ThinkFast: November 16, 2006
ThinkFast: November 16, 2006
Conservative senators say they are “eager” to have Trent Lott (R-MS) return to leadership as Minority Whip. “He’s the most effective leader I know,” said John McCain (R-AZ), “who has won Lott’s support for his likely presidential bid.”
President Bush has told senior advisers that the United States needs to make “a last big push” to win the war in Iraq and “that instead of beginning a troop withdrawal next year, he may increase U.S. forces by up to 20,000 soldiers.”
At a Senate hearing yesterday, CentCom commander Gen. John Abizaid publicly said for the first time “that the American position in Iraq had been undermined by the Bush administration’s decision not to deploy a larger force to stabilize the country in 2003.”
“U.S. funds intended to promote democracy in Cuba have been used to buy crab meat, cashmere sweaters, computer games and chocolates,” a government audit found. President Bush has planned to boost spending by $80 million on the program, which critics “have long charged…[is] aimed more at winning votes in Miami than triggering political change on the communist island.”
President Bush yesterday renominated six controversial judicial nominees that the Senate had previously blocked for being unqualified or too partisan.
Yesterday, the House once again approved a stopgap spending bill “to keep the federal government running through Dec. 8.” An earlier stopgap from September will expire on Friday, which Congress implemented because it “left most of the work on regular spending bills unfinished when it adjourned in early October to allow members to campaign for re-election.”
Former Wisconsin Gov. and Bush Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson (R) said yesterday that he plans to run for president. Asked about his reason for running, Thompson said, “Why not?”
The Bush administration’s plan to build a high-tech “virtual fence” along U.S. borders “is likely to cost far more than the $2 billion that industry analysts initially estimated, possibly up to $30 billion, a government watchdog agency warned yesterday.”
And finally: John Abizaid’s milkshake is better than yours. During a long day of testimony yesterday, Gen. John Abizaid and Amb. David Satterfield told Rep. Vic Snyder (D-AR) they had no time for lunch. Snyder told them “it was too bad they didn’t even have a chance for a milkshake. ‘They have good ones here, you know,’ Snyder said.” A little after 4 pm, “Snyder quietly sat next to Satterfield and Abizaid as they testified. He held in his hands two chocolate milkshakes.”
What did we miss? Let us know in the comments section.
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“U.S. funds intended to promote democracy in Cuba have been used to buy crab meat, cashmere sweaters, computer games and chocolates,â€
Well Gears of War is pretty awsome, and besides who dosn’t like chocolate? I’ll tell you who: Communists.
November 16th, 2006 at 9:15 amQuite a cavalier comment from Topmmy Thompson in “why not?”
November 16th, 2006 at 9:21 amIt demonstrates to me that he does’t take the presidency seriously – kind of like GWB, who thought it would be just another day at the office. And we all know how W did in business.
…and besides who dosn’t like chocolate? I’ll tell you who: Communists.
Comment by squegeeboo
Squeegy, you are absolutely correct.
November 16th, 2006 at 9:23 am” . . . plan to build a high-tech “virtual fence†along U.S. borders” for an estimated $30 billion?
Can’t we just SAY we have a virtual fence?
November 16th, 2006 at 9:23 amAn increase of 20,000 targets in Iraq will be the last big push. And what is the plan when that fails?
November 16th, 2006 at 9:24 amConservative senators say they are “eager†to have Trent Lott (R-MS) return to leadership as Minority Whip. “He’s the most effective leader I know,†said John McCain (R-AZ), “who has won Lott’s support for his likely presidential bid.â€
With that endorsement, Lott should replace McCain as a candidate for president.
*gag*
November 16th, 2006 at 9:25 amWe’re just getting closer to acting like Nazi Germany everyday..
SHOW ME YOUR PAPERS!
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/nation/4339380.html
Home of the free my ass.
November 16th, 2006 at 9:26 amPresident Bush yesterday renominated six controversial judicial nominees that the Senate had previously blocked for being unqualified or too partisan.
What’s the definition of insanity again…?
November 16th, 2006 at 9:26 amAnyone see Bill Gates newest comments on Education?
“It’s astonishing to me to have a system that doesn’t allow us to pay more for someone with scarce abilities, that doesn’t allow us to pay more to reward strong performance,” he said. “That is tantamount to saying teacher talent and performance don’t matter and that’s basically saying students don’t matter.”
“Real accountability means more than having goals; it also means having clear consequences for not meeting the goals,”
Now if he would just move away from the bowl cut look, I think I could support him for some sort of political run.
November 16th, 2006 at 9:27 amCan’t we just SAY we have a virtual fence?
Comment by And You Thought REAGAN Was Stupid
Fantastic…
November 16th, 2006 at 9:27 am“At a Senate hearing yesterday, CentCom commander Gen. John Abizaid publicly said for the first time ‘that the American position in Iraq had been undermined by the Bush administration’s decision not to deploy a larger force to stabilize the country in 2003.’”
*********************************
Gee, John…YA THINK?!? Can you say “Powell Doctrine”? Given that going into Iraq was more or less inevitable — since it’s pretty obvious that Bush was determined to bring that about come hell or high water — wouldn’t it have made sense to send in enough people to actually accomplish the job?
November 16th, 2006 at 9:27 amFormer Wisconsin Gov. and Bush Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson (R) said yesterday that he plans to run for president. Asked about his reason for running, Thompson said, “Why not?â€
Oy. After GWB, it seems a legitimate reason….but it’s not.
November 16th, 2006 at 9:28 amMarie:
It’s simple, the increase in troop numbers is a small part of the larger plan to cure global warming and drastic population decreases through disease, starvation, and war. One our troops are stretched THIN, watch for another false flag attack on amerika’s soil before the 2008 election, so martial law can be declared, draft started…
November 16th, 2006 at 9:30 amA little after 4 pm, “Snyder quietly sat next to Satterfield and Abizaid as they testified. He held in his hands two chocolate milkshakes.â€
Apparently Dems from Arkansas ooze charm…that is so damned adorable.
November 16th, 2006 at 9:30 am“Real accountability means more than having goals; it also means having clear consequences for not meeting the goals,â€
Now if he would just move away from the bowl cut look, I think I could support him for some sort of political run.
Comment by squegeeboo
I guess he is so worried about that, that he cant sleep at night.
November 16th, 2006 at 9:31 amHere’s all about the 20000 troops.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/Iraq/Story/0,,1948748,00.html
I mentioned what I have to say in the thread on John McCain and Gen.Abizaid
November 16th, 2006 at 9:33 amNow if he would just move away from the bowl cut look, I think I could support him for some sort of political run.
Comment by squegeeboo
What’s up with that anyway? Bill Gates and Donald Trump have all the money in the world, but can’t get decent haircuts?
Bill….Donald….bubbies, put aside the control issues in favor of your hair — and the rest of us lokoing at your silly hair.
November 16th, 2006 at 9:34 amPresident Bush yesterday renominated six controversial judicial nominees that the Senate had previously blocked for being unqualified or too partisan.
Way to start off that bipartisan working atmosphere. Before any troll says that “He has the right to nominate anyone he wants to”, yes he does but in the spirit of working with the opposition most presidents discuss the nominations before they are officially announced to see if there is a chance and withdraw ones that are deemed unattainable. King Boy George won’t have that. I guess his definition of bipartisianship is that the Dems will be able to vote on them with a majority. So simple-minded.
November 16th, 2006 at 9:34 amFrom the article on judicial nominations:
November 16th, 2006 at 9:35 amTranslation: if a judge strikes down an unconstitutional law we’ve passed, that’s legislating from the bench. If a judge upholds an unconstitutional law we’ve passed, the judge is following the will of the people. We want to be able to pass and enforce discriminatory laws, and laws that infringe upon your Consitutional rights and we want judges in place who will allow us to do so. Our transition to a Fascist Police State will not be complete until we have a judiciary which puts the “will of the people” above the Constitution.
So simple-minded.
Comment by dlet
I think it’s more calculated than that, dlet.
GWB says he wants to work with the Dems, but he sends up a bunch of losers as judicial nominees. The Dems throw them out saying, WTF? GWB then says, See? I tried working with them, but they won’t work with me. Waaah.
November 16th, 2006 at 9:38 amwouldn’t it have made sense to send in enough people to actually accomplish the job?
Comment by Bluestocking
Because that has worked before…but with citizens…in what was mexican Texas. So, you better probably want to populate Baghdad with US citizens, you know, bring down the ancient Market of Baghdad and put a Wal-Mart there. What about a chinese flag over the Statue of LIberty? mmmm…I guess you already dont like that image.
November 16th, 2006 at 9:39 amConservative senators say they are “eager†to have Trent Lott (R-MS) return to leadership as Minority Whip. “He’s the most effective leader I know,†said John McCain (R-AZ), “who has won Lott’s support for his likely presidential bid.â€
How many pieces of John McCain’s soul are left for the highest bidder? What a disgrace. To think this man has a shot at being the next president is scary. He owes so much to so many shady and corrupt people.
November 16th, 2006 at 9:43 amJuan,
The “capitalists” love the idea of a big Chinese flag hanging over the Statue of Liberty, we can replace her torch with the happy face from wal-mart.. “Cutting freedoms daily”. Hey but we saved you a dollar over that ucky “union” grocery!
/sarcasm off
November 16th, 2006 at 9:44 amU.S. funds intended to promote democracy in Cuba
Anybody that has followed the Cuba & USA relations or read the CIA declassified document “Operation Northwoods” knows exactly what Bush is trying to promote in Cuba.
He gives billions to places like Cuba and even the Hamas Rebels. – to … umm… Promote stuff (yea that’s it).
Bush does not give Aid & Comfort to his true enemy though … the USA middle class.
November 16th, 2006 at 9:45 amI tried working with them, but they won’t work with me. Waaah.
Comment by Zooey
I agree. And the Dems better pre-empt that with a little showmanship of their own stating before the vote on the nominees that those chosen are so bad and the president knew that they would not be accepted and worked in his own partisan way. They have to call bullshite on this man more than before….and loudly.
November 16th, 2006 at 9:46 amThere are no silver bullets fellow Americans. We are giving birth to a new Iraqi nation and we all need one last big push. Or as we say in potty training, one BIG poosh.
My goodness we need to impeach the imbecile.
November 16th, 2006 at 9:47 amOoh, can I write the caption for this picture?
McCain: “Oh, this was so much easier before the mean bully beat me up and stole my principles. Please don’t hit or yell.”
Lott: “I’ll show those gosh darn negro lovers. Who’s yo massuh now?!”
/sarcasm
November 16th, 2006 at 9:48 amIt’s clear by Bush’s recent activities that “bipartisanship” is merely one of his favorite “buzzwords” (aka lies). Like a bully in a schoolyard, he throws innuendoes around about renominating HIS judges, etc….like all ecomaniacs who lack the insight to realize their isolation, he refuses to compromise in the slightest. It’s as though he wants the people to press for his impeachment. Perhaps he has finally realized one critical fact: That he is, always has been, and always will be “in over his head”. He never had the qualifications to run this country, as evidenced by every failed business enterprise he ever ran….so why should it be surprising that he cannot handle something as complex as running a country? It’s the “peter principle” at it’s finest.
This incoming Congress will mire the GOP in so many investigations that their heads will be spinning, which is the singular and ONLY reason why they are now begging for “bipartisanship” (they’ve got their hands tied behind their backs). The people, however, realize that, without the necessary investigations, indictments, and yes, folks, perhaps impeachment, this country CANNOT and WILL NOT move forward. This is precisely why the response was so overwhelmingly in favor of giving the Democrats the power to investigate, indict, and incarcerate.
We all can attest to the spiritual law of the universe: “If we fail to recognize the lesson the first time around, it will return to us in a stronger, more destructive way”.
And, it’s clear that, in order to propel ourselves out of the contaminated muck of this administration in which we are presently “mired”, we must begin at the beginning……begin the unravelling process…..by taking where we presently are, regardless of how distasteful and complex it may be, and step back through time…..find the beginning and work from there.
Is the beginning the onset of the Iraq War?? Perhaps not since the administration was so cleverly eager to connect the dots of 9/11 to the onset of the War (Freudian slip?) , perhaps we need to begin our search precisely there….after all, it’s what ‘THEY ASKED FOR’, isn’t it?
Which brings about another well-known adage…..GOP: BE CAREFUL WHICH DOTS YOU CONNECT AND BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU ASK FOR.
November 16th, 2006 at 9:49 amComment by Marie — November 16, 2006 @ 9:24 am
Remember last spring? There was the highly touted positioning of some 70,000 troops in Baghdad to increase security. Iraqi troops, sent in to protect Iraqis. Yet with all that security, killings in Baghdad increased. And yesterday 150 people were kidnapped in one assault, somehow getting past a myriad of police checkpoints.
So, if 70,000 Iraqi troops is not enough to secure Baghdad, we’ll send in 20,000 U.S. troops. If that doesn’t work, we’ll send in more.
Let’s face it, if a government, after 3 years, cannot survive without tens of thousands of foreign troops on its soil, that government is a puppet government of an occupying force, and lacks the support of its own people.
At some point, we’re going to have to accept the fact that the solution in Iraq must be a political one, not a military one. And it must involve the world community, not U.S. unilateralism.
November 16th, 2006 at 9:49 amIt’s amazing! The pResident is mouthing platitudes about bipartisanship and the punditocracy and rethugs are lecturing the Democrats about “civil discourse” in government. What do we actually get from the holier than thou group? The same old bad nominees with no attempt to make a real change and wild attacks on Nancy Pelosi. If this is bipartisanship and civil discourse, I would hate to see what it would have been like if they had retained control of government.
November 16th, 2006 at 9:50 amSince the “enemy” is undefined, how does sending in more people to be killed change anything? Where is the logic? Who is the enemy?
November 16th, 2006 at 9:50 amIt’s time to allow the people of Iraq decide what they want. Our imperialism is showing badly right now.
November 16th, 2006 at 9:51 amRemember: the end game in everything that transpires is to keep the NeoCons/PNAC in power.
November 16th, 2006 at 9:51 amBnF,
I 100% agree that the Iraqi situation has turned into a world problem, but the bigger problem is no one in the world really wants to help any more. They’re all saying “We told you not to invade in the first place”.
I hope Mark Glense is packing his bags, his daddy bush is calling!
November 16th, 2006 at 9:53 amMcCain and Bush are on the same page with their “last push” policy for Iraq. As TPM says in the following, this advise is coming from none other than Henry Kissinger.
http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/011145.php
Kissinger, of course, was the person behind the last push operation in Vietnam == the invasion into the Parrot’s Beak area of Cambodia.
What that operation did was to cause the fall of the government in Cambodia and the emergence of Pol Pot, probably the most brutal dictator of the time.
Anybody is absolutely nuts to think that history won’t repeat itself if the last push folly is implemented in Iraq. This is the most hairbrained idea I have heard floated since the last time Henry Kissinger floated it.
November 16th, 2006 at 9:53 amRemember: the end game in everything that transpires is to keep the NeoCons/PNAC in power.
Comment by Briseadh na Faire
That’s what we need to keep forward in our minds. The Dems’ win on 11/7 was calculated, I’m thinking.
November 16th, 2006 at 9:58 amBringing McCain and his presidential bid is the new “talking point” (aka sidetracking device) of the GOP. Don’t fall for it. Right now the news IS and SHOULD BE about the democrats taking over the Congress. The Gop is already “spinning their drivel” and changing the conversation to ‘08. Don’t fall for it people….
McCain is almost as polarizing as Hillary so they know the mention of his potential candidacy will start tongues wagging and anger rising which is precisely what they want to do….A DISTRACTION TECHNIQUE…..and otherwise move the conversation from one of elation that the people now have a chance at having a more honest government and undoing all of the wrongs which have been done….to a “pissing contest”….
Besides, Candy Crowley mentioned yesterday that this “exploratory testing of the waters” is simply another trick for circumventing the campaign money rules. Don’t be tricked….a crook is a crook is a crook…..
I do hope that Abrahamoff has outed some seriously corrupted Democrats as well so the new congress will get their chance at “putting their money where their mouth is”….The american people desere this right now!
We have at least a year to crow before the campaign extravagances and amoral campaign spending begins to infest our country. Do not be tricked into allowing it to begin it’s trickle effect now.
Celebrate our victory for democracy! Be not sidetracked by the GOP’s tricks to switch the conversation to 08.
LIVE IN THE PRESENT MOMENT AND BE ELATED THAT THE DEMOCRACY MAY NOW BE SAVED!
November 16th, 2006 at 10:01 amBy saying that we need to have one last big push in Iraq, isn’t Bush giving intelligence information to the enemy?
November 16th, 2006 at 10:01 amThis is the most hairbrained idea I have heard floated since the last time Henry Kissinger floated it.
Comment by DallasNE
But the Nobel Comitee doesnt think that way, Dallas.
November 16th, 2006 at 10:03 amZooey – couldn’t agree with you more. The Repugs knew that the avalanche of anger would result in more votes than they could hack and get away with; besides, the real “target” is, was, and always will be retaining their power through the presidential election. They are hoping that this victory will mean that the people return to their narcolepsy and not demand that our corrupt EVM situation will be corrected, they are hoping that the people will not connect the 9/11 dots to the war, they believe that they are not missing the forest for the trees…..the trees being the midterns, the “forest” being 08! And they are already trying to sidetrack the conversation about their abysmal failure over the past 6 years and overwhelming loss in the midterms to McCain and his presidential bid….The GOP has taught the people their “dirty tricks” so we are not onto them….wake up people and do not be deceived. Celebrate the victory for this democracy but do not allow your guard to drop.
This midterm was a calcuated loss by the GOP to lull us all into complacency about the security of our vote…..BE NOT DECEIVED BY THESE SHAPE SHIFTERS. Power is everything to them. They are prima facie evidence that ABSOLUTE POWER CORRUPTS ABSOLUTELY.
November 16th, 2006 at 10:05 amCAPTION CONTEST:
November 16th, 2006 at 10:07 am“Coccoon 3: The Descent”
Isn’t the adage of “two wrongs never making a right” applicable here? Giving one last push (aka killing more human beings) into a situation which is already a failure will simply make it a bigger failure. In fact, if one goes back three years when it became obvious that there were no WMD’s, the same conversation took place, if people’s memories do not fail them….and we upped the ante and lost “big time”….more deaths, more national debt….so to continue this deluded thought process only makes a mockery of common sense. Two wrongs never made a righ and never will.
November 16th, 2006 at 10:08 amSo why isn’t the media screaming conflict of interest when James Baker is a senior adviser to the Carlyle Group. Of course he is going to recommend we stay in Iraq for decades.
November 16th, 2006 at 10:10 amAt a Senate hearing yesterday, CentCom commander Gen. John Abizaid publicly said for the first time “that the American position in Iraq had been undermined by the Bush administration’s decision not to deploy a larger force to stabilize the country in 2003
I suddenly have more respect for this guy, way to go.
November 16th, 2006 at 10:13 amHaliburton and the Carlyle group seem to be running this country. For openers, we need an investigation into Cheney’s Club getting a “no bid” contract on Iraq…..first “wrong”. Secondly, we need to know how the Carlyle group, who met in NYC on 9/10 got out of the country when airspace was closed on 9/11 – second “probem for the GOP and Baker”…..now enters Robert Gates, Board member for VoteHere, the largest voting industry lobbyist who rammed through the faulty HAVA bill….hmmmmm…looks like they managed to get “all the bases covered” didn’t they?
November 16th, 2006 at 10:15 amDon’t be fooled by Abazaid either. His seemingly forthrightness in throwing the Admnistration under the “failure bus” is only a nice little ploy to engage us even deeper into this abysmal failure. The old “forest for the trees” GOP adage applies once again I’m afraid. He’s hasn’t grown cajones….he’s lost them in support of the bigger picture.
November 16th, 2006 at 10:16 amP.S. Don’t up your respect prematurely since Abazaid really didn’t “come clean” here.
November 16th, 2006 at 10:17 amCentCom commander Gen. John Abizaid publicly said for the first time “that the American position in Iraq had been undermined by the Bush administration’s decision not to deploy a larger force to stabilize the country in 2003.â€
I hope that helps clarify the whole matter of sending in more troops for MA. You see, there was a time, as Abizaid pointed out, that it would have been very helpful to send in more troops, but Bush/Rumsfeld wouldn’t do it. That must have been when MA heard all those ‘constipated Progs’ calling for it. Things are not at all the same there now.
November 16th, 2006 at 10:19 amBe Not Deceived: If it walks like a duck, talks like a duck, quacks like a duck…..just because he is seeming to say something critical of the administration doesn’t make him totally honest.
Look at the larger picture here…..altruism and idealism is wonderful but we’ve learned from experience that when it would “appear” that some leopard has changed it’s spots, it really hasn’t….it’s just appearing in disguise.
Shapeshifting is an art & a science….study it carefully and be not deceived.
In order to dig us even deeper into this human quagmire, he is throwing the idealists a “scrap” by indicting the failed poicy heretofore…..It’s a trick, folks….a nasty, dirty trick! Learn from this.
November 16th, 2006 at 10:20 amThe time, if there actually ever was one (and this is highly debatable) for sending in more troops has passed….day late/dollar short? Many never believed that we should have one troop in there and they may turn out to be the real progressives in this country. Don’t be deceived into thinking that the sacrifice of more human lives will result in “victory” because no one actually knows what “victory” means…..no one actually knows “who” the enemy is (especially our troops who are caught in this horrible civil war there) and nobody actually knows what the “plan” is, or could even be without a defined “enemy”……without a defined enemy or a plan, victory can never be achieved, even if it were a possibility there, which it is not.
November 16th, 2006 at 10:23 amBush warns N. Korea: Don’t spread nukes
November 16th, 2006 at 10:24 amAP – 1 hour, 11 minutes ago SINGAPORE – President Bush on Thursday warned North Korea against transferring nuclear weapons or material to other countries, saying such an act would be considered a “grave threat” to the United States.
Kidnappers Thank FOX News for New Rockets;
Weapons will be used to “hit the Zionists”
Someone, on behalf of FOX News, reportedly gave terrorist organizations $2m that the terrorists now say they used to buy weapons to kill Israelis? FOX says “it’s possible” money was paid to terrorists? And the Bush administration, they were heavily involved in this effort to free the FOX reporters – were they aware that someone was paying off terrorists? Were they the ones who arranged the payment? This is abominable if true.
November 16th, 2006 at 10:25 amIf it walks like a duck, talks like a duck, quacks like a duck…..
It floats, just like really small ducks?
November 16th, 2006 at 10:26 amThis midterm was a calcuated loss by the GOP to lull us all into complacency about the security of our vote…..
You can’t be for real on that view, it must have some subtle sarcasm that I missed.
Green Light
November 16th, 2006 at 10:27 amGeorge signed off on torture, secret prisons;
CIA refuses to release ‘directive’
Squeezeboo….do your own research if you find this improbable….www.bradblog.com.
November 16th, 2006 at 10:29 amThanks Tobey Tall for the url…..yep, another impeachable offense and more deceit uncovered…..it’s an iceberg and we’re just scratching the surface I suspect.
November 16th, 2006 at 10:30 amsaying such an act would be considered a “grave threat†to the United States.
Comment by Tobey Tall
What is NOT an act of grave threat to the US according to Bush?
a) Waterboarding
b) Gassing Kurds
c) Lying about WMD´s
d) all of the above
e) none. US is the greatest country in the world.
There is an option for everybody.
November 16th, 2006 at 10:31 amThat milkshake story was great! Dems are so nice. You wouldn’t see a Rethug getting someone a milkshake.
November 16th, 2006 at 10:31 amAmerica’s Least Wanted
I see that W is doing is “fear mongering” best again today….’grave threats’?? Soon he’ll be warning against boogey men – hah!
November 16th, 2006 at 10:32 amRight on, Juan C! Give the people the nod for having the intelligence to know what their most serious “grave threat” actually is…..and they voted to begin reducing that threat in the mid terms….LOUD AND CLEAR!
November 16th, 2006 at 10:34 amWinning in Iraq has not been defined.
November 16th, 2006 at 10:35 amWhat constitutes victory – when one entire sect of people are dead? When the country is completely destroyed? What is the US mission at this point?
Sending in more troops has not worked in the past – why should it work now? Despite tens of thousands in Baghdad last Sunday, 150 kidnappings occurred in addition to the killing of many others.
What can we hope to be accomplished?
Unfortunately, I see it extremely challenging for the Dems – if we do pull out over a period of months, and let Iraq manage its own fate, which turns into a bloodbath, a genocide, a disintegration of the society, the Dems will fall under the wrath of the “I-told-you-so” Repugs – never mind that the Repugs got us into the mess and are unable to get us out.
If we do not pull out and remain there for years, in a futile attempt to keep order in a civil war, the Dems will be blamed for not “changing the course” as mandated by the public, and the increasing number of dead will be untenable.
I believe we are witnessing the 21st century version of Viet Nam. Continuing to feed soldiers to the cause, with no hope of anything positive.
As for Abizaid – he did a 180 yesterday, probably under pressure from the suits in the Pentagon. Policy is set by the DoD and the White House; the generals carry out their orders.
budpaul
That milkshake story was great! Dems are so nice. You wouldn’t see a Rethug getting someone a milkshake.
No, you don’t understand, he was trying to influence their testimony by swaying them with chocolate products, that was prob. purchased with money that was supposed to go to bringing democracy to Cuba. Also where is the outcry for tossing such easy questions at them, “Have you had lunch yet” No wonder these guys are the do nothing congress.
I demand that the ethics committee start looking into this blatant graft and attempt at swaying their testimony.
November 16th, 2006 at 10:37 amAgreed, if “victory” is defined as wiping out a country, it’s innocent citizens, and trying to capture their oil, then I guess it’s not only achievable….but “Mission Almost Accomplished”.
November 16th, 2006 at 10:38 amTwo wrongs never made a “right” and never will. The new mantra of the Dem Congress needs to be “CUT OUR LOSSES TODAY” (COLT and BOLT)…bring our children home and stop the insanity.
November 16th, 2006 at 10:40 amI demand that the ethics committee start looking into this blatant graft and attempt at swaying their testimony.
Comment by squegeeboo
Heh. Sometimes a milkshake is just a milkshake…
November 16th, 2006 at 10:41 amZoo
Heh. Sometimes a milkshake is just a milkshake…
And sometimes its a partisan attempt to sway generals into attacking our leaders approach to Iraq….I’m just saying, it could be…
November 16th, 2006 at 10:47 amWhy does Squishy hate dairy products so much?
November 16th, 2006 at 10:48 amForTruth
Why does Squishy hate dairy products so much?
Mainly just milkshakes, cause I don’t have them any more in my continueing attempts to slim down. Also, it seemed like a silly enough reason to attack one of the democrats on the panel that I just couldn’t resist.
November 16th, 2006 at 10:53 am#43 Fools on the Hill
So why isn’t the media screaming conflict of interest when James Baker is a senior adviser to the Carlyle Group. Of course he is going to recommend we stay in Iraq for decades.
I’m not entirely sure of that. The idea of Bush I’s cronies getting involved in this was a nightmare for Junior in the first place. Poppy didn’t want to invade Iraq and his pals were pretty much in agreement on that, even if they didn’t say so publicly like Scowcroft did. The last thing Dubya wanted was for his dad’s friends to come nosing around in his business and telling him what to do. Their recommendations are probably not going to be what he wants to hear. But, then, he’ll ignore them and do what he wants to do anyway. This decision of his for a “last big push” seems to be his way of saying “I’m not going to listen to you!”
The balancing act that Baker has to pull off is between getting a change in direction, whatever that may be, and helping Junior save face in the process. I’m no fan of Jim Baker. The guy is up to his eyeballs in war profiteering himself, but I don’t think he would have bothered to get involved if it was just going to be an endorsement of ‘more of the same’.
November 16th, 2006 at 10:53 amI’m just saying, it could be…
Comment by squegeeboo
And our borders could be protected by unicorns and magical rainbows, but they aren’t. :)
Sorry if you’re disappointed…
November 16th, 2006 at 10:54 amWhy does Squishy hate dairy products so much?
Comment by ForTruth
He’s afraid he’ll lose the next “fat man” contest.
November 16th, 2006 at 10:55 amI guess I was a little slow on the uptake on that one…
November 16th, 2006 at 10:56 amAnd our borders could be protected by unicorns and magical rainbows, but they aren’t. :)
Prob. beacuse the democrats refuse to fund it, and the Republicans have already hunted the unicorns to near extinction.
He’s afraid he’ll lose the next “fat man†contest.
Ha, I might at that, starting to run out of pounds to trim off.
I guess I was a little slow on the uptake on that one…
November 16th, 2006 at 11:13 amDon’t feel bad, you guys have hearts not brains, isn’t that how the old saying goes? :)
Man, look at Lott’s eyes, haunted and angry. He’s going to slash and burn now that he’s back in a leadership role. Which means, being a Republican, that he’s bound to over-reach and/or have a macacca moment. I can’t wait for him to self-destruct again.
November 16th, 2006 at 11:13 amAnd how is the last big push supposedly different from the last 3.5 years of pushing and shoving?
November 16th, 2006 at 11:19 amBush & McCain’s “last big push” will be their “last big hoorah!” before the demise of their political careers! That’s certain.
November 16th, 2006 at 11:26 amBush’s take on bipartisanship
Bi – meaning two. Or is it one? Or is it both? Not to worry, Karl will tell me.
part – meaning the part that I might understand.
is – meaning, something exists, I think, therefore it are.
an – some thing or the other thing, like an an
ship – the navy takes care of these, I was, er, are a pilot, so I don’t know much about these.
November 16th, 2006 at 11:32 amTwo wrongs never made a right and never will. Comment by cloverleaf
But two wrongs can make a right-wing (picture is proof).
“a last big push†to win
November 16th, 2006 at 11:45 amAhh, “giving birth to democracy”. Now, I understand why we had to be screwed.
Prob. beacuse the democrats refuse to fund it, and the Republicans have already hunted the unicorns to near extinction.
Republican bastards…
Ha, I might at that, starting to run out of pounds to trim off.
Good for you, Squeegy!
Don’t feel bad, you guys have hearts not brains, isn’t that how the old saying goes? :)
Comment by squegeeboo
Hearts and good looks, actually… :)
November 16th, 2006 at 12:02 pmAhh, “giving birth to democracyâ€. Now, I understand why we had to be screwed.
Comment by PatrioticLiberalChristian(PLC)
A kiss first would have been nice…
November 16th, 2006 at 12:03 pmAwesome news. kook+kook=Dem pres. win in ‘08!!!!!
November 16th, 2006 at 12:08 pmWe thank the Repugs for being the losing contestants on the Scraping Through the very Bottom of that Crap Barrel show! Play the happy jingle, and raise the Applause sign so all the Klansmen can fire their shotguns, hoot, holler, and ignite their crosses. Let rejoicing flow throughout Jesusland USA.
November 16th, 2006 at 12:08 pmZooey
They were only after a “legacy”, not a relationship. Don’t be so clingy!
* Note to self: hold tight to “sarcasm shield”
November 16th, 2006 at 12:10 pmPLC,
But they never call…!
November 16th, 2006 at 12:12 pmZooey
If they called, they’d just have to listen to the nagging about how they are not governing with understanding, how much time they spend “with the boys”, and why we don’t get flowers and candy from Iraqis.
November 16th, 2006 at 12:19 pmWow, anyone see this gem:
Ordinance 208, passed by the City Council on Tuesday, asks Greenleaf’s 862 residents who do not object on religious or other grounds to keep a gun at home in case they are overrun by refugees from the Gulf Coast.
And the town (quaker)pastor’s response:
November 16th, 2006 at 12:22 pm“It made owning a gun a basis of good citizenship,” Weinacht said. “I don’t know. It just seems we’re slipping as a society into a culture of fear.”
Not gonna bother linking it, I’ve been having bad luck with those recently on TP, stupid filters.
PLC,
You are so wise. *sniff*
November 16th, 2006 at 12:25 pmAs a resident of Mississippi, I’m extremely disappointed to see Trent Lott as minority whip. He’s been up there way too long and disgraced himself and this state. When will we be relieved of this bafoon?
November 16th, 2006 at 12:32 pmJ.C.
When you (meaning Mississippi collectively, not you personally) stop electing him or he dies in office. He won’t go of his own accord. He’s a Strom Thurmond fan and disciple.
November 16th, 2006 at 12:45 pmYeah, no kidding. But see, it’s people like him that gives us a bad reputation. I’ve read all of the klan remarks here, but it’s nothing like that. Down here, whites and blacks and Mexicans all get along well. There is no racial tension. Only in very few and rednecked circles, but they are not par for the course. This is a great place to live, and I love it here, but people like Trent Lott really make us appear as backward people. I’m sick of him.
November 16th, 2006 at 12:54 pmJC
And Bob Ney, Tom Noe, “Mean Jean” Schmidt, Bob Taft, and John Boehner don’t do much for my Ohio, either, so I share your frustration! I guess we have to hope and work for change.
November 16th, 2006 at 1:02 pmWhy does John McCain’s face in that picture look like Trent Lott just slapped him on the ass?
November 16th, 2006 at 1:16 pmWhy does John McCain’s face in that picture look like Trent Lott just slapped him on the ass?
Comment by Wayne
Why does McCain look like he wishes Lott would do it again?
November 16th, 2006 at 1:22 pmI am most relieved that Trent Lott is Minority Whip – it means Reps have learned not to nominate “compromise” candidates, like Frist and Hastert, who were too weak to lead effectively. To think Frist actually fancied himself a presidential hopeful – what a joke.
This signals to me that the Dems will have a tough time pushing through any legislation that is too far left, with the exception of illegal immigration reform, about which the president is left leaning also. I believe we will now have an “earned citizenship” approach (delayed amnesty).
November 16th, 2006 at 2:04 pmZoo
Why does McCain look like he wishes Lott would do it again?
Because he’s like 85% of adult america?
November 16th, 2006 at 2:05 pmAlso, Milton Friedman has passed on, today is a sad day for conservative economics.
November 16th, 2006 at 2:08 pmCaption contest
McCain: Today I pledge to donate part of my jowls to Mr. Lott for his support of my presidential bid.
November 16th, 2006 at 2:52 pm#96, squegeeboo,
Milton Friedman was a giant in conservative economics. Unfortunately, there appears to be a new wave of communism in Latin America and elsewhere that seizes valuable assets from the multi-national corps that developed them under the guise of “nationalization”. In reality, the governments are merely looting the few working corporate entities in their countries, essentially slaying the golden goose.
Only after this generation has consumed the wealth created by the previous ones, will they again embrace conservative economic policies.
November 16th, 2006 at 4:09 pmTo add onto my comment from #96
Apparently fingerprints from an invisible hand where found on scene, Adam Smith sought for questioning.
November 16th, 2006 at 4:17 pmCaption contest, ..the follow the leader chimpmonk being watched over by the lurking hungry jackel…..
November 16th, 2006 at 4:55 pmI am most relieved that Trent Lott is Minority Whip
— Jason “Moron” Hendler
Good for you. Must be good to find some relief after the trouncing your predictions took on Nov 7th. Must have been alot of nightmare thoughts going on in that pointy head of yours.
Personally, I am glad they promoted their most racisist face to the forefront again to show what the Repugs are all about.
Since you worship Trent I bet you also have a fresh KKK or CCC membership card as well. Which one is it Jason? Inquiring minds want to know.
November 16th, 2006 at 5:13 pmBecause he’s like 85% of adult america?
Comment by squegeeboo
Things must be very different in Squeegy World…
November 16th, 2006 at 6:06 pmLott smells something stinky.
Oh, that would be McVain’s integrity. He’ll defend American families.
Like he defended his own in the 2000 primaries.
November 17th, 2006 at 9:50 pm