Chuck Hagel the right man at the right time
Chuck Hagel has always defied categorization, which is one reason I’ve liked and respected him.
Of course, that also explains why Hagel’s nomination as defense secretary faces opposition from elements of both political parties. Washington likes people who can be “counted on,” meaning that they adhere to the brightly defined lines that are used to distinguish “us” from “them.” People such as Hagel, who pay little attention to such lines, are viewed with suspicion and distrust by some.
In Hagel’s case, he is Republican, but according to conservatives not a “real” Republican. He is a war veteran who earned two Purple Hearts in Vietnam as an enlisted Army infantryman, but his thoughts on foreign policy reveal a sophisticated doubt about the usefulness of war. Although he voted in favor of the invasion of Iraq, he quickly became a harsh critic of the conduct of that war. Most of all, Hagel is a questioner by nature, and he is more willing to follow where the answers lead him than are most in the nation’s Capitol.
I strongly disagree with Hagel on some points, particularly on his willingness to defer to intelligence and law enforcement when constitutional rights supposedly conflict with national security concerns. Back in the late ’90s, Hagel also publicly opposed the nomination of James Hormel as a U.S. ambassador on the grounds that Hormel was “”openly, aggressively gay.”
Those words reflected a depth of homophobia that did not speak well of Hagel. But it is also true that the country as a whole has moved a long way on gay rights in the past two decades, and if Hagel has moved along with it, as he now claims, that should not disqualify him from high service.
On the other hand, the claim by some that Hagel is somehow anti-Israel or even anti-Semitic because he has been willing to question the decisions of Israeli political leadership is and always has been nonsense. Nothing that Hagel has said or done on such issues places him outside the mainstream in this country or even in Israel itself, and certainly do not disqualify him from service as U.S. defense secretary.
Hagel’s nomination comes at an important point in this nation’s military and foreign-policy history. The world has changed; our relative position in the world has changed as well. But those changes are not yet reflected in our defense structure, policy and ideology. By his background, intellect and questioning nature, Hagel is well-suited to that role.
Politically speaking, the Hagel nomination also plays into the meta-narrative that the White House appears to be spinning these days. By nominating a Republican ex-senator to a top Cabinet position, Obama can claim credit for a gesture of bipartisanship. To the degree that Senate Republicans erupt in outrage, attempting to bar their former colleague from service on grounds of being insufficiently conservative, they cement their image as extremists unwilling to compromise. So it will be interesting to watch how they play this.
– Jay Bookman
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448 comments Add your comment
josef
January 7th, 2013
5:04 pm
JOHNNY REB
“If Hagel was not the Obama nominee, my guess is your forgiveness on his remarks about gays would not come so quick.”
Your mouth to G-d’s ears.
“Hagel’s remarks on Israel are troubling. People do not change – see remarks on gays.”
His remarks on Israel disturb me far less than his remarks on “the” Jews and his use of “Jew” as a pejorative adjective. People DO change (remember, you are my hero
) But this fellow hasn’t, in my “aggressive” (read uppity) opinion.
“How about because he is not the right man for the job regardless of what you and Barry think”
How about he’s a divisive and controversial figure in one of the most sensitive of cabinet posts?
DebbieDoRight - A Do Right Woman
January 7th, 2013
5:04 pm
Wow! That was fast! An Attack site is up already about Chuck Hagel!
At least we know one thing the Conned can do quickly, (nothing else though), and that’s smear someone’s name!
Hagel On Israel
Chuck Hagel has sought to distance the United States from Israel, blame Israel for Palestinian terrorism, pressure Israel to surrender territory and retreat to indefensible borders, and has …
http://www.chuckhagel.com/
Cherokee
January 7th, 2013
5:04 pm
“Obama thinks so, he is working as hard as possible to relegate us to a has-been power”
And you wonder why no one listens to you…..
Jm
January 7th, 2013
5:05 pm
Flip flop Barney Frank opposed Hagel 24 hours ago. Today Frank supports the Hagel nomination.
Joe Hussein Mama
January 7th, 2013
5:06 pm
D. DoRight — “Are you sniffing cocaine or something? Please compare Hagel’s experience to that of the “Oooh I’m too scared to go to war! Help me Mommy!!” Rumsfeld.”
FWIW, Rumsfeld was a Naval Captain, and a pilot IIRC.
You may be thinking of VP Cheney, who received 4 or 5 deferments, as I recall.
Real Scootter
January 7th, 2013
5:06 pm
And if you want to revisit that discussion, you can certainly chase down some of the claims yourself, as I did.
JHM,
Just ask Corbin Sharpe (aka Normal). His word is good enough for me.I never got spit on but could not get a town pass unless 3 of us went together for protection.And this was here at home!!!!!
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
January 7th, 2013
5:06 pm
Not intended to be a factual statement. *
*
KammieRepublican Senator Jon KylSpam. All rights reserved.Jm
January 7th, 2013
5:09 pm
Yes, Harry Reid is an idiot
http://www.politico.com/blogs/on-congress/2013/01/vitter-reids-an-idiot-153518.html?hp=l2
Paul
January 7th, 2013
5:10 pm
“Unless I like everything he’s said or done his entire life, he isn’t fit to serve.”
He’s the president’s nominee. He’s qualified. Enough with the left-and-right wing litmus tests.
Two other points: it isn’t just righties who have a problem with him. Some gay groups are dug in solidly against him. Two, as far as a Republican nominee – it isn’t just bipartisanship that’s a reason. More cuts are coming. Big cuts. Republicans are dug in on “there is no waste, no bad programs, no mismanagement, no nothing that can be cut, ever, from defense because all these generals tell me so and we believe everything they say because they have these neat, shiny stars on their shoulders.” A Democrat as SecDef would play into their narrative. Having a Republican like Gates lead with massive cuts, firing of generals and a civilian service chief, then following with another Republican in the same position is a politically astute move.
LIB LIB LIB LIB LIB LIB
January 7th, 2013
5:11 pm
“working as hard as he can to relegate us to a has-been power”…..that’s just stupid.
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
January 7th, 2013
5:22 pm
http://www.politico.com/blogs/on-congress/2013/01/vitter-reids-an-idiot-153518.html?hp=l2
David “I Was Caught With A Hooker In Hotel While Wearing A Diaper” Vitter is calling Hagel an idiot?
There’s your sign.
josef
January 7th, 2013
5:26 pm
JM
Well, as Big Daddy says, “Why New Yorkers have a rep for being blunt”
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
January 7th, 2013
5:27 pm
Oops, Reid not Hagel
josef
January 7th, 2013
5:32 pm
DDR
While it looks like I may be getting through here, if you still have my address, shoot me an e-mail. I can’t find yours in my address book. Got something to talk to ya about…thanks…
josef
January 7th, 2013
5:47 pm
Unmentionable says I’m wrong on calling Hagel an anti Semite. He says “how can he be. He’s from one of the Lost Tribes. The Tribe of Jacka33erus!”
Towncrier
January 7th, 2013
5:52 pm
“I can speak for myself, Towncrier.”
And don’t we all know that.
“And if you want to revisit that discussion, you can certainly chase down some of the claims yourself, as I did.”
Let’s establish where we are on this debate. I think this Wiki article summarizes it well enough:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Spitting_Image
Last time we discussed this, I suggested you actually contact Lindgren and see if he could not provide you with copies (if he had them of the articles he cites). If you haven’t, perhaps I will.
As I said, I have a hard time imagining how a prominent law professor would publicly cite articles as evidence (with the name of the paper and dates) that did not actually exist – to publicly make things up, in other words – in response to a book written by Lembcke (the above alluded to The Spitting Image):
http://www.volokh.com/posts/1170928927.shtml (be sure to follow all of the links)
But you apparently do not. That has been the main point of contention between us. I am surprised that, if Lindgren was lying, he has not been debunked by now. Perhaps no one cares enough to investigate. Or maybe he wasn’t lying. Ina any case, we cannot both be right, just as Lembcke and Lindgren cannot be right. Since the former is essentially trying to prove a negative, all that is required to invalidate his claims is to validate even some of Lindgren’s.
Let me see if I cannot validate two or three of his sources independently (if I am unable to contact Lindgren). Obviously, it will be hard to do if archived articles are not freely available on the Internet. It will require calling the publishers (if they still exist) and seeing if they will mail me a copy of the article(s) or paying for subscriptions.
Towncrier
January 7th, 2013
5:58 pm
“He’s the president’s nominee. He’s qualified. Enough with the left-and-right wing litmus tests.”
Would that had been the attitude in 1987 when Robert Bork was “the president’s nominee”:
“Even before his expected retirement on June 27, 1987, Senate Democrats had asked liberal leaders to form “a solid phalanx” to oppose whomever President Ronald Reagan nominated to replace Powell, assuming that it would tilt the court rightward.”
(from the Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Bork_Supreme_Court_nomination)
Towncrier
January 7th, 2013
6:00 pm
“Oops, Reid not Hagel”
Reid, schmeid, Hagel, schmagel.
DannyX
January 7th, 2013
6:00 pm
Hey Republicans. If you want to pick the cabinet try winning an election!
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
January 7th, 2013
6:06 pm
The MRI exam of Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III’s right knee suggests that he suffered partial tears of his anterior cruciate and lateral collateral ligaments, according to several people with knowledge of the test results.
Ruh, roh.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Reid, schmeid, Hagel, schmagel.
Sock-puppet, schmock-puppet.
Go on over next door to Kyle’s and share your wit.
Oh, that’s right, he doesn’t allow sock-puppeteers there any more.
Upchuck
January 7th, 2013
6:08 pm
“Sock-puppet, schmock-puppet.”
Dang, that’s witty…it made me…uuuhhh….[Lifts toilet seat] HUUUURGGEHH…
Welcome to the Occupation
January 7th, 2013
6:09 pm
“On the other hand, the claim by some that Hagel is somehow anti-Israel or even anti-Semitic because he has been willing to question … ”
Strictly speaking though this is not really “on the other hand” at all, as the attempts to smear Hagel as anti-gay and those attempting to paint him as anti-semitic areot simply opposite sides of the same coin, and in some cases appear to have been originated from the same place: abject deference to the pro-Israel lobby.
JamVet
January 7th, 2013
6:09 pm
TC and why I put it in quote. It serves as a metaphor. But td just said another highly decorated United States combat veteran – one who volunteered for Viet Nam – should be hung. And for what? Speaking his mind?
This has nothing to do with Democrats or Republicans. These are men of proven valor and courage, and I confess that I get a more than miffed at these blogging armchair nobodies denigrating everything about them.
This is the second time in a few weeks he has said something so outrageous and awful, it is obvious that his religion is a blood thirsty one.
Hagel has long ago severed his ties to Republicans.
Do tell?
On the day he retired from the US Senate his record shows that he voted with the Republicans 95% of the time.
And THAT is why Andy calling him a RINO is proof of the neocon’s fiercely proud ignorance and willful stupidity.
But just to play it safe you better get the swiftboaters cranked back up, huh?
Brosephus™: "Team Gump will prevail over Team Rudy"
January 7th, 2013
6:10 pm
Danny
That’s the hard way. Nobody does things the hard way anymore.
JohnnyReb
January 7th, 2013
6:12 pm
Joe Mama – my comment on America being the leader of Right obviously was not political idiology. It might best be explained that recently Obama has instead of leading the way, as is our history, let other countries such as Russia lead the way on world issues. Thus the infamous lead from behind. Obama talks a big game, but that’s it. His view of America’s roll in the world is very much astray from our history. If you, Jay and other Moonbats are OK with that, then that’s your choice. I am not.
josef
January 7th, 2013
6:16 pm
Damn, I shoulda bought stock in that whitewash company…
JohnnyReb
January 7th, 2013
6:17 pm
Hello josef – I think people can modify their positions but change to the core is difficult. For me, I changed my mind about DADT which was a revision not a total reversal. I have always been against bullies which includes bullying gays. I do however still have some reservations on gay rights. My concerns are more on what giving gays all the rights they seek will do to society as a whole versus the actual receipt of the rights – if that makes sense.
Towncrier
January 7th, 2013
6:17 pm
“But td just said another highly decorated United States combat veteran – one who volunteered for Viet Nam – should be hung.”
I don’t think being a highly decorated veteran exempts anyone from criticism or blame for things done later in life as a civilian – just as I don’t think OJ’s Heisman trophy and illustrious professional career exempts him from being prosecuted for crimes he committed (an extreme example, but I use it intentionally to make my point). That said, I can find no reason to want to “hang” Hagel and think all such talk is misguided.
JamVet
January 7th, 2013
6:17 pm
The evidence that I have seen regarding these claims of Hagel’s anti-Semitism are preposterous and underwhelming.
Somebody impress me with some overwhelming evidence.
Or don’t…
That Black Guy
January 7th, 2013
6:18 pm
Upchuck
January 7th, 2013
6:08 pm
Dang, that’s witty…it made me…uuuhhh….[Lifts toilet seat] HUUUURGGEHH…
_______________________________
You may want to get that checked out.
Frequent urination and difficulty starting and maintaining a stream may be early signs of prostate issues.
bookman parrot
January 7th, 2013
6:19 pm
jay, it is “amazing” how often you agree with the messiah Barack. Must be coincidence.
Paul
January 7th, 2013
6:22 pm
I think it’s pretty much reflexive for Republicans.
Heck, if Reagan were reincarnated and nominated today’s Republicans would vote for him.
Maybe if Hagel said ‘wouldn’t it be swell if we went to war against Iran and made Israel a state?” Republicans would say “well, in that case, maybe he’d make an okay SecDef” -
Paul
January 7th, 2013
6:23 pm
make that
Heck, if Reagan were reincarnated and nominated today’s Republicans would lobby against him.
JohnnyReb
January 7th, 2013
6:23 pm
bookman parrot
January 7th, 2013
6:19 pm
jay, it is “amazing” how often you agree with the messiah Barack. Must be coincidence.
__________________
No coincidence. It’s called propaganda eminating from the Obama White House and spread by the NY Times, Associated Press, MSNBC, et al, and major blogs spots that is picked up by smaller organizations like Jay and the AJC. In fact, it would not be surprising that the Jayster receive emails from the White House or their stooges giving the talking points.
Granny Godzilla
January 7th, 2013
6:24 pm
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=oGHdeEXH7js
Go Irish
Redneck Convert (R--and proud of it)
January 7th, 2013
6:25 pm
Reinstate the draft without a college exemption and watch all the young conservative chickenhawks become isolationists
Well, Saturday I went and got a haircut and my barber Buddy Loamster told me he thought if there was still a draft that Conn. killer wouldn’t of shot those kids because he’d be in the army getting straightened out. I thought to myself, Just what we need. A crazy getting taught how to shoot automatic weapons and kill people.
Anyhow, I see where this appeals court refused to hear a case where a lower court decided it was illegal to bring guns into church. Now I know alot of people you need to protect yourself from, but Christians are the most dangerous of the bunch. If you don’t beleive me, just be on the road near a church around 11 on Sunday morning when a bunch of hungry, bored Christians go dashing out to find something to eat. They’ll turn you into a pancake in nothing flat.
Besides, you got to know Sin to do anything about it, and Christians know it real good. It’s sorta the same reason I would never go to any dating site but ChristianMingle.com if I was young and looking for a wild woman.
Have a good night everybody. I thought for awhile Bookman had done Wingfield one better. He’d figured out a way to shut down a whole server to keep people from posting.
Granny Godzilla
January 7th, 2013
6:25 pm
Ta da
It worked
Towncrier
January 7th, 2013
6:26 pm
“Yes, Harry Reid is an idiot.”
He is not an idiot (very, very few people are mentally handicapped in that way). He just unthinkingly and unwisely says things that 1) he shouldn’t 2) aren’t true and 3) are attempts to manipulate others – just as we all have. The big difference is he does it on the national stage, in full public view. He obviously shouldn’t be the majority leader of the Senate as he is often shamelessly embarrassing. I guess the more important question is: why is he the elected leader?
josef
January 7th, 2013
6:29 pm
Johnny Reb
Given your perspective and where you’re coming from in your own evolution, it does make sense. But the reason I respect, and even admire you, is that you came to that from a true soul search and not because it was the politically correct stance du jour and you didn’t do it for political expediency. At my most moderate on this particular one, I’m in the Sen. Tammy Baldwin camp which, paraphrased, is the boy’s got a lot of ’splainin’ to do…
I just find it most interesting that so many of these “lovers of gays” are now falling in lockstep in a willingness to,,,well…toe the party line…I don’t trust them…
It’s like Barney Frank who’ll sell his principals down the river and start singing Hosannahs, that Senate Seat being up in the air…
As my woman Cindi might say, I see your true colors…
Upchuck
January 7th, 2013
6:30 pm
“You may want to get that checked out. Frequent urination and difficulty starting and maintaining a stream may be early signs of prostate issues.”
Thanks for the tip. How long have you had “prostrate issues”?
JohnnyReb
January 7th, 2013
6:30 pm
Harry Reid is an Obama puppet. That makes Obama responsbile for the log jam in Congress. Example, the House passed a bill in August that dealt with the Cliff. Obama did not like it, so he tells Harry not to even introduce for debate. All the legacy meida and Leftie bloggers pile on Boehner for being the problem when in truth it is Obama through Reid that is the problem with Congress not doing anything. Obama figures he can get a deal more to his liking by negotiating himself instead of letting the Senate and House work things out. So far, it’s working at the cost to America.
BobbyZ
January 7th, 2013
6:32 pm
“Hey Republicans. If you want to pick the cabinet try winning an election!”
Dang! I could have had a V-8!
JamVet
January 7th, 2013
6:34 pm
I don’t think being a highly decorated veteran exempts anyone from criticism or blame for things done later in life as a civilian.
Nor do I.
The difference is that I HIGHLY respect John McCain, Chuck Hagel, GHWB and other GOP pols who served with distinction in combat, in spite of the fact that I adamantly disagree with their policies, etc,
Sociopaths like td and a great deal of others the right wing have zero respect for combat veterans that they disagree with politically.
Which highlights their failings as people, NOT these men in Washington…
Road Scholar
January 7th, 2013
6:35 pm
Vitter: Both Hurricanes had lots of water, destruction, rebuilding etc. Temp in La= 70-90Deg Temp in NJ 30-40 deg Jersey a winner by 30 -6o degrees. Try camping out with temps in the 30’s and wet ground!
I had relatives on the coast in Mississippi and they got by just fine…one was a fireman who aw encountered it all. He would have froze to death!.
JohnnyReb
January 7th, 2013
6:35 pm
BobbyZ – I beg to differ with you. Obama won the election. That gives him the right to put up whomever he wishes. It does not give him the right to blanket approvals. Senate approval is not in our laws by accident. In this case, it’s also more than just Republicans.
barking frog
January 7th, 2013
6:38 pm
Adam
The President should be able to have the Cabinet he wants.
I like you, barking frog, and this is not a dig at you specifically, but…
I would like to point out this is one of those rare times I have seen a left-wing talking point get so much play. This one is repeated almost verbatim and I do not like that.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………….
I do not read nor repeat taking points either liberal or conservative. Cabinet
appointments should be the purview of the President only unless some
matter so egregious that the nominee would be unable to serve capably
the appointment should be confirmed. Appointments outside the cabinet
such as the Supreme Court should be considered in a different manner.
Too bad you evidently don’t have the experience of team cohesion to
understand this.
JamVet
January 7th, 2013
6:47 pm
That makes Obama responsbile for the log jam in Congress.
You mean the one that has been around for 60 years?
The Congress: Log Jam Ahead
Monday, Apr. 20, 1953
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,822724,00.html#ixzz2HKvkV4tI
barking frog
January 7th, 2013
6:51 pm
JamVet 6:47
Some people wake up in a brand new world every single day, and it is
filled with cookies.
Thomas heyward Jr
January 7th, 2013
6:55 pm
No worries mates………….the progressive unprincipled anti-war jokes of the left will continue to look stupid under Obama.
The killing will continue too.
From Daniel McAdams——————-
.
Desperation can make people do strange things. Obama’s election was like a neutron bomb to the majority of the antiwar Left, with too many of the former eloquent critics of “W” suddenly twisting themselves into inhuman intellectual contortions to explain why drones in Yemen/Pakistan, targeted killing of American citizens, and arming al-Qaeda in Libya and Syria were both humanitarian and patriotic.
The rest of those opposed to empire were left desperate and grasping. Many initially sung hosannas to Obama claiming he was an antiwar alternative we could get behind. That didn’t turn out too well. To their credit some of those soon realized their mistake, but the intellectually dangerous impulse to seek salvation in a personality lingered — the temptation of a short-cut to the promised land.
Which leads us to former Senator Chuck Hagel, who far too many in the remnant of the antiwar, anti-empire movement have taken to praising as if with his nomination — expected tomorrow — the war party would be defeated.
It is a trap.
Hagel is the perfect choice for Obama if he wants to actually expand militarism: Hagel’s peace/anti-empire backers will be silenced when Hagel does as he is told (as he must) and continues, possibly expands, the disastrous policies of this administration. Do they really believe that the employee will force his drone-a-holic employer to suspend what has become the centerpiece of his foreign policy? What are Hagel’s backers going to do when he does as he must, as a man who serves at the pleasure of a president who believes he has the Constitutional authority to draw up a “kill list” of Americans? Will they start denouncing the very person they demanded get the job in the first place? How foolish would that look? How ineffective.
Be careful what you ask for. And don’t forget that among the others asking are those like the Podesta Group, who are currently making a killing on all the killing they supported in Serbia under their former boss, former president Clinton.
.
lol
For CIA chief, Obama taps adviser who defended drone strikes – Reuters | Miles Austin Forman
January 7th, 2013
7:00 pm
[...] skeptical of Hagel today sung his praises not long agoMSNBCTIME -CNN (blog) -Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog)all 6,838 news articles » This entry was posted in Austin Forman News. Bookmark the [...]
Thomas heyward Jr
January 7th, 2013
7:02 pm
One more time……………………………………………..For the anti-war lefty jokes—————
.
Hagel is the perfect choice for Obama if he wants to actually expand militarism: Hagel’s peace/anti-empire backers will be silenced when Hagel does as he is told (as he must) and continues, possibly expands, the disastrous policies of this administration. Do they really believe that the employee will force his drone-a-holic employer to suspend what has become the centerpiece of his foreign policy? What are Hagel’s backers going to do when he does as he must, as a man who serves at the pleasure of a president who believes he has the Constitutional authority to draw up a “kill list” of Americans? Will they start denouncing the very person they demanded get the job in the first place? How foolish would that look? How ineffective.
.
lol
TaxPayer
January 7th, 2013
7:03 pm
I see Republicans have come a long way. Before the invention of religion, they would have called President Obama a warlock instead of their Messiah.
Selena
January 7th, 2013
7:05 pm
If only more US senators understood they work for the US.
Jackie
January 7th, 2013
7:06 pm
If the Senate votes in favor of the new rule that has been proposed by Sen. Harking (D-IA) that merely states if a senator wants to filibuster, he can do so for 3 days; if longer, a vote is taken and with 55 votes the filibuster is ended; if not, the senator has 3 additional days with 51 votes needed to end the filibuster. Along with this action, the senator that chooses to filibuster a bill has to stand in the well and speak for the time that has been allocated.
For all of you that do not understand, current Senate rules allow one to threaten a filibuster which requires 61 votes to override and they are not required to speak.
Here is a partial record of the maleficence by the Repubs.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bob-cesca/republicans-filibuster-ev_b_2018663.html
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
January 7th, 2013
7:06 pm
Will they start denouncing the very person they demanded get the job in the first place? How foolish would that look?
Has he started targeting Wisconsin weddings?
Liberal Lemming
January 7th, 2013
7:07 pm
“Well, Saturday I went and got a haircut and my barber Buddy Loamster told me he thought if there was still a draft that Conn. killer wouldn’t of shot those kids because he’d be in the army getting straightened out. I thought to myself, Just what we need. A crazy getting taught how to shoot automatic weapons and kill people.”
First of all, I thought neo-nazi, racist and homophobic troglodytes (otherwise known as conservatives) would all “know” that a draft makes men out of boys (even psychotic ones), so I am having considerable difficulty crediting your story. It sounds made up to me. The only thing that makes sense is you revealing the name of your barber – because cons don’t care one bit about the universal right of privacy
explicitly guaranteed byimplied byinferred from the Constitution. Just who else are you planning to “out” Mister???“Anyhow, I see where this appeals court refused to hear a case where a lower court decided it was illegal to bring guns into church.”
Guns should be completely outlawed, genius. The 2nd Amendment was actually meant only to apply to men in a state militia in 1787. That’s it. Anyone who think otherwise is just being willfully ignorant and stupid. I mean, how can anyone NOT see THAT???
“Now I know alot of people you need to protect yourself from, but Christians are the most dangerous of the bunch.”
Finally, you are making some sense. They are nothing but a bunch of backward-thinking homophobes. Muslims are no where near as fanatical as people in the 700 Club. I know we are supposed to be for tolerance, but in this case we need to make an exception. I say let’s not only censor all of those insane right wing talk show hosts, but all of the Christians as well. We need to have reasonable restrictions upon free speech.
“Besides, you got to know Sin to do anything about it, and Christians know it real good.”
You are only justifying my previous point, RC. What in the world is “sin”? What an incredibly stupid concept. People, like dogs, are just animals. They weren’t created. The evolved somehow (don’t ask me to explain speciation – you have to have a PhD to comprehend or even critique the concept) from single cell organisms. That should be evident to all. Only a moron would not see how much like monkeys we humans are. So, there really can’t be any right or wrong in an absolute sense. We are born and then we die and become dirt. I am SO sick of all of the nutty religious myths.
Selena
January 7th, 2013
7:07 pm
And TaxPayer then the talibaptists would have burned him at the stake.
Tundra Dude
January 7th, 2013
7:08 pm
That perpetually warmongering and neocon-CIA infested Washington Post thinks he’s too dovish…..
he might be a good choice for the rest of us….
getalife
January 7th, 2013
7:09 pm
“Putting it at the occupation line”
Oh, the irony!
Young Syrians spend all day trying to kill their military.
Towncrier
January 7th, 2013
7:11 pm
Well, it’s almost game time. Goodnight all.
Paul
January 7th, 2013
7:12 pm
Heyward
Silliness.
First off, anyone who thought Candidate Obama was an antiwar candidate wasn’t paying attention. More likely, as is true with the ‘messiah’ nonsense, it’s the Right saying what the Left thought.
As far as the rest: suspend the drone stuff?
Heyward, that’s a majority CIA program. Hagel’s being nominated for Defense. Defense and CIA have two different processes in place for how they conduct operations.
Why the assumption Hagel’s opposed to strikes on people like Awlaki? Any evidence or is it just another mindless assumption to lead into a point?
It’d be nice if people who reposted stuff demonstrate an ability to think and analyze what their reposting, especially when the pieces are so…. mindless.
Selena
January 7th, 2013
7:15 pm
JohnnyReb you have to win the election before you have the leverage to get your agenda accomplished. You also need to make damn sure half of the biggest voting block you have doesn’t die before the next election.
JohnnyReb
January 7th, 2013
7:15 pm
JamVet – there may be a lot of history on Congressional log jams, but I don’t think you will find one where up until now they went four years without approving a budget.
The no-budget method is Obama Chicago style politics. Let a crisis develop, then rush through what would otherwise never be approved. So, no budget gets Obama money to throw back to his cronies that otherwise would not be there.
josef
January 7th, 2013
7:16 pm
PAUL
“Why the assumption Hagel’s opposed to strikes on people like Awlaki? ”
Or his 16 year old son, for that matter…he looked kinda sissy to me…
GTBob
January 7th, 2013
7:16 pm
This guy is a loser! Hated by both parties! Obama is just trying to find people who share the same socialist ideas!
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
January 7th, 2013
7:18 pm
It’d be nice if people who reposted stuff demonstrate an ability to think and analyze what their reposting, especially when the pieces are so…. mindless.
Well Paul, it might help if you recall that young Thomas posted this as a plausible story.
http://www.thechicagodope.com/2010/11/11/cia-admits-drone-strike-killed-six-in-wisconsin-wedding-party/
Thomas heyward Jr
January 7th, 2013
7:23 pm
Paul————–
.
Heyward, that’s a majority CIA program. Hagel’s being nominated for Defense. Defense and CIA have two different processes in place for how they conduct operations.
.
—————————————————————————————————-
.
Just because you claim that the CIA is somehow isolated from the presidency and/or the defense department doesn’t mean that everyone else is as mentally retarded.
.
Your obama apologizing is frankly………………….sad.
And indecent.
td
January 7th, 2013
7:23 pm
Now for some sad news for the progressives on the blog: The everything to do with money guru of the left has decided he does not want to be the next Treasury Secretary.
http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/krugman-passes-treasury-secretary-job-wasnt-offered-it-anyway_694067.html
Thomas heyward Jr
January 7th, 2013
7:25 pm
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
January 7th, 2013
7:18 pm
———————————————-
.
That was plausible ONLY to a certain level of intellect.
.
You should quit embarressing yourself.,…..although it IS entertaining to see you keep doing it.
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
January 7th, 2013
7:26 pm
You should quit embarressing[sic] yourself.
Oh, the irony.
getalife
January 7th, 2013
7:30 pm
“You should quit embarrassing yourself.”
Indeed.
Stop reading that crap.
Paul
January 7th, 2013
7:31 pm
josef
it’s kinda risky to hang with guys who drones are looking for -
Kamchak
But isn’t ‘Wisconsin’ kinda like “Waziristan’?
Heyward
“Just because you claim that the CIA is somehow isolated from the presidency and/or the defense department doesn’t mean that everyone else is as mentally retarded.”
What I AM suggesting is not that, but people who suggest that is what I suggested have a bit of mental difficulty.
You may want to familiarize yourself with how the process for CIA and Defense work, who provides oversight, how the different systems develop and how overall policy is set (HINT: it is NOT initiated by the SecDef…)
td
January 7th, 2013
7:32 pm
Progressives: This is the unintended consequences of your no competition, every one gets a blue ribbon and there are no winners of losers mentality over the past 30 years.
“A 2006 study found that students suffer from ‘ambition inflation’ as their increased ambitions accompany increasingly unrealistic expectations.
‘Since the 1960s and 1970s, when those expectations started to grow, there’s been an increase in anxiety and depression,’ Twenge said. ‘There’s going to be a lot more people who don’t reach their goals.’
“Twenge is the author of a separate study showing a 30 per cent increase towards narcissism in students since 1979.”
Our culture used to encourage modesty and humility and not bragging about yourself,’ Twenge told BBC News. ‘It was considered a bad thing to be seen as conceited or full of yourself.’
Just because someone has high self-esteem doesn’t mean they’re a narcissist. Positive self-assessments can not only be harmless but completely true.
However, one in four recent students responded to a questionnaire called the Narcissistic Personality Inventory with results pointing towards narcissistic self-assessments.
Narcissism is defined as excessive self-love or vanity; self-admiration, or being self-centered.
Twenge said that’s a trait that is often negative and destructive, and blames its boom on several trends – including parenting styles, celebrity culture, social media, and easy credit – for allowing people to seem more successful than they really are.
Brosephus™: "Team Gump will prevail over Team Rudy"
January 7th, 2013
7:33 pm
Kamchak @ 7:18
td
January 7th, 2013
7:33 pm
Forgot the link:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2257715/Study-shows-college-students-think-theyre-special–read-write-barely-study.html
Vast Right Wing Conspiracy (aka "Knuckle-Dragger")
January 7th, 2013
7:35 pm
Y’all used to jump Hagel pretty good when he was just another Republican senator. Now that he has been anointed by president kardashian, he has been moved to the A list, much like Petraeus (formerly General “Betray Us” to the democrats). Must have something on Hagel to make him usable in this position.
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
January 7th, 2013
7:35 pm
But isn’t ‘Wisconsin’ kinda like “Waziristan’?
Yeah, in that the two words contain the letters w, i, s, and n.
Other than that, not so much.
Paul
January 7th, 2013
7:38 pm
td
What is your ASSumption it’s ‘progressives’ based upon?
Simple question.
See, I live in Texas. Not exactly a progressive bastion. Just elected Ted Cruz as a senator and we have people who want science textbooks to have pictures of the Garden of Eden and Adam petting a brontosaurus. And…. these schools hand out all kinds of participation medals. So do the city-sponsored youth leagues.
So… why’d you say it’s ‘progressives’ doing it?
Paul
January 7th, 2013
7:40 pm
Kamchak
Well, there’s that and the fact predators attack weddings there.
I know it’s so ’cause Heyward told me.
So there.
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
January 7th, 2013
7:41 pm
Well, there’s that and the fact predators attack weddings there.
I
standsit, corrected.Recon 0311 2533
January 7th, 2013
7:42 pm
If Hagel doesn’t make it they should appoint that brave mother in Loganville for defense secretary who left that home invader slime ball crying on the floor with 5 bullets in his worthless body.
Keep Up the Good Fight!
January 7th, 2013
7:43 pm
In Texas, Flintstones reruns are considered documentaries?
Paul
January 7th, 2013
7:46 pm
Keep
Flintstones aren’t popular here. See, the cars don’t run on decomposed dinosaur and plant goo. People gotta make like they’re running to get them going. Too much like walking. Not real popular with the pickum-up crowd.
td
January 7th, 2013
7:46 pm
Recon 0311 2533
January 7th, 2013
7:42 pm
She was indeed brave but before I make her SOD I would make her learn about having the correct firepower to make sure a scumbag is not able to get up and make it to his car after being shot 5 times.
Brosephus™: "Team Gump will prevail over Team Rudy"
January 7th, 2013
7:48 pm
td talking about narcissism….
td
January 7th, 2013
7:52 pm
Brosephus™: “Team Gump will prevail over Team Rudy”
January 7th, 2013
7:48 pm
td talking about narcissism….
Wrong again my friend. I know I am not the best at anything. Just an average man working hard to make a living that is very lucky to have a beautiful wife and great kids that are going to smarter then I am.
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
January 7th, 2013
7:52 pm
td talking about narcissism….
BAZINGA!
Chuck Hagel: The Armed Services Committee whip list – Washington Post (blog)
January 7th, 2013
7:53 pm
[...] chief, Hagel likely to favor sizable Afghan drawdownReutersPolitico -Daily Beast -Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog)all 6,922 news articles » VN:F [1.9.8_1114]please wait…Rating: 0.0/10 (0 votes [...]
Keep Up the Good Fight!
January 7th, 2013
7:54 pm
Paul, what if you put a gun rack on the back and made horsey sounds when starting that run?
Paul
January 7th, 2013
7:54 pm
Hey Brosephus!
Was just about to sign off. Just kinda flipping between this and work and not doing much with either. Anyhow, good game to you and yours. I am looking forward to it, mo chara -
josef
January 7th, 2013
7:56 pm
PAUL
He was 16 years old and having lunch in a cafe…
But, as some “wise” elders have said..nits make lice…
But on a lighter note and speaking of Waziristan…did you see the Dave Berry “Year in Review” Brosephus posted…
http://bostonglobe.com/magazine/2013/01/06/dave-barry-year-review/xRwAATcp1IbXPx6f5LD4oO/story.html
Paul
January 7th, 2013
7:57 pm
td
“and great kids that are going to smarter then I am.”
Regardless of the political differences of those on this board, there are things like that that transcend (and unite) us all.
Kamchak
Bazinga? Another Big Bang fan, eh?
Keep
depends on where the horsey sounds came from….
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
January 7th, 2013
7:59 pm
Bazinga? Another Big Bang fan, eh?
Ab-so-freakin’-lutely!
And it’s not because of Kaley Cuoco, I’m in it for the science.
Recon 0311 2533
January 7th, 2013
8:00 pm
td,
She was only armed with .38 caliber wheel gun but she did well with it. I prefer .45 cal. ACP’s in my Springfield Armory XD. My wife has a .40 cal. XD.
Paul
January 7th, 2013
8:00 pm
josef
That’s where he was? I did not know that.
Still and all, if he wasn’t an American in the wrong place at the wrong time it wouldn’t have been news. Seriously, it is an example of how not to win hearts and minds.
That was a neat post. But a convenience store? We send a couple million in hardware and support costs to rob a convenience store?!!? Reminds me of the robber who got ten bucks and tossed his handgun, worth $75 at the pawn shop down the street -
Paul
January 7th, 2013
8:03 pm
Kamchak
Just got the five season DVD set.
Kaley in her Wonder Woman costume was worth the whole thing.
______________________________
and as far as that woman and her gun, just another reason why we need at least 30-round clips. 50 would be better. Especially for sissy calibers or for people who’re lousy shots. If a guy can still get way after taking five, then dang, gotta get more rounds on target.
josef
January 7th, 2013
8:05 pm
BIG DADDY
“Those words reflected a depth of homophobia that did not speak well of Hagel. But it is also true that the country as a whole has moved a long way on gay rights in the past two decades, and if Hagel has moved along with it, as he now claims, that should not disqualify him from high service.”
Overlooking, of course, that when he left the Senate, four years ago, he was still getting a 0% rating from the Human Rights Campaign for his votes on gay issues…but, hey, picky picky, picky, Drama Que*n, put away the boa…eh?
barking frog
January 7th, 2013
8:06 pm
With 5 38 caliber bullets in his face the only reason he is
alive is that he is lucky. She can guard my house anytime.
td
January 7th, 2013
8:06 pm
Recon 0311 2533
January 7th, 2013
8:00 pm
td,
She was only armed with .38 caliber wheel gun but she did well with it. I prefer .45 cal. ACP’s in my Springfield Armory XD. My wife has a .40 cal. XD.
.44 mag with 320 grain hallow points. I know it only has 6 shots but I am sure I only have to hit a person one time anywhere and he will not be getting up.
td
January 7th, 2013
8:09 pm
barking frog
January 7th, 2013
8:06 pm
With 5 38 caliber bullets in his face the only reason he is
alive is that he is lucky. She can guard my house anytime.
She hit him in the liver, stomach and lung with 3 of the shots and there was at least on head shot according to WSB news.