Is the military 'fearful' about the presidential election?
By Steve Benen Tuesday Feb 26, 2008 1:32pmAs smears go, this example from the far-right Washington Times, by way of Greg Sargent, is just sad.
Members of Washington’s military and defense establishment are expressing trepidation about Sen. Barack Obama, as the Illinois senator comes closer to winning the Democratic presidential nomination and leads in national polls to become commander in chief. […]
Still, the mostly conservative retired officers, industry executives and current defense officials interviewed by The Washington Times cite Mr. Obama’s lack of experience in national security. They also point to his determination to pull American combat units from Iraq at a time when a troop surge has reduced violence, damaged al Qaeda and allowed the Iraqi government to progress toward Sunni-Shia-Kurd reconciliation.
“We’re very concerned about his apparent lack of understanding on the threat of radical Islam to the United States,” said retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Thomas McInerney, who is pro-Iraq war and a Fox News analyst. “A lot of retired senior officers feel the same way.”
Really? "A lot"? Given that the Washington Times, a project of cult-leader Sun Myung Moon, suggests military concerns about Obama are widespread, we should probably take a closer look at who, exactly, has these fears.
The article quoted exactly one — one — Obama critic in the military by name, which doesn’t exactly speak to widespread fears. And who is retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Thomas McInerney?
In 2006, it was McInerney who insisted that Russian Special Forces entered Iraq before the invasion and moved Saddam’s WMD to Syria.
In 2002, McInerney assured Americans the war in Iraq “will be a war that is shorter than” the 1991 Gulf War, which lasted 42 days.
In 2005, McInerney insisted that terrorists no longer feel the need to attack inside the United States because we have “leftists in America who have aided and abetted the enemy more than Tokyo Rose did in World War II.”
The man is a sad, right-wing, unhinged activist. That the Washington Times could only quote one retired military official, and they dug up McInerney to smear Obama, suggests Obama is in pretty good shape.
As for the stable members of the military, retired Air Force Gen. Merrill A. McPeak, who campaigned for Bob Dole in 1996 and George W. Bush in 2000, recently concluded that Obama is “what the joint chiefs want to see — somebody they can rely and depend on.”
McPeak told the Times, “I think Obama is going to be an outstanding commander in chief, not just an ordinary commander in chief. He has the potential to be one of the all-time greats. I think the senior military will learn that about him starting from the first minute he occupies the Oval Office.”
He doesn’t sound especially “fearful.”
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To boycott sushi in almost any US restaurant is to boycott MOON.
He owns it all... check it out....
I can do without the raw fish....
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I M P E A C H
C H E N E Y
F I R S T !!!
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Ah, they is just worried Obama will keep his promise of withdrawing troops. No way that will happen, and they know it. Right now, from what the military experts have said on CNN and Faux, the plan is for 100,000 troops until 2016. That won't change unless Blackwater is going to be Iraq's new army.
the WT is a conservative rag. Why bother with what they have to say? Do you ever expect them to be objective and sincere?
They're only worried the Gravy Train is over.
Both parties overspend on defense, but Democrats less so.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSerzbcwC0Q
Generals and majors always seem so unhappy unless they got a war. XTC
That's funny because I've always heard that Ron Paul and Barack Obama got the most donations from military men and women than any other candidates. Ron Paul on the Republican side and Barack Obama on the Democratic side. So screw the lying liars at the Washington Times and other Mainstream Media propaganda sites.
So not caring
Those Generals and other officers know full well that all ground forces are depleted. Sure, they could provide a token force of some sort but if something really comes up around the globe there simply is not the man power to counter it. Air and naval forces will be of little use. Obama may not have the military experience that those officers would like to see but then again, those officers apparently don't have the strategic foresight that I would like to see so its about even.
Let's hear them interview some of the actual troops....
Sounds like the MIC is fearful. That's just one more reason to vote for Obama in my book.
George Bush had a lot of experience in national security after flying around Texas in a Nat. Guard trainer during the Viet Nam war. He probably spent a lot of time sitting back, watching drug planes and illegal immigrants sweep across the Texas border. Yep, lotsa national security experience.
And when the time came for the man whose only military experience was flying around the country in a jet fighter to decide if jet fighters should be sent to shoot down US civilian aircraft on September 11, he sat there and read "The Pet Goat."
Does anyone really believe we can do any worse than we already have?
Joe O. @ 9:
Most of the generals left in the military are the yes men that had to go along with the illegal invasion or lose there jobs.
The viagra poppers won't vote for a real woman who can handle the presidency better than the poor excuse for a man that they kiss butt for the military ought to be afraid. obama will have more undisclosed locations than cheney. And the shrew of a wife of his will have her baseball bat his balls for him.
Oh I'm ssssoooooo glad the Joint Chief's want Obama because we all know what is good for the Joint Chiefs is good for the American people. I think we are setting ourselves up for a MAJOR LET DOWN if we think anyone who comes from this ROTTEN system will be the one to fix it. But you guys are free to dream, for now anyway.
If Mr. Obama gets past Hillary -- and I devoutly believe and hope he will -- we ain't seen nothing yet! The Republicans will pull out all the stops, including their politicized Justice Department, to see the the vote is mishandled. We will hear plenty from the likes of the unhinged McInerney, above, about their cracked understanding of "national security," as well as their cracker-jack-box "patriotism," as exemplified by the cheap flag pins they all wear, and the idiotic conflation of Al-Qaeda with Iraq, and their idiotic mantra about "victory in Iraq," which they cannot define convincingly. Fortunately, I believe Mr. Obama and his team are going to be equal to this challenge and will prove to be very great, though not sanctimonious, patriots into the bargain.
Bush Sr's doomsday cult RAG proliferating propaganda?
nawwwwwwwwwww....can't be!
Osama bin Laden would vote for Obama...
You've lost it, Marge.
Keeping in mind most of the senior military leadership are the result of a presidential administration that favors pro-administration rhetoric over realistic results, its not surprising that the senior mil leadership is concerned. That being said, the rank and file are just day-by-daying it, and I doubt they are 'worried'.
Defense Industry Hack: We’re very concerned about Obama's potential to end wasteful military spending and turning off the cash faucet that the Bush/Cheney industrial complex has poured into our already overflowing pockets. We're concerned that he'll divert wasteful military spending to healthcare and help the American people.
Honestly, STFU.
Samo Umer @ 17:
Stupid is what stupid says.
I don't understand the threat either. Maybe they should explain it, rather than refer to it in veiled references. Or is providing information to Americans a violation of security precautions? In that case, they are asking us to take them on faith. Bush and the military are not God. I need proof because they have lied far too often about really critical issues for me to trust them on anything. Someone should inform them that Senator Obama is not stupid. Perhaps 2 + 2 add up to 4 for him, not 5 or 7 or 31 like it seems to add up for Bush.
Are these voices implying that a President Obama would:
-implement de-Bathification
-Install Paul Bremmer to "oversee" reconstruction
-pay "Curve-Ball" millions for manipulative intelligence
-not properly armor our troops
-Give arms and money to enemy militias on a "promise"
-round up civilians thus fostering anti-Americanism and new enemies
-lose track of billions of reconstruction dollars
-sanction torture, increasing its use on Americans overseas?
These are the voices that call questioning the current administration treachery, but will be trying to undermine any Democrat's attempts to sort-out this mess.
Fortunately, our active military will support a President Obama, and it is their tireless work and patriotism that will bring the new administration its successes.
Marge @ 14:
Hillary lost Marge. Get over it. And it isn't because she's female. I'm starting to think the hatred you have for Obama is racist.
Marge @ 14:
When you say 'real woman' you mean the real way she stood there and accepted heaps of humiliation because of Bill? I'd have respected her if she left him and went out on her own, made her own way instead of riding a MAN's coattails.
Samo Umer @ 17:
Being a CIA agent, maybe he has.
Marge @ 14:
What kind of drugs is this one on?
Samo Umer @ 17:
And you have the inside track on that fact? Or merely parroting the ad homonym meme spewed by the Fascist Reich Wing?
.
Get the troops out, leave the Generals. Let them fight the War by themselves.
Ron @ 21:
It's funny, I remember Osama Bin Laden say he preferred Bush over Kerry in 2004 because both Bush and Bin Laden were both from the same economic class. Rich beyond all friggin' reason.
ConcernedCanuck @ 24:
She just hates men. All men.
Wingnuts, you are the Wile E. Coyotes with the little umbrellas. Prepare to receive huge boulders you tried to hurl at Obama and Clinton. Meep meep!!
Orangutan. @ 7:
I'm with you! Screw those lying liars all of 'em!!!
Ron @ 31:
No she's proven that she hates BLACK MEN. Not men. Obviously she didn't see Shrillary in all her glory last night. Eek. No wonder Bill strays. I can't imagine listening to that one bitch at you for 60 minutes.
"McCrazy vs Obama"
Better known as "Nutjob Roll Call" - just keep track of those coming out "strongly in favor" of McMealymouth
Saint Augustine @ 27:
I think it's just a serious case of gentleman's relish withdrawal.
Blue Lensman @ 35:
That wouldn't be a surprise. They'd endorse McDeadAlreadyButNobodyCheckedLately in a Mcheartbeat.
Another delegate switched to Obama.
Marge @ 14:
C'mon honey, we all know who the real woman is. Mary Bailey is running...
Homer @ 39:
Hahahahaha......wonder where all the "fake" women running are? "Remember a vote for me is a vote for my fake breasts"
HDon @ 29:
Yes!!!! That's an excellent idea... Generals, whaddaya say?! If the answer isn't "We're on our way!" then STFU!
Samo Umer @ 17:
Wrong. He'd vote for Bush again and again. His organization has never been more popular and strong thanks to YOUR dumb ass President. Go back to Malkin's site with your worthless, baseless, idiotic burps. Bitch ass troll.
Rachel Maddow coverd this on her AAR show last night. I love me some Rachel.
and yes, this sums it up nicely:
versus
excellent reporting! washington times should publish an addendum. i know, not gonna happen. but a boy can dream, can't he?
=ck
ConcernedCanuck @ 3:
I'm interested: why do you think that is? The public has made their wishes on this matter crystal fucking clear. If Obama doesn't get us out of Iraq he will be a one-term President. We ARE NOT HELPING over there.
Maybe the military leaders should have wet the bed when the king of inexperience, stupidity and sheer vacuousness, George Walker Bush, was running for President.
Then they wouldn't have had to have their legacies besmirched by this clusterfuck of a war that the idiot son stuck them in.
I liked the end of the article from the military industrial official, who's worried that Obama will cut military funding to finance health care.
That was funny.
Puts me in mind of a high school taunt "Everybody hates you!" Who's everybody? Who's "a lot" ? You got a turd in your pocket? And no I don't mean rove.
The only people 'scared' are the corporate criminal butt puppets who are facing an 800lb rabid gorilla karma fairy. They aren't scared of terrorists. The 'terrorists' are just another customer. They're scared of the people actually taking their country back. That scares them more than anything else ever could.
and exactly what experience did the current chimp-in-charge have when he walked in the door... and what superior understanding of the "...threat...to the US..." did he or any of his front-row clowns have when they walked in the door.
just askin'
Simple solution to this - if, of course, any of it's true - is to declare immunity for any illegal acts performed by the military under the current, experienced(?), administration. That way they won't have to worry about an honest man/woman coming in as Commander-in-Chief. Additionally, the incoming President should promise that the US won't cut off the bribe-money portion of 'The Surge' prior to pulling the troops. After all they don't want all those Sunnis we've armed shootin' at us while we're loadin' up the wagon.
The U.S. military is a branch of Corporate America, which also owns the entire GOP and much of the Democratic Party. Corporate America uses its military to rape and pillage the natural resources of other countries. It has even been used in earlier times to combat Americans seeking union membership. President Dwight Eisenhower knew the pitfalls of the military-industrial-congressional complex well. The Iraq War is funded from borrowed money. New Orleans grows weeds, while we burn money in Iraq. Given the chance, the present owners of America will destroy the gift of Democracy our Founding Fathers gave us. Hopefully, Barack Obama can begin returning our military's mission to protecting America, with funds then moving towards universal health care, infrastructure repair, improved educational opportunities and a rebuilding of the American middle class.
Big Dick Cheney @ 1:
But not the fatty tuna.... Please, not the fatty tuna....
slippytoad @ 45:
Because if the troops are withdrawn, Iraq collapses, taking with it the neighbouring nations who will not stay neutral. Face it, even though it was Bush, the US has broke it and has to stay and fix it, or real hell will break loose. Iraq has no military, factions are being separated right now by a fragile truce, and the loss of the US military would ignite the entire mideast now. The estimates are that 100,000 troops stay until 2016, and that will be something that the new Prez will have to consider. So whoever gets elected will say, "hey, we had no idea what kind of mess it really was until we came to power"........and then rightfully blame Bush. EVERY new government fails on promises and blames the former government.
I wonder what the military thinks of the idea of 100 or 1000 years in Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, and Kuwait?
interesting that you can't comment on the washington times articles, ain't it?
Max-1 @ 29:
Sound a tad redundant
Unless you actually believe that goldbooger tripe about liberal "fascism."
ThunderMonkey @ 47:
That sounds like a capital idea!
Left&Left @ 42:
I could not agree with Left&Left's comment more. With a few thousand dedicated men Osama Bin Laden has managed to stretch the U.S. military all over the globe looking for him. He is also managing to bankrupt the United States which he said was his goal in 2004 and all the while building up a popular front against the Bush Administration's reactions. Bin Laden could not have asked for more from Bush. If there is anyone Bin Laden would vote for it is him. It is rare to find a leader that incompetent.
Yeah, and the current fascist in charge came with a shit-load of experience , my ass...
Samo Umer @ 18:
And the boosh's would vote for Hitler?
Oh wait, they already did.
Their grandfather preston supported him.
>Still, the mostly conservative retired officers, industry executives and current defense officials interviewed by The Washington Times cite Mr. Obama’s lack of experience in national security.
I wonder where these guys were in the 2000 election?
>We’re very concerned about his apparent lack of understanding on the threat of radical Islam to the United States,” said retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Thomas McInerney, who is pro-Iraq war and a Fox News analyst.
Any day now I expect the Radical Islamic Air Force to attain air superiority of our skies after which the RI Navy will conduct an amphibious landing and begin a blockade of the United States. Then the RI Armor Corps will lead the rest of the RI Army into capturing the country and maybe the entire continent. With the military leadership populated with people like McInerney it's no wonder that we are spending trillions on defense and not getting very little in return.
The officer corps of the military is a pretty conservative group sad to say, but the rank and file are not mostly. We reflect the demographic of all of America. When I first arrived at Ft Huachuca all my immedeate NCO's loved to listen to Limbaugh, Savage and Dr Laura, but they all grew dissatisfied with Jr and VP Dicks policies. My current roommate here in Baghdad told me he's a republican, but when he heard me listening to KO's special comments he asked me to play the latest ones because he is a fan. Emperor Chuckles thinks the military is solidly behind him, he is dead wrong (as usual).
Bet for every one who thinks Obama is not going to work, you'll find 100 who think he's going to do just fine. He knows how to think, as opposed to the talking chimp-in-a human-suit-deserter or the psychopathic monster who tells the chimp what to say and do whom they now have to deal with.
Just a hunch.
The Facts still stand that all military personnel donated more to Ron Paul than all of the other nominees combined. That makes both sides of this "fictional article" propaganda.
Mark Cartwright @ 52:
Not to mention the most important task of all: Restoring the Constitution and undoing the violence that has been done against It.
ConcernedCanuck @ 54:
Turkey started bombing the Kurds . . . was it last week? And as I gather our soldiers can't venture outside of certain areas anyway. The temporary slowdown in violence in the area seems to have been mostly the choice of Moqtada Al-Sadr, and has nothing to do with our troop presence. The surge didn't do shit.
I'm dead serious. They could walk away NOW and it would make no difference. I DO NOT SUBSCRIBE to the domino theory. The damage to the area has already been done. Any idea we have any impact on what's happening over there is a complete delusion. It's time to end the charade and stop the hemorrhaging.
The MIC-Pentagon is fearful that their gushing spigot of American tax dollars driven by "endless war" will be shut off to a drip then dry.
That is what they are concerned about.
President Clinton. "It doesn't matter how much money you give them it's never enough"
ysbaddaden @ 57
"Gold Booger".
Commence ROFLMAO'ing sequence.
Sequence complete.
slippytoad @ 67:
I'd hope you are right, but think right now American $$$$$ is the ONLY thing that is keeping the peace. Bribe 'em if ya got 'em. There is no way any US political leader is going to allow Iraq to choose it's own leaders because it would be unfriendly to the US. Bushie didn't invade to give away all that infastructure and oil money for nothing.
Herbert @ 65:
ERRRRRRRR, WRONG!!!!!
http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2007-09-13-military-donors_N.htm
WASHINGTON — Democrat Barack Obama and Republican Ron Paul have little in common politically, except their opposition to the Iraq war.
Both top a new list of presidential candidates receiving campaign contributions from people who work for the four branches of the military and National Guard, according to a study released Thursday by the non-partisan Center for Responsive Politics.
Obama, an Illinois senator, brought in more donations from this group than any White House contender from either party. The Democrat announced Wednesday his plan to withdraw all U.S. troops from Iraq by the end of 2008.
Paul, a Texas congressman and the only GOP presidential hopeful who supports an immediate troop withdrawal, comes in second.
Samo Umer @ 18:
So would Putin, Kadafi, Kastro, etc.etc.etc. Obama wants to talk to all of those evil dictators - on a one to one basis. Can that be done? If he thinks so, he's dumber than I thought.
Damn work computer...
Anyway, just substitute "Communism" for "radical Islam" and McInerney sounds just like the last generation of fear mongerers. The MO is the same. Perpetual war. Soon it will bankrupt us.
This reminds of a B.S. report on the Wall Street Journal Radio Program where some asshat was saying that the current recession is the result of people worrying that a Democrat will be elected in November.(I kid you not.) These people are shameless.
rain @ 72:
Herr dubyah talks to Putin all time, dunce.
Che's Lounge @ 73:
http://tinyurl.com/2vc2ea
retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Thomas McInerney, who is pro-Iraq war and a Fox News analyst
Nuff said.
As if GW Bush was so experienced when he took office? Puh-leeze...
Oh no, the radical Islamists are coming and the only person to stop them is a liberal fool! Who will protect us from the Muslims?
Personally, I don't trust anyone in the military to hold a high post if he knows so little about his enemy he refers to it as "radical Islam" and doesn't acknowledge it for what it is: crazy cultists blowing themselves and others up out of stupidity, not religon.
lordkoos @ 78:
Neither did Mr. Clinton, Ronny Raygun, Mr. Carter, etc., etc., H dubyah was probably one of the few presidents in recent history that actually had any experience in national security.
ConcernedCanuck @ 35:
Based on what you just printed, Ron @ 31, I'll wager you live alone.
Marge @ 14:
Are you really this dense? Just WTF are you trying to say?
Samo Umer @ 18:
Douchebag Troll alert.
ConcernedCanuck @ 70:
Well, we're not getting the oil NOW because the country is in that much turmoil.
Look, I'm sure that the powers that be would like to keep us in the same fucked-up status quo in Iraq and think that it's inevitable. I'm also sure that Obama is going to set up the dialogue on Iraq over the first few months of his term in such a way that not only do they end up getting our troops out, but that both the Iraqis and the US public and even the fucking military-oil-industrial complex all agree that it's the best thing. It's what he does. It's not magic, it's just a really good grasp of rhetoric and logic.
Dr. Matt @ 75:
No he doesn't talk to Putin all time. One reason is because Putin refuses to talk to the lame brain in Washington.
all Doves dont worry you will be too bankrupt soon to wage more Wars or continue anyWar.....
rain @ 81:
What, if I did live alone, would that have to do with anything? I love people that make dumb remarks. It makes me feel so much superior.
Who let the trolls in? woof woof.
rain @ 85:
http://i.realone.com/assets/rn/img/0/8/5/3/12623580-12623583-slarge.jpg
http://www.september11news.com/Oct21BushPutinShanghaiSilkJack.jpg
http://blog.reidreport.com/uploaded_images/bush-putin-truck-708652.jpg
http://eyeofthestorm.blogs.com/photos/uncategorized/bush_putin_meeting_2001_01.jpg
http://a.abcnews.com/images/Politics/ap_bush_putin_070604_ms.jpg
rain @ 85:
http://images.google.com/images?q=bush+putin&ie=UTF-8&oe=utf-8&rls=org.m...
Ron @ 87:
It means you lack, shall we say, the social skills.
I let this gem stand alone. There is nothing I can add to it.
slippytoad @ 84:
OK. I'm not going to let the cynic in me reply with truthiness to your statement. I do however have a nice piece of property for sale. Close to water (floods), close to downtown (rundown), recent upgrades (now has hydro), close to stores (it's a crack neighbourhood) and just a slight handyman's special (should be torn down).
If you dont believe me read a bit here...
http://calculatedrisk.blogspot.com/
btw its free but not for nothing :-)))
Are they fearful that he's incapable of choosing competent advisors, or are they fearful that he won't enable them to secure high paying defense industry gigss after they retire?
And BTW, if the military should worry about anyone, it's CiC Bush, who vacationed for a month when intel told him an attack was imminent.
slippytoad @ 90:
Why would it matter if Ron lives alone when remarking how Marge hates men. She does and proves it with every little troll dropping she produces. Point?
The military budget needs to cut. Invest in things America really needs, roads, bridges, healthcare etc.
Mike @ 92:
No surprise. Took long enough for people earning less than 40 grand/year to finally figure out "Hey Bubba, we cain't afferd that 400thousand dollar house"
The time to have cited a lack of experience in national security was when Ronald Reagan ran for office in 1980. The same could be said for George W. Bush in 2000.
Abraham Lincoln, the first Republican president, had a lack of experience in national security, and a political career about as long as Obama's, and he turned out OK.
slippytoad @ 90:
If I don't have the social skills of Marge, I'm okay.
If politicians would keep our country out of the business of other countries, our military would not have to worry about it. Considering the awful mess the United States is in right now, militarily, financially and domestically, I think it's time to drastically reduce our foot-print in the world and start concentrating on matters within our own borders. Thanks to the Bush crime family and their policies of aggression the rest of the world hates us anyway. I agree that Obama simply does not have the experience, but of course neither does George Bush, even after eight years. Either way it sounds like GOP smearing to me. The republicans know that there is no chance one of their guys will be sitting at the big desk after January. Besides isn't that what Military Chief of Staff is for, to guide a President on military matters?
Yup, I think it's time to try a little isolationism and protectionism again. The U.S. has had it's day in the sun. It's all about being THE world power. A position, which given the shape of things, the U.S. will lose. It's just a matter of time.
Wow. Well, presuming for a moment that it's true - too freaking bad. The military works for us, not the other way around.
Big Dick Cheney @ 1:
Or the mercury and the mass kill of fish in the Mediterean
JerryO @ 99:
That's already happened.
They fear Obama because he won't blindly fund all their multi-billion dollar projects. The military has had 7 1/2 years of getting everything they want....and that gravy train is about to be stopped.
Deal with it.
Joe O. @ 9:
I wonder how many of these officers have seen combat I mean real combat?
"and allowed the Iraqi government to progress toward Sunni-Shia-Kurd reconciliation" - I called out sick yesterday, and spent the day sleeping on the couch in a Nyquil-induced coma...DID I MISS SOMETHING?!? WTF?!?
Iraq is a no win situation.
We cannot contain the situation there by our presence; it only gives fuel to the insurgents. The Iraq campaign has already destabilized the middle-east because of this situation. Also, the burgeoning needs of the refugees that are currently being allowed protection in refugee camps in surrounding countries is another nail in this particular coffin.
This whole campaign is actually doing a very effective job bankrupting our country and taking desperately needed focus and funds away from issues we have here at home.
Our leaving the area could ignite the whole middle-east but if we continue the present course it will definitely destroy the economy (probably already has) of our country. We do not have the funds or even the option to stay in Iraq for a hundred years or more.
The only course left to us is to leave the area targeting our effort to restricting the ballooning humanitarian crisis that we created in the first place in Iraq. The needs of the Iraqis that are being left in the area and those who are currently in surrounding states in refugee camps should be addressed.
btw You dont need expirience.. thats what advisers for...
you need sound judgment ( wich will led to good advisers) its like a competence circle....
rain @ 72:
Dude you and your butt buddie @18 cannot be this stupid. Your ignorant troll ass has the temerity to come to this site filled with thoughtful, fact checkers with your right wing dog shit comments. Didn't FDR talk to Stalin? Even your dementia President Reagan had discussions with various "evil" Communist leaders. How did your 19% asses learn how to operate a computer? Oh I'm sorry. They now teach computer courses in cell block.
The military are terrified of this election, that's why they've sent all their money to a republican.
.. the ANTI-war republican.
Why don't the troops support the troops?
the military is only worried they won't have the loose
purse strings the gop has foolishly given the military
complex. it's gop coruption thru out the govt.
total waste of money in the military thru the pentagon,
but abuse and refuse money to support health, education
and the elderly in America. bush/cheney and the gop
have everything ass backwards or should i say,
they are fascists and only want to protect their
corporate buddies.
he may has Windows Vista Blog Response Bot with a Right wing Talking Point add-on???
even a good Dog could start a PC like this....
slippytoad @ 67:
The Domino Theory was a lie in the 1970s and it STILL IS.
Liberal AND Proud @ 113:
No domino theory is necessary. Since Clinton the US has savagely attacked Iraq and it has been proven without a doubt, for no legal reason. You can't just walk away.
"oh look, um....looks like we killed yer friends, and yer family...and um.....oh ya sorry about our tanks running over yer dog........well anyway...yer on yer own!" Doesn't work. Bush, Cheney et al should be publicly arrested on a global stage by their own people, tried for crimes against humanity amongst other things, and reparations paid to the Iraqis for this entire mess. Iraqi people have never done anything to the US and it is morally unethical to do what has been done to them, and then say let's get out. Too damn bad people. You broke it, you fix it. Comes with being the world's superpower.
McCain the Liar @ 96:
I like to say that the Soviets won the Cold War, as we spent trillions of dollars on weapons as our social-economic infrastructure collapsed.
JerryO @ 100:
Absolutely. We MUST develop a new understanding of our place in the world. We'll improve the quality of life for all Americans if we stop destroying ourselves to be #1 in everything.
Right about one thing. There are people in this country that have aided and abetted the enemy....and they are in the White House. They are calling themselves "president and Vice-president" while being fascist pigs that are ruining this country.
Impeach the Big Dick Cheney first and then the little ass-hole.
Nobody really knows what the serving officers think. They all know what happened to General Abizaid when he publicly ventured too near the truth. Going by what the retirees are saying, however, the Army is stretched to it's limit and a drawdown in Iraq is essential to maintain any warfighting ability. This is pretty consistent with Obama's views and possibly Clinton's as well. If they're afraid of anything it's probably another mentally handicapped
commander-in-chief.
It is against the UCMJ for Active Duty Military personal to campaign for or against political canidates. If people in the Military are making statements against Obama they should be proscecuted to the full extent of the UCMJ.
Lucky for you is Pitchforks are soooo 17th century.. you can go and buy a magnum.45...
Dont think the Powers to be thought about this....
Obama would actually be embraced much more than Hillary as Commander and Chief by the military complex because Obama is ignorant. Ladies and gentlemen of America it is only my opinion yet a lot was flushed out in the Ohio debate. Across the board the Mainstream Media gave Obama a win, were as my observations believe Obama does not have what it takes to be the President, Hillary is much more qualified for the Presidency and as Commander and Chief. Moreover will address some very difficult issues resulting from the war, were Obama will cave.
Obama’s decision not to reject immediately the endorsement of one of Americas most dangerous, volatile, and corrosive Islamic Muslim radicals presiding in our country is a very telling example of how Obama will be on the fence in most of America’s foreign policy. Especially dealing with Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Israel, or Palestine. Mainstream Media, with most political analyst completely dismiss how Hillary aggressively, impressively jumped right in and showed Obama the difference between rejections and include denunciation.
Then, Obama turns around and to concede to denounce and reject Farrakhan glaringly shows an immaturity in leadership, wisdom, and a terrible gamble to negotiate with Americas basic problems in Iraq, Afghanistan, or Israel Palestine. Here it was to me an explosive contrast when Hillary stood firm and held to her guns to get Obama to commit to reject and denounce Farrakhan, it was par excel lance in leadership.
The Military Complex has a very difficult situation, were a lot of the problems are presented in Dave Lindorff and Barbara Olshansky’s book called “The Case for Impeachment” which goes through a huge, huge description of the crimes, atrocities, and open disregard for International Convention agreements that inevitably will result in war time crimes with obvious military disrespect for the International community. Most likely Generals included.
Though, after the election serious consequences will be addressed as war crimes, that’s basically why McCain will not stop the war, Bush and Company likely will open to war crimes which is a lot more serious than Impeachment and very justified. Ironically, it also involves imbedded Mainstream Media reporters for all major networks. So, you see why Mainstream Media is complicit, along with many first line Journalist that have been key players in misinformation in this war.
This war has produced a margin of distrust in the Mainstream Media as bad as or worse than the Supreme Courts intervention in stopping the vote count in Florida. This is why Hillary is demonized and trash at every chance. The Neo-Con are terrified along with their college kids. Who in the hell would want their family to go down in history as prosecuted for war crimes. No one does…
ConcernedCanuck @ 114:
Remember what Colin Powell told GWB before the war..."you break it...you own it".
I am military (22 yrs AF) and I would like to see Obama as a CIC. If not Obama, then any other democrat will do. The military is not as far right as everyone thinks. The loud vocalist among us are usually in the minority; thus their nessecary loudness to gove a different impression...assholes.
Liberal AND Proud @ 121:
sorry but he was part right: for ppl like Bush it means: if you want it break it...
This is why I get my opinions and news from the internet.
US wars should be fought on the defense. Man, I'm ashame of this war.
Old democratic ways and surely repug ways are gone.
It's the People's government not the repugs, big businesses and chimpy's government.
I hate the Commander-in-Chief in chimpy's presidency is expressed as the sole purpose of the president. I would love to know what presidents said Commander-in-Chief the most.
The most important thing to rememeber about being a military officer is that for almost all, it is not a lifetime job. They put in their 20-30 and then join the MI complex. Therfore their longterm job security depends on more and more money for the military. That is the only prism through which they see. Always be skeptical and always follow the money.
ConcernedCanuck @ 114:
I agree. Reminds me of The Great Gatsby, when, towards the end, it talks about how Tom and Daisy were just a destructive whirlwind that ruined Gatsby. We helped put Saddam in power for "our own good", invaded, made a huge mess and now we just want to pack up and go?
I think it takes a lot of the moral wind out of our sails when we can cry foul all day long when the conflict is going on, but when it comes down to either risking more turmoil (it might or might not happen) or offering a somewhat (at least) safer society, we turn our backs. I think we should bring home troops on a large scale, especially the overburdened, weary ones and that we should offer more leave time in between deployments. However, I don't think we can just up and out.
JetTx @ 122:
Thank you for speaking out JetTx. Be careful not to express your "phony soldier" thoughts in the presence of military heroes like OReilly, Hannity, Limbaugh, etc.
Mike @ 120:
Yeah, the past 7 years I've been drinking alot of Colt 45's.
Gee, I wonder if Brett Bozo Bozell and his pals at Accuracy In Media will pick up on this obvious bias. Nah.
What utter rubbish!
"The threat of radical Islam to America".
What are they going to do?
Send dozens of ships full of military personnel along with fighter jets and bombers to invade and occupy the United States?
Maybe the U.S. would feel less "threatened" if they cut back a little on the number of places around the globe where the U.S. military is murdering thousands of people and demolishing their countries. Just a thought.
Same old story. Korea. Vietnam. Philipinnes. Kuwait. Iraq.
Imperialism is as Imperialism does.
i'm in the military. my answer, nope.
As someone who lives and works with many Sailors and Marines, I can say that the biggest worry that I see from the troops is that they'll have to continue to live and work on a shoe-string budget because every available dime is going to Iraq.
This is the GOP doing the only thing they know how to do: Promote fear.
If there is a silver lining to the gwb presidency it is that fear mongering won't win another presidential election for a very long time.
Heck of a job, frat boy. Mission Accomplished.
will, if everything is getting better, than shouldn't we be getting out of there.
gosh, it is like this:
the repug want the troop to stay in iraq because everything is bad, extremely bad but than turns around and said that everything is going great, so great that we should stay there for 100 more years.
"The Threat of Radical Islam" is a code word to mean just as much as "Red China" mean durign the Korean or Vietnam wars.
It's used by people who have a vested interest in keeping the "meat grinder" making money for them, nothing more.
greg white @ 131:
I agree. Only I think if the next president doesn't pull them out this fester wound will come back and haunt them
The world cannot live with the US bossing everyone around. They will have humble themselves or be forced, by force, to stop invading and bombing other countries and support friend dictators (Or spreading imperial fascism with Israel)
Max-1 @ 29:
"ad homonym"? hmmm...I guess the best one I can come up with is either "promotion" or "publicity".
ConcernedCanuck @ 54:
How do we know for sure? Maybe if someone competent in charge that made sure Iraq got its electricity back and cleaned up the water supply and told Haliburton to fuck off so we really could rebuild Iraq things would be better. The idiot shrub has kept Iraq totally fucked up. Any General that is still in Iraq and against withdrawal has to be an idiot that is afraid to speak up for fear of relieved of their command. Only the butt kissers are left over there. Anyone that disagreed with bush is gone. That's what bush meant when he said he listens to the generals on the ground. The generals, that agreed with him that is.
Ask yourself why Iraq has no military. There was one when we went there and instead of having them join us, we fucked them over and they joined the insurgency.
The defense hogs don't have much to fear. It will still take a huge amount from the national treasury for the new Democratic administration to restore the military simply to the state it was in prior to Bush taking office. Only difference is that the new spending might actually go to supporting troops, military families, and military infrastructure, rather than be funneled (or stolen) by fat-cat Republican, corporate donors.
Tarro @ 15:
I am not predicting anything. However, I am far more optimistic with a good leader than with someone is not, regardless of their prior military background. One thing I do like about Obama is his relatively short time in the WA DC Bubble. He still has the opportunity to be his own man.
Samo Umer @ 18:
well how nice just follow the adress on the envelop and get him then...
John West @ 12:
Fuck Bush, fuck McCain, and especially fuck Gen. McInerney. In the words of Granny Wisemuller (you have to have gone to Georgetown in the early seventies to get the reference, but these are her true words), "Fuck 'em, fuck 'em all."
JohnWest@12
Your statement was so struck my cord, I accidently hit the wrong key.
HAHAHAHAHAteehee
You make excellents points.
Not only that Sept. 11, 2001 plane disasters and pentagon-what-in-the-hell-happened happened under chimpbozo's watch. Under his care; after warnings. He was never into protecting US citizens or anybody, as I believe you know.
This is the answer to why they are repugs.
chimpy always wanted to play General.
The stupid dumbass.
"Retired senior officers"? Who cares what those old fucks think?
chimpy is basically stating to our finest, listen to your government not your loved ones.
Rico @ 139:
Unfortunately, I doubt it will. The U.S. military is infected with civilians that are so overpaid that it's sickening. They are trying to act like the military is a corporation, but it isn't. There is zero economic return on a tomahawk missile. Zero. Yet the military hires "executive directors" and Lean Six Sigma specialists to do these wonderful corporate minded things. None of that changes the fact that there is zero economic return on a tomahawk missile. No matter what you do, the military will NEVER make money. That's not the purpose of the military.
So, all of these people, who are now make 6 figures a year, PLUS FREE HOUSING if they live overseas are simply trying to perpetuate the problem for as long as possible because they have found their own personal gravy train.
How do they do that? Marketing. On the base where I work and have worked for the last 15 years, there has been a HUGE push by the major commands to build marketing departments and offices of corporate communications to get the word out regarding all the great things that the marketing departments and offices of corporate communications are doing.
The marketing department in the office I work at has 1 GS-14, 1 GS-13, 6 GS-12s, 9 GS-11s and about 30 Japanese nationals all working toward perpetuating the existence and growth of...the Marketing department, a division that is wholly unnecessary to start with.
The rich are getting richer and the poor poorer, even within the military, and in my life, I have never seen the rich give up what they feel they are entitled to. Ever.
The military needs to be wholly overhauled and de-civilianized at the higher levels. There is simply no need to pay a GS-14 to do the job that was once done by a junior officer, who would ask for less in the way of entitlements and who would do just as good a job (and in many cases, a better one).
ConcernedCanuck @ 27:
What a great response, concerned!
Joe O. @ 9:
Remember it was wise old retired generals that freaked when we invaded Iraq,
also a lot of high ranking generals retired with angry words rather than participate in an illegal and pointless occupation.
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