Comments on: Gen. Batiste speaks out http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/12/gen-batiste-speaks-out/ Thu, 26 Nov 2009 22:58:39 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: OleHippieChick http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/12/gen-batiste-speaks-out/comment-page-1/#comment-3800613 OleHippieChick Sun, 13 May 2007 16:09:44 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/12/gen-batiste-speaks-out/#comment-3800613 The General "Left the Army in protest in order to speak out" in November 2005. His damning testimony before Senate Democratic Policy Committee on the leadership of the Iraq war occurred 9 months later on September 25, 2006, where he held that the war, though badly mishandled by Rumbo, could still be won: <blockquote>There is no substitute for victory and I believe we must complete what we started in Iraq and Afghanistan.</blockquote> I don't know what to make of the time lapse. It's annoying. There seems to be no golden moment of credibility. None of these guys speaks out while still in uniform - wouldn't be prudent for the pension and all. When they speak afterward, they're relegated to the disgruntled-former-employee pile. Can't imagine why CBS hired him in the first place - his Senate testimony was readily extant. Guess it's OK with CBS to blast a discredited former Defense Secretary (who's still working somewhere in the WH), but taboo to blast the actual Chimp-in-Chief. The General “Left the Army in protest in order to speak out” in November 2005. His damning testimony before Senate Democratic Policy Committee on the leadership of the Iraq war occurred 9 months later on September 25, 2006, where he held that the war, though badly mishandled by Rumbo, could still be won:

There is no substitute for victory and I believe we must complete what we started in Iraq and Afghanistan.

I don’t know what to make of the time lapse. It’s annoying. There seems to be no golden moment of credibility. None of these guys speaks out while still in uniform – wouldn’t be prudent for the pension and all. When they speak afterward, they’re relegated to the disgruntled-former-employee pile.

Can’t imagine why CBS hired him in the first place – his Senate testimony was readily extant. Guess it’s OK with CBS to blast a discredited former Defense Secretary (who’s still working somewhere in the WH), but taboo to blast the actual Chimp-in-Chief.

]]> By: Tobey Tall http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/12/gen-batiste-speaks-out/comment-page-1/#comment-3800494 Tobey Tall Sun, 13 May 2007 13:02:55 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/12/gen-batiste-speaks-out/#comment-3800494 <b>One reason Bush cannot stop this war before his presidency ends is , The war and torture stories will come out thick and fast the minute the US leaves Iraq</b> One reason Bush cannot stop this war before his presidency ends is , The war and torture stories will come out thick and fast the minute the US leaves Iraq

]]> By: El Tonno http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/12/gen-batiste-speaks-out/comment-page-1/#comment-3800472 El Tonno Sun, 13 May 2007 10:37:22 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/12/gen-batiste-speaks-out/#comment-3800472 The General: > The minute we’d leave, the insurgents would pick up on that, > and kill everybody who had been friendly.” As so often, a war that says to everyone "Trust in Amurrica" == "You are a tool and sooo f**cked". MAF4 as usual: > Then again, it’s better to have weak characters like him to resign > than let them corrode the morale of the troops. Hey MAF4, why dontcha volunteer at a Mahdi army checkpoint for some serious Iraqi-style headdrilling? Builds character, gets you on the right track again. The General:

> The minute we’d leave, the insurgents would pick up on that,
> and kill everybody who had been friendly.”

As so often, a war that says to everyone “Trust in Amurrica” == “You are a tool and sooo f**cked”.

MAF4 as usual:

> Then again, it’s better to have weak characters like him to resign
> than let them corrode the morale of the troops.

Hey MAF4, why dontcha volunteer at a Mahdi army checkpoint for some serious Iraqi-style headdrilling? Builds character, gets you on the right track again.

]]> By: MAF54 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/12/gen-batiste-speaks-out/comment-page-1/#comment-3800454 MAF54 Sun, 13 May 2007 07:28:26 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/12/gen-batiste-speaks-out/#comment-3800454 What a coward. While the men he commanded in Iraq can't just leave, this guy suddenly decided that he has had enough and resigned. Then again, it's better to have weak characters like him to resign than let them corrode the morale of the troops. What a coward. While the men he commanded in Iraq can’t just leave, this guy suddenly decided that he has had enough and resigned.

Then again, it’s better to have weak characters like him to resign than let them corrode the morale of the troops.

]]> By: Lora http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/12/gen-batiste-speaks-out/comment-page-1/#comment-3800445 Lora Sun, 13 May 2007 06:51:37 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/12/gen-batiste-speaks-out/#comment-3800445 let the swift boating begin. Comment by Ben Dover — May 12, 2007 @ 8:43 pm He’ll be getting smeared any moment now… Comment by Mistress Z — May 12, 2007 @ 9:53 pm Mistress Z and Ben D., The swiftboating has already begun. The first comment in this thread is: Gen. Batiste speaks out: “I’m GAY!” Comment by Mr. President — May 12, 2007 @ 7:20 pm let the swift boating begin.
Comment by Ben Dover — May 12, 2007 @ 8:43 pm

He’ll be getting smeared any moment now…
Comment by Mistress Z — May 12, 2007 @ 9:53 pm

Mistress Z and Ben D.,
The swiftboating has already begun. The first comment in this thread is:
Gen. Batiste speaks out: “I’m GAY!”
Comment by Mr. President — May 12, 2007 @ 7:20 pm

]]> By: Shane http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/12/gen-batiste-speaks-out/comment-page-1/#comment-3800405 Shane Sun, 13 May 2007 05:57:39 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/12/gen-batiste-speaks-out/#comment-3800405 OT but John Edwards has started an initiative today called Support the Troops. End the War. Go to his web site for more info and events Memorial Day weekend. http://www.supportthetroopsendthewar.com/ Comment by Shane — May 13, 2007 @ 1:51 am OT but John Edwards has started an initiative today called Support the Troops. End the War. Go to his web site for more info and events Memorial Day weekend.

http://www.supportthetroopsendthewar.com/

Comment by Shane — May 13, 2007 @ 1:51 am

]]> By: Dick Pinch http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/12/gen-batiste-speaks-out/comment-page-1/#comment-3800279 Dick Pinch Sun, 13 May 2007 03:10:13 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/12/gen-batiste-speaks-out/#comment-3800279 Finally! SOMEONE willing to risk a friggin' JOB to point out that we're killing THOUSANDS of people for no apparent reason. If Colin Powell had half his balls (or any), we could have stopped this four years ago. Finally! SOMEONE willing to risk a friggin’ JOB to point out that we’re killing THOUSANDS of people for no apparent reason. If Colin Powell had half his balls (or any), we could have stopped this four years ago.

]]> By: Joneses http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/12/gen-batiste-speaks-out/comment-page-1/#comment-3800258 Joneses Sun, 13 May 2007 02:14:24 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/12/gen-batiste-speaks-out/#comment-3800258 I have never seen conflicts in person, battles nor witnessed. I have heard the stories from the people who were there. Our troops need to come home. I have never seen conflicts in person, battles nor witnessed. I have heard the stories from the people who were there.

Our troops need to come home.

]]> By: JPark http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/12/gen-batiste-speaks-out/comment-page-1/#comment-3800256 JPark Sun, 13 May 2007 02:12:36 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/12/gen-batiste-speaks-out/#comment-3800256 For the extremist lefties who say Batiste should have spoken out when he was in uniform...shut up and join the real world. For the righties who will be trashing and swiftboating Batiste...just shut up. For the extremist lefties who say Batiste should have spoken out when he was in uniform…shut up and join the real world. For the righties who will be trashing and swiftboating Batiste…just shut up.

]]> By: kasinca http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/12/gen-batiste-speaks-out/comment-page-1/#comment-3800252 kasinca Sun, 13 May 2007 02:06:16 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/12/gen-batiste-speaks-out/#comment-3800252 Olbermann = Factual, reality based discussion and criticism. Hannity = FAUX, fantasy based emotional diatribe based on lies. Cooper = Big Business ass kisser. Olbermann = Factual, reality based discussion and criticism.

Hannity = FAUX, fantasy based emotional diatribe based on lies.

Cooper = Big Business ass kisser.

]]> By: CONservative http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/12/gen-batiste-speaks-out/comment-page-1/#comment-3800247 CONservative Sun, 13 May 2007 01:57:27 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/12/gen-batiste-speaks-out/#comment-3800247 Comment by big papa #12 I still don't get from that ramblin post where Olbermann EVER belongs in the same sentence as that fascist propagandist Hannity! Comment by big papa #12

I still don’t get from that ramblin post where Olbermann EVER belongs in the same sentence as that fascist propagandist Hannity!

]]> By: Mistress Z http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/12/gen-batiste-speaks-out/comment-page-1/#comment-3800244 Mistress Z Sun, 13 May 2007 01:53:11 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/12/gen-batiste-speaks-out/#comment-3800244 He'll be getting smeared any moment now... He’ll be getting smeared any moment now…

]]> By: John http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/12/gen-batiste-speaks-out/comment-page-1/#comment-3800243 John Sun, 13 May 2007 01:49:27 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/12/gen-batiste-speaks-out/#comment-3800243 Batiste is the kind of real man, and true American patriot who should run for politcal office. Batiste is the kind of real man, and true American patriot who should run for politcal office.

]]> By: VerbalKint http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/12/gen-batiste-speaks-out/comment-page-1/#comment-3800242 VerbalKint Sun, 13 May 2007 01:49:11 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/12/gen-batiste-speaks-out/#comment-3800242 We're going to be hearing a lot more stuff like this as time goes on. I can hardly imagine the outpouring of criticism and damning inside information that will come from military leaders after Bush is out of power. Bush will crawl out of office a disgrace, and he just might come to realize it while he is rotting away down in Texas (if not Paraguay). We’re going to be hearing a lot more stuff like this as time goes on. I can hardly imagine the outpouring of criticism and damning inside information that will come from military leaders after Bush is out of power.

Bush will crawl out of office a disgrace, and he just might come to realize it while he is rotting away down in Texas (if not Paraguay).

]]> By: midwestblue http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/12/gen-batiste-speaks-out/comment-page-1/#comment-3800230 midwestblue Sun, 13 May 2007 01:27:21 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/12/gen-batiste-speaks-out/#comment-3800230 Batiste is a courageous patriot, just like the fired attorneys who spoke out. These are the kinds of men our forefathers talked about. More people in positions of power should follow their consciences, and they should do it now. Batiste is a courageous patriot, just like the fired attorneys who spoke out. These are the kinds of men our forefathers talked about. More people in positions of power should follow their consciences, and they should do it now.

]]> By: david http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/12/gen-batiste-speaks-out/comment-page-1/#comment-3800209 david Sun, 13 May 2007 00:45:29 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/12/gen-batiste-speaks-out/#comment-3800209 And this is why the Pentagon has gagged all it's officers, shut down blogs, and forbidden anyone in uniform to speak to Congress or answer questions form Congressional committees. The numbers aren't with the White House, but with the Democrats. And this is why the Pentagon has gagged all it’s officers, shut down blogs, and forbidden anyone in uniform to speak to Congress or answer questions form Congressional committees. The numbers aren’t with the White House, but with the Democrats.

]]> By: Ben Dover http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/12/gen-batiste-speaks-out/comment-page-1/#comment-3800207 Ben Dover Sun, 13 May 2007 00:43:35 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/12/gen-batiste-speaks-out/#comment-3800207 let the swift boating begin. let the swift boating begin.

]]> By: Rick http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/12/gen-batiste-speaks-out/comment-page-1/#comment-3800203 Rick Sun, 13 May 2007 00:31:01 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/12/gen-batiste-speaks-out/#comment-3800203 BATISTE: Keith, I‘m in a very unique position. I have a platform upon which I can speak. I‘m no longer wearing the uniform of our country. I have no ties to the defense industry. I can speak honestly. I have a duty to do so. BATISTE: Keith, I‘m in a very unique position. I have a platform upon which I can speak. I‘m no longer wearing the uniform of our country. I have no ties to the defense industry. I can speak honestly. I have a duty to do so.

]]> By: big papa http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/12/gen-batiste-speaks-out/comment-page-1/#comment-3800180 big papa Sun, 13 May 2007 00:01:37 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/12/gen-batiste-speaks-out/#comment-3800180 I haven’t a clue what you are talking about. But, I notice you put Olberman Comment by Kate Henry #11 Kate, Keith is MY favorite anchor... ...I was one of the first (that I am aware of) to bring attention to his special comments deriding Bush here on TP... ...but he joined in the minority community bashing (with Cooper and Hannity)... ...doing a feature on the "Stop Snitching" phenomenon that has been attributed to gang infested minority communities... ...where T-Shirts admonishing minorities to eschew collaborating with police in their (polce's) attempts to solve crimes in those communities... ...I am NOT supporting THAT position/phenomenon... ...merely pointing out the HYPOCRISY in the ffp media 's (Hannity, Olberman, and Cooper's) ignoring the fact... ...that the SAME phenomenon exists in the CONSERVATIVE mainstream (majority culture)... ...they should do a feature castigating the "majority culture's" shabby treatment of REAL American heroes... ...like Batiste, and the others I've mentioned... ...who've forfeited their careers to expose government corruption... ..and received OBSCURITY for their efforts... ...when a criminal like Tenet receives riches and reward... ...for keeping silent when he could've saved lives (and treasure)... I haven’t a clue what you are talking about. But, I notice you put Olberman

Comment by Kate Henry #11

Kate,

Keith is MY favorite anchor…

…I was one of the first (that I am aware of) to bring attention to his special comments deriding Bush here on TP…

…but he joined in the minority community bashing (with Cooper and Hannity)…

…doing a feature on the “Stop Snitching” phenomenon that has been attributed to gang infested minority communities…

…where T-Shirts admonishing minorities to eschew collaborating with police in their (polce’s) attempts to solve crimes in those communities…

…I am NOT supporting THAT position/phenomenon…

…merely pointing out the HYPOCRISY in the ffp media ’s (Hannity, Olberman, and Cooper’s) ignoring the fact…

…that the SAME phenomenon exists in the CONSERVATIVE mainstream (majority culture)…

…they should do a feature castigating the “majority culture’s” shabby treatment of REAL American heroes…

…like Batiste, and the others I’ve mentioned…

…who’ve forfeited their careers to expose government corruption…

..and received OBSCURITY for their efforts…

…when a criminal like Tenet receives riches and reward…

…for keeping silent when he could’ve saved lives (and treasure)…

]]> By: Kate Henry http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/12/gen-batiste-speaks-out/comment-page-1/#comment-3800160 Kate Henry Sat, 12 May 2007 23:39:27 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/12/gen-batiste-speaks-out/#comment-3800160 big papa - I haven't a clue what you are talking about. But, I notice you put Olberman in with Hannity and Cooper. Olberman does not ever belong in the same sentence with Hannity and Cooper unless the sentence says, "unlike Hannity and Cooper, Keith Olberman has a heart, soul and is a honest human being". Keith had General Batiste on his show the night the news broke about CBS firing him and the ad came out. It was a great interview and Keith showed the General total respect. And I have to say that General Batiste didn't exactly seem broken up about CBS firing him. He is a rather stoic kind of person. He also has principals and guts so he has my admiration, even though he is still a Republic. big papa – I haven’t a clue what you are talking about. But, I notice you put Olberman in with Hannity and Cooper. Olberman does not ever belong in the same sentence with Hannity and Cooper unless the sentence says, “unlike Hannity and Cooper, Keith Olberman has a heart, soul and is a honest human being”. Keith had General Batiste on his show the night the news broke about CBS firing him and the ad came out. It was a great interview and Keith showed the General total respect. And I have to say that General Batiste didn’t exactly seem broken up about CBS firing him. He is a rather stoic kind of person. He also has principals and guts so he has my admiration, even though he is still a Republic.

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