Gen. McChrystal squelches talk of pressure, resignation
In a post about Afghanistan the other day, I included reports suggesting that Gen. Stanley McChrystal might resign if President Obama did not approve committing additional troops.
McChrystal has now stepped forward, forthrightly and professionally, to end that speculation and to endorse the debate now taking place in Washington. As the New York Times reports it:
General McChrystal said he agreed to speak to The New York Times on Wednesday after he became increasingly concerned about reports of rifts between the military and the civilian leadership, and about rumors he was considering resigning if his assessment was not accepted.
The general denied that he had discussed — or even considered — resigning his command, as had been whispered about at the Pentagon, saying that he was committed to carrying out whatever mission Mr. Obama approved.
“I believe success is achievable,” he said. “I can tell you unequivocally that I have not considered resigning at all….”
“This is the right kind of process, and the way I see duty,” he said. “I have been given the opportunity to provide my inputs to the decision. Then it is my duty to execute that decision.”
I’m glad the general set the record straight.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
214 comments Add your comment
Mrs. Godzilla
September 24th, 2009
12:55 pm
Ok, so we have a plan for “success” as defined by the military.
The question for America is is that “success” required?
Normal
September 24th, 2009
12:58 pm
GENERAL McCRYSTAL, TELL THE PRESIDENT TO BRING YOUR BUTT HOME NOW!
Normal
September 24th, 2009
12:59 pm
AND BRING ALL THE OTHER TROOPS BACK WITH YOU!
david wayne osedach
September 24th, 2009
1:05 pm
A General reliazes his potential by engaging in and winning wars. They abhor peace. The Afghanistan conflict speaks for itself.
Redneck Convert (R--and proud of it)
September 24th, 2009
1:07 pm
Well, I reckon it’s only a matter of weeks before this Gen. McCrystal steps down. When they say they won’t never do it or when their boss says he’s got 110% confidence in them, you know the end is near. People learnt how to flat-out lie good during the PR boom in the 1950s, and they’ve been getting better at it every year.
Have a good p.m. everybody.
Jay
September 24th, 2009
1:07 pm
To Mrs. G:
Complicating the picture further, McChrystal’s report says that the current approach can’t succeed and that his recommended approach COULD succeed.
COULD, not WOULD.
Taxpayer
September 24th, 2009
1:14 pm
He’ll execute that decision but which decision is that decision and how does that decision fit in with his decision.
Mrs. Godzilla
September 24th, 2009
1:15 pm
Jay…. ain’t that a tinkler!
Perhaps our $$$$ would be better spent here at home…..
Najibullah Zazi has been indicted on a charge of conspiracy to use a weapons of mass destruction — explosive bombs — the Justice Department has announced.
here
http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/09/alleged_terror_plotter_indicted.php?ref=fpb
Donovan
September 24th, 2009
1:27 pm
Batter Up, Democrats! This is your war now. Let’s see how you all handle it. I shall give you a clue as to how you will improve your chances of losing it. Don’t seriously consider the recommendations of a professional counter insurrgency general. Listen to the utterings of a political left wing hack senator, Carl Levin of Michigan. Put your faith in a “community organizer” who is controlled by peolple like Harry Reid (”the war is lost”), and Nancy Pelosi (”the CIA lied”). Follow the pulse of the liberal news media. And emulate LBJ’s handling of the war in Viet Nam. Good luck, liberals.
Taxpayer
September 24th, 2009
1:31 pm
Donovan,
We have competent people on the job.
Normal
September 24th, 2009
1:35 pm
The haters are still going to hate and never, ever will they take owership of the fact that they started it. They are soooo happy to give it away though and then complain when it isn’t going well. I just don’t know what to say about that…
mike
September 24th, 2009
1:36 pm
Normal –
Left a response for you downstairs.
Stop being so angry. Or you can stop calling other people angry. Or you can be a hypocrite. Whichever.
Taxpayer
September 24th, 2009
1:36 pm
Normal at 1:35,
Sit back. Relax. Enjoy watching the hate consume the chosen ones.
mike
September 24th, 2009
1:37 pm
Normal –
“The haters are still going to hate and never, ever will they take owership of the fact that they started it. They are soooo happy to give it away though and then complain when it isn’t going well. I just don’t know what to say about that…”
Who are “the haters”?
Who do they hate?
What is the “it” that they refuse to take ownership of?
You are really ranting today.
Mrs. Godzilla
September 24th, 2009
1:37 pm
Donovan
We COULD take most nations on the planet…..the question is
SHOULD we?
What say YOU Donovan, do we stay or do we go?
mike
September 24th, 2009
1:38 pm
“Enjoy watching the hate consume the chosen ones.”
Oh please. As this board clearly illustrates there is plenty of hate on both sides. Look at you for instance.
Paul
September 24th, 2009
1:39 pm
And that is as it should be.
The military does not make policy, they carry it out.
It’s gotta be tough, for the military, tough. Pres Obama announces a new strategy in March. The General does his duty and outlines what it’ll take to accomplish it. Then the Commander in Chief says, I’m not sure we have the right strategy. I want to look at it further.
Always good to reconsider… but after just a few months it smacks of politically-driven dithering. Who knows. Maybe VP Biden’s view will prevail this time.
Now for the next question: who began the whispering campaign (I’m being polite – they were lies) and what did they stand to gain?
mike
September 24th, 2009
1:41 pm
Just remember that if you don’t share Normal’s or Taxpayers’s views, you are an angry hater. Oh yeah, and a racist too.
We all need to take a lesson from these guys on tolerance. I mean look how tolerant they are.
Paul
September 24th, 2009
1:41 pm
Normal
[[The haters are still going to hate and never, ever will they take owership of the fact that they started it. ]]
You’re not saying Democrats (who are they, ‘the lovers?’) weren’t every bit as enthusiastic about starting Afghanistan, are you?
mike
September 24th, 2009
1:45 pm
Paul –
No, don’t you remember? Bush lied to get us into Afghanistan and any Democrat who agreed was tricked into it.
Paul
September 24th, 2009
1:50 pm
mike
What I do remember is Democrats used Afghanistan as a cudgel to beat Bush during the dark days of Iraq. “You’re ignoring the good war” they said. “You took your eye off the ball.” “We can’t do the job in Afghanistan because you have all those troops tied up in Iraq.”
Well, now Iraq’s not an issue, troops are being withdrawn, some months will go by and they’ll all be gone (?) and there are plenty to send to Afghanistan.
And Democrats say, ‘hey….. wait a minute….”
Doggone/GA
September 24th, 2009
1:51 pm
“I just don’t know what to say about that…”
I know what to say, but the Blog God wouldn’t let me do it.
mike
September 24th, 2009
1:52 pm
“I know what to say, but the Blog God wouldn’t let me do it.”
Don’t talk about Normal like that. He may criticize the behavior of others, but he is OK.
Doggone/GA
September 24th, 2009
1:53 pm
“Don’t talk about Normal like that.”
Your mind reading abilities haven’t improved I see.
Hater
September 24th, 2009
1:55 pm
Dont hate the player hate the game.
Ya’ll be drinking too much Hater-aid.
mike
September 24th, 2009
1:57 pm
Doggone –
It was a joke, but you are too quivering with rage to see it.
stands for decibels
September 24th, 2009
1:58 pm
Now for the next question: who began the whispering campaign (I’m being polite – they were lies)
Former Vice-President Dick Cheney.
and what did they stand to gain?
Nothing. He did it because he is simply evil. Or so I heard.
Seriously, who knows. from where I sit it’s likely some reactionary element in the military who might be pressuring Obama to do other stuff (keep DADT alive another year? Or just continue hiring this or that contractor?) and is flexing its muscles by proving it can steer public debate when it wishes.
But that’s just a SWAG.
stands for decibels
September 24th, 2009
2:01 pm
Put your faith in a “community organizer”
Donovan, how long was Obama actually working as a community organizer?
Mrs. Godzilla
September 24th, 2009
2:04 pm
Who here thinks we should send more troops to AFghanistan?
mike
September 24th, 2009
2:04 pm
sfb –
“Donovan, how long was Obama actually working as a community organizer?”
13 years.
“Obama’s self-conception as an organizer isn’t just a campaign gimmick. Organizing remained central to Obama long after his stint on the South Side. In the 13 years between Obama’s return to Chicago from law school and his Senate campaign, he was deeply involved with the city’s constellation of community-organizing groups”
http://www.pickensdemocrats.org/info/TheAgitator_070319.htm
mike
September 24th, 2009
2:05 pm
Mrs. Godzilla –
I don’t know and I feel fortunate that I don’t have to make the decision.
Taxpayer
September 24th, 2009
2:07 pm
mike
September 24th, 2009
1:38 pm
“Enjoy watching the hate consume the chosen ones.”
Oh please. As this board clearly illustrates there is plenty of hate on both sides. Look at you for instance.
Oh please! Well, all you had to do was ask. Now come here and get that hug. You know you want it.
Mrs. Godzilla
September 24th, 2009
2:09 pm
thanks, mike
anybody else wanna go out on a limb and tell us…do we stay or do we go?
Captain Underpants
September 24th, 2009
2:10 pm
Mrs. Godzilla
September 24th, 2009
2:04 pm
Who here thinks we should send more troops to AFghanistan
We need to double-down!
Normal
September 24th, 2009
2:11 pm
Paul Mike, Haters are haters, not Democrats, not Republicans, just haters. They know no other way to espouse their cause. Too many wedges have been driven between moderates and fanatical right and left wing hateres. We don’t need that. Our nation won’t heal with that. That’s all I’ve been trying to say…What the world needs now is love sweet love. Can’t anybody understand that?
Mrs. Godzilla
September 24th, 2009
2:11 pm
hate….like the lynching in KY?
Mrs. Godzilla
September 24th, 2009
2:13 pm
So Captain Underpants…..double down?
80m troops? I don’t believe the General thinks thats enough.
By the way, I love your books!
mike
September 24th, 2009
2:15 pm
Normal –
Is this how you are going to live up to your request that we ignore each other?
Well your expanded defintition of “hater” is not in line with your earlier angry rant. How does your suddenly bi-partisan definition of “hater” fit your statement:
‘“The haters are still going to hate and never, ever will they take owership of the fact that they started it. They are soooo happy to give it away though and then complain when it isn’t going well. I just don’t know what to say about that…””
So it was “haters” in both parties who boosted the war? Does that mean that you think Obama is a hater?
You make no sense.
So
mike
September 24th, 2009
2:16 pm
Mrs G –
“hate….like the lynching in KY?”
Tough to say. Could just be a nutcase. We’ll see.
Taxpayer
September 24th, 2009
2:16 pm
I agree, Normal. There are far too many wedgies in the world. People, like mike and Dave R, cannot love with all these wedgies in the world. The world needs fewer wedgies. And, more hugs. mike needs lots more hugs.
mike
September 24th, 2009
2:17 pm
Taxpayer –
Having some trouble with that cutting and pasting? And I though that your math skills were your biggest problem. LOL
Normal
September 24th, 2009
2:18 pm
PAUL: mike
September 24th, 2009
1:45 pm
Paul –
Mike said: (wrongly, I might add)
No, don’t you remember? Bush lied to get us into Afghanistan and any Democrat who agreed was tricked into it.
I know you know better but Mike seems to have forgotten her history. Afghanistan was where we sould have been in the first place and not left until the job was done, Mike’s Hero/fantasy lover “W” just had to invade a country that had nothing to do with the attack on us.
I never said the Dems were wrong about Afghanistan but I will go to my grave believing that they were lied to about Iraq. Sorry…
mike
September 24th, 2009
2:19 pm
And here come the ultimate admission of defeat in an argument: the “hug” talk.
md
September 24th, 2009
2:19 pm
I say stay as long as the Afghans match any troop numbers, if they refuse to do so, let them sink or swim on their own. They don’t have enough skin in the game and are quite happy to let us do all the dirty work while they battle for their little fifedoms.
Doggone/GA
September 24th, 2009
2:21 pm
“It was a joke, but you are too quivering with rage to see it.”
Yep, you DEFINITELY need to work on that mind reading…it’s getting worse and worse
md
September 24th, 2009
2:21 pm
“80m troops? I don’t believe the General thinks thats enough.”
80 million troops? wow, planning on taking over the planet?
GayGrayGeek
September 24th, 2009
2:21 pm
mike, instead of hobby-horsing your dislike for all of us who don’t share your views, why not try to meaningfully contribute to the topic-du-hour?
Mrs. Godzilla
September 24th, 2009
2:21 pm
mike
is there any reason other than hate to lynch a 51 year old single father and carve the word fed on his chest?
insanity? perhaps. but i think hate is itself insane.
mike
September 24th, 2009
2:24 pm
Normal –
Ahh. So this is how you are going to “ignore” me? By responding to my points with me in the third person? I won’t waste my time.
“I know you know better but Mike seems to have forgotten her history. ”
Ahh, reinforcing the angry misogyny. It;s interesting that you think that it is an insult to call me “she”. Says a lot about you.
“Afghanistan was where we sould have been in the first place and not left until the job was done, Mike’s Hero/fantasy lover “W” just had to invade a country that had nothing to do with the attack on us.”
So you are saying that if we had flooded Afghanistan with troops, everything would be fine?
Any evidence for this? If this is the case, surely you will support a large escalation.
“I never said the Dems were wrong about Afghanistan but I will go to my grave believing that they were lied to about Iraq. Sorry…”
LOL. You mean Bill and Hillary were lied to and that is how they came their policy position? LOL You are pathetic.
Mrs. Godzilla
September 24th, 2009
2:25 pm
md
m….. representing roman numeral for 1000, as in per M
pricing…..used in manufacturing all over the world.
md
September 24th, 2009
2:25 pm
“Afghanistan was where we sould have been in the first place and not left until the job was done”
Wasn’t the “job” to drive the Taiban from power and find OBL? The Tailban is out of power and OBL is out of the country, so what are we doing exactly?
Normal
September 24th, 2009
2:25 pm
Mike: Well your expanded defintition of “hater” is not in line with your earlier angry rant. How does your suddenly bi-partisan definition of “hater” fit your statement:
You don’t know me very well because you never take off your red state glasses. I am neither Dem or GOP. If your eally read what I wrote you would know that.
——————–
So it was “haters” in both parties who boosted the war? Does that mean that you think Obama is a hater?
What kind of leap in logic is this? after I already posted: “Haters are haters, not Democrats, not Republicans, just haters”.
And you say I make no sense…wow
Turd Ferguson
September 24th, 2009
2:25 pm
Mrs G –
“hate….like the lynching in KY?”
Probably was some revenuer sniffing around for trouble or was caught stealing some mighty fine corn liquor. Didnt you see Coal Miners Daughter?
When it come to selling corn liquor those fellers dont play.
mike
September 24th, 2009
2:27 pm
Mrs. Godzilla –
“is there any reason other than hate to lynch a 51 year old single father and carve the word fed on his chest?”
Well, I doubt whoever killed him knew all of that, but yes, insanity would be my first guess.
“insanity? perhaps. but i think hate is itself insane.”
Hmm. I think most psychiatrists would disagree. There are various degrees of hate and many of them are rational, if not correct.
For example, there are plenty of hateful people on this blog, but only a few are insane
Mrs. Godzilla
September 24th, 2009
2:28 pm
md
current afghan army between 88 and 92M…..
so you’re with the double down guy and again the General says that number won’t cut it.
Taxpayer
September 24th, 2009
2:28 pm
mike
September 24th, 2009
2:17 pm
Taxpayer –
Having some trouble with that cutting and pasting? And I though that your math skills were your biggest problem. LOL
Alas, mike, the cut portion of the cut-n-paste did get a wee bit excessive. I must watch that in the future and do it more often since it appears to have brought at least a little smirk to your lips, between sips. And, you can be certain that your ‘thoughs’ about my math skills are what they are. Now, do you need another hug. You just give me the word. I’m here for you, mike. You can come here any time you need a hug. Really. My work now is to provide comfort to those suffering from the pains of hate in addition to reminding them of what they hate from time to time. So, cheer up, young man. You have your life and health and happiness and wealth and everything else ahead of you. Most importantly, you have us.
Mrs. Godzilla
September 24th, 2009
2:30 pm
md
congrats on this
“The Tailban is out of power and OBL is out of the country, so what are we doing exactly?”
now can you rethink that number of US troops you want to put in?
stands for decibels
September 24th, 2009
2:31 pm
mike, you’re not Donovan. And Obama did not work as a community organizer for 13 years.
He actually worked for the Developing Communities Project from June 1985 to May 1988.
And from April to October 1992 he directed Illinois’s Project Vote.
So that’s more like 3½ years where “community organizer” would be his full-time gig.
I only mention this because some in here are genuine in their belief that our President’s only gig prior to being elected US Senator was as a “community organizer.” People tend to forget stuff like, oh, those 7+ years as an IL state senator.
Normal
September 24th, 2009
2:32 pm
md: you said: “Wasn’t the “job” to drive the Taiban from power and find OBL? The Tailban is out of power and OBL is out of the country, so what are we doing exactly”?
have you been sick? the Taliban are not out of power in Afghanistan, they are more entrenched there than when the U.S.S.R was there. Why do you think McCrystal is asking for more troops? Just to rake leaves, perhaps? And can you say for a fact that OBL in not in Afghanistan? Or just repeat the reports he MIGHT be in Pakistan?
mike
September 24th, 2009
2:33 pm
Normal –
Try to stay with me here.
You ‘said “The haters are still going to hate and never, ever will they take owership of the fact that they started it.”
Obama was among the huge proponents of the war and like all of us who were, we are responsible for starting it. He certainly has done his part to cheerleader for it over the past few years.
My question is whether or not you consider Obama a hater for his part “starting the war”. That was probably a bad example. Let me pick a better example.
Is Hillary one of the “Democrat and Republican haters” who started the war?
Your original diatribe was clearly directed at Republicans.I just want to see if your expanded definition includes any specific Democrats.
Johnny Bravo
September 24th, 2009
2:34 pm
Clowns never laughed before,
Beanstalks never grew.
Ponies never ran before
Till I met you
Surf never broke before
Artists never drew.
Snow never fell before
Till I met you.
My dream came true,
My dream came true.
The world spins my life begins
‘Cause I met you.
Phones never rang before,
Wise men never knew.
No one ever loved before,
Till I met you.
Clowns never laughed before,
Beanstalks never grew.
Ponies never ran before
Till I met you
Surf never broke before
Artists never drew.
Snow never fell before
Till I met you.
mike
September 24th, 2009
2:35 pm
stands for decibels –
Well my timeline actually has a source and a liberal one at that.
Where is your source?
Also, what did he do between 92 and 97?
For the record, I have no issue with Obama’s resume, but I wanted to answer your question.
Normal
September 24th, 2009
2:36 pm
MIKE: I believe President Obama voted against the war…
md
September 24th, 2009
2:37 pm
“current afghan army between 88 and 92M…..
so you’re with the double down guy and again the General says that number won’t cut it.”
Finance world uses k, not m for thousand, but anyway…..
I’m for doubling down if that is the decision with the caveat that the Afghans supply the doubled down troops.
USinUK
September 24th, 2009
2:40 pm
md –
sorry to carry this on from downstairs, but … the 6 guys you mention had violations to their tourist visas, but that doesn’t mean that they remained in the country the entire time – visa violations can mean that they didn’t notify authorities of where they were staying, overstayed, worked, any number of things.
also, overstayed doesn’t mean they came in and stayed – it just means that they stayed longer than their 6 months allotment.
and, again, I refer you to the same site:
*** All made a number of trips abroad during their extended stays in the United States.*** Of the other 15, only Mihdhar entered the United States, left, and returned. Nawaf al Hazmi arrived in January 2000
with Mihdhar and stayed. Al Mihdhar left in June 2000 and returned to the United States on July 4, 2001. Ten of the others came in pairs between April and June 2001. Three more arrived through Miami on May 28.
they did not arrive during the Clinton administration and stay on.
Taxpayer
September 24th, 2009
2:41 pm
M is used for 1000 and MM for one million. Lower-case m is meter. Definitions are very important.
md
September 24th, 2009
2:41 pm
“the Taliban are not out of power in Afghanistan, they are more entrenched there than when the U.S.S.R was there”
There is a difference between “in power” and “in the country”. They are no longer the gov’t.
As for OBL, someone may want to tell our forces they are looking in the wrong place if you know otherwise:
“WASHINGTON, June 11 (Reuters) – CIA Director Leon Panetta said on Thursday the U.S. intelligence agency believes al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden is hiding in Pakistan and hopes joint operations with Pakistani forces will find him.
Asked whether he was sure that bin Laden was in Pakistan, Panetta told reporters: “The last information we had, that’s still the case.”"
Paul
September 24th, 2009
2:47 pm
Normal 2:18
Nothing to apologize for. And I thought mike was being a bit sarcastic.
Mrs Godzilla
Interesting responses to your Afghanistan question. But regarding this:
[[md
congrats on this
“The Tailban is out of power and OBL is out of the country, so what are we doing exactly?”
now can you rethink that number of US troops you want to put in?]]
That situation existed a few months after we invaded. All the Democratic attacks on Pres Bush occurred years later – when Democrats spoke of finishing the job, etc. So it seems many, many Democrats were a little slow on the uptake.
What I’m interested in is, what happened to change Democrats’ minds about the good war? What exactly changed that made so many on the Left who a short time ago were cheerleaders to now want to clear out?
md
September 24th, 2009
2:48 pm
“the 6 guys you mention had violations to their tourist visas, but that doesn’t mean that they remained in the country the entire time –”
It doesn’t mean they left either. I have yet to see any info that definitive.
” Nawaf al Hazmi arrived in January 2000 with Mihdhar and stayed”
This statement says they “stayed”, and that would be Clinton’s term.
Mrs. Godzilla
September 24th, 2009
2:49 pm
Paul
What changed?
The number of American kids required to get the job done. (could be)
No shame is re-thinking that subject to my mind.
md
September 24th, 2009
2:50 pm
“M is used for 1000 and MM for one million. Lower-case m is meter. Definitions are very important.”
Depends on which system one uses, and in finance, k is thousand and m is million.
Normal
September 24th, 2009
2:51 pm
md
September 24th, 2009
2:41 pm
md, they govern whereever they are in control. The Afghani government can’t/won’t do the job…sorry
Doggone/GA
September 24th, 2009
2:51 pm
“And can you say for a fact that OBL in not in Afghanistan? Or just repeat the reports he MIGHT be in Pakistan?”
And if the original goal was to “get” him…well, we haven’t accomplished that yet…have we?
USinUK
September 24th, 2009
2:51 pm
md –
“It doesn’t mean they left either. I have yet to see any info that definitive. ”
what part of “All made a number of trips abroad during their extended stays in the United States” seems to elude you?
Public Option's Doing Swell
September 24th, 2009
2:51 pm
I’ll be glad when McCrystal gets Congress to pass a Draft. Otherwise, he’s not getting the troops he asks for.
stands for decibels
September 24th, 2009
2:52 pm
For the record, I have no issue with Obama’s resume, but I wanted to answer your question.
Fair enough.
I grabbed the dates from wiki; I have no reason to think they’re off, since the positions are a matter of public record.
As to what he did between ‘92 and ‘97, looks like he was both a lecturer at Harvard Law School (some take exception to calling him a “Professor” since that formal title means something else, but most would call him “professor” I guess). He was also an associate at the Davis, Miner, Barnhill & Galland law firm.
There was also the writing and publication of “Dreams from my father” in ‘95.
Mrs. Godzilla
September 24th, 2009
2:52 pm
Oh and congrats and welcome Senator Kirk!
stands for decibels
September 24th, 2009
2:54 pm
meant to write: “looks like he was both a lecturer and a senior lecturer at Harvard…” @ 2.52
Normal
September 24th, 2009
2:55 pm
Paul: you said, “What I’m interested in is, what happened to change Democrats’ minds about the good war? What exactly changed that made so many on the Left who a short time ago were cheerleaders to now want to clear out?”
My version…I think, I hope they realized that too much time has passed and the effort will be unwinnable. I hate that term “good war”.
Ben Franklin said, “there is no such thing as a good war or a bad peace”.
works for me
md
September 24th, 2009
2:55 pm
“The Afghani government can’t/won’t do the job…sorry”
Then that sounds like a personal problem – for them.
Normal
September 24th, 2009
2:56 pm
Oh and congrats and welcome Senator Kirk!
aptian Kirk’s a Senator? OMG!!!
Normal
September 24th, 2009
2:57 pm
Beam me up Scotty, there is no hope no more…
TnGelding
September 24th, 2009
2:58 pm
Good for him. It’ll be interesting to see what his input is.
Mrs. Godzilla
September 24th, 2009
2:58 pm
Some call the President “spock”, now Kirk……
Perhaps we shall all live long and prosper!
Paul
September 24th, 2009
3:00 pm
Mrs. Godzilla
[[What changed?
The number of American kids required to get the job done. (could be)
No shame is re-thinking that subject to my mind.]]
No, none at all. But it does see a bit strange that in a fight that Pres Obama says is ‘critical to protecting the United States’ (very strong words) some want to back out if it takes more troops than a fraction of what we had in Iraq.
Seems a far cry than the attitude of our parents and grandparents in WWII. I doubt that was ever a consideration.
So it would appear many Democrats either don’t believe Pres Obama, or do believe him but are not willing to support him.
Taxpayer
September 24th, 2009
3:00 pm
Depends on which system one uses, and in finance, k is thousand and m is million.
As long as those you work with agree. Otherwise, you could have problems.
pat
September 24th, 2009
3:01 pm
Give the general what he needds to acomplish this very important mission. We must win, soon and must win decisivly. Pussy-footing around will only extend this conflict. More intelligence, more weapons and more troops. End it by winning it, quickly. Everyday the conflict continues, lives get lost. We cannot afford to play politics fight to win, win big.
Taxpayer
September 24th, 2009
3:02 pm
“Live long and prosper!” Make it so.
md
September 24th, 2009
3:04 pm
“what part of “All made a number of trips abroad during their extended stays in the United States” seems to elude you?”
Ohhhh, snarky.
If you take that statement, and realize that some came in as early as Jan 2000, they could leave and come back all under Clinton’s term. I have yet to see a timeline on all 19 hijackers, if you are privy to that info, please post it, but what you have posted so far is open ended and open to interpretation. No where does it say “all 19 did such and such”, all made a number of trips tells one nothing except they went out and back, does not say when.
USinUK
September 24th, 2009
3:05 pm
taxpayer –
I thought “make it so” was Capt Picard … whereas Kirk was more “can’t … stay … awake … losing … consciousness … “
Taxpayer
September 24th, 2009
3:05 pm
What happened to mike. Was there too much love to go around. Not enough hugs. mike. mike. where are you, mike.
Taxpayer
September 24th, 2009
3:07 pm
USinUK,
“Make it so” was Picard. But, Kirk and Picard crossed paths in one of the movies where time had folded back onto itself and I just couldn’t resist.
@@
September 24th, 2009
3:09 pm
Barack Obama is, without a doubt, the most ineffectual leader this country has ever had and that includes Jimmy Carter. Barack Obama is WORSE than Jimmy Carter.
Without ever resolving existing problems he’s out there creating fantasies than he can aspire to solve. What he seeks in self-importance….nothing more.
A world without nuclear weapons!!?!!
Gimme a break.
This country is flying on auto-pilot. We don’t have a leader. We have a DiC! Dreamer in Chief.
USinUK
September 24th, 2009
3:10 pm
md –
it’s not snark. it really is being dumfounded.
you were asserting that they came and stayed (which is how they eluded authorities, by “falling through the cracks” as you put it) when the record clearly says they all came and went from the mid-1990s through 2001.
Mrs. Godzilla
September 24th, 2009
3:10 pm
Paul
It only seems strange if the addition of more troops is the only way to protect America.
A far cry from WWII, you betcha’. Then everybody made sacrifices, not so much now though. Does anybody really think Americans would allow the rationing of eggs, sugar, coffee, tires, silk, nylon, gas etc to do to war in Afghanistan?
ANd I don’t get you last statement at all.
Public Option's Doing Swell
September 24th, 2009
3:10 pm
Mike–
You no know how use the google or the bing? You no know how read books?
Obama directed Project Vote in Chicago in 1992 after graduating from Harvard cum laude and rejecting numerous offers for six figures in law firms and federal law clerkships that would have allowed him to gain jobs with higher salalries. For the next 12 years in addition to serving in the legislature, he taught classes at U Chicago Law as an adjunct (part time prof) and joined a law firm in Chicago, Davis, Miner, Barnhill & Galland, , a law firm of 12 attorneys that specialized in civil rights litigation and neighborhood economic development, where he was an associate for three years from 1993 to 1996, then of counsel from 1996 to 2004.
Taxpayer
September 24th, 2009
3:13 pm
@@ made a funny.
Turd Ferguson
September 24th, 2009
3:14 pm
DiC…LOL…Yeppers!
All this junk about eliminating nuclear weapons. Thats a good one. Lets destroy all our so we might be attacked…Great idea, Barry.
Paul
September 24th, 2009
3:15 pm
Mrs. Godzilla
[[ANd I don’t get you last statement at all.]]
I wrote “Pres Obama says (Afghanistan) is critical to protecting the United States’ (very strong words).
If he says that means continuing to wage war there, and Democrats are not willing to support that, that is why I said “So it would appear many Democrats either don’t believe Pres Obama, (that it is critical to protecting the US) or do believe him but are not willing to support him (by doing what he wants in Afghanistan).”
“
mike
September 24th, 2009
3:16 pm
Public Option’s Doing Swell –
Yes, and by Obama’s own account he was a community organizer during that time. For example, in 95 (during that time period) ACORN was one of his clients.
Turd Ferguson
September 24th, 2009
3:16 pm
Capt Kirk wouldve kicked Picards Ace all over the galaxy.
stands for decibels
September 24th, 2009
3:16 pm
A world without nuclear weapons!!?!!
Gimme a break.
Yeah, what kind of wild-eyed dreamer would ever even suggest such a crazy thing?
jconservative
September 24th, 2009
3:17 pm
To bad McChrystal is not going to quit. He would have made a perfect running mate for Sarah Palin.
Dusty
September 24th, 2009
3:17 pm
Paul, Paul,
Don’t you know better than to ask questions that require rational answers? I mean this is a liberal blog!! This is where hate is spread like mayonaise on a dry sandwich.
Now change that question. Make it misleading, suggestive and undercover.. You will get an answer quicker than Taxie can pass out hugs or Doggone bark a bit. .
Mrs. Godzilla
September 24th, 2009
3:17 pm
I think a world without nuclear weapons is a grand ideal.
USinUK
September 24th, 2009
3:17 pm
Taxpayer –
I gotta admit, I didn’t really like Star Trek, the Kirk years … but I loved me some Jean Luc Picard!! (can’t help myself … )
Taxpayer
September 24th, 2009
3:19 pm
I was waitin’ to see who would pull out Reagan’s, “I have a dream.”
Mrs. Godzilla
September 24th, 2009
3:20 pm
Picard….oh baby!
Paul….
sorry it still does not make any sense to me.
Normal
September 24th, 2009
3:20 pm
Mike, gotta go, big date and I was hoping to answer this when you were here,,,but, you said: “Ahh, reinforcing the angry misogyny. It;s interesting that you think that it is an insult to call me “she”. Says a lot about you”
If you truly are not a woman, I apolgize but, you see, you sound like my daughter when she was thirteen, acting petulant, and seeing the world only according to her. So again, if I was wrong, sorry…
Taxpayer
September 24th, 2009
3:21 pm
USinUK,
Did you know the Borg took over the Republican party. That’s why they all look alike now.
USinUK
September 24th, 2009
3:22 pm
spaghetti calls …
ya’ll have a good night!!!
Paul
September 24th, 2009
3:22 pm
Normal 2:55
Well, Democrats spent years speaking of the ignored, neglected ‘good’ war. And it appears to many that when they take over they suddenly disown their prior comments.
This is what happens when people play politics with war.
Normal
September 24th, 2009
3:23 pm
Turd Ferguson
September 24th, 2009
3:16 pm
Capt Kirk wouldve kicked Picards Ace all over the galaxy.
Not so Sir, Kirk only had spock, Jon Luk had Data…not to mention Troi, yum…
Normal
September 24th, 2009
3:25 pm
Paul
September 24th, 2009
3:22 pm
Normal
This is what happens when people play politics with war.
This is SO true, Paul, so true…
—————-
Gotta go Gang, bye
Paul
September 24th, 2009
3:26 pm
Mrs. Godzilla 3:20
Let me try it this way.
Pres Obama says the Afghan mission is critical to protecting the United States.
If people believe Pres Obama, they will support his Afghan policies, which he says will protect us.
If people do not believe Pres Obama, if they think Afghanistan is not critical to protecting the United States, then they’re fine with leaving.
How can people say they believe Pres Obama, yet act in such a way that would put the US in jeopardy?
Is that more understandable?
Dusty
September 24th, 2009
3:26 pm
Well, what do you know? My brief comment was just “moderated” That makes 15 in the last three days. Bookman must be back from the golf course.
Tom
September 24th, 2009
3:27 pm
Ah Pittsburg! Ck it out. Always was a great hillbilly, white-trash Republicant City. At their classy best today!!!
Mrs. Godzilla
September 24th, 2009
3:28 pm
Paul
Now I understand.
OK, you call it disown their own comments we call it rethinking.
Dusty
September 24th, 2009
3:28 pm
Here we go again. My two brief comments of the last 5 minutes have been moderated. Wonder if the moderator will make it a dozen like their last big splurge of moderation.
eagle scout
September 24th, 2009
3:29 pm
McChrystal = Westmoreland….Same thing another era! Both losers!
McChrystal is the moron who has been justly criticized for his role in the aftermath of the 2004 death by friendly fire of Ranger and former professional football player Pat Tillman.
The day after approving a post posthumous Silver Star citation for Tillman that included the phrase “in the line of devastating enemy fire,” McChrystal sent an urgent memo warning senior government officials not to quote the citation in public speeches because it “might cause public embarrassment” if Tillman had in fact been killed by friendly fire, as McChrystal suspected.
You can’t make this stuff up!
And, now McChrystal is the current Commander, International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and Commander, U.S. Forces Afghanistan.
Obama .. Gates get your heads out of your respective asses!
Dusty
September 24th, 2009
3:30 pm
Well this number four after three moderations.
Jay
September 24th, 2009
3:31 pm
You’ve been freed, Dusty, freed!!
whistling dixie
September 24th, 2009
3:33 pm
Dusty ..
Have you thought the blog gods are politely telling you to just go away…JUST GO AWAY!
Joseph Wherry
September 24th, 2009
3:34 pm
“A McClatchy newspapers’ journalist who witnessed the battle reported that a team of Marine trainers made repeated appeals for air and artillery support after being pinned down by insurgents in the village of Ganjgal in eastern Kunar province.
The U.S. troops had to wait more than an hour for attack helicopters to come to their aid and their appeal for artillery fire was rejected, with commanders citing new rules designed to avoid civilian casualties, the report said. ”
http://www.military.com/news/article/ambushed-marines-aid-call-rejected.html?col=1186032325324
,
Dusty
September 24th, 2009
3:35 pm
Sorry, folks, I guess the grinch gave up on my moderations and let them all go. Very strange. But four times moderated in about 15 minutes seems a bit much.
How were the “greens” today, Bookman?
Dusty
September 24th, 2009
3:41 pm
Ahhhhhh free at last!! I had my bags and my beach flip flops packed for Gitmo. Now I can’t go. Awwww… I won’t be able to drop off WHISTLIN’ DIXIE in Cuba where he belongs. What a shame!!
Rant
September 24th, 2009
3:45 pm
So, what is wrong with the below picture??
______________
Song 1:
Mm, mmm, mm!
Barack Hussein Obama
He said that all must lend a hand
To make this country strong again
Mmm, mmm, mm!
Barack Hussein Obama
He said we must be fair today
Equal work means equal pay
Mmm, mmm, mm!
Barack Hussein Obama
He said that we must take a stand
To make sure everyone gets a chance
Mmm, mmm, mm!
Barack Hussein Obama
He said red, yellow, black or white
All are equal in his sight
Mmm, mmm, mm!
Barack Hussein Obama
Yes!
Mmm, mmm, mm
Barack Hussein Obama
Song 2:
Hello, Mr. President we honor you today!
For all your great accomplishments, we all doth say “hooray!”
Hooray, Mr. President! You’re number one!
The first black American to lead this great nation!
Hooray, Mr. President we honor your great plans
To make this country’s economy number one again!
Hooray Mr. President, we’re really proud of you!
And we stand for all Americans under the great Red, White, and Blue!
So continue —- Mr. President we know you’ll do the trick
So here’s a hearty hip-hooray —-
Hip, hip hooray!
Hip, hip hooray!
Hip, hip hooray!
md
September 24th, 2009
3:49 pm
“you were asserting that they came and stayed (which is how they eluded authorities, by “falling through the cracks” as you put it) when the record clearly says they all came and went from the mid-1990s through 2001.”
Came, went, and came back – some under Clinton. Read what you posted, not what you think you posted. Nowhere does it say anywhere that all came back after late Jan 2001.
Paul
September 24th, 2009
3:50 pm
Mrs. Godzilla 3:28
[[OK, you call it disown their own comments we call it rethinking.]]
That’s fine, but the essential point is, if Pres Obama says ‘this is critical to protecting the US’ and his erstwhile supporters oppose him on it
they do not believe Pres Obama and what he says about Afghanistan.
That’s how I see it in a nutshell.
Joseph Wherry
That appears to be the fault of micromanagement from the rear and not trusting the on scene commander (a sad state of affairs) rather than any fault with the rules of engagement. (The on scene commander said the area he was calling fire on was well away from any civilians).
Public Option's Doing Swell
September 24th, 2009
3:50 pm
Paul requested doc on Donut Vote:
http://bit.ly/2RFbba
Public Option's Doing Swell
September 24th, 2009
3:52 pm
Paul raised some question about the Medicare donut and which party made amendments to close it in the only committee completing their markup of the five with health care bills, suggesting Iake votes up and I’m happy to set the record straight. I didn’t like the first vote, but there were 8 years when I didn’t like a lot and it doesn’t push me to make things up.
Paul
September 24th, 2009
1:34 pm
Public Option
[[It is just mind boggling amazing to see Republicans like Snowe, Graslly and Ensign arguing to continue to deprive older people of meds they need.]]
Do you have a source for that? Because it’s the Democratic plan coming out of the Senate Finance Committee that doesn’t close the donut hole.
That’s not true Paul as far as the only committee left doing markup on Healthcare, Senate Finance:
There was one amendment so far with many to come–and I was able to catch the vote during lunch.
It was Senator Bill Nelson’s bill to close the donut by adjusting the pharmaceutical company fee from the ridiculous deal that the Senate Finance Six (BDs and Repubs) made with Emanuel and Biden and Billy Tauzin representing the drug makers. There are many amendments by Dems to trash the egregious deal which will be argued during the next two weeks in Senate Finance:
I have dozens of sources for that including the Senate Finance Committee’s posting of bills and votes.
Contrary to what you’d like to think Paul, I don’t make up votes of commitees when they are all eventually posted on the Senate or House’s site. I would have no reason to.
I am happy to post the contributions from Pharma and Insurance to Blue Dogs and Republicans. I’ve done it here, and they are on open secrets (Jay’s filter allows only 2 links and sometimes its so crazy and erratic it allows none; Cynthia’s allows none). They are huge and they are designed to maintain high drug prices to keep the donut open and high insurance company prices to continue to gouge middle class Americans and the poor.
Public Option's Doing Swell
September 24th, 2009
3:54 pm
At 1:34PM Paul raised some question about the Medicare donut and which party made amendments to close it in the only committee completing their markup of the five with health care bills, suggesting Imake votes up and I’m happy to set the record straight. I didn’t like the resullt of the first vote, but there were 8 years when I didn’t like a lot and it doesn’t push me to make things up. The vote was a favor returned by the Blue Dogs and Republicans who are heavily paid by pharmaceutical companies to keep drugs out of the hands of seniors whose lives depend upon them.
Mrs. Godzilla
September 24th, 2009
3:56 pm
Paul
yes I understand…..but what is critical is the safety of the US
not the specific method by which that security is gained.
there usually is more than one way to remove the fur from a feline.
For his taking the time to do the right thing the right way we admire him.
md
September 24th, 2009
3:56 pm
“I think a world without nuclear weapons is a grand ideal.”
So is the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, but we all know it isn’t there and never will be.
Curious Observer
September 24th, 2009
3:57 pm
Aw, Jay. I hate my hopes up for a really intelligent zinger or two from Dusty. Then you had to go and free that unimaginative tripe.
Taxpayer
September 24th, 2009
3:57 pm
there usually is more than one way to remove the fur from a feline.
And all this time I thought that boiling was the only way. Learn something new every day.
Paul
September 24th, 2009
4:00 pm
Public Option 3:50
Thank you, but… Senate Finance Chairman Baucus and Sen Menendez and another Democrat voted with Republicans and you solely fault Republicans?!!?
I did not read this as eliminating the donut hole for any other than low-income seniors. The donut hole would have remained for the vast number of seniors.
whistling dixie
September 24th, 2009
4:02 pm
Ohhhhh Dusty …. I bet wingnut Wingfield or the other right wing nut job WOOTEN wouldn’t put your silly comments on hold….
Go back to their sleepfests.
Good riddance…………………………………..
Taxpayer
September 24th, 2009
4:02 pm
So is the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, but we all know it isn’t there and never will be.
It is so there and you know it! You just want it all to yourself. That’s not nice.
Paul
September 24th, 2009
4:03 pm
Mrs. Godzilla
[[but what is critical is the safety of the US
not the specific method by which that security is gained.
there usually is more than one way]]
I think that’s trying a bit too hard to put a fine face on it.
There is no other option at this point other than what Pres Obama wants to do. I understood many on the Left want us gone, period. If that is true, then they don’t think the Pres is correct in saying Afghanistan is critical to our security.
Or are you saying many on the Left are fine with staying win Afg for a long, long, time, just so long as we don’t send more troops there?
Taxpayer
That was sick. Funny, but sick!!!
Mrs. Godzilla
September 24th, 2009
4:06 pm
Paul
I don’t agree that there is no other option. I suspect none of us the left do.
We don’t believe in the kobayashi maru scenario.
Taxpayer
September 24th, 2009
4:06 pm
Paul, I know. Isn’t it great. As for your thoughts of the world being comprised of nothing but If…then’s, what if I said or else.
Mrs. Godzilla
September 24th, 2009
4:07 pm
Taxpayer
Blanch your maters not your pets! They freeze so much better.
Taxpayer
September 24th, 2009
4:08 pm
Oops, I see that Mrs. G at 4:06 already picked up on Paul’s attempted restriction of the issues to one of two choices. I’m reminded of the difference between 52% and 48% for some reason.
Public Option's Doing Swell
September 24th, 2009
4:08 pm
Paul–
I’ve been very consistent and explicit in saying that the hooker john relationship is between Blue Dogs and between Republicans at all times.
However, you noted Senator Menendez voted against closing the donut and allowing seniors not to have to decide between groceries and meds.
I’m delighted to explain why. Approximately 90% of the pharmaceutical industries are located in Northern New Jersey. Senator Robert Menedez has a website where he says he is standing up for New Jersey families and he is. He’s standing up for the rich New Jersey families whose breadwinner is employed as a pharmaceutical executive because they can afford to be active members ot he Escort service he runs.
The seniors in New Jersey have a large bell shaped curve of middle income and poor people. They don’t contribute hundreds of thousands of dollars to Senator Menendez.
But I’m sure you knew that. This is about whether the pharmaceutical companies make billions and Menedez continues to receive millions from them and he wants to keep the hooker john relationship intact.
Thanks for asking. And the vote did occur. I follow this closely because I’m sick and tired of seniors not being able to get the drugs we Rx for ‘em.
And you should be concerned about it as well.
In this instance Senator Menendez behaved as a Blue Dog–cause bribery remains vibrant in the Senate.
Taxpayer
September 24th, 2009
4:10 pm
Mrs. G,
I was hoping for a rhyme. Something like,
Blanch your maters, not your taters.
Store your spuds so they won’t be duds.
AmVet
September 24th, 2009
4:11 pm
Wall Street paid for Obama’s presidency. And they demand that the profitable occupations continue. So being the good little corporatist he is, BHO takes his marching orders from Boeing, General Dynamics, Raytheon and Haliburton ad nauseum.
And the fascist coddlers, chickenhawks and neo-cons won’t even salute him…
Mrs. Godzilla
September 24th, 2009
4:13 pm
Taxpayer
How about the worlds shortest poem…..
Fleas
by Ogden Nash
Adam had ‘em.
So much for todays episode of poetry corner….
Public Option's Doing Swell
September 24th, 2009
4:16 pm
@ Paul
I’ll diagram the connection. Menendez—>Pharmma tight relationship since 1992 when he became a Conressman and got more expensive for pharma when he became a Senator aka VIP hooker.
http://www.opensecrets.org/news/2009/08/contributions-from-health-sect.html
•Fourteen lawmakers didn’t collect any money from the health sector in the first quarter, but managed to do so during the second quarter, including House Education and Labor member Phil Roe (R-Tenn.), who brought in $25,200 between April and June; New Democrat Coalition member Rep. Suzanne Kosmas (D-Fla.), who collected $23,700 during the second quarter; and Senate Finance member Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), whose haul totaled $18,900 over the second quarter.
Mr. Menendez has been in the Senate for 3 years, and he was in the House for 14 years during which time he took in hundreds of thousands of bucks regularly from the pharma companies totaling in the millions.
md
September 24th, 2009
4:16 pm
If he was truly a “corporatist”, he wouldn’t be in bed with the unions.
Try again.
Taxpayer
September 24th, 2009
4:18 pm
Mrs. G,
There’s always illustrated short stories.
“The Outhouse”
written by Will E. Makeit
illustrated by Betty Dont
Taxpayer
September 24th, 2009
4:21 pm
Politicians are in bed with whomever is supplying the money and with whomever has the dirt on then. If they’re clean, then there is always someone trying to make them dirty, etc.
Dusty
September 24th, 2009
4:22 pm
Well, I can’t help but wonder if Gen. McChrystal would be a lot more enthusiastic if he knew his troops were being supported at home.
It might also help if the President expressed strong support instead of making namby pamby speeches at the UN, the school house, and late TV glitz productions. Obama shows about as much interest in Afghanistan as a child interested in spinach for lunch.
Meanwhile, Americans sitting at home are pulling petals off a daisy saying “Bing em home, YES and “Bring ‘em home, NO.” YES! NO!
How would you feel in rocks and sand, 100 degree heat, 75 lbs. on your back, bullets flyng in all directions, ieds in the sand and the folks at home sucking their thumbs about the “poor guys” in Afghanistan? Our military figure they are fighting for what we started in Afghanistan and they are there to finish the job.
And, in case you forgot…….
I think we better get some support going here and get it there quickly. Nobody in the military likes to cut’n'run.. At least, not the ones I know..We could show some appreciation for their sacrifices . ****They are gettting killed for us.****
AmVet
September 24th, 2009
4:22 pm
Interesting non-analysis md, please do expound…
Taxpayer
September 24th, 2009
4:25 pm
Dusty,
Do you support the top man over the military. You don’t sound like you do.
Mrs. Godzilla
September 24th, 2009
4:27 pm
SHHHHH everybody……don’t tell Redneck Convert but…..
Karl Rove: Will Beer Industry Be Next To Face Obama’s Anti-Profit Agenda?
here:
http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/09/karl-rove-will-beer-industry-be-next-to-face-obamas-anti-profit-agenda.php
md
September 24th, 2009
4:32 pm
If using the definition of the promotion of the interests of private business corporations in government over the interests of the public, a corporatist would have nothing to do with an inefficient union. It would contradict the goal of profit.
Taxpayer
September 24th, 2009
4:33 pm
Mrs. G,
It sounds like Karl, like so many of his brethren, has something against non-profits. He seems to think that every company should just be out to make as much as they can off others. That is just so narrow-minded. What if people want to just help others by sharing their profits or just by not making tons of money off other’s misery. Shouldn’t people have that right.
Hef
September 24th, 2009
4:34 pm
A world without nuclear arms is a nice thought,but how realistic is it. Who would you trust to disarm or dissolve any ongoing programs? I can name three right off the top my head who I believe would’nt agree or adhere to any such agreement.Also Pres Obama is challenging the world for peace,again nice thought but not realistic. In the history of man,has there ever been a time of world peace?
Mrs. Godzilla
September 24th, 2009
4:36 pm
Dusty
Just to let you in on a little secret……we all do support the troops.
To infer otherwise is sick and twisted.
AmVet
September 24th, 2009
4:37 pm
A nonsensical opinion.
But thank you.
Taxpayer
September 24th, 2009
4:37 pm
Hef,
history is made every day. Join us in a nuke-free world. Say Yes we can. Break out of the war monger mode. It doe not have to be. Set your mind free.
Public Option's Doing Swell
September 24th, 2009
4:38 pm
Dusty I can’t help wondering where General Dusty plans to get the 400,000 troops that would be necessary to nation build in Afghanistan, and if General Dusty has any grandchildren you are pushing and calling Chambliss and Issacson and the wingnuts in the House to enact a draft so the Dusty grandchildren, neices, and nephews can all be drafted to Afghanistan?
I’m a little unclear on your precise plan and objectives in Afghanistan and Iraq other than to say “over there is the good fight.” Who’ve you lined up to fight it?
Or is Ambassador Dusty talked all of the countries besides the US who have said “we ain’t goin there to be blown up?”
Or does General Dusty plan to run the nation building in Afghanistan via Tampa Florida software launched predator drone? A lot of nation building doesn’t happen via drone.
The Russians had hundreds of thousands of troops there and they retreated. So right now the President has told McCrystal he doesn’t know if he wants to go up to 64,000. There were about 60,000 Russians killed over 10 years there.
Mrs. Godzilla
September 24th, 2009
4:40 pm
Hef
“What the mind of man can conceive and believe, It can achieve.”
I know YOU are not an underachiever!
Public Option's Doing Swell
September 24th, 2009
4:40 pm
Hef do you know where the loose Soviet nukes are right now?
Dusty
September 24th, 2009
4:40 pm
Dear Taxpayer,
Of course I support the Commander-in- Chief, just like you supported our former Commander-in-Chief George W. Bush. Just respect, sir. Just respect.
Mrs. G,,
Please don’t mention fleas or any other biting insects. I stepped on an ant’s next yesterday and four of the little devils stung me. My foot looks like a big red roll with five toes. I may apply for a football kicker position. I couldn’t miss the ball with this foot.
Err bloggers, please excuse my secret admirer WHISTLING DIXIE. His momma did not teach him any manners. The poor boy never learns.
Paul
September 24th, 2009
4:41 pm
Public Option 3:52
The reason I said it didn’t eliminate the donut hole was the source you provided spoke only of purchasing drugs for low-income seniors.
[[Contrary to what you’d like to think Paul, I don’t make up votes of commitees]]
No need to start sounding like other bloggers here.
your 3:54
[[Paul raised some question about the Medicare donut and which party made amendments to close it in the only committee completing their markup of the five with health care bills, suggesting Imake votes up and I’m happy to set the record straight.]]
What I asked was why, when Democrats voted with Republicans to reject the amendment, your initial post cited only Republicans?
I just read your 4:08. That explains it fine. But it did start out as a bit partisan. And yes, Pres Obama has agreements with both Big Pharma and Insurance. Who stand to make gazillions if this goes through. My opinion is both sides hose us. Remember, I apply BOHICA without regard to party affiliation!
Taxpayer 4:06
[[As for your thoughts of the world being comprised of nothing but If…then’s, what if I said or else.]]
Now who’s putting words in someone else’s mouth, hmmmm?
But IF you said that, THEN I’d ask, or else what?
Public Option's Doing Swell
September 24th, 2009
4:41 pm
Supporting the troops is getting all of the people on their 3rd and 4th tour of duty who are national gaurd back to their families in the US before more of them are dead, or paralyzed, or divorced.
Hef
September 24th, 2009
4:42 pm
MsGodzilla-@4:13,that would have brought down the house at J.R. Cricketts open mike night.
Normal
September 24th, 2009
4:43 pm
A world without Nucs? I say guve everybody nucs and when the reality sets in, it will be like the old dueling days, everybody will be extrea polite.
——————–
Dusty, it seems you have a stalker here, you have arrived! But don’t forget, you belong to me
Taxpayer
September 24th, 2009
4:44 pm
Of course I support the Commander-in- Chief, just like you supported our former Commander-in-Chief George W. Bush.
That’s good to know, Dusty. After all, I voted for Bush. So, you voted for Obama, eh!
Paul
September 24th, 2009
4:45 pm
Public Option 4:38
[[Dusty I can’t help wondering where General Dusty plans to get the 400,000 troops that would be necessary to nation build in Afghanistan,]]
Seems to me General McChrystal supported his Commander in Chief, who told him “this is what I want to do. Tell me what it will take.” Gen M did so (I think your number’s off by a factor of ten or so). Now the CiC’s stalling.
So it would appear Dusty is supporting the General who’s supporting the President. So Dusty is supporting the President. Unlike some.
Taxpayer
September 24th, 2009
4:46 pm
Paul,
I’ll stand by my and Mrs.G’s understanding that you failed to acknowledge anything more than the existence of an IF…Then scenario.
Dusty
September 24th, 2009
4:46 pm
Mz. G,
Don’t keep it a secret.. Tell the troops. They’d love to know about all that support.
Mrs. Godzilla
September 24th, 2009
4:46 pm
Dusty
I use soap and water to get the area clean immediately, then crush an aspirin with a drop or two of water applying the paste on the bite as a topical anesthetic and then pop an over the counter antihistime. (more than a couple of bites and this old body reacts badly)
Then I get a cold beer and let Mr. G finish the yard work, (most important step)
Hef
September 24th, 2009
4:47 pm
Taxpayer & MsGodzilla-I applaud your hearts,but as you can see even on this blog peace is not attainable.
Mrs. Godzilla
September 24th, 2009
4:48 pm
Hef
The credit goes to Sr. Mary Helene, BVM, American Lit instructor and former Miss California (sometime in the 50’s)……one great looking nun.
N.J.
September 24th, 2009
4:49 pm
Considering that the best intelligence not only has Bin Laden not in Afghanistan, but also no longer in Pakistan. Best guess is that he took a slow boat to Yemen from the Makran coast of Baluchistan.
The region simply got too hot for him and he likely boarded one of the small fishing boats that ply the gulf between the south of Pakistan and the western coast of the Arabian peninsula. In any case, there is no evidence that he is anywhere our troops are.
Hef
September 24th, 2009
4:49 pm
Public Option@4:40-Funny you ask,last night when the water recinded in my back yard…………..
Mrs. Godzilla
September 24th, 2009
4:52 pm
Hef
I’d like to think that the work for peace will never end…..
Think of it this way.
100 years war. We don’t make ‘em that long anymore.
WWI and WWII millions died.
Vietnam 55M died.
Iraq war 4350 to date
Afghanistan war 830 to date
We are getting better at peace.
AmVet
September 24th, 2009
4:54 pm
This fact is irrefutable. The majority of Americans are now opposed to Quagmire Part Deux.
We are sick of seeing our best and bravest die so that the military industrial complex can justify it’s self-serving profits.
BHO is another fool in a never growing long line of them.
Unless the neo-cons vote for him en masse in 2012, he may just be a one and done…
Normal
September 24th, 2009
4:55 pm
Menu tonight at Normal’s house, Baked dijon chicken and a veggie medley,and chicken broth rice. I was going to use the grill, but it’s spittin’ here so I’ll use the oven. The veggie dish is sliced maters, carrots, broccoli, and onion, wrapped in tin foil and steamed with butter and lime juice, and just a grind of sea salt and pepper corn.
)smothered in dijon mustard and mayo, then dredged in a combo of breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, tyme and pepper.
super yummy
Rice cooked with chicken broth, and the boneless skinless chicken breast (yes, I’m a breast man
Served with a fine wine and a slice of homemade pumpkin pie. The wife will reward me later on…
have a great evening y’all…
AmVet
September 24th, 2009
4:55 pm
“in a never growing”
Redact to read: in an ever growing
Normal
September 24th, 2009
4:55 pm
OH, I forgot the squash with the veggies, silly me…
md
September 24th, 2009
4:55 pm
“New UN resolution aims at nuclear-free world”
And the next one will be aimed at removing all evil from the planet.
Good luck with that.
Mrs. Godzilla
September 24th, 2009
4:57 pm
Normal….don’t forget to pound your breasts a bit to tenderize them!
Try them some time wrapped in maple Bacon (um, bacon) grilled and basted with your fav BBQ sauce!
AmVet
September 24th, 2009
4:59 pm
“Normal….don’t forget to pound your breasts a bit to tenderize them!”
I know it is sophomoric, but man, the mental image of that is funny!
Paul
September 24th, 2009
5:03 pm
Taxpayer 4:46
[[I’ll stand by my and Mrs.G’s understanding that you failed to acknowledge anything more than the existence of an IF…Then scenario.]]
Let me try it this way. One step at a time. No trick questions. Just trying to understand where you’re coming from.
Do you think the mission in Afghanistan is critical to protecting the US?
Hef
September 24th, 2009
5:03 pm
MsGodzill@4:57-I found that recipe a few weeks ago and tried it-excellent!!!!!!!!!!!
Public Option's Doing Swell
September 24th, 2009
5:05 pm
Paul–
Do you know where the troops come from to get to the level that does nation building in Afghanistan into the hundreds of thousands, because I ran out of countries on the planet earth who would supply them.
My information is that Obama told McCrystal he’s not ready to send more troops to get into the 80,000’s McCrystal wants before going up at several incremental marks to levels we don’t have in the future.
I don’t see anything wrong with not agreeing with the Pres when you have thought it over and don’t.
I don’t agree with Obama on his federal appellate filings which are just like Bush’s or worse.
I don’t agree that we can nation build in Afghanistan right now Paul–and when we talk about Afghan we are talking about Pakistan as well.
Troops cost 30% more in Afg/Pak than Iraq. And in all those places right now we have close to double the contractors and we’re paying the contractors much more and I know you realize this.
I’m not following troop totals fanatically, but I think soon there will be 68,000 according to what I read below.
http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/21/how-many-troops-to-secure-afghanistan/?scp=1&sq=afghanistan%20troops&st=cse
It doesn’t seem like there is a lot of support the way the GI Bill for education is being executed–it looks like bait and switch to me:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/25/education/25vets.html?_r=1&hp
whistling dixie
September 24th, 2009
5:05 pm
normal…you are becoming about as relevant as Dusty…..Who cares what you are having for dinner?
Hef
September 24th, 2009
5:07 pm
MsGodzilla-Here’s another,Sirloin Tip Roast plugged with garlic/butter chunks.Slow cooked with dry onion soup,Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Normal
September 24th, 2009
5:11 pm
whistling dixie
September 24th, 2009
What? Can’t cook? Poor baby…
Normal
September 24th, 2009
5:14 pm
AmVet, I did what Mrs G said and pounded my breast…GAWD, did that hurt! What? You mean…
Paul
September 24th, 2009
5:14 pm
Public Option
[[I don’t see anything wrong with not agreeing with the Pres when you have thought it over and don’t.]]
That’s where you’re different. My impression is there are many who will resist at all costs in saying “Pres Obama is wrong.” We’ve already seen some cracks in this when it comes to rendition, warrantless wiretaps, etc, but even that didn’t get as much play as it did with the previous administration. But on Afghanistan, I think we’ll see a lot of rather contradictory statements from many of his supporters.
And in my opinion, one reason we went so wrong in Iraq is because the military hated nation building, wanted nothing to do with it, resisted planning for it, didn’t want to talk about it. That’s why we had those tv images of looting Iraquis and American soldiers standing around going “huh? you want me to do something?!!?”
Dusty
September 24th, 2009
5:16 pm
Normal, valentine, you sweep me off my feet!! But I can hardly see you for that big ol’ sign you keep carrying around and shouting about! But you’re a sweet one.! My household is full of them and I love em all! Cheers, brave prince of hearts.
whistling dixie
September 24th, 2009
5:16 pm
Oh, I can cook NORMAL but I don’t feel the need to share my meals with bloggers who I don’t know,
This is after all not a cooking blog! Don’t you have anything of substence to contribute?
BTW Normal You are supposedly a guy and you call me poor baby? HaHaHaHa!
Taxpayer
September 24th, 2009
5:18 pm
md
September 24th, 2009
4:55 pm
“New UN resolution aims at nuclear-free world”
And the next one will be aimed at removing all evil from the planet.
Good luck with that
Thank you but it may take even more than luck. Let’s actually work toward that goal. Just say no to war.
Public Option's Doing Swell
September 24th, 2009
5:21 pm
I disagree Paul. We did plenty of nation building trials and wasted 3 trillion plus bucks in Iraq. And Obama has told McCrystal recently that although he has the exact same players in place as Bush (McCrystal was moved from Pentagon to Afg command–slight tweak) that he’s not going to rubber stamp what he and Patraeus want to do that has failed with Biush.
Right now Obama has said what he wants to do with Afghan–he hasn’t sent any Iraq troops home–we have double the amount of contractors in both–Afghan troop is 30% more costly than Iraq.
Obama hasn’t been specific about what he wants in Afghanistan as yet; nor has he been specific on health care.
In Afghanistan McCrystal’s troop requests are in the “let me get back to ya” file as of last week.
Public Option's Doing Swell
September 24th, 2009
5:28 pm
I’d also add that in Iraq there wasn’t a functioning competent Iraq military counterpart and there isn’t one in Afghanistan and Pakistan now.
The WaPo also held up McCrystal’s plan from publication as outlined by Boecb Woodward. I just got a box up that said “stop spell checking.” Never saw that before here.
So Paul you want a draft stat correct? Let’s get ‘er done goshdarnit.
Another link for the Bill Nelson amendment to close the donut hole that all Repubs, Blue Dogs and Menendez voted for turning a trick for their pharmaceutical johns.
http://www.politico.com/livepulse/0909/Nelson_PhRMA_amendment_now_has_a_cost_estimate.html#comments
Taxpayer
September 24th, 2009
5:30 pm
Let me try it this way. One step at a time. No trick questions. Just trying to understand where you’re coming from.
Do you think the mission in Afghanistan is critical to protecting the US?
I think that if there is to be a continuing mission in Afghanistan, then it must be to protect the US citizens (and even property but not to the same level necessarily, etc.) from an imminent threat (without going into the specifics of determining that there is an imminent threat other than it takes more than tea leaves or crystal balls to satisfy moi) or to pursue known accessories after the fact (since the terrorists that were in the planes are no more). Of course, that still leaves quite a bit of latitude in defining the mission even after an assessment has determined the need for said mission. For example, the mission might simply be to establish a base for launching drones while we wait for word of a sighting or it may be something else. The mission is most definitely dynamic because any good plan includes regular assessments and provision for changes as needed.
Now, it is your turn. Answer you own question with no embedded questions. Fell free to include all the ifs, then and elses you may need though.
Normal
September 24th, 2009
5:38 pm
whistling dixie
September 24th, 2009
5:16 pm
BTW Normal You are supposedly a guy and you call me poor baby? HaHaHaHa!
Whistlin’ whatever do you mean? But if you want to meet me for a drink and talk about it, let me know
Paul
September 24th, 2009
5:41 pm
Public Option 5:21
I didn’t say the military has not done nation building in Iraq and Afg. They have. But going in, particularly in Iraq, they avoided it like the plague.
And what did Gen Petraeus do that failed so badly in Iraq?
Taxpayer
Just a sec – not quite done.
(we’ll get there, but it’ll just be a repeat of what I’ve often written).
I think I see your point on the first. Afghanistan is critical to US security but how we do the mission is up for grabs, is that correct?
So I also understand you believe Pres Obama when he says Afg is critical.
So if Pres Obama says the only viable chance we have to do the mission there is to send in ten or twenty thousand more troops, you say what?
Normal
September 24th, 2009
5:42 pm
Upstairs again y’all, Jay’s really workin’ it
Dusty
September 24th, 2009
5:44 pm
Mz G,
Thanks for the bite cure. I should have tried the aspirin bit. I did slap on some hydrocortisone ointment, not that it did any good. Went to a meeting this morning and slipped my shoes off under the table. No need to suffer!! Now I’m home running around barefoot! At least I have a good excuse this time. (I like to go barefooted.)
Sorry to mention ant bites with all these good meals being mentioned. I’d better go drag something out of the freezer. Big Foot loose in the kitchen!!
whistling dixie
September 24th, 2009
5:45 pm
Normal ..An hour ago you were off to cook your culinary delight! What happened?
As far as having a drink…..ah no! Swapping recipies is not my idea of a good time/
Paul
September 24th, 2009
5:46 pm
Dusty
I’m such an optimist. But keep cheering me on!
Taxpayer
September 24th, 2009
6:01 pm
Taxpayer
Just a sec – not quite done. (we’ll get there, but it’ll just be a repeat of what I’ve often written).
Yes, you are. Because I am.
Normal
September 24th, 2009
6:02 pm
Whistlin’ when you cook, you have to take time to let the preparations breathe for flavor…sip a little Merlot, and anticipate the results…yummy!
Dusty
September 24th, 2009
6:03 pm
Public Option,
Just a few words for you. I am neither general nor ambassador as you well know. I wish we were not in a big conflict also. My father, husband and one son have all been in the military. My heart goes out to the families of the troops serving now. Just the thoughts of what can happen are torture.
Nevertheless, when we have American troops fighting for us on our orders, I support them. I hate having them in combat. I support them. I can only hope and pray that the military planners with all their information will do what is beat for our country and the current circumstances. That is the best I can do.
Perhaps you are doing what you think is right. Maybe so but I do not think that it would make even one person fighting for us feel supported. I think it is a dispicable attitude and poor use of free speech. Try and vent your anger at those who are not laying their lives on the line for us.
N.J.
September 24th, 2009
7:08 pm
Unfortunately any claims about who financed Obama can be put to rest by the fact that much more of his contributions were released and openly reported to the Federal Election Commission than John McCain’s were 90.2 percent of his contribution came from online supporters. This amounted to $656,357,572 Total PAC contributions were less than two thousand dollars (1,830) Other funding, made up 88,626,223 which was 12 percent of his funding.
32 million dollars of McCain’s money came from wealthy retired investors.
Obama totally disclosed where 90.2 percent of his campaign funds came from
McCain gave full disclosure of of 87.2 percent of where his money came from.
The PAC financing is where McCain outshone Obama almost a thousand fold in collecting money from Special Interests.
McCain on the other hand had 54 percent from individual contributions, and he took almost a thousand times as much PAC money as Obama 1,407,959 for which ZERO percent of where it came from was disclosed to the FEC. McCain also took $83,306,833 from “Other sources” which made up 23 percent of his campaign funding, most of which was non disclosed and 84,103,800 in federal funding which made up another 23 percent of his campaign funding.
N.J.
September 24th, 2009
7:22 pm
And a list of contributors shows only one Wall Street investment firm in Obama’s top five corporate contributors. All of McCains top five were Wall Street investment firms.
McCains five top contributors:
Merrill Lynch $373,595
Citigroup Inc $322,051
Morgan Stanley $273,452
Goldman Sachs $230,095
JPMorgan Chase & Co $228,107
Obama’s top five contributors:
University of California $1,591,395
Goldman Sachs $994,795
Harvard University $854,747
Microsoft Corp $833,617
Google Inc $803,436
Obama had three other Wall Street investment firms in the lower end of the top 20 contributors Mc Cain has a total of 11 or 12 out of the top 20 Contributors being investment firms or investment bankers
Merrill Lynch $373,595
Citigroup Inc $322,051
Morgan Stanley $273,452
Goldman Sachs $230,095
JPMorgan Chase & Co $228,107
Wachovia Corp $195,063
UBS AG $192,493
Credit Suisse Group $183,353
PricewaterhouseCoopers $167,900
Bank of America $166,026
Bear Stearns $117,498
Lehman Brothers $114,357
Obama had:
Goldman Sachs $994,795
Citigroup Inc $701,290
JPMorgan Chase & Co $695,13
Morgan Stanley $514,881
So it appears that McCain was far more in the pockets of Wall Street than Obama is. Obama’s largest group of contributors who contributed the most money were all education related organizations. Universities. Obama is beholden to educational institutions, McCain to Wall Street.
N.J.
September 24th, 2009
7:23 pm
Mc Cain was so beholden to Wall Street investment firms and banks that I stopped counting how many of his top contributors were on Wall Street.
Tom
September 24th, 2009
9:10 pm
The man is an imbecile. Typical of today’s military thinking. Beyond…duh.