Obama: Bin Laden raid was 'a 55/45 situation' - CNN

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excerpt ..

Washington (CNN) -- Sending U.S. troops on a dangerous mission to get Osama bin Laden was worth the risks, even though it was not certain the al Qaeda leader was in the Pakistani compound, U.S. President Barack Obama said in a "60 Minutes" interview Sunday on CBS.

"This was still a 55/45 situation," Obama told CBS. "I mean, we could not say definitively that bin Laden was there. Had he not been there, then there would have been some significant consequences."

"Obviously, we're going into the sovereign territory of another country and landing helicopters and conducting a military operation," he said. "And so, if it turns out that it's a wealthy, you know, prince from Dubai who's in this compound and, you know, we've sent special forces in, we've got problems."

It's been a whirlwind week since bin Laden's death

But the president says he did not lose sleep over "the possibility of taking bin Laden out."

"Justice was done," Obama said. "And I think that anyone who would question that the perpetrator of mass murder on American soil didn't deserve what he got needs to have their head examined."

The president's biggest worry was that "Murphy's Law applies and something happens," he said. "Can we still get our guys out?"
One of the helicopters crashed early in the raid, but Obama said there was "a backup plan."
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Obama and his closest advisers gathered in the White House Situation Room to monitor the mission in real time, he said.

"And it was the longest 40 minutes of my life, with the possible exception of when Sasha got meningitis when she was three months old, and I was waiting for the doctor to tell me that she was all right," he said. "It was a very tense situation."
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Obama: Bin Laden raid Was 'a 55/45 situation' - CNN
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The Meck Report / Blog - May 9, 2011 - 2:43p

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Serenading Huckabee -- Politico / Ben Smith

Posted by The Meck

Oh my goodness .. 
Check this video/band out.

Gov. Huckabee has his own TV Show .. Radio Show.
And now a band has a song for him -- Huck A Bee.

Serenading Huckabee -- Politico / Ben Smith
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The Meck Report / Blog - May 8, 2011 - 1:59p

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Seve Always The Fighter ... In Golf And Life -- Robert Lusetich

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excerpts ..
Of very few men could it be said that they changed the face of a sport.
In golf, none left their mark quite like Severiano Ballesteros.

The suave, dashing swashbuckler from Pedrena, a small fishing village on Spain's windswept northern coast, was "special," as his brothers warned us before he exploded onto the scene, still a teen, with a second-place finish at the 1976 British Open.
"He was the greatest show on earth," said his contemporary, Nick Faldo.

And in that, Faldo has never been more right, because although other champions may have won more often, when Seve was Seve, and at the top of his game, there was no taking your eyes off him.

"On a golf course he had everything," Lee Trevino once said, "I mean everything; touch, power, know-how, courage and charisma."
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Ballesteros routinely pulled off audacious shots others wouldn't even dream of attempting, and while the bravado that fuels such aggression was very much in his nature, some of it's explained, too, by the fact that he came from a country not steeped in golf tradition, so he wasn't bound by conventions and dogma.

He wasn't restricted to the "right" way of doing things.

He'd learned to play as a boy on the sand with a rusted 3-iron.
He had, in essence, invented his own way to play, guided by an artist's eye and an indefatigable determination to succeed.
"The aspect of his personality that shone through more than anything for me was his self-belief," said his European Ryder Cup teammate, Sam Torrance. "Seve was convinced he could do anything if he set his mind to it."

It wasn't coincidental that when Seve's self-taught game began to desert him in his mid-30s and, in desperation, he reached out to noted golf instructors for conventional teaching, that his deterioration only worsened.

The truth is that he could only do it his way or he couldn't do it at all.

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Seve Always The Fighter ... In Golf And Life -- Robert Lusetich
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The Meck Report / Blog - May 8, 2011 - 1:45p

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GOLF GREAT SEVE BALLESTEROS DIES

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Spanish golf legend Severiano Ballesteros, who underwent surgery for a brain tumor three years ago, died early Saturday at his home in northern Spain.
Ballesteros was regarded as one of golf's all-time greats. He was 54.

"Today [Saturday], at 2:10am Spanish time, Seve Ballesteros passed away peacefully surrounded by his family at his home in Pedrena," a statement on his official website said.

"The Ballesteros family is very grateful for all the support and gestures of love that have been received since Seve was diagnosed with a brain tumor on 5th October 2008 at Madrid Hospital la Paz.
"At this time the family asks for respect and privacy at such a painful time."
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A statement on the website Friday said Ballesteros had suffered a "severe deterioration" in his condition.
Ballesteros — who won five majors, including the Masters twice, during his 30-year professional career — underwent surgery for a brain tumor, followed by a course of chemotherapy, three years ago.

He had four operations to remove the tumor following a collapse at a Madrid airport in October 2008.
He underwent an initial 12-hour operation, but further surgery was necessary before he was well enough to return home and begin chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment.

Severiano "Seve" Ballesteros was born in Pedrena on April 9, 1957. He turned pro at age 16 in 1974 and finished second at the British Open at age 19 in 1976.

He would go on to win the British Open three times in his career (1979, '84, '88) and don the green jacket twice (1980 and '83) at Augusta National.

The former world No. 1 holds the record for European Tour victories with 50.

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GOLF GREAT SEVE BALLESTEROS DIES
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The Meck Report / Blog - May 7, 2011 - 1:55a

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Obama Meets With Navy SEAL Team 6, The Unit Who Raided Bin Laden - CNN

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While at Fort Campbell, the president, along with Vice President Joe Biden, privately met with members of Navy SEAL Team 6, the unit that conducted the raid.
Obama and Biden thanked the commandos and were briefed on the operation by the unit members who conducted it, according to a White House official.

Obama awarded Presidential Unit Citations to the units involved in the mission, the official said. The citation is the highest such honor that can be given to a military unit.
"They practiced tirelessly for this mission, and when I gave the order they were ready," the president told the troops. "They're America's quiet professionals."

It was a "job well done," he said.
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Obama Meets With Navy SEAL Team 6, The Unit Who Raided Bin Laden - CNN 
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The Meck Report / Blog - May 6, 2011 - 6:55p

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Family: Ballesteros' Health Failing -- Fox Sports

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excerpt ..

Golf great Seve Ballesteros has suffered ''severe deterioration'' in his recovery from a cancerous brain tumor and is being cared for at home.
The 54-year-old Spanish star was resting at his home in the northern Spanish town of Pedrena, where he has mostly been since undergoing four operations in late 2008, his family said Friday.

''The family will inform accordingly about any change in his health condition and takes this opportunity of thanking everyone for the support that both Seve and his own family have been receiving during all this time,'' a statement on the golfer's website said.
It said his ''neurological condition has suffered a severe deterioration.''

Ballesteros won three British Opens and two Masters with a game marked by spectacular improvisational play. One of the best-known personalities in Spain and the golfing world, he also won 50 times on the European Tour and is widely credited with transforming European golf.

Spanish golfers Jose Maria Olazabal and Miguel Angel Jimenez were visibly upset after finishing their second rounds at the Spanish Open in Terrassa and declined to speak to reporters.

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Family: Ballesteros' Health Failing -- Fox Sports
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The Meck Report / Blog - May 6, 2011 - 6:39p

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Obama Visits Ground Zero; Honors 9/11 Victims - CNN

Posted by The Meck

 excerpt ..
"I wanted to just come up here to thank you," Obama said in prepared remarks, after eating lunch with firefighters and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani. "This is a symbolic site of the extraordinary sacrifice that was made on that terrible day almost 10 years ago."
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The president visited with members of Fire Engine 54, Battalion Nine, which lost 15 men after al Qaeda hijackers flew two commercial airliners into the World Trade Center's twin towers.

"Obviously we can't bring back your friends that were lost," he said. "I know that each and every one of you not only grieve for them, but have also over the last 10 years dealt with their family."
The men of Engine 54 left behind 28 children, collectively.
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The meetings with firefighters were private exchanges during which the president sought to mark an end to the near decade-long hunt for the Qaeda leader, officials say.

"It was a wonderful gesture, based on the news that we got of Osama bin Laden's death," New York Fire Chief Edward Kilduff told reporters.
"For him to come here to see the faces of those killed in 9/11," Kilduff said, referring to photographs that hung inside the firehouse of the men who died, "I think it really meant something to him."

Read more/Video
Obama Visits Ground Zero; Honors 9/11 Victims - CNN
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The Meck Report / Blog - May 5, 2011 - 4:05p

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Hudson's 1-Hit Shutout Gives Braves A Sweep Of Milwaukee - AJC

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excerpts ..
This time, Tim Hudson didn’t have to worry about not pitching in the ninth inning.
He pitched a one-hit masterpiece Wednesday night against Milwaukee in an 8-0 win that gave the Braves a doubleheader sweep of the Brewers and earned Hudson his first complete-game win since 2008. They won 8-3 in the opener.
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On Wednesday, he needed only 102 pitches to record 27 outs, allowing one hit and one walk with six strikeouts in his 24th complete game and 12th shutout. Rickie Weeks had a double in the fourth inning and a walk in the ninth, and no other Milwaukee batter reached base against Hudson (4-2).
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Tommy Hanson won his third consecutive start in the first game Wednesday, and McLouth had his hands on things all day and night from the eighth position in the order.
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Hanson (4-3) pitched six strong innings (two runs, three hits) in the opener and got plenty of offensive support from McLouth and Prado, who had three hits and three RBIs.

“Big win for us; I don’t even remember the last time we were over .500,” Hanson said after the Braves pushed their record above .500 since for the first time since April 5.
“April 5? See. I mean that was almost a month ago,” said Hanson, had seven strikeouts with two walks. “We need to just keep pushing and playing hard every game, and hopefully look up and we’ll be multiple games above .500.”

Hudson's 1-Hit Shutout Gives Braves A Sweep Of Milwaukee - AJC / David O'Brien
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The Meck Report / Blog - May 5, 2011 - 12:02a

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Obama: I Won't Release Bin Laden Death Photos - CBS

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excerpt ..
In an interview with Steve Kroft for this Sunday's "60 Minutes" conducted today, President Obama said he won't release post-mortem images of Osama bin Laden taken to prove his death.

"It is important to make sure that very graphic photos of somebody who was shot in the head are not floating around as an incitement to additional violence or as a propaganda tool," said the president.

"We don't trot out this stuff as trophies," Mr. Obama added. "The fact of the matter is, this is somebody who was deserving of the justice that he received."

The president said he had discussed the issue with his intelligence team, including Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and that they agree with the decision. White House press secretary Jay Carney said Wednesday that Mr. Obama made the decision today.

President Obama interviewed on "60 Minutes," May 4, 2011.

(Credit: CBS)
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In explaining his choice not to release the photo, Mr. Obama said that "we don't need to spike the football." He said that "given the graphic nature of these photos it would create a national security risk."

Obama: I Won't Release Bin Laden Death Photos - CBS News

The Meck Report / Blog - May 4, 2011 - 11:23p

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Getting Osama Bin Laden: How The Mission Went Down - Politico

Posted by The Meck

excerpt ..
The helicopter carrying Navy SEALs malfunctioned as it approached Osama bin Laden’s compound at about 3:30 p.m. ET Sunday, stalling as it hovered. The pilot set it down gently inside the walls, then couldn’t get it going again.
It was a heart-stopping moment for President Barack Obama, who had been monitoring the raid in the White House Situation Room, surrounded by members of his war cabinet.
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“Obviously, everyone was thinking about Black Hawk Down and Desert One,” a senior administration official recalled.

The SEALs disembarked.
“The assault team went ahead and raided the compound, even though they didn’t know if they would have a ride home,” an official said.
The special forces put bombs on the crippled chopper and blew it up, then lifted off in a reinforcement craft just before 4:15 p.m.

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Getting Osama Bin Laden: How The Mission Went Down - Politico / Mike Allen
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The Meck Report / Blog - May 4, 2011 - 10:58p

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Mike Huckabee Calls President Obama's Decision To Go After Bin Laden "Gutsy." | Birmingham News

                                         Huck/Meck photo - The Meck archives

Posted by The Meck

Here's a good article regarding my longtime friend, Mike Huckabee, speaking in Birmingham Al. today.
Gov. Huckabee has no problem giving President Obama credit for his "gutsy" decision to use special forces to find/kill Bin Laden. In the last 2 years, Gov. Huckabee has been critical and very complimentary of President Obama.
He knows you can never be viewed as believable/credible if you aren't at least objective.
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President Obama will be very difficult to defeat in 2012. Before Bin Laden's death and for sure after. Gov. Huckabee would be the only one [I believe] who would have a legitimate chance to unseat Obama. [He should have been the GOP nominee in 2008]. 
It is a tough assignment .. to defeat an incumbent President. History confirms that.
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Is Gov. Huckabee running for President in 2012 ..?
He hasn't decided yet. That's what he's shared with me over the last several months. 
Meck
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excerpt .. Bham News

In another moment that drew applause, Huckabee praised what he called President Barack Obama's "gutsy" decision to go after bin Laden deep inside Pakistan using special forces, instead of the easier decision to launch an air attack.

"I give him (Obama) credit for making some very tough and very good decisions," Huckabee said speaking to a questioner who had just appeared critical of Obama for taking what she called "credit" for killing bin Laden.

"Let's be fair. This is a man who could have just said, 'Let's go drop some bombs on the compound.' He didn't do that," Huckabee said. "Instead, he took the risky decision, a gutsy decision, to send in the (Navy) Seals. It frankly showed in him a level of leadership I had not seen in him the previous two years."

Mike Huckabee Calls President Obama's Decision To Go After Bin Laden "Gutsy" - Bham News
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The Meck Report / Blog - May 3, 2011 - 8:02p

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Huckabee Rally - Montgomery Ala - 02/02/08
Backstage - Gov. Mike Huckabee visits w/ Mike Schmitz and The Meck   
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MIKE HUCKABEE'S VISIT TO DOTHAN - MAY 1st, 2008

The Meck Visits w/ Mike Huckabee - Jan 3, 2008

Navy SEALs, The 'Quiet Professionals,' Got Bin Laden - CNN

 Posted by The Meck

Navy SEALS, The 'Quiet Professionals,' Got Bin Laden - CNN
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The Meck Report / Blog - May 3, 2011 - 3:14p

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