Beltway Insider: Obama/ISIS; Zika Virus; Election 2016; Iowa/NH; NYT Endorses GOP/Dem; Joe Citizen

President Obama declared February 2016 National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month citing shocking statistics of violence in dating relationships, regardless of gender, race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation or socioeconomic status is common and young women most vulnerable.

According to Gallup, President Obama's job approval, over the past week, remained consistent with 48% of those polled who approve of his effectiveness as President and those who disapprove of his effectiveness as President also remained consistent at 47%.

Obama Meets with National Security Council on ISIS

President Obama released information on the National Security Council meeting held this week to present the most current plans to degrade, dismantle and destroy the Islamic State.

"Degrading and destroying ISIL will continue to require coordination and cooperation among a wide range of global partners, and the United States is strongly committed to continuing to lead the shared efforts of the Global Coalition to Counter ISIL," the Press Secretary Josh Earnest said.

The United States in coordination with global partners and nations have concluded in order to obliterate the terror organization and completely dismantle its leadership wherever it is known, a concerted effort with all coalition nations and partners is imperative.

The President spoke clearly of the United State's intentions to expose, uncover and root out and member, affiliate or entity of the terrorist group in any country, nation or state anywhere in the world, whether known to the leadership or unknown. Libya specifically was noted as a safe haven nation for the Islamic State.

The Global Coalition to Counter ISIL/ISIS is accelerating its plans and efforts stepping up military plans and diplomatic efforts to stop the stated goals of the terror organization to expand outside if Syria and Iraq.

Zika Virus - New and Unknown Deadly Virus

The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced the Zika Virus, has announced they will hold an emergency meeting Monday to discuss the sudden acceleration and spread of this deadly and dangerous disease.

According to the CDC , the WHO and other governing medical bodies those who are at most risk are pregnant women, those considering pregnancy and those of pregnancy bearing age. The apparent link between the virus and a particular birth defect in women who have contacted the Zika virus is what is puzzling scientists and medical personal.

"The unique role that the United States can play in mobilizing an international response to diseases like this that do pose a broader public health risk.  And we're certainly mindful of all of that as we consider the risk that is posed by the Zika virus. Most of our efforts right now, however, are focused on sharing information with the public about steps that they can take to protect themselves.  And again, this is a risk that is most acute for pregnant women, or women who are planning to become pregnant.  For people who are not pregnant, men and women, the Zika virus is basically a mild, non-fatal form of Dengue fever.  And the most common symptoms are things like a mild fever, a rash, or conjunctivitis," Josh Earnest, White House Press Secretary said.

Read Also - Beltway Insider: Obama/Trickledown Agenda; Students/Journos Murdered; Flint; Killer Winter Storm

Election 2016

Iowa Caucus - New Hampshire

The Iowa Caucus, a well known term every media pundit and political watcher in every city across America is tossing out with authority, is in actuality is probably the most unknown process in the upcoming election.

Whereas the New Hampshire primaries, the first primary in the nation, is based on the actual tally of vote cast by voters in a polling place for candidates, any and all of them.

The Iowa caucus, a first blood and bragging rights win, is based on the word 'Caucus' defined as a meeting of supporters or members of a specific political party or movement to select candidates or decide party.

In Iowa republicans cast secret ballots. Easy, your neighbor could support Donald Trump and no one would be any the wiser. Democrats however have it slightly more difficult. They must stand in front of the group of people they are with and say I will support Hillary or Bernie or Martin before a caucus vote can be cast for that person.

So where does that leave the tried and true Middle American swing population? Have the good people of Iowa progressed enough to stand in front of God and their neighbor and support Hillary Clinton? Or Socialist Democratic Bernie Sanders? Will mainstream martin O'Malley play spoiler?  

Winners in Iowa carry momentum and by the day's end winning campaigns will have every candidate from the beginning of elections that won Iowa and went on the win the Presidency.

New Hampshire nine days later. Limping into the Granite state after an Iowa loss has spelled doom for more than one candidate. Hillary, while hoping to win has got to concede certain states to Sanders and his home state in nearby Vermont may just spell doom for a New Hampshire win.

The New York Times Endorses Hillary Clinton and Ohio Governor John Kasich

The New York Times, one for the oldest and most liberal newspapers in the country has endorsed Democratic challenger Hillary Rodham Clinton for the Democratic Presidential nomination and Governor John Kasich for the Republican nomination.

The New York Times piece, bylined by the editorial board, makes mentioned of the vast differences the candidates bring to the office as well as their overwhelming support of Mrs. Clinton, through endorsements on three separate occasions.

Listing her resume, the nuances, a senator from a large state (New York), Secretary of State, her vast First lady offices, it could be said she has a complete knowledge of the office of which she is campaign to hold. Her knowledge is not limited.

Her gender, obviously is mentioned. And in a season of surprising choices by the public a female, no matter whom she has debated in the public or private forum, should not be considered unusual especially one as familiar as the public is with Mrs. Clinton. She is a welcomed confident or a third cousin you wished wouldn't show up, either way, she is well known and her politics clear. She is not a political neophyte. This Presidential title is the cap on a long career.

"In the end, though, Mr. Sanders does not have the breadth of experience or policy ideas that Mrs. Clinton offers. His boldest proposals — to break up the banks and to start all over on health care reform with a Medicare-for-all system — have earned him support among alienated middle-class voters and young people. But his plans for achieving them aren't realistic, while Mrs. Clinton has very good, and achievable, proposals in both areas," the New York Times Editorial board wrote.

Hillary Clinton is the right choice for the Democrats to present a vision for America that is radically different from the one that leading Republican candidates offer — a vision in which middle-class Americans have a real shot at prosperity, women's rights are enhanced, undocumented immigrants are given a chance at legitimacy, international alliances are nurtured and the country is kept safe.

Opposing the Democratic Challenger, as this is the first election in eight years that neither ticket does not include an incumbent. After reviewing the candidates and systematically presenting various and foundational reasons they aren't fit to lead the nation, The New York Times settled on Gov. John Kasich of Ohio.

The New York Times Takes on the GOP

Gov. John Kasich of Ohio, though a distinct underdog, is the only plausible choice for Republicans tired of the extremism and inexperience on display in this race. And Mr. Kasich is no moderate. As governor, he's gone after public-sector unions, fought to limit abortion rights and opposed same-sex marriage.

Still, as a veteran of partisan fights and bipartisan deals during nearly two decades in the House, he has been capable of compromise and believes in the ability of government to improve lives. He favors a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, and he speaks of government's duty to protect the poor, the mentally ill and others "in the shadows."

Read The New York Times Endorsement of Hillary Clinton -

Read The New York Times Endorsement of Gov. John Kasich -

Joe Citizen and the Responsibilities Entrusted

After seven years of President Obama, the process to choose the nest president is beginning. By now, the candidates, Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump, Bernie Sanders, Ted Cruz, Martin O'Malley, Marco Rubio John Kasich, and Jeb Bush, Ben Carson, Chris Christie, Carly Fiorina, Jim Gilmore and Rand Paul.

The 2016 Election season begins in earnest this week with the Iowa Caucuses. For the Democrats and Republicans, both groups of candidates, from the bloated with redundancy GOP to the streamlined Democrats, Election 2016, is already proving to be one of the costliest and unfortunately for the people, the most dirtiest.

Donald Trump, by far the wealthiest and surprisingly the lead GOP candidate, spends from his own source. His 10billion dollar fortune is financing the 2 million per week in ad spend, and by his own admission his campaign is 35million dollars under budget. He often boasts of his ability to run for president, spend an over the top amount of money and still make money on the campaign.

Once front runner and thought heir apparent to the GOP nod former Florida Governor Jeb Bush, is exceedingly well funded with Super Pacs and Campaign Finance. He maybe be fourth in the poles and the fact remains he can stay in the race a significant amount of time.

On the Democrat side, former Secretary of State Clinton has nearly 100million in both outside money and committee money. She is in this race for the long haul.

Clinton's dedication to and service is well known, she is well educated, both in politics, in the world forum, the players, the hot spots, the allies, enemies and undecided. She needs no on the job training, she can walk in sit down and get to business.

It is possible that she will be the only candidate who is forced to answer for her husband's poor choices and bad decisions. Is she responsible? Really?

Her dedication to service, without saying a word, was voiced strongest on those days.

Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders has gathered enough momentum to be taken seriously. The Democratic debates have given the three Democratic challengers opportunity to present the strengths and determinations.

Senator Sanders, a self-proclaimed democratic socialist has a base support popular with disenfranchised voters, youth and lower 99percenters. Gathering support of the fringe populous does place you on debate night, and provide television time, it will not, however, win elections as these constituents are the very ones who want to dispose of the Electoral College system and believe absenteeism, off the grid politics, represent the strongest voice. No vote; no win.

The debates which have showcased the dozen men and two women who believe they are fit to assume the role as President of the United States, along with that the leader of the free world. And yes, inheriting with that the current administration policies for better or worse, and the issues plaguing the world, from Iran and the Nuclear Debate, the hard feelings between the United States and Israel, the Islamic State and its desire for global domination and that is only a single region.

The Asian pacific region, Europe, the Syrian exodus, which is a blight on the Obama Administration and an open wound as more and more Syrian citizen flee, the treacherous Assad and the continuing Civil war to a burden and overloaded European Union, Germany and other countries.

As Americans head to the polling place through the next six months the most important decision we the people can make at this time is to vote, to show up at the designated polling place and cast the ballot.

Voting, and with all the discriminatory rhetoric that has circulated as of late, the voting process places each citizen o an even playing field. Casting ones ballot in the primary process calls each citizen to help the designated candidate of choice build points, like the hate group operating from New York, except building a hate point system, the candidate are accumulating delegate wins.

Beginning with the Iowa Caucasus, primaries will be held across every state. Take part in the process, form an opinion, register to vote, be a part of the ground swell, the grass roots coalition of the uncommon citizen, the one that actually votes.

Common myths about registering to vote: males are immediately entered into the Draft. America no longer utilizes the military draft. Felons are restricted from voting. If you have the right use it; ask anyone who doesn't. Ballots are available at post offices everywhere.

Register to vote, show up at the polling place and cast your vote.  Both Team Hillary and Team Donald et al are counting on it.

For more information on President Barack Obama: www.whitehouse.gov

Sources: Whitehouse.gov, Wikipedia.com,

#JeSuisParis

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