By PAUL FUHS
It has been interesting to see the objections to the appointment of Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence.
These really are the objections of a failed and unaccountable agency that has done serious harm to our nation. If there ever was a need for someone outside the intelligence agencies to hold it accountable, it is now. I will provide many specific examples.
But before that, let’s remember that she is a friend of Alaska.
In 2020, the Qawalangin Tribe of Unalaska invited the 351st Civil Affairs Command of Hawaii to Unalaska for assistance with infrastructure as an Innovative Readiness Training operation.
As part of the team, Lt. Colonel Tulsi Gabbard answered the call and made the trip to Alaska to help. This commitment was near to my heart since Unalaska was my home town for many years and I was the mayor there from 1986 to 1991 as we built it into the number one fishing port in the United States.
During her stay here, she met many Alaskans who were impressed with her military experience and her straitforward and down to earth approach. Her military career is immense. From 2004 to 2005 she served as an Army specialist in the 29th Infantry Combat Team in Iraq. In 2007 she attended the Alabama Military Officers Academy where she was top of her class and in 2021 was promoted to Lt. Colonel during an assignment in the Horn of Africa. She also was elected to Congress where she was directly involved in the issues of national security and the interface of political forces at work on these issues.
In light of her current nomination as Director of National Intelligence, why does this matter? It matters because beyond showing her brave and immense accomplishments, she saw first hand the end result of the assessments and operations of the intelligence agencies. And it wasn’t the agents sitting behind a desk, watching from a satellite or drone feed, it was the soldiers on the ground who were giving their lives for their country.
This is why the failures of the intelligence community over the years is so maddening. And I am sure that this motivates Tulsi Gabbard to ensure they do not continue. The list of failures is overwhelming.
In 1964 the National Security Agency fabricated a completely false report of a Vietnamese attack on the USS Maddox, which led President Lyndon Johnson to escalate a land war in Vietnam with US troops, eventually 500,000 of them. Some 50,000 of our own soldiers were killed, many more crippled and three million Vietnamese ended up dead. They were no real threat to us and today they are our ally in the region. For details, please read the Pentagon Papers, released by our Alaska Sen. Mike Gravel.
We also witnessed the false claims of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, causing an armed conflict with many U.S casualties and costing billions of dollars. The failure to detect the 9/11 attack was more recent. Then the assassination of Muammar Gaddafi, which led to an openly terrorist Libyan state in the region. Then the failure to detect the attack on the Libyan embassy, falsely blaming it on a video release. Then the failed withdrawal from Afghanistan and needless killing of US soldiers. Then the fake FAISA warrants used to spy on the Trump campaign.
And perhaps the most egregious was the signing of a letter by 51 former intelligence officials, claiming that the laptop of Hunter Biden was Russian propaganda. President Joe Biden then use it in his debate with President Trump. This, despite the fact that the FBI had known for two years that the laptop was real.
How many more examples do we need to see that these agencies need serious management from someone who isn’t part of the problem? Whether these failures were due to incompetence or were deliberate actions to manipulate our political leaders and the American public, they need to be addressed before we send any more of our best and brightest men and women off to unnecessary wars where there is no real plan or end game. We have been doing this for the past thirty years and it needs to stop.
Because of her legitimate questions about the Ukraine war, her opponents claim she is a front for Vladimir Putin. This is based on an interview she gave on YouTube when asked about Zelenskyy’s claim that the war was about defending democracy, while demanding $60 billion of U.S. funding. She pointed out that he had called off elections after the end of his term, had jailed his political opponent, had outlawed the opposing political parties, had closed down all media that was not supportive of him and then started attacking the Russian Orthodox Church. Sound like democracy?
This isn’t Russian propaganda, it is the truth, easily verifiable by a simple internet search.
I truly believe former Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard is the person to straighten all this out. It is sickening to see how her patriotism is being questioned by people who have never looked down the barrel of a gun. She will be a protector of our true national security.
Paul Fuhs grew up in Anchorage, attending Denali Elementary, Central Junior High and graduated from West High in 1967. He was enlisted in US Army Military Intelligence, MOS 97 Delta, and a North Vietnamese linguist during the Vietnam War era, 1969-1971.
Keep saying the domino theory is made up. Tell that to Ukraine.
Huh?
The fact of the matter Greg is that if European troops from Denmark, Germany, France, Norway, Poland, Sweden & Finland had massed on the Ukrainian/Russian boarder when this mess started and told Putin to go home and stay home we would not be where we are today. Instead here we are funding a war that Ukraines own neighbors won’t help fund or fight. Europeans sit like the pacifists they are doing nothing but flapping their jaws. I hope I’m wrong but I predict a nuclear attack on Ukraine shortly. Zelenskyy said yesterday that it was wonderful Putin was scared. You know what you don’t want ?? A near dictator scared particularly one with 9000+ nuclear warheads caged rats are dangerous. Deplomacy 101 seems to escape people these days. $300 billion plus military hardware so far and counting and what are we getting out of this deal.? If you are a bible believing person a particular country boarding Europe takes over the all of Europe. Might be Russia might be China. I don’t know but it’s written in revelations. Situation is not good at the moment. And of course our main stream media could care less about soldiers getting slaughtered in fact they thrive on it so a great big bloody war they will love.
I was mainly talking about the threat of communism spreading was the real reason the Vietnam War started. All I remember reading was the threat will come from the north. North of Judea could be many places but probably not China. If it has been proficiency, it’s going to happen. Can’t change that. It also said our part of the lost tribes will be insignificant. All we can do is live our lives in as holy a way as possible.
Democrats hate Tulsi because she jumped ship. She is female, intelligent, and can think for herself…traits the Democrats highly frown on. Trump has talent for picking the right people for the job and it will be interesting to see what she can do. Under the current administration of the level of achievement is so low she really can’t go wrong.
Very good article Paul.
Thank You For Your Service
Everything Mr. Fuhs said is verifiable. Add the CIA and NSA to the list of corrupt and incompetent government agencies, which includes FBI, DOJ, FEMA, Federal DOT, NIH, CDC. The list has gotten so long, I probably have forgotten several.
Add in the NRO, which routinely monitors all U.S. cellular communication via Amazon Web Services “data centers”. Citizens phone calls. Hundreds of millions being filtered through computerized algorithms desined to detect & calculate risk.
Would love to have this beautiful Hawaiian woman as our US Senator than the miserable Lisa Murkowski.
What? You dont like Lisa’s frown like a salmon caught in a net look? LOL
What if Lisa raised your BP? What then?
Tulsi will be a huge asset to America. These government clown shows need tuned down and some need tuned off completely. I surely don’t trust many of them. They are self serving monsters.
The entrenched bureaucrats in the Intelligence Agencies are so afraid of change it’s downright hilarious watching them scurrying around, crying doom and gloom should she be confirmed. That’s why they’re using whatever means they have to smear her character. They know she’ll do a far better job than what’s not be done by this current regime. The lame stream media, which at last look, isn’t fairing well with the American populace, is trying their hardest to dig deep into her past just to come up with something that can be used against her in the upcoming confirmation hearings, of which ole hag-face Murkowski is just wringing her wrinkled up hands, salivating, waiting for the Leftist pseudo-journalists to come through.
I wish Tulsi the best and more importantly, all of Trump’s nominees, during the confirmations, which I fear will be a sh*t-show, in part due to the RINOs in the Senate (Collins, Murkowski).
Jeff, don’t forget the one you call the “ole hag-face” is the one representing Alaska in the US Senate until at least 2028. Even if you never voted for her many Alaskans know certainly did. History predicts she will be representing us until 2034. We need your advice on how to prevent that.
Jeff, don’t forget the one you call the “ole hag-face” represents Alaska in the US Senate until at least 2028. Even if you never voted for her, many Alaskans you know certainly did. History predicts she will be re-elected until 2034. We need your advice on how to prevent that.
Thank you for the excellent article. I only wish the whole nation read Must Read.
I agree with the analysis. Tulsi Gabbard is a patriot and deeply knowledgeable about national security matters. For eight years she was a member of the House Armed Services Committee and received dozens of briefings by the agencies. Throw in the twenty-one years of military service with multiple deployments, and she is a formidable force.
What is so interesting and so obvious is the level of alarm from the Deep State actors. They know that she knows about the gamesmanship, deception and misconduct from the folks at CIA, NSA, DIA and other dark agencies. They know the party may be over; that they may not be able to exercise power for their own purposes. They may have to behave like honest public servants.
I am no fan of the Donald but he has made a number of good appointments. Tulsi Gabbard is one of them.
As an independent, I have been impressed by Tulsi since 1st witnessing her in the Democrat primary! True common sense
patriot!
I’m not convinced. There’s something about Tulsi that has always made me a bit uneasy. But, if Trump wants her, I’m open to see what she’ll do.
Russia loves her.
Prove it.
The first thing we need to do is stop lying by using the term: “Russian-Ukraine War.” Those paying of a war are those waging it. Therefore, the war in Ukraine is actually a Russian-American war. The Russians see this charade for what it is: the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis in reverse. The main difference is, THIS TIME AROUND THE USA IS ACTUALLY LAUNCHING MISSILES INTO RUSSIA–an action the Russians never perpetrated in 1962. Something is seriously wrong with our Democrat-controlled administration. Serious war profiteering corruption on display.
The first thing we need to do is stop lying by using the term: “Russian-Ukraine War.” Those paying for a war are those waging it. Therefore, the war in Ukraine is actually a Russian-American war. The Russians see this charade for what it is: the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis in reverse. The main difference is, THIS TIME AROUND THE USA IS ACTUALLY LAUNCHING MISSILES INTO RUSSIA–an action the Russians never perpetrated in 1962. Something is seriously wrong with our Democrat-controlled administration. Serious war profiteering corruption on display.
I would vote for Tulsi in a heartbeat if she was on the ticket for President but the unhinged Democrats would surely take her down the muddy trail like they did to DJT for being a “traitor” to their communist style agenda.
The first thing we need to do is stop lying by using the term: “Russian-Ukraine War.” Those paying for a war are those waging it. Therefore, the war in Ukraine is actually a Russian-American war. The Russians see this charade for what it is: the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis in reverse. The main difference is, THIS TIME AROUND THE USA IS ACTUALLY LAUNCHING MISSILES INTO RUSSIA–an action the Russians never perpetrated in 1962. Something is seriously wrong with our Democrat-controlled administration. Blatant war profiteering corruption on display.
Very refreshing to read a post that is accurate and touches on a few of the serious failures and obvious manipulations by the IC, working with the State Department and Pentagon to perpetuate endless, losing wars.
The Ukraine may well have the dubious distinction of being more corrupt than our own country. There is zero accounting or audits of how much funding and the number of weapon systems that actually reach Ukraine.
Most funds disappear in the US, for MIC contracts and kickbacks to politicians.
Whatever arrives in Ukraine is further skimmed by the authorities, and many weapon systems and munitions turn up on the black markets.
Zelenskii, for example, has purchased homes in the US and Europe. The regimes’ collapse is imminent, Zelenskii and a host of his inner circle will flee with the cash, as our installed Afghan regime leaders did.
We need Tulsi to expose and end these dangerous and increasing debt crippling foreign projects.
Our DNI and DHS pose an existential threat to the life and agenda of President – elect Trump, his family, and anyone he appoints who is serious about exposing and eliminating the parastitcal permanent administrative state who serve our oligarchs.
The biggest crook on the Planet is Putin. He, and about 1,000 of his cronies have stolen more than one trillion dollars from the Russian people. Putin needs war in order to distract the Russian people from his massive crimes, which includes murdering his opponents. Putin invaded Crimea, the Republic of Georgia, and now Eastern Ukraine.
Let’s not forget Putin is a state sponsor of terror. He has launched thousands of missile strikes against civilian cities. He has killed women and children with reckless abandon. Putin now has an arrest warrant by the ICC, and we should look forward to the day this madman is killed or captured.
Those who aid Putin are no different than those who supported Hitler- scum of the Earth.
The ICC is toast, they put a warrant out on Netanyahu. Lindsay Graham and the cast of stuttering neocons are coming unglued. Not to mention most countries could care less what the ICC does.
Economically, according to the extremely biased IMF, World Bank and CIA, Russia now has rapidly expanded into the 4th largest economy. There a tens of millions benefiting. The sanctions we levied are very effective at destroying our satellite Euro vassals and benefiting the Russian Federation. Its’ much more profitable not to do business with the US and Europe! With Germany imploding into a failed state, lots of engineers and highly skilled tradesmen are emigrating to Russia.
If the US GDP was accurately stated, removing the 50% of federal and state government spending and currency printing, India would beat us now.
Militarily the Russians are extremely advanced, recently destroying a massive, mostly underground military industrial complex, covering many square kilometers, with their hypersonic missile the “Hazel”. The MRV warheads, without explosives, just the kinetic energy destroyed the complex.
Maneuvering at speeds of over mach 10, we have no ability to intercept this system. They literally can warn civilians in advance as there is no concern for any air defense system in existence.
Our military and universities are too busy implementing DEI, no focus, and maybe no more ability, to train engineers and design state of the art weapon systems.
I suggest you research how the Russian government actually works, instead of the incessant screeching of Putin the dictator.
Learning how our government actually works is a better use of time, you might realize where the real threats that effect our rights, security and economy are.
Under Putin:
700,000 dead and wounded in this war started by the insane dictator Putin.
Nato expanded by two new, countries. Finland and Sweden.
The Russian Ruble at the lowest value against the US dollar, ever. One US dollar buys .008 rubles.
A warrant for Putin’s arrest.
The Russian media, and citizens, banned from getting or delivering international news by your dictator.
Yeah, you’re “winning” all right. Sarc.
The Ukrainian fascist regime you look up to are working for your Democrat Party leaders and now are fleeing the sinking ship like rats.
The wife of MP Kotvitskyi fled with US $28 million and €1.3 million, all cash, another Ukraine MP with
€ 68,000, US $140,000, 12kg gold, 13.8kg gold jewelry.
The Poles are saying half of the “aid” we send that makes it past our senators in Washington is being stolen by the Ukrainian regime. That’s why they enthusiastically fly the Ukraine flag in Congress. (Not our Stars and Stripes which is apparently offensive to many here back home).
Now your war monger in chief, Biden, is working to obtain another $25 Billion going away gift approved to loot 10% for the “big” guy himself, for all the hard work and success of his administration.
What Putin was a low ranking flunky in the KGB, part of his training involved having sex with men. and women- for sexpionage. The idea was to use this KGB training in order to seduce officials working for the Germans, Americans, etc. The KGB was able to seduce dozens of officials, to include a secretary working for West German Chancellor Konrad Adenauer. The thing that stood out about Putin is that he enjoyed having sex with men.
In the end, part of Putin’s rage is that he hates people who are smarter, better educated, and better looking (and taller) than he is. It is why he hated Navalny so much- to the point he had his popular political opponent jailed, and then murdered.
Fun fact:
Did you know the Russian ruble is so worthless under Putin that it is less expensive for Americans to wipe their bums with the Ruble than toilet paper?
The way I see it, Tulsi stuck her finger in the air a few years ago to see which way the political winds were blowing and decided it was best to jump on the MAGA train in order to save her political career. It’s amazing how quick everyone forgets her stance against Trump saying, “…there is no question in my mind that Donald Trump is unfit to serve as President and Commander in Chief. I’ve said this over and over…” All of her comments about Trump making decisions that are counter to the best interests of our country such as getting us out of the Iran deal, and “being Saudi Arabia’s bitch is not America First” and how Trump was “pimping out our men and women in uniform to a foreign power who’s the highest bidder” make me seriously question her judgment.
And since you brought up looking down the barrel of a gun Paul, her statements and VOTES against our GOD given right to self-defense and our Second Amendment proved that she believed that only the .gov and criminals had the right to point one at us. Her anti-gun stance was well known to those of us paying attention and valued our rights. She co-sponsored bills that would ban AR-15’s and limit magazine capacity for example, and opposed bills like HR38 so we could have National Concealed Carry Reciprocity.
I don’t buy it for a second that she has suddenly changed her core beliefs after what she has said and done while she was in office, regardless of her recent statements trying to explain away what she did while she was entrusted with political power. At that level, and with that much information available to her, she should know better.
I simply do not trust her.
Add in the NRO, which routinely monitors all U.S. cellular communication via Amazon Web Services “data centers”. Citizens phone calls. Hundreds of millions being filtered through computerized algorithms desined to detect & calculate risk.
This 2023:
‘https://oversight.house.gov/release/comer-releases-third-bank-memo-detailing-payments-to-the-bidens-from-russia-kazakhstan-and-ukraine%EF%BF%BC/
Paul, thanks for reminding us of the cost of the Iraq war- which was built on lies. The actual cost was higher than you state- over one trillion dollars, with over 5,000 dead American troops, and one million dead Iraqis.
The attack you made on Ukraine isn’t fair. Ukraine is under martial law due entirely to Russia invading the country. How the heck do you hold elections when entire cities are occupied by Russian scum? How do the ballots get distributed, and countred fairly? The country is fighting for its survival, and the sole focus needs to be on destroying the Russian scum who’ve invaded.
Ukraine is under martial law because the people hate the dictator we installed, and despite the fact he banned all political parties, except his, he would be out if there were elections. People just don’t know what’s good for them, you can’t trust voters.
Zekenskii’s term ran out in March, it is unconstitutional for him to remain. He uses British SAS thugs for security, as Ukrainians are not reliable.
We held elections in 1864 and 1944, in the midst of wars, and the presidents were kept in office. But then again, we were more or less a constitutional republic, not a failed, disintegrating, de populating, fascist/Banderite state.
Russians aren’t occupying Ukraine, they are liberating the oblasts whose citizens overwhelmingly voted (in wartime with US/NATO mercenaries raining artillery shells on civilians) to leave the failed money laundering mat our CIA/State Department created from the brief Ukraine construct (1991-2022) on behalf of the Biden crime family and our corporations.
Correction- one Ruble equals .0088 US Dollars.