Gaffney: 4,000 Americans Had To Die In Iraq
Gaffney: 4,000 Americans Had To Die In Iraq
In a new interview with ABC News, Vice President Cheney claimed that the the case for war had nothing to do with whether Saddam Hussein had WMD; America would have invaded anyway. Today on MSNBC’s Hardball, right-wing commentator Frank Gaffney defended Cheney’s remarks, saying that the “real reason” the Bush administration wanted to invade Iraq was because Saddam was a “mortal threat” to the United States.
Host Chris Matthews was appalled that Gaffney seemed to feel no guilt or remorse than 4,000 Americans died because of the right wing’s mistakes. Gaffney replied that while it was “regrettable” anyone had to die, they “did have to die”:
MATTHEWS: You guys sold the war as a nuclear threat to the United States. A nuclear weapon was going to be delivered by a nuclear delivery device. It was going to take the weapon and drop it here. You sold every trick you could to get us into this war. Now you’re back pedaling. And I do find it astounding. The Vice President of the United States is —
GAFFNEY: How do you feel, Chris?
MATTHEWS: This is how I feel. Four thousand people are dead because of how you feel. And Frank, you’re wrong about this because you don’t even seem to care your facts were wrong.
GAFFNEY: Chris, there were —
MATTHEWS: You admit your facts were wrong and it doesn’t bother you.
GAFFNEY: May I state my position rather than you stating it? May I do that? My position is that it’s regrettable that any Americans died. It is regrettable that they had to die, but I believe they did have to die.
Watch it:
Four thousand Americans didn’t die in Iraq because they had to. They died because of the Bush administration’s hubris. Matt Yglesias explains:
The harsh reality is that this was not a noble undertaking done for good reasons. It was a criminal enterprise launched by madmen cheered on by a chorus of fools and cowards. And it’s seen as such by virtually everyone all around the world — including but by no means limited to the Arab world.
But it’s impolitic to point this out in the United States, and it’s clear that even a president-elect who had the wisdom not to be suckered in by the War Fever of 2002 has no intention of really acting to marginalize the bad actors. Which, I think, makes sense for his political objectives. But if Americans want to play a constructive role in world affairs, it’s vitally important for us to get in touch with the reality of what the past eight years of US foreign policy have been and how they’re seen and understood by people who aren’t stirred by the shibboleths of American patriotism.
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December 16th, 2008 at 5:58 pm“Gaffney: 4,000 Americans Had To Die In Iraq”
Under the circumstances, I sure am sorry one of ‘em wasn’t ol’ Frank himself…
December 16th, 2008 at 6:00 pmTypical Right Wing Chickenhawk NeoCon attitude:
“Who cares how many die or what it costs, not any skin off my arse”
December 16th, 2008 at 6:03 pmGood job Yglesias that is exactly right as for Gaffney give the man an M-16 and put his pampered butt on the front lines withing the hour. He can explain to HIS family why it is important enough for HIM to die there. Thats the thing though. It isnt important enough for our BETTERS to die for only for the bewildered herd and huddled masses to die for. These people make me sick
December 16th, 2008 at 6:07 pmGaffney is right. They did have to die. Their fates were sealed on January 21, 2001.
December 16th, 2008 at 6:07 pmWow! They’re actually talking about Iraq on TV? Amazing.
It’s been so long, you’d think that the war ended as soon as most of the American public decided it was boring and the media decided that it was too tedious to think about and actually report on it.
December 16th, 2008 at 6:08 pmIt’s no wonder I hate Republicans…
December 16th, 2008 at 6:11 pm“The harsh reality is that this was not a noble undertaking done for good reasons. It was a criminal enterprise launched by madmen cheered on by a chorus of fools and cowards.”
Well said, that’s exactly what it was. Bush can spin his way all the way to hell.
December 16th, 2008 at 6:16 pmHow would he feel if his son or daughter “had to die?”
December 16th, 2008 at 6:18 pmThe more they lie and try to sanitize this horrific deed done in our name, the more guilty the hate America crowd appear in the eyes of the public.
December 16th, 2008 at 6:27 pmThis is why most Republicans get reborn as lab animals.
December 16th, 2008 at 6:29 pmOMG, that is just stunning.
December 16th, 2008 at 6:30 pmAnd another truth telling bush sychophant. Bush says “so what?”, Cheney says “so?”, Gaffney says “4000 had to die”. Is there any more proof that these animals simply should be rounded up and put in a dark hole somewhere?
How on earth can 23% still approve of these freaks?
December 16th, 2008 at 6:30 pmAs long as it isn’t the NeoCons doing the dieing….
…traitors, war criminals, thugs, corrupt scum, and that goes for the Repukes that support this sh!t.
December 16th, 2008 at 6:31 pmIt is interesting how these facts have been known for years but just now, right before they leave office, we’re hearing a lot of talk about how their lies really don’t matter. That their ends definitely justified their means. That lying the United States into an invasion was just the right thing to do.
December 16th, 2008 at 6:31 pmIt smells like desperation, of some sort.
These neo-cons are some real inhuman sons of b!tches. Beelzebub will almost surely have a special welcoming committee awaiting them all upon their destined arrival in Hades.
Just saying …
December 16th, 2008 at 6:33 pmKeltoi, Nettles, care to enlighten us?
December 16th, 2008 at 6:44 pmI happened to see this incredible interview today.
December 16th, 2008 at 6:46 pmDavid Corn supplied facts.
Frank Gaffney supplied propaganda and arrogance.
Matthews supplied indignant outrage, and could hardly contain his anger.
This is not even worth one of my usual comments, the gentleman said all I needed to hear, and all what WE already knew about how they feel/felt about OUR sacrifices.
RIP
SGT Stephen R. Sherman
C CO 1-5 IN (STRYKER)
KIA 3 Feb 2005
Mosul, Iraq
Died because according to Repuppetcans he “had to”.
December 16th, 2008 at 6:46 pmAnd as for Mr. Matthews he should play the tape of him drooling over how this country loves having a “man” like Mr. Bush as POTUS. His indignation is way too little too late.
RIP
December 16th, 2008 at 6:49 pmSGT Stephen R. Sherman
C CO 1-5 IN (STRYKER)
KIA 3 Feb 2005
Mosul, Iraq
In a new interview with ABC News, Vice President Cheney claimed that the the case for war had nothing to do with whether Saddam Hussein had WMD; America would have invaded anyway.
You know what’s really funny? For years we tried to tell the Bushbots this very thing, and they called unAmerican and said we were wearing tinfoil hats.
Now, one of their prime deities, Dick Cheney admits the truth we have been espousing for so long, and where are the Bush grovelers to admit we were right all along?
Funny huh?
December 16th, 2008 at 6:51 pmCheney admits he approved torture.
George displays his decline into complete delusion – he has gone beyond ignorance and arrogance — he is more than culturally illiterate, multinationally ignorant, globally incompetent, and stubbornly political — I believe he could be certifiably insane or always under the influence.
These two criminals and their cabal took us to war and the neocon propagandist, Gaffney, continues to defend their actions, the lies of all of them, and cavalierly dismiss the deaths of 4209 Americans, tens of thousands of casualties, and hundreds of thousands of killed, wounded and displaced Iraqis.
December 16th, 2008 at 6:54 pmshoeless says
“For years we tried to tell the Bushbots this very thing, and they called unAmerican and said we were wearing tinfoil hats.”
It doesn’t make me feel any better to know we were right, but instead it makes me even more furious and want to see them suffer and die.
I read the local newspaper and the blogs that follow on line — I am amazed and appalled at the hate, the vitriol, the ignorance and the absolute resistance to believe the truth even when Bush&Co admit it in public.
December 16th, 2008 at 6:58 pmTired of Fighting – I do think that Matthews and others like him who were opposed to the war would have been more outspoken at the time — I will never forget how Bush strutted on the carrier in his flight suit, and Matthews was duly impressed.
I think Matthews may have some regret now, to the extent that he really could hardly contain his anger — (perhaps because he feels some guilt himself?)
December 16th, 2008 at 7:02 pmGaffney believes “they did have to die,” even when confronted with the fact there was no reason for it.
What is this, human sacrifice?
December 16th, 2008 at 7:03 pmi assume it would be too much to ask this reichwing tool for some snapshot or somethin’ of this “advanced nuclear program” he was touting. one would think they would have turned up a reactor or at least a piece uranium glass from the 1930’s.
December 16th, 2008 at 7:03 pmMatthews SHOULD have been more outspoken, not would have been…
December 16th, 2008 at 7:04 pmGaffney was born in 1953 and graduated Georgetown in ‘75. Methinks he got a deferment from Vietnam.
Typical neocon chickenhawk.
December 16th, 2008 at 7:14 pmYes over 4000 US soldiers died in Iraq and 3000 died at 9/11. The US killed over 500,000 Iraqis and displaced 2 million Iraq people. The root of the conflict was for Bush/Cheney to get oil and control Iraq land. The facts don’t change as Saddam was accused of killing 500,000 kurds as many were missing and had left the country for safty. I guess that is a good exuse as Americans brought the lie hook line and sinker. It was the Mushroom cloud that made me laugh and as for WMD’s they were shown to be the one’s the US gave Saddam and so old they were useless, but Cheney said differently and Powell gave the former Students made up Essay as fact to the United Nation. No worry after Powell got kick out of office and lied once his memo come out he did apologized for the lie.
December 16th, 2008 at 7:15 pmThey’re going to lie and spin to the bitter end.
December 16th, 2008 at 7:18 pmMarie Says:
I think Matthews may have some regret now, to the extent that he really could hardly contain his anger — (perhaps because he feels some guilt himself?)
I can believe that, and he along with “thousands” of other so-called media types should feel guilt, but again too late. But thanks for calming me down.
RIP
December 16th, 2008 at 7:28 pmSGT Stephen R. Sherman
C CO 1-5 IN (STRYKER)
KIA 3 Feb 2005
Mosul, Iraq
After watching Gaffney spout the crap about capabilities when none where found The inability to make this a$$hole pay here on earth is not good for my blood pressure I am an atheist so hell is not an option. as doubtful as it seems it makes me hope for a divine punishment system
December 16th, 2008 at 7:33 pmWe’re all of us in a parallel universe when this administration made the following case for war in 2002 and early 2003:
>Iraq had WMD, inferring nuclear capability.
>Al Queda had a presence in Iraq.
Who created the intelligence? Cheney.
Now, “so what”???
They intentionally lied. The threshold for crimes and misdemeanors is easily met.
Gaffney’s kidding, right?
December 16th, 2008 at 7:37 pmI saw Hardball and heard Gaffney make that comment. I assumed at the time that I must have misheard what he said because that was downright sociopathic.
The amount of detachment from the suffering and death in Gaffney’s statement is stunning. “It is regrettable that they had to die, but I believe they did have to die.”
Is 4000 dead ok with him? Would twice that have been acceptable? Is any amount ok, just so long as it doesn’t affect him personally and he doesn’t have to admit that he and Cheney were tragically wrong?
December 16th, 2008 at 7:46 pmTypical right wing coward, his biography says he was born in 1953, yet no mention of his military service. What a soulless, cowardly pr!ck
http://www.centerforsecuritypolicy.org/home.aspx?sid=47&categoryid=47&subcategoryid=115&newsid=12531
December 16th, 2008 at 8:07 pmAnother cowardly chickensh*t, chickenhawk, warmonger who thinks he can tell anyone about war and what is necessary in the military. The guy is in the same ranks as both draft dodging cowards who started this war and Bill Kristol and all the cowards in the reichwing. It is too bad that they could not have given what they ask of others. Sorry to say but they would have made good sacrificial lambs for their worthless cause.
December 16th, 2008 at 8:27 pmWe will never know how many humans have been sacrificed to the Bushgod. His lust for blood is insatiable, and the desire of his followers to provide human blood for him is boundless.
December 16th, 2008 at 8:32 pmThe invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq were based
December 16th, 2008 at 8:38 pmentirely on the lies and manipulation of intelligence
that was created by the Bush/Cheney. If the US Congress
won’t do it’s job and insure proper prosecution to these monster tyrants, then the People must pursue a world court for their crimes is to regime must be prosecuted for their crimes of war.
This Gaffney is a friggin sociopath. No conscience whatsoever.
December 16th, 2008 at 8:47 pmWell, yeah. He’s a Republican.
December 16th, 2008 at 8:50 pmI’m sure there’s plenty of ‘pro-lifers’ that agree whole-heartedly.
December 16th, 2008 at 8:53 pmGAFFNEY: How do you feel, Chris?
Like a fool? Sucker? You’ve been had? Con-jobed? Neo-con’d? Get pissed, Chris.
December 16th, 2008 at 9:02 pmWhoop! Whoop! Whoop!
Revisionist History Alert!
Bush Legacy Team at Work!
Whoop! Whoop! Whoop!
For the sake of history, please keep the Bush Legacy Team off television, radio and the internet and the print media! Please!
December 16th, 2008 at 9:28 pmRepublicans: Heartless, Soul-less, Brain-less.
And what Republicans lack in honesty, integrity, scruples and ethics, they more than make up for in arrogance, cronyism, criminality and a total disregard for our country and Constitution.
December 16th, 2008 at 9:38 pmI offer Frank Gaffney the sole of my shoe.
December 16th, 2008 at 10:11 pmThe GOP needs to be painted and framed with this attitude…
I hate to say it, but it has to be done…They need to be punished for their cavalier attitude towards the deaths of our troops and the innocent civilians…
The GOP: Let them EAT Death party…
December 16th, 2008 at 10:16 pmOf course he doesn’t care. Why would anyone think he would?
As a neocon he is programed not to care. These people are genetically deformed. Trying to find compassion and reason in the minds of any right wing nut, is mythical like the unicorn, only not as pretty.
December 16th, 2008 at 10:17 pmIf the case for war had nothing to do with whether Saddam Hussein had WMD, why did Cheney himself work so hard in an attempt to make that very case?
December 16th, 2008 at 11:13 pm
You know, if you adopt some the assumptions of much of modern fundamentalist Christianity, these are the real bad guys.
Checkit: a lot of right-wing Christians believe that Satan actually has secret representatives on Earth who are trying to cause evil, destruction and death. If you assume that’s the case, then it’s pretty obvious who those minions of the devil would be: those who are actively working to cause evil, destruction and death. A.k.a. BushCo and the neocon apologists.
The fact that they loudly and repeatedly profess to be devout Christians just plays even more into it, since the New Testament explicitly warns against evil people using exactly that tactic.
So I don’t grok how an evangelical Republican can vote for or support those guys. They’re clearly the legions of the Antichrist. They’re trying to make everybody hate each other, further impoverish the poor, strip rights from all minorities, divide nation against nation, support “everybody for himself” economics, and get as many people to kill other people as they can. This isn’t some weird complicated prophetic theory, it’s blatantly in front of everybody’s faces every day. No pastor who has even made a cursory glance at Revelations should ever support a Republican for any office.
They are evil. Pure moral evil pretending to be a political philosophy. That’s all they are.
December 16th, 2008 at 11:36 pm.
Using Frank Gaffney logic…
… That’s like saying, “Let’s attack Mars because some day Martians will attack Earth,” even though we know that there is no life on Mars.
Who supports that kind of logic?
.
December 17th, 2008 at 1:58 am#50 ElBruce,
Well said….
… ‘cept the part about this ideology being just relegated to Republicans. I know some some Dem’s and other people known globally, who also fall into this pattern of behavior.
Remember…
… it bears many crowns.
.
December 17th, 2008 at 2:03 am.
R E M E M B E R:
There’s a killing to be had at making war!
.
December 17th, 2008 at 2:08 amDoes this “man” kick babies in the head for entertainment?!
With a line like that, all that’s missing is a brown uniform and armband on Gaffney with some fist pounding to deliver his crazed musings.
December 17th, 2008 at 3:11 am” Gaffney seemed to feel no guilt or remorse than 4,000 Americans died because of the right wing’s mistakes.”
Gaffney had no skin in the game. For him it was profitable and their doesn’t seem to be an conscience in profiteering.
Heart is the missing soul of a Conservative “me only” ideologue.
The Bush legacy logo should be, ” I can’t think of one mistake I ever made in my life “.
December 17th, 2008 at 3:23 amCasual psychopaths. That’s the only way to describe these people.
December 17th, 2008 at 7:52 amWell, if they “had to die” perhaps Gaffney can tell us why he thinks that is the case? Because it wasn’t for WMD. It wasn’t for Al Q or OBL or the GWOT or any of that. It wasn’t really about anything they sold you — was it?
So, why did they have to die, them and all the Iraqis together with this nation’s honor, prestige, law (that damn piece of paper the Constitution) and fortune have to be lost or severely wounded? WHY?
Because. Someone thinks you can’t handle the truth. And the GOP thinks Hollywood is liberal.
December 17th, 2008 at 10:00 amSo if I fling a 100 grain broadhead through Bush’s guts and pin him to the wall like a frog can I say it was regrettable that he had to suffer, but he had to suffer?
December 17th, 2008 at 10:01 am