Comments on: Byrd: Senate’s ‘Saber-Rattling’ Is ‘Sleep-Walking’ America To War With Iran http://thinkprogress.org/2007/10/04/iran-byrd-speech/ Thu, 26 Nov 2009 15:42:42 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: PaulD http://thinkprogress.org/2007/10/04/iran-byrd-speech/comment-page-4/#comment-4107412 PaulD Fri, 05 Oct 2007 14:09:45 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/10/04/iran-byrd-speech/#comment-4107412 This is a perfect example of how our policy is shaped by our support for Israel. If you haven't read Mearsheimer's book you can check out his brief albeit funny interview with Stephen Colbert - http://beta.redlasso.com/Community/ClipPlayer.aspx?i=8d8cac1b-eb1a-40f5-8d86-94288a4a4b0f This is a perfect example of how our policy is shaped by our support for Israel.

If you haven’t read Mearsheimer’s book you can check out his brief albeit funny interview with Stephen Colbert -

http://beta.redlasso.com/Community/ClipPlayer.aspx?i=8d8cac1b-eb1a-40f5-8d86-94288a4a4b0f

]]> By: Democrat Soldier http://thinkprogress.org/2007/10/04/iran-byrd-speech/comment-page-4/#comment-4107336 Democrat Soldier Fri, 05 Oct 2007 12:26:49 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/10/04/iran-byrd-speech/#comment-4107336 #215 - "The ruminations of an old racist Democrat are of little importance. But you liberals go ahead and hold this (former) Klansman up as your avatar of truth. He represents you very well." Comment by Godfather2 — October 5, 2007 @ 8:08 am Not quite as well as the now-dead-but-still-racist Sen. Thurmond remains the standard bearer for the Republican party. He still represents the core constituency of the neo-con cabal. I guess you really DO like getting reamed by me, GF2! No problems, I'm happy to oblige! #215 – “The ruminations of an old racist Democrat are of little importance. But you liberals go ahead and hold this (former) Klansman up as your avatar of truth. He represents you very well.” Comment by Godfather2 — October 5, 2007 @ 8:08 am

Not quite as well as the now-dead-but-still-racist Sen. Thurmond remains the standard bearer for the Republican party. He still represents the core constituency of the neo-con cabal.

I guess you really DO like getting reamed by me, GF2! No problems, I’m happy to oblige!

]]> By: Democrat Soldier http://thinkprogress.org/2007/10/04/iran-byrd-speech/comment-page-4/#comment-4107321 Democrat Soldier Fri, 05 Oct 2007 11:44:20 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/10/04/iran-byrd-speech/#comment-4107321 #212 - "The Klan have always considered Jews to be one of their worst enemies." Comment by O. Bigfoot — October 5, 2007 @ 12:18 am Which explains Sen. Thurmonds animosity towards blacks, gays AND jews! Go figure! I guess when the racist Democrats realized the "tide was a-changing", they became Republicans: the new party of the KKK. <strong>Remember, Sen. Byrd has aologized for his racist past. Sen. Thurmond never did at all.</strong> #212 – “The Klan have always considered Jews to be one of their worst enemies.” Comment by O. Bigfoot — October 5, 2007 @ 12:18 am

Which explains Sen. Thurmonds animosity towards blacks, gays AND jews!

Go figure! I guess when the racist Democrats realized the “tide was a-changing”, they became Republicans: the new party of the KKK.

Remember, Sen. Byrd has aologized for his racist past. Sen. Thurmond never did at all.

]]> By: Max-1 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/10/04/iran-byrd-speech/comment-page-4/#comment-4107292 Max-1 Fri, 05 Oct 2007 06:26:12 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/10/04/iran-byrd-speech/#comment-4107292 Sorry O. Bigfoot But the Good Senator has not been a Klansman for some time now. To assert such rhetoric, as you have, would suggest that in someway your history has a revision to it that has not released for the general public. . on topic: What are the odds that Byrd would vote to convict on at least one count if Pelosi relented her death-grip on her purse and went out and bought US a Table? . Sorry O. Bigfoot
But the Good Senator has not been a Klansman for some time now. To assert such rhetoric, as you have, would suggest that in someway your history has a revision to it that has not released for the general public.

.

on topic:

What are the odds that Byrd would vote to convict on at least one count if Pelosi relented her death-grip on her purse and went out and bought US a Table?

.

]]> By: Ditch Mitch KY http://thinkprogress.org/2007/10/04/iran-byrd-speech/comment-page-4/#comment-4107135 Ditch Mitch KY Fri, 05 Oct 2007 03:51:05 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/10/04/iran-byrd-speech/#comment-4107135 Sen. Byrd was absolutely correct in Oct. 2002, and today -- exactly five years later -- he distinguished himself again. Thanks for the excellent speech. What stoppers do we have to prevent Bush and Cheney from starting a War against Iran? Sen. Byrd was absolutely correct in Oct. 2002, and today — exactly five years later — he distinguished himself again. Thanks for the excellent speech.

What stoppers do we have to prevent Bush and Cheney from starting a War against Iran?

]]> By: Heynow http://thinkprogress.org/2007/10/04/iran-byrd-speech/comment-page-4/#comment-4106937 Heynow Fri, 05 Oct 2007 01:11:14 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/10/04/iran-byrd-speech/#comment-4106937 Nice speech Byrd... Might have save our asses. Nice speech Byrd… Might have save our asses.

]]> By: Jeannie See http://thinkprogress.org/2007/10/04/iran-byrd-speech/comment-page-4/#comment-4106856 Jeannie See Fri, 05 Oct 2007 00:25:43 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/10/04/iran-byrd-speech/#comment-4106856 H/T to Nicole at C&L for Craig's new name...."Tappy McWideStance". H/T to Nicole at C&L for Craig’s new name….”Tappy McWideStance”.

]]> By: Badger http://thinkprogress.org/2007/10/04/iran-byrd-speech/comment-page-4/#comment-4106819 Badger Fri, 05 Oct 2007 00:05:48 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/10/04/iran-byrd-speech/#comment-4106819 Dave C. I agree that Bush and the Republicans have allowed Billions of unaccounted dollars to flow to politically connected private contractors in Iraq. The Rolling Stone Magazine had a great exposee' " the Great Iraq Swindle"". BUT....If the Iraqi's had showered us with flowers and played nice like Chalabi and the Iraqi Exiles were predicting....Bush could have handed out these very same contracts to his very same cronies. Dave C. I agree that Bush and the Republicans have allowed Billions of unaccounted dollars to flow to politically connected private contractors in Iraq. The Rolling Stone Magazine had a great exposee’ ” the Great Iraq Swindle”".

BUT….If the Iraqi’s had showered us with flowers and played nice like Chalabi and the Iraqi Exiles were predicting….Bush could have handed out these very same contracts to his very same cronies.

]]> By: Dave C http://thinkprogress.org/2007/10/04/iran-byrd-speech/comment-page-4/#comment-4106805 Dave C Thu, 04 Oct 2007 23:57:35 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/10/04/iran-byrd-speech/#comment-4106805 Just look at the many ways Bush is needlessly spending cash. How many billions have just been misplaced in Iraq? How many thousands of weapons gone missing? How many Halliburton contracts overpriced? How much cash tossed away on Blackwater? He can't be that incompetent. Just look at the many ways Bush is needlessly spending cash. How many billions have just been misplaced in Iraq? How many thousands of weapons gone missing? How many Halliburton contracts overpriced? How much cash tossed away on Blackwater? He can’t be that incompetent.

]]> By: Badger http://thinkprogress.org/2007/10/04/iran-byrd-speech/comment-page-4/#comment-4106786 Badger Thu, 04 Oct 2007 23:50:24 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/10/04/iran-byrd-speech/#comment-4106786 that they wanted the war to make the U.S. near bankrupt. Comment by Dave C — October 4, 2007 @ 7:40 pm Interesting. Bin Laden wants to make the U.S. bankrupt too. that they wanted the war to make the U.S. near bankrupt.
Comment by Dave C — October 4, 2007 @ 7:40 pm

Interesting. Bin Laden wants to make the U.S. bankrupt too.

]]> By: Dave C http://thinkprogress.org/2007/10/04/iran-byrd-speech/comment-page-4/#comment-4106780 Dave C Thu, 04 Oct 2007 23:47:21 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/10/04/iran-byrd-speech/#comment-4106780 btw, one other method used to Starve the Beast is to cut taxes to reduce revenues in order to justify cutting social programs. btw, one other method used to Starve the Beast is to cut taxes to reduce revenues in order to justify cutting social programs.

]]> By: Dave C http://thinkprogress.org/2007/10/04/iran-byrd-speech/comment-page-4/#comment-4106764 Dave C Thu, 04 Oct 2007 23:40:28 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/10/04/iran-byrd-speech/#comment-4106764 btw, I can't claim to know what Cheney is thinking either. But here's what he thought in 1993... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8MePwb6TEk I find it hard to believe that one man changed his opinion. And the fact that they were unprepared for the war can also be proof of the allegations that I'm making... that they wanted the war to make the U.S. near bankrupt. Starve the beast. Do a search on Google for those 3 words. btw, I can’t claim to know what Cheney is thinking either. But here’s what he thought in 1993…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8MePwb6TEk

I find it hard to believe that one man changed his opinion. And the fact that they were unprepared for the war can also be proof of the allegations that I’m making… that they wanted the war to make the U.S. near bankrupt. Starve the beast. Do a search on Google for those 3 words.

]]> By: Badger http://thinkprogress.org/2007/10/04/iran-byrd-speech/comment-page-4/#comment-4106765 Badger Thu, 04 Oct 2007 23:40:28 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/10/04/iran-byrd-speech/#comment-4106765 And when I claim that Bush was wrong about Iraq...I was specifically refering to the IMMINENT THREAT argument. With no WMDs, there was nothing to secretly hand out to terrorists.. and therefore no imminent threat to America. Therefore there was no justification for attacking a country that had not attacked us. And when I claim that Bush was wrong about Iraq…I was specifically refering to the IMMINENT THREAT argument. With no WMDs, there was nothing to secretly hand out to terrorists.. and therefore no imminent threat to America. Therefore there was no justification for attacking a country that had not attacked us.

]]> By: Dave C http://thinkprogress.org/2007/10/04/iran-byrd-speech/comment-page-4/#comment-4106756 Dave C Thu, 04 Oct 2007 23:38:22 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/10/04/iran-byrd-speech/#comment-4106756 <em>This war is all but destroying Bush’s republican party. Why would they want that??? Comment by Badger — October 4, 2007 @ 7:34 pm</em> First of all, you're assuming that the next election will be a clean one & every vote will be counted. Why should that be the case? Second, if there is an attack on Iran in 2008 & martial law is declared maybe there won't be an election at all. I wouldn't be so sure that you'll see a Democrat sitting in the President's chair soon. This war is all but destroying Bush’s republican party. Why would they want that???

Comment by Badger — October 4, 2007 @ 7:34 pm

First of all, you’re assuming that the next election will be a clean one & every vote will be counted. Why should that be the case?

Second, if there is an attack on Iran in 2008 & martial law is declared maybe there won’t be an election at all. I wouldn’t be so sure that you’ll see a Democrat sitting in the President’s chair soon.

]]> By: Badger http://thinkprogress.org/2007/10/04/iran-byrd-speech/comment-page-4/#comment-4106745 Badger Thu, 04 Oct 2007 23:34:12 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/10/04/iran-byrd-speech/#comment-4106745 Dave C....I can't claim to know what was in the minds of Cheney's Vulcans and his neocon advisers... but I believe they were all Conned by Ahmed Chalibi and the Iraqi exiles who convinced Bush that toppling Saddam would be a cakewalk, and that the Iraqi's would become a democratic ally of America. Their lack of troop strength and post war planning makes me think they were all surprised when the insurgency took off. This war is all but destroying Bush's republican party. Why would they want that??? Dave C….I can’t claim to know what was in the minds of Cheney’s Vulcans and his neocon advisers… but I believe they were all Conned by Ahmed Chalibi and the Iraqi exiles who convinced Bush that toppling Saddam would be a cakewalk, and that the Iraqi’s would become a democratic ally of America. Their lack of troop strength and post war planning makes me think they were all surprised when the insurgency took off.

This war is all but destroying Bush’s republican party. Why would they want that???

]]> By: Dave C http://thinkprogress.org/2007/10/04/iran-byrd-speech/comment-page-4/#comment-4106739 Dave C Thu, 04 Oct 2007 23:33:28 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/10/04/iran-byrd-speech/#comment-4106739 <em>Comment by Ret. Col. Jack Ripper — October 4, 2007 @ 7:30 pm</em> Actually the "plan" involves more then just the war(s) in the Middle East. They're trying to dismantle much of the support system & programs in the U.S. It's called starving the beast. Nothing they'd like better then to do away with Medicare in all of its forms, Social Security, unemployment insurance etc. If they put the country in such a bad fiscal situation they might be able to do away with all of these social programs. Comment by Ret. Col. Jack Ripper — October 4, 2007 @ 7:30 pm

Actually the “plan” involves more then just the war(s) in the Middle East. They’re trying to dismantle much of the support system & programs in the U.S. It’s called starving the beast. Nothing they’d like better then to do away with Medicare in all of its forms, Social Security, unemployment insurance etc. If they put the country in such a bad fiscal situation they might be able to do away with all of these social programs.

]]> By: Ret. Col. Jack Ripper http://thinkprogress.org/2007/10/04/iran-byrd-speech/comment-page-4/#comment-4106731 Ret. Col. Jack Ripper Thu, 04 Oct 2007 23:30:27 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/10/04/iran-byrd-speech/#comment-4106731 Dave C: "The Iraq war is going exactly they way they hoped." Naomi Kline has written a book about this. It's called "Disaster Capitalism." It's all about corporate profits and eviscerating civil democratic government. Dave C: “The Iraq war is going exactly they way they hoped.”

Naomi Kline has written a book about this. It’s called “Disaster Capitalism.” It’s all about corporate profits and eviscerating civil democratic government.

]]> By: Dave C http://thinkprogress.org/2007/10/04/iran-byrd-speech/comment-page-4/#comment-4106717 Dave C Thu, 04 Oct 2007 23:19:41 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/10/04/iran-byrd-speech/#comment-4106717 <em> Clearly, Bush and the neocons were WRONG….big time! Comment by Badger — October 4, 2007 @ 7:11 pm</em> No, they weren't. They knew exactly what they were doing & exactly what to expect. GHWB had said it would be a mistake to take Baghdad, so did Cheney. There were absolutely no surprises for Bush/Cheney. The Iraq war is going exactly they way they hoped. They also don't give a shit whether Iran has nukes, or has nuke ambitions. They have their own agenda and it has little to do with what they say, and even less to do with the welfare of the U.S. Clearly, Bush and the neocons were WRONG….big time!

Comment by Badger — October 4, 2007 @ 7:11 pm

No, they weren’t. They knew exactly what they were doing & exactly what to expect. GHWB had said it would be a mistake to take Baghdad, so did Cheney. There were absolutely no surprises for Bush/Cheney. The Iraq war is going exactly they way they hoped.

They also don’t give a shit whether Iran has nukes, or has nuke ambitions. They have their own agenda and it has little to do with what they say, and even less to do with the welfare of the U.S.

]]> By: Candyce http://thinkprogress.org/2007/10/04/iran-byrd-speech/comment-page-4/#comment-4106712 Candyce Thu, 04 Oct 2007 23:17:31 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/10/04/iran-byrd-speech/#comment-4106712 The story of the outgoing Clinton admin assessment of the terror threat, and al Qaeda in particular, and how the Bush administration ignored it. http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,333890,00.html The story of the outgoing Clinton admin assessment of the terror threat, and al Qaeda in particular, and how the Bush administration ignored it.

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,333890,00.html

]]> By: Badger http://thinkprogress.org/2007/10/04/iran-byrd-speech/comment-page-4/#comment-4106706 Badger Thu, 04 Oct 2007 23:11:41 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/10/04/iran-byrd-speech/#comment-4106706 Rory...a lot of people were right about Iraq. A lot of people weren't sure, which is why Hans Blix should have been allowed to do his job. Clearly, Bush and the neocons were WRONG....big time! Rory…a lot of people were right about Iraq. A lot of people weren’t sure, which is why Hans Blix should have been allowed to do his job.
Clearly, Bush and the neocons were WRONG….big time!

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