August 25, 2007 11:08 AM
Senator Warner To Bush On Iraq: "Put Some Teeth Behind Your Words"
Senator John Warner (R-VA) senior Republican on the Armed Services Committee, appeared on "Meet The Press" this morning and reinforced his statement earlier this week urging President Bush to begin withdrawing some troops from Iraq by the end of this year. Warner, who recently returned from Iraq, made it clear he stands behind his statements and reiterates the facts -- there is no military solution to the quagmire in Iraq and that withdrawing some troops would send a clear message to the Iraqi government and put pressure on them to work harder on political reconciliation.
wanker
The Bush administration looks like it plans to temporarily reduce troop levels in Iraq, during the 2008 election year, to improve the Repbulican Party's chances of winning the elections.
The plan could work. After all, Richard Nixon ordered the USA out of Viet Nam, thereby deflating the anti-war movement in the United States and undermining the "peace" pretensions of Democrats during elections.
Is he up for re-election or something?
Senator Warner,
Show some guts and publicly tell the Cheney Administration that they have screwed up once and for all in Iraq.
Your blatant fear of the Neoconservative Propaganda bosses and the American Israel Public Affairs Committee is really quite pathetic.
I'm sorry. I dont understand what Senator Warner is talking about. Teeth behind WHICH words? Seems to me he's had the Pentagon behind his lying words all along. That's what I call teeth. What is Warner talking about? Can somebody explain?
Chuck @ 2:
(not directed to Chuck personally)
Here I go with my naive thinking again: why is everything always about politics. Winning and losing, not doing what could be what is correct... or for the sake of humanity. No... $ and winning or losing the political game.
I'm really a pathetic piece of work, ain't I :(
I was amused by Russert's timidity in his questioning of Warner. Sure, Warner looks scary, but what will Warner do if Russert gets tough, bite Tim's head off?
How can this old fossil be trusted? Wasn't he married to Elizabeth Taylor for a weekend? What kind of judgement or wisdom could he have? He's just another media-whore... who tries to come off as some sort of "elder statesman".
He is up for re-election and he said he hasn't decided if he will run again. He's in his eighties I think.
I have a question, and please tell me if I'm alone on this. This is something that really bugs the shit out of me.
Why is it that when a Republican says something that Liberals and Democrats have been saying for years, they are treated as if their opinions are more worthy? This isn't the only time I've noticed this; It's like when Ron Paul or Chuck Hagel state the obvious about Iraq. I get a vibe from the way these statements are framed of "Well look here, an Adult Mature Republican, not an anti-war Hippy Freak, has now given us an opening to exit Iraq.". Am I just reading this wrong?
This is part of a larger strategy by the republicans to appease to swing voters who are fed up with Bush. Draw down some troops during the election year, and the sheople will say will swallow it (at least they hope). No one knows what to do about Iraq, just like no one knew what to do in Vietnam. Way to go, Bushie! Heckava job, Cheney!
Beelzebud @ 10:
This is just like the impeachment of Nixon. When it was the liberals saying Nixon is as bad as it gets, it was when the republicans crossed the aisle and demanded his ouster that he left. This goes back to the adversarial system. When a prosecutor says, the defendant is guilty, you just kinda take that as part of his argument. When a defense attorney says, the defendant is guilty, you listen intently, cause this is not coming from his presumed side of the argument. Adversarial system in politics is pretty dumb. Basically it doesn't matter what you say, you just gotta coax someone across the aisle to say what you want in order to get anything done.
King of Mean @ 8:
Also, Warner is a buddie of O. Hatch and Specter, so anything he says is not worth
listening to. He'll do some back-peddling as soon as W/H and Gen. P. give their reports
as to how wonderfully well the surge is going. Warner is a old time politician and for
"show only" will go with whichever way the wind is blowing..NOT to be trusted
Warner = Irrelevant.
This is a ploy we've seen over and over again from the right. Have a Republican make statements that initially (without scrutiny) sound strong, create a whirlwind in the press making it seem that some Republicans are breaking ranks with the President thereby inventing a ficticious notion that there is disagreement amongst the Republicans. When the President appears to fight back both he and the "traitor" Republicans appear strong and principled. In the end, nothing happens. (Specter is a master at this).
It's all well choreographed and scripted. And it's complete bullshit.
shrub needs to put some brains behind his words.
coleshack @ 7:
Of course! He would be "putting some teeth behind his words" :lol:
[Deleted. Off topic, already been the topic of a thread]
John Warner = Old Syphilitic Dick
/ don't be fooled, all republicans suck
Didn't he vote for the current quagmire we're in? All the repugs are suckups, not one of them has the backbone to go against our dictatorial regime. Wimps...
To: My supposed senator Warner.
Put some teeth behind YOUR words!!!
You know Bush has trashed the reputation of the country, and its budget, with lies and deception. IMPEACH him!!!
One dog and pony show, coming up!
Repugnant Senator "demands" troop withdrawl, submits bill to bring home 5000 by Christmas. Lil 'George cries and holds breath.
"Moderate" Congressional Dems join with "moderate" GOP for "bipartisan" legislation authored by GOP. There is enough GOP support to even override a veto.
So, Dems either support GOP bill or get blame for not passing. Win-win for GOP.
Even if the bill passes, net result is 25% of "surge" comes home 3 months early.
roooth @ 17:
Go back a couple of days to previous C&L thread and you'll find that this double murder,
sucide was already covered.
Here's more on Roooth's comment
"The bodies of Ralph Gonzalez, 36; David Abrami, 36; and Robert Jason Drake, 30, were discovered Thursday, about two days after the men are thought to have died. Authorities determined they perished in a double-murder and suicide but would not say which man was the killer."
This is from the Orlando Sentinel
And this from WFTV news site
"Drake's grieving aunt, who asked not to be identified, told Eyewitness News he lived with her and his uncle for six months in an east Orlando neighborhood. He did tile work for his uncle after spending four years in the Marine Corps. But, six weeks ago, Jason told them he was having problems with a friend and was going to kill them."
That's right, Warner! It must be the Iraqi's fault! They are not holding up to their end of the deal! You know the deal we had before we obliterated their country, their art, their people! The deal that they all must have signed up for! The deal that says, like the great USA you should create a mirror image of her! It's easy! We did it, why shouldn't they?
The more I hear this bullshit from both sides, dem and rep, the more I come to realize that none of them seem to realize that Iraq, a much older civilization than we, is not even near the type of society or people or culture that can begin to shape a "democracy" out of the ruins that have been left to them and the civil war that marches on.
These blowhards that say "it's the Iraqi's fault their slide into chaos and their inability to create a democracy style government" while US forces remain or at any time are a bunch of goddamned fools!
I think Warner does realize things have gone to hell in Iraq and maybe he does feel it's time to bring some soldiers home, but I don't believe he really thinks, at this time, that Maliki will give a damn. That govt. is in such a mess and Maliki has already said he can get friends elsewhere.
I so very much agree with you poetry man. They didn't ask for us to come in there and rip their country to shreads. They didn't ask for any of this. But the new "excuse" is blame it on the Iraqis. Nope, blame it on the president of the United States for invading a country based on fictional reasons. Blame him for sending our soldiers into a war with people who had done us no harm. Blame this hellish mess on the man who started it.
Wank-O-Rama.
This passes for sobriety?
...
pop,
Also blame this mess on the complicit congress and an apathetic populace and the senate and Rove and Cheney and Rice and Wolfowitz and and and and and and and and and and and and and and and
thepoetryman @ 24:
Uh, do you mean "Western Civilization?" Because we're all part of it. Actually Iraq covers the area known as the "Fertile Crescent" which is sometimes called the birthplace of Western Civilization.
It it also probably the most fought over piece of real estate in the world. For all of recorded history, the people of that region have either been invading their neighbors or getting invaded by their neighbors.
The Sumerians, Chaldeans, Assyrians, Babylonians, Egyptians, Greeks, Persians, Romans, Mongols, Ottomans and English are just some of the various groups that have fought over Iraq.
I guess it's just our turn.
shallow,hollow,inept strawman.....
dentures don't cut it......he should put them back in.
I do blame them all poetry man, but bush was the one who gave the command. The decider guy is the blame guy from the top down. Looking back, bush was going to declare this war no matter what. He could give a shit about the constitution or laws. He was going to have his war and if the bs helped him get it, he would happily use it.
[...] Crooks and Liars
he said "brilliant leadership" - funny.
myiq2xu,
"I guess it’s just our turn."
Foolish thing to say given your obvious knowledge of the subject.
The west, today 2007, does not include Iraq... Fools play from such a seemingly smart person.
Parading about as one, or are you really just a fool?
pop,
I know you blame them my friend. I was speaking for those that have forgotten. Cream, or in this case shit, rises to the top and begins to trickle down toward the bottom.
myiq2xu,
fighting over Iraq and occupying Iraq and blaming the Iraqis for such is fools play. The british attempted to take Iraq only to retreat. We should do the same for we've a world licking its chops...
These guys pull a Specter. They only ask for 5 percent of what needs to be done and the LGFies act like they asked for 100 percent
Warner = Specter = Paper Tiger
Liz's Ex sounds just like the Administration and the rest of his party. Always a day late and a dollar short. All of their statements are designed to sound like they're "changing the course", but in effect it's "business as usual". What these clowns don't seem to get is that history is also written by people who aren't American and the fallacies of this whole mess will be revealed. It's just too bad that it will be too late to throw them all in jail.
yah bush and put your mouth around this!
There just might be a few comparisons. How about native Americans prior to the arrival of Europeans? How about Europeans? Considering that the romans made it to the British isles and Ghengis khan made it to Spain and we all know the passers through left the local girls alone on Saturday night, I guess that there are a lot of mutts in the world. The middle east is just another melting pot. The reason that they are so old and seem to be stagnant in their society is because of the massive climate change in their area. It knocked them back a bunch of generations. Eskimos have been around a long time and they don't build many rockets. I guess conditions have to be a little more favorable for civilization. It kinda proves the point about global warming doesn't it?
Beelzebud @ 10:
are you kidding this bastards just a useless repuke prick trying to make it look like a republican really gives a shit about america~
Daniel Berry @ 5:
I beleive the senior Senator means that he is willing to take his dentures out and throw them at Bush if necessary.
Doggiebobo @ 22:
not everybodys as astute as you are , or whine as much either!
Warner could've doubled his recommended amount of withdrawn American troops to 10,000 and suggested that they return home by September 1st, and he would still seem completely out of touch to me.
It's all about U.S. pride, isn't it? The neocons could really give a rat's ass about the safety and security of the Iraqi people (or U.S. troops, for that matter), and it only took a week or so for U.S. forces to land on them in the first place.
¡ Hey, this'll work !
Send A L L the Dirty Dick Cheyney Administration troops home
– N O W – in luxury cruise ships pressed into service by Executive Order.
Then, leave all the Halliburton, Blackerthansinwater, etc., contractors there in Iraq.
Hey, the troops deserve a first class vacation on their way home and the contractors deserve the consequences of their actions.
Allen McDonald, El Galloviejo®
So I suppose the normal number of troops coming home in January is about the same amount and they are trying to get some extra millage out of it. What are they going to call their replacements a new major plan for success?
Beelzebud @ 10:
No...you are not imagining things. Ever since Ronald Reagan did his best acting ever as president of the US, the media has adored the Republicans. We both know that Republicans are stupid, under educated, and have no original ideas. The media doesn't want to admit that the "anti-war Hippy Freaks" are smarter than they are so it tries to minimize the truth.
My bad. It's also about imperialism and oil.
thepoetryman @ 24:
Yeah, Warner... just another Republican. Always blaming someone else for their own failures.
This appearance by Warner is nothing more than trying to appease the masses which "might" still be thinking of voting republican in the '08 elections. Excuse me, but ONLY BECAUSE the Iraqi gov't can't get its shit together IS NOT a foreign policy or a war strategy or A GOOD REASON to place more of our troops in harms way.
Enough is enough. Absolutely nothing we have done has worked out as it was stated it would. Not because of the lack of ability or resolve of the troops and their commanders in theatre either. This is as scrambled and mangled a campaign of ineptness as I've ever witnessed or read about in military/world history.
Freedom Fries anyone? Phffffft.
Warner and all the war Republicans want to blame the Iraqi government for not holding up their part of the deal which was getting the Iraqi Parliament to sign the US OIL COMPANY's "steal the Iraqi oil" agreement before their August recess.
Daniel Berry @ 5:
Yeah. I agree. The Senator is talking in circles and trying to oppose with the war without actually doing it. In short, he's being a politician about it, and there's enough of these Republicans running around...suggesting a lot but saying very little.
But nice try, Senator.
I am sorry but I just don't trust this guy. This is not the first time that he has made this kind of statement and then backed down when it came to a vote.
Democrats can and should call each and everyone of these so called reformed war mongers by putting the issue to another vote and force them to have to shit or get the hell off the pot.
This reformed idiot is currently attempting to defend his Senate seat and he knows he is going to have a very difficult time. He has been steadfast, in support of the failed policies of George W Bush all along, allowing Innocent young Americans to die for nothing and yes I am calling the loss of these young people a wasted life and those of us in these leadership positions, could and should do a hell of a lot better to steer our young people in directions that will build up this country instead of tearing it down. We have allowed these republicans to fail our kids.
In spite of his relationship to the right wing policies of the republican party, I used to really like and respect Senator John Warner, but he has really shown his ass under the leadership of this administration and displayed his arrogance and bigotry towards those whom may be different or disagree. Not so much in his words, but his deeds and votes. You are what you do.
It may have been that it was always there but hidden and now he feels it is popular like many of these bigots on the right to just disregard and disrespect the rights of American citizens who disagree with them.
These failed tactics are known by 80% of Black America. The very group that was touted and called stupid in the lead up to this disastrous administration.
The headlines blasted us for knowing far ahead of this plight we now find ourselves in, that the incompetent and very corrupt policies that we have lived all our lives would soon be forced on all the people of this country, especially the goodness of unsuspecting whites.
This is done by changing and altering established policies that protect and defend us, that have been in play for years, to fit their current warped corporate agenda.
The purchasing and using the FCC and media that is rightfully owned by the American people of this country, insanely dismiss our screaming voices to the contrary, in order to drive these very divisive right wing points home is what we are now witnessing
Black America new it because these are pains we have always felt and that our unafraid and vocal knowledge is now playing out in the anger of these bigots for those of us that dare to consistently drive the points home to all America and a good example is Katrina, live and in living color.
This is why they are fighting so hard to dismantle any liberal voice in the national media so that we hear the same song on every network in this country that is owned by these six bigots that have been allowed to own operate and control all of our news coverage, which is why the Internet is such a wonderful and powerful tool and the voices of the few liberal radio stations we have and you better believe we are now fighting to keep them on air also as the far right are attempting to shut them down all across this country.
They would never have gotten away with the disgusting crap they have enjoyed, if not for this corrupt media swaying our attention from important information to this Paris Hilton propaganda they claim we want instead. The great Ed Schlitz and Randi Rhodes and pretty much all of the gang of Air America Radio, Ray Taliaferro & Bernie Ward of KGO Radio, Mike Malloy of NovaM Radio, The Huffington Post, The Nation, Go Left TV, Internet News of Air America along with most all of the blog sites are doing a very good job of blasting this message home.
Senator Warner, along with all the others on the right should not be trusted with any statement at this stage of the game as there is always a hidden agenda behind their words and we see this over and over as they sail full speed ahead to the finish line of the 2008 election and our young people still dying by the thousands in this illegal gas and oil driven, invasion of a country of Innocent people, better known to many sick Americans as tarriest.
There is something very cynical about continuing to put trust in people whom have deceived us over and over and American people really need to grasp this very important revelation of these republicans who are in very deep trouble.
They cannot win an election if they do not cheat period and all this crap that we hear in this corrupt media who also stand to lose in the liberal takeover is nothing but cheap distorted lies, and our job as newly informed Americans, from now until the 2008 election is to rally around the fifty states in massive numbers in ALL of our election precincts and make dame sure that does not happen.
We want to get rid of these voting machines that are cheating and stealing votes from the democrats and follow the leadership of the Domonate State of California's new policies of riding the good people of those voting machines that are simply not accuratly counting their votes on purpose.
We want to see democrats in all of these precincts along with republicans, counting and tallying our votes and making sure they are not trashed as they have done in all of the elections under this administration and we need to scream and holler this message to our elected official all over this country.
[...] Clark Senator Warner To Bush On Iraq: “Put Some Teeth Behind Your Words” » This Summary is from an article posted at Crooks and Liars on Sunday, August 26, 2007 This [...]
Coffins draped with flags @ 53:
You have to hand it to the Iraqi Parliament for being one move ahead of our Preznit.
If they agree to Booshies oil plan, they know the drawdown will begin. Check Mr. Preznit.
Bush's 2 front war is so hitler and Warner's out of goose step. Still, this call to bring them home sooner than never sounds hopeful.
Looks like Warner may jump ship with the Dems.
Warner speaking out, this late into this disaster, shows just how toothless the Republican mafi.......I mean party is to their Decider in Chief, the guy who must be in charge of kickbacks, anyway, cause their opposition to 5 years of failure in Iraq is just sad. Almost nonexistent, with the exception of the exiled Senator from Nebraska
What about Warner's cover-up of all those torture videos and photos?
War criminal.
Besides, FOXNoise needs some happy Military Family Christmas reuinion videos for the upcomming War on Christmas(TM). And in a strange way, that is one propaganda video I will happily accord them! The soldiers have done a fine job and they need a Christmas at home.
Everything they do is orchestrated. Warner is not acting alone on this. The tip off? " I most respectfully Mr. President and I mean this, most respectfully suggest..." . They can't make a move without stroking shrub's ego.
Anyone who still thinks Bush will ever stand by his promises and benchmarks is just too stupid to vote, and certainly too stupid to be representing other Americans in Congress.
Warner is more lucid than most Republicans but check out
the last lines.
He's saying we need a draft.
thepoetryman @ 35:
I must have missed the memo when Iraq and the rest of the Middle East was dropped from Western Civilization.
We share the same ancient history, the same numerical system, and the same religious roots.
And we are in Iraq today, whether it's still part of Western Civilzation or not.
BTW - In the Tarot, the Fool is the card signifying wisdom, so I will take your intended insult as a compliment.
Cabby @ 65:
Good way to finally get some real action in the streets!
All P-R. Warner would be satisfied if the maladministration brought home 5,000 (as he suggested in his earlier speech) and then implanted another 10,000 quietly through the back door.
Do any of us among the thinking believe any of this crap? It's all staged, timed, and perfectly orchestrated.
Keep the oil revenues on tap - at any cost. This is the prime directive.
warner has been a feckless twit since the war began ... who cares what he has to say now. The minute he lets us know that he is retiring ... then he will actually be cointributing to the dialogue.
Daniel Berry @ 5:
this is just another repug giving booscheneyCo more stall time with yet another pretend political challenge. he'll vanish in a week and the freepers will have at him for a couple of days and it will all disappear. we've seen it many times since last summer. there's another election cycle beginning and this, as a political tactic, will look good as a supposed 'distancing' from booscheneyCo.
Johnny Warner pulled the same B.S. that Cheney pulled back in, I believe, 2000, about the "white crosses at Arlington." Warner said that when he was with Bush on Memorial Day, they looked at those white crosses at Arlington National Cemetary, and Bush is more moved than anyone (or something like that.) I know Warner is 80 years old, but he represents Virginia, where Arlington is located, and has more military credentials than any senator, so he should know that the headstones at Arlington are not crosses. They are the standard miliatary tablet-style headstones that nearly all national cemetaries have. (Credit to Al Franken on Cheney making the same claim, from Lies and the Lying Liars, I think. also, an Arlington Cemetary supporters' site)
Beelzebud @ 10:
no. you're not wrong...
John Warner was talking about riding in the car with W on Memorial Day to or from Arlington Cemetary, and that, while looking at those "white crosses," no one was more moved than W, or words to that effect. I know Mr. Elizabeth Taylor is 80, but he does represent Virginia, where Arlington Cemetary is located, so he should remember those headstones are not crosses--they are standard military-style tablet headstones.
Warner next month: "After hearing General Petraeus' report, I am convinced we need to keep supporting the President's surge."
Same song different verse. Some GOPer "opposes" Der Monkey, timid Dems let him lead, GOPer caves, Monkey gets his banana.
(See 2006 McCain opposition to torture bill)
myiq2xu,
You missed the point of my reply to your reply to my comment.
Here is what I wrote- Iraq, a much older civilization, culture, history than the formed states of the US, is not even near the type of society or people or culture that can begin to shape a “democracy” out of the ruins that have been left to them and the civil war that marches on.
When we landed in America and killed the indians and set up shop are you suggesting that the Indian culture and society were the same as our founders? That was the foolish part, but I will say that I should have used culture instead of civilization, just to make you happy.
Forget the fact that we are all from the same "civilization" and focus on the fact that the people of that country (Iraq) and their customs and societal norms and art and music and language and God are vastly different from the United States of America, which is my point.
The US formed a democracy pretty much from the start, that was pretty much their stated goal, or at least that was the founding father's goal, and Iraq has never been a democracy, so it stands to reason that you are a nit picking
foolfox that's just looking for a tit for tat.I guess Imperialism is the new viagra. I did a spit take when Warner said this: "Iraq is a sovereign nation. We established their sovereignty." Hmmm.
Then Rich Engle showed his depth: "If you pull back the troops, the troops themselves will be furious...They will probably end up blaming the Democrats."
Mr. Engle earlier had said that Maliki had to go (be removed? resign?) and there would have to be another election. He didn't offer up why the outcome of a second election would be better. Later, Engle said something about a "series of governments". I wish I had the transcript. I hope I didn't butcher Engle's confusing opinions.
Who is this man, Mr. Engle?
thepoetryman @ 24:
Iraq, a much older civilization, culture, history than the formed states of the US, is not even near the type of society or people or culture that can begin to shape a “democracy” out of the ruins that have been left to them and the civil war that marches on.
Oops... I see that my last comment quoted above has some unintended added words.
I can clear this up and say I shouldn't have used the word "civilization". I should have used the word "peoples" or "society" or even "culture". I should not have used the word fool to judge a person who makes cavalier statements like the one below.
Uh, do you mean “Western Civilization?” Because we’re all part of it....(snip)
...The Sumerians, Chaldeans, Assyrians, Babylonians, Egyptians, Greeks, Persians, Romans, Mongols, Ottomans and English are just some of the various groups that have fought over Iraq.
I guess it’s just our turn.
Coming from a person who uses the moniker, or should I say the acronym, myiq2xu as their screen name, shouldn't surprise anyone that a narcissist would make such a statement.
When will Americas finally realize the Shia do NOT want to reconcile with the Sunni, in fact are quite happy to severely punish the Sunni for hundreds of years of oppression , not just under Saddam but under the Turks and the Brits. The power and wealth has finally shifted to the majority Shia where it should have been all along and the Shia are in no mood to share with the Sunni any more than the Sunni were willing to share all those years. No amount of threats from the US will alter the fact that the Shia are going to keep all the wealth and power and screw the Sunnis, count on it. As for Ayad Allawi, no one but the US neocons like him and if he shows up in Iraq he will quickly die. So the bottom line is the US is stuck with Maliki and the Shias are going to keep the power the US handed them by killing Saddam.
Surprise, surprise...Is Warner pulling a Spector on us or just getting ready to add a "Friedman" to his wish list?
That's the trouble with most of our politicians being so elderly.
They have to take their teeth out of the glass, before they can put the bite behind anything.
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