Think Progress

CentCom Commander Fallon: Attack On Iran ‘Will Not Happen On My Watch’

fallonEarlier this year, the Bush administration deployed a second Navy group carrier into the Persian Gulf. Vice President Cheney referred to the move as an attempt to send a “strong signal” about the administration’s commitment to confronting Iran.

In February, Newsweek reported that the Bush administration was planning to ratchet up the pressure even further by deploying a third carrier group into the Gulf. Hillary Mann, the administration’s former National Security Council director for Iran and Persian Gulf Affairs, warned that some Bush advisers secretly wanted an excuse to attack Iran. “They intend to be as provocative as possible and make the Iranians do something [America] would be forced to retaliate for,” she told Newsweek.

IPS reported yesterday that the administration’s attempt to send the third carrier group was vetoed by the new head of the U.S. Central Command Admiral William Fallon:

Admiral William Fallon, then President George W. Bush’s nominee to head the Central Command (CENTCOM), expressed strong opposition in February to an administration plan to increase the number of carrier strike groups in the Persian Gulf from two to three and vowed privately there would be no war against Iran as long as he was chief of CENTCOM.

Fallon’s resistance to the proposed deployment of a third aircraft carrier was followed by a shift in the Bush administration’s Iran policy in February and March away from increased military threats and toward diplomatic engagement with Iran. That shift, for which no credible explanation has been offered by administration officials, suggests that Fallon’s resistance to a crucial deployment was a major factor in the intra-administration struggle over policy toward Iran.

One source said Fallon sent a memo that “insisted there was no military requirement for” for an additional carrier. Fallon private conveyed around the time of his confirmation hearing that an attack on Iran “will not happen on my watch.” IPS notes, “Fallon’s refusal to support a further naval buildup in the Gulf reflected his firm opposition to an attack on Iran and an apparent readiness to put his career on the line to prevent it.”

While Fallon’s message may have affected the deployment of another Navy carrier, it didn’t stop Vice President Cheney from finding other ways to issue symbolic acts of provocation against Iran. Last week, Cheney stood aboard one of the two carriers currently in the Gulf and warned Iran that the U.S. was prepared to use its naval power to keep Tehran from disrupting off oil routes or “gaining nuclear weapons and dominating this region.”

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152 Responses to “CentCom Commander Fallon: Attack On Iran ‘Will Not Happen On My Watch’”

  1. Makmar Ohama says:

    CHENEY AND BUSH AND THEIR SUPPORTING TROLLS ARE ALL PUSSIES!!


  2. heyzeus says:

    Hooray for true soldiers, standing against the insanity of Dick Cheney!
    (And his stupid little dummy, George…)


  3. stopthecons says:

    it shouldn’t happen. ever.

    A country with thousands of nuclear weapons, a country that has used nuclear weapons….

    attacking another country for developing those same weapons?

    The hypocrisy here is amazing.

    Some interesting points on this:

    “Speaking of Iran”
    http://www.populistamerica.com/speaking_of_iran


  4. squegeebooo says:

    While Fallon’s message may have affected the deployment of another Navy carrier, it didn’t stop Vice President Cheney from finding other ways to issue symbolic acts of provocation against Iran.

    Well you can’t use a carrot with out a stick…


  5. mongo says:

    “Will not happen on *my* watch.”

    Thank you for your service to your country, Admiral, your watch is now officially over.


  6. Patrick1 says:

    I’m sure the mullahs and their leftist friends are happy.


  7. heyzeus says:

    Change the use of the word ’stick’ from a noun, to a verb, and I’m sure you could use a carrot , squeegypoo.


  8. Patrick1 says:

    Is this man President?


  9. JTitor says:

    The Administration has lost the military support of it’s Admiral’s and General’s. They all recognize the failed policies of this administration and what it’s doing to the Military. This Wartime president, has just become the “no-more” time President from the military.


  10. Republicans are the Fear and Smear Party says:

    Watch your back, Admiral.


  11. Patrickin1 says:

    Patrick in a F-16 intake scoop


  12. hil says:

    prepare the swift boats!!!!!


  13. mongo says:

    “Is this man President?

    Comment by Patrick1″

    No, he’s just the senior field commander; you know guy the president says he listens to.

    Of course, if the president doesn’t like what he hears, his response will be (if history is any guide) to simply shoot the messenger and repeat the exercise until he finds someone to tell him what he wants to hear.

    Because, after, all he *is* The Decider.


  14. gorn by any other name says:

    Is this man President? PatDick1

    Is this President dictator?


  15. Innocent Bystander says:

    It’s a pretty sad day when our military has more sanity than Commander AWOL Guy and his war-profiteering sidekick, Darth Cheney. You’d think a couple of guys who ran out on their commitment when they were called would be less inclined to sacrifice our military to shore up Big Oil’s bottom line. But that’s what you get when our Executive Branch is selected by the representatives of the Republican Oil Party on the Supreme Court.


  16. squegeebooo says:

    They basically have to replace him now that his statement has been made public. Iran has no reason to fear any consequences if it continues, so it has no reason to stop it’s nuclear ambitions.

    Having this statement released undermines any diplomatic attempts we make while he is still serving as leader of CENTCOM.


  17. nanlichi says:

    Hey trolls, please go ask Falwell what he thinks. Please do it in the tub though, so it’s easier to clean up.


  18. geoman77 says:

    I spent 4 years in the Navy back in the early 80’s and we spent considerable time in the Indian Ocean/North Arabian Sea. Popular naval doctrine at the time was to keep the carriers out of the Persian Gulf. It is too small for effective maneuver, and they are essentially fish in a barrel. Bad move having two carrier groups in that little pond. Unless you want an incident? Hmmmm….
    Then again, maybe the reporting is geographically challenged (would not be surprised) and they are actually steaming in the North Arabian Sea.


  19. Shuichi says:

    Good to see someone stand up to the dictator. This warmongering has got to stop.


  20. JTitor says:

    Hey Patrick1, wern’t you bl@wing Cheney when he heard Fallon say this on the NEWS? Did Cheney go CentCOM all over you?


  21. Buck Fush says:

    Looks like someone with some common sense, which means – Bye Bye.

    Patti 1″ you are overdosing on those Stupid Pills again…much like every other day, idiot chickenhawk low life.

    Hating the Repukian Mafia daily


  22. pgw says:

    “Is this man President?

    Comment by Patrick1″

    is this man WAR CZAR?
    is the president WAR CZAR?


  23. SuperEdo says:

    Sorry, what, #16? Not all diplomatic efforts need to be made under threat of bombs. I’d say the withdrawal of the threat could possibly be a a benefit. It’s not as if threats have been working up to now, have they?


  24. Fed the Fcuk Up! says:

    I will hold you to your word on that, Admiral.


  25. Innocent Bystander says:

    #

    I’m sure the mullahs and their leftist friends are happy.

    Comment by Patrick1 — May 16, 2007 @ 2:57 pm

    No, Patrick1, we are relieved that we have sane military commanders. The mullahs would like nothing better than to have 3 carrier groups in the Persian Gulf and let Commander Guy make another stupid ME decision, this time to attack Iran. You’d understand that if you didn’t have your head up your ass.


  26. JT says:

    For those of you willing to engage in intellectual debate, I urge you toRead this article:

    http://www.commentarymagazine.com/cm/main/viewArticle.aip?id=10882

    It’s a very compelling case that rises above politics and makes those of you who engage in sophmoric and silly name-bashing rants look, well, even sillier.


  27. david says:

    Three cheers for Fallon. At last, someone willing to stand up to the C-in-C. And someone who knows that sometimes resigning is the noble thing to do. (Hint to PW.)

    Bush may be facing his Night of the Generals. He’d better make sure no one puts their briefcase too close to him during cabinet meetings.

    Patrick1trickpony, your Commander Guy can’t make the simplest, no-brainer decision. He won’t fire incompetents and he’s gone out of his way to find a War Czar when that’s exactly the job description of C-in-C. Face it: Bush is a fraud and indecisive Capt Queeg.


  28. DRxJ says:

    my gawd, even the evidence offered in this thread, we still have the 28%’ers fellating this administration.

    What’s it going to take for them to stand up and shout “enough is enough”?


  29. m12 says:

    #14

    He is Commander Fallon’s superior, last time I checked.


  30. squegeebooo says:

    SuperEdo
    Not all diplomatic efforts need to be made under threat of bombs.

    No they don’t, but heres my take on it.

    By letting them know that one option is off the table, the whole diplomatic process is skewed more towards the Iranian side than the American side. So while diplomacy can still work, we will end up giving in more, either in the form of more economic aid than we would have otherwise, or less sanctions when it’s all finally settled.


  31. m12 says:

    A country with thousands of nuclear weapons, a country that has used nuclear weapons….

    attacking another country for developing those same weapons?

    So why are the Iranians building nuclear weapons? I don’t think its to hang them on Christmas trees.


  32. valiant venus says:

    I hope we never have to war with Iran. But the people MOST happy with this announcement are the ayatollahs and “president” Ahmedinejad…..Remember the Left’s talking point memos: “Peace at Any Cost!!!” and my favourite, “Peace IS Patriotic”.


  33. Yikes says:

    Remember the Right’s talking point memos: “War at Any Cost!!!” and my favourite, “War IS Patriotic”.


  34. Innocent Bystander says:

    “Popular naval doctrine at the time was to keep the carriers out of the Persian Gulf. It is too small for effective maneuver, and they are essentially fish in a barrel. Bad move having two carrier groups in that little pond.”

    I think Fallon knows this as well. Bush and Cheney have pretty well broken our Army in Iraq…looks like they are willing to gamble that we won’t suffer the greatest greatest naval disaster since Pearl Harbor, too. If we strike Iran, I can see hundreds of Sunburners flying in the Gulf in parallel to a Scorched Earth policy in Iraq…our troops, our Navy, and the oil infrastructure will bear the brunt of this folly. It will be “Mission Demolished”. Impeachment, at that point, is too late.


  35. JT says:

    #28 DRxJ

    Thanks goodness the “28%’ers” such as us have our heads out of the sand and realize that Iran is an Islamofascist state bent on destroying all those who don’t share their religious beliefs. Although I think you’re an idiot, rest assured I won’t harm you, your family, etc., for having different beliefs than me.

    You have the president of Iran on the record as stating that Isreal should be “wiped of the map,” “all infidels (those that aren’t Islamic) destroyed,” ad nauseum. I ask you to read the article which link I posted in comment #26 above and here:

    http://www.commentarymagazine.com/cm/main/viewArticle.aip?id=10882

    What will it take for you to realize that Iran cannot be negotiated with? We are already in conflict with these suicidal religious nuts. Come to your senses!!


  36. DRxJ says:

    (yawn)

    did our resident fantasy lawyer, she of politcal party over her fantasized deceased offsping, just post something? With a generalized liberal projection?

    double (yawn)


  37. pgw says:

    “So why are the Iranians building nuclear weapons? I don’t think its to hang them on Christmas trees.

    Comment by m12″

    same thing could/should be said of pakistan.


  38. margaret says:

    Perhaps Iran would like the U.S. to think it’s building bombs for the same reason that Pakistan built them (India) and India (China) etc etc etc.

    It’s called deterrence.


  39. geoman77 says:

    You have the president of Iran on the record as stating that Isreal should be “wiped of the map,” “all infidels (those that aren’t Islamic) destroyed,” ad nauseum.
    Comment by JT — May 16, 2007 @ 3:26 pm

    And you have the president of the US on the record as saying he would get Osama, Dead or Alive, Smoke ‘Em Out, etc.

    Both seem to have as much credibility.


  40. DRxJ says:

    JT states this here:
    It’s a very compelling case that rises above politics and makes those of you who engage in sophmoric and silly name-bashing rants look, well, even sillier.
    Comment by JT — May 16, 2007 @ 3:15 pm

    follows up with this:
    Although I think you’re an idiot
    Comment by JT — May 16, 2007 @ 3:26 pm

    tell us again about sophmoric and silly name-bashing rants, and how that makes us look.

    Please?


  41. hit_escape says:

    Thank you Admiral. Please do what you can to “run out the clock” on the most incompetent administration ever.


  42. squegeebooo says:

    pgw
    same thing could/should be said of pakistan.

    Pakistan developed them so that India, their regional rival, wouldn’t have an overwhelming military capability compared to them.


  43. JT says:

    DRxJ

    What does, if anything, your post relate to in #36? Is this your passive aggressive way of acknowledging that you stick your head in the sand? Apparently you haven’t done any research or independent corroboration to back up your (unfounded and meritless) opinions.

    Sure, go ahead and (yawn). The rest of us will assume leadership roles in this debate while you pack off in blissful ignorance.


  44. Admiral Fallon says:

    hang on my dick, Dick


  45. Aden says:

    To the idiots who wrote this article:

    Dear Pretend Journalist (Who happen to have a computer on your kitchen table at home),

    Do you for a moment think that one (of many admirals) has the authority to veto a presidential decision? That’s like a Regional Wal-Mart manager telling the CEO of Wal-Mart that he is overriding the CEO’s decision. You people are so wrapped up in political dogmas that you can’t see the sliding door when you fly into it. Anyone with a computer (including myself) has an opinion that is typically and frankly stupid. At least mine is well thought out, unlike yours. Duh you idiots.


  46. TerrytheTurtle says:

    Pakistan developed them so that India, their regional rival, wouldn’t have an overwhelming military capability compared to them.

    Comment by squegeebooo — May 16, 2007 @ 3:32 pm

    Hmm, Israel? Perhaps Iran is concerned about Israel and learning the lesson of the ‘Axis of Evil’ – if you DON’T have a nuke or any WMD, then Chimpy’s going to drive his tanks all over your country….


  47. JT says:

    geoman77:

    Let’s see, Iran wants to engage in mass genocide. Bush wants to capture the man responsible for a cowardly and unprovoked attack. An attack on an entire nation versus capturing a person and bringing him to justice.

    Hmmm…perhaps you need to revisit your Webster’s dictionary on the meaing of “analogy”.


  48. Innocent Bystander says:

    I’m amazed that the Bush-Cheney cultists keep chugging the kool-aid. Apparently, they are clueless as to what has happened in Iraq, but now want to jump on to the next disaster with a country that has been preparing for a real war since 2003. Of course, for all I know, these pro-Bush posters could be posting from Tehran.


  49. DRxJ says:

    Please JT? Please?
    Tell us the story of sophmoric and silly name bashing, and how it makes us look.
    Pretty Please? With sugar on top.


  50. RJc says:

    All u anti-war act… get real if we dont take care of all these dot heads, killing our men every day,it will happen over here! Are you that stupid that you dont see that! Stand up for your country and back your President,or one day when your kids are outside playing a dirty bomb will blow up 2 or 3 miles from your house,and then you will say,man we should of stayed in the middle east and fought those sick freeks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


  51. CompTROLLER V-1 says:

    What the hell is Bush doing replacing Abizaid with same Navy sailor?


  52. geoman77 says:

    JT
    perhaps instead you should try to understand the meaning of the term “hollow bullshit rhetoric,” of which these are both outstanding examples.


  53. powkat says:

    Fallon is the real thing – when he stands up to the cowardly bully boys in the WH they back down. Can we elect him to Congress?


  54. Buck Fush says:

    JT – I see you are on the Stupid Pills too. Islamofascist is an oxymoron, the word is stupid (ie look in mirror) our country is the closest to being a Fascist state, look it up, Islamotherocacy is more like it, they want religion to rule not corporations. You repukes are so freaking stupid (ah the stupid pills) that it makes the mind spin.
    There is NO PROFF (at the moment) that they are making Nuke bombs, you guys are just off your nut, and you believe what ever your propaganda machine tells you. The Iranians invited the inspectors to have a look, even to oversee the operations, but the US says, NOOOo, we want a third stupid and budget straining war.
    So you idiots like Patti 1″ Valiant Douche Bag and m1.2″ all spout the same crap (Jonny), you are just plainly too stupid to think outside your RNC talking points.

    Hating Stupid People Daily


  55. valiant venus says:

    I think a viable option to reach a diplomatic solution should be considered.

    President Bush, in an effort to increase the political/diplomatic spectrum regarding Iran, appoints a contingent of “self-proclaimed” Progs from the realm of politics – heck, there are even a few “bright bulbs” here who would do an excellent job promoting the Progressive/anti-war stance.

    While they are busy kowtowing to the Iranians, we lock the door and don’t let them back in. Happy Progressives could busily denounce the war-mongers of the US on LIVE TV and sow seeds of brotherhood with our enemy. We could call it “The Peace Train”….


  56. DRxJ says:

    Comment by RJc(spell4me) — May 16, 2007 @ 3:39 pm

    Well, I see the 28%’ers just brought in their intellictual back up


  57. TomR says:

    —-
    “Fallon’s refusal to support a further naval buildup in the Gulf reflected his firm opposition to an attack on Iran and an apparent readiness to put his career on the line to prevent it.”
    —-

    Can we get more leadership in our armed forces like this please?

    Thank you,

    - Tom


  58. TerrytheTurtle says:

    All u anti-war act… get real if we dont take care of all these dot heads, killing our men every day,it will happen over here! Are you that stupid that you dont see that! Stand up for your country and back your President,or one day when your kids are outside playing a dirty bomb will blow up 2 or 3 miles from your house,and then you will say,man we should of stayed in the middle east and fought those sick freeks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Comment by RJc — May 16, 2007 @ 3:39 pm

    Who exactly are you talking about ‘taking care of’ exactly?

    Oh and here’s a little Ted for you:

    “Patriotism means to stand by the country. It does not mean to stand by the President or any other public official save exactly to the degree in which he himself stands by the country.”
    -Theodore Roosevelt

    “To announce there must be no criticism of the President, and to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, it is morally treasonous to the American public.”
    – President Theodore Roosevelt

    Are you unpatriotic, servile, morally treasonous or all three?


  59. powkat says:

    #49 Please see the corrections below – Zero for mechanics

    All you anti-war act(ivists), get real. If we don’t take care of all these dot heads (please explain origin of epithet) killing our men every day, it will happen over here! Are you (so) stupid that you don’t see that? Stand up for your country and back your President, or one day when your kids are outside playing a dirty bomb will blow up 2 or 3 miles from your house. Then you will say, ‘Man we should (have) stayed in the Middle East and fought those sick freaks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!’

    Comment by RJc — May 16, 2007 @ 3:39 pm


  60. Fed the Fcuk Up! says:

    #32,

    Here is one for you: “Peace takes courage”

    and its corollary: “War requires fear”

    Logical facts that have both been proven and are indisputable.

    Ta ta.


  61. Innocent Bystander says:

    #

    All u anti-war act… get real if we dont take care of all these dot heads, killing our men every day,it will happen over here! Are you that stupid that you dont see that! Stand up for your country and back your President,or one day when your kids are outside playing a dirty bomb will blow up 2 or 3 miles from your house,and then you will say,man we should of stayed in the middle east and fought those sick freeks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Comment by RJc — May 16, 2007 @ 3:39 pm

    RJc…stop being such a pussy. When it’s your time, it’s your time. You sound like AWOL Commander Guy and 5 Deferments. Why are the Republicans willing to let other Americans die so they can live a comfortable life in their mother’s basement? While our troops and National Guard are being used as human targets so you can sleep easy at night, real terrorism, in the form of Katrina and Cat.5 hurricanes are doing 1000 times the damage any terrorist bomb could impact on us. Grow a pair and stop making cowardly arguments.


  62. DRxJ says:

    (yawn)
    Is she still posting?

    Please tell us the story of your children comforting you over your dead child, by stating that at least she wont grow up to be a Democrat

    Please? It’s such a wonderful, awe inspiring story, valiant mighty venus!


  63. valiant venus says:

    Dear Buck- Please enlighten us – - what are your sources for your profound comments? Hmmmm…….


  64. CompTROLLER V-1 says:

    The Commander of CentCom should have either an Army or Marine General.


  65. erock says:

    http://www.commentarymagazine.com/ cm/ main/ viewArticle.aip?id=10882

    What will it take for you to realize that Iran cannot be negotiated with? We are already in conflict with these suicidal religious nuts. Come to your senses!!

    Comment by JT — May 16, 2007 @ 3:26 pm

    What a ridiculous piece of garbage. If you haven’t read it already, save yourself some time and don’t. The author futily tries to convince us that “Islamofascism” (a misnomer in and of itself) is a threat comparable to Soviet Communism or Nazism.


  66. squegeebooo says:

    TerrytheTurtle
    Hmm, Israel? Perhaps Iran is concerned about Israel and learning the lesson of the ‘Axis of Evil’ – if you DON’T have a nuke or any WMD, then Chimpy’s going to drive his tanks all over your country….

    Perhaps, I would think more the Axis of Evil part than the Israel part. Seeing how as they seemed to have kicked it into high gear in the early 00’s as opposed to when Israel was first believed to have nukes.


  67. valiant venus says:

    Turtle – I’m sure there is a collection of quotes from outspoken, vocal leaders of FDR and the way he handled WWII. Do you know of any sources?……I found this:

    “The (political) cartoons of 1942 reveal the portrait of a nation at war. Teachers and students looking for cartoons based on naval strategy or land battles will find none. Censorship was the rule. Even a nationwide tour by FDR was kept secret until he returned to Washington. The major themes found in the 1942 cartoons are patriotism, production and productivity. Freedom would be won by an all-out war production effort.”

    Where could those public criticisms be found???


  68. TerrytheTurtle says:

    Comment by valiant venus — May 16, 2007 @ 3:42 pm

    Come on MA, another dead baby joke….


  69. Innocent Bystander says:

    #

    The Commander of CentCom should have either an Army or Marine General.

    Comment by CompTROLLER V-1 — May 16, 2007 @ 3:48 pm

    Unless, of course, you want to widen the war and attack Iran. That phase will require air/sea assets…we obviously don’t have a military capable of taking on Iran at this point.


  70. squegeebooo says:

    CompTROLLER V-1
    The Commander of CentCom should have either an Army or Marine General.

    Each of the different ‘Coms’ has a commander from a different branch of service.


  71. RUCerious says:

    This SOB is a hero.


  72. The Rightwing says:

    I’M SKEEEERED!!,…..what if?…..what if?…..they’re gonna …they’re gonna……then yule be sorry….then yule be sorry…. whaaaaaaa


  73. TerrytheTurtle says:

    Squegeeboo – yup, that may be the case.


  74. JT says:

    Buck Fush

    You said: “our country is the closest to being a Fascist state, look it up, Islamotherocacy is more like it, they want religion to rule not corporations. You repukes are so freaking stupid (ah the stupid pills) that it makes the mind spin.
    There is NO PROFF (at the moment) that they are making Nuke bombs, you guys are just off your nut, and you believe what ever your propaganda machine tells you.

    Wow! You really believe that you live in a fascist state? Then how come you haven’t been hauled off for exercising your right to express an opinion contrary to the administration’s? Could it be that your Constitutional rights are well protected as evinced by the ability for you to engage in this debate. The mere act of posting such a strong dissident opinion undercuts any credibility your argument may have had. Try doing that in Iran, etc. Aww… you can’t, can you?

    You sir/madam, have been had. Leave now with your tail between your legs.


  75. valiant venus says:

    Come on Turtle, Show us that Teddy Roosevelt had it right when Repubs turned WWII into a political issue…….


  76. Buck Fush says:

    here’s the lastest Valiant Douche Bag-
    Nuclear inspectors return to Iran

    The inspectors will visit the gas centrifuge facility in Natanz

    Experts from the UN atomic watchdog are back in Iran to resume inspections of the country’s nuclear facilities.

    The Iranians suspended the inspections earlier this month, because of a dispute with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

    The IAEA accused Tehran of keeping some nuclear activities secret.

    The US says Iran is using its nuclear power programme to develop weapons, while Iran insists it is designed to meet its energy needs.

    The Bush administration kept up its push for the UN Security Council to apply sanctions to Iran. CNN reports that Robert Joseph, the US State Department’s top official on nuclear issues, said Iran has used negotiations with the European Union ” to play for time to further its nuclear ambitions and now has the capacity to develop a nuclear weapon and a delivery system.” Undersecretary Joseph, however, declined to say how long it would be before Iran developed a nuclear weapon.

    There you go, the Bushies are the ones making trouble and causing Iran to limit inspections by being threatened by that Psychopath.

    And yes, I think they should be heavily monitored on the issue, but Bush is not helping on the issue…so there, idiot.


  77. Perry Logan says:

    A few more years of Republican rule and we could have a bona fide military coup in this country. What a bunch of screw-ups.


  78. TerrytheTurtle says:

    Did I miss something, is the US at war with Iran?


  79. erock says:

    You sir/madam, have been had. Leave now with your tail between your legs.

    Comment by JT — May 16, 2007 @ 4:01 pm

    Just out of curiosity, what system of government do you belive the US is?


  80. John says:

    “Wow! You really believe that you live in a fascist state? Then how come you haven’t been hauled off for exercising your right to express an opinion contrary to the administration’s?”

    Comment by JT

    …They’re workin’ on it …. so far you can’t protest peacefully or wear an and anti-admin. T- shirt…give ‘em time


  81. valiant venus says:

    JT – Too many Progressive fools/tools wouldn’t know fascism if it bit them. They crave the erudite sound of “bohemian discontent”…..


  82. Buck Fush says:

    JT – I said CLOSEST to, we are almost there, but not quite, Bush nearly pulled it off, but got caught. And no your stupid comment did not WIN, just shows that you are a DittoHead.
    And Corporations do own our government and media, so we are certainly close to it.

    Hating the Repukian Fascists Daily


  83. valiant venus says:

    Buck – Thanks for the info!! CNN?? That’s your source?? Nice try…..


  84. david says:

    So, let me get this straight. NRA members who are gun-loving freaks who believe in the Right to Bear Arms are the ones who think every nation interested in developing the bomb ought to be neutralized. Check. These same goons, when debating peaceniks who wanted to Ban Nukes, would ramble on and on about the joys of MAD as a deterrence. Check. And these same ditto-heads who tie yellow ribbons to every object within reach and plaster their bumpers with SUPPORT THE TROOPS will sh*it on every Admiral, General, Major, Colonel or Capt who states that the Surge is NOT working, war with Iran would be INSANE, and that the troops are stretched too THIN. Check again.

    It seems to me that Patrick1trickpony, m12, and ValianttheVenushater should all check into the nearest Psych ward. They are all exhibiting symptoms of bipolar disorder with delusions of grandeur.


  85. Mr. Rightwing says:

    CorporateCristoFascism makes me FEEL warm and safe


  86. Rocks911 says:

    mullahs=leftists=Patrick1=retard


  87. IgnoranceIsNotBliss says:

    What just happened to the thread about Gonzo being sent a letter asking if he wanted to revise his testimony from last year regarding the wiretapping program? I went to post my comment, was told post not found, so I refreshed the page and it’s gonezo. What gives?


  88. heyzeus says:

    #84…
    Pretty good Kool-aid, CorpCristoFascio makes, ain’t it?


  89. fuzzwald says:

    I’m sure the mullahs and their leftist friends are happy. – Patrick1
    ———————————-
    I’m sure they are happy about not getting nuked to smithereens. I’m happy, too. I suppose you’re NOT happy? Would a new war make you happy, Patrick1?

    Have you been eating rat poison?

    I suppose it will be time to “duck and cover” when Bush cans the good General.


  90. Kathleen says:

    The “cakewalk in Iraq” zealots were provided a stage in the MSM to repeat their unsubstantiated claims about Iran’s “alleged” nuclear weapons program. NPR’s Neil Conan provided such a platform several weeks ago for John Bolton to repeat these claims about Iran, and Conan did not challenge John Bolton once. Polls report that 70% of Americans now believe that Iran posesses nuclear weapons. The Israeli lobby is pushing for Divest from Iran legislation across the nation. Aipacs website is focused on Iran and repeating these unsubstantiated claims.

    This belief of many Americans did not happen via osmosis. This belief has come to be because the war zealots have been given plenty of opportunites to repeat them. Deja Vu folks Deja Vu!

    The only mainstreamer that I have heard consistently challenge these claims is MSNBC’s Chris Matthews.


  91. KG Prophet says:

    This proves Bush’s foreign policy is just flailing in the wind. It is an admission they don’t have a clue what they are doing just as much as hiring a war czar.

    Can we really survive the Bush presidency??


  92. Shane says:

    What will it take for you to realize that Iran cannot be negotiated with? We are already in conflict with these suicidal religious nuts. Come to your senses!!

    Comment by JT — May 16, 2007 @ 3:26 pm

    Not all of us beliewve every piece of propaganda we read. Apparently all you trolls are just itching
    to start a war with Iran. Or are you all working for the same boss pushing the agenda. Because you all certainly showed up in unison here.


  93. TerrytheTurtle says:

    Come on Turtle, Show us that Teddy Roosevelt had it right when Repubs turned WWII into a political issue…….

    Comment by valiant venus — May 16, 2007 @ 4:02 pm

    In what way? How is WWII relevant to this thread? The US is not at war with Iran, so your position is a false one.


  94. BottomBoy says:

    Well, watch how this guy is forced into retirement – and rightly so.


  95. JT says:

    erock

    We live in a representative democracy. No riots, looting, bombings, etc., when our government switches from a Republican majority to a Democratic majority (unlike, say, in France).

    What is really silly is when someone posts hypotheticals about “how close we are” to a fascist state or “what ifs” on our Constitutional rights being eroded. These are DNC talking points. Offer me irrefutable, concise, and third-party (non-opionated) proof that a U.S. citizen has lost his/her Constitutional rights related to direct action by Bush, and I will believe.

    Any other points I can educate you on?…


  96. impeachcheneythenbush says:

    What will it take for you to realize that Iran cannot be negotiated with? We are already in conflict with these suicidal religious nuts. Come to your senses!!

    Comment by JT — May 16, 2007 @ 3:26 pm

    You have an article by a person called the “father of neoconservativism.” And you expect us to give any weight to his thoughts? Bottom line is they were dead wrong about how great invading Iraq and overthrowing the Saddam regime was going to turn out for the U.S. and the world. Do you honestly believe that, somehow, they are right about attacking Iran? And I would like to remind you, once again, that most of the 911 suicidal maniacs were from Saudia Arabia. NONE were from either Iraq or Iran. And OBL and the “heart” of Al-Queda appears to be in Pakistan. Both those countries are our “allies.” Perhaps YOU should “come to your senses.”


  97. Shane says:

    Are you unpatriotic, servile, morally treasonous or all three?

    Comment by TerrytheTurtle — May 16, 2007 @ 3:46 pm

    Not to mention he calls Arab Muslims dot heads. What an idiot.


  98. Ben B says:

    Don’t worry guys…

    Last week, Cheney stood aboard one of the two carriers currently in the Gulf and warned Iran that the U.S. was prepared to use its naval power to keep Tehran from disrupting off oil routes or “gaining nuclear weapons and dominating this region.

    We all know whatever this administration says from the deck of an aircraft carrier is complete bs…

    Besides, who are we kidding. Iran can easily disrupt oil supply routes. It might be nice if Iran proved that to us, and forced us to take a more serious effort to develop/use domestic energy sources, preferably renewable.


  99. TerrytheTurtle says:

    that a U.S. citizen has lost his/her Constitutional rights related to direct action by Bush, and I will believe.

    Jose Padilla, habeas corpus – QED. Next troll please, this one has overreached.


  100. angryvietnamvet says:

    Unless you have your head up your rectum it is clear that an attack on Iran would be a complete disaster for US and Israel. The military knows this. The army and marines are broken or close to it. Now you want prime navy ships destroyed as well? And if you think the 150,000 US troops in Iraq can withstand the onslought of a million plus Iranian human wave, you better think again. Plus, be prepared for multiple 9-11 type attacks on the Homeland by Iranian sleeper cells which surely are well placed all over the country just waiting for the madness to be set-off. And Israel? Well, I think you can count on TelAviv, Haifa etc to just kinda go BOOM. And don’t be too sure that the oil infrastructure in Saudi Arabia will be immune from attack and devastation so that the oil pipeline would be significantly damaged. ( I suppose we might have to rely on our friend Mr. Chavez to make up for the lost supply…sure…). I suspect that even the dunce in the White House and the ViceMadman, despite their madness, have been told the facts of life. I hope they don’t make a bad situation far, far worse of a nightmare for us all.


  101. Tobey Tall says:

    MOSCOW. (Vladislav Inozemtsev and Yekaterina Kuznetsova for RIA Novosti) – In recent months, the Iranian nuclear program has become one of the hottest and most discussed topics in the world press.

    On the one hand, many experts consider Iran’s moves to be largely a reaction to the policy of the United States and its allies in the Middle East, which have created a sense of defenselessness in most of the region’s countries. They say that although Iran began the construction of its nuclear power plant in 1975, it did not try to give the project a military slant until January 29, 2002, when George W. Bush included the country in the “axis of evil.” Its fears were confirmed in 2003, when neighboring Iraq fell victim to an American act of aggression. In such a situation, pursuing a nuclear program looks like a justifiable means of self-defense, and Iran decided upon such a course fairly easily, seeing the inaction of the international community.

    Article 10 of the July 1, 1968 Non-Proliferation Treaty allows any signatory to withdraw from it after giving the other parties three months’ notice, and such a withdrawal does not entail any sanctions. Neither are there any other international mechanisms to prevent states from developing nuclear weapons (no stiff measures were taken against Pakistan, India or North Korea). Lastly, the decisions of the UN Security Council carry no weight (it is enough to recall that to punish Iraq for ignoring such decisions, the U.S. attacked it without any UN mandate, and Israel, the “most steadfast stalwart of stability” in the Middle East, is still the leader in the number of resolution breaches). From the point of view of this segment of the expert community, the main threat of destabilization stems not so much from Iran, even a nuclear Iran, as from the West’s uncooperative stance, along with moves that increasingly persuade Tehran that aggression is inevitable.


  102. Shane says:

    what are your sources for your profound comments? Hmmmm…….

    Comment by valiant venus — May 16, 2007 @ 3:47 pm

    Why don’t you tell us who rousted up all the trolls to get to this post ASAP. What are you all afraid of TODAY?


  103. JT says:

    impeachcheneythenbush

    You’re right. I have come to my senses. Time to sit down and talk and have a pleasant lunch with the leader of a country who has, for the record, stated all infidels (of which you assuredly are a member) should be killed. Oh, and perhaps we can adopt their repressive government regime: arranged marriages, stonings for homosexuals, hands cut off for (alleged) thieves, etc.

    Why didn’t we do this with Hitler and save our greatest generation all the grief? Too bad your ilk weren’t running the country in the 20s, 30s, and 40s.


  104. impeachcheneythenbush says:

    What is really silly is when someone posts hypotheticals about “how close we are” to a fascist state or “what ifs” on our Constitutional rights being eroded. These are DNC talking points. Offer me irrefutable, concise, and third-party (non-opionated) proof that a U.S. citizen has lost his/her Constitutional rights related to direct action by Bush, and I will believe.

    Any other points I can educate you on?…

    Comment by JT — May 16, 2007 @ 4:25 pm

    Jose Padilla. American citizen. Declared an illegal enemy combatant in 2002 and held without charges or a trial for four years. Now working his way through the criminal system, with the original “accusations” not included in the current charges. Because he was evidently tortured and whatever “evidence” was collected using those techniques cannot be used in a real court of law.

    Any other points I can educate YOU on?


  105. Innocent Bystander says:

    “Besides, who are we kidding. Iran can easily disrupt oil supply routes. It might be nice if Iran proved that to us, and forced us to take a more serious effort to develop/use domestic energy sources, preferably renewable.”

    Comment by Ben B — May 16, 2007 @ 4:28 pm

    What would a trillion dollar investment that we’ve made in Iraq have bought us in renewable/alternative energy? How many jobs would that have created.

    That would have been the future if Al Gore hadn’t had the Presidency stolen by Big Oil.


  106. Shane says:

    Wow! You really believe that you live in a fascist state?
    Comment by JT — May 16, 2007 @ 4:01 pm

    Yes and we believe you trolls are the propaganda machine of the fascist regime. I wouldn’t worry about Muslims because the American people will probably be coming after all you fascists first.

    Have you ever been tarred and feathered before?


  107. JT says:

    TerrytheTurtle:

    You said:

    Jose Padilla, habeas corpus – QED. Next troll please, this one has overreached.

    Are you ever wrong!! Your right to haebus corpus has not been revoked or even suspended! As a matter of historical fact, Abraham Lincoln did suspend haebus during the Civil War to keep our country together in time of its greatest need. You can’t argue that his actions to save the country hurt you.

    Jose Padilla, last I checked, was enjoying the FULL Constitutional rights of a US citizen in his Miami trial (due process, attorney representation, etc.)…

    You have offered NO proof!!


  108. Tobey Tall says:

    WHEREAS, the practice in Iraq – as in other countries with giant oil
    reserves – has been that control of oil production, development and
    sale rests with the public sector. Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Iran run
    their industries this way. Yet the proposed Oil Law calls for
    long-term contracts, handing to foreign companies effective control of
    Iraq’s oil industry for up to 30 years, and as much as 70% of the
    profits; and

    WHEREAS, the Iraqi people will not take this looting of their national
    treasure lying down. The Oil Law has been unanimously and strongly
    condemned by all of Iraq’s major labor federations, including the
    Federation of Oil Unions. The law would make a mockery of Iraqi
    sovereignty and deprive Iraqis of the resources they need to rebuild
    their shattered country; and

    WHEREAS, the leadership of the Democratic Party has embraced the draft
    Oil Law and put it into the supplemental funding bill as one of the
    “benchmarks” by which the Iraqi government will be measured. By doing
    so, the Democratic leadership becomes complicit in a backdoor effort
    to privatize Iraq’s publicly owned oil resources – second largest in
    the world; therefore be it

    RESOLVED, that the San Francisco Labor Council join in solidarity with
    the Oil Workers and Trade Unions of Iraq in opposing the proposed new
    Oil Law, which is nothing less than a hijack of Iraq’s oil by the
    international oil cartel; and be it further

    RESOLVED, that the Council urge Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Congressional
    Democrats to clearly oppose this shameful raid on Iraqi oil, and
    remove passage of the Oil Law from their list of “benchmarks.” The
    Bush Administration and IMF are pressing Iraq to adopt this law. It is
    unconscionable for the Congress to become partners in trying to shove
    this law, which will benefit only the rapacious oil companies, down
    the throats of the Iraqi people.


  109. Lily says:

    Wow, the trolls sure are running scared today.


  110. Shane says:

    A few more years of Republican rule and we could have a bona fide military coup in this country. What a bunch of screw-ups.

    Comment by Perry Logan — May 16, 2007 @ 4:03 pm

    I hope we can find the trolls real names when that happens. And they’re so worried about Muslims they don’t see how pissed the American people are.


  111. JT says:

    All you rushing to defend Iran–

    better sell your SUVs first. You are the real reason why we are in this mess. Now go fill ‘er up!!


  112. erock says:

    Any other points I can educate you on?…

    Comment by JT — May 16, 2007 @ 4:25 pm

    Technically speaking we are a constitutional republic. This is due primarily to the fact that our system is designed to protect minority groups against majority factions.

    To your second point, you and I have both lost rights protected under various amendments in the bill of rights. You may not have noticed yet because you aren’t being dragged off to jail, but that doesn’t mean you haven’t lost them.


  113. gummitch says:

    Yow. Troll central.

    My favorite argument: you can’t negotiate with a country you’re having a conflict with. I’m not sure who you do negotiate with, under those circumstances.

    The trolls also conveniently ignore the fact that the Iranians made a good faith offer to negotiate on all substantive issues in 2003. The geniuses in the White House turned them down.

    http://tinyurl.com/rt9lb

    But top Bush administration officials, convinced the Iranian government was on the verge of collapse, belittled the initiative. Instead, they formally complained to the Swiss ambassador who had sent the fax with a cover letter certifying it as a genuine proposal supported by key power centers in Iran, former administration officials said.

    Last month, the Bush administration abruptly shifted policy and agreed to join talks previously led by European countries over Iran’s nuclear program. But several former administration officials say the United States missed an opportunity in 2003 at a time when American strength seemed at its height — and Iran did not have a functioning nuclear program or a gusher of oil revenue from soaring energy demand.

    Oh, and the trolls should try looking up Godwin’s Law.

    Just as a point of information: Hitler invaded other countries. A lot of them. Iran has invaded zero countries. It’s such a stupid parallel that it’s not worth acknowledging.


  114. Mr. Bush Goes To Hell says:

    Yup.

    Bush will FIRE HIM or he will RESIGN just before Bush invades Iran.

    So it won’t be on HIS watch.


  115. valiant venus says:

    “In what way? How is WWII relevant to this thread? The US is not at war with Iran, so your position is a false one.” Comment by TerrytheTurtle

    Terry theTool – Quoting T. Roosevelt, “President Walk Softly and Carry a Big Stick” to assert the patriotism of the Left with their cindemnation of the President. We are at war in Iraq and Afghanistan with the howls of Progs heartening our enemy. (I was afraid you would be unable to grasp the comparison of a WAR and a WAR.) Hope this helps!


  116. valiant venus says:

    #103 – I think Jose Padilla is lucky to be alive – Period. After a trial, I should like to see him on a chain gang for the rest of his miserable life.

    #108 – “Wow, the trolls are running scared today”
    Well, it beats running stupid. Funny thing about Progs, should the armed portion of a conflict get here, you’d be the first ones GONE. Sadly, while the loss would be large, we could almost call such a tragic occurence Darwinian…..An armed citizenry has certain deterrents……


  117. Bluedog49 says:

    JT: “Why didn’t we do this with Hitler and save our greatest generation all the grief? Too bad your ilk weren’t running the country in the 20s, 30s, and 40s.”

    You know, for a troll who likes to brag about his own mental prowess, you sure don’t know much about WWII and the years leading up to it. If you crack open one of your history books and spend some time with it, you might find out that it was mainly Republican conservatives throughout the ’30s who strongly argued that we should stay out of Europe and that Hitler was no threat to us. You did kind of get the 20’s right though. Republicans in the 20’s ran our economy into the ground, and created the Great Depression.


  118. Bluedog49 says:

    If you’re going to compare the “War on Terror” to WWII, I would think you need to come up with an enemy like the Axis for comparison. Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan were two of the most formidable industrial powers on the planet in the 30’s. The Germans had annexed most of Europe by force and the Japanese had annexed most of China, Southeast Asia and the Phillipines by the time we got involved. The 3% of Sunni muslims who work for a world-wide Caliphate are peanuts by comparison. The Shiites are just learning how to enrich plutonium for power reactors and aren’t even close to the technology for using it in warfare.

    As usual, conservatives trying to make a political point have no respect for the challenges we faced in WWII. My Father and Uncle, both of whom fought in WWII, would laugh at the lame comparisons.


  119. Mr. Bush Goes To Hell says:

    I think Jose Padilla is lucky to be alive – Period. After a trial, I should like to see him on a chain gang for the rest of his miserable life.

    Same goes for WAR CRIMINAL Bush, Cheney, Rummy, Gonzo, Condi, etc…


  120. Mr. President says:

    Hey look at me, I’m Hillary Mann. Wanna hear me speculate about shit?


  121. Mr. President says:

    Hey look at me, I’m Admiral William Fallon. I don’t really like my job. Does someone else want it?


  122. gummitch says:

    You know, for a troll who likes to brag about his own mental prowess, you sure don’t know much about WWII and the years leading up to it. If you crack open one of your history books and spend some time with it, you might find out that it was mainly Republican conservatives throughout the ’30s who strongly argued that we should stay out of Europe and that Hitler was no threat to us. You did kind of get the 20’s right though. Republicans in the 20’s ran our economy into the ground, and created the Great Depression.

    Comment by Bluedog49

    Tough to swallow: the “Socialist” president, FDR, was the hero who took the US to war. Not to mention it was the Left who was fighting fascists in Spain years before any Republicans could be dragged into combat. The conservative corporatists would have been tickled to death to align themselves with the Reich.


  123. TerrytheTurtle says:

    Are you ever wrong!! Your right to haebus corpus has not been revoked or even suspended!

    Military Commissions Act 2006, Chimpy has said he can detain me anywhere, anytime and place for anything – bad luck with that one.

    As a matter of historical fact, Abraham Lincoln did suspend haebus during the Civil War to keep our country together in time of its greatest need. You can’t argue that his actions to save the country hurt you.

    Irrelevant – not my country, not my civil war, no comparison to current situation.

    Jose Padilla, last I checked, was enjoying the FULL Constitutional rights of a US citizen in his Miami trial (due process, attorney representation, etc.)…

    You have offered NO proof!!

    Comment by JT — May 16, 2007 @ 4:36 pm

    Bullshit, Jose Padilla has been held for 3.5 of his 5 years without access to an attorney, tortured and denied a speedy trial or the right to confront his accusers – that is habeas corpus. That he has had to wait 5 years for his trial is the whole point.

    The government will have a hard time convicting Mr Padilla of standing on the cracks in the pavement besides the reason he was originally detained for. For being ‘a bad man’, I believe your President said.

    Bad luck with that, JT


  124. Bluedog49 says:

    Valiant, do you think for one minute that Teddy Roosevelt could get a nomination today in your party? Teddy favored conservation, a federal National Park System, living wages and he was a powerful proponent of the inheritance tax. In your current version of the Repub party, he couldn’t get to first base. Hell, Barry Goldwater couldn’t even get a nomination in your current Repub party and you know it. Your posts present a perfect picture of what Teddy Roosevelt would hate the Repubs today: slavish devotion to a leader, war-mongering without end and a tendency to overlook gross government corruption. You guys are the opposite of Teddy Roosevelt.


  125. TerrytheTurtle says:

    #103 – I think Jose Padilla is lucky to be alive – Period. After a trial, I should like to see him on a chain gang for the rest of his miserable life.

    Our resident fantasy lawyer seems to have forgotten her classes on habeas corpus and the presumption of innocence. Send your diploma back to that web site, MA, they screwed you.


  126. Bluedog49 says:

    As usual, Mr. President and his crew of unamerican morons support the military ONLY if they agree with their cult leaders.


  127. Bluedog49 says:

    JT: “Jose Padilla, last I checked, was enjoying the FULL Constitutional rights of a US citizen in his Miami trial (due process, attorney representation, etc.)…”

    Good god, man, don’t you read the papers. The guy has been tortured so hard for so long that he can hardly speak or react fo questions. He’s a vegetable. They haven’t proven anything about him.


  128. Damian says:

    We have a crazy-assed President that called out Iran as part of some axis of evil. He wasn’t speaking for me or for a lot of Americans. So when the President if Iraq (who actually has to answer to a higher authority) says some crazy sh!t as well, I might actually pause before using that as a basis to go to war.


  129. TerrytheTurtle says:

    We are at war in Iraq and Afghanistan with the howls of Progs heartening our enemy.

    Why is that MA? Why are you at ‘war’ in Iraq? How is Iraq a war and not an occupation – maybe you should ask the Iraqis what they think?

    Please try to stay on topic, we’re talking about Iran here.


  130. Lily says:

    Question for the trolls:
    Do you agree or disagree with Roosevelt as quoted by TerrytheTurtle in post 57?

    “Patriotism means to stand by the country. It does not mean to stand by the President or any other public official save exactly to the degree in which he himself stands by the country.”
    -Theodore Roosevelt

    “To announce there must be no criticism of the President, and to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, it is morally treasonous to the American public.”
    – President Theodore Roosevelt



  131. Innocent Bystander says:

    Why is MA masquerading as Valient Venus? It’s not like we all don’t know it’s the same person making ineffectual arguments about ‘Progs’. Do they think it makes them look like there are more numerous then they are…or is there a trolling shelf life to names here? I know her arguments are stale, I’d doubt anybody would seriously consider buying them today when they were already moldy 2 years ago.


  132. dbadass says:

    31
    I believe the Israelis call it deterence


  133. Innocent Bystander says:

    “Question for the trolls:
    Do you agree or disagree with Roosevelt as quoted by TerrytheTurtle in post 57?”

    Well, obviously, the answer is: he was another treasonous American. They are down to the Commander Guy and War Profits Guy as their only recognized American Leaders. American history starts and ends with them. They’d probably throw their once beloved Ronald Reagan overboard…as senile as he was, Mike Deaver wouldn’t have let Ron get sucked into this loser of a situation.

    Another round of Kool-Aid for the 28%ers!


  134. Lily says:

    Re: Dirty bombs,

    “And finally, such devices, although potentially disruptive, are unlikely to be very effective. The blast from an RDD’s high explosive likely would cause more deaths — a few tens at worst — than the radioactive material’s dispersion. This would be the case particularly if materials more easily obtained and more easily handled were used, such as low-level radioactive waste.”

    Owen Price, International Security Program, Project on Nuclear Issues
    October 19, 2006
    http://www.csis.org/component/option,com_csis_progj/task,view/id,827/


  135. ggibson says:

    I guess someone around here does have a pair.


  136. Mr. President says:

    Comment by Lily — May 16, 2007 @ 5:43 pm

    Agree.


  137. Badger says:

    The war in Iraq has demonstrated the vulnerabilities of our troops. The world now knows what our 400 Billion $/year Military can NOT DO.(ie. provide security outside the green zone….find the insurgents..etc.) Commander Fallon is wise to not demonstrate the vulnerabilities of our Air Craft Carrier groups, in the close quarters of the persian gulf. He is thinking of the safety of the sailors he commands,,…in other words he’s doing his job.


  138. TerrytheTurtle says:

    Fascinating that the state of the US democracy is such that generals/admirals in combat theaters will actually publically undermine the executive by offering statements like this… MacArthur lost his job for his pronouncements…. here’s your Truman moment, Chimpy. I’m willing to be it will be more like the Truman Show, though.

    … I wonder if this was how it was to live in Rome waiting for Julius to cross the Rubicon and ‘clean up’?


  139. Bluedog49 says:

    Terry: “MacArthur lost his job for his pronouncements…. here’s your Truman moment, Chimpy.”

    On his best day, Bush couldn’t even get close to Truman’s morals, courage and intellect.


  140. Briseadh na Faire says:

    My respect for Commander Fallon just went way up.

    Thank you, Commander, for your role in preventing a needless war against Iran.


  141. big papa says:

    when your kids are outside playing a dirty bomb will blow up 2 or 3 miles from your house

    Comment by RJc #49

    …YOU DESERVE it!


  142. big papa says:

    An armed citizenry has certain deterrents……

    Comment by valiant venus #115

    …Heeere’s aiming at YOU bi*ch…


  143. Iraqi Vet says:

    Hey look at me, I’m Admiral William Fallon. I don’t really like my job. Does someone else want it?

    Comment by Mr. President — May 16, 2007 @ 5:25 pm

    And the truth comes out. The neocon trolls really don’t support our troops. Hey punk, instead of talking bad about my military buddies, why don’t you get your punk ass over there instead? Ya think maybe because we would shove a loaded shell up your arse? Stupid punk.


  144. valiant venus says:

    #117 – BluePuP – To be sure, WWII and the war with radical Islam are different.

    **On the one hand, you had nations at war with one another. On the other hand you have sneaky guerrilla’s and suicide bombers. But both declared war on the US.
    **In one instance the enemy wore a uniform – today’s enemy blends in, which makes a bad situation more dangerous.
    **The average German/Japanese soldier fought for their country and honour but were delighted when the fight was OVER.
    **Koranimals (for you sensitive Progressives, this term describes radical, jihad-driven Islamists) are striving to topple the US/Western culture, wipe out Israel, and set up a new Caliphate. The PC crowd has a difficult time realizing jihadists hate them.
    **In WWII we knew the enemy – in the war against radical Islam, we have Americans and other “enlightened” Westerners offering our enemy aid and comfort.

    I doubt your father and uncle would find todays’ situational comparison humourous – on second thought…….


  145. erock says:

    VV, I find your last post amuing, particularly given that with a few slight changes I can do this:

    #117 – BluePuP – To be sure, WWII and the war with radical Communism are different.

    **On the one hand, you had nations at war with one another. On the other hand you have sneaky guerrillas. But both declared war on the US.
    **In one instance the enemy wore a uniform – today’s enemy blends in, which makes a bad situation more dangerous.
    **The average German/Japanese soldier fought for their country and honour but were delighted when the fight was OVER.
    **Vietcong (for you sensitive Progressives, this term describes radical, soviet-backed North Vietnamese) are striving to topple the US/Western culture, wipe out South Vietnam, and set up a new communist regime. The PC crowd has a difficult time realizing communists hate them.
    **In WWII we knew the enemy – in the war against radical communism, we have Americans and other “enlightened” Westerners offering our enemy aid and comfort.

    I doubt your father and uncle would find todays’ situational comparison humourous – on second thought…….

    Comment by valiant venus — May 16, 2007 @ 11:47 pm

    There, wasn’t that fun? But seriously, how is this conflict nothing like Vietnam and exactly like WWII?


  146. Bob says:

    The only pussies are those who place a moral equivalence between the US and the western world and the fascist islamic regime of Iran. We will need to strike and it will have to be soon. There is a strong debate on this, but in the end the conclusion will be the same: strike for freedom’s survival. There is nothing good to be gained by watching this regime become even more powerful.


  147. David Carlisle says:

    And after the strike, then what?
    Dramatic action is fun to think about, but, sadly there’s always a reaction to it.

    Seriously, I’d like to know what people think would happen after a US strike. Really, I’d like to hear how people think things will turn out after the US takes dramatic, cathartic action. Other than the satisfaction of seeing something big happening, then what? Lots of people seem to be hung up on “…and after we initiate an armed conflict, that’ll be the end of that.” and haven’t gotten around to thinking what’s going to happen afterwards.

    I haven’t heard anyone on the right provide what seems to be a plausible course of events after we get our kicks taking out Iran. It’s weird how conservatives don’t seem to have a handle on the way conservatives in other countries are likely to react.


  148. Kevin Probst says:

    Thank God for true leaders in our military that REALLY SUPPORT the troops!


  149. Sean Eastman says:

    Kudos to Admiral Fallon for taking a strong stand and speaking his mind. Now I’m convinced, I trust our military leadership much more than our derranged and corrupt civilian officials who are doing nothing but spending and deceiving the American citizens for their benefit. I’m happy and envigorated as an American to know that there really are strong and capable leaders who’d rather use discretion than make rash decisions. I appreciate the Admiral’s candor and resolve. I also believe though, that this Admiral would allow strikes if command ordered him to do so. Your thoughts please?


  150. WIld Bill says:

    Israel will make sure that Fallon is “Suicided” you know 3 bullets to the head..USA is Israels bitch


  151. Caesar Warrington says:

    Thank God that there are people like Admiral William Fallon.
    A military attack on Iran, at this time, is something America doesn’t need to do. The Iranian people are sick and tired of the Islamic Republic, but they also are a patriotic people and will resist any invasion of their country.



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