Rumsfeld on Robertson:
By on Aug 23rd, 2005 at 3:35 pm
Rumsfeld on Robertson:
“He’s a private citizen. Private citizens say all kinds of things all the time.”
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And is Rumsfeld wrong? Obviously, you people don’t read your own rants if you can’t agree with that statement.
August 23rd, 2005 at 3:38 pmI should note that was a dumb, hypocritical thing for Roberts to say. Of course, so is alot of what is written on this site.
August 23rd, 2005 at 3:40 pmRobertson is no more or less a private citizen than Cindy Sheehan.
August 23rd, 2005 at 3:44 pmAnd so is alot of what is said from the Bush Administration like “The war in Iraq is over.” And so is alot from the Religious Right (read: Conservative Right Wing) like “the Earth is 10,000 years old”. Too bad these idiots are not private citizens and are running your country.
August 23rd, 2005 at 3:45 pm#3 – good point.
#4 – Stop being anti-Christian please. Defend Christianity like you defend Islam.
August 23rd, 2005 at 3:47 pmHey NED,
I don’t recall Rumsfeld saying that
August 23rd, 2005 at 3:47 pmto Bill Maher. The point is hypocrisy,
but I guess you guys really don’t get that.
Rummy said nothing either way, if I remember. If I remember, he wasn’t asked about Bill Maher.
Robertson is an idiot. The MSM loves him because they can use him to show what a bunch of jesus freaks Republicans are. He’s not nearly as relevant as he used to be. But, crow away. Thanks to Pat, you’ve earned it.
August 23rd, 2005 at 3:50 pmHypocrisy is adamantly supporting a war and a “war President” yet not being willing to subject your own skin to the cause. That is the very epitome of hypocrisy.
August 23rd, 2005 at 3:50 pmLast I checked, trying to incite one’s followers to commit murder was illegal, private citizen or no.
And Neddy, it isn’t about Christianity, nor is it about Islam. It’s about what the leaders associated with those religions do in the religions’ name. Unless you can find anything in the scriptures that advocate assassination, the religions themselves are blameless.
August 23rd, 2005 at 3:53 pmThere is a pattern to this administration’s
comments about what people say:
1) “People are free to say” or “he is a
private citizen” are code words for
“I agree” or “that’s our spin-point and
we are sticking to it”.
2) “watch what you say” or “aid to the enemy”
August 23rd, 2005 at 3:53 pmis reserved for anything critical or in
disagreement with Cheney administration policy
or which points out another incompetent
blunder.
CNN international’s “Your World Today” covered this story well during lunch hour, putting Robertson in his place. But don’t expect the same on our CNN or any other 24/7 n/w.
For example, MSNBC was SERIOUSLY discussing assassination as an option.
August 23rd, 2005 at 3:55 pm#9 – you win on Roberts. See #7 and #2.
Jay – you’re wrong. I oppose the draft. I support our troops. Does not translate I have to join or I forfeit my right to speak about it. AND if you are saying that only the uniformed are entitled an opinion about the war, you would still lose since a large majority of the military supports this war and this President.
August 23rd, 2005 at 3:55 pmafterthought….you nailed it!
August 23rd, 2005 at 3:56 pm#11 – would you assasinate Bin Laden if you had the chance? Would that be ok if someone did?
I disagree with Roberts saying what he said – he’s supposedly pro-life, but the policy is debatable.
August 23rd, 2005 at 3:57 pmDilemma wrote:
“Jay – you’re wrong. I oppose the draft. I support our troops.”
Do you support the war?
August 23rd, 2005 at 3:57 pmYes, I do Jay.
August 23rd, 2005 at 3:58 pmIf I go on television and advocate the murder of Pat Robertson, will Rummy come to my defense?
August 23rd, 2005 at 4:00 pmIf you support the war but don’t have the courage to fight in it, that makes you a coward and/or a hypocrite. Which is it?
August 23rd, 2005 at 4:00 pm#14 – killing Bin Laden is not assassination, you dimwit! BTW, why hasn’t your hero Bush killed him yet?
August 23rd, 2005 at 4:01 pmNeither Jay. Where does it say you must fight in a war to have an opinion on it?
August 23rd, 2005 at 4:01 pm#19 – good question. I’d like to the bastard dead ASAP.
August 23rd, 2005 at 4:02 pmI’m with Gary here. This is not just harmless
August 23rd, 2005 at 4:02 pmtalk from Robertson. He is influential (why, I don’t know) and
some wack-job follower might take him up
on one of these suggestions. The best Rumsfeld can do
is say the “private citizen” thing?
Really?
Doesn’t that sort of suggest they agree
without actually saying it?
Sort of like April Gillespie suggesting to
Saddam that the U.S. has no opinion on the Kuwait
dispute prior to Gulf War I?
An opinion is too vague. You’ve stated that you “support” it. See the difference.
August 23rd, 2005 at 4:03 pmWhere does it say you must fight in a war to have an opinion on it?
Nowhere, Neddy. That’s a straw man. Nobody but nobody is claiming that you don’t have the right to be a hypocritical little coward.
August 23rd, 2005 at 4:03 pm#20 – it’s not said anywhere, but if you’re of serving age, please volunteer and help our overstretched military. We’re asking you.
Also, your statement that those in the military “like Bush” is flawed. They will support the commander-in-chief for as long as they are in active duty, despite their dislike of Bush the person. Once they come out of it they will speak out against the war, like IVAW, optruth, Paul Hackett etc..
August 23rd, 2005 at 4:06 pmJay – so I have to serve in a war to support it. Under the standards of this blog, maybe.
Just so you know a*shole – I worked in the WTC before your friends drove into it. I take the subway every day and have everyday since 9/11. Maybe I’m not in the front lines of the war, but I am certainly contributing. AND at least I know who the enemy is unlike most people in this blog. Enemy = insurgents, terrorists and supporting nations NOT George W. Bush!!
August 23rd, 2005 at 4:07 pmPaul Hackett – gimme a break! DF – get a clue.
Why would I go fight for a war that the left is doing everything they can to lose for us? That talking point is a loser for your cause.
August 23rd, 2005 at 4:09 pmYeah private citizens can say whatever they want… unless your name is Cindy Sheehan.
August 23rd, 2005 at 4:09 pmStop schilling for liar Sheehan. A woman low enough to soak her hands in her son’s blood for political gain is not a worthy cause. When will liberals realize that?
August 23rd, 2005 at 4:10 pmA pitifullly incompetent leader is not the enemy,
August 23rd, 2005 at 4:10 pmbut often can do more damage over a longer period
of time.
So let me get this straight.
You support the war and the President.
The military is stretched to the breaking point and they’re falling short of their recruiting goals by 30-50%.
You show your support by taking the NYC subway every day and by having worked in the WTC beforer 9/11.
Sounds about right to me. You have other priorities. Fair enough.
Hypocrite. Coward.
August 23rd, 2005 at 4:12 pm#30 – oh yeah, but because Kerry wore the uniform for five minutes, (but never offered a differing vision on the war) he would be that much better.
Gimme a break!!!
August 23rd, 2005 at 4:12 pmJay – if that makes you feel better fine. At least I support the troops and what they are doing.
August 23rd, 2005 at 4:13 pmWhen will the right-wing wack-jobs realize
August 23rd, 2005 at 4:13 pmthat ignoring Cindy, or W. meeting her early on
(too late now as would be a bad precedent) would
have been a better play than a smear?
The left isn’t trying to lose the war, the right HAS ALREADY LOST the war. And don’t take my word for it, talk to Hagel or Gingrich from your own party. Better join their ship before you sink along with the neocons.
August 23rd, 2005 at 4:16 pmNED,
August 23rd, 2005 at 4:18 pm#32. Changing the subject to Kerry does
not get you any points, but if you want to support
the troops by smearing decorated veterans, that is
your choice.
#33. Support them how? Have you contacted Rummy
about the Humvee armor? Donated to the USO?
Held the Cheney administration responsible for
the lack of post-invasion planned?
… or are we talking about a car ribbon here?
When will the left realize the war in Iraq is not going to end until a stable government is established. When will the left realize that two bit attack dogs like Cindy Sheehan (who has a negative favorability rating) and Michael Moore do more to hurt their cause, then help it.
I am sure Americans are just dying to hear what Margo Kidder thinks about the war too. You people are on top of the American people’s pulse.
August 23rd, 2005 at 4:18 pmNeD – You must be pretty sad and lonely.. I would believe support for Bush is EVEN lower than 36% if you live in NYC as you claim to.. SUCKER!
August 23rd, 2005 at 4:18 pmI support every one of our troops by writing to my elected officials and asking them to force Bush to get them the hell home now! The troops don’t want hypocritical cowards waving flags and urging them into batle from the safety of their keyboards. They want to get the fvck out of there and come home to their wives and new babies. Get back to their jobs and their lives. If you want to support them, force our government to bring them home. Now!
August 23rd, 2005 at 4:21 pmI know NeD, shame on Cindy Sheehan for trying to kill Kevin Bacon :
“Cindy Sheehan hangs out with Michael Moore, whose film “Bowling for Columbine” featured Charelton Heston, who played a mexican in “Touch of Evil”. Mexico speaks the same language as Cuba, where Fidel Castro plotted to kill JFK, as seen in the film starring Kevin Bacon. Oh, Cindy Sheehan, why do you and your liberal cohorts plan to kill Kevin Bacon?”
August 23rd, 2005 at 4:23 pmNED says “at least I know who the enemy is unlike most people in this blog. Enemy = insurgents, terrorists and supporting nations NOT George W. Bush!!”
Shit man your head has been infiltrated. Enemy = Osama Bin Laden. Osama wasn’t in Iraq. Insurgents in Iraq were not there on sept. 11, 2004 – these insurgents were created by BUSH. And supporting nations – you idiot – how many of the assholes that hijacked the planes where from Saudi Arabia? Too bloody many. Yet Saudi Arabia is NOT ON BUSH’S ENEMY LIST.
I take it your delimma is whether or not you should move lest the fine New Yorkers kick your dumb ass out of town.
August 23rd, 2005 at 4:23 pm#41, just for the record:
15 Saudis
August 23rd, 2005 at 4:29 pm2 United Arab Emirates
1 Egyptian
1 Lebanese
#42 Thanks for the details.
Hmmmmmmmm NO IRAQIS NED
August 23rd, 2005 at 4:32 pmFull quote shows some distancing,
but really should be much stronger.
Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld, appearing at a Pentagon news conference, said when asked: “Our department doesn’t do that kind of thing. It’s against the law. He’s a private citizen. Private citizens say all kinds of things all the time.”
August 23rd, 2005 at 4:54 pm#41 – exactly what brought Osama to power? When was the birth of the Taliban? When did anti-American furor reach fever pitch? When did terrorist see America invade a country only to leave put the vicious dictator back to his own country?
WHEN DID ALL OF THIS OCCUR?
Iraq may not have ordered the 9/11 hijackings, but it was America’s weakness (soon follow by blinded arrogance “no one can touch us attitude”) that made these terrorists think they could do what they did on 9/11. I can’t help you if you have such a narrow view of terror, but Iraq was certainly related, whether you sheep want to admit it or not.
August 23rd, 2005 at 4:59 pmRobertson is a private citizen. His call to assasinate Chavez is idiotic. It isn’t a conservative or Liberal issue. Robertson is just plain wrong on this one. I blame it on his age.
August 23rd, 2005 at 5:01 pmFred B wrote
“Robertson is a private citizen. His call to assasinate Chavez is idiotic. It isn’t a conservative or Liberal issue. Robertson is just plain wrong on this one. I blame it on his age. ”
I blame it on him being an idiot. I don’t think he was any better when he was younger.
August 23rd, 2005 at 5:06 pmAll true Fred, but why not
a stronger statement against such talk?
Why give Venezuela this kind of mileage:
Vice President Jose Vicente Rangel said Venezuela was studying its legal options, adding that how Washington responds to Robertson’s comments would put its anti-terrorism policy to the test.
“The ball is in the U.S. court, after this criminal statement by a citizen of that country,” Rangel told reporters. “It’s huge hypocrisy to maintain this discourse against terrorism and at the same time, in the heart of that country, there are entirely terrorist statements like those.”
(snip)
Rangel called Robertson “a man who seems to have quite a bit of influence in that country,” adding sarcastically that his words were “very Christian.”
The comments “reveal that religious fundamentalism is one of the great problems facing humanity in these times,” Rangel said.
August 23rd, 2005 at 5:07 pmI agree with your Robertson assessment, Eddie,
August 23rd, 2005 at 5:10 pmbut the question is why do people follow nut-balls?
He is clearly a loon, why does he not fade away?
Afterthought – don’t get too giddy. How this is handled affects everyone. I know all of you and your commie leader Jimmy Carter love Chavez, but he is a bastard and Robertson’s stupidity will only add to that. This isn’t a good thing just like when terrorists strike. It’s bad.
August 23rd, 2005 at 5:12 pmJeeze NED, Jimmy Carter? Are you
insane?
You did see this right?:
“Why give Venezuela this kind of mileage:”
You are losing it dude. Take a break,
August 23rd, 2005 at 5:16 pmhave a beer.
So tell me why Cindy Sheehan a private citizen is daily vilified by the right wing? Robertson is NOT a private citizen — he is a leader of the Christian Coalition, has his own TV show and speaks to millions weekly. Hypocrisy is rampant in Republican America.
August 23rd, 2005 at 5:17 pmRight-On Marie, Right-On.
August 23rd, 2005 at 5:18 pmDear Pat
August 23rd, 2005 at 5:19 pmWho would Christ assassinate?
Love,
Rummy
if you are saying that only the uniformed are entitled an opinion about the war, you would still lose since a large majority of the military supports this war and this President.
Congratulations. You’ve taken “Support our troops” and turned it into “Our troops support my candidate.”
#41 – exactly what brought Osama to power?
Ronald Reagan working with the Saudis and Pakistanis.
When was the birth of the Taliban?
Same. American and Saudi funding funneled through the Pakistani intelligence service. Later, America dropped support, but Pakistan never did. And 9/11 was funded through Saudi charities. The Taliban still run terrorist training camps in Pakistan today. Most of this year’s military deaths in Afghanistan are from cross-border attacks.
When did anti-American furor reach fever pitch?
Right after the invasion of Iraq, and continuing through today. Though the 1970s were pretty rough too.
When did terrorist see America invade a country only to leave put the vicious dictator back to his own country?
Vietnam, Central America, Haiti, Kuwait, oh wait, do vicious dictators we installed count?
August 23rd, 2005 at 5:20 pmDilEnema rants like a whacked out crack/meth head. How can you be so ignorant and DEAD FLAT OUT WRONG?
August 23rd, 2005 at 5:20 pmA million assassinations, invasions or “liberations” won’t make this world a better place, and someone with as much knowledge in a supposedly pacifist and peaceful religion like Robertson should know better. All this does is illustrate how those who try to lead us are often wolves in sheep’s clothing.
August 23rd, 2005 at 5:20 pmHey NED, who is clearly the most informed person on this blog?
August 23rd, 2005 at 5:22 pmOH Ned tsk tsk “exactly what brought Osama to power? When was the birth of the Taliban? When did anti-American furor reach fever pitch? When did terrorist see America invade a country only to leave put the vicious dictator back to his own country?
WHEN DID ALL OF THIS OCCUR?”
The US Government brought power to Osama. The taliban was born of Islamic Extremist. (just like the republican party was reborn by Christian Fundamentalist but I digress). See Vietnam for an American invaded country or perhaps some south american countries.
The Iraq insurgency started when Bush attacked. Man you have no memory at all. Osama is still on the loose. That occured on some sept. 11 or did you forget that?
Why don’t you answer any questions? Why isn’t Saudi Arabia on the enemy list? You can’t give Bush any excuses because he has none – he has been flat out wrong!
August 23rd, 2005 at 5:27 pmEx-Hippie – Of course you trash Reagan – he took down your beloved Soviet Union.
The Taliban was born in 1991, BTW. Anti-Americanism peaked in the early 90s after we sat back and watched a “dictator” gas his people. Something we promised wouldn’t happen. To say the second Iraq war caused that is foolish – the 9/11 hijackers didn’t need that to do what they did.
To blame W is foolish. The hatred over there has been festering for years. But, apparently, it’s been festering here too since you’re so quick to blame America for everythign.
August 23rd, 2005 at 5:28 pmNed, that new thread on Wal-Mart should be right up your street…
August 23rd, 2005 at 5:32 pmActually, I think anti-Americanism is yet to reach it’s peak.
August 23rd, 2005 at 5:34 pmNeD, cool the jets, man. I agree with you having a beer. I lived in NYC for over a decade and work in the legal profession in real estate. I have definately met your type and have been called commie many times before. That is an argument from people who go to NYC for the $$$ and not the people or art or atmosphere. I actually worked with an Iraqi republican (I know crazy, man). He was extremely honest about hating people that he says “suck” from the government (he spoke of welfare, basically the poor) and wanting to keep every last nickel of his money for himself. He was unabashadly selfish and didn’t care what the heck I thought. Somehow, though, he garnered more respect from me than you. He knew what he was and felt no shame in it. You, however, seem to really believe the balogna you serve up.
Come on NeD, you cannot be totally serious. You seem much like my greedy, but funny, Iraqi friend only less of a sense of humor or self.
August 23rd, 2005 at 5:36 pm#62 – excellent. Unfortunately, W will be gone so we can’t blame him.
P & P – that is a stereotype if I ever read one!!! I throw around slurs I don’t necessarily mean when describing ideological opponents – TRUE. (Most of you deserve it though). But, I am not in NY solely for $$ and I’m not heartless towards welfare. I just don’t agree that giving people something for nothing best helps them. But, I do have sympathy for them. Alot, actually. Truth be told, I could take the heat in a soup kitchen, so I had to donate my time in other ways. Beleive it or not, I am actually nice person.
#61 – will this be to W what crack was for his father? I mean – do you really beleive there’s a concerted effort to get everyone hooked on meth?
August 23rd, 2005 at 5:54 pmbeleive = believe. Long day. I have to go now. I think I am going to have a beer as suggested earlier. (by several of you).
August 23rd, 2005 at 5:55 pmWhat is wrong with Rummy that he can’t simply and unapologetically denounce an utter fool?
PS: Please vist Northeast Dilemma’s blog sites. This guy is DYING for visitors — nearly as bad as Fake But Accurate. Support your local Troll.
August 23rd, 2005 at 6:29 pmIsn’t Robertson’s public assassination quip prosecutable under the Patriot Act or other anti-terrorism statutes? Or, as a GOP heavyweight, does he have immunity from such prosecution?
August 23rd, 2005 at 6:49 pmSince I am also a private citizen who can what ever I want to,I just want to say that Rumsfeld and Robertson are a couple of giant ASSHOLES!!!!!a
August 23rd, 2005 at 6:54 pmIf you are a nice person Ned, why do you advocate taking away Cindy Sheehan’s feeding tube on your website? Do you wish her dead? Bit vitriolic for youre ‘nice guy’ persona. More Ann Coulter if you ask me – ‘invade their countries, kill their leaders, convert them to Christianity’
On Wal-Mart. I live in a Wal-Mart free county (by law). I thought you as working in a banking firm might have an opinion about Wal-Mart. I think Cynical Ex thought you might be on meth so you could be our expert.
August 23rd, 2005 at 7:10 pm#69 (Grin), that’s funny.
August 23rd, 2005 at 7:38 pmThe more NED defends the war freaks the more I demand he go fight it. Chickenhawks are lazy and delusional and offer nothing to society. It would be no loss if NED got lost in Iraq. Go now chickenhawk! And take Pat Robertson with you.
August 23rd, 2005 at 9:16 pmYes, he’s a private citizen who ran for president. Also, if there was a “private citizen” on t.v. in Iraq or Afghanistan or even Venezuela saying he wished his country would assassinate our president our government would see this as a threat and label this person as a terrorist. They might even send him to Abu Gahrib.
August 23rd, 2005 at 10:13 pmRight Stephanie, you just have to be a taxi driver in the wrong town at the wrong time to be beaten to death by the US military, the bar really is quite low. http://www.guardian.co.uk/afghanistan/story/0,1284,909294,00.html
August 23rd, 2005 at 10:26 pmIf a “private citizen” with his own TV station (tax free?) in China called for the assassination of the US president, I’m sure lots of people would sing a different tune.
August 24th, 2005 at 1:36 am# 45
August 24th, 2005 at 6:58 amMost of your comments on any threads just leave me speechless and I can hardly stop shaking my head but NOW I am beginning to believe that logic is an actual living, breathing and feeling creature that is simply AFRAID of certain people and therfore downright REFUSES to go near them.
Other, usually more sensible, views on Robertson, at http://dearkitty.modblog.com/?show=blogview&blog_id=719707&offset=0#750366
August 24th, 2005 at 7:08 amRumsfeld also said “our department does not do that kind of thing” – not “our country” mind you, just “our department” meaning there is another department (you get one guess) for doing that kind of thing.
August 24th, 2005 at 9:42 amRumsfeld is only responsible for his department, why would he answer for another? I do not think you can infer from one statement by the Sec Def what the the CIA is doing.
August 24th, 2005 at 11:06 pm