Comments on: McCain: ‘Anyone Who Worries About How Long We’re In Iraq Does Not Understand The Military’ http://thinkprogress.org/2008/02/12/mccain-understand-military/ Fri, 27 Nov 2009 00:24:38 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: batteries http://thinkprogress.org/2008/02/12/mccain-understand-military/comment-page-2/#comment-5284064 batteries Wed, 15 Oct 2008 07:11:51 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2008/02/12/mccain-understand-military/#comment-5284064 It’s evident that McCain doesn’t understand the role of the military in a democracy. At the beginning of the US involvement in WWII our British Allies submitted a well documented and elaborate set of strategic plans for war against Germany - all envisioned the war ending in the late 1940s. George Marshall rejected them and when FDR aked why, Marshall responded - “Mr. President, democracies do not fight Seven Year Wars.” That is still true, and with that as <a href="http://www.batterylaptoppower.com/acer/travelmate-420.htm" rel="nofollow">acer travelmate 420 battery</a>,<a href="http://www.batterylaptoppower.com/acer/travelmate-430.htm" rel="nofollow">acer travelmate 430 battery</a> a given the more fundamental question is “what is the state of our democracy” when a potential leader’s talk of A Hundred Years War comes so trippenly off his tongue. It’s evident that McCain doesn’t understand the role of the military in a democracy. At the beginning of the US involvement in WWII our British Allies submitted a well documented and elaborate set of strategic plans for war against Germany – all envisioned the war ending in the late 1940s. George Marshall rejected them and when FDR aked why, Marshall responded – “Mr. President, democracies do not fight Seven Year Wars.” That is still true, and with that as acer travelmate 420 battery,acer travelmate 430 battery a given the more fundamental question is “what is the state of our democracy” when a potential leader’s talk of A Hundred Years War comes so trippenly off his tongue.

]]> By: donmyers http://thinkprogress.org/2008/02/12/mccain-understand-military/comment-page-2/#comment-4266306 donmyers Thu, 14 Feb 2008 09:10:28 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2008/02/12/mccain-understand-military/#comment-4266306 time to put some restraints on the military time to put some restraints on the military

]]> By: SaltyDawg http://thinkprogress.org/2008/02/12/mccain-understand-military/comment-page-2/#comment-4265451 SaltyDawg Wed, 13 Feb 2008 18:30:39 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2008/02/12/mccain-understand-military/#comment-4265451 If we hadn't had seven years of Bush's disingenuousness then I would say that Grandpa McCain's statement was breath-takingly disingenuous and dishonest. It's Sen. McCain who doesn't understand the occupation of Iraq. Posing as a military expert, he obviously hasn't brushed up on the history of attempted military occupations in Iraq. Also, refereeing a religious/tribal civil war in Iraq isn't in the least parallel to maintaining bases in Korea, Kuwait or any of his other examples. I was struck by McCain's obvious embrace of American imperialism-- the United States as an empire, an overlord of other nations. Does a democratic republic really need over 400 bases on foreign soil? More to the point, can we really afford to keep them? If we hadn’t had seven years of Bush’s disingenuousness then I would say that Grandpa McCain’s statement was breath-takingly disingenuous and dishonest.

It’s Sen. McCain who doesn’t understand the occupation of Iraq. Posing as a military expert, he obviously hasn’t brushed up on the history of attempted military occupations in Iraq. Also, refereeing a religious/tribal civil war in Iraq isn’t in the least parallel to maintaining bases in Korea, Kuwait or any of his other examples.

I was struck by McCain’s obvious embrace of American imperialism– the United States as an empire, an overlord of other nations. Does a democratic republic really need over 400 bases on foreign soil? More to the point, can we really afford to keep them?

]]> By: thirdparty http://thinkprogress.org/2008/02/12/mccain-understand-military/comment-page-2/#comment-4265074 thirdparty Wed, 13 Feb 2008 14:54:54 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2008/02/12/mccain-understand-military/#comment-4265074 <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/14/world/middleeast/14iraq.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin" rel="nofollow">More bad news from Iraq!</a> More bad news from Iraq!

]]> By: stanmans http://thinkprogress.org/2008/02/12/mccain-understand-military/comment-page-2/#comment-4264822 stanmans Wed, 13 Feb 2008 02:14:54 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2008/02/12/mccain-understand-military/#comment-4264822 If we are "succeeding" then why would it be necessary to be there for 100 years? It doesn't sound like success to me. If we are “succeeding” then why would it be necessary to be there for 100 years? It doesn’t sound like success to me.

]]> By: Lefty Patriot http://thinkprogress.org/2008/02/12/mccain-understand-military/comment-page-2/#comment-4264584 Lefty Patriot Wed, 13 Feb 2008 00:22:10 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2008/02/12/mccain-understand-military/#comment-4264584 Insult 60% of it’s citizens. Comment by bilbobaggins — February 12, 2008 @ 6:59 pm that's the republican way to "win". Which is why they have had to steal elections. A republican could never win a fair election. Insult 60% of it’s citizens.

Comment by bilbobaggins — February 12, 2008 @ 6:59 pm

that’s the republican way to “win”. Which is why they have had to steal elections. A republican could never win a fair election.

]]> By: KingCranky http://thinkprogress.org/2008/02/12/mccain-understand-military/comment-page-2/#comment-4264580 KingCranky Wed, 13 Feb 2008 00:20:33 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2008/02/12/mccain-understand-military/#comment-4264580 With 130,000 US Troops in Iraq come Election Day in November, we'll see just how well McCain's warmongering goes over with the voters I'm guessing, Not Very With 130,000 US Troops in Iraq come Election Day in November, we’ll see just how well McCain’s warmongering goes over with the voters

I’m guessing, Not Very

]]> By: bilbobaggins http://thinkprogress.org/2008/02/12/mccain-understand-military/comment-page-2/#comment-4264549 bilbobaggins Tue, 12 Feb 2008 23:59:51 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2008/02/12/mccain-understand-military/#comment-4264549 <em>He then added that it is “really almost insulting to one’s intelligence” to question “how long we’re in Iraq” because he believes the current “strategy” is “succeeding.”</em> Wow, now McCain is insulting the 60+ percent of the people in this country who recognize that we are not in a "war" in Iraq, we are occupying Iraq, and want us out. Smooth move McCain. Way to get elected of the United States. Insult 60% of it's citizens. He then added that it is “really almost insulting to one’s intelligence” to question “how long we’re in Iraq” because he believes the current “strategy” is “succeeding.”

Wow, now McCain is insulting the 60+ percent of the people in this country who recognize that we are not in a “war” in Iraq, we are occupying Iraq, and want us out. Smooth move McCain. Way to get elected of the United States. Insult 60% of it’s citizens.

]]> By: Lt. Colonel Fred Seamon http://thinkprogress.org/2008/02/12/mccain-understand-military/comment-page-2/#comment-4264546 Lt. Colonel Fred Seamon Tue, 12 Feb 2008 23:58:44 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2008/02/12/mccain-understand-military/#comment-4264546 A retired army officer, veteran of 2 tours in Vietnam with a combat-related disability from my service there, know a damn well more about the military and combating terrorists/guerrillas than John bomb bomb McBomber. Attacking Iraq, was not only illegal according to international law, it placed almost all of our military in a war against the wrong country. Think of what would have happened if Bush and the neocons had put all our effort into capturing/killing Bin Laden, which was very doable - Al Qaida would present very little threat - We would still have allies - The Moslem world would not be united against us - 0 casualties - US military/Iraqis - $2 trillion saved - Our military would be prepared for any contingencies now rather than none. I could go on. We need to withdraw our troops from Iraq as quickly as militarily feasibly, refocus on Afghanistan, reconstitute our military, and give the troops a respite. A retired army officer, veteran of 2 tours in Vietnam with a combat-related disability from my service there, know a damn well more about the military and combating terrorists/guerrillas than John bomb bomb McBomber.

Attacking Iraq, was not only illegal according to international law, it placed almost all of our military in a war against the wrong country. Think of what would have happened if Bush and the neocons had put all our effort into capturing/killing Bin Laden, which was very doable
- Al Qaida would present very little threat
- We would still have allies
- The Moslem world would not be united against us
- 0 casualties – US military/Iraqis
- $2 trillion saved
- Our military would be prepared for any contingencies now rather than none.

I could go on.

We need to withdraw our troops from Iraq as quickly as militarily feasibly, refocus on Afghanistan, reconstitute our military, and give the troops a respite.

]]> By: jb http://thinkprogress.org/2008/02/12/mccain-understand-military/comment-page-2/#comment-4264503 jb Tue, 12 Feb 2008 23:26:33 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2008/02/12/mccain-understand-military/#comment-4264503 Mr. McCain, you are an expert in being a self centered jackass. Mr. McCain, you are an expert in being a self centered jackass.

]]> By: Markusa http://thinkprogress.org/2008/02/12/mccain-understand-military/comment-page-2/#comment-4264496 Markusa Tue, 12 Feb 2008 23:19:35 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2008/02/12/mccain-understand-military/#comment-4264496 It's evident that McCain doesn't understand the role of the military in a democracy. At the beginning of the US involvement in WWII our British Allies submitted a well documented and elaborate set of strategic plans for war against Germany - all envisioned the war ending in the late 1940s. George Marshall rejected them and when FDR aked why, Marshall responded - "Mr. President, democracies do not fight Seven Year Wars." That is still true, and with that as a given the more fundamental question is "what is the state of our democracy" when a potential leader's talk of A Hundred Years War comes so trippenly off his tongue. It’s evident that McCain doesn’t understand the role of the military in a democracy. At the beginning of the US involvement in WWII our British Allies submitted a well documented and elaborate set of strategic plans for war against Germany – all envisioned the war ending in the late 1940s. George Marshall rejected them and when FDR aked why, Marshall responded – “Mr. President, democracies do not fight Seven Year Wars.” That is still true, and with that as a given the more fundamental question is “what is the state of our democracy” when a potential leader’s talk of A Hundred Years War comes so trippenly off his tongue.

]]> By: Dreary Urbanite http://thinkprogress.org/2008/02/12/mccain-understand-military/comment-page-2/#comment-4264492 Dreary Urbanite Tue, 12 Feb 2008 23:15:25 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2008/02/12/mccain-understand-military/#comment-4264492 #78 - The one thing they haven't screwed up is their contributors ability to make an obscene amount of money. #78 – The one thing they haven’t screwed up is their contributors ability to make an obscene amount of money.

]]> By: Gene Ritchings http://thinkprogress.org/2008/02/12/mccain-understand-military/comment-page-2/#comment-4264489 Gene Ritchings Tue, 12 Feb 2008 23:10:12 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2008/02/12/mccain-understand-military/#comment-4264489 Oh mama/This man will be the end/He's stuck inside of Baghdad/With the Hanoi blues again Oh mama/This man will be the end/He’s stuck inside of Baghdad/With the Hanoi blues again

]]> By: slappy magoo http://thinkprogress.org/2008/02/12/mccain-understand-military/comment-page-2/#comment-4264488 slappy magoo Tue, 12 Feb 2008 23:09:36 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2008/02/12/mccain-understand-military/#comment-4264488 Ya know, Slappy, the GOOPers and the Reich-wing have screwed up every last single, solitary thing they’ve touched over the last 7 yrs so badly, playing word games like JK is trying to do today is all they have left. Comment by The Republic of Stupidity — February 12, 2008 @ 4:59 pm Understood, but sometimes to politely point out just how stupid and wrong someone is can be kind of fun. Ya know, Slappy, the GOOPers and the Reich-wing have screwed up every last single, solitary thing they’ve touched over the last 7 yrs so badly, playing word games like JK is trying to do today is all they have left.

Comment by The Republic of Stupidity — February 12, 2008 @ 4:59 pm

Understood, but sometimes to politely point out just how stupid and wrong someone is can be kind of fun.

]]> By: Ret. Col. Jack Ripper http://thinkprogress.org/2008/02/12/mccain-understand-military/comment-page-2/#comment-4264479 Ret. Col. Jack Ripper Tue, 12 Feb 2008 23:03:32 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2008/02/12/mccain-understand-military/#comment-4264479 And evidently the media wants you to believe that this tired old warmongering crackpot can beat Clinton or Obama. And evidently the media wants you to believe that this tired old warmongering crackpot can beat Clinton or Obama.

]]> By: zuch http://thinkprogress.org/2008/02/12/mccain-understand-military/comment-page-2/#comment-4264457 zuch Tue, 12 Feb 2008 22:49:26 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2008/02/12/mccain-understand-military/#comment-4264457 Memo to John: You're full of $#it. Cheers, Memo to John:

You’re full of $#it.

Cheers,

]]> By: cha cha cha http://thinkprogress.org/2008/02/12/mccain-understand-military/comment-page-2/#comment-4264443 cha cha cha Tue, 12 Feb 2008 22:41:22 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2008/02/12/mccain-understand-military/#comment-4264443 <em>“Anyone who worries about how long we’re in Iraq does not understand the military and does not understand war,” said McCain.</em> all aboard the 'crabby old man express'!! i hope he knows it's not legal to promise young people shiny nickels for their support. also, if i was 71 years old, i might not care if we had troops in iraq for 100 years either. “Anyone who worries about how long we’re in Iraq does not understand the military and does not understand war,” said McCain.

all aboard the ‘crabby old man express’!! i hope he knows it’s not legal to promise young people shiny nickels for their support. also, if i was 71 years old, i might not care if we had troops in iraq for 100 years either.

]]> By: texaslady http://thinkprogress.org/2008/02/12/mccain-understand-military/comment-page-2/#comment-4264442 texaslady Tue, 12 Feb 2008 22:41:18 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2008/02/12/mccain-understand-military/#comment-4264442 Gin is grasping at straws to bolster his comment. Gin do you like unwanted guests staying too long at your home ? Gin is grasping at straws to bolster his comment. Gin do you like unwanted guests staying too long at your home ?

]]> By: Badger http://thinkprogress.org/2008/02/12/mccain-understand-military/comment-page-2/#comment-4264441 Badger Tue, 12 Feb 2008 22:41:11 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2008/02/12/mccain-understand-military/#comment-4264441 Look at all the great reconstructoring we have done in Iraq....... Happy days! Comment by DanCaveman — February 12, 2008 @ 5:36 pm Happy Days Indeed for the No Bid Contractors on the receiving end of a Trillion dollar fiasco. Look at all the great reconstructoring we have done in Iraq……. Happy days!

Comment by DanCaveman — February 12, 2008 @ 5:36 pm

Happy Days Indeed for the No Bid Contractors on the receiving end of a Trillion dollar fiasco.

]]> By: Ret. Col. Jack Ripper http://thinkprogress.org/2008/02/12/mccain-understand-military/comment-page-2/#comment-4264433 Ret. Col. Jack Ripper Tue, 12 Feb 2008 22:39:05 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2008/02/12/mccain-understand-military/#comment-4264433 Gin: "I’m not sure that Japan and Germany invited us to occupy them either, I’m sure you know better though." Irrelevant. The point is, oh clueless one, that there was not an armed insurrection in either Germany or Japan, but you may or may not have noticed that there IS an armed insurrection in Iraq. Therefore, your comparison of the occupations is a poor comparison. Gin: “I’m not sure that Japan and Germany invited us to occupy them either, I’m sure you know better though.”

Irrelevant. The point is, oh clueless one, that there was not an armed insurrection in either Germany or Japan, but you may or may not have noticed that there IS an armed insurrection in Iraq. Therefore, your comparison of the occupations is a poor comparison.

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