News-Record.com

http://www.washtimes.com/world/20060702-102212-2649r.htm

Thanks for the link, James. My response to the "we will never cut and run" comment is : remember "no new taxes"?

Apparently during the Terry Shiavo debacle, Tommy Delay said something like "She is alive and well", followed by silence when her autopsy proved a brain degenerated into jello. Can you say "political BS"?

Likewise, the call for "Cut and Run" is branded unpatriotic ... I like this one:

Apparently (as reported by Newsweek), the first draft of the new Iraqi Security plan called for a rapid pull down of American Troops - remarkably close to what Murtha was saying - but after passing through DC, the final published plan was ammended to remove the cut and run language. Can you say "political pressure"?

or this one:

I've heard from two sources - one a co-worker with a son in Iraq who has been given DO NOT SHOOT orders - under almost all circumstances, and the other a news report (can't find it right now), that says we're officially taking a "kinder, gentler" approach.

This is the water-pumps-for-the-thirsty plan I have personally put forth in this blog as well as in letters to Congress - but hey, I'm Branded ala Chuck Conners: Marked as the one who ran, but I know I'm a Man.

Branded was a Western series which aired on NBC from 1965 through 1966. It starred Chuck Connors as Jason McCord, a United States Army Cavalry captain who had been drummed out of the service following an unjust accusation of cowardice.

The opening scene of the series was memorable, with McCord's epaulets being ripped off, his uniform having its buttons cut off, and his sabre being broken, while a drum played. He was then sent out of the gates of the fort where this occurred, which were then closed behind him. This scene was repeated each week as the theme song, which also told the background story, and the opening credits, were played, in part so that new viewers could easily be brought in on what had been going on, a very common device at the time used in many other programs as well.

In the series, McCord traveled throughout the Old West, trying to prove his innocence. He encountered people who believed in him and those who did not.

There's a remake in the works, with Jason McCord joing the Dixie Chicks ... just kidding.

JDR, thanks for the info. As usual, very much on target. I am wondering where the standard missile launchers are right now!

Shalom

JDR,
This LTE is well written and succinct. Points given are backed up by your posts.

I too remember "Branded", as I was a big Chuck Connors fan of the "Rifleman" too. Also, I remember the bathroom humor version we called "Stranded"----on the toilet bowl. What do you do when you're stranded, and can't reach the roll".

Last week, O'Reilly was quoting a Florida newspaper story about Murtha---trouble is the Florida newspaper had also run a RETRACTION of the story after finding out it was not true.

JDR:
WARNING:
You will be asked for the name your co-worker with a son in Iraq. If you fail to do so, the apologists will attack you. Of course you already know this about them.

Phillipa,

"we will not cut and run" was the quote.

That's slightly different than NEVER.

These guys always leave themselves wiggle room.

"No new taxes". We'll just increase the heck out of the old ones. :)

Hate to throw back to Clinton but I'll never forget watching a speech when he said something like the following:

Human cloning is immoral, unethical, and wrong -- at this time.

Okay, so tomorrow, it will be alright, then?

JDR,
The best part of your post above, is that you reference a story carried by the conservative Washington Times.

Is it still owned by the Unification Church of Sun Yung Moon?

Darryl,
Like you, I wonder where the usual suspects, or "apologists" are on this one. There's no way they can offer rational thought, but I do miss the irrational ones too. (LOL) Like I'd miss a wart off the end of my nose!

"Like you, I wonder where the usual suspects, or "apologists" are on this one."................

at the beach !!

Bush won...get over it, already.

DD, I am still waiting and it is after noon too!

Shalom

Neocon, the fact that Bush won an election does not give him the right to drag us into an interminable war with no plan for getting out of it. If Bush had a plan all along, if he had even shown that he wanted to develop a plan, then his approval ratings wouldn't be dragging the ground. I support our troops because they've been given an impossible, thankless task. I do not support our incompetent commander-in-chief.

Bush may have won the election, but he's losing the war.

Neo,
I am going to lob you a softball, and hope you will answer truthfully.

What exactly has Bush done that makes you such a gung ho supporter? Do you (honestly, now) believe that he has handled things well? Is there ANYTHING that you disagree with the admiinistration on? Maybe fiscal responsibility? Maybe corruption?
We need to see something from you other than, "ditto" or "Bush won, get over it", before we can take you seriously. You seem to have backed yourself in a corner, but I thik with the softball I've lobbed to you, you can emerge at least as one who can change when the terrain does.
Have at it!

Darryl,
The neocon's inability to string together some cogent thought about "WHY" he support Bush is indicative of the administration itself. They cannot defend their actions other than to proffer the usual "divide and conquer" topics--flag desecretion, Gay marriage, attack your patiotism if you are against the war etc.

Why are people supporting the administration? I'd really be interested in knowing.

DoubleD:

Neo has stated in the past that he now votes solidly R because he would never cast a ballot for someone that "bought" an election, as he claims LBJ did. Of course, LBJ didn't actually run after he bought the '68 election ... but hey, that's beside the point.

He would have voted for Mr. Vote-buyer Nixon, but it was too much effort, and he did vote twice for Mr. Vote-buyer Bush2, who additionally spread nasty rumors the first time, and also suppressed unflattering facts the second time. Neo will successfully argue that GW'b won't run again, but hey, that's beside the point too.

To many like Neo, it's minds-made-up regardless. Things like lever-color, the pro-life right-to-bully-others, or homophobia or an other simple single issues have closed the discussion.

Don't confuse the poor folks with details. After all, Bush won, we need to get over it.

Back from the beach. They should have said the Tall Ship is coming... very disappointed. One impressive ship, most smaller than those usually docked in Beaufort. Great to be on the boat and in the sunshine, however. Also glad to be home safely.

I would agree with the LTE, of course. I also would guess that some who blog were not on the debate team. Pitiful.

Thanks, JDR, for the clarification. I would love to hear someone actually "Defend" Bush rather than hurl the usual generic talking points off subject. What exactly would they be able to come up with?

Carol,
Glad you are back safely. Glad for the report on the tall "ship"! When I owned a home on Oak Island, I would see a tall sailing vessel come through the Intracoastal Waterway during the Spring and Fall. It had "troubled" teens actually running the ship. They would dock and come ashore in Southport, with supervision of course. I later saw a segment on television about it and it is quite a novel approach to helping urban children see something other than concrete and steel. They learned teamwork and how they are a small speck in the cavernous ocean. I have wondered recently, whether that ship still exists. Well, anyway, welcome home!

As for the LTE, it is a great piece that contains so many great points.

phillipa, has it ever occurred to you that the president may, just MAY, have access to information that you and I do not? Has it ever entered your mind that the intelligence gathering community has clued him in on some things that has happened and IS happening in the world that perhaps the ny slimes, the cartoon news network (cnn), and MesSNBC are not privy to? Could this have the slightest chance of being so? I think so.

All the liberal criticism leveled at Bush is based on what one reads/sees/hears in the lamestream media, which of course is the lapdog of the democrats. I'll be looking for more "proof" of the ineptness of Bush via more lamestream media links.

World traveler, a question for you: do you realize that you are going to upset sweet pea by acknowledging my presence? I hate to be the cause of a spat between you two. She hasn't squeaked at me since I.... well never mind.

neocon, are we talking about the same intellegence sources that assured Bush that there were weapons of mass destruction in Iraq? LOL! Bush wasn't careful enough going into Iraq and has squandered his credibility. Even when he's telling the truth, a large majority think he's either lying or spinning. You can't buy credibility with money or elections. It's something you earn by being careful and truthful. I doubt Bush is either.

neoCON,
Do you really believe if Bush had some REAL knowledge, he would not at least try to use that tact?
You have not answered the softball I lobbed for you. What is it that keeps you in symbiotic relationship with the Bush administration? All you have proffered is that Bush knows something that we don't know. Pardon my chagrin, but I just wish Bush knew what the rest of us have realized---that he invaded a country that had absolutely nothing to do with 9/11, and has no strategy for removing us from the quagmire.

Sadly, I must say you have failed the easiest test ever given. You cannot even formulate an answer to a question that has no right or wrong answer! The question only asks, what is YOUR real attraction to the current administration?

Instead of giving valid points, you bank your support on the idea that Bush "MAY" know more than he lets on.....For God's sake, I HOPE he knows more than he appears to know!

One more time: What is it about the Bush administration that manifests itself in a symbiotic relationship with you? Why are you so supportive? What is it about this administration that holds such a spell on you?
Fiscal responsibility? Exit Strategy for Iraq? Denying stem cell research to help cure disease? Trimming heretofore guaranteed freedoms? Massively expanding the Federal Government? Inserting government into the bedrooms of America? Border Security?

Surely you have some things that really stand out for you? What are they?

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Great answer, Neocon. I'm sure your debate coach would be proud. Agree with DD. Hope he knows more than he appears to know.

neoCON,
Never mind. You are devoid of independent thought and have little or no intellectual curiosity. Your mommie and daddy want you off the computer so shut her down. And by the way, you will not even be noted from here on out.

http://mediamatters.org/items/200606290009

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Carol, I don't recall you chiding the world traveler and telling him how proud his debate coach would be when he made the [zzzzzzzzzz] post a few days ago. Or are you selective in your criticism? One doesn't have the knowledge, but the other, weeeeelllll.... he's a little different because he's on YOUR side of the fence, huh? Thought so.

Carol,
It is amazing how some depend on the crowd for their strength. Reminds me of Jr. High School days when one bully would egg on the others to start some trouble, then disappear when the Principal or teachers came around. That person generally stayed behind while others went on to college and rewarding careers.

On the "Tall Ships", had you ever heard of that floating correctional facility I referenced? It was a long slender vessel with tall sails and massive windlasses. A beautiful ship painted black and white with some color in select areas, but completely manned by urban kids who had run in with the law at some point. Let me know if you've ever heard of that one. Hope you have a safe 4th. I turned on the sprinklers to help moisten the yard, as there are always bottle rockets and firecrackers in our neighborhood, and the grass, mulch, and pinestraw is like a tinderbox.

JDR,
Wish I had listened to your post earlier on a certain poster here who pulls the "R" lever under all circumstances. You are a wise man, and I am now wiser.

phillipa, I have to disagree somewhat.

I think Bush is truthful**. I also think he's a square guy, who lives an honorable life. Apparently he has a sense of humor, but I've not seen it.

Unfortuately, he is also simplistic. Everything is black and white, and he has surrounded himself with a very small group of very powerful folks hat thin they know it all.

He trusts them and that is his great fault - it has cost him his credibility, and he continues to use Rove-ian ideas of "squash with balony" to cover all faults.

** Truthful 'cept he's a filty politician (all's fair as long as you get elected)

Damn shame for America - he could have been so much more.

JDR, you really are a trusting soul when it comes to Bush's agenda. Hope you are right and he will wake up and start to read.

Neocon, I don't enjoy zzzzz's from anyone. I really don't like the name calling some of you do. I still want to hear your words on why you support Bush. I know you don't like the immigration policies. Anything else you don't like that is happening now?

Carol,

When you talk about the debate team, I assume that you are referring to Demon Deacon who we know is a debate coach time in real life at Wake Forest?

Carol, yes there are many things Bush has done that I do not approve of besides the immigration issue. He let the democrats, along with their cohorts in the lamestream media, demonize his plan to allow a measly 10% of their earnings that are hi-jacked by the federal government under the guise of "social security" to be invested in the stock market. He started the "drug benefit" welfare boondoggle that is nothing more than a vote buying scheme patterned after the liberal "war on poverty" vote buying scheme. These are but a couple of examples where I have a problem with him.

I know you don't approve of the name calling and the zzzzz comments, but my question is why did you finger me out for it while giving the world traveler a pass on it??? You never answered that question.
*************************************************

World traveler, since you've begun your boycott of me and I know you won't respond directly, let me make a couple of observations about your "school yard bully" and "hiding behind a crowd" comment.

I hide behind no one. How many times have you seen me make posts such as: Good post, Dan!! Or how about: Great points Bubba!! Or this: I'm glad you straightened him out, jackbar!! ... I'll tell you how many times: Zero! None! Nada! Zilch!.... On the other hand it is routine for you to make such comments concerning the points of JDR, Carol, or sweet pea. And of course there is always the left wing websites you link to in order to try and boost your lame arguments. Your accusations carry a heavy dose of hypocrisy, world traveler.... business as usual.

Your constant referrals to other's education level and your comments concerning "trailer trash" only serve to highlight your own ignorance and self-perceived elitism. Had Dan, Bubba, or jackbar made such comments the liberals like Carol and sweet pea would be all over it with both feet. But they give you a pass. This also speaks volumes about their hypocrisy.

My career is not only very rewarding financially, but is also rewarding in that my job consists of a skill that is very much in demand by a large segment of the population. It does not concern the government or any institutions connected with the government. I'll be glad to compare salaries any day.

Carol,
We at least got SOME idea of things. JDR had it right though, and I must, again, commend him for his insight. Enjoy your 4th!

Neocon, you had two zzz's and a Bush won get over it in this one blog. That is why I made the comment. As to others, I also say, please don't try to see who can be the worst. Name calling, insults, hateful sarcasm, etc., get soooo boring. The blogs about the Klan/Communist shootout was so interesting and civil. Would love to see all blogs like that.

Neo, also thanks for your opinions about Bush. Have a happy Fourth of July.

OK, now I get it. You were policing only THIS thread. Makes sense now.

I think you give the world traveler a pass because you agree with his tactics when they are directed at me, but you moan over the same tactics when they are directed at 'one of your own'. Not that I really care.
He is like an untrained puppy nipping at the heels of those he hates and watching the big dogs he admires and yapping, "good posts" when they make a point that delights him.

Carol,
Children usually come around when subjected to the "silent treatment". I should have listened to JDR, and not bothered trying to 'engage' the village idiot. Please read JDR's post above that is addressed to "DoubleD".

I thought I would absolutely puke yesterday when the news kept showing Bush speaking to the troops at Ft. Bragg about how proud he was of them. It was political BS from his lips. Any man who will hide out so he won't be sent to fight for his country the way Bush did during Viet Nam does not deserve to be among those brave folks who volunteered to serve. It simply magnified his hypocricy. He wouldn't serve but he has no qualms about sending other soldiers to fight in his war.

Unlike you James, I think Bush is self-serving, egotistical, slightly deranged and evil. I think he is missing the element in his soul that sparks compassion and caring for mankind. He is devoid of a conscience as well, imho.

There's bound to be a special place in hell for his kind.

Yvonne, quit being so "mamby pamby", how do you REALLY feel?!!
Seriously, I think the word HUBRIS is the best word to describe the administration. They took a united country on September 11th, and misused our patriotism and our loyalty, by going into Iraq. As Richard Clarke told us, they were hell bent on taking out Saddam even BEFORE 9/11. Imagine the good we could have done worldwide, against terrorism had the "Chicken Hawks" not taken us into a needless quagmire, that ruined our credibility world wide.
The reading of "My Pet Goat" is really the metaphor for the Bush Administration. We have a President who is incapable of admitting he's wrong, and incapable of righting the ship of state.

H-U-B-R-I-S!

DD,

Believe it or not, I was behind Bush after 9/11. I was all for seeking out and extracting justice from those responsible for bombing the Towers. So I was on board for going after Bin Laden since he readily admitted his guilt. No supposition or speculation about who perpetrated the crime.

Unfortunately, his desire to follow his own agenda was a slap in the face to all who had supported bombing Afganistan. As you said, he squandered the chance to keep America united and has caused irreparable damage and division.

Come to think of it, if I am confined to one word, hubris is perfect (but evil is a close second).

Yvonne,
That is what disturbs me the most about this administration. They abused the trust we put in them, and they do not have the decency to be contrite about it. I too was 100% behind my President, but the arrogance eroded my support. My neighborhood consists of professionals, physicians & attorneys mostly---and the Bush/Cheney stickers starting coming off cars after hurricane Katrina. Up until that point, even moderates could sort of hold out hope that we would see the "uniter vs. divider" emerge. What we got was more arrogance and incompetence. Some preach on these threads about "pulling oneself up by the bootstraps" and about the poor not being "victims" but our own President tried to make himself the victim of Hurricane Katrina and the public realized the camera doesn't blink. It is like the Little Boy who Cried Wolf. After being misled over and over again, why SHOULD we trust the President. After all, he's not just lying about an extra marital affair--he's lying about firing one who leaked the name of a covert operative of the CIA--for example!
Anyway, I too was united behind the President until he became too arrogant to the world and to his own country. He wasted one of the greatest chances given to ANY President.