ThinkFast: November 29, 2006
ThinkFast: November 29, 2006
At a recent private reception, President Bush asked Sen.-elect Jim Webb (D-VA), “How’s your boy?” referring to Webb’s son Jimmy, who is serving in Iraq. Webb answered, “I’d like to get them out of Iraq, Mr. President,” to which Bush responded, “That’s not what I asked you.” Webb “coldly” shot back, “That’s between me and my boy, Mr. President.” Webb later confessed that he was “tempted to slug” Bush.
“A December 7 summit at Riyadh may be the first venue for the Bush administration to negotiate directly with Iran and Syria in an effort to reduce the bloodshed in Iraq,” the New York Sun speculates.
A new classified memo authored by National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley expresses “serious doubts” about whether Iraqi Prime Minister al-Maliki has “the capacity to control the sectarian violence in Iraq.” Among the criticisms of al-Maliki is one often leveled at Bush: that he is surrounded by a “narrow circle” of advisers who “may skew the information he receives.”
New York Times executive editor Bill Keller announced in a statement yesterday that “Times correspondents may describe the conflict in Iraq as a civil war when they and their editors believe it is appropriate.” Keller added, “We expect to use the phrase sparingly and carefully, not to the exclusion of other formulations, not for dramatic effect.”
Former House speaker Newt Gingrich (R-GA) said yesterday “that unless the Bush administration admits that the war in Iraq is a ‘failure,’ it will never develop a strategy to leave the country successfully.”
“About $2 billion worth of Army and Marine Corps equipment - from rifles to tanks - is wearing out or being destroyed every month in Iraq and Afghanistan,” USA Today reports. “The wear and tear may lead to future equipment shortages and cutbacks in more advanced weapons.”
Iraq’s parliament yesterday voted to keep the country under a state of emergency for 30 more days. A U.S. military spokesman told reporters that he expects to see “‘elevated levels of violence‘ as a result of the car bombings that killed more than 200 people in Sadr City, a Shiite district in northeast Baghdad.”
The world will “fall 5 million short” of their goal to provide universal access to AIDS medicines for 9.8 million AIDS/HIV patients by 2010, according to a report by the International Treatment Preparedness Coalition. “The rhetoric from public health officials is good, but the follow-through is abysmal,” said one official.
Incoming Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) promised to do away with the Do-Nothing Congress by putting in “some hours here that haven’t been put in in a long time.” That means “being here more days in the week and we start off this year with seven weeks without a break. That hasn’t been done in many, many years here.”
And finally: iPod diplomacy. “The U.S. government’s first-ever effort to use trade sanctions to personally aggravate a foreign president expressly targets items believed to be favored by” North Korean dictator Kim Jong Il, including “iPods, plasma televisions and Segway electric scooters.“
Wait…
Bush is against people not answering the questions they’re asked? When did this change happen?
November 29th, 2006 at 9:13 amGeorgie doesn’t understand that when a family member is stuck in the middle of a bloody war nothing else matters or exists other than them returning home safely.
Too bad Webb didn’t level him.
November 29th, 2006 at 9:17 amNew York Times executive editor Bill Keller announced in a statement yesterday that “Times correspondents may describe the conflict in Iraq as a civil war when they and their editors believe it is appropriate.â€
These idiots are so concerned about correctly labeling a war??? LOL???
Then why haven’t they been calling our involvement in Iraq what it is…an OCCUPATION!!!
The war was over when we overthrew Hussein and the president stated mission accomplished.
Are you listening CBS, NBC, ABC, CNN, FOX, WaPO, Times, Tribune…
OCCUPATION! OCCUPATION! OCCUPATION! OCCUPATION!
Now why do you think they avoid calling it an occupation? Could it be because to admit that the war (our war, not the civil war) is over would make it very easy to LEAVE. And they don’t ever want our troops to leave.
November 29th, 2006 at 9:19 amI feel that Sen. Webb acted disrespectfully toward our President. The President has a conscience. He’s just wants to ensure that Sen. Webb’s son is still alive and safe. I know George Allen wouldn’t have responded in that type of manner. Shame on you Sen. Webb, Shame on you!
November 29th, 2006 at 9:20 am#1
Remember, for this administration it is ‘do what I say and not as I do’.
#4
November 29th, 2006 at 9:28 amHow Mr. Bush treated Senator-elect Webb is not only a slap in the face to Webb and his son but a slap in the face to every American with a family member fighting Bush’s unjust, mismanaged war in Iraq. If anyone should be ashamed it is Bush, though I doubt he has the capability to feel it. He is only concerned with covering his own rear and worrying about how history will judge him.
4, Anyone can see by the way you structured your post that even you don’t believe what you just wrote.
November 29th, 2006 at 9:29 amMy questions is: Does karl pay you even for your very weak posts?
#4 LMAO! your ~OMGOUTRAGE!!~ is quite amusing… goes quite well with my mornign coffee.
And you know, you’re right Allen wouldnt have responded in such a manner… cuz ya know… he DOESN’T HAVE KIDS FIGHTING IN IRAQ! jackass
November 29th, 2006 at 9:29 amDaryll, Allen wouldn’t have responded in any kind of way because he wouldn’t have been asked the question given that he doesn’t have any family in the war that he so strongly supports.
November 29th, 2006 at 9:32 amDaryll sez:
Please substantiate this claim. Every piece of evidence available speaks against this statement.
Very well…the easiest way to ensure that is to bring our troops home.
Precisely why I respect Webb and not Allen.
November 29th, 2006 at 9:34 am“The wear and tear may lead to future equipment shortages and cutbacks in more advanced weapons.â€
November 29th, 2006 at 9:34 amWell, you prepare for your country’s defense and international crises with the military left to you by the your incompetent, arrogant, pig-headed defense secretary, not with the military you wish to have.
#4 …Daryll [ I know George Allen wouldn’t have responded in that type of manner. Shame on Sen. Webb, Shame on you ! ]. How did you come to such conclusion when Allen does not have a son or a daughter in Iraq?. Also how did you come to conclusion that Allen was willing to send any of his kids to Iraq? You don’t think that Senator’s Webb son in Iraq played a big factor? How can you compare feelings of a parent with son in parent with a parent who doesn’t?!!!
November 29th, 2006 at 9:36 amDaryll: What has Bush done to “ensure that Sen. Webb’s son is still alive and safe”?
November 29th, 2006 at 9:36 amFrom the article:
This is the same “Gingrich who stole Christmas” a few years ago: “The incoming Speaker of the House sets off a race to cut programs for the poor. But most Americans don’t agree with harsh cutbacks.”
And the same Gingrich who, as speaker of the House, led the charge for impeaching Clinton because he said he didn’t have sex with Lewinsky. Yet “Gingrich is widely known for adultery, and claims that “oral sex is not sex.” His idea of “family values” was to present his first wife (his high school math teacher) with divorce papers while she recovered from cancer. The Irish Times reports that the real reason Gingrich resigned was that Hustler Magazine had credit card receipts showing that Gingrich paid for prostitutes.”
And Gingrich “divorced [his second wife] in 1999, after revealing that he had been having an affair with a House aide.”
This is the man who wishes to lead the “Party of Moral Values.”
(sorry about the lack of links, but that seems to be a guaranteed way to have a post never make it onto the thread.)
November 29th, 2006 at 9:37 amEmpathy is an issue for dry-drunks; or so I’ve read.
November 29th, 2006 at 9:43 amI feel that Sen. Webb acted disrespectfully toward our President. The President has a conscience. He’s just wants to ensure that Sen. Webb’s son is still alive and safe. I know George Allen wouldn’t have responded in that type of manner. Shame on you Sen. Webb, Shame on you!
Comment by Daryll — November 29, 2006 @ 9:20 am
You have got to be kidding. I wish I was near you right now just so I could knock some sense into you. But, who am I kidding, you right-wing nuts are permanently damaged!!!
November 29th, 2006 at 9:43 amIncoming Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) promised to do away with the Do-Nothing Congress by putting in “some hours here that haven’t been put in in a long time.†That means “being here more days in the week and we start off this year with seven weeks without a break. That hasn’t been done in many, many years here.â€
Cool, maybe my Fantasy Congress team can catch back up
November 29th, 2006 at 9:45 amDaryll, why aren’t you asking, “President Bush, how are your daughters? Have they enlisted in the Marines yet? After all, you are the staunchest supporter of this War. Certainly you can convince your daughters of the “noble cause” worth the sacrifice of their lives. When your daughters are serving in the front lines, you will no longer need to ask anybody else how their kid who is serving in Iraq is doing: you will know first hand.”
November 29th, 2006 at 9:46 am“Times correspondents may describe the conflict in Iraq as a civil war “
No no no!
The correct scientific term is “very low interrelational security“.
November 29th, 2006 at 9:48 amFOLLOW UP: matt lauer wasn’t being punished, as i wondered yesterday… he was with his wife who had a new baby boy! whew!
November 29th, 2006 at 9:52 amBNF, Thanks for the reminders about the Newt. He is a particularly nasty type of slime.
November 29th, 2006 at 9:54 am#4 Daryll
I feel that Sen. Webb acted disrespectfully toward our President. The President has a conscience. He’s just wants to ensure that Sen. Webb’s son is still alive and safe. I know George Allen wouldn’t have responded in that type of manner. Shame on you Sen. Webb, Shame on you!
No, the president does not have a conscience. If he did, it would have eaten him alive by now. He’s a sociopath. He doesn’t know the difference between right and wrong. All he understands is that he’s perpetually in trouble and he’s perpetually having to lie to try to get out of trouble. And he doesn’t care any more about whether or not Webb’s son is safe than he does about anyone else he’s sent to die for his lies and schemes.
Bush is an arrogant little putz. He doesn’t deserve a shred of respect. For me, it’s heartwarming to hear that a U.S. Senator has the same impulse as I would when faced with an evil little jerk who suddenly starts getting pushy. I might not have held back, though.
And, by the way, who gives a rat’s ass what Allen would have done? We already know what kind of a person Allen is. The voters responded appropriately.
November 29th, 2006 at 9:56 amDaryll, why aren’t you asking, “President Bush, how are your daughters? Have they enlisted in the Marines yet? After all, you are the staunchest supporter of this War. Certainly you can convince your daughters of the “noble cause†worth the sacrifice of their lives. When your daughters are serving in the front lines, you will no longer need to ask anybody else how their kid who is serving in Iraq is doing: you will know first hand.â€
Comment by Briseadh na Faire —
Your point is well taken. However, let me point out that it’s not only the Geroge Bush twins who are not serving in this supposedly “noble cause,” but none of his nieces or nephews–children of his various brothers, either.
November 29th, 2006 at 9:57 amBush responded, “That’s not what I asked you.” As if he is an emporer and entitled to subsurvience and cloying, nicey-nice butt-kissing. Senator Webb is probably the only person who has responded to Bush in this forthright way for six years. PLEASE keep it up, Senator Webb. The consultants and fawning people who surround you will try to curb your honesty. Hang out with Feingold and Tester, not Jane Harmon and Ben Nelson, please!
November 29th, 2006 at 10:03 amIt seems that Daryll made what we might call a strategic error in post #4.
November 29th, 2006 at 10:04 amFormer House speaker Newt Gingrich (R-GA) said yesterday “that unless the Bush administration admits that the war in Iraq is a ‘failure,’ it will never develop a strategy to leave the country successfully.â€
Wow. Even Newt Gringrich is capable of saying something smart. Our president can. and if I was Jim Webb, I would have punched him.
I should be honored to meet presidents… and I would have been honored for every previous president. Not this one. No way.
November 29th, 2006 at 10:06 amHey, Newt - good luck trying to get Bush to ever admit fault. He’d just as soon call the situation in Iraq a civil war.
November 29th, 2006 at 10:07 amAmerica’s Least Wanted
It is not the fault of the Bush administration.
That is the conclusion drawn by an internal memo prepared for President Bush.
http://www.cnn.com/ 2006/ POLITICS/ 11/ 29/ bush.trip.ap/ index.html
Excuse me, but the government in Iraq is one of our making. The policy that put him in power also established the limit on that power. To the extent that there is a problem with the current government in Iraq (and there is a “problem”) is the extent to which there is a problem with the American policy.
Baker-Hamilton needs to focus on the strategy; past , present and future and draw a clear roadmap for measures that must be forthcoming and integrated into a future strategy. To the extent they get bogged down in tactics will be the extent to which Baker-Hamilton will be measured as to success of failure. My fear is that this report will only address tactical shortcomings with recommendations on the fringes on how to more effectively employ tactics that have a greater chance of success. That, of course, would be nothing more than another receipe for failure.
As you might correctly conclude, I view Baker-Hamilton as all hat and no cattle, as the saying goes. And that is even before the report is released. But that is also how sure I am that Baker-Hamilton is the wrong policy at the wrong time in the wrong theatre of operations. Listening to the King of Jordan would be a good starting point.
November 29th, 2006 at 10:09 amTP, you forgot this one.Annan Seeks Summit Outside Iraq to Reconcile Factions
November 29th, 2006 at 10:10 amI’m glad Webb didn’t slug Bush. Webb needs to be able to show up to work without a scandal right off the bat.
November 29th, 2006 at 10:15 amWebb’s a winner.
November 29th, 2006 at 10:17 amBush is a whiner.
Daryll, go back to Sunday school, where fantasy rules & objectivity is frowned upon.
As far as the ‘Little Lizard’ goes, why does anyone care what he spouts?
He’s not in office.
He’s not in the mainstream.
He’s not truthful about anything.
He’s an adulterer, veiling himself in projecting what’s good for all of us.
Newt, just STFU. Please.
There, got my opinion in before the thread becomes family hour again.
#4 Daryll
I feel that Sen. Webb acted disrespectfully toward our President. The President has a conscience. He’s just wants to ensure that Sen. Webb’s son is still alive and safe. I know George Allen wouldn’t have responded in that type of manner. Shame on you Sen. Webb, Shame on you!
No, the president does not have a conscience. If he did, it would have eaten him alive by now. He’s a sociopath. He doesn’t know the difference between right and wrong. All he understands is that he’s perpetually in trouble and he’s perpetually having to lie to try to get out of trouble. And he doesn’t care any more about whether or not Webb’s son is safe than he does about anyone else he’s sent to die for his lies and schemes.
Bush is an arrogant little putz. He doesn’t deserve a shred of respect. For me, it’s heartwarming to hear that a U.S. Senator has the same impulse as I would when faced with an evil little jerk who suddenly starts getting pushy. I might not have held back, though.
And, by the way, who gives a rat’s ass what Allen would have done? We already know what kind of a person Allen is. The voters responded appropriately.
Comment by chimpeach — November 29, 2006 @ 9:56 am
We’re at war, there’s a high risk of death during war time efforts. Who are you to judge the President? I believe that President Bush dearly cares for our troops. If so, why ask for more funding to aid them and the war effort? If Allen had a child over there and was put in that identical situation with the President, I know he wouldn’t have responded negatively to the President. Think about it, as Sen. Webb requested, if we leave, there will be even more turmoil, and our nation and other western countries would be at high risk for more terrorist attacks. We want to defeat these wretched groups, not empower them dems. Think about this situation logically.
November 29th, 2006 at 10:20 am“Empathy is an issue for dry-drunks; or so I’ve read.”
Indeed. It’s missing in sociopaths.
November 29th, 2006 at 10:20 amSen. Webb vs. The Scarecrow/Cowardly Lion from the Wizard of Oz? I would pay cash money to sit ringside at that bout.
I can hear Wimpy McFlightsuit now after pert near one punch, “No mas! No mas!”
November 29th, 2006 at 10:20 am“That’s between me and my boy, Mr. President.â€
I would have loved a nice smack in the face right after that.
The world will “fall 5 million short†of their goal to provide universal access to AIDS medicines for 9.8 million AIDS/HIV patients by 2010,
But its OK. When all those AIDS people are dead, they wont have to spend a penny. /sarcasm off
Among the criticisms of al-Maliki is one often leveled at Bush: that he is surrounded by a “narrow circle†of advisers who “may skew the information he receives.â€
How narrow is a circle?
“We expect to use the phrase sparingly and carefully, not to the exclusion of other formulations, not for dramatic effect.â€
November 29th, 2006 at 10:24 amFurthermore, we will begin to name hurricanes sweet breeze of love from God in order to make less dramatic effects about that phenomenon.
Shame on you Sen. Webb, Shame on you!
Comment by Daryll
My guess is Daryll fell a lot as a kid.
November 29th, 2006 at 10:26 am#33, Daryll
How dare you. This is not a dictatorship (yet), it is a ‘democracy’ … any one of us has the right to question, to judge Bush. He works for we the people, we the people do not work for him. As the employer of this President it is not only our right, but our duty.
“there’s a high risk of death during war time efforts” … well no shit sherlock. The point is not of high risk of death but is that death worth it? We are fighting an unworthy cause, an illegitimate war in Iraq. Bush has the blood of American soldiers and Iraqi civilians on his hands.
And if to the lead of the war the Bush administration had thought logically, we would not be in the war. If people like you had thought logically you would have protested this war rather than supporting it. If you had thought logically people like you would not have re-elected this idiot.
And the dems don’t empower these groups, the Republicans and this administration do by continuing this unjust war in Iraq.
November 29th, 2006 at 10:30 amThere, got my opinion in before the thread becomes family hour again.
Comment by Zimzone
LMAO!!!!
November 29th, 2006 at 10:32 amDaryll, you’re obviously insane as evidenced by your postings, but I don’t think that would exclude you from being able to serve in Iraq under current guidelines. It certainly hasn’t excluded anyone from service in this administration. Can you tell us again why you aren’t serving in Iraq Daryll?
November 29th, 2006 at 10:33 amHey junior . . . ‘How’s your boy?’ is what they’re gonna be asking your cell-mate.
November 29th, 2006 at 10:36 am#1 - “Wait…Bush is against people not answering the questions they’re asked? When did this change happen?” Comment by nitpicker
*******Dear Nit - Re-read the copy:
November 29th, 2006 at 10:36 am“How’s your boy?†referring to Webb’s son Jimmy, who is serving in Iraq. Webb answered, “I’d like to get them out of Iraq, Mr. President,†to which Bush responded, “That’s not what I asked you.â€
The President DID NOT ask Senator-elect Webb, “What are YOUR views on the war and “re-deploying” our troops.” He asked how Webb’s son was doing - PERIOD. (Progs keep telling the rest of us how bright they are - but the inability to for the Senator-elect answer even the most simple and thoughtful question has me wondering…..)
[…] …and you have Jim Webb, the Senator-elect from Virginia, in this ballsy exchange with the Commander-in-Chief: At a recent private reception, President Bush asked Sen.-elect Jim Webb (D-VA), “How’s your boy?” referring to Webb’s son Jimmy, who is serving in Iraq. Webb answered, “I’d like to get them out of Iraq, Mr. President,” to which Bush responded, “That’s not what I asked you.” Webb “coldly” shot back, “That’s between me and my boy, Mr. President.” Webb later confessed that he was “tempted to slug” Bush. […]
November 29th, 2006 at 10:40 amI only voted for Webb as a vote against Allen but I’m liking him more and more.
November 29th, 2006 at 10:41 amDarryl, no, I believe Allen would have responded in the same manner if he had been addressing President Clinton. Or perhaps Cheney would have responded in a similar fashion if he were addressing Senator Leahy on the Senate floor. But the greater thing to consider is that Bush could not ask that question of Allen because Allen’s has no who are serving. How do you know Bush has a conscience? What has he done, other than tell you that he has deep faith. That indicates that he has any sort of conscience at all? Was it his mocking of death row inmates as they were executed in Texas? (Can’t think of her name, but I remember clearly the president mocking the woman who ax murdered that couple and then said she found faith in Jesus) Or is it his ability to completely express his personal sense of responsibility for his own actions (Not really). He has, in my opinion, never given any sign that he has a conscience, and, other that his word, he has performed no actions that indicate that he truly is a man of faith. So you say Webb was being disrespectful? Is Bush being disrespectful every time a reporter asks a question and Bush gives a totally unrelated answer? Would reporters be disrespectful if they looked at Bush and said, that’s not what I asked you?
I am currently reading a book on Stalingrad and am getting to the end. During most of this book, I find it chillingly familiar how the people surrounding Hitler tell him what he wants to hear and how Hitler insists that his way is the only way that will work, even when disaster is looming. Goering and Richtoffen promised Hitler that 6th army could be supplied by air once surrounded so they gave him data that showed him they were doing their job. When captain Behr reported to Hitler on the wretched condition of sixth army shortly before the final battle Hitler still would not believe what he was hearing or seeing (Behr brought out 6th Army’s war diary from the encirclement). The Luftwaffe told Hitler that they were sending the supplies (300 tons per day were the minimum needed to survive), and they showed him records indicating that the supplies had been sent. Behr showed records indicating that the supplies were not arriving and that only one day in the past two months had anything close to the minimum been received. Heck in their first assessment the Luftwaffe said they needed more airfields inside the surrounded pocket and that they needed trained crews and repair facilities on the ground to make the resupply happen. Neither of these conditions were met. Hitler clung to the notion that 6th army was still a viable mobile fighting force and he would not allow them to break out to safety because leaving Stalingrad at that time would be an admission of defeat and that they could stay forever simply by force of will, even as the entire Don front was being driven back hundreds of miles away from the encircled army. No who does that sound like? Hmmm, only takes the word of sycophants, only hears what he wants to hear, fully believes that by force of will he can achieve his goals, even as he is being proven wrong by facts etc…It is scary to read this stuff and see the same personality traits in our current leader.
Note to right wing fanatics…I am not equating Bush with Hitler. I am simply pointing out that they appear to think in the same manner and surround them selves with sycophants who tell them what they want to hear even in the face of mounting evidence to the contrary.
November 29th, 2006 at 10:42 amIn #34, Daryll stumbles again. How often has W attended a military funeral for any of the Americans who have died in his war? Why does he have them returned to Wilmington in the dead of night and shipped FedEx to their families accompanied with a bill for the equipment they left behind when they died? If that is ‘dearly caring’, I could do with a little less of it.
November 29th, 2006 at 10:42 am“Empathy is an issue for dry-drunks; or so I’ve read.â€
Indeed. It’s missing in sociopaths.
Comment by Verse
Combine the two, add the most powerful office in the world, stir with a supplicant congress and present with a compliant media. Viola! Half a million dead people and billions of wasted dollars sans the guilt.
The only thing missing is a $500 million dollar library to scrub the recod.
November 29th, 2006 at 10:45 amDaryll, you’re obviously insane as evidenced by your postings, but I don’t think that would exclude you from being able to serve in Iraq under current guidelines. It certainly hasn’t excluded anyone from service in this administration. Can you tell us again why you aren’t serving in Iraq Daryll?
Comment by Quadrajet — November 29, 2006 @ 10:33 am
As explained previously, I was a Marine Corps officer 2 years ago. I resigned my position because I didn’t enjoy being in a tactical group, but I do love Marine Corps morals and values. Sure I only served during peace time and resigned as a 1st Lt, but I did serve my country. Currently, I test government web programs and software. I’m helping government officials operate online securely, which will help protect our government soil and prevent future terrorists attacks. I may not be working directly in the government sector, but my job is protecting everyone residing in the United States. Take that!
November 29th, 2006 at 10:47 amPoor wing-nuts, still HURTING from their DEFEAT.
Recent reductions in trolling here have left us with the 33% -ers who blindly follow der Shrub, like helpless, blind mice.
You’re PATHETIC, cowards. You’re no better than Lewinsky-type, oval office blow-job wannabee’s, who for lack of intelligence, would do ANYTHING for our bumbling, idiotic President.
GET A CLUE OR TWO, YOU SORRY LOSERS.
November 29th, 2006 at 10:49 amAt a recent private reception, President Bush asked Sen.-elect Jim Webb (D-VA), “How’s your boy?†referring to Webb’s son Jimmy, who is serving in Iraq. Webb answered, “I’d like to get them out of Iraq, Mr. President,†to which Bush responded, “That’s not what I asked you.†Webb “coldly†shot back, “That’s between me and my boy, Mr. President.†Webb later confessed that he was “tempted to slug†Bush.
Oy. I’m glad he didn’t, because he doesn’t need to start that way, but I’m glad he admitted the feeling. Heh.
November 29th, 2006 at 10:50 ammaybe, aphro, webb was answering in the first person because he did not want to tell his son’s like views to the commander-in-chief… we all understand that webb meant, ‘he wants out of iraq, sir, they all do’ …
November 29th, 2006 at 10:51 aman empathetic bush would have then said, ‘yea, i know, we’re doin’ what we can to help that along’, or some such bullshite… not acted like a bully wannabe dictator…
.
A new classified memo authored by National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley expresses “serious doubts†about whether Iraqi Prime Minister al-Maliki has “the capacity to control the sectarian violence in Iraq.†Among the criticisms of al-Maliki is one often leveled at Bush: that he is surrounded by a “narrow circle†of advisers who “may skew the information he receives.â€
This seems quite important, TP, while also quite ironic. It looks like this admin might be trying to find a way to shake up Iraq even more — we’ll never get out of there — just like Georgie wants.
November 29th, 2006 at 10:53 amBush response to Senator Webb:”..That is not what I asked you….” simply meaning “I am in charge here” . But Bush unease with the senator comes from the fact that first: Senator Webb was in the minus column based on GOP calculations to win Virginia state.Secondly: Bush campaigned for senator Allen also…and thirdly: Webb’s win which gave the Democrats the Senate majority…So, Allen was the symbol of GOP defeat in the eyes of Bush..that is why Bush response was unfriendly one….
November 29th, 2006 at 10:54 am#48,
November 29th, 2006 at 10:54 amWell said, Walt, well said.
#50, Darryl, you do not sound like any Marine Officer I have ever met in my life. They usually are very smart and very articulate. I served in the 3rd ACR when they awere stationed at Bliss and the Marines had their duck hunters trained there. I had a lot of respect for those guys, none of who were anything close to resembling you.
Not one of the guys i met would have resigned their comission in the face of action. Thhey all have tremendous loyalty to the Corps and their men and would never have abanndoned them. What has changed that they now allow yout ype in?
November 29th, 2006 at 10:58 amI was a Marine Corps officer 2 years ago.
November 29th, 2006 at 10:58 amComment by Daryll — November 29, 2006 @ 10:47 am
Sure I only served during peace time
There was peace 2 years ago? Wow, and to think I thought this invastion started March 2003. Daryll, may I be the first to state:BULL
I’m helping government officials operate online securely, which will help protect our government soil and prevent future terrorists attacks. I may not be working directly in the government sector, but my job is protecting everyone residing in the United States.
May I again state: BULL
#45 - “Might Aphrodite, Were you there? Did you catch the tone of Bush`s question? The tone would clearly be the story.TP got it right.”
Comment by Bill C`s alter ego
*******Dear Bill - You could be right - but that doesn’t change the fact Senator-elect Webb used a question ABOUT his son to make a political dig. Unable to answer the question or bent on making a political point? Either stupid OR tacky……
November 29th, 2006 at 10:59 amEveryone say “hi” to little out little modern day chickenhawk, Daryll!!!
Oh yes, YOU ARE. Enlisted, but too big a wuss to fight (boo hoo, tactical group SCAREY!)
No wonder you worship little Shrub, YOU’RE JUST LIKE HIM!!!
I seriously doubt anything you do for the Government involving “securely”(?) hasn’t done one thing to protect me. As IF.
BWAAK, BWAAK, BWAAK!!!
November 29th, 2006 at 10:59 amFormer House speaker Newt Gingrich (R-GA) said yesterday “that unless the Bush administration admits that the war in Iraq is a ‘failure,’ it will never develop a strategy to leave the country successfully.â€
**yawn**
November 29th, 2006 at 10:59 amIncoming Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) promised to do away with the Do-Nothing Congress by putting in “some hours here that haven’t been put in in a long time.†That means “being here more days in the week and we start off this year with seven weeks without a break. That hasn’t been done in many, many years here.â€
Good job, Harry.
November 29th, 2006 at 11:01 amIt’s a circus there. Before, I have refused to travel for training to San Francisco because of its lack of morality.
November 29th, 2006 at 11:05 amComment by Daryll — November 29, 2006 @ 8:12 am
Now wait just a second here. Our brave 1st Lt St.Daryll afraid to visit San Francisco because of them there homo-sexuals? A Marine afraid to visit a city?
BULL I say
#53 - “maybe, aphro, webb was answering in the first person because he did not want to tell his son’s like views to the commander-in-chief…”
Comment by katy
********Dear katy - Where in the question, “H-O-W-’S Y-O-U-R B-O-Y?”
November 29th, 2006 at 11:06 amis the implied OR direct question that the President is inquiring about Webb juniors opinion of the military operation in Iraq? Had the President asked, “Jim what do you hear from your boy about the situation on the ground?” you might have a leg to stand on. As it is, you may want to cut and run before you dig yourself any deeper.
#50 - Daryll, I didn’t ask you if you had ever served in the military - I asked you why you weren’t serving in Iraq. Now I’ll have to question your credibility since you popped off with this:
“I was a Marine Corps officer 2 years ago. I resigned my position because I didn’t enjoy being in a tactical group, but I do love Marine Corps morals and values. Sure I only served during peace time”
The Iraq war began in 2003. That would be 3 going on 4 years ago, yet you claim that you served in ‘peace time’ 2 years ago. Were you serving in the US Marine Corps?
November 29th, 2006 at 11:07 amIf asked, I’m sure that Jim Webb’s son would respond that he’d rather be in Buenos Aires doing a three-way with the twins.
November 29th, 2006 at 11:08 amDaryll you just don’t get it….
The war in Iraq can not considered as simplistic as Bush presents it to be. Their are many other factors contributing to this Middle Eastern Conflict. Bush has made the region LESS stabile due to our invasion. Now a civil war has broken out in the area and it only looks like it is getting worse. How many young men and women will have to die before you admit you were wrong about this whole thing. My older brother is in Iraq right now (he is stationed only 15 miles away from Baghdad) and I do not want to hear about his death because people like you will not give up this charade. I am sick of it… all of these kids are dieing for a cause we still do not know. Bush has no conscience at all. We should have continued what we were doing in the past (catching Osama Bin Laden) instead of taking this wild goose chase. America is sick of this war and are working hard to restore order in this country…
November 29th, 2006 at 11:09 amDaryll,
How long were you in before you resigned your position? And why would you join the Marine Corps and NOT expect to be in a tactical group? Just questions?
November 29th, 2006 at 11:09 amWho are you to judge the President?
Comment by Daryll
All of us who judge GWB are The People, as in “We The People….”
You know that document you swore to uphold when you took your oath as a Marine….
Sorry, I can’t go on…..I’m too busy laughing my ass off…
November 29th, 2006 at 11:11 amIt’s a circus there. Before, I have refused to travel for training to San Francisco because of its lack of morality.
Comment by Daryll
Daryll, you’ve never been out of your home town, bless your heart.
November 29th, 2006 at 11:14 am“Not one of the guys i met would have resigned their comission in the face of action.”
Comment by Mark — November 29, 2006 @ 10:58 am
Hmmmm, sounds like Daryll is one of those ‘cut and runners’? Tell us it ain’t so Daryll.
November 29th, 2006 at 11:14 amAnd why would you join the Marine Corps and NOT expect to be in a tactical group?
Comment by robert
You know that document you swore to uphold when you took your oath as a Marine….
Comment by Zooey
The Iraq war began in 2003. That would be 3 going on 4 years ago, yet you claim that you served in ‘peace time’ 2 years ago.
Comment by Quadrajet
Well, this certainly sucks for St.Daryll! But pretending to have served in our armed forces really does piss me off. At least have the ballz to admit you were too chicken sh!t to serve an invasion you claim to approve of. I’d at least respect your honesty. Thousands of thousands of our brave men and women are serving over in this hell known as Iraq, and you “pretend” to be among them?
Geez, did you not get the memo from the Bible about lying? pseudo-christian!
St.Daryll, you, my friend, are an idiot of the hypocritical kind. Begone before you embarrass yourself even more
November 29th, 2006 at 11:23 amI was a Marine Corps officer 2 years ago.
Comment by Daryll — November 29, 2006 @ 10:47 am
Sure I only served during peace time
There was peace 2 years ago? Wow, and to think I thought this invastion started March 2003. Daryll, may I be the first to state:BULL
I’m helping government officials operate online securely, which will help protect our government soil and prevent future terrorists attacks. I may not be working directly in the government sector, but my job is protecting everyone residing in the United States.
May I again state: BULL
Comment by DRxJ — November 29, 2006 @ 10:58 am
I served between 10/2000-2/2004. Second, all units in Quantico were considered non-deployable during that timeframe, and I am employed by a defense consulting company.
November 29th, 2006 at 11:23 amWebb “coldly†shot back, “That’s between me and my boy, Mr. President.†Webb later confessed that he was “tempted to slug†Bush.
Reason 127 for how I know I voted for the right guy.
Senator-elect Webb used a question ABOUT his son to make a political dig.
Now just wait a second… Its simply common sense to end the War in Iraq (and to not have gone in the first place). It is your “side” and people who have made this a political issue by dividing the country and initally labelling anti-war dissenters as “traitors”.
Please regain some honest perspective here. All of you people who are so concerned about the President’s “feelings”, while he still has all of that blood on his hands, have COMPLETELY lost it.
November 29th, 2006 at 11:26 amIt’s a circus there. Before, I have refused to travel for training to San Francisco because of its lack of morality.
Comment by Daryll
Daryll, you’ve never been out of your home town, bless your heart.
Comment by Zooey — November 29, 2006 @ 11:14 am
Zooey, I went to a IA training course in Georgia vs. San Francisco. San Francisco is full of immorality.
November 29th, 2006 at 11:27 amComment by DRxJ — November 29, 2006 @ 10:58 am
Comment by Daryll — November 29, 2006 @ 11:23 am
It took you that long to “google” Marine Corps?
November 29th, 2006 at 11:28 amGenius, I tell ya
Off topic, sorry….Love the new format and posting box TP…Please keep this one…Much better than in the past……Blessings all….Off in the winter blast to stock up..
November 29th, 2006 at 11:29 amDaryll, Let me help you a little buddy. In 2003 I was sitting in a tent in the middle of Kuwait near Breach Point West. A place called Camp Fox. That was 3 1/2 years ago.
If you served 2000-2004 that is not concidered peace time. Basically anything after Nov 2001 is not concidered peace time.
Officers do not resign their Position. They resign their Commission.
If you were at Quantico, and they were non-deployers, then you were not with a tactical unit. Also, how could you join the Marine Corps and not expect that you were going to a tactical unit? THAT IS WHAT WE DO.
So you resigned your Position because you did not like being in a tactical unit that you were not in.
I am not going to call you a liar, but I will say that your story does not add up.
November 29th, 2006 at 11:35 am#73 - Daryll, that response doesn’t answer anything that’s been asked, and only further calls your credibility into question since you claim again that you were in the military during a time period that includes both the Afghanistan and Iraq conflicts yet you served during peace time.
By the way, since you say that you work for a defense consulting company that would be paid with tax dollars, should I assume that you’re off work today and we’re not being billed for the time you’re spending here at TP?
November 29th, 2006 at 11:36 amZooey, I went to a IA training course in Georgia vs. San Francisco. San Francisco is full of immorality.
Comment by Daryll
So is the whole frickin’ world, Daryll! Ya’ll got Newt Gingrich in Georgia, so give me a break.
When are you scheduled to leave the planet?
November 29th, 2006 at 11:41 amI went to a IA training course in Georgia vs. San Francisco. San Francisco is full of immorality.
Sounds like you’ve never really been to Georgia either…
November 29th, 2006 at 11:41 amAt a recent private reception, President Bush asked Sen.-elect Jim Webb (D-VA), “How’s your boy?†referring to Webb’s son Jimmy, who is serving in Iraq. Webb answered, “I’d like to get them out of Iraq, Mr. President,†to which Bush responded, “That’s not what I asked you.†Webb “coldly†shot back, “That’s between me and my boy, Mr. President.†Webb later confessed that he was “tempted to slug†Bush.
Once again, Bush’s ignorance on display. You don’t ask that question of an anti-war individual, much less one who happens to be a Democrat and who is newly elected to the Senate and can grab you by the nuts and throw you out of office should impeachment hearings be held.
At least he didn’t call Webb “Dad.” I’m sure that, along with his question, would have been too much to prevent Webb from swinging.
November 29th, 2006 at 11:41 amDaryll, Let me help you a little buddy.
I am not going to call you a liar, but I will say that your story does not add up.
Comment by robert
Not much help for the Daryllmeister, Robert. :)
November 29th, 2006 at 11:42 amHe’s just wants to ensure that Sen. Webb’s son is still alive and safe.
Comment by Daryll — November 29, 2006 @ 9:20 am
Oh, BS! If Webb’s son was dead, Bush would know about it. On the other hand, maybe not, as the administration only views the death toll as “just a number.”
Bush can take his show of sympathy and shove it up his comma.
November 29th, 2006 at 11:45 amI went to a IA training course in Georgia vs. San Francisco. San Francisco is full of immorality.
Sounds like you’ve never really been to Georgia either…
Comment by June
Classic. Truly classic! Ya know, that city of Georgia is not cracked up to what it used to be…..
November 29th, 2006 at 11:46 amWhen are you scheduled to leave the planet?
Comment by Zooey — November 29, 2006 @ 11:41 am
Actually Zooey, when reading Daryll’s posts I often find myself wondering if he’s ever been here.
November 29th, 2006 at 11:47 amDear Darryll - When sharks smell blood, they zero in on their prey. The playground sharks here at TP are no different. And you are right about SF - the city WAS fabulous ONCE upon a time……no more. Obviously, you have a different point of view than the majority of posters - remember - they HATE “diverse” ideas…..
Enjoy this playground for what it is - a place for many employEES to steal time from their oppressive employERS.
’til later……
November 29th, 2006 at 11:52 amActually Zooey, when reading Daryll’s posts I often find myself wondering if he’s ever been here.
Comment by Quadrajet
Unfortunately, he’s just one of millions of small minded, backwater, redneck idiots who probably is 35 years old and still lives with his mommy.
November 29th, 2006 at 11:52 amRobert,
Thank you for your service bro.
For real.
Comment by Bill C`s alter ego
Ok, now, somebody explain this to me, why do US citizens hold in such a high regard US troops or former troops?
Why I dont hear american people expressing the same admiration for single moms, nurses, black women with 3 jobs, teachers, farmers, underpaid doctors, etc?
November 29th, 2006 at 11:55 amDaryll started ‘life’ here as a “preacher”,
November 29th, 2006 at 11:57 amnow he has dropped that to become an “ex-military techie”…..
I noticed in his radical christian mode many errors in his descriptions of scripture and the Bible, leading me to believe at that time he was playing a role, a bit of web theater, if you will……..
This current incarnation of his only confirms my intuition he is a paid hack.
Paid Hacks reside in the outhouses of trolls, under their bridges………….
Dear Progs - I LOVE how you were adroitly able to shift from the vacuousness of Webb’s self-serving answer to playing jump on Darryl. Let’s see - - yesterday you piled on Humanist and today it’s Darryl. That of course is probably due to the fact that prog postings were less than stellar. In fact, the ducking and feeble punches of most of the posts were pretty pitiful……
November 29th, 2006 at 11:58 amAnd finally: iPod diplomacy. “The U.S. government’s first-ever effort to use trade sanctions to personally aggravate a foreign president expressly targets items believed to be favored by†North Korean dictator Kim Jong Il, including “iPods, plasma televisions and Segway electric scooters.“
And Bushie really believes that Kim would not get one or a lot of these without his permission? And, who really wants an oh-so-expensive-and-useless Segway scooter? It’s a dull gizmo who never had too much popularity. May I remind to Bush that China fabricates a lot of the plasma televisions that we have in the West and that they can clone the iPod without sweating a drop? And that China will not embargo NK in a near future?
November 29th, 2006 at 11:58 amZooey, I went to a IA training course in Georgia vs. San Francisco. San Francisco is full of immorality.
Comment by Daryll
Well, don’t come anywhere near NE TN, Daryll.
Here in our little part of the world we have married men sleeping with married and un-married women.
We have boys bringing home girls and having sex with them in hot tubs at 4am in the morning while the boys’ parents are asleep in the house. The fun couple then goes inside and hops in bed, and 20 minutes later goes at it again.
We have homosexual couples spending time together and living in the same house.
We have male preachers having homesexual affairs while they are still married to their wives. Once the wife divorces the husband, the hubby then breaks into their ex-wives’ homes and rummage through their belongings, and brainwash their children and make them hate their mothers.
We have sisters-in-law who have the hots for their brothers-in-law.
And speaking of preachers, we have ones that get married and then have affairs with women who are part of the churches’ singles group.
So, definitely, stay away from us. We wouldn’t want to hurt your feelings or anything.
November 29th, 2006 at 12:02 pmSorry, I meant to direct post #51 DIRECTLY at the geriatric postings of M.A.
November 29th, 2006 at 12:04 pm#94…..
November 29th, 2006 at 12:08 pmThere’s nothing we need to defend Sen. Webb for, or discuss any further…. he’s off to a great start! Go Jimmy, go!
I agree however, that Daryll is a waste of time, energy, and thought.
He is here with the sole purpose of roiling emotions and drawing attention away from the task of objectively paying attention to problem solving. A Rovian scholar, I believe him to be……
#92 Ok, now, somebody explain this to me, why do US citizens hold in such a high regard US troops or former troops?
Comment by Juan C — November 29, 2006 @ 11:55 am
Because, after the war of Viet Nam, many veterans coming to home were spitted and mistreated in the USA, by the civilians who did view the massacres of Mai Lai, the results of the bombings and the rest of horrors done by the USA troops to the vietnamese people.
After that, veterans organized themselves and fought for a recognizement of his merits and claimed “we only followed orders to protect you” (even when this was not a valid excuse in the Nuremberg Trials for nazis).
Nowadays, reigns a political correction in the USA, and people likes to micromanage the misdemeanors of the troops, “only a few bad apples”, etc.
This tends to be a lame excuse, because the “only few bad apples” were surrounded by many, many other “fresh apples” who did nothing, altough the military manual of the USA and the Geneva Conventions signed by the USA itself characterized these acts as punishable, and the “following orders” is not an excuse because both say crystal clear that they “can (and must) say no” to these behaviors.
So, the USA has so many open fronts and needs so badly the military that they don’t dare critizise their own army.
November 29th, 2006 at 12:11 pmMerciful God….
Comment by mighty aphrodite
If you’re lucky…
November 29th, 2006 at 12:14 pmEither stupid OR tacky……
Comment by mighty aphrodite — November 29, 2006 @ 10:59 am
Mightyasswipe, please don’t be modest, you’re not either/or, you are both stupid and tacky:>D
November 29th, 2006 at 12:17 pmI wish he had slugged him so Shrub would really know what a “Thumpin” feels like
November 29th, 2006 at 12:22 pmit’s easy to understand his self-serving motive…….
Comment by mighty aphrodite
Especially from the closed mind of a self-serving, right wing, corporatist government dolt. Takes one to know one, eh?
Puddles…
November 29th, 2006 at 12:26 pmJim Webb has a son who is a Lance Corporal in the Marines stationed in Iraq. How hard would it have been for Bush to show the slightest bit of empathy and say “I understand,” or “Hang in there.” Bush is a sociopath. He’s still the same disgusting little bully terrorizing his younger siblings and rushing out in the rain to blow up frogs. He has to be the worst excuse for a human being to ever hold the office.
But, what this thread exposes is that Bush’s cult-like followers are also sociopaths, devoid of any shread of human decency. Daryll doesn’t think citizens of a democratic representative republic have the right to question the president. That makes him a fascist. Mighty A-hole, as usual, spits bile and disdain at anyone who dislikes or questions her dear leader. That makes her a fascist. Both of these sorry excuses for people are the worst our society has to offer. They are a symbol of what’s wrong with our society today — people without any sense of justice, devoid of empathy and totally without any of the qualities our Founders described as American.
I, for one, will never respond to any post by either of these a-holes again and I suggest that like-minded people do the same. They’re both like a disease on this board. They stink it up to the point where I don’t want to even engage in any of these discussions because their posts are so inhuman and absurd. They are here to f*ck things up, people. Please ignore them.
November 29th, 2006 at 12:27 pmI feel that Sen. Webb acted disrespectfully toward our President. The President has a conscience.
Comment by Daryll — November 29, 2006 @ 9:20 am
And you don’t think our President acts disrespectfully? He is a pathological liar. He and his lying spokespeople never give a straight answer. Bush’s retort to Webb was just more flaming hypocrisy. But blind idolatrous Bush supporters like Daryll are invariably VERY comfortable with hypocrisy.
And by the way, Daryll, I think the evidence is overwhelming that Bush does not have a conscience to speak of.
November 29th, 2006 at 12:29 pmSo, the USA has so many open fronts and needs so badly the military that they don’t dare critizise their own army.
Comment by Ego Sum
Great post. Thank you very much.
unlike South America which has been home to so many military coups and banana dictators
Comment by mighty aphrodite
There is a latinamerican joke:
Q: Why doesnt US have military coups?
A: Because they dont have US embassies. :)
Most of us actually appreciate the fact that we have people brave enough to protect the ideals of our wonderful country.
Are those the same brave men that had been used to invade, occupied, attacked 180+ times other countries to fulfill american companies economic goal´s? Why do you have to protect the ideals overseas?
And it is a scary thought that some tin-horn dictator has the power to send thug-troops to ones home and permanently shut them up is not something normal Americans fear.
There is no need for that. You have US media.
Many single moms black women, farmers, doctors DID serve in the military and we thank them for their service to the nation.
But do you thank them for trying hard to educate children, to provide you with food, to struggle against a racist society or just for holding a rifle?
November 29th, 2006 at 12:32 pmMerciful God, the US has been blessed with a fine military tradition of service.
Isnt just that a big contradiction? Jesus would have served?
Webb later confessed that he was “tempted to slug†Bush.
This is what we went to the polls for, A CHANGE OF ATTITUDE when dealing with the Dumbya.
IN YOUR FACE REALITY BITCH SLAP.
#107 Very well said, Bluedog49.
November 29th, 2006 at 12:33 pmDear BluePuP - Good thing you’re not “ever going to respond “to trolls again. You’re not very good at it. You couldn’t correctly frame the question to answer if you asked your wife for permission…..As usual…..
Poor Jim Webb - poor BluePup - - unable to answer SIMPLE questions……
’til later…….
November 29th, 2006 at 12:35 pm#99 Many single moms black women, farmers, doctors DID serve in the military and we thank them for their service to the nation. You seem to have a bit of misunderstanding regarding our country. One is not guaranteed happiness - we have the right to freely pursue it…..
Comment by mighty aphrodite — November 29, 2006 @ 12:08 pm
…Thanks to the lack of social services, educational opportunities and exits to their economic situation in the job market in the USA…
November 29th, 2006 at 12:35 pmGoddamn it Webb! You had a chance to cold cock the smarmy bastard, you should have taken it.
November 29th, 2006 at 12:35 pm#33 Daryll
We’re at war, there’s a high risk of death during war time efforts. Who are you to judge the President?
We’re stuck in the middle of a civil war. It was Bush’s choice to invade Iraq and it’s been an incredible disaster from the start. All his reasons for invading Iraq turned out to be lies. That makes him a liar and a murderer. Who am I to judge the president? I’m a citizen of the United States. So far, citizens are still allowed to do that. I would never be so egotistical as to think that I’d make a good president, but this country would be far better off with me in there than him. That’s how bad he is.
I believe that President Bush dearly cares for our troops.
You can believe whatever you want. I’m going to believe my eyes and ears and open mind.
If Allen had a child over there and was put in that identical situation with the President, I know he wouldn’t have responded negatively to the President.
You mean you “believe” he wouldn’t have responded that way. There’s a difference.
…if we leave, there will be even more turmoil, and our nation and other western countries would be at high risk for more terrorist attacks.
And if we stay there will be even more turmoil and our nation and other western countries would be at high risk from more terrorist attacks. What’s to stop the terrorists from attacking now? Do you think they’re all tied down in Iraq right now? Terrorists are all over the world and they can come and go as they please. There’s nothing about our presence in Iraq that’s stopping terrorists from attacking anywhere else in the world. In fact, our presence there is just helping their recruitment efforts and it’s giving them a place to train. They get to test out all kinds of nifty remote controlled explosive devices there, perfecting their craft for use elsewhere.
Think about this situation logically.
Demonstrate that for me.
November 29th, 2006 at 12:36 pmComment by Daryll — November 29, 2006 @ 11:27 am
Who are you to judge?
November 29th, 2006 at 12:36 pm#4 Daryyl! Your back! I’d say welcome back, but you may be getting the message already that your smarmy pap isn’t well received among those who can actually think critically.
November 29th, 2006 at 12:38 pmWhy does anyone put a microphone in front of that discredited, corrupt hack?
November 29th, 2006 at 12:39 pmComment by mighty aphrodite — November 29, 2006 @ 11:52 am
Thus spake the alleged lawyer. How many billable hours have you spent here, MA?
November 29th, 2006 at 12:44 pm#117 - greenjeans,
November 29th, 2006 at 12:46 pmFor humorous relief?
I served between 10/2000-2/2004. Second, all units in Quantico were considered non-deployable during that timeframe, and I am employed by a defense consulting company.
Comment by Daryll — November 29, 2006 @ 11:23 am
Last month Daryll described himself as a 24 year old. And a graduate of Oral Roberts CIS program. Did you do ROTC at OR?
November 29th, 2006 at 12:48 pmBraid Fairy - I don’t get paid for work I don’t do - unlike MANY here…….
November 29th, 2006 at 12:53 pmBraid Fairy - I don’t get paid for work I don’t do - unlike MANY here…….
Comment by mighty aphrodite
Apparently you have problems with comprehension, Haggette. The question was not whether or not you would be paid for those hours, but HOW MANY BILLABLE HOURS?
Attorneys bill by 1/10ths of the hour. For this thread alone, I would estimate at least 1.10 hours. How much do California attorneys make per hour — assuming they’re working?
November 29th, 2006 at 1:00 pmComment by mighty aphrodite — November 29, 2006 @ 12:53 pm
Then you don’t record the hours you put in here? How does the law firm you supposedly work for appreciate your lack of billable hours?
November 29th, 2006 at 1:04 pm#121 The keyword is productivity. MANY here produce far more revenue for their employers (or themselves if they are self-employed) while sleeping than you fully awake… but hey, you have mister Trannie Lover to help you with the family budget…
November 29th, 2006 at 1:05 pm#107 - Bludedog - You’re right of course, but there’s something about Daryll (kinda like Something about Mary) that makes me light up and rattles the shit out of my lyingbastardometer. Just have to call BS..Sorry for asking for dispnsation on this one troll.
November 29th, 2006 at 1:06 pmExcellent post Bluedog49.
There is no defense of Bush’s conduct, and face-to-face the trolls don’t try. It’s only because of the anonymity of this venue that they can spew their bile and vile. Ignore them and they will go away.
I hope the upcoming hearings will wipe the smirk and the swagger from the pathetic loser, Webb showed a lot of restraint to not smack the Chimp.
November 29th, 2006 at 1:11 pmBack from lunch, commission-billet whatever, it’s a position. I went to OCS which is located near the old Butler Gymnasium. I was commisioned at the Quantico auditorium/theatre. I supported MarCorSyscom who aided battleground troops, during military operations, with computer software support and testing so it was considered a tactical command. I refused to be under a dictatorial military organization, and I hate instructing troops to complete illogical orders (my perspective), which were given by superior officers. That’s a portion of the reason why I left. I make decisions by using my intuition . Currently, there are officers in this organization that lack common sense. I can think for myself.
November 29th, 2006 at 1:13 pm#125 - “Then you don’t record the hours you put in here? How does the law firm you supposedly work for appreciate your lack of billable hours?”
Comment by Briseadh na Faire
*******Braid Fairy - I own the firm….Now if you’ll excuse me, I have an appointment.
November 29th, 2006 at 1:17 pm*******Braid Fairy - I own the firm….Now if you’ll excuse me, I have an appointment.
Comment by mighty aphrodite
And the Haggette slips up…
November 29th, 2006 at 1:23 pmDaryll - when did you graduate from OR?
November 29th, 2006 at 1:42 pmBill C., Thanks for the recognition. I am honored to serve you, the American People, My real boss.
Juan,
I think people have learned to have a higher regard for the troops/former troops after the way they were treated post-Viet Nam. Everyone in a uniform was being judged by the few the were complete barbarians.
Personally, I have the highest respect for single PARENTS that take care of their kids regardless of race. I think that teachers, cops, and firefighters are the everyday heroes that no one ever talks about.
You may not like the U.S. Military, but then again, you also may not understand it well either. The majority of service members are just “trying to do their best” like everyone else in the world. We take an oath “to uphold and defend the Constitution against all enemies foreign and domestic and to follow the orders of the officers appointed over us and the President of the United States”. We take that oath seriously. We (the military members) are not the ones that are trying to force our beliefs over in Iraq. We are upholding the oath we took.
It is our civilian leadership and the American people that we serve And our leaders in the House, Senate, and the Presidency that have to determine where and how we serve. It is the American people that decide who runs those offices.
November 29th, 2006 at 1:43 pmRobert,
I flip you a lot of shit, but I do appreciate your service to our country. I don’t think I’ve said that before, and I should have done.
All of my formative years were spent as a military dependent, and I wouldn’t change a thing about it, except for maybe more money for my hard-working Chief Warrant Officer dad. The scariest time ever was toward the end of the Viet Nam War, when he was gone to sea for so long, and those black cars carrying the worst news cruised our neighborhood.
Thanks for your recognition of single parents. Having been a single mom for 13 1/2 years, it’s nice to hear. :)
November 29th, 2006 at 2:02 pmDaryll, I know a few people at MarForSysCom too as I am in the Info Mgmt field. Where did you graduate college? Someone said ORU. I did recruiting duty near by so, if you served when you say you did, I also know who your OSO was.
November 29th, 2006 at 2:04 pmrobert. The thing is I dont consider my national forces are protecting me from anything or giving me freedom in any way. What gives me freedom are schools, social services, good national programs focusing on education, hospitals, critical media, social justice, laboral dignity, but NOT guys with guns. Far from it, guys with guns rarely have contributed something to humanity. I dont attack the people, I am against the military institutions, here and everywhere. There is nothing more unsafe than the idea of protection by weapons. You go to Japan and if you are lucky you will spot a police unit, therefore Japan is one of the safest countries in the world, as Canada, Sweden, etc. I hope you get my idea. It is not my intention to say anything against the poor people that is sent to fight against other poor people following the orders of corporations…errr…governments. Thank you for your answer.
November 29th, 2006 at 2:09 pmSaying one “supports the troops” is just talk and, as we all know, talk is cheap. The questions in a representative democracy should relate to how our elected representatives support the troops with their votes. Do they vote to provide services to veterans and their families? Do they vote for services to the families of people who are fighting overseas? Do they vote to provide proper equipment and body armour for our troops under fire? If you want to know who supports the troops with their votes, the Iraq and Afganistan Veterans of America (IAVA) site has a complete rundown on the voting records of our representatives and it grades them based on a standard they completely explain on the site. If an American wants to support the troops with anything other than words, a good start is to go there and see which representatives and senators deserve your vote on this issue.
November 29th, 2006 at 2:10 pmZooey, Nope, thank you for your support AND desent.
Incase no one tells you YOU ARE A HERO, even if only to one child.\
I am not old enough to remember Viet Nam. Dad and Grand Pa were both there. They didn’t like to talk about it. When Dad did mention the protests, he only told me that his boss (the American people) were not happy. I am second generation American and I was tought that my family owed a debt to this nation that welcomed us and gave us the opportunities that we have.
BTW, I am not in the position to openly criticize the President, but I agree that there are so many better things he could have said. As a father, I can definately understand Sen. Webbs feelings.
November 29th, 2006 at 2:10 pmMighty you continually bring up that you feel “Progs†are not open to other ideas. When I see that the other ideas are a repetition of failure or a repetition of the mind numbing talking points, I am simply responding to what has been said and debunked 1000 times before. It is not my fault that the people like you repeat the same crap endlessly. You might say that you have something new, but like the many significant policy statements Bush was supposed to make this last year you are merely repeating the same old crap and only trying to make it appear that you have something new to add.
What I get from the discourse out of republicans is that they want their policies enacted regardless of the validity of them. Enact them with out debate. Enact them and continue with them without debate regardless of the consequences. When proven disastrous, continue with the policy because that’s the way republicans want it! You are the ones who are not at all open to new ideas, or to trying things that work. Republicans simply want to have their way, damn the consequences full steam ahead.
November 29th, 2006 at 2:17 pmRobert, thank you for your thoughtful comments. It’s very encouraging to see military people with your perspective. The Founders of this country made one thing pretty clear: As Americans, we are not required to have or to even show respect for the president or any of our elected representatives. Our duty is to show respect for the constitution. I also understand that active members of the military are not in a position to question the Commander in Chief and that’s fine with me. Thanks again.
November 29th, 2006 at 2:18 pmHaving been a single mom for 13 1/2 years, it’s nice to hear. :)
Comment by Zooey
You are a true hero, Zoo.
November 29th, 2006 at 2:18 pmRobert,
Thanks for that. Actually I have two sons: Zoo Sr, 24; and Zoo Jr, 18.
Since we lived in the SF Bay Area at the end of the war, naturally there were protests. All the service dads said the protesters had a right to be there and speak their minds, so we learned about respecting differing views at an early age.
November 29th, 2006 at 2:23 pmDid we lose 1st Lt Saint Daryll?
November 29th, 2006 at 2:24 pmMust be busy protecting us from an Al-Qaeda assault on the web? or maybe from…oh I dunno…mmmmm…..perhaps SATAN?? (the preceding sentence was done in the best ‘church lady’ impersonation available on the internets!!! with apologies to Dana Carvey)
You are a true hero, Zoo.
Comment by Juan C
Thanks, Juan! You’re a great guy. Things going well with you?
November 29th, 2006 at 2:24 pmI posted this before but regarding the “support the troops”:
The U.S. pioneered the public relations industry. Its committment was to “control the public mind,” as its leaders put it. They learned a lot from the successes of the Creel Commission and the success in creating the Red Scare and its aftermath. The public relations industry underwent a huge expansion at that time. It succeeded for some time in creating almost total subordination of the public to business rule
through the 1920s….
…The corporate executive and the guy who cleans the floor all have the same interests. We can all work
together and work for Americanism in harmony, liking each other. That was essentially the message. A
huge amount of effort was put into presenting it. This is, after all, the business community, so they
control the media and have massive resources…
Mobilizing community opinion in favor of vapid, empty
November 29th, 2006 at 2:25 pmconcepts like Americanism. Who can be against that? Or, to bring it up to date, “Support our troops.”
Who can be against that? Or yellow ribbons. Who can be against that?… The point of public relations
slogans like “Support our troops” is that they don’t mean anything. They mean as much as whether you support the people in Iowa. Of course, there was an issue. The issue was, Do you support our policy?
But you don’t want people to think about the issue. That’s the whole point of good propaganda. You
want to create a slogan that nobody’s going to be against, and everybody’s going to be for, because
nobody knows what it means, because it doesn’t mean anything, but its crucial value is that it diverts your attention….
Things going well with you?
Comment by Zooey
I have a hangover so I decided to stay at home. (Thats progress right there…) The Master´s final project is getting complicated due to some problems I had with some thermoelectric modules placed in the cavity I want to submit to free convection. There were heat leaks and we all know how annoying can that be. :) But, health is well, family is well, friends are OK (including you I hope), so yeah, pretty much, everything´s ok.
November 29th, 2006 at 2:29 pmJuan, I did not intend to offend you with my statement as I was not offended by yours. I was just explaining my view as an American first and then as a military member.
“What gives me freedom are schools, social services, good national programs focusing on education, hospitals, critical media, social justice, laboral dignity, but NOT guys with guns.”
Unfortunately there are people foreign and domestic that would like to take those rights away from Americans. Our job is to ensure no one does. The Constitution and all the litigation in the world can not keep the wolves at bay. Sadly, sometimes other means become necessary. The Media, the schools and social services were not able to keep us safe at Pearl Harbor or on 9/11. Sometimes, it takes the “guys with guns” to do that.
November 29th, 2006 at 2:36 pmDang! I wish Webb would have decked W! That would have been the most combat W had ever seen in his life!
November 29th, 2006 at 2:46 pmJuan, I did not intend to offend you with my statement as I was not offended by yours.
Comment by robert
Are you an abusive (in the broad sense) guy, robert? If the answer is no, then there is no chance that you can possibly offend me. Let me rephrase that, you can speak to me in any way you want, robert. Its ok. :)
It seems you have reached a level of understanding with TP posters (including me) due to your good posts. So Im sorry for insisting in this issue that can be looked as anti-US citizens (americans are inhabitants of the continent called America). Im not trying to offend anyone, but…
Unfortunately there are people foreign and domestic that would like to take those rights away from Americans. Our job is to ensure no one does.
Please name these people. And tell me if these people hadnt been supported by US in the past. From this side of the world, robert, once UK lost dominance over the world, the US has become the country that has taken those rights from A LOT of countries across the world. I dont mean US troops knew/know the truth about it but that doesnt mean they should be justified for messing the world.
Sometimes, it takes the “guys with guns†to do that.
November 29th, 2006 at 2:53 pmBut they didnt, robert. And they are certainly not doing it now.
#155 Unfortunately there are people foreign and domestic that would like to take those rights away from Americans. Our job is to ensure no one does. The Constitution and all the litigation in the world can not keep the wolves at bay. Sadly, sometimes other means become necessary. The Media, the schools and social services were not able to keep us safe at Pearl Harbor or on 9/11. Sometimes, it takes the “guys with guns†to do that.
Comment by robert — November 29, 2006 @ 2:36 pm
Generalizations and propaganda. Iraq didn’t attack the USA, nor had WMD. So, if the military created to protect the USA citizens is used in other ways to attack people who is not attacking the USA, it’s a crime. And it’s a crime perpetrated by the politicians with their own interesets and agenda, the military that don’t asked the though questions and by the enablers, all the cheerleaders for the war, including you, robert. Don’t evade the responsability.
November 29th, 2006 at 2:56 pmJim Webb is the real deal.
November 29th, 2006 at 3:01 pmGive ‘em hell, Jim!
November 29th, 2006 at 3:04 pm#158, So me as the lowly foot soldier that has nothing to do with policy, is responsible for the situation in Iraq? Wow.
I have never said that the military is not misused. Every administration has used th