a terrorist event. 

  Most wouldn’t think of Wisconsin as a potential Al-Qaeda target; however the marathon bombings show us that any event in any city is a potential target for people who are indiscriminant in killing. Wisconsin Homeland Security has dealt with droughts, floods, and hazardous accidents in the past, and recognizes the risk of terrorism in Wisconsin. Wisconsin has a reputation as an agricultural center, and proximity to Chicago and Minneapolis add additional risk to Wisconsin population centers. Because 5 of the 10 largest cities in Wisconsin are in the Milwaukee metro area, these population centers put Southeast Wisconsin at a greater risk for a terrorist attack. Risks include Wisconsin’s critical infrastructure, public gathering sites, large water systems, utilities, agriculture industry, and critical manufacturing sites. A Wisconsin Hazards Vulnerability Report uses factors such as probability, preparedness, and impact to create a relative threat risk. The relative threat risk to Milwaukee metro for a radiological attack is 63%, which is lower than the multiple vehicle highway accident relative threat of 52%. An influenza pandemic received the highest relative threat score of 81%. Officials maintain that the largest threats to the Milwaukee metro are influenza pandemics, rail accidents, and extreme weather. 

  Terrorism and sleeper cell potential has prompted authorities to take a proactive stance on risk mitigation. Waukesha County Emergency Management Coordinator William Stolte explains that Waukesha County trains first responders to maintain situational awareness in a terrorist event, including awareness on secondary devices and hazards. Sheboygan County conducts frequent drills and exercises under county Director of Emergency Management Steven Steinhardt. One exercise included the annual NASCAR Nationwide event hosted in the county. 

  Event planning is key in minimizing security risks at public gatherings. Steve Fronk, Milwaukee Director of Emergency Management helps event organizers with security. Fronk also leads a group called Urban Area Security Initiative, a federal grant program for 5 metro counties to assess security risks and potential regional impacts. Any response to a terrorist attack would be event dependent. Specifics of response plans were not given to protect first responders. However, the Milwaukee Sheriff’s Department doesn’t believe security and event planning were the issues in Boston. The Sheriff’s Department is concerned with the lack of intelligence coming out of local fusion centers, which relay information to authorities. Sheriff David Clarke believes there are mounting counterterror intelligence issues. This comes after the grant program designated to Milwaukee for terrorism response was cut due to federal risk analysis. With decreased federal funding for local intelligence gathering, authorities must rely on a vigilant and aware public. WI Watch is a local program where citizens are urged to report any suspicious activity to counter terrorist threats. WI Watch, in conjunction with federal programs like the ‘If You See Something, Say Something’ campaign urges the public to report suspicious activities and behavior to authorities. An aware public is the best way to minimize terror related risks. 

  The Milwaukee metropolitan area uses preparedness, risk assessments, and first responder training to prepare for emergency situations. The cooperation between metro counties ensures Milwaukee is a generally safe city. However, after the terrorist attack in Boston and ensuing manhunt which shut the city down, officials are not willing to downplay terrorist risks to the Milwaukee area. Increased security measures in neighboring Chicago may make the Milwaukee area a more attractive target for terrorist sleeper cells. A vigilant and aware public may just be the deterrent needed to avoid terrorism in Milwaukee. If you see any suspicious activities or behavior, report it to 1-877-WIWATCH. Together, we can minimize the risk of terrorism and keep the Milwaukee metro area safe.

Freedom Weekly, April 2013 Vol. 003 Issue 009