On a personal note, although obviously a Democrat and a former staffer for New York Democrat Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan, I always kind of liked and respected Tim Russert. The Iraq campaign has apparently caused Russert to return to the Baby Boom days of yore, in which he (and every other leftist born between ‘46 and ‘55) personally ended the Vietnam War and saved the world from Richard Nixon. The imminence of geriatric irrelevance is upon this group of people and so they have mindlessly seized resistance to American involvement in Iraq as the nostalgic path to renewed significance.
So this morning, Russet and the now most openly partisan network, NBC, drug Meet the Press into a new low in their pursuit of defeat in Iraq. The headlines screamed quotes from the Iraqi Security Forces Independent Assessment Commission that created the appearance of defeat in Iraq, and emphasized the length of time that the US will be involved in Iraq.
Russert’s first two guests were General James Jones, USMC (Ret.) Chairman, Iraqi Security Forces Independent Assessment Commission Former Supreme Allied Commander, Europe and 32nd Commandant of the United States Marine Corps and Chief Charles Ramsey Member, Iraqi Security Forces Independent Assessment Commission, former Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department, Washington, D.C.(whose forces captured the D.C. sniper).
Emoting the greatest of concern and emphasizing every negative implication, Russert repeatedly asked questions designed to evidence defeat in Iraq. Neither Gen. Jones nor Chief Ramsey fell for it. Russert asked if we would still be in Iraq in 18 months, Jones replied that we were still in Bosnia so the length of time it takes to solve the problem is not the dispositive issue. Russert asked about the findings that the Iraq military cannot act on its own, and apparently will not have that capacity for some time. Jones replied that the question is one of mission. Will Iraq’s military be able to protect the country from external threats (Iran) in the next couple of years? No. Will they be able to maintain internal control from the Shia militias and Al Qaeda in Mesopotamia, probably yes.
Russert directed the same type of context distorting inquiry to Chief Ramsey. Obviously the Iraqi police need improvement as does Iraqi public confidence in the police, as Ramsey recognized, but improvements in both have occurred and will continue to occur, as Ramsey also explained. Both Gen. Jones and Chief Ramsey made Tim look like a political hack, spinning tales of American defeat when surrounded by evidence of American victory. Bagdad Bob must have had a workshop at NBC.
Joe Biden appeared during the second session. Tim provided Joe with little more than a forum in which to advance the argument that Iraq is no more secure now than six months ago. Joe’s evidence for the defeatist conclusion is, of course, that the existence of some places in Iraq that are unsafe to ground travel for a visiting dignitary means that the cause is lost. Unlike most Dems, Joe at least goes into some of hot spots in Iraq so that he can report first hand.
Joe spent some time discussing the need for new and better-armored infantry fighting vehicles. While I think Joe is sincere on this one, I wonder how he reconciles the lack of such weaponry with his, and that of almost every other Democrat, votes to substantially reduce weapons procurement throughout the 90s. Don’t you?
Biden continues to demonstrate a grasp of the real world implications of leaving Iraq without victory (that means minimal Al Qaeda and Iranian influence because the government can support itself, defend itself and maintain territorial security) that substantially exceeds that of any other Democrat. Joe’s lack of support in the Democrat primary tells you just how out of touch with the dangers facing the American people the party of appeasement has become.
So this morning, Russet and the now most openly partisan network, NBC, drug Meet the Press into a new low in their pursuit of defeat in Iraq. The headlines screamed quotes from the Iraqi Security Forces Independent Assessment Commission that created the appearance of defeat in Iraq, and emphasized the length of time that the US will be involved in Iraq.
Russert’s first two guests were General James Jones, USMC (Ret.) Chairman, Iraqi Security Forces Independent Assessment Commission Former Supreme Allied Commander, Europe and 32nd Commandant of the United States Marine Corps and Chief Charles Ramsey Member, Iraqi Security Forces Independent Assessment Commission, former Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department, Washington, D.C.(whose forces captured the D.C. sniper).
Emoting the greatest of concern and emphasizing every negative implication, Russert repeatedly asked questions designed to evidence defeat in Iraq. Neither Gen. Jones nor Chief Ramsey fell for it. Russert asked if we would still be in Iraq in 18 months, Jones replied that we were still in Bosnia so the length of time it takes to solve the problem is not the dispositive issue. Russert asked about the findings that the Iraq military cannot act on its own, and apparently will not have that capacity for some time. Jones replied that the question is one of mission. Will Iraq’s military be able to protect the country from external threats (Iran) in the next couple of years? No. Will they be able to maintain internal control from the Shia militias and Al Qaeda in Mesopotamia, probably yes.
Russert directed the same type of context distorting inquiry to Chief Ramsey. Obviously the Iraqi police need improvement as does Iraqi public confidence in the police, as Ramsey recognized, but improvements in both have occurred and will continue to occur, as Ramsey also explained. Both Gen. Jones and Chief Ramsey made Tim look like a political hack, spinning tales of American defeat when surrounded by evidence of American victory. Bagdad Bob must have had a workshop at NBC.
Joe Biden appeared during the second session. Tim provided Joe with little more than a forum in which to advance the argument that Iraq is no more secure now than six months ago. Joe’s evidence for the defeatist conclusion is, of course, that the existence of some places in Iraq that are unsafe to ground travel for a visiting dignitary means that the cause is lost. Unlike most Dems, Joe at least goes into some of hot spots in Iraq so that he can report first hand.
Joe spent some time discussing the need for new and better-armored infantry fighting vehicles. While I think Joe is sincere on this one, I wonder how he reconciles the lack of such weaponry with his, and that of almost every other Democrat, votes to substantially reduce weapons procurement throughout the 90s. Don’t you?
Biden continues to demonstrate a grasp of the real world implications of leaving Iraq without victory (that means minimal Al Qaeda and Iranian influence because the government can support itself, defend itself and maintain territorial security) that substantially exceeds that of any other Democrat. Joe’s lack of support in the Democrat primary tells you just how out of touch with the dangers facing the American people the party of appeasement has become.
20 comments:
Lets have a Straw Poll for the Sexiest male and female staffers!!!!!
Obama has a hottie working the Des Moines area.
Just one? Go hang out at the Village Bean and watch them parade through.
Ken,
You got another mention in the Basu column today. Maybe you need to call her when you are back in town. As you may know, I'm big on the opposites attract thing. :)
And yes, there are quite a few Obama Mamas at his Des Moines HQ. Mrs. RF gets a bit annoyed by their frequent calls.
Hot or not so hot, the number of Obama staffers in Iowa is pretty amazing. I'm just hoping their hard work pays off come caucus time.
Hey Ted! I missed this MTP, but agree that Russert continuously makes a fool of himself to any intelligent and researched American on issues of the Iraq war.
No matter anyone's views on Iraq, we need to be mindful that the next US president is going to be stepping into the Commander In Chief roll from day one. They will need to be prepared for war, well versed and respected militarily. I do not see Hilary or Obama being respected militarily, or as having the ability to separate their constituency's radicalism from the facts of war. Leaving Iraq now puts our country at greater risk for attacks. This is a fact proven by the new Osama Bin Laden tape.
Also, don't forget that Fidel Castro has already cast his endorsement for Senator Clinton. I know who I'm NOT going to vote for!
I hope all your readers take time to read the book "Unlimited Access" for a true depiction of the Clinton White House.
Re Obama's hotties sex not only sells it also distracts as well which is why much of Islamic world demands women dress modestly.
They don't teach the "Dead White Males" anymore for fear guys would catch on to the implicit warning message about how dangerous preoccupations with "hotties" can be. That what Homer is all about starting with abduction of Helen by the sex obsessed brain dead Paris. Our model should be Ullyses who lashed himself to the mast to safely listen to the Sirens' song and steered clear of Circe to avoid being turned into a pig.
Strongly suspect at the core of Islamic terrorism is the fear with the imposition of democracy they'd be treated as badly by their women as ours treat us.
The mistreatment of men in our society is starting to become an issue. http://tierneylab.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/09/09/men-and-women-different-but-equal-whats-the-problem/
I really wish to get away from the hotties for a minute and talk about things that really matter. Like getting Dr. Klein to stop commenting. It's really boring. Is this all you do--sit around and wait for someone else to comment so you can ramble about nothing? Nobody cares.
Anyone else who is sick to death of passing up Dr. Klein's posts, please give me a whoo, whoo. It's every-other post, for pete's sake. Give it a rest. Haven't you ever heard the quip
"God gave you two ears to hear with and only one mouth with which to speak."
In other words, zip it, or get your point across in 2 paragraphs or less
Who are the Studs and Starlets for the GOP
....Clinton spokesman Howard Wolfson said in a statement Monday night. "An estimated 260 donors this week will receive refunds totaling approximately $850,000 from the campaign."
I wonder if any of these 260 illegal donors are some of the 120 illegal donors that left the country rather than face prosecution the last time Bill Clinton ran for President (Hillary is simply a proxy for Bill).
Anonymous--Will be back in Des Moines late tomorrow. Let's meet.
mark@drmarkklein.com
yeah let's meet doc here's my email:
tool@dumbassco.dik
Anonymous--Very cute. Hard to be a rational person in an irrational world.
If I wasn't so worried about our country's future, and the welfare our descendants, would be total insanity for someone with the pleasant personally satistfying life I lead to enter the inherent grunge of political life. Suspect our Founding Fathers felt that when they left their farms, businesses and professions to fight the British.
Will soon see what I and my band of Winter Soldiers can accomplish.
What about the GOP Sluts?
Obama has the most enthusiastic group of staffers in town.
Despite Obama's rock star status he's doing very poorly with the betters. Firm believer in money talks and b.s. walks.
Iowa Electronic Markets has him running far behind Clinton and do the British bookies.
http://iemweb.biz.uiowa.edu/graphs/graph_DConv08.cfm
http://www.easyodds.com/compareodds/specials/politics/m/51361-130-3.html
I have real doubts about in his intellectual firepower. Read a synopsis of his Iraq withdrawal plan. Just ridiculous Obama thinks he can get the Sunnis and Shiites, bitterly divided since the death of Mohammed, to reconcile. This plus shaking up the Pakistani government with unwise comments last month makes me feel he's the least qualified candidate from any party for the White House.
Nevertheless the GOP's bookmaking odds aren't good.
Dr. Klein,
Do I hear a bit of penis/prez envy from a presidential wannabe who has all this time to hang out at Real Sporer?
Anyways, go and read Obama's speech about the Iraq War given in the fall of 2002. Most smart people still can't articulate the pitfalls of the war as well as he did before it even started. If we only were lucky enough to have a president with such intellect and prescient vision. Plus, he has the wisdom to even respect the folks on your R side and realize that not all of you R's are wrong all the time on 100% of the issues.
And, I wouldn't trust the bookies and pollsters when it comes to Iowa caucuses. We'll see in January (or whenever) how well Hillary does. I, for my part, am working hard to produce an upset.
Yea Klein,
You sure have it locked up. Most other candidates have very heavy schedules. Yet, you can fucking post your stupid ass rants here.
OK, I will wait for your drunk with the kool aid answer. Because I know when you're not beating off to how many ONLINE polls you can win, you're posting and hitting refresh here.
GO HAWKS!
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