O’Hanlon Mourns That Obama Was Right On Iraq
O’Hanlon Mourns That Obama Was Right On Iraq
Brookings fellow Michael O’Hanlon continues his abysmal record of staking out the wrong positions on Iraq in an article in this morning’s Wall Street Journal, criticizing presidential candidate and Illinois Senator Barack Obama’s position on the war.
It is puzzling why newspapers print O’Hanlon’s analysis, since he’s been repeatedly wrong in staking out his inconsistent and often incoherent positions on Iraq. As Think Progress has previously noted, O’Hanlon’s record on Iraq policy for the past five years has been radically uneven — at one point in 2004, supporting a timeline for withdrawing troops, and at other points arguing for staying the course for years to come.
Angling for influence is nothing new for O’Hanlon, who tried to position himself in the policy and political debates by in 2004 by criticizing Howard Dean and throughout the past year with proponents for change in Iraq like Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.
In this electoral year’s article from O’Hanlon, he outlines what he sees as two main problems with Obama’s Iraq position:
1. O’HANLON: “[Obama] seems contemptuous of the motivations of those who supported the war.”
O’Hanlon offers up a thinly-veiled defense for analysts like himself who offered tragically wrong advice in the war in March 2003 — O’Hanlon cannot seem to face up to the fact that he lined up on the wrong side of the arguments on Iraq, and America has suffered serious damage to its national security as a result.
O’Hanlon argued against the war at certain points in 2002 and even outlined a long list of preconditions before going to war in a policy paper he co-published called “Getting Serious About Iraq” (most of these conditions were not met). But then he forgot many of his own arguments and naively accepted the information and arguments presented by the Bush administration on the eve of the war. (He said about Bush’s case for war in the 2003 State of the Union address the president was “convincing on his central point that the time of war is near.”)
It may be that people are contemptuous of those who posture and profess to offer expertise on the right path forward on Iraq like O’Hanlon does, even though their track record is awful. In most professions, there are consequences for bad performance. Doctors face the threat of medical malpractice suits; policy analysts like O’Hanlon get to make mistakes again and again with impunity, as do journalists who quote him and publish his pieces.
2. O’HANLON: “Obama’s second Iraq problem is his insistence that, whatever happens there during 2008, he would withdraw all our main combat forces in the first 16 months of his presidency.”
Here O’Hanlon again offers bad advice and displays his unwillingness to recognize the Bush surge in Iraq has failed to achieve its fundamental goal — to advance political reconciliation among Iraq’s leaders. It’s a good thing that fewer Iraqis are dying, but Iraq’s leaders are no closer to a political settlement, which was the point of the surge. Unless Iraq’s leaders strike the power-sharing deals necessary to stabilize their country, the drop in violence is not likely to be sustainable. O’Hanlon favors fostering the dangerous and dysfunctional culture of dependency among Iraq’s leaders that comes with his proposals to keep U.S. troops in Iraq indefinitely.
O’Hanlon’s solution? Divide up the country into something he calls a “soft partition,” something that the vast majority of Iraqis oppose. O’Hanlon’s recommendations include a long-term U.S. troop presence, something the vast majority of Americans oppose.
Instead of printing O’Hanlon’s attempts to remain relevant in the Iraq debate, Americans should continue listening to those pushing for change, whether it includes conservatives like Ron Paul or progressives like Obama, Edwards, and Clinton. They should also check out the Center’s Strategic Reset plan, which outlines a comprehensive approach for using the full range of America’s powers to stabilize Iraq and the Middle East, centered on a phased redeployment of U.S. troops in 12 to 18 months and intensified diplomatic efforts in the Middle East.
Full disclosure: Katulis has formally endorsed Obama.
so, its not so much that Obama was right, it was that O’Hanlon was wrong….
January 7th, 2008 at 4:11 pmGee, playing the victim card? Guess you learned much from the wingnuts and the war apologists…
January 7th, 2008 at 4:12 pmO’Hanlon once again demonstrates the cowardice of his convictions.
January 7th, 2008 at 4:14 pmAnd, Mikey, a word of advice? Take your head OUT of the blender after 30 seconds.
January 7th, 2008 at 4:15 pmThe Ruling Class apologizes to no man! WHO ARE YOU TO DEMAND ACCOUNTABILITY FROM YOUR RULERS? PEON!
January 7th, 2008 at 4:20 pmO’Hanlon, O’Reilly, O Bigfoot, O. Shit.
Turds of a feather stick together.
January 7th, 2008 at 4:22 pm“[Obama] seems contemptuous of the motivations of those who supported the war.â€
LIKE ANY HOMO SAPIENS.
January 7th, 2008 at 4:22 pmThe #1 problem with our society is that we cannot fire pundits, CEOs or criminal presidents. It’s that simple. They rule in permanence and everything is decided for you. Go back to shopping.
January 7th, 2008 at 4:24 pmHe looks stoned.
January 7th, 2008 at 4:25 pmYes, CC, coming from a side that blames Clinton, the liberal media especially, affirmative action, Planned Parenthood for all the failures of their policies…yeah, you guys NEVER play the victim card right there…
yes, Christians are being oppressed in this country even though they make up like 80% of the population…
mailers suggesting that liberals want to BAN the Bible and force homosexuality upon every child in America, that we want to force the gay agenda in our schools and in our public spaces…
yes, that’s not playing the VICTIM CARD right there…
January 7th, 2008 at 4:26 pmIt is puzzling why newspapers print O’Hanlon’s analysis, since he’s been repeatedly wrong in staking out his inconsistent and often incoherent positions on Iraq.
And this distinguishes him from other right-wing pundits HOW?
January 7th, 2008 at 4:27 pmHe is just jealous. Obama was right and every other candidate for President except for Kucinich was wrong. And that is a large part of why Obama is so popular. People are sick to death with Iraq and how the Bush Crime Family is destroying our country from within and in the international arena. The Republiscums are trying to say that Iraq is no longer a factor with the voters. They can continue down that road at their own peril.
January 7th, 2008 at 4:28 pmCaption Contest: “Gawd, I’m so hungover, AGAIN!..what position did I have yesterday, I dont recall, its okay, people are used to my waffling”
January 7th, 2008 at 4:30 pmWithout shopping there is no robust, healthy economy.
Comment by Clear Conservative
That may be true, but what are they supposed to go shopping with? Most people I know have borrowed all the equity in their home and maxed out their credit cards just to get by. Do you suggest that they go further into debt to make your rich friends richer in the hopes that it will stave off a recession? The dollar is dead and we are in debt up to our eyeballs all thanks to Bush. There isn’t anyone in this country who will hold the Democrats to blame for the coming recession other than the 24%ers with room temperature IQ’s, like CC.
January 7th, 2008 at 4:30 pmyou’re wrong about that bilbo, the Republicans will blame the Democratic majority in Congress…and the media will swallow that one…
January 7th, 2008 at 4:31 pmNone of those idiots can admit that they were wrong. They’re all at the bottom of the deep, dark hole that is Iraq - and still digging.
January 7th, 2008 at 4:32 pmAnswer: inexperience.
Comment by Clear Conservative — January 7, 2008 @ 4:25 pm
Question: Who is Dubya?
January 7th, 2008 at 4:32 pmThere oughta be a pundit court.
These assclowns could be sentenced to work at Walter Reid for 20 years of meaningful service for the penance they deserve.
January 7th, 2008 at 4:33 pmIf Katulis supports Obama, then Katulis supports _________.
Answer: inexperience.
Comment by Clear Conservative — January 7, 2008 @ 4:25 pm
Obama already has more political experience than Dubya had at this point in his campaign eight years ago. Bush had five years of experience holding elected office at this point in his presidential campaign — Obama has 12.
But you have a point about inexperience in general. When you have had very little political experience — and virtually no experience with foreign policy (such as you might get if you held office at a national level), you tend to do stupid things like invade countries unnecessarily and get stuck in quagmires.
January 7th, 2008 at 4:35 pmIf Katulis supports Obama, then Katulis supports _________.
Answer: inexperience.
Comment by Clear Conservative
Hey, YOUR man thinks Canada has a National Igloo. He actually congratulated them for funding it’s preservation.
January 7th, 2008 at 4:35 pmComment by Clear Conservative
Yeah great business model there. Especially when you screw the vast majority of shoppers. Real smart.
I’d like to know exactly what the point of shopping is since the world is going to come to an end? According to Republicans we’re all going to die in a terrorist attack, yet we’re supposed to go on shopping. But we’re all supposed to prop up the economy by shopping and shopping or else we’re poor. How the hell does that make any sense?
January 7th, 2008 at 4:36 pmClearly Not Conservative has a stiffy for Mr. Obama.
January 7th, 2008 at 4:36 pma bit off topic, but this is a good place to clear it up:
i read a comment at C&L yesterday that included “o’hanlon” as
part of the hillary advisors…
i’m guessing not… not?
January 7th, 2008 at 4:36 pmO’HANLON: “[Obama] seems contemptuous of the motivations of those who supported the war.â€
Maybe that’s one of the reasons he’s doing pretty well?
January 7th, 2008 at 4:37 pmThe surge is working and our troops deserve credit. Why not give them the credit they’re owed, dems?
Comment by Clear Conservative — January 7, 2008 @ 4:35 pm
Then why do you anti-military reich-wingers demand that our troops die and stay in harms way? Why not give them the credit they’re owed, Reich-wingers, and bring them home?
January 7th, 2008 at 4:37 pmread a comment at C&L yesterday that included “o’hanlon†as
part of the hillary advisors…
i’m guessing not… not?
Comment by katy — January 7, 2008 @ 4:36 pm
If he is, than Hillary is certainly getting advice from diverse sources…
January 7th, 2008 at 4:38 pm23 - Yo, CC — how about we thank our troops BY BRINGING THEM HOME…?
January 7th, 2008 at 4:38 pm29 - Dr. Matt - you beat me to it. Great minds and all that, eh? ;o)
January 7th, 2008 at 4:39 pmWith such a plethora of positions on Iraq, you might think O’Hanlon could be right accidentally sometime. No such luck.
January 7th, 2008 at 4:40 pmThe surge is working and our troops deserve credit. Why not give them the credit they’re owed, dems? -CC
The reason for the surge was to create political reconciliaiton and clearly that is not working.
January 7th, 2008 at 4:41 pmConservatives like Rush Limbaugh have made a lucrative living by playing the victim card. In their little world, the fat white American male is the victim of every evil in their opinion, from the evil disabled, to the evil professional female, to the evil poor who don’t pay enough taxes, to the evil labor unions, to the evil school teachers, to the evil African Americans, Latinos, or any other race that isn’t a fat white American male. The fat white American male is downtrodden and victimized by the rest of society in the opinion of Rush Limbaugh and his fat, sweaty ilk.
January 7th, 2008 at 4:41 pmFull disclosure: Katulis has formally endorsed Obama.
well, great! now we will get decent obama coverage here at TP…
now, we just need another CAP member to affirm their truly
progressive bona fides and come out and endorse EDWARDS!
then we will get a better balance of “progressive” candidate stories!
eh?
January 7th, 2008 at 4:42 pmCC, coming from a party that can’t stop whining about
1. “Bush-haters”
2. TEH GAYS
3. how giving TEH GAYS equal rights is bestowing upon them “special rights”
4. Evolution
5. how the BIG MEANY-HEAD Democrats are not including them in the lawmaking process even though the GOP marginalized the Democratic Party all those years
6. the “liberal media” which is nothing more than a corporate, right-wing media
7. “reverse discrimination” liberal bias in the universities
8. liberal bias in the facts
9. the so-called oppression of Christianity in this nation and all the churches that had to go underground in America (oh wait…)
10. “activist judges”
I’d have to say that you guys are experts at the victim card…
One cannot forget this Eric Cantor classic…Please don’t be mean to us, Democrats…we never did anything to you!
January 7th, 2008 at 4:42 pmhttp://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/docs/gop-minority/
Without shopping there is no robust, healthy economy.
Comment by Clear Conservative
Friedman’s failed economy policies… *yawn*
January 7th, 2008 at 4:43 pmClear Conservative,
No one here is disparaging the troops, knock it off with your misdirection and intellectually dishonest assertions.
January 7th, 2008 at 4:44 pmComment by Clear Conservative — January 7, 2008 @ 4:41 pm
Reich-wingers selected herr dubyah, and now the huckster, because of a facade of religious zealotry. Nice strategy there, very distinguished.
Are all of you sure you don’t want Roberston?
January 7th, 2008 at 4:44 pmWithout shopping there is no robust, healthy economy.
Comment by Clear Conservative
The price of fuel has nearly tripled since the MBA guy took office…my shopping is in the gas tank. Happy now?
January 7th, 2008 at 4:45 pmThank God that fake, liar, too much made up old woman Hillary will be out soon!!
January 7th, 2008 at 4:45 pmThe surge is working and our troops deserve credit. Why not give them the credit they’re owed, dems?
Comment by Clear Conservative
Then I am presuming you are blogging from iraq or afghanistan, right? You wouldn’t be the chickenhawk type, now would you? You wouldn’t shout for all your neighbor kids to go fight and die in a foreign land without offering to go yourself, right?
If the surge is working, bring our troops home. If the surge isn’t working, get you ass over there and do something about it or STFU!
January 7th, 2008 at 4:45 pmThe surge is working and our troops deserve credit. Why not give them the credit they’re owed, dems?
Comment by Clear Conservative
Everybody! Look at me! I’m the new troll! (Well, another nickname…)
January 7th, 2008 at 4:45 pm“[Obama] seems contemptuous of the motivations of those who supported the war.â€
Interesting, as I’ve noticed a certin contempt from those who supported the war directed at those who opposed it.
Case in point– the first post on the previous thread:
“Blame the Troops Parade†by windbag leftists in 3…2…1..
Comment by Clear Conservative — January 7, 2008 @ 3:41 pm
January 7th, 2008 at 4:46 pmComment by Clear Conservative — January 7, 2008 @ 4:46 pm
It’s a fact. Your obsession with Mr. Obama is *clearly* deep seeded. At least you cannot deny the facts. Thanks again for proving my point.
January 7th, 2008 at 4:47 pmComment by Dr. Matt — January 7, 2008 @ 4:36 pm
Clearly on-topic here, Dr. Diploma Mill.
This thread is about Mr. Obama. So, yes, it was on-topic. Are you really that obtuse?
January 7th, 2008 at 4:48 pmAnother reason to keep the troops in Iraq while claiming to support them.
Bringing the troops home on BushCos watch would flood the military hospitals and bring home the reality of how huge PTSD really is. No, much better to have that happen on the next Dem Presidents watch.
January 7th, 2008 at 4:48 pmConservatives, the military experts…bla bla blah
Glad you are acknowledging that Dick & W are not conservatives.
January 7th, 2008 at 4:54 pmWhy is that certain trolls have to keep changing their screen names every couple of weeks or so?
Are they so ashamed of their contributions to the discussions that they have to hide and then come back pretending they were someone else?
January 7th, 2008 at 4:54 pm“Blame the Troops Parade†by windbag leftists in 3…2…1..
Comment by Clear Conservative — January 7, 2008 @ 3:41 pm
Its not the troops fault the ‘nation builder’ guy sent them into Iraq for a sack of propaganda. A parade of Roses, Six month war, pay for itself, free the oppressed, UN/US police action, that has, as Cheney once said. “Would be an unmanageable”
January 7th, 2008 at 4:54 pmA doctoral in mindless arrogance, I can tell.
Comment by Clear Conservative — January 7, 2008 @ 4:46 pm
You can tell because your doctoral was in mindless ignorance right?
If you have no clear reason to post, other than the mindless blather you have posted so far, you would probably be more amused chasing cars, maybe one will leave taremarks on your head.
January 7th, 2008 at 4:54 pmLet me remind you reich-winger, that as you are a GOPIg. you have no plausible authority to gauge who or who does not support the troops. Reich-wingers demand that our forces stay in harms way and demand their blood. You do not serve, you only chickenhawk. You are cowards. The forces appreciate our no-BS support, but reich-wingers only support their death.
But you just can’t straighten your ways. You have to be a Log Cabin Reich-winger. Tough loss, heh?
January 7th, 2008 at 4:54 pmSounds like the righties are worried that they might not have Hillary to bash for the next ten months! As my GPS would say, “recalculating…”
January 7th, 2008 at 4:55 pmAre you gunning for title “Dumbest Person on the Internet�
Comment by Clear Conservative — January 7, 2008 @ 4:54 pm
You already won that title. It’s obvious to everyone.
January 7th, 2008 at 4:55 pmLet me remind you leftist, that as you are a leftist, you have no plausible authority to gauge who or who does not support the troops. -CC
Sure he does, its called taxdollars.
January 7th, 2008 at 4:55 pmClearly not Conservative is starting to have a meltdown. Hissy fit from CnC in 3…2….1….
January 7th, 2008 at 4:56 pmThen fine, they’re democrats. With their crazy spending, you can have ‘em.
Comment by Clear Conservative — January 7, 2008 @ 4:56 pm
Thanks for proving your ignorance once again. Reich-wingers only know how to do a few things, 1) fail, 2) spend, and 3) fail some more.
January 7th, 2008 at 4:58 pmThen fine, they’re democrats. With their crazy spending, you can have ‘em. Comment by Clear Conservative
Wahhh Wahhh, I am my own victim of fiscal fecklessness!! -CC
January 7th, 2008 at 4:58 pmMy tax dollars, which the wealthier pay most of.
Comment by Clear Conservative — January 7, 2008 @ 4:58 pm
No, they got a taxcut, remember? And in a time of war no less, now thats fiscally insane.
January 7th, 2008 at 4:59 pmHe believes Mark Foley is a Democrat, because Fox News told him so…
January 7th, 2008 at 5:00 pmMy tax dollars, which the wealthier pay most of.
Comment by Clear Conservative — January 7, 2008 @ 4:58 pm
R O F L!
Apparently you’ve been asleep for the last 7 years as herr dubyah gave his irresponsible tax-cuts to the wealthiest and taxed the hell out of the middle class. Keep ranting….we want to witness more of your ignorance.
January 7th, 2008 at 5:00 pmLet me remind you leftist, that as you are a leftist, you have no plausible authority to gauge who or who does not support the troops.
Comment by Clear Conservative
So we will all come to the conclusion that you are a chickenhawk who sends others to die for your cause. It’s ok to be a chickenhawk - you just need to acknowledge that so we here at TP know how to treat you.
Since I am a taxpayer, a voter, a citizen, a concerned human, I have EVERY right to gauge whatever I wish. It’s called a free country. Look into it.
You feel you support the troops by watching them die. We feel we are supporting the troops by knowing they are in an unwinable civil war and they deserve to come home. They have done everything humanly possible to accomplish the many, many different goals given to them by our idiot in chief.
Again, very slowly; if you believe Bush is a winner, go fight his battles. If you are a coward, then keep posting from the safety and security of your Mom’s basement. Isn’t it time for your nap?
January 7th, 2008 at 5:02 pmNotice how easily influenced Cloudy Con is. My statement that Dick & Dumbya weren’t conservatives, was confustiblated with them being democrats…
ObiWan was right, the force has a mighty influence on the weak minded.
January 7th, 2008 at 5:02 pmMy tax dollars, which the wealthier pay most of.
Comment by Clear Conservative — January 7, 2008 @ 4:58 pm
You’re wealthy? Give me a break.
And they’re no more “your” tax dollars than they are Dr. Matt’s or Bartlebee’s. It must be difficult to think logically when you’re so utterly self-involved.
January 7th, 2008 at 5:02 pmHe believes Mark Foley is a Democrat, because Fox News told him so…
Comment by ucsbclassics53 — January 7, 2008 @ 5:00 pm
I predicted several years ago that reich-wingers will claim herr dubyah is a (D) eventually. It just goes to show you that reich-wingers have no business in the election process. They elected this loser in the White House, and now that he’s a complete and utter failure they will not even claim he is a reich-wingers any longer. GOPigs have no shame.
January 7th, 2008 at 5:03 pmLeftists never put the intellect into building our effective military. Only the conservative establishment is responsible for that.
You mean that way herr dubyah has weaken and stretched thin our military? Wow….you must be proud.
January 7th, 2008 at 5:04 pmLeftists never put the intellect into building our effective military. Only the conservative establishment is responsible for that.
Comment by Clear Conservative — January 7, 2008 @ 5:01 pm
Those were smart conservatives, so I’m glad to see you’re not claiming to be part of the “conservative establishment.” That would be too ludicrous.
January 7th, 2008 at 5:04 pmLeftists never put the intellect into building our effective military -CC
Bwah. Can you back that up?
January 7th, 2008 at 5:04 pmO’Hanlon needs a haircut, dental care, a pass through Rehab., and three years in a junior college, learning to read and evaluate what he reads. Then he could tell the squadron of right wingers what life is really like.
January 7th, 2008 at 5:05 pmClear Conservative: To refer to troops receiving their just credit, indicates to me that you have NEVER seen battlefield injuries. It’s not a game, fun, it’s a goddam tragedy, and to try to salvage limbs/ people after such wounds, makes one affirm Benjamin Franklin’s words, There has never been a good war or a bad peace.
War is no longer political discourse; it’s a failure. To wave the flag, slap vets. on the back, congratulate them for being on the (our) winning side is jingoism and repulsive.
I love my country, and hate NAFTA et.al., but for Christ’s sake, let’s get rid of NATO-hey the USSR has been gone ~ 15 years, wasn’t that its purpose? And this goddam shield with anchors in Poland and Czech. Rep. ‘…to defend us and our allies against rouge missle strikes’ is pure cant. It’s Israel we are sworn to defend.
But enough, I diverge.
able as
Ronny Raygun built our U.S. military to an irresponsible level leaving our country seriously in debt and helped destroy the middle class and our economy in the process.
January 7th, 2008 at 5:06 pmAny they still pay the most in taxes, even in the case of a flat (fair) tax.
Comment by Clear Conservative — January 7, 2008 @ 5:04 pm
Obviously your not in the 1%
January 7th, 2008 at 5:06 pmThat’s right. I’m a solid investor and I work hard and save. -CC
Investors dont work hard they profit thru usury.
January 7th, 2008 at 5:08 pm“Leftists never put the intellect into building our effective military. Only the conservative establishment is responsible for that.”
Comment by Clear Conservative — January 7, 2008 @ 5:01 pm
Bush went to war with the Clinton military machine, and won.
You’re an idiot.
January 7th, 2008 at 5:08 pmHuh. NOW - after 7 years of failed policies and idiotic bullshit, the reichwingers are calling Dear Leader a “Democrat”….
Et tu, Brute…?
Sorry, CC - no deal. He’s YOURS.
And, dearheart, aren’t you just busting with pride to know that Herr Dubbie has finally succeeded at something?
He has succeeded in UNITING THE COUNTRY AGAINST HIM - and, as a bonus, against the Republican Party.
Pardon me while I gloat my ass off. ;o)
January 7th, 2008 at 5:10 pmWell, the neocon cabal clearly put little intellect into the effort that has run our military into the ground.
January 7th, 2008 at 5:10 pmYou do know, don’t you, that the Pentagon is finalizing plans for drawing down troop levels? They know they can’t continue with this pace, not without a draft.
They know it’s going to take a decade to repair the damage and get the military back up to strength. Where’s your fu(king intellect that accomplished that mission?
“Leftists never put the intellect into building our effective military. Only the conservative establishment is responsible for that.†-CC
Yeh that Iran-Contra thing was intelligent…
January 7th, 2008 at 5:10 pmI’m a solid investor …
This may refer to skull density…
January 7th, 2008 at 5:11 pm86 - Xis - don’t forget arming the Taliban and then walking away. That was intelligent too.
January 7th, 2008 at 5:11 pmYou rail that the rich don’t pay enough in taxes, and that’s pure politics, of course. It’s a bias against Republicans.
Comment by Clear Conservative — January 7, 2008 @ 5:06 pm
Most here have a bias against stupid phucks. It just happens to be that in the real world most stupid phucks call themselves Republican
January 7th, 2008 at 5:11 pmIf I had a dollar for every idiot troll that claimed he/she was rich, I would be a billionaire.
January 7th, 2008 at 5:13 pmLeftists are for poverty and penalizing hard work.
Comment by Clear Conservative — January 7, 2008 @ 5:13 pm
No, that would be bottom line profiteers who create low wages and disparity penalizing hard work
January 7th, 2008 at 5:14 pmFACT: Leftists are for poverty and penalizing hard work.
Comment by Clear Conservative — January 7, 2008 @ 5:13 pm
This is just plain stupid
January 7th, 2008 at 5:15 pmO’Hanlon, Eraserhead, who cares?
January 7th, 2008 at 5:16 pmFACT: Leftists are for poverty and penalizing hard work.
Comment by Clear Conservative — January 7, 2008 @ 5:13 pm
FACT: This troll is exhibiting Clear Troll behavior by lying about the Left and thoroughly derailing the discussion from O’Hanlon and the Iraqi occupation to . . . the troll and his stupid lies about the Left.
What was that previous login, troll, Konservatron?
January 7th, 2008 at 5:16 pmLeftists never put the intellect into building our effective military. Only the conservative establishment is responsible for that.
Comment by Clear Conservative — January 7, 2008 @ 5:01 pm
that’s why you suckers have lost all the wars you’ve started, right? Brilliant.
Lost Osama, lost Iraq, lost afghanistan, lost the gWOT, and will soon lose to Iran. That’s some real intellectual firepower. Come on, P, time for the daily meltdown, as you realize y9pur party is the party of fear, losing, racism and greed. And you complain of a bias against Republicans. of course there is, Republicans are the stupidest people on Earth!
January 7th, 2008 at 5:16 pmI bet if we put clear con outside digging a ditch for min wage he would;
A Cry
January 7th, 2008 at 5:16 pmB Quit
C Have a heart attack
FACT: Leftists are for poverty and penalizing hard work.
Comment by Clear Conservative
Folks, I give you the valued words of the last gasp 23%r’s. Frankly, the claim is so inane that it requires no retort. Sad, CC. Very sad.
January 7th, 2008 at 5:16 pmYet you support government handouts.
Comment by Clear Conservative — January 7, 2008 @ 5:15 pm
Do you mean the ones to big corporations or the ones to your neighbors in need?
January 7th, 2008 at 5:17 pm86 - Xis - don’t forget arming the Taliban and then walking away. That was intelligent too
Yeh, only a conservative could do that.
January 7th, 2008 at 5:17 pmClearly clear con can’t stay focused. He must be a huge fan of o’Hanlan.
January 7th, 2008 at 5:17 pmYet you support government handouts.
Comment by Clear Conservative — January 7, 2008 @ 5:15 pm
Like Halliburton? Chrysler? American Airlines? You don’t even know what y8our socialist government does, do you, little one?
January 7th, 2008 at 5:17 pmFACT: Leftists are for poverty and penalizing hard work.
Comment by Clear Conservative — January 7, 2008 @ 5:13 pm
Have you always been this stupid, or was it after your dad used your head to drive fence posts?
January 7th, 2008 at 5:18 pmSpeaking of poverty clear-con, how is the welfare state of Iraq working for ya?
January 7th, 2008 at 5:18 pmSo, Connie - what do you call Bush’s corporate cronyism - other than government handouts for the already wealthy…?
Hmmmmm…..?
January 7th, 2008 at 5:19 pmThe majority of the rich don’t want to pay more than they owe in tax. That’s what you’d like them to do.
Comment by Clear Conservative — January 7, 2008 @ 5:18 pm
the majorty of the rich don’t want to pay any taxes. they are subhuman filth, and republicans, Oops, redundant.
January 7th, 2008 at 5:19 pmClear Constipative is apparently so wealthy he can afford to take time out from his busy investment work to spend two or three hours on these boards telling us how rich he is.
January 7th, 2008 at 5:20 pmWe don’t need government to tell us to pay lazy workers more than they’re worth.
Comment by Clear Conservative — January 7, 2008 @ 5:19 pm
No, we need government to stop evil republicans from raping the American worker and starving his children.
January 7th, 2008 at 5:20 pmhat would be putting their tax dollars to work for them instead of how it usually is — against them.
Comment by Clear Conservative
Bwah, you poor victim of your ills!!
January 7th, 2008 at 5:21 pmThat would be putting their tax dollars to work for them instead of how it usually is — against them.
Comment by Clear Conservative — January 7, 2008 @ 5:20 pm
that’s what Al Capone wanted! Y(ou run in good company, CC, you swine.
And back to O’Hanlon: now there’s a rightard that is truly as dumb as he looks.
January 7th, 2008 at 5:22 pmWe don’t need government to tell us to pay lazy workers more than they’re worth. Comment by Clear Conservative
Lemme see, its conservative to keep people in poverty and exploit them while you are very liberal in your lifestyle?
January 7th, 2008 at 5:22 pmMost of the MSM conservatives have been wrong on everything. Bloody Bill Kristol has never been right and is ascendant. Ohanlon can take hope that the right wing cares little about facts, less about results. They will embrace him as long as he wears the right uniform.
January 7th, 2008 at 5:22 pmI suspect that Bush&Co have caused more than one person to become bi-polar, if not schizophrenic.
January 7th, 2008 at 5:23 pmPlease don’t respond to the new troll in our midst. It is apparent from what he is posting that all he is doing is throwing stink bombs waiting for people to react. Please don’t give him what he is looking for. I have no problem attempting dialog with trolls who have something to say other than RNC talking points and stink bombs. This one is a stink bomber only!
January 7th, 2008 at 5:24 pmThe free market will solve poverty problems, but the money that should be in the free market is currently being used to fund six-figure pensions for the yawping packs of democrats -CC.
Your telling me that Halliburton, Bechtel, Exxon are run by democrats?
Your a riot.
January 7th, 2008 at 5:24 pmClearly Consevatard has removed all doubt that he is a fool.
January 7th, 2008 at 5:24 pmFACT: Leftists are for poverty and penalizing hard work.
Comment by Clear Conservative — January 7, 2008 @ 5:13 pm
Given the FACT that poverty declined every year under Bill Clinton and has been rising every year under George W. Bush, I think the evidence says the opposite.
oh, that’s right — the only evidence you care about is pulled from your a$$.
January 7th, 2008 at 5:26 pmDr. Matt, you’re absolutely right. Conservatives want to claim that Bush betrayed Conservatism, but what happened in NOLA is a direct consequence of conservative policies and Grover Norquist’s vision of government drowning in a bathtub…
January 7th, 2008 at 5:27 pmPlease don’t respond to the new troll in our midst.
Comment by bilbobaggins
Agreed. CC is a loon. Forget about her. She only has herself to play with and after a while, playing with herself begins to hurt.
January 7th, 2008 at 5:28 pmThats why we’re working to bring them home.
Comment by BARTLEBEE
That’s also why we are working hard to get them the benefits they have earned, adequate rest between deployments, adequate training and equipment and a pay raise.
So, what have the Republiscums done for our soldiers lately?
January 7th, 2008 at 5:29 pmYes, conservatives always blame people who work 40-hour jobs at the minimum wage for being lazy and shiftless, but after all, they are the heirs to this myth used by the Southern plantation owners who thought their slaves were lazy and shiftless and would do nothing if not for the fact that they were enslaved…while they went off galloping on their horses and courting Southern ladies…yes, that’s HARD WORK!
January 7th, 2008 at 5:29 pmI swear that picture of O’Hanlon looks just like Beavis from the Beavis and Butt-head cartoon series.
January 7th, 2008 at 5:30 pmThe demorats in congress.
Comment by Clear Conservative
BWAHAHAHAHA!!! Clearly your not even bright, you just said Bush was a Democrat, above, because of his fiscal recklessness!!!
January 7th, 2008 at 5:30 pmThe free market will solve poverty problems, but the money that should be in the free market is currently being used to fund six-figure pensions for the yawping packs of democrats.
Comment by Clear Conservative — January 7, 2008 @ 5:22 pm
hasn’t ever solved poverty problems, but instead has created poverty whenever and wherever it’s tried. There is not now a free market, as long as Republican congressmen keep voting themselves undeserved pay raises and undeserved pensions. Traitors don’t deserve any pay of pensions, and the republican congress is all traitors. Thanks god the Dems have a majority, to prevent the country from going under completely.
January 7th, 2008 at 5:30 pmCC is a loon. Forget about her. She only has herself to play with and after a while, playing with herself begins to hurt.
Comment by StratRat — January 7, 2008 @ 5:28 pm
No way CC is smart enough to be female!
:-D
January 7th, 2008 at 5:32 pmAnd the aggressors will be promptly executed for their crimes.
Comment by Clear Conservative — January 7, 2008 @ 5:27 pm
the egressors were executed for their crimes. it’s what happens when one illegally invades a country and murders families. the blood of all those soldiers is on the hands of Bush and the right. Murder is the new republican hobby.
January 7th, 2008 at 5:33 pmThere’s no way the word patriot fits into your vocab.
Comment by Clear Conservative —CC
Project much?
January 7th, 2008 at 5:34 pmthe patriots here at home appreciate the troops serving overseas.
Comment by Clear Conservative — January 7, 2008 @ 5:25 pm
How many veterans of Iraq have come home and run for office as a Republican?
January 7th, 2008 at 5:35 pmCC would give up instantly if the USA was ever invaded. That’s what he thinks the Iraqis should have done, so that’s what he would do. Another rightard coward. No surprise.
January 7th, 2008 at 5:35 pmThey’ve managed to cut their benifits, extend their tours, shorten their furloughs and to date, they’ve managed to get almost 4000 of them killed, and 20,000 of them dismembered or seriously wounded.
:|
They’re doing a lot for em.
Comment by BARTLEBEE
That’s not what the Republiscums are doing FOR them it is what they are doing TO them.
And I agree, cc is way too dumb to be female.
Why have you all turned over this thread to it. It was apparent after it’s third or fourth post that all it was here to do was to fling sh|t. Stop responding to it and it will go away.
January 7th, 2008 at 5:35 pmGranted, the difference between a typical troll’s “reasoned arguments” and “stupid blather” is negligible in the best of times, but clearly, Cloudy Conservative has crossed that line and should be ignored.
January 7th, 2008 at 5:36 pmHow many veterans of Iraq have come home and run for office as a Republican?
January 7th, 2008 at 5:36 pmMost of them
The free market will solve poverty problems. –CC
OMG, thats like saying the Robber Barons will solve poverty.
January 7th, 2008 at 5:36 pm152 - WRONG.
They have all - except ONE - run as DEMOCRATS. Moron.
January 7th, 2008 at 5:37 pmAll you fascist brownshirt trolls. Anti-war sentiment has nothing to do with the troops. Its about the criminals ordering them to go and stay there. By extension, you supporting the bush cabal do more harm to our soldiers than all of alQaeda. So you _____conservative are the traitor killing our troops.
January 7th, 2008 at 5:37 pmI am sick and tired of Republiscum who apparently are in the upper tiers of income levels, and don’t have any moral obligation to give something back to the country that allowed them to get where they are. They don’t want to pay an extra cent in taxes, no matter for what. It’s the old “I got mine, go get your own.”
January 7th, 2008 at 5:38 pmNot everyone had an equal playing field from the day they were born; these guys apparently have been able to make the most of their advantaged births, they may have worked hard, planned well, and deserved to make their six-figure+ incomes - I don’t begrudge them that. What I find confounding is that they don’t feel they should give anything back, or help anyone else out, or work to level the field for everyone. Their selfishness is their primary characteristic.
They are perfectly content to sleep on their silk sheets in their 5,000+ sq. ft. homes, with nary a thought about those who are not so fortunate.
The phrase, “there but for the grace of god, go I” means nothing to them.
I thought u meant the other way around
January 7th, 2008 at 5:39 pmNo way CC is smart enough to be female!
:-D
Comment by mary
In no way did I intend to demean the women of the world. If women were in charge, I don’t think we would be mired in Iraq.
January 7th, 2008 at 5:39 pmIn no way did I intend to demean the women of the world. If women were in charge, I don’t think we would be mired in Iraq.
Hil would mire us. Blecch.
January 7th, 2008 at 5:41 pmHow many veterans of Iraq have come home and run for office as a Republican?
Most of them
Comment by lefty — January 7, 2008 @ 5:36 pm
Names? Offices contested?
Thanks.
January 7th, 2008 at 5:42 pmGiven that the intelligence regarding Iraq was consistent from Clinton to Bush 43 -Manslagt
The NIE was recently wrong, right? And lets not forget Tenets slam dunk. And did you know Curve Ball told the truth? And Chalabi?
January 7th, 2008 at 5:43 pmI read the question wrong, ok? Pick on CC. Or visit my blog and tell me which side you think I’m on. Yeesh.
January 7th, 2008 at 5:47 pmThe Man-Slag has tried that “intelligence consistent from Clinton to Bush” crap before, and it didn’t work then.
Hey, man-Slag, if the intelligence on Iraq was “consistent” then how do you explain this:
In Feb. 2001, Colin Powell stated clearly that Iraq had no WMD. In July of that year, Condi Rice said that Saddam hussein was “unable to project any threat against his neighbors; he has not rebuilt his weapons programs”.
Man-Slag? Did these two fine American servants LIE to the American people in 2001?
January 7th, 2008 at 5:48 pmGiven that the intelligence regarding Iraq was consistent from Clinton to Bush 43, how can the objectively pro-terrorist folks at TP claim that anyone “naively accepted the information and arguments presented by the Bush administration�
Comment by Manslagt
We here at TP know you and we know where you stand. We have gone over this point for years and still you pull it out every once in a while - usually when your argument has no merit.
All of the major players have said over and over again that they didn’t get all the information from the Bush administration. Does the word ’stovepipe’ mean anything to you? History has shown (downing street memos, etc) that the bushies were only giving info geared to invade Iraq. If being lied to makes you feel safe, then good for you. Being lied to does not make me feel any safer. In fact, when my government lies to me, I sort of stop believing anything else they may say - but whatever makes you happy.
January 7th, 2008 at 5:49 pmThe new tax system should be to donate to the government agency of our choosing. Tykisha would then have to pursue her GED and support her illigit kid.
Comment by Clear Conservative — January 7, 2008 @ 5:45 pm
If I didn’t know any better, I’d think that this troll just made a racist statement.
January 7th, 2008 at 5:50 pmLeave the free markets alone, leave my money alone. Stay out of my pocket, leftist freeloaders.
When you stop using my tax dollars for corporate welfare and republican money holes and start actually giving a sh!t about the billions of dollars you can’t seem to find in Iraq. WHO THE FCK ARE YOU CALLING A FREELOADER!!!?!?
January 7th, 2008 at 5:50 pmno bid contracts are deep into your pockets. Go get Bush
January 7th, 2008 at 5:51 pm“Given that the intelligence regarding Iraq was consistent from Clinton to Bush 43″
You mean about the threat of Al Queda that was ignored right up until 9/11?
As far as “pro-terrorist” that’s a Republican thing. It’s all your side has anymore. Go listen to any of the debates. Which one of them scares you the most into voting for them? That’s what the “last throes” actually look like.
January 7th, 2008 at 5:53 pmThe new tax system should be to donate to the government agency of our choosing. Tykisha would then have to pursue her GED and support her illigit kid.
Comment by Clear Conservative — January 7, 2008 @ 5:45 pm
we’re coming after your money, CC. your side has stolen enough from the American people, and we’re going to get it back. warch yourself!
January 7th, 2008 at 5:53 pmIf I didn’t know any better, I’d think that this troll just made a racist statement.
Comment by ralph the wonder llama
He did. The chickenhawk feels strong throwing marshmellows at the world. He has a bleak future and I feel sorry for him, to be honest.
January 7th, 2008 at 5:54 pmMan-Slag? Did these two fine American servants LIE to the American people in 2001?
Comment by ralph the wonder llama — January 7, 2008 @ 5:48 pm
unfair question, ralph. they are Republicans, it is their only way. They lie reflexively, constantly and proudly. they never tell the truth, they consider it a weakness. And their poor, stupid constituents actually defend them in their lying. Republicans are the stupidest people on Earth.
January 7th, 2008 at 5:56 pmman-slag is one of the most consistent repuke victims that we have here. his lies are constant, unending and unyielding. he has drunk the koolaid dry. he lives on lies.
January 7th, 2008 at 5:57 pmComment by Clear Conservative — January 7, 2008 @ 5:45 pm
what a racist statement, CC. Why am I not surprised?
January 7th, 2008 at 5:58 pmO Hanlon also has his statistics wrong.
January 7th, 2008 at 6:01 pm“The harder you work, the more taxes you pay”
How hard would you say Paris Hilton is working for that “Death Tax”?
January 7th, 2008 at 6:03 pmWho is this “Tykisha” of whom you speak? Please elaborate.
January 7th, 2008 at 6:06 pmAh, and the Cloudy One has also invoked the image of the Reagan Welfare Queen. Only she’s projected one discredited urban myth onto the current boogeyminority.
January 7th, 2008 at 6:09 pmCall it what you want, but not with my tax dollars.
Comment by Clear Conservative — January 7, 2008 @ 6:03 pm
How many calories do you think you burn a day Clear Conservative?
January 7th, 2008 at 6:10 pm“Wealth within a family is not for your taking.”
Actually it is, especially when it has consumed American resources to be obtained. Where have you been?
America: Love it or leave it :)
January 7th, 2008 at 6:20 pmHis ego alone must burn at least 3000.
Comment by BARTLEBEE — January 7, 2008 @ 6:19 pm
Well, that should take care of the swallowed semen, but, what about all the Red Bull and Doritos?
January 7th, 2008 at 6:21 pmAll of you don’t belong here.
Comment by Clear Conservative — January 7, 2008 @ 6:17 pm
This is a progressive site. Are you really that damaged?
January 7th, 2008 at 6:22 pmWow, CC. You’re worse than I thought.
Did you beat up the littlest kids in your school and take their lunch money…?
January 7th, 2008 at 6:26 pmYeah, and I’ll bet you got your rocks off drowning kittens, too.
January 7th, 2008 at 6:28 pmDid you beat up the littlest kids in your school and take their lunch money…?
Comment by Leftside Annie — January 7, 2008 @ 6:26 pm
he tried, but got his ass kicked, like the republicans next election. the gOP is to be destroyed, dismantled and buried, and let’s go get their unearned money and give it to children and the poor. Let’s be America again, instead of pondscum like CC imagines.
January 7th, 2008 at 6:30 pmHear, hear, LP!!!
Let’s. I’m sick of the bullies running the place.
January 7th, 2008 at 6:32 pmOkay, folks, here’s some clear, compelling evidence that the Cloudy One is suffering from some sort of cognitive impairment:
at 6:09, I posted:
Ah, and the Cloudy One has also invoked the image of the Reagan Welfare Queen. Only she’s projected one discredited urban myth onto the current boogeyminority.
Here is how the Cloudy One responded:
Reagan was a wonderful president.
Comment by Clear Conservative — January 7, 2008 @ 6:16 pm
Jeesus. He may as well have said “I like pudding” for all the relevance his comment contained.
Although the Cloudy One probably likes pudding and so a more accurate comaprison would have been something like “cars drive underwater” or “trees cause pollution” — something demonstrably untrue.
January 7th, 2008 at 6:33 pmWealth within a family is not for your taking. Parents work hard for their children and should have every right to pass that onto their heirs without some jealous kooks butting in.
Comment by Clear Conservative — January 7, 2008 @ 6:14 pm
Ever hear of the “Fair Tax”? Would solve lots of peoples problems with the current tax system… from both parties.
January 7th, 2008 at 6:36 pmBe lucky our president hasn’t (rightfully) taken your citizenship.
Comment by Clear Conservative — January 7, 2008 @ 6:25 pm
Under what jurisdiction does he have that right, exactly?
I already guessed that you were an Anti-American craving a dictatorship, but this proves it. Thanks
January 7th, 2008 at 6:48 pm202 - oh goody! Another idiot telling us a consumption tax would benefit us all.
Sorry, hon, we aren’t as stupid as you are.
January 7th, 2008 at 6:51 pmTHOSE WHO BLINDLY FOLLOW THEIR GOVERNMENT DO NOT DESERVE TO LIVE IN A DEMOCRACY.
Hence Shrub’s interest in Paraguay.
January 7th, 2008 at 6:55 pmWe’d all like to thank Clear Conservative for stopping by and entertaining us with his offbeat humor. It’s been a blast.
Oh, by the way, he’ll be here all week. Try the veal and don’t forget to tip your waitress.
January 7th, 2008 at 7:10 pmwhat qualifications does o’hanlon have that makes him an ‘expert’ on wars and middle eastern politics? - just curious
January 7th, 2008 at 7:48 pmTHOSE WHO BLINDLY FOLLOW THEIR GOVERNMENT DO NOT DESERVE TO LIVE IN A DEMOCRACY.
Hence Shrub’s interest in Paraguay.
Comment by DieNowForPeace — January 7, 2008 @ 6:55 pm
Yeah, he can go there AFTER he gets out of PRISON for his WAR CRIMES.
Sincerely,
NRA Gun Nutes
January 7th, 2008 at 8:35 pmComment by Clear Conservative — January 7, 2008 @ 6:03 pm
You’re still a racist, way to help dispel the stereotype that conservatives and wingnuts are racist, sexist, homophobic, whatever…
January 7th, 2008 at 10:03 pmYES, KBR cheated our troops out of their Super Bowl Party, they overcharged the government millions for unserved meals and charged $50 for a six-pack of soda for our troops. But to you, KBR honestly earned its money and we jealous kooks shouldn’t expect otherwise…
January 7th, 2008 at 10:04 pmand so as you know, the majority of those on welfare are white and non-urban. So why don’t you blame them for your ills and failings…
January 7th, 2008 at 10:05 pmbut I guess CC, you wear your racism as a proud badge of honor. I applaud you for being honest about your beliefs, abhorrent as they are. *Sarcasm
Let me guess, it’s all the fault of those brown people hordes, isn’t it? Well at least you wingnuts are consistent at blaming everyone else…At least you didn’t blame the Clenis.
January 7th, 2008 at 10:11 pm“Ever hear of the “Fair Taxâ€? Would solve lots of peoples problems with the current tax system… from both parties.”
If you are speaking of the “Fair tax” that the Rethugs also-rans propose every election year (i.e. national sales tax or any other extremely regressive tax system)…no, it solves nothing. It is just class warfare on the middle and lower classes.
January 8th, 2008 at 12:25 amWall Street Journal… WHAT CAN BE SAID ABOUT IT… IT IS TOO ROUGH TO USE AS TOILET PAPER AND TOO SOFT TO BUILD A HOUSE WITH IT…
January 8th, 2008 at 1:11 am“Call it what you want, but not with my tax dollars.”
Remember - to cons, money = Jesus.
Not sure how Jesus might’ve felt about that but - hey! who cares? “I’ve got mine. The rest of y’all can go hang - I’ll BUY my way into heaven.”
Note I do not believe in heaven. I do however believe in the unparalleled hypocrisy of most of the people who invoke it.
January 8th, 2008 at 10:20 amDoes anyone have a link to a copy of the full article for those of us without WSJ subscriptions? I couldn’t find one.
January 9th, 2008 at 3:16 pm